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.