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

Fans of the swinging ’60s heading on holidays to Norfolk this summer should groove on down to Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.

An exhibition showcasing the best names in pop from this era will be held to recreate the atmosphere of this popular period.

Beatles to Bowie: The ’60s Exposed has collected more than 150 photographs and masses of memorabilia to help you go back in time on your Norfolk holiday.

If you’re heading on a family break with a few generations in tow, it could be a great way to teach the little ones about their groovy grandparents.

The National Portrait Gallery has organised the exhibition, which runs until September 5th.

While you’re at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, you might like to check out some of the other displays being held in this interesting building.

A blaze in my heart … The letters and watercolours of John Sell Cotman, could offer a more laidback way to spend the day.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

Do you have a Norfolk holiday planned between June 26th and July 11th?

If the answer’s yes, you’ll be able to catch some superb live music, as the Wymondham Music Festival is held in the vibrant county throughout the fortnight.

It’s been going since 1996, so the locals have had plenty of time to practice and ensure they put on a great show for anyone heading to the area.

Whatever your preferred musical genre, there’s sure to be something for you at some point during the annual festival.

Here at cottages4you, one of the events we’re most excited about is Jane Austen’s Musical England, set in the surroundings of the beautiful 18th century Kimberley Hall on June 27th.

It sounds just perfect for anyone who enjoys nosing through novels with a penchant for baroque and classical music.

Speaking of Ms Austen, you might also like to take a look at our range of Magical Literary Tours and explore the settings of some of England’s best-loved tomes.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

We’re all hoping for a scorching summer this year – and if you’ve booked a Norfolk holiday, you’re also probably hoping for some sun.

Imagine spending your trip relaxing by the Norfolk Broads, catching some rays and enjoying an ice cream.

You might like to support the locals and pay a visit to Parravani’s ice cream van in Norwich, which sadly has struggled in recent years.

Owner Paul Parravani was quoted by the Norwich Evening News explaining times have been hard.

This might have been down to the bad weather, he stated.

"The difference when the sun shines is phenomenal. If we have a nice summer then that’s certainly going to help," Mr Parravani said.

But luckily a forecaster has predicted Britain will see one of the warmest summers in a long time.

Jonathan Powell from Positive Weather Solutions predicted: "There will be some high temperatures and top temperature records may well fall in August."

After one of the coldest winters most of us have ever seen, this really is welcome news.

We’ll have a 99 please Paul!

Posted by Andrew Hill

Eco warriors who enjoy Norfolk holidays will be pleased to hear green tourism in the region is to be promoted.

Some €500,000 (£428,278) has been made available to the Norfolk Broads through a programme run by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Bruce Hanson, Broads Authority head of tourism said: "This funding gives us a tremendous opportunity to do many things that we have wanted to do for a long time but have not had the resources for."

And chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum Ian Russell agreed there are a number of opportunities for the money.

It is good news for those planning a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage, as visitors’ experiences should be enhanced by the fund, according to Mr Russell.

Launched on May 11th, the Sustainable Tourism in Estuary Parks project will look at ways for visitors to play a role in enhancing the area.

Communities and Local Government explains more than £5 billion has been invested in England through ERDF money since the year 2000.

Posted by Andrew Hill, cottages4you

Those planning Norfolk holidays will undoubtedly be aware of the natural beauty surrounding the region.

And the Norfolk Broads are often one of the main reasons for visits to this area.

Now the Broads Authority – a statutory body that manages the site – is considering bidding for World Heritage Status.

This would bring international recognition to the area, says John Packman, chief executive of the body.

"As a member of the UK’s family of National Parks we are some distance there already," he notes.

The decision on whether or not to apply for the status will be discussed by the organisation on May 14th.

But if it is successful, it could mean a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage would give you the chance to explore a site on a par with places such as the Palace of Westminster and Blenheim Palace.

Mr Packman believes the Norfolk Broads already meet three of the ten categories for a UK spot to be nominated, so the decision could indeed go ahead.

Posted by David Sollberger, cottages4you

Families on holiday in Norfolk will often want to sample the delights of the famous Broads, which are popular with many tourists and locals.

But some parents who are taking their children for a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage could be concerned about the safety of their sons and daughters.

