Nation Tourism

Motionless… The Lake District reflects an image of beauty!

The beauty of the Lake District is limitless, from the water to the surrounding trees and even within the quaint holiday cottages there is something for everyone to appriciate in the lake district and in 2011 the place has been more popular with UK travellers since ever before. Bed and Breakfasts and lake distrct hotels are available as well, and staying and booking a room at the lakes of the United Kingdom has never been easier with the advent of the web.

Plan a journey across the peaceful waters of Lake Windermere or stop on by a convenient Ellerthwaite lodge Lake District hotel whilst you visit this small part of the UK. Within Brampton (an area within the nation park bounderies) lies an original castle that dates back prior the eighteen hundreds. Tall and impressive the castle is complete with an enclosed courtyard. A variety of options await even the most particular traveler. Take a stroll along a winding trail or hike the mountains at The Lake District. Many trails are available that travel a great distance along The Lake District. Canoe, boat or travel on a jet-ski from one destination to another. Take in the rustic elegance of The Lake District.

Feeling inspired by the overwhelming beauty at the lake? Participate in an art class, one day lesson for a lifetime of memories. Professionals and amateurs alike share in the love of putting a moment to paper. If viewing art is more to your liking, then meander to one of the many galleries displaying art daily. Hundreds of local artists display everything from jewelry to paintings. Sculptures and oil paintings are available for viewing at a select number of museums as well. Interested in cuisine fresh from the locals? Dine on fresh lobster, fine wines and old-world tradition all within the lakes land. Tour a vineyard or family farm and enjoy the opportunity to touch ground with the start of tastes. Locals produce wine from grape grown vines along the land. Guests are welcome to participate in many of the activities at the estates. Produce oils, wines and cheeses and take away a life full of memories.

Charming stores line the towns and cities of The Lake District. Boasting old world charm shopping in the area is a memorable experience of its own. Quality items unique to the area include handmade food items and collectibles. Meats, jams, jellies and fresh seafood are the specialties of local markets. In addition to the produce, crafts, clothing and accessories are for sale.

When you think of the UK’s capital, you will often picture London Hotels, famous landmarks and the huge shops like Harrods and Hamley’s. But what many forget is that the city of London is one of the greenest capitals on the globe.

Whether you are visiting during the summer and fancy a spot of sun bathing or want to take a romantic leafy autumn walk, there is time to pay one of the fine parks a visit.

Hyde Park

Located in the centre of London, Hyde Park is a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. With trees, a lake, meadow and a rose garden, the park is a perfect setting for a walk with a loved one or playing with the children. If you have time, why not visit the Memorial Fountain, dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Regent’s Park

If sports are your passion, then Regent’s Park is the place to go during your holiday in London. With outdoor facilities to cater for football, cricket and many others you are bound to work up a sweat in this wonderful park land that spans 410 acres.

St James’ Park

If you only got to visit one of London’s parks during your visit then St James’ park would surely be near the top of the list. This regal park land is where you can see the Horse Guards Parade and see the famous pelicans be fed on the lake.

At 58 acres in size and surrounded by three palaces, St James’ Park is a magical place. 

Greenwich Park

If you are visiting the Greenwich area, then stopping off at Greenwich Park is a must. With great views of the Thames and central London, a band stand, the royal observatory and a playground for the children, visiting this park is a treat.

Battersea Park

Another popular park for active types, Battersea Park is an ideal place to go jogging.

The park is also ideal for families thanks to the Battersea Children’s Zoo and gorgeous lake that you can sail on aboard a rented boat.

These are just some of the many parks that you can visit during your short break in London. There are many more including Lee Valley Park, Clapham Common, Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park for you to escape to.

There’s a lot to be said for holidays in the South West of England. You’ll get some of the best weather that the UK has to offer, along with what are easily the best coastlines and beaches in the country. The latter is particularly true if you’re taking a Cornwall holiday as the county has more coastline than any other in England and a huge amount of that coastline is taken up by beaches of every size and variety. Sandy beaches, rocky beaches, paddling beaches, surfing beaches, they’re all in Cornwall.

