myUKbreak - UK & Ireland Travel

Our trip to London and the London Marathon 2011

2011-04-26T04:18:00.000-07:00

We found ourselves in London recently and our trip coincided with the annual London Marathon sponsored by Virgin Money. We were fortunate enough to be staying in the centre of London close to Trafalgar Square and decided that we should not miss this exciting event. Over 36,500 competitors took part in the London Marathon on Sunday 17th April 2011 and were blessed with excellent weather. The sun was shining and the day just got warmer as it went on.

We left our hotel about 10.30am and headed across St. James Park to Birdcage Walk which is not that far from the finish of the race. The pavements are packed with spectators cheering on the competitors from the side of the road. Many of the athletes are sponsored by well know charities raising well deserved and important funds. The charities themselves all turn up with their supporters decked out in their own colours that cheer and blow horns to encourage their band of charity runners to the finish.

The London Marathon is the biggest annual charity fund raising event in the World with over £500 million being raised since it first started in 1981. We had only been standing for a short time when the lead male runner came running past us. The crowd were cheering madly and it was great to hear later on that Emmanuel Mutai won the race in a record breaking time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 39 seconds. Of course for many of the runners they have probably not even reached the halfway point of the race after 2 hours.

We headed next through St .James Park up towards the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to see the finish line. To be honest this was a little disappointing as the finish line is quite hard to see for the general public but the atmosphere is great with all the noise. It is interesting to see the incredible preparations that have gone into looking after the athletes after the have finished the race. You can also see the thousands of medals hanging up waiting to be hung around the necks of very tired but happy runners.

We then walked down the length of the Mall through Trafalgar Square and down Northumberland Avenue to The Embankment. By now the whole of the Embankment (which is situated alongside The Thames) was a sea of people standing about 3-4 people deep watching the vast bulk of the runners passing by. The noise was incredible as was the sight of runners all dressed up in different costumes being cheered on. Watching the London Marathon on a glorious sunny day can be a very inspiring event. The race is well worth watching and must inspire so many people to train and take part the following year.

A seaside trip to Broadstairs in Kent

2011-03-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

There are so many seaside resorts in the UK it can be really hard sometimes deciding on where to go. The South of England is blessed with many family friendly resorts such as Cornwall, Brighton, Poole and Bournemouth but what about looking at some of the less well known resorts such as Broadstairs in Kent. Broadstairs has actually been a very popular beach holiday destination in the UK for many many years. A recent visit to Broadstairs reminded us on how much this place has to offer. Broadstairs has a rich heritage which is evident in the splendid promenade and wonderful flower beds that decorate it in the summer. Is it any wonder that Charles Dickens had a summer holiday home here - Bleak House.

From the quaint fishermans cottages to the bandstand in Victoria Parade this place is really worth exploring. The Blue Flag beaches attract lots of families in the summer who come to enjoy the wonderful sandy beaches and safe swimming. The promenade makes for a perfect walk whilst licking on your traditional ice cream cone. There are a number of good restaurants and pubs close to the beach where you can sit outside and enjoy super fish and chips. Of course there are a number of more upmarket restaurants but for families the places by the sea front are perfect and good value. From Broadstairs you can walk along the promenade all the way along the cliffs to Margate. Broadstairs is accesible from London via the M2 motorway and then by taking the A299 passing Whitstable and Herne Bay along the way. Even in the winter months Broadstairs is worth a visit - you will just need to wrap up a little warmer! For more information on where to isit during your holiday in the UK visit myUKbreak.

Day trip to London

2010-07-27T11:15:00.001-07:00

Our day trip to London began at about 10.30 in the morning with a train journey from St.Albans which is a roman city situated about 20 miles north of London. As we were taking our trip on a Sunday and we were planning on using the London Tube we bought a one day Travel Card which cost £11.40. When travelling over a weekend; be sure to check whether any rail works are happening as these occur most frequently over weekends and can disrupt your plans. Our train was bound for St.Pancras which is the beautiful International Rail Station where you can also catch the Eurostar to Paris and other Eurostar destinations. Our fast train to St.Pancras only takes 18 minutes and on arrival we take the 5 minute covered walkway through to the Tube. We are heading towards Green Park tube station so we catch the Victoria Line which gets us to Green Park in about 7 minutes.

