Travel Guest Post: The Lake District’s Most Charming Places

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of England. With an enchanting mix of tall mountains, deep valleys, shimmering lakes and olde world villages, it makes for the perfect holiday destination.

Many people come to the Lakes to witness its breath-taking landscapes or take advantage of its opportunities for adventure sports, but there are also many charming and historic towns and villages to explore. Whether they are nestled in valleys, situated on the lakeside or boast superb coastal views, each has its own amazing story to tell.

Here are 5 of the best ‘honeypot’ towns in the Lake District:

Windermere

One of the most popular towns in the Lakes is the ever popular Windermere and the linked town of Bowness. Its main feature is of course Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England. At ten and a half miles long and 219 feet deep, the picturesque lake attracts tourists from around the world who come to enjoy it as walkers, sailors, canoeists, swimmers, rowers and anglers. Enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains or head away from the lake shore where there is a variety of top visitor attractions and beautiful gardens to discover.

Keswick

The pretty market town of Keswick is nestled between the North Lakeland fells and Derwentwater, England’s widest lake that is referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’. The town is an excellent centre for walkers and climbers and if you want to see some spectacular panoramas this is the place to be. The North Lakes has some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, with the mighty Skiddaw and Helvellyn and the stunning Lake Windermere within easy access.

Grasmere

Once the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth, the friendly village of Grasmere is the ideal place to explore, relax and get inspired. Situated in a valley surrounded by the lush Lakeland fells, the village take its name from its lake, which was described by Wordsworth as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. There are plenty of walks available that offer magnificent views of the lake and it’s also the perfect base from which to take on the taking on the peaks of Scafell Pike, Skiddaw and the Langdale Pikes.

Ambleside

In the very heart of the Lake District, lies the Victorian town of Ambleside. Located north of Lake Windermere, the town is surrounded by beautiful scenery and offers the visitor plenty in the way of walking, mountaineering and mountain biking. Ambleside is one of the most visited towns in the Lake District; with a fine range of speciality shops, pubs and restaurants, a wealth of gardens and being just a short walk away from Lake Windermere, it is the ideal place to stay for a holiday.

Kendal

Situated to the south of the Lake District National Park is the ‘Auld Grey Town’ of Kendal. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’, Kendal has a rich heritage and appeals to those visitors looking for a unique blend of culture, history and shopping. In the town there are many interesting sites such as Kendal Castle and Kendal Museum and you’ll also find plenty of parks and open spaces including Abbot Hall Park, Serpentine Woods and Goose Holme. This charming little town enjoys a superb location with easy access of the Lakes and is also within close proximity of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Author: Days Inn UK offer hotels in Kendal for that ideal holiday in the English Lake District.

Travel Guest Post: Glamping in Cornwall, UK

If you’ve always wanted to go camping but have always had a fear of going to a site with a lack of basic amenities which make going on such a holiday more comfortable, there is a type of holiday which combines the comforts of staying in a hotel with the thrills of staying close to nature. ‘Glamping’, short for glamorous camping, is a type of camping where you get added extras you might not expect to find in a normal tent. There are a few campsites in Cornwall which provide glamping which are worth staying in.

By going glamping with pitchup.com, you can get close to nature without sacrificing a few home comforts at a campsite such as Little Upton Boutique Belltents near Liskeard. Populated by bell tents and a solitary yurt, this glamping site comes with futons or double beds, wood-burning stoves, rugs, cushions and even tea light chandeliers for that extra touch. Each bell tent also has its own kitchen area, and nearby, the farm shop sells produce in the form of eggs, bacon and sausages.

Glamping has a several advantages over traditional camping which are worth taking into consideration before deciding whether you want to go on such a holiday. One of those is that you do not have to go to a block to do washing-up, cooking or cleaning. Many glamping tents come equipped with their own electricity supply, hot water, a bed or two and even some furniture. Another advantage is that you can do more in a glamping tent than a normal one because they tend to be more spacious, meaning that you don’t have to keep going out to have fun if you’re not in the mood.

Travel Guest Post: Scenic Weekends in The Cotswolds

One of the most unspoiled and beautiful areas in England, the Cotswolds are an expanse of rolling hills that span six counties in the heart of the country. This picturesque area was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966 and is the largest of these protected landscapes in England. With an approximate area of 2,000 square kilometres, the Cotswolds are one of the most popular destinations in England and offer many scenic delights for travellers in this region as well as exclusive entertainments and activities for visitors to enjoy on short breaks throughout the countryside.

Enjoy the outdoors
Nature lovers can explore public areas of the old-growth beech forests in the Cotswolds or learn more about the endangered wildlife and plants that grow only in this area of England. A rare modern example of coppicing in a woodland environment can be found in Siccaridge Wood, which also serves as home to muntjac deer and a healthy dormouse population. The nearby Daneway Banks nature reserve is an ideal place to spot large blue butterflies, which were reintroduced into the area after being lost to England several decades ago. Accommodations in the immediate area are concentrated in the nearby village of Cirencester and include some of the most affordable Cotswolds hotels as well as many bed and breakfast and cottages to let in the area.

