Leaving the EU a positive impact for the Isle of Wight

LEAVING the EU is having a positive impact on holiday island the Isle of Wight, according to Wight Coast Holidays who are the island's leading provider of self catering holidays.

Estimates vary but the company have seen a rise in holidays by over 20% for #IsleofWight holiday rentals in 2019 compared to 2018.

According to a spokesman from their office in Bembridge they have received multiple bookings from holidaymakers who normally visit Spain, France and Portugal worried about possible delays at airports after the UK leaves the EU - and the prospect of queueing for their flights with children in tow for hours on end has led to them considering the Isle of Wight in 2019, with some visiting for the first time in a few years.

For many in the UK the Isle of Wight ferry crossing separates them from a staycation on the mainland, and the crossing takes less than an hour with Red Funnel from Southampton and Wightlink from Portsmouth Harbour and Lymington.

While it's likely that other UK destinations will experience a holiday industry boost in Devon and Cornwall for example, the fact that to get to the Isle of Wight involves a ferry crossing for those used to going abroad could mean the island will benefit more from the uncertainty over Brexit.

Top attractions on the island include Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House but for family holidays the beaches of Bembridge, Seaview, Sandown and Shanklin could mean tourists will return again in future years with a positive impact on the tourist industry, which is a major player in the island's economy.


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Debut in one of the UK's largest cities

HOTEL Indigo Manchester – Victoria Station has opened its doors to guests, marking the brand’s debut in one of the UK’s largest cities.

Famous for its cotton mills and its role in the industrial revolution, #Manchester is a vibrant city that is rapidly expanding and regenerating, complementing its historical setting.

The boutique hotel is located at the gateway to the Northern Quarter, Manchester’s creative heart, and is adjacent to Exchange Square, the city’s shopping district.

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The Great West Way

A new bookable, multi-modal touring route from London to Bristol, designed to bring more tourism to the region, has been declared open. The Great West Way was declared officially open November 5 at the world’s biggest travel trade show, World Travel Market.

Funded by the UK Government’s Discover England Fund, this new bookable touring route encompasses a 500-mile network of road, rail, river, canal and paths from London to Bristol and has been brought to market by over 300 local tourism businesses and 23 Official Tour Operators.

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The Somerset Poppies

AT the Bishop's Palace in Wells an installation has literally popped up on the Croquet lawn. Featuring over 8000 poppies made by children at schools in and around Wells, Somerset. Each poppy will represent a serviceman from Somerset, or who served in a Somerset regiment, who lost his life in World War One.

Poppies can be pre-ordered for £5 at www.somersetpoppies.co.uk. All proceeds will be donated to the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion, and SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

The exhibition (11th - 25th November) is free to view.




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Picture Credit: Angela Suter

The Bear Grylls Adventure

THE wait is over for budding adventurers who want to tick a whole host of experiences off their bucket list including diving, Europe’s tallest high ropes course, indoor sky diving, rock climbing and base camp – which will equip you for the skill to tackle any adventure. All this under the expert guidance of trained experts on site.

Birmingham International will start to see thrill-seekers flooding in over the coming months as fans will travel nationwide to be challenged and rewarded by Bear Grylls Adventure. Groups of 3 and up will also be able to save an additional 20% off advance Virgin Trains services.

www.beargryllsadventure.com

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Rare honour bestowed on Heckfield Place

THE Times of London, has proclaimed Heckfield Place as “Hotel of the Year 2018.” The accolade appeared in the October 28 edition of The Sunday Times, a rare honour for a hotel that had opened only the previous month. 

Heckfield Place is located in the county of Hampshire, an hour southwest of London and just 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport. At the heart of more than 400 acres of grounds, formal gardens, woods and active farmland, the 250-year-old mansion offers 45 rooms.

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The Musical North East

THE Hartlepool Folk Festival is celebrating its fourth year with a newly-announced grant from Arts Council England. The festival, which has sold out for the last two years, is also upscaling its mainstage events from the 400-seat Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre to the 1200-seat Borough – a testament to the event’s popularity, artistic quality, and its contribution to the region’s cultural life – and will take place from 19th – 21st October.

Those who prefer jazz to folk are encouraged to head to Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Jazz Weekender, which takes place on the same weekend as Hartlepool’s Folk Festival. Programmed by Gateshead International Jazz Festival’s Ros Rigby, the Jazz Weekender will include a nod to the past, but also firmly look to the future, the festival is set to be an action-packed weekend in celebration of the genre.

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Celebrate the North East's Arts and heritage this Autumn

CELEBRATE 100 years since the Right to Vote; explore rural Wearside, and get involved in a whole host of festivals, all in the North East. The summer season might be drawing to an end, but the North East’s cultural offering is going from strength to strength, with an exciting programme of events planned for the whole of Autumn.

Twelve local authorities, the region’s five universities, the North East Chamber of Commerce, and individuals from Historic England and Arts Council England are working together under the North East Culture Partnership (NECP) banner – with the aim of championing, promoting and supporting the North East’s arts and heritage sectors.


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Trek The Peaks and raise money for charity

TrekFest The Peaks returns on Saturday 31 August 2019 in the stunning Peak District National Park. The ultimate UK trekking challenge involves hiking in the rugged countryside for either 25km or 50km, whilst raising vital funds for the charity of your choice.  This year’s TrekFest The Peaks was a huge success, with over 1200 people signing up – and 2019 is going to be even bigger and better!

