Marine and Coastal Access Act ”has opened up UK coastline”

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.

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Britain ”ideal for scuba diving”

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.

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Lake District honoured with green award

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.

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Something for the weekend 27/11/09

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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Volunteers needed for Lake District world record attempt

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.

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Lake District history exhibition moves to Carlisle

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.

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Conservation group to renovate Cornwall pond

November 19, 2009

The tradition of sailing model boats on a Cornish pond is to be reinstated after a conservation group vowed to restore the area.

Consols Pool in St Ives is currently overgrown with weeds, but work is to take place in partnership with Cornwall Council so that the pond can be used again, the BBC reports.

Families from the area had sailed model boats there for the past nine decades every Good Friday, but the 2009 event had to be cancelled due to the poor state of the pond.

The group has pledged to look after the pool for five years – meaning those who book Cornwall holiday cottages for next Easter should be able to go along and watch the event.

Mandy Boyd of the conservation body told the news source that it is determined to revive the tradition, which is believed to have begun in the early 1900s.

While in St Ives, visitors can also try their hand at surfing, as well as visiting the number of restaurants and cafes found in the area.

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New Zealand tourist fulfils Cotswolds cycling ambition

November 19, 2009

The Cotswolds has been praised as an ideal destination by one New Zealand tourist.

Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Robyn Langwell said that it has long been an ambition of hers to tour the area by bike, having first travelled to the Cotswolds 20 years earlier but only exploring a small part of Stow on the Wold.

On her return she opted to take part in a cycle tour organised by Cotswold Country Cycles, something that those booking holiday cottages in the Cotswolds may wish to consider.

This, Ms Langwell said, allowed her to take in a large portion of the area, including Chipping Campden, which features "honeyed limestone cottages" and is surrounded by rapeseed fields.

Observing that you "could spend a month in this lush landscape and still not see everything", she also praised the quality of the local foods, adding that "lavish cream teas" are widely available.

The Cotswolds has also been recommended by England rugby player Andy Hazell, who told the Guardian recently that the Cleeve Hill walk is one of the best in the area.

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Lake District visitors urged to cut pollution

November 19, 2009

People staying in Lake District holiday cottages in the near future could be tempted to enhance their green credentials following the launch of a new campaign.

The scheme – entitled Love your Lakes – is focused on Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, as both bodies of water need to see their phosphate levels reduced by 40 per cent.

In a statement, the Lake District National Park explained that household detergents are partially responsible for increasing amounts of phosphate.

Sue Savage, partnership director with the organisation, said: "Raising awareness is critical and so is providing real phosphate-free alternatives. Bassenthwaite has a huge catchment area, including Derwentwater, so we have to reach a lot of people."

Earlier this month, the National Park noted that the next meeting of the Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme is due to take place at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole on November 20th.

The meeting will be attended by a range of experts, including landowners, local agencies and scientists.

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Dorset home to “most exciting” food festival

November 18, 2009

A food festival in Dorset has been selected by a chef as one of the best events of its type to take place during 2009.

Writing for the Independent, Mark Hix stated that Feast of Dorset, which took place in Wimborne Minster, was "probably the most exciting festival of the year".

It was held in the grounds of Deans Court and featured a panel discussion that included Mr Hix and other food experts Rose Prince, Richard Corrigan and Anna Del Conte.

The event took place for the first time this year and may prove to be attractive for those staying in Dorset holiday cottages if it is held again in 2010.

Mr Hix noted that local produce was used for demonstrations at the event, with a trout from the local river being used to make a truite au bleu.

In related news, Nick Poole of West Milton Cider Club recently won a prize for his cider at a French festival, according to Bridport News.

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