Travel Guide UK

Nottingham

Nottingham is a city in the county of East Midlands, located in the heart of England. The city may be most famous for its links to one of the world’s most recognised folk heroes in Robin Hood but has much more to offer. Nottingham is full of cultural and historic places of interest, great places [...]

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a historic county in Northern England. It is also the largest county in the whole of the UK. Due to its size, York has been divided into North, South, East and West Yorkshire to make it for the local councils to run it. There are seven cities in Yorkshire including Bradford, Leeds, Hull, [...]

Dudley – The Black Country

Dudley is a large town in the West Midlands County, so big; it is the second largest town in the whole of the UK after Reading. Dudley is located south of Wolverhampton and west of Birmingham. This area is also known as the Black Country. Places of interest include Dudley Zoo, Dudley Castle, which is [...]

The Historical City of Chester

The city of Chester is a great place to get away from it all and has so much to offer. The city has fantastic shopping, world class dining and entertainment, some of the UK’s top tourist attractions as well as many sites of historical importance. No wonder Chester now attracts visitors from across the globe. [...]

Visiting ‘The Toon’

In its thousand year history, Newcastle (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) has grown from a defensive fort on Hadrian’s Wall, to the major business and cultural centre it is today. Newcastle is famed for its thriving nightlife and there are plenty of opportunities for having a great night out in the city. Newcastle has an excellent selection of pubs [...]

Nottingham

May 4th, 2012

Travel Guide UK

Nottingham is a city in the county of East Midlands, located in the heart of England. The city may be most famous for its links to one of the world’s most recognised folk heroes in Robin Hood but has much more to offer. Nottingham is full of cultural and historic places of interest, great places to eat and drink, a fantastic shopping experience and much more making it an ideal place for a city break.

Places of interest

The Galleries of Justice Museum is based at Nottingham’s old 18^thcentury courthouse and prison. The museum offers an insight into crimes and how the punishment was served in the past by the British justice system. Visitors can witness a ‘trial’ in progress in the Victorian courtroom, put their family in the docks and visit them in the prison after they have been ‘sent down’. The museum also features the largest police memorabilia collection in the UK.

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castlehas a long and turbulent history. The first castle that stood on what would be later known as ‘Castle Rock’ was built in 1067, a year after the battle of Hastings. This castle was replaced with a more fortified stone castle during the reign of Henry II. This castle would be the one that plays a part in the Robin Hood story, being home to the Sheriff of Nottingham. The castle played a significant role in the fighting during the English Civil War, so much in fact that it was destroyed soon after to stop it being used again in any near future conflicts. In 1674, a Renaissance style palace was built to replace the castle. This mansion is what still stands today and houses the castle’s museum.

Brewhouse Yard Museum offers tourists an experience of what it was like to live in the past in Nottingham. The museum is housed within five 17^th century cottages located at the foot of Castle Rock. In the museum you will find reconstructed properties from the last 300 years that you can fully interact with.

Of course there are many Robin Hood related attractions to explore in the area too. Nottingham Castle played a part in the story of Robin Hood so it can also be visited as part of your Robin Hood adventure. The Robin Hood Trail lists 16 places in 100 miles that were of interest to Robin Hood during his life. Sherwood Forest was the home of Robin Hood during his most famous stories. All Robin Hood enthusiasts must surely pay it a visit. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is one of the oldest pubs in Britain. Many a story of Robin Hood has been told over the years in this pub.

Places to stay

If you do plan a break in the city, there are plenty Nottingham hotels to choose from ranging from small family run guestrooms and inns to luxury hotels either in the city centre or spread throughout the city and rural areas. Hilton offer a 4 star hotel in the city centre, QHotels offer the Nottingham Belfry, a 4 star luxury hotel and spa away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and Best Western offer a more affordable accommodation somewhere in between the other two.

