cottages4you blog: inspiration for your cottage or villa holiday in UK, Ireland and Europe

Those of you looking forward to a break at a Lake District cottage might like to visit the Sir John Barrow monument on Hoad Hill, Ulverston.

Following a £1.2 million restoration, the 100ft-high building was reopened to visitors on August 22nd amid public celebrations.

Colin Hodgson of Ulverston Town Council said: "The re-opening celebrations … demonstrate the affection with which the Sir John Barrow monument is held in Ulverston and other parts of the south Lakes."

Enhancements carried out on the Grade II-listed building include structural improvements and the installation of webcams and information panels to make it more accessible to tourists.

The monument is named after the naval historian Sir John Barrow and dates back to 1850, but it was closed in 2003 due to safety concerns.

And holidaymakers heading to the Lake District can also join in a family day on September 2nd to help dig for Roman ruins along the River Darwent at Papcastle.

Posted by Toby Lawrence, cottages4you
 

Holidaymakers renting a cottage in the Lake District this summer could be given the chance to uncover a Roman settlement.

Budding archaeologists might want to join in on the family days being organised along the River Darwent at Papcastle, near Cockermouth.

Previous digs have already unearthed signs of a Roman presence in the form of buried walls and artefacts.

Informal excavations involving activities that are aimed at families will be taking place on August 19th, 23rd, 26th and September 2nd.

Andy Winthorpe of Grampus Heritage and Training and leader of the family gatherings said people can help discover and wash newly-found artefacts, as well as talk to archaeologists about the settlement.

"There could be an amphitheatre, road, ditched enclosures, a metal working site and buildings," he continued.

The Lake District National Park and South Lakeland District Council are currently asking people to share their views on Windermere to ensure the stretch of water remains a peaceful place to be enjoyed by visitors and residents.
 

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Families heading for a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage this summer will be able to take advantage of two newly-created pathways in the national park.

The routes have been opened in Caldbeck in the north and Windermere in the south and can be accessed by walkers, riders and cyclists who want to explore the park, which, at 2,292 sq km, is the largest of its kind in England.

Old mining tracks have been used to create the Caldbeck route, which runs for five kilometres and offers users great views of the Lakes northern fells, so families tackling the pathway might want to consider packing their cameras.

Safety was the main reason for creating the Windermere footpath, which is 120 metres long and links Windermere to Crook Road.

“These changes and improvements will, I am sure, be greatly valued and appreciated by both local people and visitors to the national park,” remarked Claire Redhouse of the Lake District National Park Association.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you
 

Lake District holiday cottages could prove to be very popular among UK staycationers this year.

Mark Rothery, chief executive at motoring and leisure association CSMA Club, said: “We know that the top destinations in England this summer will be the Lake District, Devon and the North Yorkshire Moors – understandable as these are among Britain’s most scenic spots.”

He was commenting on recent research by the organisation, which showed growing numbers of Britons are choosing to holiday on home soil as a result of flight problems and the eurozone’s debt crisis.

The figures also revealed 23 per cent of holidaymakers are taking more vacations in the UK this year than in 2009.

And if you’re keen to explore the delights Britain has to offer, why not visit the Lake District this summer?

While the area may be best-known for its scenery, you could find that it is full of things to do too, such as sailing, rowing and canoeing, which you can try at Coniston Boating Centre.

Brockhole Visitor Centre, which offers an adventure playground, lakeside water sports and picturesque gardens, could also be a great place to start when planning your holiday activities.

Posted by Toby Lawrence, cottages4you

Are you planning a holiday in the Lake District and fancy a challenge?

If so, you might consider entering an extravaganza that will see teams scale all the mountains measuring more than 2,000 ft in the area.

The 40 peaks to choose from include farmed fells visited by writer Alfred Wainwright, Bassenthwaite Reflections reveals.

But you needn’t be an expert hiker to join take up this exciting challenge, as Martin Varley, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund-supported body, explains families are more than welcome to join the four-day grand finale festival.

Held in September, the event will see entrants choose their peak and begin the fundraising ascent.

"We are going to need around 150 contenders. Naturally there will be a Reflections’ team and we want plenty of others to pick up the gauntlet and join us," Mr Varley says.

If you reckon this is the ideal way to top off your Lake District holiday, why not enter?