As you come out of the tube at Green Park you will find yourself just opposite the park itself. There is a very handy Marks and Spencers here where you can do as we did and purchase some snacks and refreshments for a picnic. Having bought our food we crossed over into the park and into the lovely green open spaces with trees providing welcome shade. After a short walk you can start to see Buckingham Palace to your left with the magnificent fountains in front.

We cross over the mall into St.James Park and find a lovely spot overlooking the water to enjoy our picnic. The park is very popular with families and it is worth seeking out the famous pelicans that live here too. After our picnic we head just a short walk up to Parliament Square where you have a choice of sites - Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament and the statues in the square itself. We decide to head across Westminster Bridge passing by Big Ben. Immediately you have a excellent view of the London Eye just on your left. Standing on Westminster Bridge you have views all the way up the Thames and this is a great chance to see all the various different boats. There are lots of tourist boats available if you would like a trip along the Thames. There are even a number of faster rubber duck type boats available for a faster touring experience.

We head across Westminster Bridge and at the end take the steps down to the left so we are now on the south side of the Thames. There is a wide long walkway which is a very popular tourist walk following the Thames. The walk takes you right past the Aquarium and then the London Eye. There are quite a number of street entertainers and musicians along the way. Next we head up the steps and take the Charing Cross Bridge heading back over to the north side of the Thames. You then take the passageway through to a set of steps which leads down to a small street where we turn left and head towards the Strand. Cross over The Strand and head up Duncannon Street and immediately you can see Trafalgar Square ahead of you. The square has now been pedestrianised and is very tourist friendly. There are even FREE toilets here which you won’t tend to find elsewhere in London. Here we find a seat and watch the world go by. There are a number of statues and of course the famous lions as well as Nelsons Column.

After a suitable rest we head towards Admiralty Arch just the other side of Trafalgar Square and take a leisurely stroll down The Mall. This lovely long straight street with Buckingham Palace at one end is a real treat. If you are lucky you may catch a marching band going down the Mall. As we are heading down the Mall we can hear music from the Band Stand in St.James Park. We find a patch of grass and sit and enjoy the orchestra playing classic tunes. There is even a small cafe close by to quench your thirst.

Well our day is nearly over so we head back over the Mall into Green Park and back to the Tube station where we started our tour. The whole trip took us about 5 hours and was extremely leisurely and relaxing. This is a great trip and takes in the following tourist sites

Green Park
Buckingham Palace
St.James Park
Parliament Square
Big Ben
Westminster Bridge
London Eye
The Thames
Trafalgar Square
Admiralty Arch
The Mall

For more information on London, tours and day trips; go to myukbreak

Stratford-upon-Avon birthplace of Shakespeare

2010-06-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Stratford-upon-Avon is in Warwickshire, England and lies on the River Avon and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The town is steeped in culture and history and is of course famous as the birthplace of the playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

The town has a population of over 20 000 however millions of visitors from all over the world come to Stratford-upon-Avon on a yearly basis.

Top ten attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon include the following:

•    Shakespeare’s Birthplace
•    Butterfly Farm
•    Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
•    Brass Rubbing Centre
•    Harvard House
•    Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre
•    The Swan Theatre
•    The Waterside Theatre
•    Avon Boating
•    The Falstaffs Experience

We would definitely recommend taking the hop-on, hop-off bus which will get you to all the top attractions.

Stratford-upon-Avon is also a great base to explore the surrounding counties of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.

There are many events taking place throughout the year so do keep an eye out for them as you are sure to find something to delight you.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a wide range of accommodation and you will find something to suit all budgets.