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Yorkshire

April 23rd, 2012

Travel Guide UK

Yorkshire is a historic county in Northern England. It is also the largest county in the whole of the UK. Due to its size, York has been divided into North, South, East and West Yorkshire to make it for the local councils to run it.

There are seven cities in Yorkshire including Bradford, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and York and many more large towns such as Huddersfield and Scunthorpe to name a few. Leeds is one of the largest financial centres in the UK outside of London whereas Sheffield is a major manufacturing city, particularly steel. Hull is the main port in the region and notable fishing harbour.

Yorkshire is also famed for its countryside. In fact, the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors are that stunning that the area has acquired the nickname of “God’s Own Country”.

Places to see in Yorkshire

Castles

Yorkshire has a history like no other part of the country. York was once the joint capital of Britain while under the rule of the Roman Empire. Visiting the area’s castles will give you a sense of just how important Yorkshire played in the history of our country.

Scarborough Castle has over 2500 years of history behind it. This castle has had to withstand sieges from medieval kings and Civil War armies as well as German naval bombardment during WWII. It was also used by the Romans as a signalling station and was also used by the Vikings when they ruled the Kingdom of Jorvik.

Scarborough Castle

Other Castles to visit include Skipton Castle, Middleham Castle and Ripley Castle.

Minsters and Churches

You can’t mention minsters and churches in Yorkshire without saying anything about York Minster seeing as it is one of the most famous in the country. The Minster has over 800 years of history as the building we know today but the site alone has even more. There are free guided tours inside the Minster. If you climb the steps to the top of the Central Tower, you can enjoy some of the best views of York and the surrounding countryside. York Minster also has some of the finest stained glass windows in Europe.

York Minster

Other misters and churches to visit include Ripon Cathedral, Halifax Minster and Leeds Parish Church.

Homes, Estates and Gardens

Temple Newsam is one of the most historic houses in the North of England. It is known as the birthplace of Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots. The house is home to a collection of paintings, furniture and other items collected over the years. The house is set within 1500 acres of beautiful parkland and also has a working farm.

Temple Newsam

Other homes, estates and gardens to visit include Harewood House, Brodsworth Hall and Newby Hall

Museums

Yorkshire has some of the best museums in the country. These include six National museums which range from telling the story of Viking village life through to the industrial achievements of the Yorkshire region.

Musuems to visit include The National Railway Museum, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum and the Royal Armouries.

Places to Stay

Aldwark Manor - York

Aldwark Manor

Aldwark Manor is set in the stunning Yorkshire Moors on the outskirts of York. This luxury hotel is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Ure. The hotel mixes traditional manor house elegance with modern day facilities expected in accommodation offered today. These include a range of spa treatments and a state of the art fitness centre. There is also a 18-hole golf course.

The Queens – Leeds

The Queens

The Queens is one of the most historic hotels in Leeds. There are few hotels’ that can compete with The Queens in terms of location. The Queens is positioned in the heart of Leeds city centre in the City Square. The inside of the hotel combines its Art Deco heritage with modern 4 star luxury expected today.

Tankersley Manor – Barnsley

Tankersley Manor

Tankersley Manor is a quaint 17^thcentury manor house with the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District right on its doorstep. On your arrival you will be greeted with a friendly Yorkshire welcome. Enjoy spa treatments, the health & fitness centre and fine dining at Tankersley Manor.

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Leeds – the vibrant city

March 27th, 2012

Travel Guide UK

With its large population – one of the UK’s top 5 cities by number of urban dwellers – it’s no wonder that Leeds is a major UK cultural centre and growing tourist destination with a reputation for vibrant arts and exciting nightlife.

Situated in West Yorkshire, Leeds is well placed for tourism given its easy accessibility and great transport links. And even though the city is firmly part of the north - both geographically and culturally – it’s still only 2 hours 15 minutes on the train from London.

Things to do in Leeds? You won’t be short of activities – all the museums and galleries you’d expect in a big city, plus beautiful historical sights such as Temple Newsam – the famous Tudor-Jacobean estate which once belonged to Henry V111.

