Norfolk Broads ‘great for relaxing’

March 31, 2010

The attractiveness of the Norfolk Broads is one reason why Norfolk is a popular destination for people wanting a relaxing break.

This is according to Virginia Edwards of the Norwich & Norfolk Conference Bureau, who explained the region – which is now a designated National Park thanks to its "distinctive waterways" – is great for those who want to get away from it all during a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage.

"Lots of boating holidays happen on the Norfolk Broads," she explained, adding the 5 mph speed limit on boats helps create a laid-back atmosphere.

There are also a number of great pubs on the Broads, Ms Edwards remarked, meaning people who have hired a boat for the day can arrive, enjoy a good meal and then get back on the water.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate staycations may be rising in popularity among Brits, as there was a 15 per cent year-on-year fall in the number of people heading abroad in the 12 months to January 2010.

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Cotswolds hosts Welsh art exhibition

March 31, 2010

Visitors staying in Cotswolds holiday cottages this Easter weekend may wish to visit a local art exhibition.

The event at the Fosse Gallery in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, will showcase the work of Welsh landscape artist Gwyn Roberts, reports the Western Mail.

The gallery will display the paintings as part of its 30th anniversary programme until April 10th.

Sharon Wheaton, the gallery’s owner, told the paper: "There is a huge response to Gwyn’s work, whether it is from Welsh people living in England or from those who have walked the mountains or from those who have wonderful holiday memories."

Ms Wheaton indicated Roberts’ work came to her attention last September when she was putting together an exhibition of artists displaying their own personal views of the country.

The Fosse Gallery can be found in the Square in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold and is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 17:00 GMT.ADNFCR-2558-ID-19690196-ADNFCR

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Course changes for Cotswolds cycle race

March 31, 2010

The route for this year’s Cotswold Spring Classic cycle race has been revised in order to remove some of the roads that have yet to be repaired after the damage caused by the harsh weather conditions seen this winter.

Those who have booked Cotswolds holiday cottages to take part in the event on April 5th will find that the course has undergone some changes in order to cut out some potentially dangerous stretches of tarmac, Road Cycling UK reports.

However, organisers of the event said they have worked hard to maintain the “Cotswold experience” for those competing, having checked hundreds of miles of back roads over the past fortnight in order to make sure the ride is still challenging.

“We have had to drop many of last year’s climbs and descents due to the conditions of the roads,” they were quoted by the news source as saying, adding they have managed to include “new sections and different climbs” that were not used in 2009.

Registration for the event – which was given lots of positive feedback by those who took part last year – is now open and those wanting to get involved can visit the Cotswolds Spring Classic website for more information.

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Kielder Water ‘a haven for cyclists’

March 31, 2010

Kielder Water is a haven for cyclists, according to a writer in the Times.

Ginny Light cannot understand why Northumberland holiday cottages are not full to bursting with walkers and cyclists eager to explore Kielder Water.

The writer describes the ease of access to the area and the surrounding forest from places such as Newcastle and notes its proximity to other Northumberland hotspots.

Ms Light believes the majesty of the forest lies in its unique experience, being a world away from the protected lands of the surrounding Northumberland National Park.

She writes: "Conversely, when you’re inside Kielder Forest, it’s dark, quiet and calm. The forest floor is almost lurid green with spongy moss and the dense trees dampen the wind to a whisper."

Kielder Water and Forest Park is not only beautiful in itself but offers an excellent base for exploring Cumbria and the Scottish Borders. Getting around the park is easy too, with a pre-bookable ferry to take visitors to certain destinations.

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Northumberland farm picks up national award

March 31, 2010

A Northumberland farm has been named the overall winner of the beautiful farm award 2009/10.

Northumberland holiday cottages may get a boost from tourists wanting to visit the award-winning Beal Farm, which incorporates the Barn at Beal.

Beal Farm took the award after impressing with its conservation projects and the development of the Barn at Beal to help diversify its business.

The Barn at Beal was created as an alternative revenue stream in 2008 and saw the farm’s owners, the Smith family, covert an old building into a coffee shop and restaurant, with the accent very much on local food.

Farmer Rodney Smith said: "We are delighted to have won these awards and to have had the hard work of everyone involved recognised."

The Barn at Beal overlooks Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, which is home to various species from waders to geese.

