Posts Tagged ‘england’
What Is There For Kids To See And Do In Manchester?
May 5, 2011
With so many things to see and do in this wonderful city, sorting out the wheat from the chaff is not an easy undertaking. To make this doubly hard, there is not that much ‘chaff’ in the first place, so deciding on where to take your children on a fun day out in Manchester can end up being a bit of a chore in itself! To make this decision a little easier for you we have compiled a list of a few of the most popular attractions and amenities in the city of Manchester.
One place that is sure to grab the attention of every child is the Legoland Discovery Center situated in The Trafford Center. The Legoland Discovery Center offers loads of activities for children to enjoy, including miniature models of local and national landmarks, a 4-D Lego cinema, a themed interactive rollercoaster ride, a Lego factory, an adventure playground and a build and test center for Lego constructions.
The Museum of Science and Industry is a museum dedicated to the development of science, industry and technology, and is located in Castlefield in Greater Manchester. There are some fantastic exhibitions on display, including special exhibitions displaying all sorts of informative and educational topics such as computing, astronomy and even the customizing of motorcycles!
If you are looking for somewhere to take small children to wear them out, there is no better place in Manchester than the Head Over Heels Play Center in Chorlton, Greater Manchester. With a giant slide and lots of different play areas and climbing apparatus spread across a total of 3 levels reaching a massive 6.5m tall, the Head Over Heels Play Center is sure to tire even the most enthusiastic and excitable of children. Other similar venues are the Land of Play Indoor Play Center and The Wacky Warehouse in East Didsbury.
Most kids love a day out karting and Greater Manchester has some of the finest indoor circuits in England. Two of the most popular tracks in the area are Daytona Manchester, situated in Trafford Park which caters for children as young as 5 years old; and also Karting2000 which is situated in Gorton, northwest Manchester. Karting2000 primarily caters for older age groups but there are karts for children as young as 9 years old available.
If you are looking for something different, why not take your family on an indoor alpine ski adventure at the 180 meter long Chill Factore indoor real snow slope center located in the Trafford Quays Leisure Village. With the UK’s longest real snow indoor ski slope, a beginners slope, a two-lane tubing slope and a magical snow play area, there is so much to do, it will be snow-joke!
Read On : Play Centre Manchester
Holidays In London And Hotels Close To The Millennium Wheel
February 26, 2011
The city of London is among the hottest vacation locations in the continent of Europe. A large number of elements work with each other to make the city appealing to a vast variety of holiday makers, the most important of which is the enormous number of first class tourist attractions found the city. London is the most expansive urban zone to be found in the whole of Europe and it is the capital of England. As such it is not surprising that there are numerous districts to stay with every one having their own unique attraction. Some other folks make a selection to stay right in the middle of the city whilst others make a selection to stay somewhere in the outskirts. Within the following article I will be taking a close look at a few of the accommodation near to the London Eye/Millennium Wheel.
The London Eye, or, more accurately, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, is a big observation wheel located on the banks of the River Thames. Visited by over 3.5 million tourists every year it’s the most well liked attraction in Great Britain. When enjoying a flight passengers can see a selection of the finest visitor attractions to be found in the UK such as; Big Ben clock tower, Palace of Westminster, St Paul’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, the NatWest Tower and and more. Due to the fact that such an amazing collection of world class attractions within a short distance from The London Eye many visitors decide to stay in places near to the attraction itself.
Hotels And Accommodation Close To The Millennium Wheel
To help keep everything simple I will be focusing upon those hotels and accommodations which are nearest to the London Eye and those which can also take bookings online. The nearest two establishments are both Park Plaza hotels, the Park Plaza County Hall and the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. Just a little further away you will find the accommodation; Citadines, London Marriott Hotel County Hall and Royal Horseguards and below I will introduce these fantastic places to stay in more detail.
