It's great to be in the North

THE Great Exhibition of the North (22 June to 09 September 2018) will celebrate the North’s cutting-edge technology and inspiring culture that has defined the past and continues to shape the future. 

The free, family-friendly Exhibition brings together performance, visual arts and interactive experiences using the city as its stage, with activity in NewcastleGateshead’s world-class venues and outdoor spaces. 

Visitors can begin their journey at one of two Exhibition Hubs at the Great North Museum or Gateshead Quays (BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Sage Gateshead), connected by three walking trails focusing on arts and culture, design and innovation.

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Lighting up London in 2018

ONE of the most spectacular free events to ever take place in the capital, #Lumiere was created by Artichoke in Durham in 2009, and took place again in 2011, 2013 and 2015, commissioned by Durham County Council.as In 2013, Artichoke produced Lumierein Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture. In January 2016, the company staged the first Lumiere #London, supported by the Mayor of London, attracting audiences of over 1 million over four nights Lumiere returns to London in January 2018.

Newly revealed artworks coming to London for the UK’s largest light festival include:

• Interactive illuminated singing see-saws in South Molton Street in Mayfair
• An immersive work that imagines a world under water at King’s Cross 
• A meditation on time from the Industrial Revolution to the present day projected onto the iconic Hotel Café Royal building on Regent Street
• Flamingos flying through Chinatown London 
• A triptych of animated self-portraits in Leake Street 
• Matisse-inspired animation dancing across the facade of the Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly

www.visitlondon.com/lumiere

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Thailand for family fun

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working with True Corporation to support tourist families arriving in Bangkok by giving away sim-cards and offering a #Family Fun #Thailand application for smartphones that allow families to take advantage of a range of promotions and offers in Thailand during June – November, 2017. 

True Corporation will provide 1,000 sim-cards per month to family during the six-month period. When travellers register these sim cards, they will receive a text message via a short message service (SMS) with instructions to download the Family Fun Thailand application. Once downloaded, visitors can view family-friendly tourism products and services on offer across Thailand, including discounts of up to 60 per cent on some attractions including the Flying Squirrels, Yoyo Land, Upside Down Pattaya, Vanich Farm, Phuket, Mercure Hotels, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Botanica Khao Yai, Long Beach Garden Hotel and Spa, Pattaya, Life Spa @ Sea, Springfield, Oasis Spa Lanna, and River Star Princess. 

The activity is part of the ‘Family Fun’ project launched by TAT in late April to promote Thailand as a family destination, targeting especially at families from ASEAN, South Asia and the South Pacific. The project is aimed at boosting tourism to the kingdom during the ‘Green Season.’ The Family Fun Mobile App can be downloaded here.

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Brighton Fringe

BRIGHTON Fringe is England’s largest arts festival in various locations throughout #Brighton, this years event runs from May 5 - June 4.

A wide array of critically acclaimed shows and performers also appear at Brighton Fringe each year and this year’s programme includes a record-breaking 932 shows and events across a dizzying array of art forms, including the first ever Fringe All-Nighter (27 May) with shows running until dawn.

More than 200 events are free.

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Sheep & Wool Day in the Cotswolds

A FAMILY fun day on May 1 to celebrate the Cotswolds Lion Sheep; the ancient breed that brought wealth to the #Cotswolds.  Come along to meet the sheep and try your hand at spinning wool. We will have music, BBQ and plenty of activities for children. 

The event will be held at The Cotswolds Discovery Centre which is housed in the grade II* listed Old Prison, a fascinating 18th century building and now a unique historic visitor attraction in the Cotswold market town of Northleach.

The event is free and no booking is required just turn up and have fun.

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Outdoor shows in Blackpool’s LightPool extravaganza

BLACKPOOL’S ‘Brilliance’ arches will play host to a month of outdoor performances and live music throughout October as part of Blackpool Illuminations’ LightPool programme. The arches, based on Birley Street in the town centre, become the centrepiece of 11 different shows over five weekends during the month.  
Throughout October, every Friday and Saturday evening will see a different performance taking place underneath the arches. An outdoor dance performance on bikes, Strictly Night Cycling, will start the events on October 2 and 3.

On October 8, poets will read their literary works out over the arches’ speaker system, as part of National Poetry Day. Aerial acrobatics will returns to #Blackpool on October 9 and 10, with the Wired Aerial Theatre group.

Circus acts and street artists will perform on October 16 and 17, and illuminated umbrella parades will lead people from the Promenade in to Birley Street on October 23 and 24.

The festival of acts will finish with two live music sessions on October 30 and 31.

All of the events will be #free.

Artistic Director of LeftCoast, Michael Trainor, said: ‘What we’re doing is bringing the Illuminations to life, giving people something that is live and happening all around them. We’ve managed to attract some exciting and talented artists to take part – but let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to star in #BlackpoolIlluminations.’

www.visitblackpool.com/lightpool
www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Picture Credit: www.visitblackpool.com

Paintballtastic!

MORE than 350 paintball teams and thousands of fans from around the world will descend on #Kissimmee, #Florida, to compete in the 2015 National XBall League (NXL) World Cup (October 14-18). 

