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By Alan, on May 23rd, 2013
While the bride runs around getting everything sorted for her big day, the groom tends to take somewhat of a back seat and look forward to their stag night. Traditionally organised by the best man, the stag night has evolved from a night in the local the night before the wedding to a much bigger bash altogether. Thankfully, the number of hungover grooms has also dropped dramatically as these events now tend to take place several weeks before the event, which also makes for happier brides.
While there has been a recent trend for overseas stag and hen breaks, the economy is having a huge affect in that with the ever increasing air fares, as well as the euro crisis in Europe, these trips aren’t as popular as they used to be as cash strapped couples begrudge laying out such large sums of money for their stag and hen events so close to the big day.
If you are a best man looking to organise a stag weekend, or a groom who wants some input into you last big weekend as a single man, then you can do a lot worse than consider Cornwall as a destination. Newquay in particular offers everything you could want for a great weekend away, with even some surfing thrown in through the day for good measure. With this area getting the best weather that Britain has to offer, a stag weekend here would be great swan song to the single life.
Whether you choose to travel by car, train or coach Newquay is easy to get to, and there is a great choice of accommodation, including those geared towards group holidays and stag weekends. Even the most dedicated of clubbers will have trouble finding anything to complain about regarding the quality of nightlife in Newquay, so consider all of the above and you have all the ingredients for a perfect stag weekend.
By Alan, on May 22nd, 2013
St Ives is one of those picture postcard towns that have to be seen to appreciate their charm, Located on the Cornish coast, it has often been called the “perfect holiday destination” and as well as boasting numerous attractions of its own, it is also an excellent base for exploring the rest of the county. Within easy driving distance are Marazion, Penzance, Tintagel and the world famous Land’s End. Everywhere here has a name that conjures up images of enchantment, and they live up to this easily.
Mere words cannot really describe the magic of St Ives, it is one of those places you have to see for yourself. From its origins as a small fishing village, it has grown over the years and although it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK today, it has managed to retain its original Cornish charm, something that other British resorts have failed to do. It is as warm and welcoming as ever, the only difference is that there are now more accommodation choices.
Holidays is the UK are often spoiled by something nobody has control over; the great British weather, and while it cannot be guaranteed here, Cornwall does enjoy the best of the weather and has more days of sunshine that anywhere else. The miles and miles of golden sand are rightly considered to be amongst the best in the world, and even if you do have the odd day that isn’t exactly beach weather, there is plenty more to do to fill in the time.
Some of the unique attractions in the area include the Minack Theatres, the Geevor tin min, St Michael’s Mount, the Isles of Scilly and Bird Paradise. Take a 30 minute drive to Helston and you can spend a great day at the Flambards Experience theme park. This has everything you would expect from a top end theme park and whether you want to be flying around on rides or keeping your feet firmly on the ground, there is plenty for everyone of all ages.
By Alan, on May 11th, 2013
The New Forest National Park is the biggest unenclosed woodland, paddock, moorland and forest in Southern England. It covers up south west Hampshire and broadens into Wiltshire and Dorset.
The New Forest was elected, a site of Specific Scientific Interest in 1971 and established a special position as a New Forest Heritage Area in 1985. Projected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, it finally became a National Park in 2005.
There is something for everyone in The New Forest, whether you’re looking to unwind, discover or just fun, it is an ideal location for vacation.
A huge range of New Forest accommodation is obtainable from luxury and country house hotels, holiday cottages, bed & breakfasts, camping & caravan sites and Holiday Parks there is something to suit everyone’s finances and style. There is an abundance of places to stay and travel around in in and around The New Forest from award winning gardens and museums to leisure and wildlife parks and farm plus much more.
The New Forest is a retreat for the cyclist, horse rider and walker. There is so much to observe and do in the forest. For the wildlife fanatic especially a walk in the forest will expose all kinds of animals.
For those plainly fascinated by nature, the New Forest grants a home to a captivating range of fauna and flora. The New Forest is now the monopoly for a number of species of birds. The forest plays host to many visitors all through the year. There are many manor houses where you can pamper yourself in lavish ambiance and have the benefit of in-house spa services.
New Forest area comprises much of the last remaining forest and moorland in the entire England. Enjoying it and then staying and relaxing in a bed and breakfast might be the finest way to experience it all. There are many benefits implicated in going on holiday and staying in a New Forest Bed and Breakfast, especially if the area is on strike during the holiday.
By Alan, on May 8th, 2013
If you’re going to the Yeovil, Somerset area to visit the local manors and estates, you probably already know that you’re in for a breathtaking trip. You’ll be walking the homes of the most prominent people who have settled and lived in the Yeovil area. The Montacute House, Lytes Cary Manor and the Treasurer’s House are all part of the National Trust.
