Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

Leeds can be found on the River Aire in West Yorkshire and it can trace its roots back to at least the 5th century. At this time it was known as Loidis and was part of the kingdom called Elmet. The real rise to fame of Leeds was during the industrial revolution and was where wool was produced. In recent years, it has become one of the UK’s main legal and financial centres. 

Here we’ll take a look at just some of the things you can see and do when you stay in Leeds. 

The Thackray Medical Museum is next to St James Hospital and provides you with the chance to learn more about the development of medicine during the last 150 years.  But if you think this is going to be a boring attraction to visit then think again. In fact this is one of the most popular of them all because of the dramatic stomach churning reconstructions and the hands-on displays. Certainly young and old can have hours of fun whilst visiting this attraction and is perfect for visiting when the weather isn’t that great. 

The Royal Armouries opened their doors in 1996 and which were originally housed in a property on Leeds waterfront. The five different themed galleries contain all sorts of weaponry and guns covering different subjects. One relates to war another to tournaments, the third gallery focuses on self defense, the fourth to hunting and the fifth gallery looks at armour and arms from the orient. There are plenty of interactive displays to keep you occupied.

Harewood House provides a more cultural offering. The interior of this eighteenth Century Palladin style country house designed by Robert Adam, whilst the grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown. The many rooms in the House include works by Turner, Gainsborough as well as Chippendale items. 

There are over a thousand acres of grounds to explore and these include an adventure playground to keep children occupied and a sanctuary for birs. Certainly the adventure playground may keep them amused for many hours and after this a spot of refreshment may be required and can be taken in the Stables Courtyard. 

One more attraction that is very popular with visitors to Leeds is Armley Mills and it looks at life during the industrial revolution.  Before it was turned into a museum, the building was the world’s largest woolen mill and shows you how clothes are produced. There is also a fully restored 1920′s cinema.  Most weekends, the waterwheels and steam engines are working. 

When you next visit Leeds, choose your Leeds hotel here.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

Bridlington is a seaside resort and a small port located on the North Sea. It is situated just south of the promontory known as Flamborough Head and provides you with easy access to the towns of Hull and Scarborough.

Bridlington has much to offer, even if you don’t venture out to towns like Hull and Scarborough. Here are just a few of the attractions you may consider visiting when you next stay in Bridlington.

1. Sewerby Hall and Gardens are on the cliff tops above Bridlington and they form the gateway to the Flamborough heritage coast. On arrival, you are greeted with views from the house and garden across the north bay of Bridlington. Although it was built in the early 1700′s, the hall was only opened to the public in 1936 when Bridlington Council purchased it. Along with enjoying the wonderful views inside is housed an exhibition of souvenirs and mementoes relating to the world famous aviator Amy Johnson who was from the town.

Also for the children there is the zoo that they can enjoy which houses many different types of domestic and wild mammals. Together with a large number of reptiles and birds. Amongst the creatures housed here are Cameroon sheep, llamas, parakeets, monkeys and Humboldt penguins.

2. Bridlington Leisure World is another, more modern, place you can visit. Certainly this is a great place to spend the day when the weather is really bad as it has 3 swimming pools you can use. Plus there is the wonderful wave pool and water slides that both adults and children can enjoy. Also if you are there on a Friday evening and you have children with you who are over eight years of age they can then try out the inflatable assault course.

However, if you are on your own with your partner then you could try out the centre’s state of the art gymnasium. The gym has the latest in exercise equipment and excellent views of Bridlington Bay. The gym’s fully trained staff are there to look after you.

3. The Bridlington Yorkshire Belle is a cruise service which offers trips past the local cliffs and along the coast around Flamborough Head and to Bempton’s Bird Sanctuary. The latest Yorkshire Belle was built in 1947 because the original one was destroyed during World War II. The cruise takes around one hour.

4. John Bull Rock Factory and Candy Kingdom is a place for adults and children alike. For more than three generations now they have been producing traditional kinds of confectionary along with biscuits and chocolate. They are famous for producing sticks of rock. This attraction is just located a short distance from Bridlington in Carnaby. As well as touring the factory you have the chance to join the work force so you can make your own lollipops and rock.