For professional, amateur, and novice teams, the #NXLWorldCup is a chance to win the most prestigious trophy in paintball, as well as the last opportunity to earn ranking points toward the annual series championship. 

There will be 12 different divisions of play for paintball teams at all levels, including a division for over 40-year-olds.

Parking and entrance at the venue – between Walt Disney World Resort and Kissimmee’s Old Town – is free.  

www.PlayNXL.com
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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7225200@N08/470056410">Coolest Dude of the day.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Coming up on Guernsey …

Beachside outdoor cinema, August 25-31: The ultimate outdoor cinema experience hits Guernsey each summer with the Sure Big Screen at Cobo Bay, one of the island's best sandy bays on the west coast. The outdoor screen on the beach will show three to four films a day, with movies for children in the early afternoon, followed by family films in the evening and adult films later on. The screenings are free and good seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival, September 26-27: Guernsey is a small island but locals enjoy a multitude of locally-brewed beers and ciders, which can be enjoyed at the first Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival in the capital, St. Peter Port.

www.visitguernsey.com

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Picture Credit: "Little chapel (inside), Guernsey (1993)". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Country matters … in Somerset

 A CALENDAR highlight in the West Country is the one-day Mid Somerset Show (also known as the Shepton Show) in Shepton Mallet. 

Reputed to be Europe’s largest free one-day show – and now in its 163rd year – it’s a celebration of all things agricultural: livestock rearing, country crafts, local heritage, and farming history. Competitions are held for animals, produce, and handicrafts, and other attractions include trade stands, classic car displays, and craft demonstrations.

Each of the two show rings have a full programme of events throughout the day, which this year is Sunday, August 16.

Entry for pedestrians is free, but there is a parking charge of £10 per vehicle, irrespective of the number of passengers.

www.midsomersetshow.org.uk

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Picture Credit: Ian Sumner www.midsomersetshow.org.uk

Online calendar for free family-friendly activities

THE rising cost of leisure activities is limiting families from spending more quality time out together, according to a report commissioned by car rental firm #HertzUK, which has created a digital calendar of free #family-friendly activity events.

Families which took part in a survey revealed they are spending an average of £440 per year on days out, with two-thirds of British parents saying the cost of activities has put a stop to them going out with the kids.

Olivier Lecocq at Hertz International, said: ‘After compiling this customer research, we learned that people in the UK are struggling for inspiration and the funds to enjoy memorable family days. We developed Hertz Together to allow families to discover a number of free activities in various cities across the country, putting parents’ minds at rest about the expense of days out.

‘Parents on the hunt for stimulating fun activities for the family will certainly find fresh ideas in our comprehensive list, which contains some of the country’s most-visited museums, galleries, and parks and gardens – and all are free of charge.”

A quarter of those surveyed said it’s too expensive to take their children out regularly.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47737490@N03/5853831812">kidical mass | june 2011 | fancy pants6724</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Seaside celebration

THE Great Yarmouth #MaritimeFestival (September 5-6) celebrates the town's seafaring heritage, with visiting ships including the Götheborg (the world’s largest wooden sailing ship) and the Jubilee Sailing Trust's Lord Nelson, plus a full programme of international shanty and folk music, street entertainment, military re-enactments, arts, crafts, children's activities, and opportunities to learn more about the Norfolk Broads (England’s latest designated National Park) and local nature reserves.

Other vessels on show include the third last ship leave Dunkirk in 1940.

Festival activities and entertainment on South Quay are free, but a donation of £1 per visitor towards festival costs is welcomed.

Visitors in wheelchairs are advised to use the Middle Gate or the South Gate to access the event, since there is a 100-yard-long cobbled stretch towards the North Gate which some wheelchair users may find challenging to cross.

www.maritime-festival.co.uk.

The Götheborg is a replica of the original ship which was built in 1738 in Stockholm for the Swedish East India Company. It made three voyages from Sweden to China, and in 1745 sank in Gothenburg harbour having returned from China.  

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Blackpool Air Show set for take-off

THIS year’s free, seafront #BlackpoolAirShow has been set for August 9 and 10

With the RAF Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a group of wing walkers, the show’s organisers are hoping for fair weather and promising the Best of British aviation.

Highlights include displays by two local military giants: the BAE Warton built-Eurofighter Typhoon and a fully-restored, Blackpool-based Huey helicopter. The Huey is the US military helicopter which played a vital role in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The #VulcanXH558 bomber – which is to be retired – will make its last ever appearance at the Blackpool show, while the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress will be making its first. www.visitblackpool.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62787780@N06/19468181912">Shuttleworth Military Pageant July 2015</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Free, Gratis, Libre, Gratuit, Livre, бесплатно, mahhala, δωρεάν, ilmaiseksi, saor in aisce

Go-Gear-Give-Away Starts Today!

Yes that's right we have ten of these fabulous Go-Gear MP3 players to give away. No catches!

