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Cheltenham: Things To Do in the Centre for the Cotswolds

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Cheltenham can be found in the heart of Gloucestershire and is within easy driving distance of the cities of Swindon and Oxford. It is also close to the picturesque villages that can be found in the Cotswolds.


But, in Regency Cheltenham there are plenty of things for one to do and see whilst visiting this historic spa town.

1. Cheltenham Racecourse and its Hall of Fame – This traces the history of steeple chasing right the way back to 1819. You can look back through the winners of the Gold Cup, one of National Hunt racing’s premier races, but you can also find out how Cheltenham has become an Irish stronghold in the world of racing. The exhibition also looks at the numerous racehorse trainers and jockeys who have helped to make this course special in the world of racing.

2. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway – Steam trains run almost every weekend during the summer between Toddington, Winchcombe and Cheltenham. There are also extra trains at differnt times of the year and seasonal events that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

3. The Holst Birthplace Museum – This terraced Victorian building has had the kitchen lovingly renovated and inside you will find many items that are to do with the composer of the music suite “The Planets”. You can spend time exploring the composer’s youthful days and also his later years and even see the piano where he composed his music along with some of his music scores.

4. The Pittville Pump Room – This grand building is often used as the symbol of the town and is the jewel of its Regency architecture. It has a commanding view of the lawns and lakes of Pittville Park and is host to many displays and exhibitions throughout the year. If you are feeling brave then you have the opportunity to taste the unpleasant waters which many from around the country would flock to for they believed they could cure all kinds of ailments.

5. Sandford Parks Lido – This is one of the UK’s biggest outdoor pools and is surrounded by landscaped gardens. Not only is there the main pool which measures 50 meters but there is also a children’s pool plus a paddling pool All the pools are heated during the summer season. However, this park doesn’t offer just the facility for swimming you can also play volleyball, table tennis and basketball here as well.

6. St Mary’s Church – This is the oldest building in the town and was built in the middle of the 11th Century. It displays the Royal Coat of Arms and this was to commemorate the visit made by George III in 1788. Another feature which many enjoy is the 14th Century rose window, the canopied piscine and lierne vaulting of the baptistery. Plus inside there are many memorials to some of its citizens including Henry Skillicorne who developed the town’s first spa.

Next time you stay in Cheltenham, check out this list of Cheltenham accommodation.

What To Do When You Visit Falmouth, Cornwall

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The town of Falmouth in Cornwall sits on the River Fal and is located on Cornwall’s south coast. The actual harbour in the town is the third deepest natural one in the world and holds the title of being the deepest in Western Europe. Certainly when it comes to Falmouth vacations, there are lots of different things to see and do in the town itself and nearby.

The accommodation in Falmouth is many and varied. Quite a few of the Georgian townhouses found in it have been converted either into hotels or into guesthouses. Many of these have the most amazing views of one of the five beaches that it boasts. The first of these being next to the Pendennis Castle, then you have Castle Tunnel, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and finally Maenporth.

As well as the beaches where you can lay back and soak up the summer sun as Cornwall is one of the sunniest parts of the UK. If sunbathing isn’t your scene, maybe you would prefer to visit the National Maritime Museum and explore our nautical history. The museum’s building opened in 2003 and was designed by the architect M. J. Long.

Along with the port still fully functioning as a cargo one where goods are brought onto the mainland. The port also features on the itinerary of a number of different cruise lines. Last year, the port was host to 64 cruise liners who stopped there before continuing on their journeys. The port is still a vital part of the town and is responsible for much of the local economy.

That said, because of both its location, favorable weather and easy access to the rest of Cornwall, the town is also popular as film and TV makers. During 1935, the actor Will Hay was to be found staying in the town whilst he took part in the filming of “Windbag the Sailor”. Later, the town saw Sir John Mills star during the filming of Scott of the Antarctic. Additionally, Disney used the town as part of its filming of Treasure Island.

If you’re a fan of this era of movies you will soon be able to recognise some of the places in the town as you stroll around that formed the backdrop to some of the scenes. Tourists from the world over still come to visit and the town has done it’s best to keep modern developments away and retain its original character.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay that will offer you a peaceful, gentle time then a vacation in Falmouth will be your ideal choice.

Check out this long list of Falmouth hotels.

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.

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