Go Easter egg hunting in Wales

March 30, 2010

Parents need not worry about keeping their children happy while enjoying time in holiday cottages in Wales, as a series of events have been launched to keep young minds occupied.

The National Trust in Wales has revealed a series of Easter egg hunts taking place up and down the country during the holiday period.

In the south, mums and dads can take their little ones to the Dalaucothi Gold Mines in Carmarthenshire, where there will be an egg hunt in addition to various other child-themed activities.

Those keen to give their children some fresh air could make a trip to Colby Woodland Garden in Pembrokeshire, where kids can explore the great outdoors while looking for the eggs.

Families staying in holiday cottages in Wales located in the north of the country can enjoy Easter egg hunts in Plas Newydd, Anglesey as well as in Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd and Erdigg, near Wrexham.

The National Trust in Wales also recommends a visit to Caerphilly Castle, which has a large programme of events taking place in the coming months which will be perfect for all the family.

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Cotswolds villages prepare for annual contest

March 30, 2010

Villages boasting some of the best Cotswolds holiday cottages are preparing for the annual Gloucestershire Vibrant Village of the Year competition.

The award, which is part of the nationwide Calor Village of the Year contest, will see rural areas up and down the country receive prizes for the work they have done in improving their community.

Gloucestershire Rural Community Council is in charge of the competition and chief executive Lesley Archer told the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard that he hopes many villages are put forward.

"We are hoping that this year, communities who may not have entered in the past, make the most of the shorter, simplified form and tell us about the great things they are doing for their community," he added.

This is the tenth year the Calor Village of the Year competition has been held.

There are a number of sites those staying in Cotswolds holiday cottages may like to explore on their trip, such as the Cathedral of the Cotswolds in Northleach.

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Film locations ‘boosting UK tourism’

March 29, 2010

People staying in Cornwall holiday cottages may already be well aware that Britain has attracted a number of film producers recently.

Earlier this month it was reported that the new Pirates of the Caribbean film is expected to be partly shot in the seaside town of St Ives.

Those staying in Cornwall holiday cottages could spot stars including Johnny Depp if the town does become home to the cast and crew.

St Ives was voted Best Seaside Town in 2007 by the Guardian and people who have visited the area may agree it deserves such status.

Commenting on the attraction of the UK for the film industry, VisitBritain said its research shows that 40 per cent of tourists are likely to visit a place after seeing it in a film.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "VisitBritain has positioned itself as the number one organisation for film tourism now and people like Warner Brothers and Universal worked with us in the past on Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and now obviously with Robin Hood."

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Lakes ‘has more to offer besides Windermere’

March 29, 2010

There is a lot more to the Lake District besides Windermere, the domestic market manger for Cumbria Tourism has argued.

Ian Hawkins said that while Windermere – which at 10.5 miles is the longest lake in England – is popular due to it being easy to access from places like London, Liverpool and Manchester, there are a number of other natural attractions that people should check out during a Lake District holiday.

"Do a bit of research into places like Ulls Water, Crummock Water and Derwent Water – all those places are great to see," he remarked, adding areas like this are often quieter than Windermere but still benefit from good road links.

And for those who fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush during their break, the Lake District will not disappoint, as Mr Hawkins added it is great for outdoor activities like hill walking, mountain biking and hiking.ADNFCR-2558-ID-19692514-ADNFCR

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Norfolk museum to host circus exhibition

March 29, 2010

Visitors planning a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage over the summer months will be able to enjoy a new exhibition on the history of the circus.

Running from March 27th to October 31st at Great Yarmouth’s Time and Tide Museum, the exhibit is seat to feature an array of circus paraphernalia from the head of the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Circus Peter Jay.

Paintings, props and posters – including a chimp bicycle dating from the 1950s – will be on show, along with costumes from a number of performers who have taken part in the circus over the years.

Speaking to the Norwich Evening News, display coordinator Alison Hall said it is "a chance to celebrate something unique to Yarmouth".

"The Hippodrome is extraordinary; one of only four such buildings incorporating a sinking ring in the world," she stated.

Admission to the museum costs £4.50 for adults and £3.80 for concessions.

It picked up a national Tourism Award in 2006 for its work on encouraging sustainable tourism.

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New arrivals at Norfolk wildlife park

March 29, 2010

Animal-loving families staying in Norfolk holiday cottages have the chance to see five cheetah cubs which have recently been born.

