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Fancy A Challege? Attempt The Three Peaks Challenge!

 Destinations  No Responses »
Apr 222011
 

The Three Peaks Challenge is a punishing challenge for fans of hill walking in the UK. Becoming possible with the invention of the motor car, the Three Peaks Challenge remains popular with walkers even today, often doing it for charity.

The Three Peaks Challenge consists of three walks, often within 24 hours. The starting walk is Ben Nevis in Scotland. This is usually done early in the morning. Following the descent, you hitch a ride south. This is where the race in 24 hours is won or lost, so it’s essential a driver, so you can sleep.

The reason why it’s won or lost here? If you hit rush hour around the Lake District, England, you will be queuing. Mountain number 2 is Scarfell’s Pike, the tallest mountain in England. This is the smallest mountain to climb, but it’s one of the hardest. The reason? Paths aren’t etched as easily as on the other two mountains, so it’s very easy to get confused. When you’ve descended Scarfell’s Pike, you drive to Wales to climb Snowdon.

The final mountain to ascend is Snowdon, in Snowdonia. The second highest mountain in the UK, Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales, and the last on your challenge. You should be climbing this in hours 18-24 of the challenge, as it takes about six hours to climb the mountain. But the challenge isn’t over until you climb back down the mountain and return to base camp.

If you do, before 24 hours after you started, then congratulations! You’ve completed the Three Peaks Challenge!

After such a climb like this, then you will want a few days off to recouperate and celebrate? There are plenty of Llanberis Hotels if you need time to recouperate!

How to Get to Brighton

 Destinations  3 Responses »
Mar 262011
 

The city of Brighton on the south coast of England has always been popular with both international and British holidaymakers. Ever since Victorian times Brighton & Hove has been popular with tourists and holidaymakers of all shapes and sizes. There is loads to do with the kids including the Sealife Centre and the Palace Pier. Lovers can enjoy treating themselves and staying in historic or ultra modern hotels Brighton. Last but not least you’ve got some of Europe’s most exciting and varied nightlife with dozens of clubs and hundreds of bars and pubs.


But how do you get to Brighton & Hove if visiting from overseas?

Well chances are if you’re arriving at the UK from overseas you’ll either come by air, sea or through the Eurostar tunnel from France.

Getting to Brighton from London airports

Brighton and Hove is very easy to get to from all the airports in and around London. London Gatwick is the closest to Brighton and is only around a 30 minute drive or train journey. If you book your taxis to Brighton before you arrive you’ll get a better rate and will be on your way quicker. Alternatively there’s a train station at Gatwick and trains to Brighton leave regularly throughout the day.

London heathrow is a little further away but yoou can still reach Brighton by hire car or taxi in around an hour and a half. By train you can access brighton by taking the underground from Heathrow to Victoria and getting the overground train to Brighton.

Arriving in the UK by Ferry

Brighton does not have a ferry port so if you’re arriving by sea from the continent chances are you’ll dock at either Newhaven or Dover ferry terminals. Newhaven is just about 20 minutes East of Brighton making it the closest option, although few services arrive at this port, buses and taxis are the easiest option to get to Brighton from Newhaven.

Brighton and Hove is just about smack bang in the middle of Dover and Southampton ports, about 90 minutes drive from either. As Dover is mostly a car ferry port rail links aren’t as good hear but the train from Southampton to Brighton is a good option and takes only around 80 minutes.

Getting to the UK by Eurostar

If you arrive in the UK via the Eurostar train from France you’ll come into St Pancreas international rail station. From there the quickest way to Brighton is to make your way via the underground to London Victoria and pick up the Brighton express trains which run regularly and take only 50 minutes from London to Brighton. Slower trains with more stops also operate this route.

Brighton, England – A Tourist’s Guide

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Mar 242011
 

Brighton has a long established record for being one of the UKs most vibrant cities, theres just so much to see and do, day and night, in this bustling city by the sea. Cosmopolitan, quirky and historical its all here and the city is easily explored on foot or by using public transport. Theres a fabulous mix of traditional British seaside fun to be had and cool city activities to enjoy in Brighton.