County Hall (Park Plaza) The Park Plaza County Hall is situated at number 1 Addington Street at the South Bank of River Thames. It is within easy strolling distance of the Eye (it is just over Westminster Bridge) which is visible from some of the rooms in the hotel. Providing four star accommodation at an inexpensive cost the Park Plaza is an extremely popular place to stay so it is always worth seeking to reserve your room as early as you can. Amenities include; free WI-FI Internet, free laundry room, free admission to to the fitness center, sauna and steam room (spa therapies are available for an extra price). Rooms have kitchen amenities including microwave, crockery, cutlery and coffee and tea making facilities however it is well worth taking into account taking foods at their Spectrum Restaurant which renowned for its fine British Cuisine.
The Westminster Bridge(Park Plaza) The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is positioned at number two hundred Westminster Bridge Road that is on the southern side of Westminster Bridge. The hotel offers all the facilities you could be expecting of a 4 star rated establishment (for example free Wi-Fi web) but different facilities include two executive lounges, a business centre and a concierge service making it the very best choice for folk visiting London on business. The hotel additionally features a health club that’s open twenty four hrs a day as well as A sauna, spa, steam room and a 15-metre swimming pool.
The Royal Horseguards offers award winning five star-rated accommodation with rooms costing just a little greater than four star lodgings (if you be capable of locate a last-minute reservation discount. Positioned at number 2 Whitehall Court this hotel is very near to the business district. The London Marriott Hotel County Hall, on Westminster Bridge Road, is a 4 star rated hotel which additionally gives last minute booking discounts and which features a gym, a spa and an indoor pool. Citadines Trafalgar Square London gives 3 star lodging serviced apartment accommodation, on Northumberland Avenue, at an reasonably priced cost.
Other places to stay close to the London Eye include; Charing Cross (Strand), Wellington (81-83 Waterloo Road), LSE Northumberland House (8a Northumberland Avenue) and apartments at SACO London (75 York Rd), all of which are within half a mile of The Millennium Wheel. The Savoy (Strand), which has very recently gone through the biggest renovation in the United Kingdom and Europe, is half a mile from the Millennium Wheel and also The Trafalgar (in Trafalgar Square), The Royal Trafalgar (on Whitcomb Street) and The Strand Palace Hotel (in the Strand).
All together you will find in excess of 50 hotels near the London Eye (a mile or less away), the choice is amazing but it is very important be aware that these establishments are amazingly popular and it is best that you book your room as soon as is possible. It’s important to remember that hotels close to the London Eye are frequently fully booked but, if you wish to risk it, there is, sometimes, the potential of finding last-minute reservation reductions.
If you are considering a vacation in London and you are looking for hotels near the London Eye please take a look at our list at http://www.londonhotelhelper.com/categories/4/hotels-near-london-eye/
Visiting The Seaside Town Of Scarborough
February 13, 2011
While coming to the Yorkshire coastline, absolutely no getaway is complete without coming to the region of Scarborough. Generally known as the biggest and earliest resort town on this impressive coast, Scarborough is recognized for its massive curving sandy beach situated on the North Sea. There are 2 exquisite bays called the North Bay and South Bay with a headland between the two. There are many destinations to discover in Scarborough.
For a vacationer, Scarborough is surely a fantastic holiday destination because it features many of the varieties of attractions which visitors appreciate. You will find fish and chips shops, local tourist traps and other fun destinations including arcades. There are lots of cliffs and hillsides to discover and appreciate while you make your way around this beautiful area. Historically, Scarborough was known as a spa town where people visited drink the mineral waters and to swim in the sea. Even so, it isn’t a place that you visit if you want to bury your self in cultural pursuits. It’s popular with families considering that it’s a wonderful place to have a good time, spend time on the beach and breathe the clean sea air.
Scarborough is 56 km northeast of York and 407 km north of London. You can get there on local trains that operate throughout the day between York and Scarborough. There are also several great places to stay in this region. For example, one well-liked location is known as Beiderbecke’s Hotel. It is an 1835 building that is at the end of a Victorian crescent. Despite the fact that there are simply 27 guest rooms, they’re well furnished and incredibly comfortable with bigger tiled restrooms. The hotel additionally features its own cocktail bar with fashionable furnishings. It is by far the coolest hangout in the area.