There are tons of opportunities in the Yeovil area to take a break from your comfort zone of wi-fi and cell phones beeping constantly. The gardens in this area are gorgeous. Plan on spending hours exploring and visiting these well manicured reminders of a time gone by. Yeovil has long been an established market town, set between the two trading estates of Penn Mill and Lynx.
In the 1800s, the main industry in the area was a glove manufacturing plant and due to the need for movement of goods and production workers, the town of Yeovil was connected to the rest of the country via rail. The town’s population has been thriving since 880 when the town is first mentioned in print. King John gave the town the charter they’d been seeking in the year 1205.
The town dates back to the Paleolithic era. There have been artefacts discovered in the southern most part of town that indicate activity. Yeovil, for the most part, has stayed off the maps as far as news activity goes until in September 2006 they were the first town to in Britain to begin using biometric fingerprint scans at nightclubs.
When you’re in Yeovil for a visit, make sure to bring your Sunday best and visit the 1400s built Church of John the Baptist for a look at the buttresses. There are numerous places of worship in Yeovil. It is a small town that welcomes newcomers and visitors so be prepared to be greeted with open arms and a smile.
By Alan, on May 2nd, 2013
The stunning south westerly county of Devon is widely regarded as one of the best place to visit for those seeking a great holiday in the UK and making the best of the British weather, but it also seems to have a undeserved reputation for being very expensive. The truth is that Devon is no more expensive than any other holiday area in the UK, and is an awful lot cheaper than many of them.
There is every kind of accommodation available to the Devon visitor, from your 5 star luxury hotels to camping, and across the range every budget is catered for. Even those who tend to think of themselves as mentally scarred from nightmare camping trips during their childhoods have enjoyed modern camping with hot showers, electric pitches and all on a section of some of the best holiday parks in Europe.
If sleeping under a canvas really isn’t your thing then why not check out the caravans that are available at Devon holiday parks? Modern, spacious and with every convenience you could want, today’s caravans really are home from homes and have everything you could possibly want to make returning to the park at the end of a long day sightseeing or exploring or even at the beach, a pleasure rather than a chore.
The self catering option also makes the budget go further and this also gives you the freedom to fully explore the county without being tied to meal times etc which is the downside of staying in the big hotels. Once on the park the majority of facilities and activities are free too, so there are no extra expenses to find here, plus, as the top parks are adjacent to some of the best beaches in the UK you literally have all the ingredients for a great holiday right on your doorstep.
By Alan, on April 29th, 2013
Lizard Point, complete with lighthouse, is the UK]s most southerly point and is famous for its local Serpentine Stone, which is a unique metaphoric rock, dark green in colour with red and white veins. Serpentine jewellery and ornaments were extremely fashionable during Victorian times and there are still several Serpentine turners in the village who work during the summer season. There are several gift shops, galleries and craft shops and the area also boasts an impressive number of SCUBA diving schools.
There has been a lighthouse at Lizard Point since 1751 to warn ships of the dangers of the beautiful yet treacherous coastline, such as the Man o’ War rocks which are just offshore. Beneath the actual point is the Old Lifeboat House with the current lifeboat station being a few miles to the east of the headland.
On November 10th 1721, 30 years before the lighthouse was constructed, 15 crew members of the Royal Anne Galley perished when the boat was smashed against the rocks in a mighty storm. They were then buried together in one mass grave on Pistol Meadow, a grass slope which is just west of the Old Lifeboat Slipway. Walkers who come to this area may chance a glimpse of the Cornish Chough which now breed here.
There are many pretty coves to visit on the Lizard Peninsula, including Mullion and Cadgwith. The former is found underneath Mullion Village and is accessed by a winding road and it has several cafés and galleries worth visiting.
Kennack Cove is north easterly of Cadgwith and is where the buccaneer Avery is said to have buried some of his ill gotten gains, the rest said to beat Gunwalloe on the other side of the peninsula. Another cove of interest is Poldhu, as this is where the first transatlantic radio message was sent by Marconi in 1901. The signal was received in December 1901 in Newfoundland, an event that went on to change the world.
By Alan, on April 27th, 2013
VisitEngland Tourism Awards give out plaudits to the best in the country, and now it appears as if South West is indeed the winning region as had been suspected. The selection process was rigorous and took quite some time, but the officials have now announced the final results which place the region on top of all the others for tourism and businesses doing what must be done to bring in more visitors from overseas.
There were ten finalists in all and South West had to compete with some strong entries as the finalists were presented to a panel of judges. While the selection is done, the award will be presented officially at the end of May. This event is sponsored by VisitEngland, a tourism company that does these kinds of awards.
