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One of the most beautiful places in the UK, Arundel Castle in West Sussex. There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the river Arun in west Sussex and built at the end of the 11^th century by Roger de Montgomery, earl of Arundel.

Arundel plays host to some of the most wonderful Sussex holiday cottages and people regularly venture from all over the country down here to see the marvels and history on offer at the Castle and in the town. The oldest part of the Castle is the mote which is an artificial mound, over 100 feet high from the dry moat beneath. It was constructed in late 1068 which was shortly followed by the Gatehouse that was built in 1070. Under King Henry 1^st (1068-1135) settled the Castle and lands in dower of his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain.

The Castle itself was given to William D’Albini II as he was made the Earl of Arundel in 1155. William later on built the keep on the Castle in the early 1100′s and the Castle was given to him as a gift from King Henry II who was a good mate of his. Since the castle was handed over to William there have been numerous occasions where there have been a reversion to the Crown but now the Castle lies in the hands of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years. From the 15^th to the 17^th centuries the Howards who were the former owners, were at the cutting edge of history, from the wars of the roses, through the Tudor time period to the Civil War. Not much was done to try and fix the problem until 1718 when Thomas, the 8. Nothing at all was done to try and ammend the damage until about 1718 when Thomas, the 8^th Duke of Norfolk (1683-1732) carried out some repairs.

Currently, the Castle plays host to the Duchess and Duke of Norfolk and their lovely children.

These days growing numbers tourists are seeking new vacation spots which afford something found nowhere else or, at the very least something different to the usual bar and beach vacation. Under the current economic conditions many folk are, unfortunately coming to the inevitable conclusion that they have severely reduced funds for buying a family holiday and are, annoyingly, forced to cutting corners to save money. One way of doing it is to seek out a less expensive destination. The following article introduces readers to Birmingham, a city in the UK. With the dollar and euro so strong against the British pound hotel accommodation in Birmingham far cheaper than in previous years.

You will find the city of Birmingham in the English county called the West Midlands  and the city’s residents are described as being “Brummies”. The accent of Birmingham is a strong northern English sounding dialect and it is rather difficult to comprehend what is being spoken a difficulty which is made even worst if if you are new to such dialects. Thankfully the vast majority of Brummies are helpful, polite and kind and do their utmost to explain clearly so if the need arises do not be afraid to engage in conversation about directions and help or guidance in finding  Birmingham bed and breakfast accommodation.

The city of Birmingham has  a superb collection of tourist attractions which include some highly interesting and informative museums and art galleries, such as the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the new Thinktank  which is in the Eastside. The city of Birmingham also features an incredible number of acres of woodland, parkland and open spaces, Sutton Park being the largest with 970 hectares it is also the largest urban nature reserve in the United Kingdom and even Europe.

The city has a vibrant and wide ranging night life with an excellent choice of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and bars. You will discover many in one of Birmingham’s squares, Victoria Square, Centenary Square, St Martin’s Square, Rotunda Square, Chamberlain Square, the historic Old Square at Corporation Street and the Gas Street Basin. Gas Street Basin is the hub of Birmingham’s intricate canal systems. Birmingham has approximately 32 miles of canal waterways with between 8 canals which were created during the eighteenth century and continued being used until the 1970′s. These days the site has been renovated and regenerated and is now a pretty decent visitor attraction.

Rather than staying in a bed & breakfast why not consider staying in apartments in Birmingham. If you If you are currently planning a vacation in Birmingham you should be aware that the nearest airport is about eight miles east of the the city center just off the A45, near the M42. You will find that there is a respectable number of hotels close by the airport.

I recently came back from a weeks self catering Dorset.  We had decided that rather than inspecting the beaches of the Spanish coast, I would keep our cash, take a chance on the British atmospheric conditions and go to the pleasant sands of Dorset.  It seems as if I was not the only person because Bournemouth beach was full and with every thing the county of Dorset has on provide, it is no surprise.