Historical Cotswolds
History buffs will find much of interest to see and do in the Cotswolds as well. Cirencester is home to the Corinium Museum, an outstanding collection of antiquities and artefacts dating back to the Roman Era that includes a full-scale reproduction of a typical town in Roman Britain. Mystically inclined historians may want to take a side trip to the Rollright Stones, considered to be the third most important of the ubiquitous English stone circles. Legend has it that no visitor can count the same number of stones in the circle twice in a row. For literary minded visitors, Shakespeare’s birthplace is located in picturesque Stratford-on-Avon and is open to the public for tours, while historic Lansdown Hill was the site of one of the most crucial battles of the English Civil War.

Family weekends away
The Gloucester Cathedral dominates the skyline of this ancient city and is notable as the final resting place of both Robert Duke of Normandy and King Edward II. For children of all ages, however, the Gloucester Cathedral will be instantly recognised as the setting for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies, making this a must-see for families. Birdland is located at scenic Bourton-on-the-Water and features seven acres of unspoiled natural woodland along with special habitats for birds not native to the area. Penguins and flamingos are among the avian attractions on display at this bird sanctuary, which also features a cafe and several play areas for children. For more animal-themed excitement, families can opt for the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park with a unique drive-through experience that allows close observation of giraffes, tigers, rhinos and other exotic animals. Water rides and coasters are also available for even more family fun.

Accommodations in the Cotswolds
Cotswolds hotels are located near most major tourist attractions and nature preserves. Accommodations range from rustic cottages and bed and breakfast arrangements to full-service Cotswolds hotels and inns designed with luxury in mind. No matter what the budget or accommodation requirements, the Cotswolds offers exceptional value and a wealth of options for an unforgettable weekend away.

Author: Jack Oldham

Guest Blog: London for Less (So You Can Buy More Shoes)

London is one of those cities that once you’ve gone, you can’t wait to get back to. If you’ve never been, it can seem rather daunting to actively start planning a vacation there, as prices for everything seem sky-high. While it’s true that London is one of the most expensive destinations to visit, there are certainly ways you can save money traveling there. I believe that being on a budget shouldn’t hamper your vacation destinations, but rather alter your vacation style just a bit, so you can still do as much as possible while stretching your dollars to the max. Here are some of my tips on traveling to and around London for less.

Visit in the Fall – Fall is, by far, the least expensive time to travel to Europe and the UK. Compared to Summer airfares, rates run almost half at this time of year, which can keep hundreds of dollars in your pocket.

Rent an apartment – Not only will this save you money over a hotel, but also you can cook some, or all, of your own meals and make your food budget go further. You’ll have more space than a hotel, no noisy kids running up and down the hall and you’ll feel like a real Londoner going back to your “flat” after a long day out in the city!

Get a London Pass – This is your ticket to the city. You pay one price and this little card can get you into over 55 attractions in the London area. It allows you go straight to the head of the line and, since you’ve already paid, you don’t have to keep looking over your budget to see if you can afford to do something else on your trip. If it’s on the list, you’re covered. While not “cheap”, the London Pass is affordable and especially useful if you are spending a week or more in the city. You probably won’t visit all the attractions covered, but if you did you could save over $800. Even if you just visit half, you’re getting a significant savings on your trip.

Use a Travelcard – A Travelcard, which offers you unlimited transportation for the number of days you choose, can be added to the purchase of your London Pass or you can buy it separately. Using the public transportation system in London is a great way to save money, as taxis can really add up. I learned pretty quickly that paying for each trip on the Underground was going to send me to the poorhouse. Buying a packet of tickets can save you a lot, but buying a Travelcard is really the biggest money-saver of them all.

Go for a walk – London Walks has a variety of walking tours you can take any day of the week. Tours usually last for one to two hours and cost around $15 per person. You never have to make a reservation. You just turn up at the tour’s starting location, pay your money to the guide and enjoy a stroll around London, learning about the city’s history on themed tours, such as Jack the Ripper, Harry Potter, the Beatles, pubs, Westminster Abbey and more.

Make dining reservations in advance – Sign up for TopTable.com and search participating London restaurants that allow you to make online reservations through the program. The great thing about TopTable is that they often offer 50% off discounts at certain dining venues. You can find many other deals, too, including my favorite – the special prix fixe menus for TopTable users at many restaurants. The more reservations you complete, the more points you get. When you accumulate enough points, you can trade them in for a dining certificate. Even if you don’t earn enough on your trip, you will still save a bundle by booking your dining at the restaurants that take part in the program.

Enjoy the free things in life – Sure, London, like most of the world, wants your money, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do that won’t cost you anything. You can spend a whole day, or two, saving your money and visiting sites like Hyde Park, browsing vender booths at any of the many street markets, taking in the sights way above the city in OXO Tower, watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, marveling at works of art in Tate Modern or learning the history of the city through exhibits at the London Museum. The list goes on and on. Mix some freebies in with your other activities and your budget will stretch much further.

As you can see, there are many ways to make London affordable. With the money you save, you won’t have to try so hard to resist the calling to pop into the Lulu Guinness or Vivienne Westwood shops.

**This post was brought to you by Shereen of Shereen Travels Cheap. Visit her blog at :

http://shereentravelscheap.blogspot.com/