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What To Do When You Visit Gloucester

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The city of Gloucester is situated on the River Severn and is the 46th largest settlement in England. When you decide to visit Gloucester,


you’re sure to find plenty of
things to keep you occupied in the city and nearby.  A short drive from the city and visit the woodlands of the Royal Forest of Dean or on a clear day enjoying the views from the Malvern Hills. Whilst to the east you have the Cotswolds with its variety of quiet unspoilt villages, which you can  explore. 

Although the city is a port, the docks got neglected and but have since been extensively renovated. Now you can spend time wandering around this beautiful open space or you can visit one of the many shops in the docks area. There are also some lovely bars where you can sit and enjoy some great drinks and food. One of the old dock warehouses also houses the National Waterways Museum. If you’re interested in military history, then make sure to check the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum in Custom House. 

A visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without seeing Gloucester Cathedral. This building has been a place of worship for more than thirteen hundred years. Inside you will be amazed at the beautiful architecture and its cloisters are considered to be among the most beautiful in England today. If you get a sense of deja-vu, you know this building from somewhere then you do as the cathedral has been used as a location for the Harry Potter movies.

Another place that many people like to spend time in when visiting the city of Gloucester is its park. This can be found just a short stroll from the city center and was the first park to be developed. The park has lots of space to keep your children occupied and you to enjoy a picnic on a summers afternoon. The park is host to a number of different events during the summer. You can find out about these online or at the Information Office that is housed in a Tudor Cottage and will tell you exactly what is happening at the time of your visit.

One more place that may well be of interest to you when you v is Blackfriars. This is the oldest surviving Dominican Priory in England.  Although it hasn’t been a friary since 1538, Thomas Bell bought the buildings for himself. He had part of the monastery converted into a home and the remainder of the building was turned into a factory which made clothes locally. At certain times of the year English Heritage now offer guided tours around the property.

Check out this Gloucester hotel directory for your next visit.

What To See And Do When You Stay In Colchester

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Colchester is the largest of all the settlements in the County of Essex in England. It lays claim to being the oldest settlement in the whole of Britain and is certainly the oldest recorded Roman town in England. Because of its history, there are lots of attractions in Colchester, which you can explore when you visit the town. In this article, we look at just a few which may be worth considering visiting when you visit Colchester.

1.  Balkerne Gate – The most complete Roman gateway in the country and it is thought to have been built in 55 AD. It was originally actually the main way that visitors would enter the town but it’s gradually been turned into a triumphal arch. Then after this, the gateway was merged into the town’s walls then in 465 AD it got blocked up to help improve the town’s defence system. It was rediscovered about a hundred years ago which is why it’s been so well preserved.

2.  Charter Market – The oldest recorded market in the United Kingdom has been run here for more than 800 years now. The market was granted a Royal Charter in 1189 by King John and this is where its name originates from. You can still find a market at Charter Market twice a week, on Fridays and Saturdays and there is a wider than normal variety of goods as no two stalls can sell the same items. 

3.  Colchester Castle – Altough “only” dating back to Norman times, this castle was built on the same ground as the Temple to Claudius in Roman times. However, the temple was destroyed in 60AD as part of Queen Boudica’s campaign to force the Romans to leave Britain. The Normans re-used the stone to build the castle which means the fabric of the building dates back to the Romans. 

The castle boasts one of the oldest and largest of all castle keeps to be built in Europe and inside the walls of the castle there are lots of things to see and do. There are a number of exhibitions in the castle, tracing more than two thousand years of British history and there are displays that one can interact with as well. Whilst touring the castle you can learn more about Matthew Hopkins the Witch finder General who used it as a jail at the times that the trials were taking place.

4.  Colchester Zoo – One of Europe’s finest zoos located a short drive from Colchester. Located in around sixty acres of English countryside the zoo has more than 200 species of animal for you to look at. Along with elephants in Elephant Kingdom, there are the chimpanzees in Chimp World to enjoy. Plus you will find other parts of the zoo just as enthralling. As with any zoo, you’ll almost certainly find yourself spending lots of time here.

Check out this list of Colchester accommodation for your next visit.

Discovering What To Do In Brighton

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Holidays in Brighton are popular with not only people in the United Kingdom but those visitors from around the world also. Perched on the south coast of England, this town is one of the biggest of all the settlements to be located by the sea in the UK.

The town originally known as Brighthelmston dates back to well before the Domesday Book of 1086. That said, the town’s significance as a health spa only came to the fore in the 18th Century. It became even more popular with visitors thinking about spending a day by the seaside as the railway came to it in 1841. This is a place where many of the aristocracy of the 18th and 19th Centuries would spend time together.

Actually, when you look back in history during the 1500’s Brighton was only a tiny fishing village and only had 1,500 inhabitants in small cottages. There are still examples of these buildings which you can find in The Lanes. The 1600’s saw quite a large change because Dr Richard Russell from the nearby town of Lewes started to extol the virtues of using seawater for treating glandular diseases.

