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

Those of you looking forward to staying in a holiday cottage in Norfolk might like to cruise along the Broads on an electric boat.

The Electric Eel recently carried its 100,000th passenger down the Wildlife Water Trail, which takes visitors into the reed-fringed dykes on the How Hill National Nature Reserve.

According to the Broads Authority, people can see an array of dragonflies, damselflies, birds and rare aquatic plants in the area, as well as marsh harriers and bittern at the bird hide overlooking Reedham Water.

Robin Jeffries, a guide and warden for the Broads Authority who has worked on the boat for 21 years, said: "When people go out on the Electric Eel they experience the real Broads … it gives people a truly unique vista and introduces them to wildlife they would not normally see."

Visitors might also like to give sailing a go on their Norfolk holiday, as the authority stated the Broads are ideal for the pursuit and there are many yacht clubs in the area.

Posted by Matt Smith, cottages4you
 

Those of you looking forward to staying in a holiday cottage in Norfolk could have fun splashing about on the Norfolk Broads.

The Green Boat Show in Wroxham on September 26th will give visitors the opportunity to try out a range of boats, watch demonstrations and learn about environmentally-friendly boating.

Holidaymakers can have a go at canoeing, kayaking, pedalling, rowing and sailing on the Broads.

You'll also get the chance to look at biofuel-powered vessels, solar panels and wind turbines, as well as watch demonstrations of a range of water activities.

Adrian Ramsey, deputy leader of the Green Party, is set to open the event to an expected crowd of 1,500 people, according to the Broads Authority.

Visitors may also enjoy entertainment such as live music, children's activities and workshops, as well as a range of stalls offering local produce.

And those of you who love being on the water can soon take advantage of new facilities at the village of Cantley, where moorings are set to open on September 18th to allow people to go sailing on the river.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you
 

Those of you looking forward to a Norfolk holiday might like to visit the village of Cantley in the Norfolk Broads, where new facilities are about to open along the river.

On September 18th, an event involving music, sailing and entertainment will celebrate the unveiling of the amenity, which will make way for lots of new activities.

Moorings and fishing facilities have been developed, as well as a slipway to allow access to the water.

Furthermore, the Broads Authority has built picnic tables on the nearby village green and planted a range of different trees, which could make it the perfect spot for outdoor dining.

Robert Beadle, chairman of the Parish Council, commented: "At last we have a beautiful and safe area where people can sit and picnic by the river, fish and launch their boats."

A holiday in the Norfolk Broads might appeal to nature lovers in particular, as Bruce Hanson, head of tourism at the Broads Authority, recently said the area is home to many rare species of birds.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you
 

People heading off on a Norfolk holiday may wish to take the opportunity to uncover the past of the Broads.

Holidaymakers can visit the Dragonfly House, which is the greenest office in the east of England according to the Broads Authority, as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend.

The event is being organised by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust and English Heritage.

Visitors can take part in talks, demonstrations and videos to find out more about the Broads Authority's work.

You can also discover the ancient history of the region during a presentation by Richard Mortimer of Oxford Archaeology East, who will be showing artefacts from the Neolithic and early Bronze Ages, including some of the earliest pottery in Britain.

John Packman, chief executive of the Broads Authority, said the area "offers a wealth of opportunities [that] can be enjoyed by everyone".

Holidaymakers heading to the region might also like to find out about the habitats of the River Bure on the Broads Wildlife Boat Trip on September 10th.

Posted by Matt Smith, cottages4you
 

For those seeking to book a last-minute break for this bank holiday weekend, a stay in a cottage in Norfolk could make an excellent choice.

History enthusiasts might like to head to the Medieval Spectacular at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Gardens near Fakenham, where you can join in a whole host of activities based on the period 1066-1538.

Visitors can barter with merchants for souvenirs in the medieval marketplace, sip ale at the tavern and watch minstrels dancing to hornpipes and fiddles.

The event will also feature a new attraction this year – holidaymakers can watch a knight in armour practising a traditional training routine of charging and jousting.

Deb Jordan, owner of Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, said: "The Mediaeval Spectacular is a great day out for the whole family. Visitors can experience this fascinating period first hand, with so many activities for children and entertainment for adults too."

The centre arranges a number of other events throughout the year, such as guided walks, quilting and nature photography sessions.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you
 

Those planning on a Norfolk holiday might want to visit Holkham beach after David Cameron declared he loves the coastal spot.

