Holiday In

Holiday in the Cotswolds

Situated in the southwest of the England, the beauty of the Cotswolds has long been known and has helped to make the area one of the most desirable holiday locations in the country. As the current economic crisis continues to erode the value of the pound abroad, more and more Brits are looking for great holiday alternatives at home. One of the main benefits of holidaying in the gorgeous Cotswolds is that the area is easily accessible without having to go through the trauma of international air travel.

Renowned for its lush, rolling hillsides, green meadows and small, relaxed villages, the area conjures up an image of a land where time stands still. This feature of the Cotswolds is indeed one of the main advantages of taking a break here as you immediately feel far removed from the worries of modern life. But for those that enjoy the conveniences of the city every once in a while, the Cotswolds also has something for you.

Why not visit the beautiful and historic city of Bath? Named for the therapeutic hot springs found there in the eighteenth century, the city is a great place to spend a weekend with everything from culture and history to shopping and restaurants. There has been a resurgence in the popularity of complementary therapies in recent years any many opportunities have arisen to sample the historic spa facilities. Bath and Cheltenham are particularly good places to explore the healing power of these springs and several modern hotels now offer fantastic spa packages. Whether you choose to focus your time in the urban or rural areas of the region, there really is something for everyone in the Cotswolds.
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Holiday in Devon

Devon is a huge county with two coastlines, a National Park, charming towns, tucked away villages and unspoilt rolling countryside. There is always something to see and do and the visitor will always be surprised at the variety of what is on offer. Around every corner is something different.

Devon North Coast

The North coast is famous for its wide sandy beaches – this is surfing country. Competitions are held here and, in summer, there is a wonderful atmosphere in the air as surfers come here from all parts of the UK and beyond. Behind the beaches are farms, small villages and interesting small towns. If you want fresh air, golden sand and a wide expanse of scenery, this is the place to stay. Ancient pubs can be found in almost every village, many offering accommodation as well as food and drink. There are two major towns in the North – Barnstaple with its delightful pannier market and Bideford, a port town on the River Torridge.

Devon South Coast

By way of contrast, the South coast of Devon is warmer with tourist beaches as well as tucked away coves. Many beaches in this area offer safe swimming which is ideal for families. On this coast are the well known seaside resorts of Torquay, Dawlish and Teignmouth. The River Exe with its estuary at Exmouth is an internationally famous birdwatching site and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds provides cruises up the river most of the year. On the West bank of the river lies Powderham Castle, home to the Earl of Devon, with its fine deer park. The castle and grounds are open to the public and a visit makes a perfect day out.

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Holiday In Cornwall

Rugged cliffs, green fields, crashing waves and beautiful stone cottages combine to make Cornwall amongst the most scenic regions of the UK. Lying on what is known as the ‘Lizard Peninsula’, this beautiful county in the West of the UK enjoys the longest stretch of coastline in Britain – 80 per cent of Cornwall is surrounded by water, with the coastline covering almost 700 kilometres. It’s no wonder that surfers and sunseekers head to Cornwall in their thousands each year –in Cornwall one is never more than 16 miles from the sea, and there are more than 300 beaches just crying out to be explored.

For many centuries Cornish villages have been home to fishermen keen to reap the rewards of a day out at sea, and today the coastline attracts watersports enthusiasts from across the UK along with British and international tourists drawn to the beautiful scenery, rich local culture and fascinating history of the county.

Beaches in Cornwall

The beaches of Cornwall are legendary, and happily the county’s position in the far South of the UK means it enjoys warmer, sunnier weather than much of the country. On the North coast of the peninsula lie vast sandy beaches washed by crashing Atlantic waves and thronged with surfers, whilst the South coast is home to the hidden coves and sheltered bays that made Cornwall a haven for pirates in times gone by.

The clean, clear blue waters and breathtaking views have lost none of their potential to impress and holidays in Cornwall remain popular with families, couples and groups of friends as well as with surfers, scuba divers, windsurfers and others with a taste for waterborne adventure.

The clear waters also make Cornwall a favourite spot for divers from across the world – here divers can plunge into the turquoise sea and spot countless varieties of marine wildlife as well as fascinating plantlife and even the remains of the odd shipwreck or two.

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Holiday in Wales

Fresh air and wide open spaces spring to mind when we think of a holiday in Wales. There are certainly excellent opportunities for holidaying in Wales as this country has three National Parks: the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Snowdonia National Park, each with its own distinctive character and special features. These areas are protected sites and certainly enhance the pleasure of holidays or short breaks.

Welsh National Park

Lying to the North of Cardiff and Swansea lies the Brecon Beacons National Park which covers a vast area of rural countryside and mountains. From its remote wilderness, contrasting with sheltered ancient woodlands, reservoirs, breathtaking waterfalls, caves and windswept uplands, there is something for everyone here.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on the far West coast of Wales is the smallest of the National Parks and consists mainly of protected coastline, small islands, wildlife, coves, historic castles and sandy beaches. This peninsula is an unspoiled area of breathtaking beauty and the visitor can choose to stay in one of the small fishing villages along the coastline. Off the shore of Pembrokeshire lie the islands of Skomer and Skokholm, internationally famous for their bird life such as puffins which nest here. Venture into the Preseli Hills North of the market town of Haverfordwest and you are almost sure to hear the Welsh language spoken by the people who live there.

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Holiday in Scotland

At the North West tip of Europe lies Scotland – one of the four countries that make up the UK. Scotland is roughly 300 miles from North to South and around 200 miles from East to West. Scotland is a beautiful country in which to take a holiday and, once you have done so, you will probably return time and time again. Scotland offers everything to the tourist – coastline, mountains, tranquillity, culture, good food and, most of all, a warm welcome.

There are airports at Glasgow Prestwick, Glasgow International, Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The train journey from London to Edinburgh is around 5 hours so Scotland is very accessible.

Scottish Cities

Scotland’s capital city is Edinburgh which sits in perfect contrast to the tranquillity of the surrounding Lothians region. Edinburgh certainly has one of the loveliest cityscapes in the world making it the perfect city break destination. With Edinburgh Castle dominating the skyline, there is plenty to see and do here. Edinburgh seems to have the perfect balance between things traditional and contemporary. You can visit world class museums and galleries, or perhaps take a tour on an open top bus. The city hosts world famous festivals and has top class restaurants and bars as well as fabulous shopping.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, situated about an hour’s drive West of Edinburgh and the city is famous for its architecture, museums, football and its friendly people. Elsewhere in Central Scotland you will never be far from a historical monument, castle or place to visit.

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