Company Director at Global Adventure Challenges, Peter Robinson said: “Since launching TrekFest in 2013, it has quickly become our most popular event - with a record number of trekkers joining us on our 2018 challenge. TrekFest is a fantastic opportunity to take on an adventure whilst supporting a cause you’re passionate about. Since its launch in 2013, TrekFest has raised an amazing £2 million for charities nationwide.

www.trekfest.org.uk

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Journey of discovery at The Lakes Distillery

JOIN the The Lakes Distillery,near Bassenthwaite Lake, for the Lakes Autumn Whisky Festival and celebrate all things whisky. Our tour guides are ready to take you on a journey of discovery as they guide you through our whisky making process right up to spirit being laid to rest.

Not a whisky fan? You can take part in spirit tastings, sample our BBQ, dine alfresco and meet our herd of alpacas, or watch the Border Reivers Re-enactment.
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From literary classic to modern favourites

THE theme of Kendal Torchlight 2018 is ‘Books & Authors, from literary classics to more modern favourites. Kendal’s Torchlight Carnival is one of a kind to be held this year on September 14. 

Every year people line the streets to watch the procession, which involves local businesses, schools, organisations and clubs. From decorated floats and all manner of vehicles, to dancing troupes and marching musicians.

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Visitors flock to historic properties

VISITENGLAND'S Annual Attractions Survey shows historic properties experienced significant growth in visitor numbers in 2017.

Of the 1,400 English attractions surveyed the research found that historic properties such as mills, monuments, boats and burial grounds saw the largest increase in visitor numbers, up 8% on 2016.

The British Museum was the most visited 'free' attraction in England in 2017 for the 10th consecutive year with nearly 6 million visitors, and the Tate Modern came a close second with more than five and a half million.

The Tower of London topped the list as the most visited ‘paid for’ attraction for the ninth year running with 2.8 million visitors and Chester Zoo came in second place with 1.9 million.



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Luxury spa award for Thwaites Hotels

 THWAITES Hotels has been named top luxury spa group in Europe at an awards ceremony held recently in Ireland.

Two of its hotels also came home successful from the World Luxury Spa Awards on Saturday (July 14), with Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds winning best Luxury Fitness Spa in the UK and Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford scooping the title for top Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK.

The annual awards ceremony rewards and celebrates spas that set benchmarks in quality, innovation and service.

Thwaites Hotels Operations Director Chris Hill said: "We are thrilled with this news. The last 2 years has seen significant investment in our spas and there is more to come, as we are updating everything from the pool halls and gyms to the changing rooms and relaxation lounges."


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Summer of fun at Legoland Windsor

THE LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be hosting its first-ever 'Summer of Fun' event, set to thrill families throughout the school holidays. The two-month long event will invite guests to join an awesome Beach Party built just for kids, hosted at the resort's all-new 10m long sandy beach, with a host of beach activities for all the family to enjoy.

Plus, the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be unveiling its first-ever giant sand sculpture. The 20 tonne creation will be sure to wow guests, who can watch the sculptor in action (07 – 10 July) as he builds the spectacle, before the final creation is revealed on 11 July.

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Great North knees-up

GREAT Northumberland launches in Hexham on Saturday 7 July in what promises to be a fun-filled-festival demonstrating exactly what makes #Northumberland great.

To kick-off eight weeks of summer in the county, Great Northumberland (delivered by Northumberland County Council) are inviting everyone to Hexham Abbey Grounds and the Sele for a vibrant family-friendly day of performance, street theatre and a line-up of musicians designed to get everyone up and dancing, culminating in an energetic public ceilidh.

Inspired by the Great Exhibition of the North, Great Northumberland is designed to encourage those visiting the North for the once in a generation exhibition to venture further afield into England’s most northerly county.
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Rollercoaster Restaurant

THE Rollercoaster Restaurant, which opened in May 2016, is the only one of its kind in the UK and plays homage to the thrills of the theme park both old and new including the Corkscrew, Black Hole, Nemesis, Galactica and now Wicker Man. It offers guests panoramic views of their meals speeding down one of the most exciting roller coaster tracks yet. 

Thousands of people from across the globe have experienced the unique dining experience since the restaurant opened. Rollercoaster Restaurant serves up gravity defying dishes, each tackling 400m of track, which includes two gravity defying loop-the-loops, a labyrinth of turns, tornado spirals and giant 26ft drops before reaching diners! 

The Rollercoaster Restaurant is available during theme park hours to those visiting the theme park, as well as in the evenings for those just wishing to experience the restaurant. 

altontowers.com/rollercoaster-restaurant


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London's most prestigious address

MANDARIN Oriental Hyde Park, #London has completed the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history, designed to confirm this historic hotel’s position as one of the best in the world. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is London’s most prestigious address. 

Only to be hit by a fire that took hold of several floors of the hotel. All guests were accounted for but it is obviously a big blow following the recent multi million pound renovation.

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Picture Credit: wikipedia.org

Make and Mend Festival

MAKE & Mend Company will be taking over Preston Park Museum & Grounds, with a jam-packed programme of craft workshops, inspiring talks and wellbeing sessions. 

The festival created by two friends, Rachel Willis and Lyndsey Stephenson, is the first of its kind in the region and extols the virtues of crafting, creating and making for health, wellbeing and, of course, fun.


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Best wishes . . .

ALL eyes on #Windsor today for the Royal wedding. Today Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot at midday in St George's chapel followed by a carriage procession around Windsor. They will then be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

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A first time winner

THE first British Airways Run Gatwick took place on Sunday May 13, with more than 3600 runners putting themselves through their paces on routes through the Sussex countryside and around Gatwick Airport. 

The race, which incorporated an international half marathon, a corporate 5K and a family run attracted runners of all ages and abilities, with elite, club and amateur runners from the UK and abroad as well as a number of British Airways employees. 

 It was the first time British Airways has sponsored a UK race, and participants were treated to a first-class race experience with flight themed medals, British Airways ambassadors on hand and a British Airways base camp and fan zones.

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