Skipton Wood North Yorkshire – A beautiful woodland haven located beside an ancient Norman castle, Skipton Wood is a place that is well worth a visit if you are touring the Skipton area of North Yorkshire. Although the wood is mostly of ash trees there are numerous other varieties to be seen including beech, hornbeam, sycamore Norway spruce and Scots pine. A favourite haunt of bats, Skipton Wood boasts 5 species of this intriguing creature and a good place to watch out for them if you are an enthusiast. Bird watchers will also find a good variety of species to photograph and enjoy. When the weather is not so good you can always take a look at Skipton Castle while you are there, one of the finest attractions in Yorkshire.
2012/01/30
2011/11/28
Southsea Castle Hampshire
Southsea Castle Hampshire – One of the most famous landmarks in the Hampshire coastal town of Southsea, Southsea Castle was built at the behest of Henry VIII in 1544. One of what are known as the Device Forts, Southsea Castle was constructed to defend Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent from attack by sea. Funded from money raised by dissolving the monasteries this castle in Southsea is still largely intact today and is a key tourist attraction for visitors to the town. It was badly damaged by fire in 1625 and again in 1640 but was restored to its former glory. The castle came under the control of Portsmouth council in the 1960’s and it was made into a museum for all to enjoy. On a trip to Southsea be sure to visit Southsea Castle.
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2011/11/24
Cromer Norfolk
Cromer Norfolk: An attractive Victorian seaside town in the county of Norfolk, Cromer has a long and unique history, mostly connected with the fishing industry. Well known for its crabs it also boasts fine sandy beaches, an old pier and a working lifeboat. Compact and easy to explore in just a day, Cromer has a pretty church with a tall tower, a small museum, and plenty of gift shops to visit. Though not so popular these days as it once was, Cromer still attracts its fair share of visitors, especially during the summer months when the weather is at its best. Be sure to head down to the harbour early morning and watch the crab boats come in with their catch, and later visit a local restaurant to see what a proper Cromer crab tastes like – delicious!If you are planning to stay for more than just a day in Cromer, you will find a good choice of guest houses and self-catering properties to pick from.
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Southend-on-Sea Essex
Southend-on-Sea Essex: Much more than just a big seaside resort, Southend is a major working town and residential area in its own right. Its impressive Civic Centre and its towering office blocks show evidence of this fact. Despite this Southend-on-Sea is still best loved as a holiday or day trip destination especially for the people of Essex and London. Popular as a seaside resort even in the early 19th century, Southend grew even more rapidly as a resort during Victorian times and its major landmark was built during this period in the shape of its famous pier, constructed in 1889 and still offering visitors the chance of a two and a half mile bracing walk today. In the summer time Southend can get very busy and the beach still crowded as in its heyday, when the weather is pleasant.
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2011/11/21
Clacton Essex
Clacton on Sea Essex
Clacton on Sea Essex – The biggest town on Essex’s Tendring peninsula, Clacton-on-Sea only became established as a town in 1871 when one Peter Bruff developed it as a purpose built seaside resort. Growing around its pier which was the main means of access to the town, Clacton was serviced by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company, whose steamships docked bringing visitors to the town. Still standing today Clacton Pier remains one of the attractions of the town and houses a theatre and amusement arcade. Clacton reached its height of popularity during the 1950’s and 1960’s, and of course most of these visitors arrived by road, the London Road having been constructed during the 1920’s to improve communications to the town and this part of the Essex coast. Butlins was of course a major contributor to the popularity of Clacton, when it opened its holiday camp there in 1938, providing facilities and entertainment for holidaymakers in both fine and inclement weather. Since Butlins closed visitors stay in local hotels or privately owned self-catering accommodation of which there is a good selection in the resort.
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2011/11/18
Chelmsford Cathedral Essex
Chelmsford Cathedral Essex – Located in the county town of Essex, Chelmsford Cathedral is one of the smallest cathedrals in the United Kingdom. Possibly built on an earlier 13th century church it reached its present proportions during the 15th and 16th centuries and is dedicated to St Mary, St Peter and St Cedd. Becoming a cathedral only in 1914, it has a tower with 13 bells. The nave and stained glass windows of the cathedral are later than the building itself, the nave being rebuilt in the nineteenth century and the stained glass windows replaced during the 19th and 20th centuries. Refurbished internally in 1983, the cathedral which is situated in New Street, Chelmsford, received new altar, seats and flooring. The cathedral is within easy walking distance of Chelmsford railway station making it an easy place to visit, it is an ideal destination when the weather is not so good.
Planning a visit? Check out the current weather in Chelmsford here: Chelmsford Weather.
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2011/11/09
Blickling Hall Norwich Norfolk
Places to Visit Near Norwich – Blickling Hall: A splendid Jacobean house build during the early 17th century Blickling Hall is one of the excellent places you can visit if you are staying in the Norwich area of Norfolk in East Anglia. Boasting one of the largest collections (private) of rare books in the United Kingdom, Blickling Hall Gardens and Park also has plenty more to attract potential visitors. The gardens in particular are beautiful and can be visited any time of the year, but are definitely best in the Spring when the Spring bulbs come into bloom, pick a day when the weather is sunny to see them at their best. Take a walk through the attractive woodlands or around the lake and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this wonderful place, one of Norfolk’s highlights. Blickling Hall is near to Aylsham, about 15 miles north of Norwich.