Bournemouth and Poole are really interesting parts of Dorset to visit but the area has so a great deal more to offer.  There were a wide variety of sights and sounds and areas to visit.  My favourites of the various tourist destinations would have to be Compton Acres, Tower Park and Sandbanks beach.  I had such a pleasant time at all these destinations and would extremely recommend them to fellow travellers.

This was one of the reasons I made up one’s mind that my family and I would go on holiday in a holiday cottage in Dorset instead of a hotel.  This meant we were able to holiday in a house where we felt comfy and available to do what we wished.  The property was likewise a good base from which we were able journey to the localised holidaymaker sights easily.  We were lucky enough that our country cottage was positioned under 30mins away from all of these tourist destinations.

The Dorset cottage we remained in was adjacent to a traditional pub that we often attended, where we struck up a friendship with the landlord and his wife.  We found out from the pub landlord that cottages in Dorset were very popular in the area and that he often met travellers such as us that stay in them.  If you are thinking of taking a trip to Dorset then I would advocate staying in holiday cottages Dorset.  The welcome you will experience from the people is wonderful, it is a great deal cheaper than a vacation overseas and you will leave feeling laid-back and fresh.

Vacations in the UK appear to be amazingly popular at the moment, probably due to the the current economy and the low value of the pound Sterling. The UK has a large number of top class tourist destinations including London (the capital city of England) and other interesting cities plus a fine selection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Skegness, Southport and Bognor Regis. One city often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

When you first arrive Plymouth appears a little bland and principally modern, but investigating a bit deeper and you will soon find that the city has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As long ago as the sixteenth century Plymouth has had a busy port. In 1588 Francis Drake embarked from the town’s port to successfully defend the English from the Spanish Armada. Another moment in history occurred in 1620 when the Pilgrim Fathers embarked from the port.

It is possible to have low cost short breaks in Plymouth by booking bed and breakfast in Plymouth rather than booking rooms in a plush hotel. A simple online search will show that you can make a reservation from £29 a night and some establishments offer other meals at a reasonable price, commonly equivalent to, or less costly than local restaurants.

Tourist Attractions In Plymouth

There are a great many places in Plymouth that are well worth visiting. Popular visitor attractions include; Merchant’s House Museum, the National Marine Aquarium, St Andrew’s church and the Mayflower Steps. A boat cruise around the naval base is an excellent way to spend some time but if you discover that you have more time to spare why not take a day trip to places near to Plymouth, such as; Buckland Abbey, Mount Edgcumbe or Saltram House.

Saltram House is a fine Tudor Mansion which is situated two miles from the town, Mount Edgcumbe is another fine example of a Tudor house with landscaped gardens, coastal paths and parklands, and Buckland Abbey, approximately 6 miles away from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Sir Francis Drake and was later converted into a family home.

If you are currently thinking about taking a trip to the city of Plymouth it is crucial that you reserve your  lodgings at the earliest moment because, unfortunately Plymouth hotel and guest house accommodation tend to be amazingly busy and are commonly fully booked for months in advance. If your group is large you might find that Plymouth apartment accommodation prove to be less expensive option to bed and breakfast in Plymouth. If you are visiting the UK from abroad then why not consider booking a room for a few days in hotels in London to take in the attractions of the nations capital city too.

Air travel is constantly on the increase and an astonishing  number of us wish to fly with our cats. For years  families have elected to take their family pet on camping holidays while leaving them at home when traveling internationally or when flying. As flights becomes more affordable the thought of taking our pet with us seems a possibility. The article below looks at Air Travel, Pets, concentrating on flights in England, Scotland and Wales.

Flights, Pets, and the Regulations and Rules

One of the imperative things to consider in connection with air travel and pets are the rules and regulations. In Great Britain there are a selection of laws which are applicable, for example the “Safe Air Travel for Animals Act” (2000).   In recent years there has been an increase in security and where you once may have been allowed to carry small pets with you on a flight this may no longer be the case. It is, obviously, of vital importance that you check the facts with the airline before booking your flight. Most airlines now state precisely that all small animals and pets must be carried in suitable containers in the cargo hold. This is clearly much safer than risking a pet becoming distressed and causing a nuisance.

