November 23, 2009
We’ve selected a few activities that can’t be spoiled by the rain for this weekend. Though, in light of last week’s weather, there can’t be that much rain left can there? So if you fancy staying dry while sampling fine foods and music or you just want to get into the Christmas spirit, we’re sure we’ve got just the suggestion for you.
If you fancy booking a short weekend break then you can check availability online at cottages4you.
Birmingham is currently hosting the BBC Good Food Show Live at the NEC. As well as sampling the wares of many chefs and food suppliers from across the country, the show also features live cookery demonstrations from the likes of Gordon, Jamie, James Martin and the Hairy Bikers, whose recipes you might be able to replicate – no doubt with varying degrees of success – at home. Then again, with a live Masterchef show also planned, you may prefer to enjoy the show’s hospitality and leave the cooking to the professionals!
The BBC Good Food Show Live runs from this Wednesday, the 25th until Sunday the 29th. Find out more details and book tickets on the event’s website.
If you fancy feasting on some culture then the Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music is running until Sunday the 29th. With over 30 years of experience, the festival is rather good at promoting the best new and experimental music from around the world. And if you’d like to find out more about the pieces, the composers and the musicians, then there are a number of pre and post show talks.
Visit the festival’s website for the programme and tickets,
The beautiful architecture of Bath makes it well worth a visit at any time of year. But the Bath Christmas market, that starts this Thursday, makes visiting essential if you want to get in to the festive spirit. Taking place in the area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, the market encompasses 123 wooden chalets offering everything from unique hand-made Christmas gifts to delicious food, mulled wine and live entertainment! Supporting charities has been a large part of the market’s history and this year is no exception, with several of the chalets occupied by worthy causes.
The market opens on the 26th November and runs until the 6th December. Find out more info on the website.
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November 25, 2009
The Lake District has been chosen as one of three locations that will take part in a new visitor scheme launched by the Forestry Commission.
Whinlatter and Grizedale woods are one of a trio of areas that are included in the new Discovery Pass, which may be of interest to those planning to book Lake District holiday cottages who will want to go and explore the natural beauty of the area.
It costs £38 per year and gives free parking and other incentives – such as cycle hire discounts – to holders.
The initiative was launched at Hamsterley Forest in County Durham by Botanist David Bellamy, who stated: "Anything that makes it easier for people to discover the forest and learn more about Mother Nature has to be a good thing."
Earlier this month, the Lake District National Park Authority was awarded an environmental award by the Energy Saving Trust for its efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the area.
Posted by Matt Smith
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November 25, 2009
Those planning a stay in in Dorset holiday cottages over the coming months may wish to keep their eyes peeled after a number of endangered butterflies were spotted by a farmer in the area.
According to agriculture portal Stackyard, dairy farmer Richard Foot identified five different species living on his land during the summer months while taking part in a scheme run by Waitrose.
He is one of a number of suppliers of dairy products to the supermarket chain and participates in the Waitrose WildCare wildlife habitat scheme, which urges farmers to help promote the development of wildlife on their farms.
Mr Foot saw 40 per cent of the country’’s 67 butterfly species – making him the most successful participant – and said that the competition gave him an incentive to look at his land more closely.
"I suspect these butterflies may have been here for a while," the news source quoted him as saying.
According to UK Butterflies, the heath fritillary and marsh fritillary are two of the rarest species in the country, while the nationwide population of the silver-spotted skipper is on the increase.
Posted by Andrew Hill 
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November 24, 2009
UK residents do not necessarily have to go abroad to experience a holiday with a variety of attractions.
This is according to director at the British Resorts & Destinations Association Peter Hampson, who was commenting after figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that in the year to September, the number of people from the UK travelling overseas for a holiday fell by 14 per cent.
Noting that the finding "reinforces" an opinion held by the tourism industry that fewer Britons are wanting to go overseas, Mr Hampson stated that one of the advantages of the UK is that it is "infinitely variable".
"Most people live within a couple of hours of a number of very different [places]," he remarked, something people can explore by booking holidays in Cornwall, Dorset or elsewhere.
Mr Hampson added that another benefit of the UK is its relatively small size, which means it is comparatively easy to travel to a domestic holiday location.
Posted by Toby Lawrence
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Posted by cottages4you
November 24, 2009
Cornwall has been selected by one actress and television presenter as her favourite place to go on holiday in the UK.
In an interview with the Independent, Angela Griffin described the time she took her children on a trip to the county as "just ace".
Ms Griffin, who has starred in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Waterloo Road, said that she booked to go again as soon as they returned from the break, noting that being able to go on holiday without having to get on a plane was a definite attraction.
"It was the first time we had been to Cornwall and it was one of the most beautiful places I”ve seen in Britain," she told the news source, a comment that may persuade more people to go ahead and book Cornwall holiday cottages.
