Posts Tagged ‘united kingdom’

The Best Hotels In St Annes

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

Lytham St Annes sits between the green rolling countryside of western Lancashire and the Irish Sea. The town grew in popularity as a place of rest and restoration, amongst the factory workers from the famous mill towns of industrial Lancashire.

The sights and sounds of Blackpool are just along the coast, with its famous tower, illuminations and 3 piers. Blackpool is a town whose reputation proceeds it, and whilst it may need no introduction, it has made several significant changes over the last few years. The football team are sitting high in the premiership, and although the efforts to bring the supercasino to Blackpool ultimately failed, the town still has grand visions for a renaissance for much of its more salubrious areas.

Lytham St Annes - what of it?.

The town has long been a haven for the retired, looking to settle down after a working career, in the quieter and refined surroundings of this picturesque place. Lytham is famous for its shopping and boutique stores, as well as its bustling cafe culture. St Annes is the place to for hotels however, and has a fine range of quality hotels to choose from.

North Promenade is home to most of the St. Annes hotels, with a fine range all lined up near the Victorian Pier overlooking the Irish Sea. Many of the hotels in St Annes are great destinations for family holidays, long weekends or business functions, but like all businesses they have to move with the times and provide new and different services to their customers. A lot of the hotels rely on the golf trade, with the town’s many golf courses bringing in visitors from far and wide. Others now feature leisure facilities and spa packages.

One thing is for sure, and that’s that the local hotel owners know exactly who their customer baseis and how to attract them in. St Annes hotels generally appeal to a different demographic than their Blackpool equivalents, and certainly people visit the two towns for different reasons. Most Blackpool hotel owners would agree that their peak times are during the illuminations in October and November and the busy summer months, and the town can be eerily quiet outside those times.

Lytham St Annes continues to thrive as a destination for holiday makers and day trippers alike, and with such a fine range of hotels, shops and attractions right on its doorstep, there is no reason why this shouldn’t continue for many years to come.

Reasons To Visit And Stay In Devon

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Every year thousands of people visit the county of Devon in the UK. It is the third largest county in England and its major towns are Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay. Devon has been forced to rely on tourism as its main way to sustain the economy of the area for a long time now which is why it is one of the most popular destinations in the UK thanks to it’s great beaches and wonderful cream teas. If you are looking for some where to take a family vacation or a short weekend break then Devon is one of the best choices you can make.

The award winning accommodation in Devon is varied and rich. You can find the right sort of accommodation to suit your needs. You will always be able to find a hotel with a wide range of boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, sea front guesthouses, and country house hotels as well as the regular types of hotels you’ll find in most major cities. There are also a number of green accommodation providers if you want to help do your bit for the planet.

For those of you that like to take your holiday at your own pace, you will be able to enjoy the fine self catering accommodation that Devon has to offer. There are a wonderful array of luxurious holiday cottages in Devon that are suitable for couples, large groups and families that want to stay in them. These cottages come with everything you’ll need in the kitchen and home as well as beautiful gardens. Some come with built in swimming pools or above ground pools and if you’re lucky a hot tub. Many of them are in the heart of the Devonshire countryside offering peace and tranquillity as well as access to a number of outdoor pursuits.

Those that want to visit Devon in their own caravan or mobile home will be delighted with the excellent campsites that Devon has to offer. Many of these campsites are situated in the beautiful Devon countryside and boast some stunning views and excellent facilities. Those of you that don’t have your own caravan or mobile home you’ll be pleased to hear that there are a number of locations that will rent you one. There are even some companies that will rent you a Volkswagon camper van.

Devon is blessed with a wide range of tourist attractions. Popular tourist attractions such as the National Marine Aquarium, theme parks like The Milky Way, Woodlands Leisure Park and Crealy Great Adventure Park and Dartmouth Castle. The beaches in Devon have a number of Blue Flag awards that represent that the beach and sea are clean. The North Devon coast has sandy beaches with sheer cliffs looking over them. The beaches in the South of Devon are a contrast as they are surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and have beaches covered in stones.