Even though all pets or other small animals are now carried in the cargo hold some caring airlines will permit a passenger to watch the pet being transferred to and from the aeroplane. However it is vitally important that, booking your flight you seek further advice about it from the airline.

Other Important Considerations To Keep In Mind

1. The Container For Your Pet

It is most incredibly important that you choose a pet box of the correct type, weight and size for the animal that will be residing in it for the duration of the flight. There should always be sufficient extra space for the pet to be able to move about easilyall of the time. The longer the duration of the flight the greater the amount of surplus room needed.

2. Safety And Security Measures And Pet Air Travel

At all times your pet box should be easily identified by the airline workers to avoid loss, which is always possible with any air travel. All pet carriers should be labeled clearly with both the destination and a return address and full contact details. Furthermore it is advised strongly that you include the details of another person in case of emergencies when you can not be contacted. As well as applying labels on the outside also think about including some to the interior.  Furthermore go to some length to ensure that your pet has a close fitting collar with an identification tag or similar. The risk of loss is least during non-stop flights.

If it is affordable it also worthwhile considering having your pet fitted with an electronic tag which is inserted beneath the skin by a vetinary surgeon. As soon as you know when and the location you will be flying to make an appointment with the vet (or at least telephone) as he will be able to give important advice on what the requirements are when traveling to another area or country. Your pet may require inoculations and there may be other precautions or restrictions to consider.

Prior planning is always the wisest approach and the very fact that you are reading this article is a wise decision. By making sure you take in the pet air travel tips and hints in this article and by looking for further information online and from your vet, you can ensure that you pet flies securely and safely with the least amount of disturbance.

London, the capital of England, is nearly as famous for its incredible shopping as it is for its prestigious history and varied culture Travelers from all over the world fly to London to indulge in the incredible selection of departments stores, specialist markets and boutique stores. With the weak Pound and strong Dollar US citizens will discover goods are far cheaper as it once was, it is the same situation for those people arriving from other countries in Europe because the English £ is also weak against the Euro.

Famous Department Stores In London

Most probably the most well known of London’s department stores is Harrods department store in Knightsbridge the largest in the world being 18,000 m2 of floor space.  The Harrods motto is ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’  meaning all things for all people, everywhere’. Harrods has maintained a reputation for being exclusive and luxurious and their food hall and toy department are most well known

Selfridges is another store well worth a mention.  Found on Oxford Street, the department store opened for the first time in 1909. Named after, and built by the businessman Gordon Selfridge Selfridges had been especially designed so that the goods were easily accessible to purchasers which was a drastic departure from the common practices of the day.

London Shopping – The Best Places To Go

Covent Garden has become extremely well known for its unusual and specialist shops and is generally accepted as a hip place to frequent. As well as the amazing stores you will also discover an excellent selection of restaurants and eating places in Covent Garden.

Another market in London which is well worth a mention is Camden Market. Even though there have been a variety of markets in Camden at different times the present market first appeared in 1974. Camden’s market is actually a group of various adjoining markets together providing a massive variety of wares.

Famous Shopping Streets In London

The main high street in Chelsea is the Kings Road which is one of the most stylish and chic streets, in London, on which to go shopping. The Kings Road was popular for clothes in the Sixties and Seventies and is closely associated with the Punk movement, in more recent years the Kings Road is much more subdued but still worth a visit.

Another road in London, associated with shopping, is Sloane Street which takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane who purchased much of the land in the area in 1712.

London Shopping Trips

Getting to London is incredibly easy, being England’s capital city transport links are superb and London’s underground makes everywhere incredibly easy to get to.

London accommodation seems to be everywhere and is very easy to find but annoyingly it can prove to be a little bit over priced. It is generally the wisest idea to book your London hotels online and you will find a huge selection of London hotels, guest houses and apartments at http://www.londonhotel4u.co.uk/.