For your dining enjoyment in Scarborough, there are various types of small cafes and dining establishments available. People can visit an Italian coffee bar or discover more international cuisine at Marmalade’s which is a vibrant and classy restaurant featuring all sorts of food options. One other popular spot to eat is termed Mother Hubbard’s. It’s more of a family-style fish restaurant which dishes up the best fish and chips in town.
If you’re searching for interesting attractions in Scarborough, there is no lack of activities to do. There is an upper town and lower area next to the beach. Despite the fact that there are points of interest, Scarborough has always been much more known as an area to enjoy the seaside area. On the other hand, vacations in Scarborough can also consist of things such as going to the nearby art gallery or the Rotunda Museum. Not surprisingly, you can also make your way over to Scarborough Castle that was constructed in the 12th century.
If you are looking for bed & breakfast in Scarborough please take a look at our listings of cheap Scarborough hotels
Bury St Edmunds vacations & 3 Visitor Attractions To Visit
December 29, 2010
Selecting a suitable place to take a vacation is commonly somewhat problematic particularly if you’re contemplating a vacation with friends and family. In fact a lot is dependant upon your likes or dislikes and when arranging a family vacation compromise is highly likely however many places supply a wide variety of points of interest able to satisfy just about all tastes and few destinations beat the United Kingdom for variety. With awe-inspiring sports locations, popular seaside resorts, busy cities and engaging rural places the United Kingdom of Great Britain can supply an incredible range of types of vacations. In the article below I study the English town called Bury St Edmunds within the East Anglia area of England.
The town of Bury St Edmunds is positioned in the county of Suffolk. The town can be traced back to the 7th century with the building of a monastery in 633. In 903 Edmund, the King of East Anglia, was buried within the monastery and inside of a small number of years it was widely reported that miracles had taken place at the shrine of the martyr. The shrine to the martyr very quickly became a centre of pilgrimage and a small settlement developed. In 925 the town was christened Bury St Edmunds and by the 14th century the settlement began to benefit from the growing trade in wool.
The Industrial Revolution seems to have bypassed East Anglia helping to create a stunning historic market town which has become an incredibly popular vacation destination in a part of the nation not traditionally associated with the tourist trade. The primary cause of the interest is that Bury St Edmunds is the prettiest to be found in the county. The town features many historic buildings which represent varied ages. Essentially the most distinguished points of interest are St Edmundsbury Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church and Bury St. Edmunds Abbey.
The abbey ruins may be found in the heart of the town centre in the town centre. It was a shrine dedicated to Saint Edmund but it was destroyed during the 14th century and was mainly dismantled with its Dissolution in the sixteenth century. Presently the ruined abbey is renowned for its stunning gardens.
St. Mary’s Church, which was a part of the abbey, is absolutely worth a visit. It was constructed as a Norman church within the 12th century and was comprehensively renovated throughout the centuries (fourteenth, sixteenth and nineteenth) and though not one of the unique building remains elements can be dated back to the 13th century. Of particular note is the west window which features superb stained glass.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral is to be discovered on an area of ground which has had a church constructed upon it since the year 1065 and possibly much earlier. The current construction is a much modified building with conciderable works being carried out since about 1503 and continuing up to today with the most recent addition of a tower in the Gothic revival style which was finished in the year 2005. Besides it additionally features numerous Cathedral Treasures and artwork exhibitions plus it also offers guided tours.
If you are planning a vacation in Bury St Edmunds please take a look at our listings of Bury St Edmunds bed & breakfast
New and Mostly Old in London City Breaks
December 6, 2010
Get away from the modern city and explore London city breaks. This city has a lot of history and its eventful culture is related by landmarks, buildings and palaces that are century’s old.
