Travel and Leisure – Topicwire

Stratford-upon-Avon is a gorgeous market  town in the West Midlands region of England within Great Britain that’s exceedingly popular with tourists. In the main the town is extremely famous for being the town in which William Shakespeare was born and even if nearly all of visitor points of interest in Stratford-upon-Avon are related to the well-known poet and playwright there are many other reasons to take a holiday within Stratford-upon-Avon.

Located 91 miles from London, the capital of England, Stratford-upon-Avon is the place to watch a Shakespearean play especially in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Although the town gets crowded with visitors it remains a amazing place to visit.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a wealth of Jacobean and Elizabethan structures and in places such as Sheep Street and Henley Street you will find those half-timbered black and white dwellings and other structures. Henley Street is most well known for being the place where you will see Shakespeare’s Birthplace, but it is also a superb shopping district. The oldest lived in house in the town is found on Sheep Street. The Shrieves House is believed to be the house in which Oliver Cromwell lived in before the second battle of Worcester but, unfortunately, there is no actual evidence to support the fact.

Stratford-upon-Avon Art Galleries

Stratford is a fascinating town visually and the town features many first class art galleries including; the Retrospectives Art Gallery, the Montpellier Gallery, the Country Artists Visitor Centre and the Barge Gallery.

Other Stratford Attractions

Besides the main visitor attractions of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Holy Trinity Church there are numerous other tourist attractions to interest you. Those visitor attractions which might be of interest to you include; Stratford Armouries, the Teddy Bear Museum, the Butterfly Farm and Stratford Brass Rubbing Centre.

One of the most obvious features of the town is the fact that it is built upon the banks of the breathtaking River Avon. Nothing can be more pleasing than taking a boat trip on the river. As well as the River Avon Stratford also features another waterway, the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, which joins the river at Stratford.

The town is also excellent for cycling holidays as it has numerous cycle paths including the Stratford Greenway which runs along old rail tracks. Touring the surrounding countryside is immensely enjoyable and a small collection of picturesque places to visit, such as Clopton Bridge, are located within a short distance of the town.

If you are thinking about taking a vacation in England and you are searching for bed & breakfast in Stratford please examine our extensive listings of Stratford-upon-Avon hotels.

The United Kingdom is the most popular trip locations in all of Europe. One of the fundamental reasons for this incredible reputation is the extremely good listing containing  an enormous number of world class sights and fascinating cities often with long histories. England’s history is highly eventful which have had an effect on virtually everyone because less than a hundred years ago many countries of the world where members of the British Empire. With the expansion of the British Empire countless missionaries spread Christianity. Religion has helped shape England and one place which has played a role in this is Canterbury.

Tourist Attractions In Canterbury

The city of Canterbury is a medieval community in Kent located on the River Stour’s banks. This immensely pretty city is the ecclesiastical capital of the nation and this has been the case for countless decades. as a result of this fact the city features a large number of important religious structures, the best being Canterbury Cathedral.

The cathedral is most famous for the murder site of Thomas a Becket however the structure was founded in A.D. 597 and has a long and eventful history. Within a short space of time after the death of Thomas a Becket many miracles were witnessed and a shrine was constructed which quickly became a place of pilgrimage. Sadly it is no longer possible to visit the shrine because Henry VIII destroyed it however Canterbury Cathedral is still a place of pilgrimage for large numbers of people.

The Canterbury Tales is the most visited museum in the town. The museum demonstrates, through medieval tableaux, the pilgrimages made during the times of Chaucer. Chaucer wrote the incredibly popular Canterbury Tales which tells the stories of five pilgrims. Audiovisual aids are used to bring the characters to life over 45 minutes.

The Canterbury Heritage museum (now known as the Museum of Canterbury) is another popular museum. Located within the ancient Poor Priest’s Hospital this fascinating museum depicts the town’s history. With the use of bang up to date computers and other technology, which also includes holograms, this museum covers eras ranging from the Vikings to the Blitz.