Ms Griffin added that the beaches and countryside in the area were "absolutely stunning".
Earlier this month, visitor to Cornwall Judy Darley said in an article on Essential Writers that Cornwall is an ideal place for escaping city life.
Posted by David Sollberger
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Posted by cottages4you
November 23, 2009
The passing of the Marine and Coastal Access Act has helped open up the England’’s coastline to the public, it has been claimed.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, television presenter Nicholas Crane stated making the act law last week is a "historic breakthrough".
"Opening the entire coast of England to public access will put "forgotten" places back on the map," he stated, adding that an audit conducted by Natural England earlier in the year showed that only 66 per cent of the English coastline was home to a "satisfactorily legally secure path".
The new law may open up new areas to explore for those staying in holiday cottages in Cornwall and elsewhere and Mr Crane added that it will also benefit the UK’’s wildlife, as 73 marine conservation zones are set to be created to help protect a number of species.
It was recently announced that a coastal path planned for Weymouth in Dorset will be open in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Posted by Ben Webster
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Posted by cottages4you
November 23, 2009
Cornwall holiday cottages offer access to some of the finest scuba diving sites in the world, experts have advised.
While most visitors to the South Coast stick to walking or surfing its stunning coastline or surfing its famous beaches, the British Sub-Aqua Club (BASC) has noted that the wonders under British seas are one of the country’’s "best-kept secrets".
Furthermore, some of the UK’’s best dive sites are to be found just a stone’’s throw from Cornwall holiday cottages, with the county having been named as one of the top-ten destinations among the club’’s members in a recent poll.
"Because of our maritime history in certain areas of our coastline we”ve got more wrecks per square mile than anywhere else in the world," explained BASC membership and marketing manager Alison Dando.
She added that the country is home to "diverse marine life" as well as "stunning" cliffs and cold water reefs.
This holiday advice comes as global interest in scuba diving continues to rise, with PADI having recently reported a 0.4 per cent rise in its worldwide certificates.
Posted by Toby Lawrence
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Posted by cottages4you
November 23, 2009
The Lake District has scooped a top national environment award, once again boosting its reputation as one of the cleanest and eco-friendly holiday destinations in the UK.
The Lake District National Park Authority, which maintains the area of outstanding natural beauty, took home the award for the cleanest small fleet at the Energy Saving Trust public sector ceremony.
This recognition comes on the back of ongoing efforts to reduce the authority’’s carbon footprint, with organisers of the scheme praising efforts to replace its fleet of vehicles with low-emission models and encouraging staff to attend ‘’smart driving” course aimed at boosting miles per gallon of fuel consumption.
Celebrating the news, national park chief executive Richard Leafe noted: "While it is always very pleasing to win a competition such as this, the real winner … will be an improved environment in the Lake District and the wider world."
Meanwhile, visitors taking Lake District holidays at the start of December have been invited to join the park’’s Tree O”Clock efforts, which will see volunteers attempt to break the world record for the number of trees planted in an hour.
Posted by David Sollberger
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Posted by cottages4you
November 20, 2009
The Lake District is to play host to an attempt to break a world record next month and organisers are looking for volunteers to assist with the task.
On December 5th, a team of people will try to beat the existing record for the amount of trees planted in an hour as part of Tree O”Clock, which has been organised by the BBC’’s Breathing Places.
The nationwide campaign is being headed by Bassenthwaite Reflections and head of woodlands for the Heritage Lottery Fund-backed body Rachel Graham has asked for people to come along and help – something that may appeal to those staying in Lake District Holiday Cottages.
"Please come along and help us break a record," she stated, adding that the target to beat is 653,143 and the attempt will begin at 11:00 GMT.
People interested in taking part have been asked to meet at 10:00 GMT at Noble Knott car park.
Bassenthwaite Reflections recently organised a number of events that saw oak saplings planted in Whinlatter’’s Masmill Forest during October and November.
Posted by Andrew Hill
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Posted by cottages4you
November 20, 2009
Carlisle is the new host of an exhibition detailing 12,000 years of human history in the Lake District.
Those staying in Lake District holiday cottages who are interested in early human activity in the area may wish to make a trip to the city’’s Lanes Library, which will be hosting the event from November 25th.
A road show highlighting the display will take place the following week and Eleanor Kingston, archaeology and heritage advisor for the Lake District National Park, said that it has already proved popular elsewhere in the county.
The exhibition runs to January 19th – making it a possible attraction for people booking Lake District holidays for the Christmas period – and Ms Kingston stated that it offers visitors a number of things to do.
"There will be a rare opportunity to handle real artefacts, along with activities," she remarked.
An increasing number of tourists may be heading to the Lake District over the coming year, as the area was recently identified as one of the best places in the world to visit by Lonely Planet.
Posted by Andrew Hill
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