The City of York

2010-06-03T03:17:00.000-07:00

York is situated where the Rivers Ouse and Foss join in North Yorkshire, England.

York has a rich Roman, Viking, and Medieval heritage, is a walled city with many attractions and year-round events and activities. The city has exquisite architecture and quaint cobbled streets.

There are many world class museums, art galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Top attractions not to miss include York Minster, the largest Gothic Cathedral north of the Alps, Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum, cruise down the river Ouse, or take one of the many ghost walks, explore the Yorkshire Dales and Moors or go shopping.

York is the perfect place for either a short weekend break or for a longer holiday as it’s a great base to explore Yorkshire.

There is wide range of accommodation, places to eat and things to do – definitely worth a visit.

For recommended accommodation in York, please go to: myUKbreak

Brighton – The perfect weekend getaway

2010-05-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

Brighton in South East England is one of those great destinations which offer the traveller a bit of everything.

From beaches, great shopping, a fantastic nightlife, 400 years of history, the Royal Pavilion - home of King George IV, a diverse range of restaurants and much more. There is also an excellent selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Brighton is just 49 minutes from central London and is situated on the south coast of England - perfect for a weekend break, be it that you’re looking for a romantic break; a party weekend, hen and stag night outs, a shopping trip or spending the weekend walking along the pavilion.

For things to do and see, Brighton has everything from a royal palace, elegant Regency architecture, museums and galleries, beachfront bars and cafés and not to forget – the 17th century Brighton Lanes with twisting alleyways and hidden squares.

The Victorian Pier and the beachfront is a great place for a stroll with lots of little shops, restaurants, bars, and don’t forget the best fish and chips. Brighton is also great for sailing and boating.

You will also find a big selection great nightclubs and bars in Brighton.

For a selection of accommodation in Brighton to suit all budgets see www.myUKbreak.com

A day exploring the Norfolk Coast and Broads

2010-04-29T02:16:00.000-07:00

Our little adventure started with a drive around Hemsby –you will find a range of basic accommodation which includes chalets and apartments – with loads of activities for children; great big amusement arcades and many, many take-aways and cafe’s. As we were out for a leisurely day and wanted to escape to more quiet surroundings – we decided to head further up the coast.

A couple of miles along the coast we came across the lovely village of Winterton-on-Sea which has a wonderful big car park and the option to pay either per hour or for the whole day. Note there are no amusements or rides – just wonderful miles of beautiful sandy beaches. This is the ideal beach for dog walkers. We were lucky to spot a seal playing in the waves. The dunes nature reserve is within the "Area of outstanding Natural Beauty" and is also an ideal place for bird watchers and walkers.

We took the coastal route to Mundesley passing many picturesque villages along the way.

The countryside is beautiful, with sheep grazing in the fields and windmills dotted about.

Mundesley has rows of multicoloured beach huts and sandy beaches which are safe to swim in.

We headed inland towards Wroxham and Hoveton St. John - two connected villages which are split by the River Bure. This is the capital of the Norfolk Broads. The village was very busy and you will find many facilities including a good selection of pubs, restaurants and take-aways. The main attraction of course is the Norfolk Broads.

The Norfolk Broads is a network of lakes and rivers, situated on the county’s east coast and is the UK’s largest nationally protected wetland and an important area for wildlife. Over two million people visit the Broads every year – exploring by either land or water.

The area is rich in history and you will find many castles, medieval churches, priories, windpumps, mills and museums to explore. There are also many beautiful gardens and parks and year-round activities for the whole family.

For more information on Norfolk and accommodation options, go to www.myUKbreak.com

South West Wales

2010-04-21T01:44:00.001-07:00

South West Wales comprises the counties of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. It is also home to Pembrokeshire National Park. This park is the UK's only truly coastal national park and incorporates woodlands, beaches, lakes and islands.

Lying mainly on the coast this is a great place to spot sea-life such as dolphins and seals and potentially whales. The park is great for bird lovers with opportunities to spot rare choughs, puffins, woodpeckers and moorhens as well as heron and gannet. The coastal aspect to this park is awesome with lovely sandy beaches, rugged cliffs along with estuaries lined with woods.