By virtue of age, a lot of buildings and monuments have become famous landmarks. Age aside, the architecture and craftsmanship is very detailed; you will want to get clear shots of these pieces in your camera.
Stop by the Big Ben and Palace of Westminster. These places have left memorable marks in the history of London. You can also stop by the front of the Houses of Parliament. You will love the torches, the towers and the medieval building complex. On the other hand, he Buckingham Palace can be visited by visitors so make sure you drop by this fascinating masterpiece. The state rooms are open to the public so you can see a lot of treasures in here. Masterpieces, sculptures, furniture and ornaments crafted by many masters can be found here. You can also view the Changing Guard; the event is as celebrated as the palace itself.
You can also travel to the Tower of London. This is a fortress, a palace and a prison, marking the event s of London’s eventful history. The defensive towers and walls are no joke. It also has a moat around it, providing security to its previous residents. This was once the home of William the Conqueror. Many high profile executions have been performed in its walls.
Get some solitude inside the St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in London. It construction lasted for 35 years after the London Fire. It is a very majestic and impressive structure.
You can also travel to the London Eye and get an amazing view from this tourist spot on the River Thames. You can also shop at the Millennium Dome and explore shops, exhibits and live entertainment venues.
travel on to Europe and get London city breaks. This city with its century old foundations will surely win you over.
Harvin Gulfill is the editor of Storby rejser. Here you can also read more about London.
Birmingham City Breaks & The Ikon Gallery
April 10, 2010
Birmingham is a cosmopolitan city in the West Midlands (a county in England), it is a really popular vacation destination. The city has a huge number of world class attractions including many listed churches and stately homes as well as many museums and galleries, including Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery.
The Ikon Gallery is an art gallery focusing on contemporary art which is situated in the former Oozells Street Board School in Brindleyplace, however it had not always has such a prestigious local.
The gallery was founded in the year nineteen sixty four by 4 artists and Angus Skene. The 4 artists were; David Prentice, Sylvani Merilion, Jesse Bruton and Robert Groves. Angus Skene had purchased and the two of them discussed the endless problems suffered by local artists, which included the lack of venues and support. The conversation formed the basic ideas for Ikon which was to be a “gallery without walls”.
Skene financed the project initially, which consisted of mobile exhibitions in such diverse venues as post offices and cinemas in a motorcycle sidecar, the idea being to make the public more aware of art. To keep the overheads down staffing was by the family, friends and the founding artists who did not charge for their time. In 1965 the Ikon Gallery obtained a glass kiosk in the Bull Ring shopping centre.
Over the 2 couple of decades the Ikon Gallery moved from place to place until 1997 when it purchased, with aid from the National Lottery, its current premises, the former Oozells Street Board School. In recent years the Ikon Gallery has put on a selection of exhibitions and its continuous ability to excel has led it to become surprisingly popular, to such an extent that in 2006 it opened a further gallery, the Ikon Eastside in Digbeth.
If you are considering a short break in Birmingham try to allow time to visit the Ikon Gallery. Also it is important to know that although there are many Birmingham hotels and guest houses finding bed and breakfast in Birmingham can sometimes be very difficult. Because of this it is vitally important to book your accommodation at the earliest opportunity. You should know that Birmingham Airport is approximately 8 miles from the center of the city just off the A45 and near the M42 (junction 6). You will will be able to find a respectable number of hotels and guest houses close to the airport.
If you are planning to stay in Birmingham bed and breakfast accommodation you may be interested in our listings of accommodation close to the Ikon Gallery
Notably Great Value Holidays At Holiday Parks In The UK
March 28, 2010
Travelling with your own caravan attached to the rear of the car is an experience all on it’s own. Knowing how to reverse with a caravan is either learned through repetitive performance or a natural talent is present from the word go. Judging distances and maneuvering in awkward traffic situations has to be a concern for anyone wishing to have great value holidays at holiday parks in the UK, and are taking their caravan with them.