Those who prefer to remain on level ground could take a stroll on the Keswick Railway Path, which is also ideal for cyclists.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

The Bowness Bay centre is open in time for your Lake District holiday, after it was refurbished following last year’s floods.

Visitors to the Lake District National Park (LDNP) centre will find plenty of information about the area and you can even do a spot of shopping while you’re there.

It’s incredible to think the site is back in business already, considering it was ruined by the November 2009 flood that left it under 18 inches of water.

LNDP head of information services Steve Wray said: "We are particularly pleased to be opening with a very special exhibition and look forward to welcoming customers old and new."

You can view the exhibition on your holiday in the Lake District and discover the work of Beatrix Potter and Alfred Wainwright in the From Hilltop to Haystacks exhibition.

Potter fans may also like to explore our Magical Literary Tour of the Lakes and learn more about the author’s influences in this region.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Lake District holidaymakers will find upcoming events in the beautiful region are music to their ears.

A series of free outdoor concerts will be held as part of the Summer Sundays at Brockhole initiative, with the first kicking off on July 4th.

Nottingham Music School Orchestra will gather at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole and give everybody a tuneful treat with the 55-piece band in action.

Adam Thomas, Brockhole development director, says: "We hope that every Sunday from now until the end of the summer will offer everyone a taste of the Lake District."

If music’s not your thing, you might like to enjoy the scenery with cruises across Ullswater and Windermere held throughout the month.

A visit to the Brockhole Centre is well worth a trip, whatever your preference, as it is currently being adapted and enhanced to offer even more services.

In the future there will be a Cumbrian retail facility containing a farm shop – great news for those who like to try local produce on their Lake District holidays.

Posted by Andrew Lawrence, cottages4you

When you think of holidays in the Lake District, one of the most famous places that springs to mind is likely to be Lake Windermere.

England’s largest natural lake really is as beautiful as people say it is and you should make time to visit it on your next trip.

The area is also host to many events held throughout the year and in July there’s one not to miss.

Held on July 24th and 25th, the tenth anniversary of the Windermere Airshow sounds like it’ll be a real treat for the whole family.

With aerial acrobatics and incredible displays, the show is sure to be a day out to remember.

Clive Langley, public relations officer for the event, says: "Arrive early, buy a programme to plan what to do, see as much as possible of the ground events [and] see helicopters and military villages."

And the kids can have a go on a 30-minute fun cycle course, with bicycles provided free of charge.

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this incredible event – get planning your Lake District holiday now.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

A holiday in the Lake District is a good chance for your kids to relax over the summer break and for the whole family to bond.

School might be out, but there’s no reason why your children should stop learning and absorbing information (just don’t tell them we said so!).

A great way to keep their brains active is to head to an exhibition held in Coniston, which reveals some 12,000 years of human history and an insight into the national park’s past.

Entitled ‘Unlocking the past, understanding the present’, the event is touring the country and will be at the John Ruskin Museum over the summer.

Lake District National Park archaeology and heritage advisor Eleanor Kingston says: "The exhibition introduces archaeology in a fun, hands-on way. Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences and see interesting objects at close quarters."

The cottages4you team think youngsters will just love handing the real artefacts and uncovering some historical treasures.

And the museum also hosts some exciting guided walks, which could be a fun way to explore the area once you’ve learnt more about it.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

Here at cottages4you we’ve seen a surge in Brits deciding to take a break in the UK.

And with the recent upheaval as a result of the volcanic ash cloud, it’s no wonder many people have decided to play it safe and booked Lake District holidays, as well as other trips.

In celebration of the Great British break, cottages4you has launched a Go Local Guide, which champions independent businesses that help make holidays ones to remember.

Local businesses that go that extra mile for customers on Lake District holidays – as well as other places like Cornwall and the Cotswolds – could be in with a chance of winning £1,000 to support their business.

These Go Local Champions can be cafes, shops, pubs, restaurants or attractions.

Managing director of cottages4you Geoff Cowley says: “We received thousands of nominations last summer from holidaymakers who found that taking a break at home was a real chance to explore the delights on our doorstep.”

If you want to nominate a business click here.

Brits who do decide to also take a break abroad have been advised by us to take a look at the Beautiful Village Drives ‘bookazine’ from France Magazine.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you