The Roman Museum is an unusual museum because it is under the town’s streets. Using actual archaeological sites the museum uses interactive computers to bring the Roman era to life. This is a chance to see with your own eyes mosaics in a Roman house.

Of course the town has numerous other visitor attractions, far too many to discuss here. The nighlife would merit another article. Above I only introduce a few but I would hope that this has created an interest with the town and possibly you would think about having a vacation there soon.

If you are thinking about taking a vacation in England and are looking for cheap bed and breakfast in Canterbury please examine our extensive list of Canterbury hotels.

The British Isles are a brilliant place to take a vacation because the wide range of vacation types means that there is a bound to be something perfect for everyone. Whether you like sports and activities or you prefer a more peaceful and relaxing time the choice is never ending. Of all of the counties in Great Britain Cornwall is one of the most popular for vacations. Below I introduce Newquay, Cornwall’s most popular seaside resort.

Cornish Tourist Attractions

Cornwall has a multitude of visitor attractions catering for every want. Even though the county is home to a massive range of superb parks and gardens, castles, historic houses and museums and art galleries Cornwall is most widely known for it’s incredibly beautiful coastline and its astonishing collection of beaches including; Porthminster Beach, Marazion Beach, Porthtowan Beach and Crooklets Beach.

Surfing In Cornwall

Fistral Beach near Newquay is another excellent beach which is incredibly well known, especially throughout Europe. Found on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall it sports the best surfing conditions in the country but it is incredibly important to know that you will have different conditions dependant upon where on the beach you choose to surf. Most importantly it immensely important that you understand that, except for during low tide, Little Fistral, to the north can be highly dangerous because of the countless number of rocks just below the water’s surface.

A further difficulty with Fistral Beach is that, because it is so highly regarded by Europeans it can get considerably crowded , especially at the height of the summer season. Because of this it might be more suitable to visit in the winter alternatively you could arrive especially early in the morning.

Alternative places to go surfing are pretty easy to find because Cornwall has in excess of 150 beaches and coves to choose from however Newquay has some 7m of sandy beaches.  Watergate Bay is a highly suitable location for beginners but similar to Fistral it can get rather crowded.

Newquay is a superb base, for surfers, with a reasonable selection of beaches, bays and coves including the already mentioned beaches of Fistral and Watergate but also the three sandy beaches within Newquay bay. Other beaches favoured by surfers in  Newquay include; Crantock Bay, Whipsiderry, Mawgan Porth and Holywell.

Places To Stay In Newquay

A further factor which makes the resort such a great place to stay is that it is pretty easy to find inexpensive bed & breakfast accommodation with prices from as low as £24 per night. Hotels in Newquay which have cheap rooms include; Narrowcliff Hotel, The Bay Hotel and Fistral Spa, Pendeen Hotel and Edgcumbe Hotel and also Milber Guest House, The Quies, Hotel Sunnyside and Sandy Lodge Hotel.

If you would prefer to stay somewhere which has a few more facilities or somewhere a little more luxurious you will find that there are a number of 4 star and 5 star Newquay hotels including; Bedruthan Steps Hotel Spa, The Headland Hotel, Perran Sands Holiday Park and The Penthouse or you might like the five star Higher Trevorrick Country House.

If you are a family you may discover that self catering apartments is less expensive than you first thought. Available Newquay self catering accommodation includes the likes of Beachcombers Apartments, Tregurrian Apartments Villas, Tolcarne Beach Apartments and Towan Beach Holiday Flat.

Newquay offers one of the best vacation experiences of a lifetime if you are looking to get away and travel to England. The beautiful resort and fishing port is surrounded by enchanting coastline and can be a great family or romantic getaway for people all over the world. You can sit on the beautiful sandy beaches and stare out into the Atlantic until what seems like eternity. Newquay offers some of the most serene scenery, fun attractions, and best nightlife you can find on vacation near Cornwall, England.