People travelling along the coast of England may end up in a place called Cornwall. It offers a host of small towns and villages that have cheap camping facilities for families on vacation. A beach getaway is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing ways to take that much needed break form work.
Hiring self catering accommodation keeps the budget down too. Organise to bring all your own gadgets and things and the cost is lowered, meaning more to spend on shopping and souvenirs. Little coastal towns have a wonderful array of tourist, arts and craft and bric-a-brac shops.
When money is scant and nothing but a break away will do, try staying at a few locations instead of just one. Moving on every four or five days gives one a feeling of affluence and a lot more sights can be seen this way. Travelling through Cornwall there are several lovely villages well worth visiting for the fishing, golf or nightlife. Why take your pick when you can do all three?
There are many camping areas available for families with or without the children. Some places offer a kid’s club full of activities appropriate for young people on vacation. Adults might just enjoy a game of darts with the kid’s too.
A few of the parks are pet friendly. To avoid the extra expense of kennelling the dog while having great value holidays at holiday parks in the UK, simply take them along. Very affordable prices begin at 10 pounds per night. You can’t get a much better deal than that.
Pontins and Haven Holidays 2010 offer great value holidays in the UK with great entertainment and facilities. Find out how you can get the best prices and accommodation with travel tips from Bertie Davis of Holiday Parks in UK
Sightseeing in York
March 14, 2010
York, in England, is a great European vacation stop. Often referred to as the United Kingdom’s “first city” of history, it’s steeped in Britain’s cultural heritage. Anglo Saxons ruled here long before the Romans arrived to invade. After that were the Vikings, who gave it is name, then in the form “Yorvik”. During the medieval period, York became the second largest city in England.
There are many York attractions to visit during your time here. It might be worthwhile to buy the “York Pass” which includes access to over fifty attractions in the region and York City itself. To maximise your use of the pass, make sure you make sure of what you want to see and check the opening times before you commit.
York Minster, the stunning 7th century Cathedral, is one of the most famous attractions. The enormous Church and structures was built with pale stone decorated with amazing stained glass windows, sculptures and an impressive pipe organ. The Yorvik Viking Centre is also interesting, with a reconstruction of a street from 975AD and information about the period.
Other York sightseeing options are the Dungeon, where actors representing historical figures involve you in interactive role play. Clifford’s Tower affords panoramic views of the cityscape. A York boat trip down the River Ouse gives you a different perspective on the city. The Merchant Adventurer’s Hall is the best preserved medieval guildhall in the UK.
There are several free York sightseeing options. The Art Gallery houses a great selection of changing exhibitions and also has a cafe on the ground floor. An unusual attraction is the Bike Rescue Project, saving some of the 60 bicycles thrown away each week.
Wander through the quaint cobbled streets and you’ll spot all manner of interesting shops housed in architecturally charming buildings The city walls offer a good vantage point in daylight hours (as the gates are locked after dark). You can stroll along the banks of the River Ouse and cross its gorgeous historic bridges such as Skeldergate and Lendal or the more contemporary Millennium Bridge.
Visit Top travel Content Europe for more York Sightseeing advice and travel tips for your European travel this year.
London – What To Do On Your First Visit
March 3, 2010
As the capital city of England, it is hardly surprising that there is much to see, do and experience in London. With millions of residents packed into this vibrant cultural melting pot, London is always bustling with activity, regardless of the day of the week or the month. Before you arrive there, it is worth making a list of the what you want to see and do, so that you don’t miss out on any of the highlights.
There is so much on offer in this vibrant city that you probably will not have time to take in everything; fortunately though, a lot of the most popular sights are located quite near to each other. Take the time to see Westminster Abbey, the Tower Of London, and the Houses Of Parliament. You can take guided tours of each of these, so you can learn about their colorful histories, which will give you an even better appreciation of what stands before you.
