Environment minister praises Lakes snaps

March 11, 2010

Two Lake District photographs that have made the shortlist in a national competition have been praised by the environment minister.

Huw Irranca-Davies said that the images, taken by Mike Turner of Halifax and Jamie Green from Backbarrow, have done a good job of highlighting how people in the area are helping to preserve the area.

“They show how people enjoy mucking in to help with the environment,” he remarked.

Mr Turner’s image of dry stone walling near Ennerdale Water (left) and Mr Green’s shot of brush burning in Rusland are both in the final of the Garden Photographer of the Year competition after being submitted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The pictures may encourage those heading for a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage to take their camera along and try and capture some of the Lakes’ beauty.

People heading to the area will not be short of areas to explore in order to find the perfect spot for their snaps, as the Lake District features more than 3,500 km of rights of way.

Image courtesy of the IGPOTY

Posted by Ben Webster

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Cotswolds ‘great for a relaxing weekend away’

March 11, 2010

A Cotswolds holiday is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy luxurious surroundings during a few days away.

At least this is according to News of the World’s Rochelle Warner, who said on the website of the newspaper’s Fabulous magazine that the area’s "pretty villages and stunning countryside" are a big draw.

"Shopaholics can splurge on their credit cards in the villages of Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, with their craft shops and galleries," she explained, adding that more adventurous types wanting to enjoy the countryside can sample sailing, horse riding, canoeing or windsurfing.

A Cotswolds holiday could also result in some unexpected star-spotting, she noted, as Kate Winslet, Kate Moss and Elizabeth Hurley have all been known to head there to get away from it all, while Princes William and Harry often play polo at Cirencester.

The Cotswolds is also a great place to enjoy traditional British food and drink.

Visitors might want to head to The Crown Inn, which was recently named the South Cotswolds Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale.

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Lakes adventure playground set for makeover

March 11, 2010

Visitors young and old alike will have yet another attraction to enjoy if they are planning a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage during the Easter holidays, as work is set to start on redeveloping the area’s biggest adventure playground.

The £10,000 project, which can be found at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, is going ahead after pupils at The Lakes School were asked to give their opinions on the new features of the playground.

Improvement work will get underway this Saturday (March 13th) and is expected to be finished by March 23rd.

Development programme manager at Brockhole Lisa Steward said it was "great fun" getting ideas from pupils at the school.

"I’m sure this development will be another great addition to all the other facilities people love to enjoy at Brockhole," she remarked.

As well as the adventure playground, the area also features plenty of gardens and grounds to explore, as well as a shop and cafe.

Posted by Toby Lawrence
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