Make sure that you have an enjoyable stay in Bridlington and book your hotel in Bridlington here.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

Biscuit Pup

The festive season is such an exciting but expensive time, especially for those of us with children. With children being bombarded by advertising on TV and the printed media, it is no easy task to sort the wheat from the chaff and to spend our hard earned money wisely.

Many of the UK’s leading toy shops are members of the British Toy Retailers Association, representing over 150 companies responsible for selling over 90% of the toys sold in the UK. It is an independent body based on 50 years experience and it acts as the retailer’s voice and spokesman to take into account what customers are requesting, what children find exciting and keeping an eye on the latest trend in new products. Each year, after the major toy fairs where all the latest products are shown to the toy trade for the first time, they print a list of what they found to be exciting and what they forsee as the top selling toys the following Christmas.

In days long gone the highest of high-tech was a Triang electric train set. Nowadays there are truly incredible toys such as life-sized puppy dogs that respond to your every word, dolls that drink, sleep, eat, cry and even pee !! and a complete host of electronic toys which range from voice changing masks to games consoles to strange little gadgets that detect weird mutants floating around the ether.

Let’s take a look at three toys from this year’s British Toy Retailers Association award winners and we just have to begin with that loveable puppy. It’s made by FurReal and named “Biscuit – My Lovin’ Pup“. It certainly isn’t cheap at £119.95, but this amazing life-sized Golden Retriever puppy obeys your spoken commands. He sits, lays down, gives you his paw and has umpteen sensors that know when you’re touching him so that he can make little puppy yelps and barks whilst wagging his tail. Leave him undisturbed for a few minutes and he nods off and begins to snore.

It’s time to move from cute and lovable to high-tech, sci-fi and completely weird. The Catcha Beast is a hand held electronic toy that detects invisible beings that inhabit the air that we live and breathe. Once found, the monster has to be wound into the machine. It’s pretty to explain, so I’d advise that click the link and watch the video of the toy being used. The Catcha Beast retails at £17.95.

Let’s finish with something priced midway between the two earlier toys. Elmo Live is a much loved character from Sesame Street and costs £59.95. He’s another amazing creation with the ability to sit on a chair telling stories whilst crossing and uncrossing his legs or waving is arms around as he sings a song. He isn’t voice controlled like Biscuit the dog, but he has a number of actions as you squeeze his foot, tummy, back or nose.

So there we have it. Three of the toys voted as the best of the year by the toy industry. Check out our top toy website for a selection of other fine gifts.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

The city of Southampton which is situated where the Rivers Test, Itchen and Hamble join is the largest on in the county of Hampshire. It is one of the UK’s major ports and is just a short distance from the New Forest. 

Southampton is an ideal base to explore Hampshire . Along with exploring the New Forest there are plenty of other attractions in and around Southampton for you to enjoy. In this article we take a look at a few of the other sights one can enjoy when you visit Southampton with your family whether for a long weekend or a week’s holiday.

A short distance from Southampton is Marwell Zoological Park which within its 100 acres there are more than two hundred different types of animals and birds for you to see.  Along with rhinos, giraffes, tigers and penguins there are common breeds to be seen. The park raises money to help with the conservation of wildlife and its natural habitats throughout the world.

However if you are interested about learning more about the local fauna and flora then arrange to spend time at Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre. Located on the Common in Southampton is a place that the whole family will enjoy especially the children. There are lots of activities which they will find of interest and plenty of trails that can be followed where you are able to observe the wildlife that lives in it. 

Although Southampton is a thriving port town at the Hall of Aviation you will find out more about the history of flying in this part of England. At one time there were twenty six aircraft companies based near the city, including the largest flying boat operation in the world. Plus it was where the legendary Spitfire aircraft was manufactured and which played such a strategic role during the World War Two. 

For a really fun and interesting day out and to get you away from the hustle and bustle of city life take a trip out to the New Forest. There are lots of roads to drive along and you can stop at various spots to enjoy the landscape and the wildlife here. There is also Beaulieu, home to the world famous National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace Home which for hundreds of years has been home of the Montagu family.

Make sure your next stay in Southampton is memorable and choose your hotel in Southampton here.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

The town of Swindon is to be found in the county of Wiltshire, England and can be easily reached by road or railway.  It lies around 40 miles from Bristol and 40 miles from Reading. It is also around eighty miles from London. 