Also in Pembrokeshire are the lovely villages of Tenby and St.Davids found hidden amongst the cliffs and extremely popular and worth visiting.

Other attractions include the Mumbles, an old Victorian resort also known as the “Gateway to Gower”, Swansea, the second city of Wales, and Oxwich Bay with its excellent surfing and sandy beach. Carmarthenshire offers some wonderful old castles and gardens to visit and is home to the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

The cosmopolitan city of London

2010-04-14T03:41:00.000-07:00

London is a truly cosmopolitan city full of different cultures exemplified by the 300 different languages that are spoken within its boundaries. Depending on where you draw the boundaries of London the population stands at anywhere between 7.5m and 8.5m. There is so much to see and do in London it is important to plan your trip and think ahead as to what sights you would like to see. Travelling around London is not difficult with excellent public transport throughout.

With the Olympics coming to the city in 2012 many improvements and additions are being made to ensure that visitors will have easy access to all the competing events. Heathrow Airport, which lies to the west of London, is the busiest airport in the World when judged by international passenger numbers. There is a fast rail link, Heathrow Express, which links the airport with London terminating at Paddington Station – the trip takes roughly 15minutes non-stop.

Once you are in London there is a choice of tube, bus, taxi or good old-fashioned walking to get around the many attractions. If you do elect to use the tube then look out for the Oyster Cards which you can purchase at many outlets. These cards offer the cheapest way of getting around on the tube – of course a tube map is essential.

London is well equipped with open spaces and there are many public parks where you can sit and relax and enjoy a picnic. The most famous park is probably Hyde Park with its Serpentine Lake but there is also St. James Park with its Pelicans and Regents Park which is home to a Zoo. During the summer season Hyde Park hosts a number of big concerts which are hugely popular. Names such as The Police, Queen, and Rolling Stones have played here and recently the Nelson Mandela concert took place here celebrating his birthday and raising money for charity.

For more information and things to do in London, go to www.myUKbreak.com

West Highland Way - Scottish Highlands, Hiking & Walking

2010-04-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

For keen walkers this is one of the 'must do' walks in the UK. Careful planning is required because the full walk is 95 miles in length. The route takes you from the northern edges of Glasgow to Fort William (or vice-versa) and along the way you will pass by spots such as Rob Roy's cave, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Ben Nevis.

The terrain along the walk is diverse from lowland moors, dense woodland, rolling hills and of course the mountainous Scottish Highlands. As you can imagine on a long walk like this you will see all sorts of flora and fauna some which are rarely seen thoughout the UK. Highlights of the walk include;

* Mugdock Country Park

* Loch Lomond

* Ben Lomond

* Glen Falloch

* Strathfillan

* Rannoch Moor

* Buachaille Etive Mor

* Glencoe

* Lairigmoor

* Glen Nevis

The route itself uses Drove Roads, Military Roads and a number of disused Railway Tracks. You should plan your days based upon the ability of the walkers and to ensure you have a chance to take in many of the sights along the way.

The route is as follows with approximate distances and timings:

Milngavie to Carbeth - - - - - - - 5 miles (8 kms) / 3 - 4 hours

Carbeth to Drymen - - - - - - - - 7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours

Drymen to Balmaha - - - - - - - 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Balmaha to Rowardennan - - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Rowardennan to Inversnaid - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inversnaid to Inverarnan - - - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inverarnan to Crianlarich - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Crianlarich to Tyndrum - - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran - 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours

Inveroran to Kingshouse - - - 10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven - - 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kinlochleven to Fort William - 14 miles (22.4 km) / 7 - 8 hours

For more information on walks, accommodation and information on areas, go to www.myukbreak.com

Top 10 Coastal Walks in the UK & Ireland

2010-01-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of some of the top coastal walks around the UK. The walks vary from lovely leisurely strolls to breezy clifftop rambles. What the walks do have in common though is refreshing sea air and some of the best coastal scenery the UK has to offer.