In the evening, Leeds really comes alive as its bars and restaurants fill up with people looking to enjoy the city’s nightlife. For food, the city has it all – from stylish gastro pubs to fine dining in the Michelin category – and of course a great array off restaurants offering everything from traditional fish & chips to curry and also chinese food.

An ideal base for a holiday or short break, Leeds is well situated for those also wishing to explore the wider area – with Manchester approximately an hour away on the train (or by car) and the rest of Yorkshire on your doorstep – with some amazing places to visit like the beautiful spa town of Harrogate – there’s never a shortage of things to do and see and places to go when you’re based in Leeds.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Right in the city centre, iconic hotel The Queens - recently refurbished – is one of the city centre’s star buildings and is as stylish on the inside as it is on the outside (where the building’s beautiful white stone façade adds to its filmstar quality)

Temple Newsam (pic: Humphrey Bolton)

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Dudley – The Black Country

January 12th, 2012

Travel Guide UK

Dudley is a large town in the West Midlands County, so big; it is the second largest town in the whole of the UK after Reading. Dudley is located south of Wolverhampton and west of Birmingham. This area is also known as the Black Country.

Places of interest include Dudley Zoo, Dudley Castle, which is located in the grounds of Dudley Zoo and the Black Country Living Museum. Dudley Market is a major shopping area in the town worth a look. The open sections of Dudley Canal are very popular with walking enthusiasts, cyclists, fishermen and narrowboat users.

Dudley Zoo

Dudley Zoo is a popular tourist attraction which first opened in 1937. The zoo covers an area approximately 40 acres and is home to over 1300 animals which include mammals, birds, reptiles and a few others. Some of these animals are amongst the rarest animals in the world. There are many events and experiences running at the zoo which can vary day by day which can be found on the website. The zoo also allows visitors to adopt an animal at the zoo where you receive a certificate about the adopted animal and a personalised picture.

Dudley Castle

The ruins of Dudley Castle can be found within the grounds of Dudley Zoo. The castle was founded around 1071 by Ansculf of Picardy. Under Ansculf, the castle was heavily fortified to withstand any attacks. The castle’s fortifications were tested many times over the years. In 1750, a fire that burned for three days all but destroyed the accommodation at Dudley Castle including the impressive Sharrington Range. Today the castle and courtyard are used for popular ghost walks, re-enactment groups and for amazing birds of prey displays.

If you run out of things to do during your visit to Dudley, you can always visit nearby Wolverhampton or Birmingham both are packed with lots of things to do and are rich in culture, history and boast a long sporting history.

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The Historical City of Chester

November 29th, 2011

Travel Guide UK

The city of Chester is a great place to get away from it all and has so much to offer. The city has fantastic shopping, world class dining and entertainment, some of the UK’s top tourist attractions as well as many sites of historical importance. No wonder Chester now attracts visitors from across the globe.

Chester was founded by the Romans in AD79 and the city still bears signs of this history with the Roman Amphitheatre and city walls still intact today. Chester was used as one of three main army bases by the Romans. City Walls were built around the fort as a form of defence. The walls were also used during the Saxon and Medieval times too, where they were altered and extended. The Walls circle the city and it’s totally free to walk the 2 mile trail.

The Roman Amphitheatre is also free to view and is located close to the River Dee. The amphitheatre would have been primarily used for military training and drills but could also have been used for combat sports such as boxing or wrestling as a form of entertainment. The amphitheatre was only discovered in 1929 when some construction work was taking place. Only the Northern half has been exposed as Dee House and the County Court were constructed on the Southern half and are themselves Grade listed.

Grosvenor Museum is yet another free attraction in the city. At the museum you can discover the fascinating history of Chester and surrounding area. There are also exhibits showing Chester’s Roman background as well as half a millennium of art on display.