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2011/09/22
The Aylesbury Duck
The Aylesbury Duck – A famous breed of duck which used to be, but no longer is, bred in the town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, the Aylesbury duck is bred mostly for its appearance and its meat. A huge delicacy in London restaurants during Victorian times the Aylesbury duck was at that time only bred in the Aylesbury area, where ducklings and ducks were reared in squalid conditions often living in the cottages of their rearers, this industry created many jobs in the town at the time. When ready to eat the ducks were then marched to London on foot in all types of weather, stopping off at inns and pubs along the way to rest and sleep. By the late 19th century the breeding of the Aylesbury duck had fallen into decline especially in the town of Aylesbury itself, restaurants began using the newly imported Pekin duck which was generally cheaper and easier to breed and rear.
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2011/09/16
Bournemouth Dorset England
Bournemouth Dorset England – Well what can you say about the beautiful and ever popular seaside resort of Bournemouth in Dorset? It has first class, well kept sandy beaches, clean bathing waters, plenty for the kids to do including play areas and paddling pools, great pubs and restaurants for your wining and dining in Bournemouth, terrific attractions such as Alum Chine Tropical Gardens, the popular pier, the promenade and the Victorian Gardens. There is just so much to do in Bournemouth whether the weather is sunny or wet, and you will certainly not be disappointed with a visit there. If you are thinking of moving to Bournemouth, it is a good, if a little expensive, choice, with decent job opportunities, especially seasonal work in the summer time.
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2011/08/31
Swanage Dorset
If you are looking for a traditional Englsh seaside resort to visit, then you could do little better than the charming Swanage in Dorset. Boasting outstanding sandy beaches, and a beautiful unspoilt coastline, Swanage will appeal to all sorts of people, those who like the traditional beach style holiday, with the usual seaside resort amenities, those who like walking, cycling an hiking, and those who like to visit historic and ancient places (Corfe Castle for instance). With some of the best weather conditions in the UK, Swanage definitely has appeal as a summer holiday destination, and the beaches are great in the sunny weather, though not quite so appealing on rainy days, of which of course there are plenty (this being England). There is still lots to do when the weather is not so good, pop into the amusement arcades, go to the pictures or visit a charming English pub or two. Make sure you visit such lovely places as Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, Wareham and Purbeck, marvel at the Old Harry Rocks and Durdle Door, if you have time you could maybe visit Weymouth, Bournemouth or Poole all well worth the trip. All in all a great place to visit in Dorset, Swanage will not disappoint.
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2011/04/04
Weston Turville Buckinghamshire
A delightful village situated close to the towns of Wendover and Aylesbury in the county of Buckinghamshire, Weston Turville, has retained much of its old world charm, and still looks much as it has for hundreds of years. In no way overdeveloped, at least not yet, it still has less than three thousand residents. In my memory Weston Turville had 4 pubs, but one has disappeared and it now has 3, the Chandos Arms, the Five Bells Hotel and the Chequers. The parish church was originally built in the twelfth century, and stands slightly apart from the centre of the village. Weston Turville is an ancient place, as most Buckinghamshire villages are, and it traces its history back to Saxon times, it was listed in the Domesday Book. The Weston Turville Golf Club is situated a little outside the village, and of course attracts golfing fans from all over the area. Weston Turville is surrounded by the towns and villages of Aston Clinton, Halton, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckland, North Lee, Terrick and Stoke Mandeville, it is about 40 miles drive from London.
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2011/04/01
Hampshire Towns Southsea
A popular little Hampshire seaside town, which is now joined to its big neighbour Portsmouth, Southsea originally grew as a town around a fort built by King Henry VIII. As a settlement, not really of any consequence until the 19th century, the present town expanded as homes were built for the skilled workers of Portsmouth and nearby. As a boy I remember catching the hovercraft from Southsea to the Isle of Wight, and you can still do this today. The beach is a popular place to spend a few hours when the weather is fine, otherwise the main attraction in Southsea is the old castle, other places to visit include the Royal Marine Museum, and the Blue Reef Aquarium. Southsea is surrounded by Portsmouth and is about a drive of 85 miles from central London, it can also be reached by train (South West Railways).
View a map of Southsea Hampshire here: Map of Southsea.
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2011/03/29
Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire
Often referred to as one of Britain’s richest towns, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire is within London’s commuter belt, and is a popular area with the rich and famous, having the dearest postcode outside of London. Located near to the small town of Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross has a resident population of just over 7,000 so is just a small town. The town itself does not have a great deal of history, being relatively new, but the nearby Bulstrode Camp, is the site of an ancient Iron Age hillfort, so there were settlements here thousands of years ago. Before 1859, Gerrads Cross was just a small village within the Chalfont St Peter parish, and developed as a town after this date. Nearby Beaconsfield is actually much more interesting so if you are n the area, be sure to pop along and have a look at this charming little town. Slightly further afield is Maidenhead, a town on the River Thames, also worth a visit if you have the time.
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2011/03/27
Newmarket Suffolk
Located between Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket is within the county of Suffolk. The name “Newmarket” is of course synonymous with the sport of horse racing and it is the headquarters of both the National Stud and the Jockey Club, as well as having one of the most famous racecourses in the world. Newmarket held its first recorded horse race in the year 1619, and it has been a centre for horse racing ever since. The town of Newmarket itself used to have a charming Georgian feel, though much of this has now faded, with the old being replaced with new. The nearby Devil’s Dyke is a 7 miles long ancient earthwork, this is actually in Cambridgeshire, not Suffolk. The 1000 guineas and the 2000 guineas are the first 2 major races of the flat racing season, in 2011 they are scheduled for the 1st and 2nd May at Newmarket, if the weather holds this should be an excellent weekend for racing.
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