1. Pittenweem to Elie - Fife Coastal Path, Fife, Scotland

This is a six hour one way walk along a stretch of the Fife Coastal Path between Pittenweem and Elie. The walk takes you past two castle ruins, some interesting rock pools which are well worth investigating and a restored windmill. Other attractions include Pittenweem which is a fisher ladies dream - visit there to find out why!

2. Craster to Dunstanburgh - Northumberland

This is a 6 mile circular route along some lovely sea-cliffs and past the Dunstanburgh Castle ruins. Starting in Craster this is a perfect walk for after a hearty kipper breakfast which Craster is famous for. The cliffs along the walk are full of birdlife and you will enjoy Newton Beach and the Newton Pool nature reserve. The National Trust owns most of the land along the walk and ensures that you will see lots of lovely plants and geology along your way.

3. Boggle Hole to Robin Hood's Bay - North Yorkshire

Boggle Hole is a quiet cove situated just down the coast from the busier Baytown. There are three different routes to Robin Hood's Bay from Boggle Hole but perhaps the most interesting way is via the beach - just be sure to check the tide times before you leave. The coast along here is well known for being one of the great fossil spots in the UK and if you were to break some of the rocks in two you are likely to find examples of fossilized ammonites. The walk along the clifftop is fenced and protects you from the cliff edges. Park your car above Boggle Hole and enjoy this three mile one way walk.

4. Burnham Overy Staithe to Wells-next-the-Sea - Norfolk

This eight mile walks starts by the old windmill in Burnham and ends in Wells. The sands here at Holkham Beach stretch for seven miles with wonderful coloured seas. This is the beach where they filmed Gwynneth Paltrow at the end of the film Shakespeare in Love.

5. Seven Sisters and Beachy Head - East Sussex

Enjoy this eight mile walk along the chalk white cliffs of East Sussex. A good place to start is at the Seven Sisters country park in Exceat. Park here and walk past the Golden Galleon Pub down a footpath across greenery towards the dramatic cliffs. Head up to the old lighthouse on Beachy Head and carefully peer over the cliffs below to the new Lighthouse built on the rocks below.

6. Durdle Door & White Nothe - Dorset

This is s lovely circular 7 mile walk which starts (and ends of course) at Lulworth Close. The cove is a popular tourist attraction with its castle and refreshment spots. Take in the delights of Durdle Door before moving on to Scratchy Bottom from there the walk takes you up and down all the way to Swyre Head, Batis Head and the navigation obelisk and coastguard cottages at White Nothe.

7. Hartland Quay to Hartland Point - Devon

This is a six mile circular walk which starts at the pretty quay at Hartland with its 12th Century Abbey. From here the walk takes you up and down for three miles to the lighthouse at Hartland Point. Looking out to sea and you will spot Lundy Island. Walking back you can stroll inland via Titchberry and Hartland Village where you will find some great spots to grab a cream-tea.

8. Stackpole Head - Pembrokeshire

This is another circular walk of about six miles taking you along some of the finest stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Along the way you will pass the amaxzing limestone cliffs as well as the lovely Barafundle Bay. The walk starts at Stackpole Quay, now owned by the National Trust, and then follows the cliffs southwards to the Head. On the walk back why not stop again at Barafundle for a quick dip.

9. Hilbre Island - Wirral

This three mile route requires careful adherence to the tide times. Tidal times are clearly posted with details of when you would need to have to leave Hilbre Island to get back safely. The island of Hilbre is the largest of three islets situated at the tip of the Wirral peninsular. The route will take you into a world of grey seals and migrating birds. Ensure you keep to the marked route vie Little Eye and Little Hilbre.