Pentillie Castle is a B&B in Cornwall and they will pick up the Gold, while Bath’s Bath sees itself awarded the award for Sustainable Tourism. In all, several businesses in the region share in the glory from this particular company’s own awards ceremony. Everything is being done in line with what the tourism board thinks is best to attract more tourism to the region.
Robin Barker is from the organisers group and he says that South West earned its place in history, doing things for those who visit the region that no one else has been willing to do, giving himself 110%, and being there when no one else would. He will be proud to present some of these awards himself to the many shops and companies that share in this.
By admin, on April 24th, 2013
 Cornwall has some great options when it comes to entertaining the kids on holiday including superb playgrounds, fun walks, fantastic beaches and boat trips. There are many choices that range in locations across Cornwall and prices but here we’ve chosen 10 things that we feel offer the best value (some are free!).
10 – Sennen Cove
This small beach on the west coast of Cornwall is a favorite amongst local surfers so it can be great fun for the kids to watch, and also have a splash in the sea. A real perk about this beach is that it has showers and toilets, which also accommodate disabled people. Sennen Cove also has a pier with a selection of restaurants, which have prices that range from cheap to the more expensive. There is also near-by parking if you are driving. Sennen Cove is a great option for big or small families, where you can spend the whole day relaxing, paddling and eating. Holiday cottages in Sennen Cove are a popular choice of accommodation in this area with companies such as West Cornwall Cottage Holidays having a great selection perfect for family holidays.
9 – St. Ives Treasure Trail
The St. Ives treasure trail is a fantastic way for you to have some fun with your children while searching around St. Ives for the prizes. This is a great way to explore the small seaside town, while getting a lot of fresh air and learning. The trail takes a couple of hours, depending on how well you do, and is appropriate for kids of all age groups and pushchairs can be taken around.
8 – St. Ives’ Surf School
Surf schools are always fun for kids as standing up on a surfboard is a great feeling for anyone. Being in the sea all day is great fun for kids and will tire them out, which is always a perk. A team of well-trained surfers will be helping your children pick up the skill and give them all of the attire, the wetsuit and a surfboard that is appropriate for their size.
7 – Treasure Park, Redruth
One of the best things about this attraction is that it is free! There are so many fun things to do here, from crazy golf to seeing and buying jewelry, this treasure park has everything for a family from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. Not only are there fun activities and interesting shops, there is a beautiful garden and a fantastic walk to take. This is a place that you can spend a full day with the whole of the family.
6 – Snappys, Redruth
Here is a fully inflatable indoor play centre, specifically for children aged 1 – 12. As it is inside it is an ideal place to go if the weather is not great and will keep the kids entertained for hours with it’s obstacle course, 15 ft. slide and under 5s area. During the summer holidays they are open every day of the week so you can fit it into your plans at any time.
5 – Flambards – Helston
Flambards is one of the most popular destinations for families with children as it has so much to do; they have cafes and resturaunts conveniently located across the park. The restrictions are that the child has to be over 90cm and under 15 years old. This is one of the more expensive places to go as adult tickets are £21.95 and children are £13.95, however there is a lot to do there with a lot of fun for the kids as it has been designed for them to have the most fun possible. Also located right next door to Flambards is soft play centre One2Eleven which is the perfect indoor playground for energetic youngsters seeking fun activities in a creative setting.
4 – Hayle Swimming Pool
Hayle swimming pool is a great place to take the kids as you can spend a fun few hours there playing with them or just watching over them as they have a great time in the pool. The pool is open in the summer and there are lifeguards there every day to make sure that while everyone has a fun time, they are safe.
3 – Mylor Boat Hire, Falmouth
This is a fantastic option for the whole family to spend some time together having fun and exploring the river Fal. Either take a picnic or stop off for some refreshments at the popular and picturesque Smuggler’s Cottage or Pandora Inn, the choice is yours. Hiring a boat for the day can be great fun with plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the family and the scenery. They are open every day of the week from 10am to 6pm so you are free to go whenever and can be added to your plans with minimal stress.
2 – Paradise Park, Hayle
If you and your kids are interested in animals, this is the place to go. You can see all sorts of wildlife here, with a range of exotic birds and some other forms of nature. There is also an inside play area for the kids, where they can have fun with others while you enjoy a relaxing tea or coffee. Tickets are priced very reasonably and they also have a saver ticket for two adults and two children, which costs £30.25. Not only this but under 3s go for free and they have a returner’s ticket to keep the cost down.