There are literally hundreds of attractions and options that will keep you entertained and enjoying your vacation, other than the most common activity of surfing. Over the past few years, the nightlife in Newquay has earned quite the party reputation and become nationally renowned. To celebrate their achievements after completing finals and exams, many students and graduates head to Newquay to get loose and unwind from school. The bars, restaurants and night clubs in the area always offer either live music or a DJ to keep the epic parties going all night long.

You may not be into partying the night away until the sun comes up, and instead you can enjoy a pint at a traditional pub or at one of the relaxing beachside cafes. Newquay has also become one of the hottest spots to hold your stag and hen parties, also known as bachelor and bachelorette parties. The epic nightlife scene offers a filled night of partying, plus the resort offers a wide variety of other activities as well. Some of the women love to take advantage of the shopping, spas, massage parlors and tour attractions like The Lost Garden.

The men can enjoy some cool playing greens and golf parks as well. Even if you have come with your family the adventure golf games are not only challenging but extremely fun. Keeping your family entertained and happy for days is simple with attractions like the Holywell Bay Fun Park. Activities like giant trampolines, bumper boats, golf, numerous go kart tracks and even a self made gold mine to help you learn how to prospect your own gold rush! There are numerous all day fun parks like this one, or if you want to do something more specific, Newquay has it.

The zoo and beautiful parks in Newquay offer a chance to walk around and see some of the wonders and wildlife from all over the world. The zoo will often have cool events almost daily to get you more involved and aware of the animals but still have a good time. You can enjoy it with your friends, partner and even your entire family. There are numerous sub-tropical gardens around the zoos as well to showcase some of the most unique wildlife from all around the world. You could literally stay busy for months with all of the endless activities available to do in Newquay. Experience your vacation of a lifetime and see Newquay today!

If you are on the look out for Newquay hotels please take a look at our extensive listings of hotels in Newquay.

Cornwall in England is one of the most exciting places to enjoy surfing in the UK with an astonishing selection of beaches to choose from such as; Perran Bay, Trevaunace Cove, Perranporth and Penhale Corner as well as Chapel Porth, Portreath and Porthtowan Beach. Obviously not all people go surfing and below I examine the incredibly popular seaside resort of Newquay and look at a few places to stay.

The Attraction Of The Resort Of Newquay

Newquay has some 7 miles of beaches which makes it an ideal destination for a vacation with a family. The most popular beaches include; Mawgan Porth, Newquay Bay, Whipsiderry and Watergate Bay, as well as Fistral, Crantock Bay and Holywell all listed are great for surfing.

As well as all of the beaches and coves and gorgeous scenery this region of cornwall has a large variety of tourist attractions. There is an amazing list of galleries and museums including; Tunnels Through Time and Past & Present museums and the galleries of Driftwood Gallery, Cornwall Galleries, Crantock Gallery and Bank Street Gallery.

The town of Newquay also features a number of tourist attractions relating to animals including; DairyLand Farm World, Newquay Animal Park, Blue reef Aquarium and Newquay Zoo.  If your group would rather go to somewhere a little more lively take a look at the following; Big Dunk’s Paintball, Buccaneer Bay, Outdoor Laser Tag and The Fun Factory or, alternatively, Holywell Bay Fun Park, Newquay Discovery Trails, Waterworld and Oasis Fun Pools if you like water.

If you are a golfer then you will pleased to discover that there are a few nearby courses including Newquay Golf Club, Holywell Bay Golf Club, Treloy Golf Club and Merlin Golf and Country Club. If you are interested in nature then you might find the close by attractions of Screech Owl Sanctuary, Cornish Birds of Prey Centre and Springfields Fun Park & Pony Centre.

Other Visitor Attractions  Near To Newquay

This part of Cornwall features masses of great attractions If you are looking for an adventure centre or similar Lusty Glaze Adventure Centre, Shires Family Adventure Park and Penhale Adventure Centre could be ideal.