There are plenty of places to eat in Devon with a variety of local restaurants offering fine food. A large number of these local restaurants use local sources for their fish, poultry and dairy products as well as home grown vegetables to give dinners a true taste of what Devon has to offer. You can take home your own little taste of Devon by visiting the farmers markets where you will find grow your own vegetables supplies as well as other produce.

Whatever you decide Devon is a wonderful place to visit and should be a popular holiday destination for many tourists this summer.

Get Ready For A Bloody Good Time In London, England

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

London is the best. I went at the ripe young age of 16, but the memories will never leave me. The pictures, souvenirs, and memories that I acquired in London, UK have left me figuring out how to get back there. Although I spent quite a long time trying to locate my missing passport, finding adapters, and packing my bags, it was ultimately so worth it. If you love art, history, and culture as I do, a trip to London has to make its way onto your to-do list.

The Tower of London is a popular British Landmark located in London. Probably most well-known as a place or torture and a royal prison, the Tower of London holds centuries of history that are made available to you and your family when you visit. I spent an entire day walking around learning all the stories and seeing for myself just how the Tower worked. Probably my favorite part was seeing the ravens. These huge black birds strut around the lawn, eyeing

Visit Devon For A Family Holiday Or Weekend Break

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Devon is a very popular holiday destination in the UK. Devon has three major towns Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay and just happens to be the third largest county in England. Devon has been forced to rely on tourism as its main way to sustain the economy of the area for a long time now which is why it is one of the most popular destinations in the UK thanks to it’s great beaches and wonderful cream teas. Devon is the perfect destination for a family holiday or a short break with plenty of places to stay, things to do and attractions to visit.

Devon is blessed with a wide variety of award winning accommodation so you will be able to find a hotel or other accommodation that will be perfect for you. You will always be able to find a hotel with a wide range of boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, sea front guesthouses, and country house hotels as well as the regular types of hotels you’ll find in most major cities. There are also a number of green accommodation providers if you want to help do your bit for the planet.

If you like to enjoy a more relaxed holiday then you might want to try some of Devon’s self catering accommodation. You’ll find some luxurious holiday cottages in Devon that will meet the needs of any family, group or couple looking to stay in the region. A cottage usually comes complete with a beautiful garden and a kitchen with everything you need to cook. Some come with built in swimming pools or above ground swimming pools and if you’re lucky a hot tub. Many of them are in the heart of the Devonshire countryside offering peace and tranquillity as well as access to a number of outdoor pursuits.

If you’re more interested in bringing your mobile home, caravan or tent then there are plenty of campsites available. You will find campsites located in the countryside as well as close to the Devonshire coast both of which offer stunning views. Those of you that don’t have your own caravan or mobile home you’ll be pleased to hear that there are a number of locations that will rent you one. There are even some companies that will rent you a Volkswagon camper van.

There are plenty of attractions and things to do in Devon. Some of the most popular attractions include The Milky Way theme park and Crealy Great Adventure park as well as Dartmouth Castle and the National Marine Aquarium. Many of Devon’s beaches hold Blue Flag awards for cleanliness and are perfect for a family day out. The North Devon coast has sandy beaches with sheer cliffs looking over them. In contrast South Devon’s coast is surrounded by red sandstone cliffs with pebble beaches.

There are plenty of places to eat in Devon with a variety of local restaurants offering fine food. A large number of these local restaurants use local sources for their fish, poultry and dairy products as well as home grown vegetables to give dinners a true taste of what Devon has to offer. You can take home your own little taste of Devon by visiting the farmers markets where you will find grow your own vegetables supplies as well as other produce.

Whatever you decide Devon is a wonderful place to visit and should be a popular holiday destination for many tourists this summer.

Will 2010 See The Rise Or Fall Of The British Tourist Industry?