Chester Cathedral is a truly remarkable building and has quite a history which spans well over a thousand years. Over the centuries, the building has been built on, extended and restored. The construction of the building which stands today started in 1092 starting in the East. The building was originally used as a monastery. Over 400 years later, work started on the West end and was converted to a Cathedral after the dissolution of monasteries.

Chester Zoo is not only the most popular tourist attraction in Chester but is also one of the most popular in the UK. The zoo is also regularly voted one of the top zoos in the world. Chester Zoo has daily animal talks, events, play areas for children and plenty of restaurants and kiosks for a bite to eat and some refreshments.work started on the West end and was converted to a Cathedral after the dissolution of monasteries.

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Visiting ‘The Toon’

September 22nd, 2011

Travel Guide UK

In its thousand year history, Newcastle (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) has grown from a defensive fort on Hadrian’s Wall, to the major business and cultural centre it is today.

Newcastle is famed for its thriving nightlife and there are plenty of opportunities for having a great night out in the city. Newcastle has an excellent selection of pubs and clubs and the legendary Geordie hospitality will be sure to make you feel more than welcome. You can even try some Newcastle Brown Ale, a leading brand of beer in the area.

Newcastle isn’t just Party, Party, Party! The city has been about for a long time and is steeped in heritage and history. The area which the city has developed on was once a Roman fort town called Pons Aelius. To find out about Newcastle’s amazing history, visiting the Castle Keep, Hadrian’s Wall and the Great North Museum is a great place to start.

I can’t promise there will always be sunshine but I can be sure you will enjoy the stunning coastline in the area which is home to some of the UK’s best beaches. Enjoy a summer day out at the seaside or have a relaxing stroll along the beach.

No matter what reason brings you to Newcastle, whether it is the fantastic night life, it’s amazing and long heritage or even the football drama provided by Newcastle United, a Premier League team; you’ll need somewhere to stay. There are many hotels in Newcastle to choose from that will suit you, whatever your budget.

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More to Liverpool than City Life

September 14th, 2011

Travel Guide UK

The city of Liverpool is famous for quite a few things. It is one the biggest footballing cities in the UK along with Glasgow, London and Manchester. Some music group called The Beatles also became quite famous in the 1960s – further raising the popularity of the city. A few good Liverpudlian music artists and bands have come and gone since then.

Besides football and music, what else does Liverpool have to offer short break guests or International tourists? The answer to that is….. Quite a lot!

Just like most of the big cities in the UK, Liverpool is heavily steeped in culture with there being an abundance of art galleries, museums and heritage sites. You will be able to find all the top brand shops to.

If it’s partying you like then you won’t be disappointed as there are literally hundreds of pubs, cocktail bars and nightclubs all in the city centre radius.

Wining and dining – there is every possible kind of restaurant known to mankind. If anyone can find a restaurant theme that is not already in the city please leave a comment below. I will bet my wages you will be able to find one after posting it.

So without going into any detail we have covered of all the usual aspects to a city break.

Liverpool’s biggest surprise is its locality to some great exploration areas. The city offers some stunning coastal walks and has some fabulous award winning beaches. Not that you will see many Pamela Anderson or David Hasselhoff lookalikes playing beach volleyball on a daily basis, or anything like that. The beauty in this area is the scenery.

The Wirral Peninsula, Southport, St Helens, Halton, and Knowsley all offer great relaxing scenic day’s out, not what the unsuspecting would expect from a city break.

Accommodation in Liverpool is ten a penny. There are that many hotels in Liverpool to choose from you will be stuck for choice.

The message we are pushing in this post is Liverpool has so much more to offer than your usual city centre breaks. Surprise yourself and try something different by exploring Liverpool’s stunning outskirts.

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Travelling with dogs

September 7th, 2011

Travel Guide UK

It’s very enjoyable to take our dogs away on holiday with us – seeing them run free across the beach and splash around the sea is great fun! Dog owners however will be all too aware of some of the issues that can arise when travelling with ‘man’s best friend’. We enjoyed this video which includes tips on how you can care for your dog whilst in the car on long journeys – we hope you’ll find it useful too…..