Other attractions include Trerice (Kestle Mill), The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Spirit of the West. And who could forget The Eden Project, Cornwall Pearl and East Wheal Rose Park. As a final treat why not take a ride on the Lappa Valley Steam Railway.

Where To Stay In Newquay

The Victoria Hotel is a 3 star hotel situated up on the cliffs above the Great Western Beach. With the fee for rooms from approximately sixty five pounds Sterling the Hotel Victoria is hard to better.  The hotel features 3 restaurants as well as leaisure facilities including an indoor pool, gym and spa bath.

If you are searching for something a little more modest then the   Narrowcliff Hotel has accommodation from as little as £26 a night. Situated on the Narrowcliff seafront overlooking Tolcarne beach. Alternatively Edgcumbe Hotel offers rooms from £35 and the establishment opens throughout the year and it also has cliff top sea views at Narrowcliff.

If these 3 hotels are not for you there are plenty of Newquay hotels offering fairly priced Newquay bed and breakfast. Always keep in mind that it is frequently possible to get discounted late bookings.

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 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.

Although it’s a little cliche, seeing the Changing of the Guard was a really cool experience as well. I didn’t pick a guard’s nose or try to make him laugh anything, they are armed after all, but I did get pretty close to have my picture taken. There are numerous locations where you can see the guards, including the Tower of London. The various parks and gardens in London make walking anywhere as adventure in itself. Huge ponds full of all kinds of birds, from swans to some funny looking ducks, walk around parks full of beautiful sculptures and breathtaking gardens. Seriously, the gardens are beautiful.

London shopping is unlike any other. All you need is a purse with plenty of money, and don’t forget your passport, and you are set. Camden market is any teenager’s shopping heaven, and some of my favorite souvenirs were purchased there. From classy boutiques to a punk rocker’s paradise, there is something for absolutely everyone, and it is almost impossible not to be walking away with armloads of stuff.

London really has so much available for everyone in your family to experience. Some of my greatest memories come from my London trip, and I hope that I will be able to go back someday. Even having to deal with a missing passport was worth the trip. If you have never been to London, I highly recommend going. You will not regret it.

If you need to renew your passport or get a new one before your London vacation, check out www.uspassportnow.com for excellent service.

Cambridgeshire is a county in the east midlands part of England landlocked by the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Suffolk and Norfolk. The county might not feature any coastal tourist attractions however there is a broad range of other local tourist attractions which make this an amazing place to take a vacation.  In the article below I  explain why visitors should consider a trip to this most picturesque part of Britain.

The English county of Cambridgeshire features breathtaking countryside, exciting waterways, outstanding cathedrals, prestigious stately homes, busy little market towns and the fascinating city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge is a tremendously popular Cambridgeshire tourist attraction which is very suitable for vacations, or short city breaks, in any month of the year.

Visitor attractions in this immensely photogenic university town include The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Folk Museum, The Round Church, The Backs, The Orchard Tea Garden and Denny Abbey, but the majority of folk spend a few days in Cambridge to look at the sights associated with some of the thirty one university colleges such as Cambridge University Botanic Garden and King’s College & King’s College Chapel. It can take a very long time to see all of the university colleges but the most important buildings to meander around are those of St John’s College, Corpus Christi, Magdalene College and Trinity College.

The Cambridgeshire Fens

The Fens are a marshy district virtually at sea-level. There has been a great many attempts at draining the land some dating back to the Romans. It wasn’t until the sixteen hundreds that sustained efforts were made. Unfortunately these attempts were a failure and it wasn’t until the 18th Century that successes were finally made and the land was used to grow crops.

In modern times the fascinating landscape of marshes of salt and fresh water provide a superb environment for leisure and wildlife. Cambridgeshire has some of the UK’s least crowded waterways, ideal for a vacation on a narrow boat.

If you want to discover more about the highly interesting Fenlands then you will discover that the small towns of Chatteris, Whittlesey, Wisbech and March have a great museum.