All you have to do is G+ us and request your Free Go! e-book here

http://govillasandcottages.co.uk/

The draw will take place on Monday 29th June and will be sent out in the post within the week.

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When in Wales …

FEED the red kites at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre, Ceredigion (Cardiganshire). Help to conserve the national bird of Wales, the red kite, by joining the daily feeding sessions, which are free of charge. The woodland also has gentle walking trails.

www.forestry.gov.uk/bwlchnantyrarian

HUG a hedgehog in Powys. Good Day Out organizes educational activities that raise money for local causes such as wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres. At the Howey Hedgehog Sanctuary, a 90-minute drive from Cardiff, visitors can clean and feed orphaned hoglets. www.gooddayout.co.uk


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Picture Credit: Red Kites - Gigrin Farm Walesby Tim Felcevia Wikimedia Commons / Small hedgehog by Jacek Zapała Own work. via Wikimedia Commons 

Barcelona give-aways

WWW.ONLY-APARTMENTS.COM celebrates its home city this summer by giving guests €250 (£180) worth of Barcelona experiences free of charge. 

The treats include a bicycle sightseeing tour, a show at the Palacio del Flamenco, a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter, and a restaurant dinner.

Only-apartments.com has almost 950 apartments in the city.
www.only-apartments.com

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Picture Credit:Plaza España, Barcelonaby Yurivane89 - Own work via Wikimedia Commons 

Win a 5-star break in Wales

QUALITY COTTAGES has partnered with Welsh organic dairy producer, Calon Wen, offering a prize holiday in a five-star cottage via a video competition.

The video made by Quality Cottages introduces one of Calon Wen’s farmers, Owen Lort Philips from Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire. 

 His family has a 400-year history in farm. Owen’s passion for Welsh farming and the role Calon Wen plays in organic farming is clear in this short film. Calon Wen's message is clear: Organic milk, butter, and cheese from cows who have a happy life.

Quality Cottages has partnered with a number of Welsh companies and attractions over the last year, creating short films to showcase what Wales has to offer.

To enter the competition, go to www.qualitycottages.co.uk/calonwen  

The competition closes at 23:59pm on Friday 15th May 2015



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Picture Credit: "Walk along from Lawrenny" by Andy Lesnianski via Wikimedia Commons; 
"Calon Wen's Moula logo" courtesy qualitycottages.co.uk/calonwen and calonwen-cymru.com

Channel Isles celebrate heritage

THE first Channel Islands Heritage Festival - now on and running through to May 11 - depicts the history of the five islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.

The festival – set up to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation from occupying German forces during WWII – feature special openings of historic sites such as the tunnels at Guernsey's Castle Cornet, history-themed cycle tours, a shark egg hunt on Alderney's shores, and open days at forts and bunkers.

www.visitchannelislands.com     

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Picture Credit: "Castle Cornet Guernsey 7" by Man vyi (Own work (own photo)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Padstow at Xmas

THE annual Padstow Christmas Festival runs from December 4 to December 7.

Free to attend, the festival is where world-class chefs and local artisan producers come together around the town's harbour to enjoy four days of demonstrations, entertainment, and festive food and drink.

The event will feature 64 cookery demonstrations and workshops, which start from midday on Thursday 4 December across the Sharp's Brewery Demonstration Theatre and separate Festival Kitchen. A star line-up of chefs including Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Nathan Outlaw, Angela Hartnett, Mitch Tonks and Mark Hix will be preparing a range of signature dishes in front of live audiences.

Event organiser, Tina Evans, said: ‘This is our biggest event to date with more than 40,000 visitors expected to join us for the festival. Alongside a packed schedule of demos, we'll have a spectacular fireworks display, lantern parade, Narnia-inspired grotto, activities for children, pop-up food stalls and live music.’

This year also sees the return of Padstow's traditional Christmas market with more than 100 stalls from South West crafts folk and food producers. Local boutique shops in the town will remain open for extended hours offering special discounts throughout the event.

www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk


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Picture Credit: "Padstow resident - geograph.org.uk - 1240406" by Jonathan Billinger - via Wikimedia Commons

City of song ....But you'd better move fast!!

THE City of Derry* International Choral Festival begins tomorrow and runs from October 22 to October 26. 

From shopping centres to care homes and churches to bingo halls, choirs will be taking to stages all over the city to give free performances.

As well as visiting international choirs, new local choirs will be given a platform.

LATE News from the festival - The Sixteen concert on Wednesday night is now SOLD OUT! There are still tickets left for other evening events: Neil Cowley Trio/Utopia & Reality Chamber Choir/Codetta on Thursday, The Swingle Singers on Friday and the International Competition on Saturday and Closing Gala Concert on Sunday and much more - You'd better move fast - we're expecting a full house every night! 

See more at - http://www.codichoral.com/2014-festival/

*Go Holiday editor David Kernek explains: Yes, I know this is the Ulster city with two names – Londonderry and Derry – and I know why it has two names, but this is festival’s official name.

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Picture Credit: From Top -  'Sacred Music Competition 2013, Primary Competitions 2013 courtesy and via www.codichoral.com/2014-festival/