1 – The Lizard and Kynance Cove
If you enjoy exploring hidden caves, beautiful flowers and sheer cliff drops there is no better place than the Lizard and Kynance Cove. This is the most southerly point in Britain and is part of the National Trust. In the summer you may even see some fantastic wildlife in the sea and it is always fun to try and spot the sharks or seals. Although don’t let that put you off going in the sea as there are often life guards attending, particularly in the summer months. One of the best things about this attraction is that the only fee is at the car park (unless you are members of the National Trust), it is totally free to visit the beach, so this can be a great option to spend the day without spending too much.
By Alan, on April 24th, 2013
Broadchurch, the new ITV1 show has an unlikely star in the leading role; the Dorset coastline. The 8 part hybrid drama, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, is a cocktail of stories that all interwine cleverly to create a drama that is both fascinating and full of suspense. Broad church is not for the faint hearted, as the character driven thriller is full of emotion, and is a veritable roller coaster ride of thrills and spills and intrigue.
Chris Chibnall, best known for writing both Doctor Who and spin off Torchwood, is the man behind Broadchurch, and even with such stars on board such as Tennant, Colman, Andrew Buchan, Arthur Darvill and Jodie Whittaker, he has gone to great pains to ensure the Dorset scenery plays a vital role in the show.
He himself describes Broadchurch as being a love letter to the famous Jurassic Coast as key landmarks in west Dorset are used in the telling of the various stories. Chris worked very hard to ensure that the landscape is very much a part of the stories and not merely a pretty backdrop to set them against, and the sea, the beach and the cliffs are all very much a part of the drama itself, and living here himself he has the insight to show it off at its best.
Filming took place in many of the well known locations along Dorset’s coastline, including Eype, Freshwater nr Burton Bradstock and West Bay. The latter is where the dirty and bloodied body of local boy Danny Latimer is first discovered. David Tennant takes the role of DI Alec Hardy, a big fish trapped in a Dorset backwater and he has said that once you have visited the area you will want to return time and time again for a holiday.
Olivia Colman, whose character is DS Ellie Miller, agrees with Tennant’s views, and has said that being on a cliff at Bridport in glorious sunshine during the first week they filmed there was simply amazing and idyllic.
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By admin, on April 18th, 2013
A new edition of Craig Jarvis‘s original Bluffer’s Guide to Surfing is published.
 Never again confuse your tails with your rails, your SUPs with your ASPs, your shapers with your sprayers, or localism with a friendly welcome. Bask in the admiration of your fellow enthusiasts as you reminisce joyfully about those moments watching friends ‘going over the falls’, and pronounce confidently about the exact location of the ‘Ampullae of Lorenzini’. (That particular morsel of knowledge could save you from becoming shark food.)
The guide coaches readers on how to become all-round bluffers, both on and off the board. There are also chapters covering what to say when invited to surf (in order to keep dazzling reputations intact), notable sporting legends, and how to handle localism (knowledge of which might help readers out of a tight spot).
A 5-million-copy bestselling series, The Bluffer’s Guides® have been helping people out of sticky situations for over four decades. Now relaunched, they’re back – and not just in paperback. E-books are available from all major online bookstores. Bluffer’s mission is to eradicate social embarrassment from this world, and (with the help of their witty experts) they’re well on their way to doing just that.
The new edition of Craig Jarvis‘s original Bluffer’s Guide to Surfing, which has also undergone a facelift at the hands of Jim Shannon, the new series illustrator.
‘If you’re a kook, especially if you’re a kook, you will buy this book, for it reveals the many secrets and tricks of the surfing sub culture. I believe it will soon become a classic…’
- DEREK REILLY, EDITOR, STAB MAGAZINE
Craig Jarvis’s surfing travels have taken him to many great surf destinations and a great many beds (the hospital kind – don’t get excited). He caught malaria while surfing off the jungles of Java, and his catalogue of mishaps includes three tropical diseases unidentified by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, a broken arm, a broken elbow, four bouts of life-threatening dysentery, a torn groin while surfing in Ireland, a wasting disease contracted in Chile and a serious case of boils that attached themselves to him somewhere in Indonesia. Among his journalistic endeavours, he has been field editor of The Surfer’s Path, editor of Zigzag and is now editor-at-large of Wavescape. His favourite story as a freelance contributor concerned an oversexed male dolphin’s libidinous interaction with surfers, published in the Australian surf magazine Tracks. Craig currently lives in a house with a sea view over a nice wave near Cape Town. His days consist of walking his three surf hounds on the beach, reading, writing, going surfing and, in the evenings, sitting and watching surfers after pouring himself a stiff Scotch. It’s a tough life, but someone has to live it.
The E-book is available for Kindle and iPad at Amazon.co.uk and iBookstore (RRP £4.99). The Print edition now available at Waterstones and other retailers (RRP £6.99).
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