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Spring has sprung and Summer is just around the corner so many British families are putting together their holiday plans for this year. Last year saw the rise of the ’staycation’ as many families across the country deciding to holiday in the UK rather than go overseas. Despite the down turn in the economy many UK seaside towns has seen an increase in tourism and revenues. The ’staycation’ was launched when families stayed at home and started visiting local tourist attractions but before long they started looking for affordable accommodation across the country.

A short weekend break in a nearby city became popular as people opted to stay in hotels and serviced apartments. Many young couples and groups tended to take breaks in cities like Bristol so they could enjoy the nightlife, restaurants and shopping on offer. There are a wide variety of places to stay in Bristol that meet these needs. Many families were looking for something that was more long-term and in a more rural setting.

There were two family accommodation trends that became obvious in 2009 and this is mainly a case of budget. Owners of caravans and mobile homes often stayed in caravan parks and campsites in the South of England. Those holiday makers that wanted to stay in something a bit more stable and had a greater budget typically chose to stay in self catering holiday cottages.

Holiday cottages have always been popular in the southern counties of the UK with areas such as Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall proving to be prime locations for tourists to visit. It is easy to see why as all of these areas have a wealth of local tourist attractions on offer. The New Forest in Hampshire is very popular, Exeter in Devon is a hotspot and all the surfers love Cornwall.

Many of the popular holiday cottage rental agents reported that last year cottages in Cornwall saw a dramatic increase in the number of rented properties. Newquay is possibly responsible for this trend as large groups of teenagers visit this area of Cornwall after they have finished their exams. This is likely to be because of the Cornish towns night life and the large amount of activities available like surf schools.

Another destination that is very popular is the New Forest in Hampshire. It is thought that cottages in the New Forest saw an increase in families visiting the area. The New Forest has a lot of natural beauty and a wide range of wildlife as well as lots of outdoor activities for the children to participate in. The New Forest is also very close to other places that are interesting to visit. These are towns and cities such as Salisbury, which has a large cathedral and Bournemouth with it’s beautiful golden sands.

Looking at all the signs it would appear that UK tourism will have another successful year in 2010. The state of the economy has improved slightly but times are still tough with many people still tightening their belts and with potential strike action from some airlines the thought of going abroad this year is looking uncertain for many. All of these signs point towards another success story for UK tourism and the continued rise of the UK ’staycation’ in 2010.

There’s Something For Everybody To Appreciate In London, UK

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

London is the best. I went at the ripe young age of 16, but the memories will never leave me. The pictures, souvenirs, and memories that I acquired in London, United Kingdom have left me figuring out how to get back there. Although I spent quite a long time trying to locate my missing passport, finding adapters, and packing my bags, it was ultimately so worth it. If you love art, history, and culture as I do, a trip to London has to make its way onto your to-do list.

One of my favorite locations was the Tower of London. I spent a whole day reading about it’s history and seeing first hand what it was like. Probably most well known as a royal prison and place of torture, the Tower of London also served many other uses, from menagerie to stellar observatory. One of the most interesting parts of the Tower of London was seeing it’s famous ravens. The ravens that walk around the Tower have been occupants there for generations. A very old superstition keeps them there, one that says if the ravens leave, the kingdom will fall. The ravens have some of the most royal treatment of the Tower’s inhabitants, with their own personal handler and living quarters.

Big Ben is the third largest clock tower in the world. As one of London’s most well known historical monuments, it has been represented in movies and stories for generations. Although pictures and films do it a little justice, seeing it for yourself is truly breathtaking. Standing beneath it will make you really and truly understand why it has been used as an English icon for so long. A visit to Parliament can give you a first-hand look at how the government of The City Of London works. Although I am not particularly interested in the workings of the government, seeing it in action was something really special and pretty inspiring.

Alright, I had to get my picture taken with the famous solemn-faced guards. Even though it’s pretty cliche, I just had to do it. I didn’t try to make him laugh or stick my finger up his nose or anything, as they are armed guards I’ll have you know, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stand next to one and have my picture taken. I was surprised how many locations boasted a Changing of the Guards, including the Tower of London. The gardens and parks of London are definitely worth mentioning. As a completely free way to spend your day, I really recommend going. Swans and ducks swim in the ponds surrounded by beautiful banks of flowers in every color. Walking anywhere is very special when you get to walk through the parks.