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zphulkad4zo

Get dog insurance for peace of mind

Also, when you’re in an unfamiliar place with your dog, their naturally inquisitive nature has the potential to land them in some trouble, which can at times take some financial outlay to resolve. As such, most travel experts would advise that you have a solid dog insurance policy in place when travelling. This should give you peace of mind that you will be covered for any unfortunate eventualities that may arise – allowing you and your dog to enjoy your trip!

Keep your dog content

Are there any other outstanding tips that you would give when travelling with dogs? Please let us know in the comments thanks.

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Swindon Cultural Festival

August 5th, 2011

Travel Guide UK

August sees the arrival of the Swindon cultural Festival 2011, a series of events taking place every Thursday in August which aim to add a little culture and vibrancy to the town centre. The 4th sees the Music Theatre Festival begin with Buddy The Musical, a show featuring a variety of musical entertainment and comedy from A Chocolate Theatre Society which will also feature the cast performing as Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Following that is a performance of songs from West End shows from Jules Brogan, a professional jazz vocalist trained in musical theatre who will be showcasing a number of the most famous songs from the West End musicals.

Thursday the 11th is the Film Festival, where the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo will be shown. Ponyo is a charming Japanese animated film which follows a young boys relationship with a goldfish princess who wants to be human. Sounds a bit strange, but having seen it myself I can verify that it’s well worth watching.

The following week sees the Visual Arts Festival begin, with the Swindon Photographic Society presenting a selection of their work for the public to enjoy. It’s also being promoted as a way for those with an interest in photography to pick up a few tips from the experts and local businesses will be contributing to the event.

Thursday the 25th sees the final event of the month. The Music Festival is inviting all local musicians to come along and contribute by performing on the day. Full details of the event are on the Swindon Cultural Festival site.

Looks like an interesting few weeks, unfortunately a little too spaced out to justify travelling for every event and I’m sure those looking for a hotel in Swindon won’t have a huge problem getting a room. Still it could be worth heading over to see what kind of impact it has on the town centre and what kind of reaction it gets as it could lead to something bigger and better next year.

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The Trans Pennine Trail – Western Trail

July 11th, 2011

Travel Guide UK

The Merseyside section of the Western trail will take you through Sefton, Liverpool and Knowsley. Sefton is very much family friendly, with the Pleasureland fun fair being a big draw for those with children. It features more than 60 different rides and attractions and is opposite a large sand beach. There is also an interactive farm park called Farmer Ted’s, which is a working farm aimed at educating children about the farming process. Liverpool is one of the biggest cities in the UK and has lots to offer its visitors no matter what age they are or tastes they have. It has numerous museums and galleries, restaurants and bars and countless other attractions to keep visitors amused. Knowsley is a quieter place to stop, with the excellent Halewood Country Park a worthwhile stop for a quiet afternoon.

The Cheshire section of the Western trail goes through Halton and Warrington. Halton is an interesting stop for nature lovers, with two nature reserves showcasing a huge variety of birds. It also offers the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum and the Sankey Canal. Warrington offers Sankey Valley Park, Walton Hall and the Gullivers World family theme park.

The trail passes through Greater Manchester, and swings fairly close to Manchester itself so there’s plenty of fun and facilities available should you choose to go off route. It may be worth heading into the city for an overnight stay, as there’s far too much to see and do and you won’t cover even a fraction of it in a single afternoon.

The South Yorkshire part of the trail heads through Barnsley and the surrounding area, including the historic Pennine market town of Penistone which has a variety of different open market days, including country and farmers markets. Another place worth a look is Wentworth Castle and Gardens, which is over 500 acres and has a number of listed buildings and monuments. It’s a great place to go for a peaceful walk, if you haven’t already had your fill of walking when you’re covering the trail!