Cambridgeshire’s Market Towns

Across the county are sited beautiful little market towns, which, long ago were actually islands. March grew up as a port during Tudor Times and has a rich history. Other small island communities included Ramsey, Whittlesey, Littleport and Chatteris. These market towns feature architecture spanning several centuries such as the 17th century Butter Cross at Whittlesey. Several pleasant hours can be passed looking at the many independent businesses, stalls and shops.

Other Attractions In Cambridgeshire

The list of local attractions is endless. Heritage railways include the Wisbech and March Bramley Line and the Nene Valley Railway and there are a few fascinating buildings to visit including Houghton Mill, Down Field Windmill, Lode Watermill and Great Gransden Post Mill.

The county is home to a small collection of religious buildings of historical importance such as the abbeys of Denny, Ramsey, Spinney and Anglesey, Ely Cathedral and Peterborough Cathedral as well as Duxford Chapel and the Old Vicarage at Grantchester. The list of historic houses, stately homes and castles is simply so  large that it could not be included here, it is virtually the same with the listings for art galleries & museums.

If you are currently planning a Cambridgeshire vacation and are booking hotel accommodation in Cambridge please take a look at our comprehensive bed & breakfast accommodation in Cambridge

The UK is  a magnificent  vacation destination. The reasons for this include a rich, but often violent, history and a breathtaking countryside. The types of available vacations  is stunning  with such a enormous choice of places to stay  each of which  have immensely different  facilities  and rural areas  which range from mountainous regions  to mainly flat parts.  Below I take a look at the coastline  and introduce  the seaside town of Southport, in the North West region of England, as the most suitable  seaside vacation destination in the UK.

Located on the North West coast of England, Southport visitor attractions include, Southport Pier, Lord Street, Wayfarers’ Arcade, Churchtown village, the Botanic Gardens at Churchtown, Botanic Gardens Museum, Hesketh Park and more.

Lord Street, Southport

Lord Street is the main shopping area in Southport.  All the way along one side of Lord Street the broad pavement are covered by ornate Victorian iron work and a line of lush green trees closer to the road. On the other side of Lord Street you will discover  gorgeous flower beds and small gardens with pools and fountains plus a Victorian bandstand. Right at the very centre of Lord Street is most likely the most bold war memorials in the UK with an obelisk at the centre and two other monuments on each side which have huge columns. Some of the finest of Southport’s architecture is to be found along Lord Street and it is where you will discover the Victorian Wayfarers’ Arcade.

Southport’s Parks & Gardens

Hesketh Park

At the end of Lord Street is the incredibly beautiful Hesketh Park. Hesketh Park is named after the Hesketh family the park is heavily wooded, just like Lord Street. Hesketh Park also has wonderful flower beds, hidden gardens, a play park, glass house and more but most prominent is the lovely lake.

Churchtown’s Botanic Gardens

At Churchtown you will find another wonderful park, the Botanic Gardens which features a river/lake with a bridge, boating, swans, ducks and other wildlife plus if animals and birds are your thing the park also has a tiny zoo, just in front of the cafe and museum. The village of Churchtown is a beautiful group of old fishermen’s cottages, cottages and houses most commonly white and a few have a thatched roof. It is vitally important that you explore on foot and that you take a peak around every corner as there are one or two hidden places of interest well worth the work to find.

Hotels & Accommodation

Finding bed and breakfast in Southport is relatively easy with a large choice of hotels and guest houses  available online. There are guest houses and hotels  suitable for all budgets and tastes  from bargain priced  B&B to the surprisingly highly priced  top of the range 5 star luxury  accommodation in the town centre and outside.

If you are currently planning a seaside vacation then please take a look at our comprehensive list of hotels in Southport.