London’s shopping scene is just awesome. I got to visit Camden Market, which isn’t your ordinary shopping spot. Stretching on for as far as I could see, Camden Market offered everything from handmade bags to leopard print Doc Martins. So grab some money and your passport, as there is something for everyone at Camden Market, and I guarantee after a long day shopping, you can’t help but walk away with tons of stuff.

Everyone in your family can walk away with some unforgettable experiences after a London visit. I definitely did. If you’ve never been able to see London for yourself, I recommend you take a trip there sometime. I promise, it’s even worth the hassle of having to find that missing passport.

To renew or apply for your passport, go to the http://www.uspassportnow.com website and check out all their great passport services to make the process a breeze.

UK Set For Another Good Year For British Tourism

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Summer is quickly approaching and many families will be in the process of planning their summer holidays. 2009 saw the rise of the ‘staycation’ in the UK with many families choosing to go on more traditional holidays at home rather than abroad. The British tourism industry reported that there was an increase in visitors to UK seaside resorts despite the economic downturn. The ’staycation’ was launched when families stayed at home and started visiting local tourist attractions but before long they started looking for affordable accommodation across the country.

A short weekend break in a nearby city became popular as people opted to stay in hotels and serviced apartments. The majority of these travellers were couples and groups of friends out to enjoy the sights and sounds of big cities such as Bristol. There are lots of places to stay in Bristol like this but those looking for longer family holidays wanted different types of accommodation in a more rural location.

There were a couple of accommodation trends in 2009 that became noticable as it became clear that budget was having an effect on holiday maker’s decisions. A large number of caravan and mobile home owners traveled to campsites in the South of England because it was cheaper. Renting holiday cottages was the trend that appeared among those that had a greater budget to spend on their holiday.

The popularity of holiday cottages in the South of the UK has always been high especially in counties such as Devon, Hampshire and Cornwall which are prime holiday locations. Each of these counties has much to offer any tourist. Cornwall is very well known for it’s beautiful beaches, while the New Forest has some wonderful wildlife and Devon has a mix of both.

Many of the popular holiday cottage rental agents reported that last year cottages in Cornwall saw a dramatic increase in the number of rented properties. Newquay is possibly responsible for this trend as large groups of teenagers visit this area of Cornwall after they have finished their exams. This is likely to be because of the Cornish towns night life and the large amount of activities available like surf schools.

The other more popular destination was the New Forest. It is thought that cottages in the New Forest saw an increase in families visiting the area. This is likely to be down to the wildlife found in the New Forest and the number of healthy activities for children young and old to take part in. The New Forest is also well positioned allowing trips to nearby towns, cities and places of interest. The medieval city of Salisbury is nearby as well as Bournemouth with it’s beautiful beaches.

All the signs are showing that 2010 is likely to be another successful year for the UK tourism industry. The slow improvements in the economy mean that people still don’t have vast amounts of money to spend and with an increase in strikes amongst airline and railway workers many travellers feel uncertain about heading abroad. So once again the ’staycation’ could reign supreme in the UK throughout 2010 but only time will tell.

Weekend City Breaks in Sheffield and Tourist Attractions To See

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Today Vacations in England are the fashion. The many reasons are too many to list but the majority agree that the primary factor is the current depression and the increasing requirement to save money, especially in relation to family vacations. A further influential fact is the low value of the Pound Sterling which traveling abroad rather expensive for the English but, alternatively, travel into the UK is cheap. The United Kingdom has many top class tourist destinations including many seaside resorts, however more and more people are choosing to take city breaks instead. Popular city vacation destinations include; London, Manchester and Bristol however there are plenty of other cities in Britain in which to take a vacation such as Sheffield. With rooms from as low as twenty pounds a night, Sheffield bed and breakfast accommodation makes for a low cost city vacation destination.