After 1750 the town started to fill with visitors who wanted to test the sea water to see if it really could help them. The town also became popular after members of the Royal Family decided to try the waters and also bathe in the sea.

Nowadays, Brighton sees over eight million people a year visit and they enjoy everything that this coastal town has to offer. Hotels in Brighton itself ranges from luxury (expensive) hotels to mid priced ones. Plus there are plenty of great little guest houses and bed & breakfasts which offer you a much more friendly and personal touch.

Once in Brighton there is plenty for you to see and do from wandering the local streets. Plus a walk along the promenade and the unmissable Palace Pier and Royal Pavilion both of which normally end up on your tourist agenda. Certainly, the Royal Pavilion is something that should not be missed.

Called a folly this building was created by the Prince of Wales who was later crowned George IV. He was well known for his flamboyancy and eccentric ways but the building that he created is still standing as a memory of a bygone era although Brighton has long since surrendered to the influx of tourists.

Along with the more traditional attractions, you’d expect to see in a prestigious UK seaside resort, Brighton is also host to a myriad of cultural events each year as well. Of course, you’ll still find the amusement arcades plus souvenir shops but look further and you’re bound to find all sorts of other delights that help people come back to this town.

When it comes to holidays in Brighton you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all the different things to see and do here.

Check out this list of Brighton accommodation.

Destinations And Travel – Bakewell In The Peak District National Park

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The Peak district National Park attracts visitors from around the globe some of whom come to get out in the wilds and are happy to stay in one of the Peak district b&bs whilst other come to the area to visit many of the town and villages around the area many of which are home to Peak district luxury hotels.

One of the towns in the area is Bakewell in Derbyshire and it is right in the heart of the Peak District, is a small and extremely beautiful market town. Bakewell is positioned right by the river wye and traffic still uses the very picturesque 5 arched bridge which despite its thirteenth century origins is still in use today. Due to increase in traffic over the centuries it was widened in the 19th century.

Un beknown to many people is the history of Bakewell and how old it acually is. recorded history dates back to the first century so it was a very important village even back then. The local grammar school was founded in 1637 by the marriage between Sir George Manners and Grace Pierrepont and the school is known as Lady Manners School.

The local church here most of which is still standing today, has roots dating back to 13th century and parts of the original Saxon and Norman stonework are still visible, although much restoration happened in the 1800’s. The church is quite squat and wide in design but is complimented by the octagonal tower with its spire.

There used to be in the centre of Bakewell the White Horse Inn, which has been replaced by The Rutland Arms Hotel, with some other various buildings being demolished in 1805, to form Rutland Square.

Centuries ago, these would of catered for coach travellers who passed through the town, and it has always been reputed for the connection to Jane Austin, who was reported to have stayed at this hotel, whilst writing Pride and Prejudice, and that Lambton in the book has been identified as Bakewell.

Another truly great invention happened by accident at the hotel, and that is the famous Bakewell pudding known throughout all of the UK. Folklore has it that the cook mixed up the ingredients and instructions resulting in the egg being poured over the jam instead of being mixed with the pastry, the result of which was naturally a pudding.

There are numerous shops in the town centre where these puddings can be purchased.

Bakewell in the peak district is at the southern end of the Pennines in Central England, there are thousands of people who visit this beautiful area every year, probably making it the second most popular National Park in England.

There are some really beautiful and interesting places to visit on Peak District holidays especially in and around Bakewell. The area has something for everyone, whether you want a hotel, or a guest house, there are plenty to choose from, who all offer good food and quality Bakewell holiday accommodation.

To fine out more about this delightfull region visit the Peak District tourism blog

Paris in the Spring: Lovely at Any Time

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Arriving in Paris you will probably want to check into your Paris 5-star hotel first, but the city will draw you out into the streets in short order. Choosing a central hotel may be more expensive than somewhere at the end of the metro line, but being right in the midst of the famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre has a lot going for it. Whatever your budget think carefully about your Paris hotel’s location, it will make a big different to your holiday – especially if you are on a limited budget

Another must-see sight is the Champs Elysees or the Elysian Fields. It is considered as the most beautiful avenue in the whole world which started as a plain field but later on converted into a pathway lined with trees. It runs from the Concorde Square up to the equally famous Arc de Triomphe and became one of the attractions and features of Paris. It is one of the most famous streets in the whole world.

Who can leave Paris with out visiting the Arc de Triomphe. It is a large arc which serves as a roundabout a meeting point of more than twelve avenues in the whole city of Paris. It stands as a commemoration of the great victories of Napoleon. To get to the top of the Arc requires 284 steps: Paris will get you fit. It is one of the main landmarks of the city.

The selection of building, museums art galleries and fantastic shopping make Paris one of the best tourist cities in the world. First-time travellers to France would be foolish to skip the famous Sainte Chapelle over-looking the city or the Catacombes des Paris. Still, there are other landmarks that you can visit when you plan a vacation in Paris. These places will make your stay in Paris memorable and will make your sleep in your Paris apartment as peaceful and as dreamy as ever.

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