The barn is open from February to December on Monday – Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, with Saturday evening opening from 19:00 to 22:00.

Click here for more information on the Barn at Beal

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Bressingham Gardens ‘great for a Norfolk visit’

March 31, 2010

Those planning a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage this Easter might want to find the time to check out one of the area’s best open spaces.

Bressingham Gardens in Diss has been included by Daily Mail writer Nigel Colbourn in his list of the best spring gardens in the UK.

The garden, which opened for the tourist season on March 27th, is located on Low road in Bressingham and was developed as a nursery and garden by the late Alan Bloom.

Foggy Bottom, the neighbouring garden, was developed by his son Adrian and the site is not just home to plants and flowers, as Mr Bloom’s passion for steam engines means working railways run through the grounds and an "excellent" museum is also on offer for visitors to investigate.

The two gardens were merged in 2000 after spending many years as separate entities.

Entrance to Bressingham costs £12 for adults, while child admission is priced at £8.

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Wales ‘great for horse riding adventures’

March 31, 2010

Wales is a great destination for those wanting to sample some horse riding during a relaxing break away, one travel writer has stated.

Daniela David identified a number of areas across the country that are ideal for a horseback excursion, such as the Black Mountains in the south and Brecon Beacons National Park, where Lake Llangorse See is often used as a starting point "for riding trips lasting several days at a time".

Ellesmere Riding Centre in Powys is one place where those staying in Wales holiday cottages can learn how to saddle up and Myfanwy Mitchell of the firm said "you can really feel the pulse of our country" from the saddle of a Welsh Cob.

She added the green landscape created "a calming panorama" that helps sooth "both the eyes and the soul" of visitors.

The riding centre, which is located in the village of Llangorse, is open from April to October.

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Tate St Ives ‘an ideal Cornwall attraction’

March 31, 2010

Those wanting to check out some art during their stay in a Cornwall holiday cottage this month will not have to travel far to do so.

In a post on the Guardian website, tourism body Enjoy England noted the area is home to the Tate St Ives art gallery, featuring a variety of both modern and contemporary works.

The site has been open since 1993 – before the Tate Modern was established in London – and is currently running an exhibition of British Artist Dexter Dalwood’s work from the past 12 years.

Local artwork is also on show at Tate St Ives – which has been described by Enjoy England as a "friendly gallery overlooking the sea" – and those wanting to pay a visit will not have to break the bank to do so, with adult entry costing £8.55 and admissions for concessions priced at £4.40.

Between March and October, the gallery, which can be found at Porthmeor Beach, is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 GMT.

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Windermere users urged to give views

March 31, 2010

Regular users of Windermere in the Lake District are being encouraged to give their views on what needs to be done to protect the lake in the future.

A six-hour drop-in session organised by the Windermere Lake User Forum is due to take place at Ferry Nab in Bowness on April 10th, where those who use the Lake – such as people who regularly enjoy boating or other activities during their stay in a Lake District holiday cottage – can discuss issues they want raised.

Eleven members of the forum will be present between 10:00 and 16:00 BST and catchment projects coordinator Suzy Grindley said that the day will be "an excellent time for people to tell us what their future aims and ambitions are".

"I would encourage lake users to come to the drop-in session," she said, adding it is a "special chance" for them to voice their opinions on improvements that can be made to the lake.

Windermere is the largest lake in England, measuring 10.5 miles in length and 219 feet in depth.

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Anthony House ‘has amazing spring gardens’

March 30, 2010

Those staying in holiday cottages in Cornwall this spring should pay a visit to Anthony House, which offers a wealth of stunning flowers and luscious green gardens, it has been claimed.

Nigel Colbourn, writing in the Daily Mail, stated that visitors will be amazed by the blankets of colour stretching across the landscape.

"This Cornish spring garden, owned by the Carew Pole family, has an extensive collection of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias, ensuring magnificent spring colour," he said.

The gardens and woodland areas are open from Saturday to Thursday until October 31st.

He also recommended a visit to Seaton, located on the south Devon coast, while a journey on the tramway through the Axe Valley to Colyford is also a pleasant experience.

The spectacular scenery of Anthony House saw film director Tim Burton use it as a location to shoot the recent remake of Alice in Wonderland, which stars Johnny Depp.

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