Archive for 2010

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently revealed 38 sites in Britain that have been provisionally nominated to apply for Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage status. The sites, located all over the UK, include some of the most naturally stunning and culturally important areas that the country has to offer.

Whether the judges are swayed by Isambard Brunel’s wonder of Victorian Industry: the Great Western Railway, the more natural charms of Creswell Crags, or the technological wonder that is Jodrell Bank Observatory, we’re sure they will have their hands full choosing.

But while they scratch their heads, there’s probably no better time to beat the crowds and experience some of the UK locations that offer a world-class experience, whether they receive UNESCO endorsement or not. Below we list seven nominees that are well worth investigating on a holiday cottage break.

The Dover Strait – Not every UNESCO nominee allows you to feel the ground beneath your feet. The Dover Strait covers the narrowest part of the English channel and runs from the stunning white cliffs of Dover to the equivalent, Cap Blanc Nez in Calais. On a clear day you can stand on the majestic cliffs on either side and see over the blue waters to the other country. It’s an incredible experience, a beautiful landscape and well worthy of UNESCO status.

Norfolk and Suffolk Broads – Already protected by the Broads Authority, who recognise its beauty and importance to UK tourism, the Broads are made up of 200 kilometres of navigable waterways, comprised of 7 different rivers. Although it was widely considered a natural feature it has subsequently been proven that they were the result of man-made peat excavations. Of course none of that really matters when you’re relaxing on a boat soaking up the beautiful scenery.

Creswell Crags – Home of Britain’s first discovered cave paintings, this limestone gorge in Nottinghamshire contains a network of caves that provided shelter to our ancestors during the last ice age. Remnants of their occupation are on display to visitors taking a guided tour of the caves, so you’ll be able to experience something like life in ancient times (in short: it’s a nice place to visit but a holiday cottage is far more confortable!)

The Lake District – If an area of the UK needs little introduction, it’s the Lakes. Already immortalised through the writings of Wordsworth and the Lakes poets, the green hills, lofty crags and deep bodies of water provide a visually stunning holiday destination and an equally varied range of activities. Of course there’s the equally welcome option to just relax and enjoy the views (and the local food!).

St Andrews – This historic town in Scotland is probably most famous for its golfing tournaments but move beyond the rolling green expanses and their Pringle-clad occupants and you’ll also find a lovely – and unspoiled – medieval town with a whole range of attractions, including a botanic garden, sandy beach and several wildlife attractions.

Brunel’s Great Western Railway – Few opportunities to learn about Britain’s industrial heritage provide as much interest, relaxation and enjoyment as an exploration of Brunel’s Great Western Railway. The GWR revolutionised UK domestic tourism with its mainline and associated lines leading to the South-West. And even though the original broad gauge tracks have been replaced, a railway break in the region still offers the spectacular views that have become synonymous with “God’s Wonderful Railway”.

Merthyr Tydfil – ‘Martyr Tudful’ in Wales once stood as a centre of iron production during the industrial revolution. And although the region used to be far from welcoming to visitors looking for peace and tranquility, reclamation soon brought the green back to the valleys. Easily accessible, the region provides a number of fantastic charms nearby, including the fantastic Brecon Beacons. Why not arrive in style on the Brecon Mountain Railway?

We feature a wide range of great value holiday cottages around the UK (some located within UNESCO World Heritage nominated areas). Please visit easycottages.com to search our listed accommodation.

Now that the England team are back from their holiday in South Africa there’s possibly a sports-shaped window in your social calendar. So what better time to become an instant expert on some of the other athletic events taking place in the not too distant future?

In this post we’re going to look at some of the other sporting events taking place around the UK in the next few months, with no mention of that sport that involves a round inflatable thing being kicked about. Promise.

Formula 1 makes its annual visit to Silverstone in Northamptonshire from 9-11 July. Cheer reigning champ, Jensen Button and current leader Lewis Hamilton as they take part in practice and qualification on Friday and Saturday before the main event on the Sunday.