The Brighton Pavilion is of course a must see if you make a visit to Brighton. This elegant and exotic looking building was built as the seaside palace for the Prince Regent, George IV. You can take a tour of the pavilion where you will see examples of regency art, silverware and furniture. The surrounding grounds and gardens are also well worth a look.

Almost iconic as the pavilion is Brightons beautiful Victorian pier. Set above the famous pebble beach the pier has everything you would expect to see at the seaside! There are arcades where you can play the slots, a fish and chip restaurant and fairground rides for the children to enjoy.

Brighton is well known for its seaside activities but not everyone knows that the city has a lot of designated green spaces so there are plenty of parks and gardens for you to explore or simply have a picnic and hang out. The parks are a good place to bring the kids for some informal sports and games. The gardens at the Pavilion are attractive and well maintained and should interest anyone who has a liking for plants and flowers, also during the summer months the Pavilion gardens are used for entertainment and music events. The largest urban park is Preston Park and this is a great place for families to visit.

Brighton is also home to several museums that are worth a visit, including the Toy and Model museum, which holds a vast collection of toys from bygone eras. The Brighton Museum has interactive displays and has galleries that feature modern art and also fashion exhibitions and the Booth Museum of Natural History has exhibits featuring all kinds of animal and insect life.

Another great attraction to experience when in Brighton is the Volks Railway. This is Britains oldest electric railway and was built in 1883. The journey is approximately one and a quarter miles and takes in views of the beach, the pier and the marina.

Brighton Marina is a huge shopping centre that is just outside of the city centre. Here you will find all kinds of shops and there are some great cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a spot waterside dining. If you fancy taking in a film while you are in Brighton theres a cinema here and also a bowling alley and other indoor entertainments on offer, making the Marina a popular destination for a rainy day. The city of Brighton is also a good place for shopping with lots of interesting shops lining the quaint streets.

Learn More : Brighton Hotels

Visiting Westminster In London

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Mar 182011
 

The area of Westminster in London is jam packed with some of the capitals most iconic landmarks. The River Thames, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament can all be found in this part of London and, whats more, there are lots of other tourist attractions to keep you busy when visiting this area of the capital.

The London Eye is located on the south bank of the river Thames and stands an impressive 135 meters high. This is the worlds biggest observation wheel with 32 capsules that hold up to 25 people each. On a clear day from the very top it is possible to see views of anything up to 25 miles in every direction. You can spot lots of famous London landmarks from the top and during your ascent, including Big Ben, Windsor Castle and St Pauls Cathedral to name just a few.

Another great tourist destination in Westminster is The London Aquarium located next to Westminster Bridge. Here you can see around 3000 different types of marine life including huge rays and sharks. This vast aquarium is set over 3 floors, daily talks are given and feeding time is a popular event to watch.

Originally part of St Thomas Hospital, the Florence Nightingale Museum is a treasure trove of unique artifacts relating to the famous Lady of the Lamp. Here you will find fascinating items such as Athena, her pet owl that was stuffed by a taxidermist after it died, the medical chest she took with her to Turkey and of course the famous Turkish Lantern she carried when doing her rounds during the Crimean War.

The historical landmark, Westminster Abbey has been the location since 1066 for every coronation in England. The building that you see today was completed sometime after 1245 and draws on a few architectural styles. The Abbeys ornate organ is particularly notable and has been there since 1937. The nave is famous for being the final resting place of some well-known names. The Poets Corner holds the graves of Chaucer, Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling and the graves of scientist Sir Isaac Newton and naturalist Charles Darwin.

The Tate Britain Gallery is another tourist attraction you can visit in the Westminster area. This museum opened in 1987 and you will find British art by Turner, Blake, Hockney and Bacon to name just a few of the artists featured here. There is so much to discover and wonder at in this fascinating art gallery.