According to the Broads Authority – established in 1989 as a member of the National Park – this needn’t be such a worry, as the Norfolk Broads are now boasting better safety rates than in the past.

Head of waterways strategy and safety Steve Birtles explains there is a relatively small percentage of accidents compared with the massive number of visitors to the attraction.

"We continue to highlight the message of personal responsibility for safety through our publications and encourage boaters to take a more proactive role by becoming better informed and wearing lifejackets," he continues.

Other safety tips to follow are to wear flat, non-slip shoes, never jump on to the bank and steady yourself with one hand on the boat when getting on and off.

Posted by Matt Smith

Beer lovers on holidays in Norfolk will soon be able to celebrate their trip with a bottle of unique golden ale.

Lifesaver ale is being brewed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) and raise funds for the charity.

So next time you’re on holiday in Norfolk and fancy a pint, you can do so while supporting a good cause.

Officially launched on April 21st during the East Anglian Beer Festival, the drink – named Lifesaver – will first be available at the Bury St Edmunds Corn Exchange.

Retailers throughout Norfolk and surrounding areas will then go on to stock the beer throughout the rest of 2010.

Tim Norton has brewed the beer at Edwardstone’s Mill Green Brewery and will donate to the EAAA for every pint or bottle sold.

"I have made this beer to a special recipe. It is a genuine one-off, so those who want to try it will have to do so during this limited period of availability," he explains.

The EAAA must raise more than £3 million each year to run its air ambulances, so every penny really does count.

Posted by David Sollberger

People staying at Norfolk holiday cottages may like to visit one of the best pubs in the country – and they would not have far to travel.

That’s because Larling’s Angel Inn has just been awarded the West Norfolk Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch pub of the year.

According to the Thetford and Brandon Times, an "overwhelming majority" of votes contributed to the accolade.

"You just keep things as good as you can. I think you need good food and good beer and be able to look after your customers," said Angel Inn owner Andrew Stammers.

And those on holidays in Norfolk should expect to find this here, with real ales and west Norfolk’s largest beer festival being just some of the things on offer.

It seems the pub – which is open "all day every day" – is in good hands, as Mr Stammers has run the inn for 26 years and his great grandfather did so from 1913-48.

West Norfolk CAMRA publicity officer Bruce Ward explained there are around 70 beers to choose from at the establishment, which will now go on to compete for the CAMRA county pub of the year contest.

Posted by Ben Webster

Telly addicts on holiday in Norfolk may be pleased to hear a part of scenery from a popular TV show is being restored there.

Many episodes for Dad’s Army were filmed in Thetford, west Norfolk, despite the fact the show was set in a fictional seaside town.

According to edp24, the wishing well that was housed in private Charles Godfrey’s garden has been restored by youngsters in the town at Thetford Zone For Learning (ZFL).

Director of the organisation Dave Southwell said there is rotten woodwork and it could be quite a challenge to get the well back to its former glory.

Fans of the show who are staying at Norfolk holiday cottages might like to see the well once it is completed.

The Dad’s Army Museum will house the renovated scenery alongside other items from the show.

Friend of Dad’s Army Museum, Corinne Fulford, said: "When I first heard about it I got a bit over excited but then I found out it was a prop, not a real well, so the fact it has survived at all is a miracle really."

The programme ran on the BBC from 1968 and proved highly popular.

Families staying in Norfolk holiday cottages could go back in time and pay a visit to a typical village of the Iceni tribe – also known as the Eceni – from 60AD.

Recreated to resemble as closely as possible this period in time, the village near Wells opened on April 4th.

Steve and Jo Parish created their Iron Age Village at the ESCAPE Study Centre, with an aim to show people how their ancestors lived without any of the modern comforts we enjoy today, edp24 reveals.

And if past projects are anything to go by, you should find lots of interesting activities to do at this latest recreation.

Practising Druid Mr Parish, 56 years old, has already created Tudor and Medieval villages in Northamptonshire.

“As we’re in north Norfolk we thought we should give a voice back to the Eceni because that’s where they last were and at one time they were the most powerful tribe in Britain,” he explains.

Some of the activities for families on holiday in Norfolk to try here include arts, crafts, pottery, house building, weapons practice and survival skills, the website notes.

Why not give it a go and have an educational day out?

Posted by David Sollberger