10. Elgol to Loch Coruisk - Isle of Skye

The longest of all the walks this is a 15 mile walk in the heart of the Cuillin mountains. The rocky scenery surrounds this desolate sea loch. If you are looking to do a round trip then the walk lasts 30 miles. This best route is via a boat in from Elgol followed by a walk back through Camusanary. In rainy weather please watch out as the stream that crosses at Camusanary can rise to a level where it is impassable. In this case you will be forced to take a long detour. Some stretches of the walk are quite rough underfoot and the "bad step" can be quite intimidating to some.

For more information on places to stay and things to do in the UK and Ireland, go to www.myUKbreak.com

Top Ten Things to Do and See (outside of London)

2010-01-24T04:23:00.001-08:00

Here is a list of the top ten things to do outside of London. The list comprises some of the most iconic sights around the UK. Of course there are many more places to visit and see but these are places that I would visit time and time again as many tourists do.

1. Windsor Castle - The Queens favourite home is located in Windsor and where she still spends most of her weekends. The castle itself sits high up overlooking the Thames and is probably best reached by train as it is just a short walk to the castle from the train station. The cost to enter the castle is approximately £14.50 for a full price ticket but if you register at the same time this permits you to re-enter the castle as many times as you like in that year. The castle itself covers an area of 13 acres and has been a royal home for nearly 950years. Some highlights of the castle are:

The State Apartments - which are extremely grand ceremonial rooms
The Semi State Rooms Because they either overlook the Queen's private apartments, or they are in use for annual ceremonial events, these rooms are not always open.
The amazing Art collection with royal family portraits by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyke.
St. George's Chapel - here the Duke and Duchess of Windsor are buried along with 10 other sovereigns.
Queen Mary's Doll House - An amazing miniature collection of works of art, book and music manuscripts.

2. The Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath - situated in the heart of the beautiful Roman city of Bath this is a wonderful place to spend a morning or an afternoon. Wander around the remarkable remains of these baths and spa. In the summer this is a hugely popular attraction made even more so on a lovely summers day. These baths are considered to be one of the best preserved religious spas in the world.

3. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton - this Regency Palace was the sea-side home for King George IV and was letter used by Queen Victoria. It was the architect, John Nash, during the 19th Century who created this amazing palace - the exterior is amazing with influences from India and China. The Palace is located in Brighton, on the south coast of England, which is just 30 minutes by train from London.

4. Hadrian's Wall - Towards the end of the reign of the Roman Empire, the Romans built a huge defensive wall, stretching right across the North of Britain, from Carlisle to Newcastle-on-Tyne. The wall was built to stop the Picts, from Scotland, invading England. Remnants of this amazing wall still exist covering some 73 miles and often used to create stone fences and the cobbles in stable courtyards today.

5. St.Ives in Cornwall - Cornwall, situated in the south-west of England is home to wide sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs and caves. St.Ives is a beautiful coastal fishing village, with steep cobbled lanes, wonderful craft shops and a climate considered to be one of the mildest in the UK. St.Ives is home to some of the best artists in the area drawn here to paint the wonderful harbour scenes. Even the famous Tate Gallery has its won art gallery here called Tate St.Ives.

6. Snowdonia - Snowdonia National Park is located in North Wales and has some of the most amazing mountain walks, as well as more gentle walks, great cycling routes, offers riding and pony trekking and is all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Snowdonia Mountains.

7. Edinburgh Castle - located high above the city of Edinburgh and seen from mile around. The castle is host to many events during the year but none more famous perhaps than the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is a colourful collection of marching bands, bagpipes, horses and tartan held every August. Of course the castle is a centrepiece of New Year celebrations with fireworks lighting up the skies above the
castle at midnight.

8. Stonehenge - perhaps the most iconic site in England. The circle of huge stones has kept the best historians guessing for hundred of years and will continue to do so. Stonehenge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and access is controlled to protect the stones for years to come. Each Summer Solstice thousands turn up to celebrate the sunrise.

9. Ironbridge - The Iron Bridge which spans the Severn Gorge in Ironbridge, in Shropshire, is hugely popular with families and those interested in the beginnings of early industry. At the Iron Bridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site there are 10 museums which span the 80 acres.