Tickets are fairly pricey, but there’s a packed schedule of events across the three days so you don’t need to be on a national team manager’s salary to justify your purchase.

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No sport signifies summer better than tennis. Unfortunately in recent years summer, and tennis, have both been dominated by weather stopping play. But with a good chance of great weather this summer you’re likely to get your money’s worth. And with a machine that tells you when the ball’s over the line, what could go wrong?

Wimbledon finishes soon but with the David Cup playoffs, the Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Tournament, the ITF South of England Championship and several veterans’ tournaments taking place over the summer so there should be plenty of choice for new and seasoned tennis fans.

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Equally suited for a warm summer The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is noted for being Britain’s most prestigious open-age flat race. If that doesn’t mean anything to you then basically the event is horse racing with a huge £1,000,000 prize on offer to the winner.

As you might expect the event is a fairly classy affair (think cocktails, hats and ties) so expect soothing live jazz instead of the sound of a swarm of angry wasps emanating from a large plastic horn.

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The London Double header raises the curtain on the Premiership rugby season with four London teams competing at Twickenham stadium on 4 September. Tickets are reasonably priced and many fans go for the great family friendly atmosphere despite not necessarily supporting the competing teams.

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While their team have been left wanting at a certain other ball based team sport, English cricket fans have been having a great summer, winning the 5 match series against the Australians and even a World Cup (not THAT one, obviously). Throughout August they’ll be taking on Pakistan in the third and fourth tests at The Oval and Lords respectively.

Even if you’re not familiar with a ‘drive’ or ‘bumper’ outside of a car, you’re sure to enjoy the atmosphere of both tournaments. And there’s even a chance that England might win!

UK music festivals don’t have to involve paying several hundred pounds for a ticket to stay in a mud-filled ditch with a population greater than Portsmouth. We are of course talking about Glastonbury, which takes place this weekend.

At easycottages.com, we’re firm believers in having a good time without spending a fortune, so while Glastonbury has an enviable musical roster, we don’t consider it the be all and end all of UK festivals – especially since there are less expensive ways of enjoying live music and the UK countryside this summer.

In this post we’re highlighting four lesser-known festivals that provide a decent alternative to Glastonbury in terms of entertainment, location and value for money. As always you can search availability of cheap holiday cottages on easycottages.com and if you have your own suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below.

The Latitude festival in Suffolk has a varied selection of musical acts, from commercial successes (Florence and the Machine) to critical darlings (The XX, The National). It also boasts a wildly eclectic line-up celebrating the arts, including unique theatre, film, literature, dance and poetry events. If you’re still not sold then where else can you see a David Soul poetry recital?

The festival runs from 15-18 July. Find more info on the event website.

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The End of the Road festival may not be the cheeriest sounding festival, but it has an American folk and psychedelic line-up that’s guaranteed to put a smile on the nearest bearded face (not that you’d notice). With a firm focus on the music, it’s one of the better mid-sized festivals in the UK and, taking place in Dorset, one of the better-located ones too.

The festival runs from 10-12 September. Find more info on the event website.

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Wakestock makes good use of Cardigan Bay’s heritage and the growing wakeboarding scene (3 million participants worldwide, apparently). Not sure what Wakeboarding is? Neither are we. But instead of thinking that perhaps this isn’t the festival for you, you could always go and enjoy the music. Dance and indie music fans are well catered for with a line-up that includes Pete Tong, Feeder and The Ting Tings.

The festival runs from 2-4 July. Find more info on the event website.

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Often compared to a smaller scale Glastonbury, due to an eclectic mix of acts and an alternative ethos, the Wickerman festival in Dumfries and Galloway is heavily influenced by the film of the same name (but hopefully has a happier ending). With a line-up that includes indie festival veterans (The Charlatans, Teenage Fanclub) alongside newer arrivals (The Futureheads) and electronic, acoustic and punk acts, we’re sure that you’ll leave with a smile on your face.

The festival runs from 22-24 July. Find more info on the event website.

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There are hundreds of other festivals taking place over the UK this summer and while we don’t have time to cover them all, you can find a huge selection on the efestivals website.