St James Park is in the Westminster area and a wonderful green space to explore on a fine day. The lake is home to various birds including black swans, ducks, geese and pelicans. For the children there is a good playground area and a caf© where you can enjoy a sit down and enjoy the tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

More : Westminster Hotel

Fun UK Weekend Breaks

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Mar 162011
 

When the world starts to get you down or you simply become bored with the same old routine, a fun weekend break in the UK is sure to set you right. The UK maintains a well-deserved reputation as a battle-tested region steeped in history, but it is also a land of numerous recreational and fun destinations. If you are planning to spend a couple of days in the United Kingdom, a few essential locations are worth a visit.

One place that you must visit in the UK is the seaside borough of Blackpool. This town that lies on the western shore of England along the Irish Sea houses attractions that bring visitors from all over the world. The beach is the driving force behind Blackpools tourism and runs along the entire waterfront. Winter Gardens is the home of the world-renowned Blackpool Dance Festival, one of the largest ballroom dancing competitions in the world. One of the best times to visit Blackpool is in late August, at the start of Blackpool Illuminations, a 7-mile long festival of lights that will literally brighten any weekend trip there.

Weekend breaks and theme parks seem to go hand-in-hand, and the UK offers up Alton Towers, one of the finest parks anywhere in the world. Alton Towers is located in Staffordshire, and nearly 2.7 million guests enter its gates every year. Top of the line roller coasters like Nemesis and Oblivion thrill visitors to Alton Towers, but that isnt all. Take the family along on the trip so that the children may enjoy Storybook Land and Old MacDonalds Farmyard, the location of a gentle petting zoo. The Gardens, where guests marvel at the Chinese Pagoda Fountain, and the Swiss Cottage are historic areas found in Alton. Be sure to visit The Towers, which are the remains of towers that looked upon the Talbot family home and namesake of the park itself.

The New Forest is the ideal destination for nature lovers who make a weekend of it in the UK. Its life as a National Park began in 2005 and it is about a two-hour drive from London. Miles of relaxing walking trails wind through the park and take strollers to enchanting villages and along a scintillating coastline. Grazing ponies are an interesting sight throughout the park, but they are off limits to riding. Horseback tours are provided to those who like to hop in the saddle and enjoy an equestrian experience.

The UK is home to weekend break opportunities that offer both relaxation and excitement. So many of the activities appeal to all ages that they are great trips for the entire family. Pack up a couple days worth of clothes and head out for a weekend in the UK.

Next : Blackpool Hotels

Best UK City Breaks

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Feb 222011
 

The United Kingdom is a massively popular destination for tourists from all over the world. This damp little island contains thousands of years worth of history, culture and development and is well worth a visit as theres something to suit every taste. The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each of which has their own capital city. Weve put together this guide to take you through some of their highlights to give you a feel for the place.

Considered to be one of the worlds major cities, London is located in south-east England and is the capital of the whole UK. Key attractions include Whitehall where you can stop and see the famous black door of 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. Also really popular among tourists is the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Youll also be spoiled for choice with the massive array of restaurants, theatres, museums and myriad other attractions available throughout the city.

If you visit Scotland, then you definitely need to go to Edinburgh, its capital city. One of the main attractions is Edinburgh Castle. This overlooks the city and was built over 1000 years ago, making it an absolute must see. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is also impressive and features a great art collection as well as being a royal residence. You could also see the Penguin Parade at Edinburgh Zoo. Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature and in 2009 was voted the best place to live in the UK.

If you visit Wales, then you should definitely see its capital city, Cardiff. Take in the sights on a boat ride round Cardiff Bay, which is a key attraction and the largest waterfront development in Europe, or perhaps go for a walk along Mermaid Quay. If you like music festivals, then you should visit The Big Weekend, a free festival featuring bands and the UKs largest traveling funfair. You could also see a free concert at the Wales Millennium Centre or visit the Impressionist paintings at the National Museum Cardiff.

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and, despite its troubled history, was recently declared to be the safest city in the UK. You could visit City Hall, which offers free guided tours, or perhaps Saint Annes Cathedral, which is very impressive and situated close to some great little stores, cafes and galleries. The ill-fated Titanic was built in Belfast, so its well worth checking out the Titanic boat tour. The Waterfront Hall also features some great performances its well worth investigating.

Find Out More : www.thecardiffapartment.co.uk

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