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Last updated May 2008 Walk the walk There are an amazing number of walking festivals across the UK this year. It doesn’t matter what your age or ability as most have a variety of graded walks. And a holiday cottage provides perfect festival accommodation. After a day of exploring the glorious British countryside, there’s nothing better than a leisurely hot bath and the chance to relax in your own space. Here’s our selection of some of the best walking festivals countrywide. For many more, visit our new Holiday Cottages blog.
Baby, you can drive my train
If you’re holidaying in a cottage in Somerset and you’re with a steam buff, why not treat him, her (or yourself, for that matter), to a steam engine driving course? The West Somerset Railway runs one and two-day steam enginemen courses in which you will learn to prepare a locomotive, the principles of steam locomotion, signalling, braking, safety, firing and driving. And, yes, they do actually let you loose to drive a train – with an instructor very close by, of course. West Somerset Railway trains use a branch line of the old Great Western Railway, passing through beautiful countryside from Bishop’s Lydeard, near Taunton, past the Quantock and Brendon Hills and then along the Bristol Channel to Minehead, a 20-mile stretch. Quiltessential Europe’s first ever quilt museum opens in the mediaeval St Anthony’s Hall in York on 7 June. It will be the national headquarters of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, housing its heritage collection. The earliest signed and dated quilt – a 1718 patchwork coverlet (pictured) – will be on display along with about 600 other works, quilting tools and equipment, and clothing and miniature pieces. The museum will also host travelling textile exhibitions from home and abroad. Festival has eco appealCroyde Bay in North Devon is the setting for the GoldCoast Oceanfest – a surf, sport and music festival with an eco conscience. More than 500 athletes will take part in events such as surfing, beach volleyball and skateboarding, while an ocean-side arena hosts 25 live acts over the summer solstice weekend of 20-21 June. Event spokesman Warren Latham said eco projects in conjunction with local schools would help make it “a festival with a conscience”. Power, catering, water management, recycling and waste disposal will be run sustainably. Summer fun for all With the summer holidays coming up, why not treat your kids – and yourself – to a fun educational trip to Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire? This World Heritage site has ten museums to keep young visitors busy all day. Many of them have hands-on activities, including designing and decorating your own wall tile, china painting and clay modelling. Looking after Eeyore Donkey rides on the beach are a perennial holiday treat, and the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, has come up with a new code of practice to make sure these intelligent animals have a contented and healthy life. It recommends that obese children – over 8st/50.8kg – should be banned from riding them. Other suggestions include giving donkeys one full day of rest a week and an hour’s break during long periods. Most of our 900 seaside donkeys work hard during the season, taking tens of thousands of children on rides along the beach. Martin Taggart, head of welfare at the Donkey Sanctuary, said: “We already see an excellent standard of care for many beach donkeys in the UK. The code of practice will help to support local authorities to ensure all beach donkeys receive the same levels of care.” Celebrity launch for country fair TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh is to preside over a spectacular country fair this summer at one of our best-loved country houses, Chatsworth, in Derbyshire. The annual celebration of country life – which takes place from 29 – 31 August – will include massed pipes, military bands, parades, demonstrations, hot air balloons, parachuting, rural crafts, vintage cars, horse shoeing, ferret racing, archery, sheep dog trials and plenty more.
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ARTICLES A gem of a cityThink of Cheshire and you might picture lush green pastures and footballers’ bling. Yet it’s the county’s Roman-walled capital city, packed with history and atmosphere, that’s the real sparkler, says Alexandra Pratt Scotland for softiesBeaches, rockpools, swimming, cycling... Paul Kirkwood found there’s no end to the delights of the bit of Scotland that’s easiest to reach from most of England All roads lead to... HarrogateThe elegant spa town of Harrogate is an unbeatable base for an active short break. Gillian Thornton enjoyed a girlie weekend of chic shops, spectacular countryside and the ultimate in self-catering apartments Moor magicThe Exmoor coast between Minehead and Combe Martin has some of the best scenic views in the West Country. Gillian Thornton enjoyed the North Devon countryside and its four-legged residents The walking cureIt looked as if Charlie the dog needed a break. So, naturally, Eve Kerswill and her husband took him on a cottage holiday Devon delightsA thatched cottage with a history, country walks, market shopping and fish and chips by the sea... they all made a perfect weekend for Katherine Rake Top tips for group getawaysHarry Marsland of Brackenrigg Holiday Cottages in the Lake District says organising – and enjoying – a celebration break with friends and family is simple. All you need is a little planning… Our Snowdon adventureClimbing to the top of Mount Snowdon,the highest mountain in England and Wales, was too much of a challenge for Solange Hando, her daughter and ten-year-old grandson to ignore – so up they went Wonderful WoldsPeter Henshaw spends a weekend sampling the many delights of Lincolnshire Walk the Wight WayWith its wonderful countryside and 500 miles of footpaths, the Isle of Wight is ideal for a walking holiday. Harry Glass pulled on his hiking boots… Beauty on the borderCarlingford Lough is a stunning natural boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Jeremy Taylor pays a visit A right song and danceNowhere is the Irish music scene more vibrant than the west coast bars of County Clare. Jeremy Taylor pays a visit to soak up the craic Beyond the scone zonePeter Henshaw goes for a walk in the Cotswolds and finds a gastronomic gem, fierce winds and the ancient sport of shin kicking! Riverside rambles, moorland magicYou’ll find walking trails, wide open spaces, waterfalls, picture-perfect villages, historic towns and fantastic food in Wensleydale and Wharfedale. Gillian Thornton did Peak party peopleWant to go with a large group of friends for a long weekend of walking, cycling and partying? Sarah Merry found just the place in Derbyshire’s Peak District A one-horse town it ain’tTo find out everything you wanted to know about breeding and racing horses but were afraid to ask, go to Newmarket. Gillian Thornton did Pleasing the puntersCambridge makes a great day out if you’re staying in Norfolk or Suffolk. Former student Tom Kerswill takes you on an insider’s tour of arguably Britain’s most famous university city 10 reasons to visit NorfolkLooking forward to a break in Norfolk? Linda Pyke recommends ten attractions for all ages to enjoy – from Bishy-barney-bees to antique teapots and going ape in Thetford Forest A Tamar tonicOn the steep slopes where miners and market gardeners once trod lies a hidden gem created from an old mine. Sounds unlikely? John Kerswill thought so too, until he stayed there and was enchanted by the sights and sounds of the Tamar Valley Ardnamurchan Peninsula - Take a Walk on the Wild SideScotland's Ardnamurchan peninsula – not Cornwall's Land's End – is as far west as the roads in mainland Britain will take you. Angela Dewar enjoyed total seclusion in this unspoilt wilderness 10 Reasons to visit EdinburghA dramatic castle and a royal palace, an award-winning environmental attraction and a world-class literary heritage – if you're renting a cottage in the Scottish lowlands, make sure you visit Edinburgh, says Gillian Thornton Essex pearlsResorts like Southend-on-Sea have helped to give Essex a kiss-me-quick image, but away from the kitsch Alison Thomas finds a county full of wildlife, fantastic food and history Northern Ireland: Causeway CapersIf you haven't ever thought about booking a holiday cottage in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, Harry Glass has ten good reasons why you should More...Previous articles ... |
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