Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Oct 6

Selecting somewhere for a vacation may be somewhat tricky especially if you are considering a trip with family and friends. After all a lot is dependant upon your what you prefer and when thinking about a family vacation it is likely that a fair dash of compromise will be involved but many places supply a multitude of sights to satisfy virtually all tastes and few vacation destinations rival the United Kingdom of Great Britain for diversity. With exciting sporting destinations, seaside resorts which are full of life, historic cities and fascinating rural areas the British Isles can supply a vast range of vacation types. Within the following article I introduce the English town of Bury St Edmunds within the East Anglia region of England.

The town of Bury St Edmunds is positioned within the county of Suffolk. The town can be traced back to the 7th century with the construction of a monastery in 633. King Edmund of East Anglia, in 903, was buried in the monastery and within a small number of years it was widely reported that many miracles had occurred at the shrine dedicated to the martyr. The martyr’s shrine very soon became a centre of pilgrimage and a small town sprung up. In 925 the settlement was named Bury St Edmunds and by the fourteenth century the growing settlement began to profit from the developing woolen industry.

The Industrial Revolution appears to have passed by the region of East Anglia which helped create a lovely historic town which has become a well-liked vacation destination in an area of the nation which is not normally associated with the tourist trade. The principle cause of this interest is that Bury St Edmunds is the most pretty in the county. The town has many historic buildings which represent various periods. The most outstanding points of interest are Bury St. Edmunds Abbey, St. Mary’s Church and St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

The ruins of the abbey can be found right in the heart of town. The abbey was a shrine to Saint Edmund but, unfortunately, was destroyed during the 14th century and was mainly dismantled with its Dissolution in the sixteenth century. Today the ruined abbey is famend for its stunning gardens.

St. Mary’s Church, which was part of the abbey, really is worth a visit. It was constructed as a Norman church within the twelfth century and was extensively renovated throughout the centuries (fourteenth, 16th and nineteenth) and though none of the authentic construction remains today parts can be dated back to the {13th|thirteenth} century. Of special note is the west window which has glorious stained glass.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is located on a site which has had a church constructed upon it since 1065 and probably much earlier. The current structure is a much modified building with major works being carried out since about 1503 and continuing as late as the present day with the latest addition of a tower in the Gothic revival fashion which was finished in 2005. Moreover it also has numerous  Cathedral Treasures and artwork exhibitions plus it also gives guided tours.

If following reading my article above you would wish to have a vacation here and are looking for Bury St Edmunds bed & breakfast then please think about examining our comprehensive listings of discount Bury St Edmunds hotels.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Sep 15

Cambridgeshire is a county in the east midlands area of England surrounded by the counties of Rutland, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Lincolnshire. Cambridgeshire might not possess any sandy beaches however there is a wide range of places to visit which make this an outstanding place to take a vacation.  In the following article I  explain why folk should consider a trip to this most beautiful part of Great Britain.

The English county of Cambridgeshire features exciting waterways, outstanding cathedrals, breathtaking countryside, prestigious stately homes, busy picturesque market towns and the fascinating city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge is a very popular visitor attraction which is very suitable for vacations at any time of the year.

Attractions in the intensely photogenic university town include The Folk Museum, The Backs, The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Round Church, Denny Abbey and The Orchard Tea Garden, but many people arrive in Cambridge to look at the sights belonging to some of the thirty one colleges such as King’s College & King’s College Chapel and Cambridge University Botanic Garden. It can take a good few days to visit all of the university colleges however the best buildings to wander around are those of St John’s College, Corpus Christi, Magdalene College and Trinity College.

The Fenlands

The Fens are a generally marshy district virtually at sea-level. There has been a great many attempts at draining the land some dating back to Roman Times. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that serious efforts were made. Unfortunately these attempts were a failure and it wasn’t until the Eighteenth Century that they successfully drained the land and the land was used for agriculture.

These days the intriguing landscape of salt and fresh water marshes provide a superb environment for wildlife and leisure. Cambridgeshire has some of the county’s least congested waterways, perfect for trips on a narrow boat.