Africa Alive!, the African Animal Adventure, has revealed the baby cheetahs are being successfully reared by their mother Etna, who gave birth on December 10th.

Healthy and strong, the cubs are now ready to be cooed over by those staying in Norfolk holiday cottages and other visitors to the attraction.

When staff realised Etna was pregnant she was given the privacy required so she could help her offspring learn the ways of the animal world.

"Hopefully, they will not only prove to be an important addition to the park but also, in the longer term, to the European endangered species breeding programme as a whole," Africa Alive! said.

Those staying in Norfolk holiday cottages this Easter can see the cubs and the other animals at the park at a cost of £12.95 for adults and £8.95 for children aged between three and 15.

Under-threes can get into the wildlife park – which closes at 17:00 BST – for free.

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‘Lots to do’ in the Lakes this Easter

March 29, 2010

People who plan to stay in Lake District holiday cottages over the Easter period will not be short of things to do.

This year Good Friday is April 2nd and Easter Monday April 5th and the Lake District National Park has suggested a few ideas for those making the Lakes their base for the long weekend.

Almost 600 activities have been listed for families to do, which may include those who have booked Lake District holiday cottages for the convenience and affordability that being self-catered delivers.

Included on the national park’s list is the chance to Meet the Mammals on March 31st, for those who may decide to head off on their holiday a littler earlier.

This includes learning about native creatures like Tiggywinkle the hedgehog and costs £3.

On April 4th families can go on a Swallows and Amazons adventure and get a Taste of Creativity.

National park events organiser Andrea Hills said it can be difficult for busy parents to sometimes work out how to entertain youngsters during the school holidays.

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Dorset museum to keep Hardy scripts

March 29, 2010

Individuals who plan to stay in Dorset holiday cottages to take in the culture the region offers are able to experience a rare collection of Thomas Hardy manuscripts.

Dorset County Museum has raised almost £60,000 to keep the collection of play scripts, stage-set models and Hardy scripts in the county, rather than being shipped to the United States.

Holidaymakers who have previously seen the collection whilst staying in Dorset holiday cottages may have realised the historical and cultural importance of keeping the works in the UK.

However, a lack of funds to maintain the collection meant overseas interest arose.

"The collection is unique because the documents it contains demonstrate Hardy’s special relationship with the people of Dorchester and the original Hardy Players who performed his works in public," a spokesperson from the museum told the BBC.

He added that a "leading American university" had shown its interest in acquiring the collection if funds could not be found.

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UK ‘home to some great outdoor pursuits’

March 26, 2010

Holidaymakers wanting to experience some thrills and spills in the great outdoors do not necessarily need to head abroad for their adrenaline rush, one expert has stated.

Managing director of the British Leisure Show James Brooke said there are plenty of opportunities to try outdoor pursuits on a staycation, something more and more people are starting to realise.

He explained the public is expressing a greater interest in enjoying active pursuits on a UK break, adding there is an "extraordinary amount" of activities on offer.

"We don’t necessarily need to go abroad to go mountaineering, to go rock climbing, to go canoeing, kayaking, fly fishing, horse riding and whatever else you can think of," he remarked.

Many of these can be sampled while staying in a Wales holiday cottage, as climbing courses are on at Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula, while the Brecon Beacons National Park offers numerous horse riding routes.

For more information on outdoor activities in Wales, head to Visit Wales

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Classic car race to kick off in Cornwall

March 26, 2010

Lovers of classic cars might want to consider booking a stay in a Cornwall holiday cottage to coincide with St George’s Day (April 23rd), in order to catch the start of the seventh Cape to Cape race.

Forty vehicles are set to take part in this year’s event, which sees them race from Cornwall across Europe to Cape Finisterre on the north-west coast of Spain, the BBC reports.

Among the cars set to feature is a 1927 Lancia Lambda, as well as a number of machines from the 1930s and 1950s.

Organiser Dennis Greenslade told the news source many of the motors are more reliable than may be expected.

"We have only had one or two cars fail to complete the course," he explained, adding most of the owners should be able to keep their cars going during the 1,400 mile trip.

Also coming up in Cornwall during April is the Art in the City Festival, which runs from April 6th to 11th and is set to feature workshops and art fairs.

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