Certainly for those who wish to explore the myriad of attractions that the country of Wiltshire has to offer then Swindon makes an ideal place. There are lots of good quality hotels in Swindon and the surrounding area. It is close to Cotswold Wildlife Park and also the Cotswold Water Park.  Other places to visit include Bowood House and Lacock Abbey. 

But there are plenty of wonderful sights to see that are slightly closer to this large town and below we take a look at just a few of these. 

About 30 minutes drive from Swindon is Avebury Stone Circle. This is larger than Stonehenge but less famous. But you still have the opportunity unlike at Stonehenge which is short drive away to wander around the stones and get up close and personal with them. 

Avebury Stone circle encompasses part of the village where it is located. Plus surrounding it are ditches and external banks and for you to approach the village you would have had to walk through an avenue of the stones. The stones were re-erected by Alexander Keiller during the 1930′s. Today there is a museum on the site that houses a seventeenth Century thatched threshing barn and tells you about the sites history. The story is an interactive one with great audio visual displays as well. 

As mentioned above to the north of Swindon is Cotswold Wildlife Park which houses a wide variety of animals from across the globe. There is a pride of Asiatic lions plus rhinos, leopards and assorted primates. There are also smaller mammals such as meerkats together with penguins and other tropical birds. Certainly for a family day out this is a wonderful place to go when the weather is great.  There is an adventure playground for the children to help get rid of some of their excess energy. Plus during the summer months they have the chance to get close up and personal with some animals and watch some wonderful birds of prey.

Another place of interest is Lacock Abbey which was converted into a house in around 1540. Yet even so the sacristy ceiling, chapter house, monastic rooms and medieval cloisters have remained largely intact. As well as the abbey and the 16th Century stable courtyard there is also a Museum of Photography for you to explore. The museum was established to commemorate the life of the inventor William Fox Talbot who lived at Lacock Abbey during his life in the 1800′s. If you think you recognize this building then it has been used a number of times as location for TV and film productions including the Harry Potter films.

When you next stay in Swindon, choose your Swindon hotel here.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 31

The city of Worcester is the main town in the county of Worcestershire and is situated on the banks of the River Severn which runs directly through the middle of it. This is the place where the final battle of the English Civil War took place between Oliver Cromwell’s army and that of King Charles I. It was following Oliver Cromwell’s defeat of King Charles I that England and Wales become a republic for the next twenty one years.

The town is also home of the factory where Royal Worcester Porcelain is produced and the birth place of the English composer Sir Edward Elgar. There are plenty of things for you to do and enjoy when you stay in Worcester and below we look at just a few.

Whilst building of Worcester Cathedral began in 1084, it was not used as a place of worship until the 14th Century. Many consider is to be the best cathedral’s in England. When you visit, you can explore the Royal Tombs, Medieval Cloisters, the Chapter House and Ancient Crypt. Plus don’t forget to spend time enjoying the buildings magnificent Victorian stained glass. If you are energetic enough to climb its towers then you will be rewarded with wonderful views over the city and the surrounding countryside.

Another place you may want to visit is the cottage in which Edward Elgar was born. This is situated near the Teme Valley and has views over the Malvern Hills. Today the cottage in which Elgar was born now houses a wide selection of manuscripts and scores of this world famous composer along with concert programs and cuttings from newspapers.

Slightly further away from Worcester is Eastnor Castle. This has much to offer you to relax or somewhere the children can get rid of some of that energy they have. It is situated in the Malvern Hills and surrounded by a deer park. Along with the arboretum that leads down to the lake that covers 22 acres there is plenty of other things for you to enjoy.

There are the adventure playground and assault course for children and a maze. Whilst for the adults there is some wonderful woodland and lakeside walks that they may find pleasant. And of course the castle’s tea rooms for a spot of lunch.

No visit to Worcester would be complete without spending time at the Royal Worcester Visitor Centre. This attraction is situated just two minutes walk from the Cathedral and offers a number of things for those who choose to spend time there. There are many guided tours or you can elect to watch the skilled craftsmen at work. Plus if you feel especially creative you could always have a go at painting a plate for yourself. The business was established in 1751 and even today the name of Royal Worcester is synonymous with the production of good quality bone china and porcelain products.

When you next visit Worcester, book your next Worcester hotel here.