Due to how popular the South West is there’s also plenty for tourists to do. The seaside towns and villages all have plenty of places to eat and everywhere has holiday accommodation of one sort or another. You’ll be able to enjoy some traditional British fish and chips or a tasty Cornish pasty for lunch and then dine in some of the UK’s best restaurants run by top chefs for dinner. You could also sample some delicious Somerset cider or try the real ales available from breweries across the South West, including some of the UK’s favourites in Cornwall.

Whilst you might not find the sort of theme parks you’d see in Florida whilst on Devon holidays you can find plenty to enjoy at local family attractions like The Big Sheep or The Milky Way. Animal shows are popular and offer a great way to get your kids interested in the countryside. You might even learn something yourself. The Big Sheep also has a brewing show and a shop where you can buy ales made in their own onsite brewery.

Cornwall, of course, has the Eden Project and Land’s End as well as plenty of picturesque villages, whilst Somerset has the wonderful city of Bath and the magnificent cathedral in Wells.

And let’s not forget the glorious location that you’ll be visiting/ Rolling green hills are the order of the day, with clumps of moor land also dotted around the area. The farmland and countryside is a great place to sit back, relax and unwind as you warm in the sun and enjoy the gentle whispering of wind through the grass (just make sure you’re not lying down in a field full of cattle). The moors will give you a much more dramatic landscape in places, with large granite rocks jutting outside of the ground, whilst in others they offer beautiful forested hills with plenty of great walking routes through them.

So, whatever you’re after, whatever your budget, and however many people you’re travelling with, there should be something for you in the South West.

One of the things that attracts people to Rye Accommodation year after year is just how beautiful Sussex is as a county. You could have a river flowing into a series of ponds, surrounded by a forest which has a winding, meandering path going through it all within easy reach of wherever you’re staying, as there are so many places in Sussex that offer a truly superb environment.

Forests have a particular smell, and it’s much more noticeable when the damp of winter creeps in. Of course, you’ll also notice it when you’re wandering through one in summer as the natural coolness of the place encourages the damp, mossy smell that we all love. This smell is inescapable in Sussex. Even some of the busier roads will lead you through woodland, which makes for a lovely drive as you approach your destination, wherever that may be.

Forest walks can be great at any time of year. During summer you get to see all the blooming flowers and the trees flushed with green, and during winter you’ll be able to trek through frosty landscapes, with nothing but an occasional bird call and the crunch of frozen leaves beneath your feet to make up the soundscape around you. You have to remember to dress appropriately for the season, of course. Wrap up warm in winter, especially if there’s snowfall, as it can get mighty cold outside. You’ll also want to take a jumper with you during the summer months as well, as even the warmest day can get a bit chilly once you’re in the shade of the trees.

If you’re interested in taking some forest walks during your stay in East Sussex hotels then your best bet will be to look at some Ordnance Survey maps for the local area, or ask at your hotel. There might even be a map with local walks kept at reception, or walks might be detailed in a brochure that they have available.

Be sure to check the distance of your forest walk as well. You might want to be back for lunch or by a certain time, so you need to be sure of how long it will take you. You should also consider which routes are appropriate for children or those who might struggle with rough terrain. Advice should be available for you regarding all of this though.

So, once you’ve found a route you like the look of, the last thing to do is head out the door.

Edinburgh, the second largest city of Scotland, is a beautiful gem in the amazing crown that is Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom. It’s famous for its history, its culture, its architecture, performing and classical arts, even for its sports venues and clubs. And it’s, ultimately, a really classy town. When you visit Edinburgh you might not see it as an equivalent to newer classy towns like New York or Los Angeles, but it’s definitely up there with London, Paris, Vienna or Rome in the list of prettiest old towns. And not just beauty, like we said, it has that unexplainable sense of class to it, that you don’t see everywhere.