Bournemouth is a vibrant, thriving and fantastically exciting city, despite the unfortunate fact it is nicknamed ‘God’s waiting Room’. The sad reason why it is called this is that a great many elderly people choose to retire here. However, the city of Bournemouth has a large youth culture, with a high number of university and language students. Obviously such a place would be a interesting place to spend a few days however, there is lots, lots  more to the place. In actual fact Bournemouth is surprisingly popular with all ages, one of the reasons why there are so many businesses offering Bournemouth bed and breakfast to choose from.

Bournemouth is situated right on the English South coast, about 100m from of the capital city of England, London. Bournemouth, the biggest town to be found on the south coast, is widely known for its 7 miles of breathtaking golden beaches and glistening rich blue sea. It is the town’s prestigious location that caused it to become an amazingly popular UK holiday destination since the start of the eighteen hundreds. It is near impossible to envisage that Bournemouth was,  in the very early nineteenth century, little more than a remote and barren moorland being mainly common common grazings excluding the estate belonging to Sir George Ivison Tapps. The Tapps Arms, a public house, appeared on the moorland in 1809, only a couple of years after this, in 1812, the first residents moved in.

Lewis Tregonwell and his wife bought a patch of land where the couple constructed a few villas with a view of the sea with the intention of letting them out to visitors in the summer months for vacations. Lewis Tregonwell also constructed themselves a summerhouse. and also began to plant a huge number of pine trees, making a gorgeous sheltered walk leading to the beach, the Invalid’s Walk as it became known later.

Since the early days Bournemouth’s popularity, as a resort, has increased continually, and, the city has gained a reputation for being a tourist haven for leisure, recreation, culture, fun and entertainment. The best loved places to visit include; the Russel-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, the award winning Central Gardens, Bournemouth Pier and St. Peters Church Graveyard.

If you and your family are in the process of deciding upon spending some time in Bournemouth it is immensely important that you reserve your  lodgings at your first opportunity as, unfortunately guest houses and hotels in Bournemouth tend to be alarmingly busy and are frequently fully booked for a long period in advance. If you are travelling in a group you might find that serviced apartments in Bournemouth are a more affordable option to bed & breakfast in Bournemouth.

Cambridge is widely known across the world as home to the University of Cambridge, a world class centre of learning. The University includes some 31 colleges including; Peterhouse, Queens’ College, Robinson College and St Catharine’s College which greatly effect the city. Even though large numbers of visitors arrive at Cambridge in order to visit the University, Cambridge has many more attractions well worth a visit other than the colleges of the University.  Fortunately there is a large selection of Cambridge bed & breakfast accommodation to choose from (Important: more in the last paragraph).

The city dates back to medieval times and because of this there there are numerous fine examples of fantastic architecture. One can stroll around the ancient streets, enjoy one of the many parks and gardens or you may go punting up the River Cam. If you like the sound of a few hours punting, then it is possible to rent a punt or for something a little different one could hire a chauffeured punt. You will find a small number of companies offering this facility along the river. As a further alternative a small journey down the River Cam in a narrowboat.

The city is also widely known for its churches, thirteen of which are situated within the boundaries of the city. Of the 13 churches found in the centre of Cambridge it is All Saints Church which is said to be one of the best examples of Gothic revival architecture to be found in the country. A further extremely noteworthy church is Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is one of only four Norman circular churches in the country. The smallest of Cambridge’s churches is St Peter’s Church, which is hidden away in a quiet part of the city centre. Probably the most breathtaking panoramas of Cambridge and University colleges are to be found from the viewpoint of the Great St Mary’s Church, the University church.

As there is a vast selection of visitor attractions to see in Cambridge, it would be nearly impossible to see all of them in just 24 hours.  We therefore advise that you spend a minimum of 2 days in Cambridge. If you and your family are in the process of considering taking a break in the city of  Cambridge it is immensely important that you reserve your  lodgings at the earliest opportunity because, sadly Cambridge guest houses and hotels tend to be amazingly busy and are commonly fully booked for months in advance. If your family is large you might find that apartment accommodation in Cambridge are a more affordable option.