10. Giants Causeway - located in Coleraine on Ireland's beautiful coast the amazing Giants Causeway has been given the title the 8th Wonder of the World. Thousands of visitors come here every year to marvel at the intriguing rock formations which scientists have puzzled over for years.

For more information on things to do in the UK and places to stay - see www.myUKbreak.com

Things to do and see in Bath

2009-11-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

The City of Bath was established by the Romans in AD43. The great buildings date back to the renaissance in the 18th century. Jane Austen lived in Bath (on Gay Street) and of course based many of her books on Bath; there is the Jane Austen Centre which is open to visitors and displays the story of her life and times.

The Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey are the most popular and even though all the buildings are easily accessible through the cobbled lanes, it is advisable to take one of the Hop on, Hop off buses to get a true sense off all the architecture and the history of Bath.

There are many restaurants and shops dotted around Bath and there are always street performers around the main tourist attractions.

Sights and things to do which should not be missed include the No1 Royal Crescent, Theatre Royal, shopping in some of the great little shops, stopping off at Sally Lunn Bun – the oldest house in Bath (c.1483), the Fashion Museum which has displays of clothes dating from the 16th century to present, the Jane Austen Centre and of course, sampling some of the restaurants and pubs dotted around Bath.

For more information on Bath, accommodation and things to do; see www.myUKbreak.com

The joys of Scotland

2009-11-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

Scotland covers an area of some 30,414 square miles and in addition to the mainland has over 790 islands including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and second only in size to Glasgow.

Edinburgh attracts over 1 millions visitors each year which is second only to London. The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were designated a World Heritage Site in 1995. Edinburgh is famous for its festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Military Tattoo and the Hogmany (New Years Eve) celebrations which attract huge numbers of people from all over the World to the streets in the centre. Overlooking Edinburgh is its famous castle which provides fantastic views over the city and beyond. Also here is the famous Palace of Holyrood-house.

Scotland is famous for its Loch’s. Loch Ness is probably the most famous because of its legendary sightings of the mysterious “Nessie” which is purported to live in its deep waters. The Loch which has the largest surface area is Loch Lomond which is 24 miles long by up to 8 miles at its widest point. Loch Lomond is part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
For a truly wilder and back-to-nature experience then head for the Highland and Islands which capture the true essence of remote Scotland. Popular with hikers is Glencoe and the Cairngorms which provide a real challenge to climbers and skiers alike. Of course you can’t come to Scotland and not visit one of the many malt-whisky distilleries. Learn all about the different malts and what makes scotch malt-whisky famous around the world. The East coast is home to the Speyside distilleries which boast over half of Scotland’s distilleries. Just offshore from the mainland are some 800 islands which are accessible via a variety of means including short flights, land-bridges ferry routes. Islands that can be reached from here include the Orkneys and Shetlands.

Scotland of course has long been considered the home of golf and every year thousands come here to take advantage of some of the best courses in the World. St.Andrews in Fife, Gleneagles in Perthshire, Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast and the Royal Troon in Ayrshire are probably the most famous and magical places to play. However golf is not the only outdoor pursuit played here – there is rock-climbing, kayaking, sailing, pony-trekking, skiing and of course walking.

Scotland is a beautiful place and deserves the time needed to explore it. Hire a car and a TomTom and enjoy driving through this scenic country.

For more information and accommodation in Scotland - see: www.myUKbreak.com

The wonders of Wales

2009-11-13T04:19:00.000-08:00

Wales has a population of nearly 3 million people spread across an area 170 miles long by 60 miles wide. The majority of the population that live across this dramatic and changing landscape live in South Wales where Cardiff the capital of Wales is.