So it’s no surprise what when people visit the city they often choose the high road and decide to stay in expensive hotels or luxury apartments Edinburgh. And this high road is definitely well paved in Edinburgh. You can find several venues to enjoy the fine arts, from really good theaters and theater companies to modern and ancient art galleries a little all over town. And when it comes to fine dining and nightlife, there’s little or nothing between Edinburgh and any other capital in Europe or the World.

There’s nothing better than going out for a day on your cottage holidays and then coming back to your Sennen Cove cottages knowing it will be toasty warm and cosy. Then, once you’re all wrapped up in some thick clothing and snuggled up on the sofa with a cuppa you can start thinking about what delicious, stocky, warming food you can cook up to give your body some central heating of its own.

The best known Cornish dish can also be one of the most warming. A hot Cornish pasty out of the oven will fill you up with nice, stodgy pastry and then a piping hot filling of your choice. Serve it with chips, vegetables or both and you’ve instantly got a hot and filling meal.

Perhaps you could even have a slice of grilled hog’s pudding on the side. It’s a spicy white sausage that’s almost as good a winter food as Scotch broth. White pudding is similar to black pudding but doesn’t contain the blood, meaning it’s a mixture of suet, fat, oatmeal and pork.

After this, you’re probably ready for dessert and a delicious heavy cake is one of the best choices for those of you who are still feeling a little chilled. Made with flour, lard, butter, milk, sugar and raisins it was originally cooked to greet the fishermen when they returned with their catch so you know it’s going to be good, solid, warming food.

To top everything off, some Cornish fudge to pick at will provide the icing on the cake for your warming Cornish meal and you should be a pleasant temperature now. Unfortunately, it’s straight back out the door for you as you’ve got to burn off the huge amount of calories you’ve just taken on.

The day to day grind of work might be getting you down but you needn’t worry. Eventually, sooner or later, you’ll finally be allowed to get away from the computer desk you’ve learnt to hate and take a week off. It’s a week away from your boss, your office and, most importantly, your job, so make sure your phone is switched off, your email ignored and get ready to drive for hours to go on a Cornwall holiday.

Once you’re there, you’ll doubtless have chosen to stay in one of the holiday parks that the region offers. These are the perfect place to use as a base for your trip as they provide not just the basic accommodation needs that everybody has but plenty more on top of that.

If you’re the sort of discerning holiday maker that realises proximity to the beach simply has to be taken into account whilst looking for holiday accommodation, then you’ll be happy to know that plenty of holiday parks throughout Cornwall are situated right next to some of the best beaches the county has to offer. Some even have their own private beaches that are reserved purely for the use of their customers.

Reached your holiday park and found that you’ve forgotten some small yet essential item whilst packing? Shops are almost a standard on holiday parks so you can easily just pop in, get what you need and then carry on with your holiday.

Another big concern for many people is what to do in the evenings. Once the sun’s gone down and the beaches are becoming deserted, you don’t want to find yourself sat in your caravan with nothing to do. That’s why the evening entertainment provided by the majority of holiday parks is such a blessing. You never have to worry about being bored again. Beaches in the day and karaoke, bingo, singing, dancing and who knows what else all night!

For the adults, you’ll find it easy to find fully licensed premises on most holiday parks, meaning you can truly enjoy your holiday without having to resort to trekking miles in search of a pub, or bringing drinks with you to get warm in your caravan.

As a way to generate more customers, many places of business are adding extras to attract more people and hotels are no exception.  Hotels in London are doing what they can to get people to stay with them and The Berkeley has done their part to increase their business.

This hotel now offers an extra amenity for those who stay with them, and the extra is an iPad.  For those who book their accommodations here, the not only get posh quarters, but an iPad as well during their visit.  Those who stay in certain suites will have the use of an iPad that will give them a variety of video, games, comics for their children and also the morning newspapers. You can read the morning paper that offers the Wall Street Journal and the Le Monde. 

Also on this device, you can get suggestions as to what places to see during your stay and it can even help you create an itinerary.  Of course, this is an expensive hotel to stay in so purchasing your own iPad would be cheaper then booking your stay here which in US dollars, would be equivalent to $2,800 a night.  It is a nice added benefit is you are staying at this hotel.

