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.