If you wish to learn more about the highly interesting Fenlands then you will find that the towns of Chatteris, Wisbech, Whittlesey and March are each home to an excellent local museum.

The Market Towns

Across the area are situated picturesque little market towns, which, way back in the past were actually islands. The town of March grew up as a port in the Tudor era and has an amazing history. Other small island communities included Littleport, Ramsey, Chatteris and Whittlesey. The small towns have superb architecture spanning a few centuries such as the Seventeenth Century Butter Cross at Whittlesey. A few hours can be passed enjoyable looking at the many stalls, shops and independent businesses.

Other Cambridgeshire Tourist Attractions

There is a huge list of local visitor attractions. Heritage railways include the Wisbech and March Bramley Line and the Nene Valley Railway and there are a few fascinating buildings worth seeing including Lode Watermill, Down Field Windmill, Houghton Mill and Great Gransden Post Mill.

The county is home to a small number of religious buildings of historical importance for example the abbeys of Spinney, Denny, Anglesey and Ramsey, Peterborough Cathedral and Ely Cathedral as well as the Old Vicarage at Grantchester and Duxford Chapel. The list of stately homes, historic houses and castles is simply so  big that it could not be shown here, it is similar with the listings of art galleries & museums.

If you are currently considering a vacation in Cambridgeshire and are booking Cambridge hotels please take a look at our comprehensive bed & breakfast in Cambridge

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jul 13

I was able to take a trip to London, England when I was 16 years old. I wish there was some way I could convey to you how truly awesome it was. Fortunately, I had a camera and some money with me, and was able to leave with some great memories, photos, and souvenirs. Although I had to deal with finding a missing passport and going through tons of electrical adapters trying to find the right one, I left London not only vastly inspired, but also armed with some of the most amazing experiences I have ever experienced.

The Tower of London is a popular British Landmark located in London. Probably most well-known as a place or torture and a royal prison, the Tower of London holds centuries of history that are made available to you and your family when you visit. I spent an entire day walking around learning all the stories and seeing for myself just how the Tower worked. Probably my favorite part was seeing the ravens. These huge black birds strut around the lawn, eyeing  visitors with their black eyes. The ravens have been residents of the Tower for generations, as a superstition states that if they ever left, the kingdom would fall. In respect of this superstition, the ravens have their very own living quarters and their own personal handler.

Everyone knows Big Ben as one of the most iconic monuments for London. Movies, stories, and art have been representing Big Ben for many, many years, and seeing it for yourself will show you why. I also recommend that you visit Parliament. This is where laws, bills, and other legislation takes place for the government of London, England. I’ve really never been interested in the workings of government, but seeing it in action is pretty inspiring. Getting to see the “behind the scenes” government action was really special, and it amazed me how accessible it was.

As cliche as it is, I had to see the Changing of the Guards. Although I didn’t try to make him laugh or kiss him or anything, they are armed after all, but I did get my picture taken. But who knows? If I go back, maybe I will end up kissing one. Many different locations have a Changing of the Guards, and I recommend seeing one for yourself if you are in any of these locations. The plethora of gardens and parks located in London is unbelievable. Huge plots of flowers of every color roll on the landscape, surrounded by swans and beautiful artistic sculptures. Since it is free, and since it makes walking anywhere amazing, I definitely recommend going.

London shopping is unlike any other. All you need is a purse with plenty of money, and don’t forget your passport, and you are set. Camden market is any teenager’s shopping heaven, and some of my favorite souvenirs were purchased there. From classy boutiques to a punk rocker’s paradise, there is something for absolutely everyone, and it is almost impossible not to be walking away with armloads of stuff.

London really has so much available for everyone in your family to experience. Some of my greatest memories come from my London trip, and I hope that I will be able to go back someday. Even having to deal with a missing passport was worth the trip. If you have never been to London, I highly recommend going. You will not regret it.

For more information about applying for or renewing your passport before your trip, visit www.uspassportnow.com.