If you have ever been on family holidays to Devon then you’ll be aware of the number of activities that you can get up to in this marvellous county. The most obvious thing to do is visit the huge number of great beaches on both the north and south coastlines of the county.

Some beaches have long stretches of golden sand and gentle slopes into the sea, meaning that it can be quite a task walking down to the water during low tide.

Other beaches are steeper, possibly with rocks, which may not sound appealing until you realise that in the water itself it’s sand that’s underfoot, and these steeper beaches are often much better for tall, powerful waves. Surfing, body boarding, or just messing about in more vigorous waters are all more enjoyable at these beaches.

Yet more beaches may not be the best in terms of actual beach, but the attractions around them provide plenty of enjoyment.

Of course, inland in Devon there’s a lot to do as well, and the number of caravan parks make a caravan holiday a great choice. You can explore the moor land or woodland of Exmoor and Dartmoor, and maybe, if you’re really lucky, see some of the wild boars that live around each of them. There are plenty of activities at both of these places too; you can go pony trekking, for instance, or visit some of the small, picturesque villages buried deep in either location. The number of rocks and cliff faces, particularly on Dartmoor, mean that bouldering or rock climbing are both possibilities as well, and areas of Exmoor provide brilliant locations for cliffjumping.

Of course, these things are all there only if you want to take part in them. It’s just as easy to enjoy Devon, wherever inland or out by the sea, whilst simply sitting around and relaxing, or taking gentle walks. If this is something you’d be interested in, then the English Riviera around Torbay might be of interest to you, as it enjoys its own warm, sunny, sub-tropical microclimate. Torbay also has a number of beautiful gardens to visit, as well as easy access to Dartmoor, plenty of river walkways and the beaches along the south coast.

Devon is a truly varied county, so a trip here can suit any number of people, all wanting different things out of their holiday, and that’s why it’s such a good place for a family holiday.

Cornwall is a beautiful county, with loads of places to explore, gorgeous sights to see and wonderful things to do. It’s no wonder then that so many people go there year after year for holidays, to relax and unwind in Sennen Cove cottages. Of course, these elements that are so appealing to holiday makers are equally appealing to artists, writers, poets, directors, actors and all other manner of creative types. When you consider this, it’s no wonder that Cornwall has featured so many times in literature.

Daphne du Maurier lived in Cornwall, and many of her novels are set there, including the famous ‘Jamaica Inn’. Alfred Hitchcock made a film version of Jamaica Inn, and later went on to make films of another of her novels, ‘Rebecca’, and one of her short stories, ‘The Birds’. Both of these, when written, were set in Cornwall, though when Alfred Hitchcock directed his version of ‘The Birds’ the location was changed to Bodega Bay in California.

Arthur Conan Doyle also made use of Cornwall for the Sherlock Holmes novel ‘The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot’. When looking at this and Daphne du Maurier’s use of Cornwall to create atmospheres of isolation and terror, you might wonder why the county is so popular with holiday makers, but of course these authors are simply twisting the large, sparsely populated and dramatic landscapes so that they have a sinister spin. In reality, it’s hard to think that anything bad could happen in Cornwall on a bright, hot summer’s day on the beach.

Even the Harry Potter books have travelled there, with Shell Cottage, visited in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’, being in Cornwall. It’s a far cry from the beautiful St Ives cottages that many people choose to stay in though.

In addition to all those books and film adaptations of said books, the second act of ‘Tristan und Isolde’ by Richard Wagner takes place in Cornwall, as does the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Ruddigore’.

Poetry has also flourished in Cornwall, presumably because of the sea air and dramatic landscapes. The late Poet Laureate John Betjeman loved Cornwall, and it featured in many of his works. He’s even buried there. Another poet, Laurence Binyon, is also remembered in Cornwall, as a stone plaque was raised in the place that he wrote his poem ‘For the Fallen’.

So, for some reason Cornwall has an effect on some people, and inspires them to write great things. For others, of course, it inspires them to build sandcastles and jump in the sea.