Things To See And Do In Sheffield

For a city with a history associated with industry primarily in the cutlery and steel industry, Sheffield has a wide variety of galleries. The most well known are the Ruskin Gallery, Metalworks Gallery and Mappin Art Gallery. The Millennium Galleries are free entry and have visiting exhibitions (entry is for a few pounds. The Ruskin Gallery is based upon a collection donated by John Ruskin for the improvement of the Sheffield workers and features watercolors, sketches, minerals, casts, paintings and a library of classic nineteenth century texts.

Visitors will discover that Sheffield has a small number of museums but the City Museum is located on the outskirts of Sheffield’s city center as is the Kelham Island Museum which houses all kinds of items connected with the industrial past of the city and old machinery. Although the city was bombed heavily during WWII several superb examples of Victorian and older architecture still survive and the city center is incredibly easy to walk around. Try to make time to visit the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul which can be dated back to the fourteen hundreds.

Staying In Sheffield

As the city has a University the bars, clubs and cafes can become incredibly busy at the weekends, during which time students make the very most their free time. While many tourists enjoy such a lively night scene others prefer a more sedate environment in which to stay, these people should book a room in a hotel away from the center of the city.

If a weekend city break in Sheffield is not for you why not ponder on making a reservation in a guest house in London, England’s capital? Otherwise why not consider booking a couple of weeks in a Liverpool bed and breakfast, which was Europe’s Capital of Culture 2008 and benefits from a fantastic collection of world class visitor attractions.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain has much to offer the tourist and the many fascinating, and amazingly diverse, cities commonly offer more than the numerous seaside resorts.

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Useful Information About Exeter Vacations

Monday, October 5th, 2009

When the majority of people think about vacations in England they nearly always only consider resorts by the sea such as Torquay, Margate, Great Yarmouth and Bognor Regis. Occasionally people may debate having a vacation in a specific English county for example Devon in the south of England but rarely do they think about taking a vacation in the city of Exeter. The following article introduces various factors why an Exeter vacation is a great idea.

The first reasons for taking a holiday in Exeter is that the accommodation is amazingly cheap with bed and breakfast in Exeter available at roughly 25 a night and lots of places around the forty to fifty pounds mark.

Obviously there should be more than a minimal price to entice you to stay in a city and Exeter certainly has lots to offer the possible visitor. You will discover that there are a great many top class visitor attractions in the city center and even more within a short distance and if this is not enough then the city of Plymouth is only a short distance away and you will discover that there is also cheap bed and breakfast in Plymouth and even more incredible visitor attractions. Plus you will find that there are plenty of breathtaking sites to see all along the nearby coast.

Where To Stay In Exeter

The Drewe Arms This accommodation is superb, the rooms are budget but the building is a picturesque seventeenth century thatched inn on the Two Moors Way (a walkers route). It is important to know that it is fifteen miles from Exeter city center. If you want more luxury the inn also offers four-poster rooms.

The Crawford Hotel This hotel accommodation is lots closer to the center of the city, about 1.6 kilometers. It is a 2 star hotel with good en suite rooms and, crucially, twenty four hour access to rooms, superb if you are planning on a late night or need access during the day. There is there is Free wireless internet access available in the public places of the hotel.

Tourist Attractions

In the city there are only a small number of places worth visiting including; the Royal Albert Museum, Rougemont Castle and St Peter’s Cathedral. As I said earlier there is a small collection of close by seaside villages to see the most worthwhile being the pretty villages of Beer, Seaton and Sidmouth.

Further away, in between Exeter and Plymouth is the hardly populated moorland of the Dartmoor National Park with the overall area having a fair few visitor attractions to see including A La Ronde, Buckfast Abbey and Buckland Abbey along the main route, to Plymouth. Along the way you will pass the Torbay area, which includes Paignton, Torquay and Brixham and is frequently called the English Riviera region.

Exeter really is a excellent place in which to take a vacation however why not discuss having a 2 destination vacation and spend a few of days/nights in a really nice Plymouth hotel and tour the splendid countryside and coast in between these 2 excellent cities?

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