The House of Commons and the House of Lords are pretty impressive in themselves, but more popular among visitors is the landmark’s clock tower. You have probably seen the clock tower, called Big Ben, on TV, and it is even more impressive when you see it in person. Each of its four clock faces is 23 feet across, and it is big enough to see from all around central London. You really want to get up close to it though, especially at night time when it is lit up and looks particularly special.
There are lots of palaces and historic buildings to visit. The Queen of England lives in the most famous of all them, which is called Buckingham Palace. The changing of the guard outside is a sight to see. Tourists will gather long before the appointed time just to see the grand guards in their world famous red and black uniforms. The hat itself is legendary.
Depending on the time of year, catch a sporting event. London has some of best stadiums in the whole world, and five Premier League football (or soccer if you prefer) teams, including Arsenal and Chelsea, who have genuine football superstars in their teams. If English football is not your scene not to worry, check out a rugby game or world class tennis at Queens and Wimbledon during June and July.
No matter where you go and what you do in London, take plenty of photos. It’s only your first time once!
Looking for an affordable place to stay in London? Book a bed at a Cheap London Hostel!
Thailand: My First Night in Pattaya
January 7, 2010
It was seven-ish and I was sitting in a nice-enough room overlooking the front doorway to the pub above which I had just moved in. The pub was the Pig and Whistle on Soi 7 in Pattaya. Across the lane was a big hole, which they were hoping to construct a hotel in and next door to that, right opposite me, was a small bar with one woman sitting on a stool outside it. Not that there was a wall there, it was open on two sides. The Soi was lovely and quiet, I thought. I also thought that I might go and sit in that little bar and talk to that woman, if my friend was late, because I would definitely see him arrive from two metres away, the width of the Soi.
So, I went to the bar in the pub at 19:15 to await my friend who said he would come at 20:00. It was much busier than thirty minutes earlier but not noisy and I sat at the bar. The first thing a barmaid did was say hello, give me a menu and step back. I did not really want to eat, I only wanted a beer as I presumed we would be dining together later, but I wanted to read the menu anyway.
‘A pint of Boddington’s', I said. It arrived and the girl started laying a setting for me. I tried to say that I was not hungry, but it was no good. Like in Spain, most people eat and drink at the same time. All the while the girl was smiling at me. Then she said: ‘You have room upstairs? My name Charli. What you want to eat?’. So, I gave in and ordered something and rice.
‘You first time in Thailand? You no can eat. Too spicy’, she said with a grin. ‘Oh’, I replied, ‘but I want to try. ‘I put only 50-50 for you’, she declared and went.
I struggled through that meal and it took a Boddingtons and a bottle of water. Charli had been accurate, it was too hot for first-time foreigners and she had reduced the chilis by 50%. I have always heeded a Thai’s advice on food ever since.
I changed seat to by the window to see what was happening as it was dark by 19:30 and I was curious. Within thirty minutes Soi 7 had changed completely. I could see hundreds of ladies and tourists milling about. I wanted to go out and join in or at least sit in the quiet bar across the way, but I’m ashamed to say that I was too scared, so I sat put, rivetted to the Pig like a rabbit in a hunter’s beam.
My friend walked in on time and after we had been talking for an hour, he said: ‘Drink up, I have someone I want you to meet’. This was it, we were going into that mele. A waitress opened the door for us and the racket and the heat were tremendous. Particularly the din. Every metre at least two or three girls would shout: ‘Hello, sexy man, you want a drink’. Trying to say no courteously to each invitation was out of the question, so I just stuck close to my pal.
Fortunately, we only had about fifty metres to walk and we sat down in another bar. My friend said hello to several ladies and then said, this a girl I have been going out with for some time. I was astounded as I had never heard him talk about her, ever. She was gorgeous, but could not speak English, so I sat in the din in silence. Not for long through, as my friend said, I have a blind date for you and he introduced another girl to me who was equally beautiful, but with whom I could speak a little. She was captivating and I was captivated. The din seemed to pass away, but it was only because I was listening to my new friend. The four of us had the best time and the best food I had ever had in my forty-nine years of existence.
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