Wales is loved by walkers, sailors, cyclists and surfers who come to enjoy all that this country has to offer. The west coast of Wales has over 750 miles of wonderful coastline and areas such as Gower, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay have fantastic clean beaches with an abundance of sea-life. The shores off west Wales attract basking sharks, dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, porpoises and leatherback turtles. New Quay in Cardigan Bay boasts the only summer residency of bottle-nose dolphins throughout the UK. The wonder of Wales is that you are never far from a mountain or sea which is why so many people come back year after year. In 1956 the Gower Peninsula became the first region in the whole of the UK to be designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

The Coast

The coast of Wales is truly beautiful with some 42 beaches along it having achieved Blue Flag status which denotes the high state of cleanliness and safety. These awards are not handed out easily and it is testament to the time and effort put in to maintain this prestigious award status. This is highlighted by the fact that Oxwich Bay has also been named as the most beautiful beach in the UK!

Snowdonia National Park - North Wales

Snowdonia National Park covers 823 square miles of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in North Wales and has over 100 lakes within it. Among the 90 different mountain peaks here you will also find the tallest mountain in Wales. The park is a place where people live and work as well as come to visit and take part in the many activities on offer here. The park includes moors and wetlands as well as some 37 miles of clean beaches and coastline.

For more information on Wales and accommodation in Wales go to: www.myUKbreak.com

Destination Cornwall - UK

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Cornwall is quite simply one of the most beautiful counties in England and the most popular holiday destination in England. Visit here and you will understand why.

The coastline is probably one of the most dramatic around the UK and attracts huge numbers of visitors to the rocky cliffs, long sandy beaches, rock pools, small coves, coastal walks and wonderfully blue waters. Many of the beaches provide safe swimming with lifeguards on duty. Of course famous holiday destinations such as Newquay and St.Austell attract surfers from all over the world and now host some of the world surfing competitions.

The countryside here is outstanding with rolling hills and fields to be explored via the many footpaths, walking trails, canals, and horse trails.

For accommodation options:

Lizard Peninsula: The Mullion Cove Hotel http://www.myukbreak.com/info.php?lid=3

St Austell: Lower Barn Country Escape http://www.myukbreak.com/info.php?lid=5

St Ives: Primrose Valley Hotel http://www.myukbreak.com/info.php?lid=8

Padstow: The Metropole http://www.myukbreak.com/info.php?lid=9

For more information on things to do in Cornwall, information on the areas and places to stay see: http://www.myukbreak.com/

myUKbreak Launches!

2009-11-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

www.myUKbreak.com is a new travel website covering the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The site provides a wide range of places to stay to suit all budgets and includes Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfast, Farm Holidays, Cottages and touring.

myUKbreak also provides essential visitor information on the popular tourist areas to help you plan your perfect break including information on each of the regions, key areas of interest, towns and cities. Pictures for each area are provided to help illustrate the key attractions and diversity found across the UK and Ireland.

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have an excellent selection of year-round activities, events and attractions. myUKbreak provides suggested “Days Out” to make your stay an enjoyable and unforgettable experience – be it fishing, family days out, horse riding, sight-seeing, narrow boats, sailing, hiking trails, adventure breaks, heritage routes, stately homes and gardens, blue flag beaches, aquariums, surfing, music festivals, golf, food and drink, nature reserves and even zoos.

Key features of the site include the ability to find exactly what you’re looking for in the shortest possible time and even features a “Google” like search using keywords. There is also a “Theme” search which allows you to narrow down your search using certain criteria such as “Romantic”; “Gay Friendly”, “Vegan”; “Coastal”; “Village” and many more. There is also an online availability calendar and also a built in booking enquiry system.

To help with navigation, there are easy to use tabs which take you directly to the type of accommodation you’re looking for, e.g. self-catering or Farm Holidays. There are also easy tabs for “Pet Friendly”; “Special Offers” and “Late Availability”.

For people new to the UK and Ireland; there is an interactive map which allows you to search for information, events / activities and accommodation per region / county.

The site follows on from the successful launch of www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com which has received great reviews and feedback on both the usability factor and service received.

We are constantly looking for improvements on the site and will continue to develop and add information to the site. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email us as info@myukbreak.co.uk