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

The attractiveness of the Norfolk Broads is one reason why Norfolk is a popular destination for people wanting a relaxing break.

This is according to Virginia Edwards of the Norwich & Norfolk Conference Bureau, who explained the region – which is now a designated National Park thanks to its "distinctive waterways" – is great for those who want to get away from it all during a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage.

"Lots of boating holidays happen on the Norfolk Broads," she explained, adding the 5 mph speed limit on boats helps create a laid-back atmosphere.

There are also a number of great pubs on the Broads, Ms Edwards remarked, meaning people who have hired a boat for the day can arrive, enjoy a good meal and then get back on the water.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate staycations may be rising in popularity among Brits, as there was a 15 per cent year-on-year fall in the number of people heading abroad in the 12 months to January 2010.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

Those planning a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage this Easter might want to find the time to check out one of the area’s best open spaces.

Bressingham Gardens in Diss has been included by Daily Mail writer Nigel Colbourn in his list of the best spring gardens in the UK.

The garden, which opened for the tourist season on March 27th, is located on Low road in Bressingham and was developed as a nursery and garden by the late Alan Bloom.

Foggy Bottom, the neighbouring garden, was developed by his son Adrian and the site is not just home to plants and flowers, as Mr Bloom’s passion for steam engines means working railways run through the grounds and an "excellent" museum is also on offer for visitors to investigate.

The two gardens were merged in 2000 after spending many years as separate entities.

Entrance to Bressingham costs £12 for adults, while child admission is priced at £8.

Posted by David Sollberger

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.

Posted by Matt Smith

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.

Posted by Matt Smith

People going on a Norfolk holiday could spot a number of exotic birds on their travels.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) has revealed that during the second week of February, two flocks of waxwings arrived in the county, which may have been seen by those staying at Norfolk holiday cottages.

This follows on from a sighting in early January of a single waxwing close to Norwich train station.

According to the trust, the exotic-looking birds can be spotted by the small red tips at the end of the feathers on their wings.

While there is an online gallery for people to look at, the organisations wants individuals including those staying at Norfolk holiday cottages to take their own pictures of the creatures.

"They quite often visit gardens – even in the very middle of towns and cities where they are indifferent to people and traffic – and can be observed at close quarters," explained David North, education manager at NWT.

NWT claims to be the oldest wildlife trust in the country, providing the "blue print" for the rest of the UK to follow regarding nature conservation.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

Norfolk”s historic churches are to get a share of the £15.7 million fund that has been set up to carry out repairs on places of worship across the UK.

A total of £1.4 million has been allocated to help restore structures across Norfolk and Suffolk, potentially opening them up to more people who head to the region for a Norfolk holiday.

According to Network Norwich, Grade I-listed St Margaret”s Church in Little Dunham, near Swaffham is one building that will benefit from the cash, as £175,000 has been set aside to pay for work on its roof, windows, drains and walls.

Elsewhere, the Grade II-listed medieval church of St Andrew near Fakenham will benefit from £129,000.

Rev Robin Stapleford explained that problems at the church, which is almost 700 years old, are frequent and can be "costly" to occur.

Chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund Carole Souter said that the money will help "safeguard these precious and important buildings", which are a "key part" of the country”s heritage.

Posted by Matt Smith

Individuals staying in Norfolk holiday cottages can enjoy an unusual act during the Norfolk and Norwich Festival – a world premiere of a composition performed by ice-cream vans.

The festival is now in its 238th year and according to the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press, people staying in Norfolk holiday cottages will be treated to a line-up of local talent, international acts and "outdoor spectaculars".

Jordi Savall will reveal the UK premiere of his performance, which charts the history of Jerusalem, while David McAlmont and Michael Nyman will perform a collaboration.

A daytime programme of tea and swing dances and a circus can also be taken in by those choosing Norfolk holiday cottages as their base for the festival.

Norfolk County Council, National Express East Anglia, Norwich City Council and Arts Council England have all teamed up to fund the event.

The festival will be held between May 7th-22nd. Last year saw the successful delivery of 47 bespoke Creative Learning projects at the festival.

A further eight professional development events were also provided.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

A new campaign encouraging people to head to the Norfolk Broads has been launched at this year”s Boat and Caravan Show.

The Broads Authority has teamed up with the Broads Tourism Forum to introduce a new brochure designed to encourage people to book a Norfolk holiday in the area.

It includes useful tips on things to do, as well as a map pinpointing some of the best attractions.

"We are keen to encourage more visitors from the Midlands and throughout the UK," explained Bruce Hanson, head of tourism for the Broads Authority.

"This is the biggest tourism promotion the Broads has ever seen," he added, noting that it is "great to see" so many local businesses supporting the initiative.

So far, 36 firms have lent their voice to the campaign, including BeWILDerwood, a treehouse adventure park.

Located in Hoveton, the attraction offers young and old alike the chance to explore treehouses, zip wires and jungle bridges.

Posted by Matt Smith

Visitors planning a stay in a Norfolk holiday cottage in the coming months might want to consider checking out Hungate Medieval Art – the city”s newest arts and heritage venue – which has just launched its programme of events for spring and summer 2010.

Among the offerings are workshops where people can learn more about specialist art, such as how to produce stained glass – a course that was especially popular last year.

"The new programme …gives people the chance to try stone carving and pen and ink drawing," explained centre manage Dale Copley.

Also on offer is Music in the Glass, a special concert by Minstrels Gallery, which specialises in medieval music.

And Tea and Talking Points is returning this year, which gives people the chance to discuss topics of historical interest over a cuppa.

Visiting Hungate Medieval Art costs £3 for adults, while concessions can gain entry for £2.50.

Posted by Ben Webster

A Norfolk brewery has launched a new beer that will help raise money for the county”s armed forces.

Wolf Brewery, which is based in Besthorpe, is producing the Hero cask beer after teaming up with a Norwich landlord, the Norwich Evening News reports.

Dougie Clarke convinced the brewery to introduce the drink after reading a book about his grandfather, who served in the first world war.

It will be on sale in his pub – the Duke of Wellington – as well as over 200 other outlets, meaning those wanting to sample it while staying in a Norfolk holiday cottage will probably not have to travel far.

"We hope the beer will play its part in demonstrating to our soldiers that we are behind them in the difficult challenge they face in a very dangerous part of the world," owner of Wolf Brewery John Edwards was quoted as saying.

And visitors to Norfolk can even check out the beverage being made, as the brewery offers tours to groups of between eight and 25 people.

Posted by Toby Lawrence