Archive for the ‘England’ Category

Alternative resolutions

Friday, January 14th, 2011

If a recent poll of the easycottages.com office is anything to go by, the most commonly made New Year’s resolutions are to get fit and watch less TV.

Getting up and active isn’t the easiest thing to do. In fact, it’s probably the hardest resolution to keep. So try and make it a bit more interesting, we’ve selected a few alternative active events in the UK and France.

Fans won’t be the only ones left speechless at the London International Mime Festival. Along with a packed schedule of events, showcasing a variety of international performers, there are a number of workshops to get you off your sofa…and onto a pretend one.

Ice skating may be slightly more challenging than pretending to ice skate, but at the Eiffel Tower Ice Rink you get the added bonus of incredible views of the Parisian streets. And if that weren’t enough, there are also sensors that produce real time dynamic visual effects to accompany your skating. Skating in this fantastic location runs until 9 Feb.

If you fancy something a lot more intensive then the Tough Guy Competition in Perton offers a gruelling assault course that’s guaranteed to separate the men from, well, people like us, probably. The official description of the event as ‘the the Worlds safest, most dangerous taste of mental and physical pain, fear and endurance’ also does little to re-assure us!

It is possible to enjoy your TV without getting wedged in the sofa. How? By getting out and visiting their filming locations. We’ve selected three fantastic TV filming locations that are well worth visiting for fans and those who simply appreciate beautiful locations.

The Mediterranean inspired Welsh village of Portmeirion provided the location for Number 6’s imprisonment in the cult-classic The Prisoner.
Thankfully, it’s easier to leave the village in real life – though, once you explore it’s uniquely beautiful streets you may not want to!

Castle Howard near York provided a suitably grandiose backdrop for Brideshead Revisted, the classic ITV period drama. Widely considered
one of the greatest TV shows ever made, Castle Howard is equally feted as one of the finest stately homes in the UK.

The Lake District has also been well covered on the small screen (and on this very blog) with popular factual series, The Lakes. Of course, the best way to explore the region is to visit yourself. Why not read our recent guide to the Lake District for inspiration?

Have you made your own resolutions? Why not post them in the comments below. If you’re interested in any of the events above then you can search our featured cheap holiday cottages in the UK and France on easycottages.com.

Posted in England, France |

A guide to The Lakes

Friday, January 7th, 2011

With the immensely popular ‘The Lakes’ returning to TV screens this month, we thought we might look at some of the best activities to do in what is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most naturally stunning regions. And with so many gorgeous vistas on offer, it’s easy to have fun in the Lakes without spending a fortune. Let us show you how…

Derwentwater is one of the most naturally stunning lakes in the region, and also one of the best places to start your exploration. Just a short distance from Keswick, you can take a stroll around the lake’s shore or enjoy a tranquil boat ride on its waters. Equally lovely, Coniston Water can be appreciated up close or from the majestic viewpoint offered by The Old Man (a fell, not a helpful local – though there are plenty of them too!)

Fell walkers will be equally happy with the route offered by the Catbells walk. Perfectly pitched to satisfy children, novices and more experienced hikers alike, the Catbells walk offers incredible views of Derwentwater and the surrounding areas. The route is very popular in peak season, so make sure you get there early if you’re after a more tranquil experience – not to mention a parking space!

The Lake District is far more than just a pretty face; its stunning locations have left an equally large imprint on British culture, which only serves to make them more special to visit. One such location is Orrest Head, not only a fell that offers incredible views of Lake Windermere, but also the first one climbed by Wainwright and so in no small part responsible for the author’s many pictorial guides to the region.

The life of fellow Lakeland author, John Ruskin is celebrated at Brantwood, his former home, perched high above Coniston Water. Along with stunning views, the house allows visitors a fascinating opportunity to learn about the author’s life. Levens Hall in Kendal may offer less in the way of cultural history, but its incredible 16th century dwelling and gardens are no less impressive, and well worth a visit.

A more active exploration of culture can be found at Grizedale Forest. A walking and mountain biking trail, the forest also offers an outdoor
art museum with a fantastic collection of sculptures to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps the most unique attraction in the Lake District, however, is The Puzzling Place in Keswick. The exhibition’s collection of optical illusions is bound to confuse and delight in equal measure.

So there you have it, a guide to the Lake District that won’t break the bank. If you’re also looking for accommodation that doesn’t cost the earth then why not search our featured cheap cottages in the Lake District?

Posted in England |

Happy New Year!

Saturday, January 1st, 2011

We hope you had a fantastic 2010 and that you have an even better 2011. In the meantime we’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Posted in England, France, Scotland, Wales |

Happy Christmas!

Saturday, December 25th, 2010

Chritstmas Tree

On behalf of all of us at easycottages.com we’d like to wish you a very merry Christmas. Whoever you’re with, and wherever you’re staying, we hope you have a fantastic day filled with lots of food, many gifts and much merriment!

Posted in England, France, Scotland, Wales |

Festive events in the UK

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

It’s safe to say that winter is well and truly upon us. And while it may be advisable to stay inside for the foreseeable future, there’s a range of festive events taking place in the UK and Ireland during the next few weeks that are well worth getting out for. Weather permitting, of course.

We’ve been compiling a list in the easycottages.com office over the last few weeks which we’re going to present in this post. We’ve covered all bases with things to see, do, eat and buy over the next few weeks. If you have your own suggestions please leave a comment below. And don’t forget we feature great value holiday cottages in the UK and Ireland. Please search on easycottages.com.

Lapland UK in Kent is often regarded as one of the best meet Santa events in the UK, with the experience lasting 4-5 hours. Sounds perfect if you haven’t sent your list off yet.

Santa will also be taking part in the annual Kent & East Sussex Railway Santa Specials. Now in its 36^th year, the event includes a fantastic ride on a steam train with Mr Claus among other attractions.

Meet Santa’s helpers at the Cairngorn Reindeer Centre in the stunning Scottish National Park. There’s a range of fun activities and maybe even an appearance from the boss himself. No wonder he needs 11 months off.

The festive period is taking over Edinburgh this year with a packed schedule, including markets, cultural events, shopping and much more. Expect the party to continue until Hogmany.

The Dickens Christmas Market at Rochester Castle promises a delightfully authentic festive experience, as the author spent a large part of his life in the region. Expect it to melt even the coldest of hearts!

Less traditional Christmas experiences can be found at the annual Christmas pudding race in Brighton. A charity event, the race sees competitors balancing a pudding on their plate while they navigate an obstacle course. We expect it’s as much fun to watch as it is to compete.

The Santa Dash returns to Glasgow this year and promises the unique sight of thousands of Santas running through the city streets for charity. There’s still time to register if you fancy taking part but equally, it should make for an entertaining spectacle.

The Eden Project in Cornwall is one of the best places to celebrate an unconventional Christmas. There’s an incredible indoor ice rink (open til Feb), carols and a fantastic winter market. While most events are expected to run as normal, due to the recent adverse weather conditions we recommend checking the website for updates.

Posted in England, Scotland |