In a recent speech on tourism, the prime minister said he adores going on holiday in Britain and we should be proud of what our country has to offer.

Holkham beach is one of his favourite haunts, he continued, where he went swimming one April.

Mr Cameron expressed his affection for the seaside towns, historic monuments, castles and country houses around the country.

In addition to Norfolk, he has also holidayed in Snowdonia, South Devon, the Lake District and the Highlands of Scotland, the prime minister added.

And those heading to Norfolk this year might wish to visit Holkham, which won a Coast Magazine Award for the Best British Beach 2010 for the second year in a row.

Clare Gogerty, editor of Coast, said: "Holkham really is a one-off. The feeling of solitude you get on those endless sands and in the surrounding pinewoods makes for a truly uplifting seaside experience."

Posted by Matt Smith, cottages4you
 

Renting a holiday cottage in Norfolk would make a "quintessential English experience", it has been suggested.

A tourism chief has described the Norfolk Broads as a great destination and those looking for the perfect spot to spend their UK holiday might want to heed his advice.

James Berresford, chief executive of Visit England, toured the Broads this month, taking in the woodland attraction Bewilderwood, How Hill nature reserve and a boat trip from Horning to Ranworth.

"The Broads is a quintessential English experience – an undiscovered gem – and can play a much bigger role on the world stage in my view," he said.

Mr Berresford continued the area offers a genuine holiday experience that can compete with any foreign destination.

And those currently planning a break to Norfolk might want to visit some of the attractions frequented by the tourism boss.

For instance, Bewilderwood is an outdoor adventure forest designed to entertain the whole family with tree houses, zip wires, marsh walks and boat trips.

Posted by Andrew Hill
 

Next month could be a wonderful time to go on a Norfolk holiday, as the town of Thetford will host a festival highlighting the art, culture and history which makes it so special.

Taking place between August 27th and September 5th, the event is a great opportunity for families to book a stay in Norfolk holiday cottages and learn more about the place and the people.

You may wish to book your Norfolk holiday cottage as soon as possible, as more than 10,000 people are expected to descend upon the town over the eight days that the festival is on.

David Brooks, secretary of the Thetford Tourism and Heritage Partnership, told the Eastern Daily Press that the event is an opportunity for local groups to demonstrate the attractive features of the town.

"A lot of good organisations put on a lot of events and this was a good way of bringing them all together and to try and promote a mixture of events over the week," he added.

Among the highlights those on holidays in Norfolk can look forward to are performances by the Cambridge City Brass Band, the John Cherry Jazz Trio and a lecture by Digby Smith.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

Are you looking forward to a Norfolk holiday at the end of the July?

One way to make your stay extra special would be to head to the launch of National Parks Week on July 25th.

Families on holiday in Norfolk are invited to pack a picnic and go to Cary’s Meadow Local Nature Reserve in Thorpe, where you can learn about all sorts of wildlife.

The Broads Authority and Norwich Fringe Project are hosting the day as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad scheme, Discovering Places.

Mainly funded by the National Lottery, the event is an open-air party that comes complete with a delicious chocolate birthday cake.

Matt Davies, Norwich Fringe Project manager, said: “The Picnic in the Park is an opportunity to explore the countryside on your doorstep and learn about nature.”

Many of you will be familiar with the famous Norfolk Broads, but there’s loads more to this region just waiting to be discovered.

And similar events are running all over the UK until August 1st, so it’s well worth making the most of the great outdoors during this exciting week.

Posted by Toby Lawrence, cottages4you

One of the first things that springs to mind when considering a Norfolk holiday are the beautiful Broads.

The Norfolk Broads present visitors with some spectacular scenery and may offer even more in the future, following the launch of a new campaign.

Britain’s magical waterland is the new brand-name for the area, thanks to an initiative from the Broads Tourism Forum and the Broads Authority.

Part of the campaign involves tourism bodies working together to attract a different audience to the east of England.

Here you will find "a magical place where land and water, people and nature meet", the organisers reveal.

Wildlife lovers will be able to spot some of the country’s rarest birds and creatures, as well as it providing a great place for anglers to enjoy their hobby.

Chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum Ian Russell said the new perception should be that the area is "a unique destination".

A website has been set up to inform visitors about the area, where you can marvel at incredible architecture such as windmills and churches, as well as the "magical" waterways.

Posted by Toby Lawrence, cottages4you