London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, has numerous tourist attractions, many of which are amongst the most popular in the country. For generations London has been a popular vacation destination and much of this interest is due to the immensity of the historical buildings and the unique culture. While many of the visitor attractions found in London have a historic interest, such as the Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, there are many that are only recent additions, such as the London Aquarium, and the youngest of these is the London Eye.

Many still refer to the London Eye as the Millennium Wheel, the reason being that it was built to commemorate then end of the old millenium and celebrate the new. It was officially opened by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in the evening of December 31 but, sadly, there were technical issues and it was not opened to the public until March 2000. Standing 135m above London it has become an unmistakable, and highly visible, landmark.

The Great Wheel of London was an enormous Ferris wheel, capable of carrying up to 1600 people, which appeared in Earl’s Court in 1895. Unfortunately it was demolished in 1907 but today London has a replacement in the London Eye. Although it is not the largest Ferris wheel in the world it can legitimately claim to be the worlds largest cantilever observation tower!

Although the London Eye cannot carry as many people as the Great Wheel of London could it can manage to carry 25 people in each of its 32 capsules. It takes about 30 minutes for the wheel to make a complete revolution during which time you can choose to remain seated or you can stand up and walk about.

With as many as three and a half million people “flying” on the London Eye a year it is now one of the most popular attractions in London. Most people take a flight on the London Eye just to take in the most fantastic views of London. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court Palace and St Paul’s are just a few of the many London landmarks you will see on your trip. During your flight you will be able to enjoy one of the finest views of the Houses of Parliament possible.

The London Eye has been the scene of many a marriage proposal and a number of weddings, which can be booked as a package. In fact there are a number of things available which also include educational aspects for schools and colleges as well as river boat trips along the Thames.

Taking a flight on this amazing visitor attraction should be top of your list of things to do if you are about to take a weekend break or vacation in London. If your time in London is limited it is a real time saver as you are able to take in nearly all of the most important London landmarks during the 30 minute trip which is impossible to do any other way (excluding a helicopter or balloon ride).

If you are looking for accommodation in London you may appreciate the listings of hotels near the London Eye or the cheap London hotels listed on http://www.londonhotelhelper.com/

The capital city of England is London, which is as famous for its shopping as it is for its history and culture. Tens of thousands travel from all around the globe to experience the incredible stores and markets.

Covent Garden has become known for its unusual and specialist shops, and has become a very hip place to be seen. There are a number of excellent restaurants in Covent Garden not just excellent shops. The original Covent Garden market dates back to the middle ages, and up until 1980 was famous for its stalls of fresh fruit, vegatables and flowers.

Camden Market is now one of the most popular places to visit in London. There has been a markets here in Camden for a long time, but in its present status only since 1974. The market is actually a number of adjoining markets selling wares of most things one could possibly think of.

The Kings Road is known as Chelsea’s high street, and one of the most chic and stylish streets to shop in London. Back in the 1970s the Kings Road was closely associated with ‘Punks’, who proved to be an attraction in London themselves. However, the Kings Road is more subdued these days and no longer just a haunt of the followers of the anti-fashion era.

Sloane Street is a street in London which runs north to south, and takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane, who purchased the surrounding area in 1712. Sloane Street has has long been a fashionable shopping district, but is probably just as well known for lending it name to the ‘Sloane Rangers’ in the 1990s. The name Sloane Ranger was applied to the stereotypical young upper class English ladies seen in the area during this time. (One famous woman often referred to as a Sloane Ranger was Lady Diana Spencer)

Harrods department store in Knightsbridge is the worlds largest department store standing on 18,000 m2. The Harrods motto is ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’  meaning all things for all people, everywhere’. A very exclusive and luxurious department store, Harrods is famous the world over for its food hall and its toy department.

Another famous London department store is Selfridges in Oxford Street. In 1909 Selfridges, named after its owner Gordon Selfridge, opened its doors to the public. When it opened Selfridges set new standards for the retailing business. This was because all of the shop floors were designed so that goods on sale were more easily accessible to the customer.

The shops in London offer as much diversity as its culture and no matter how bizarre ones shopping requirements, it can be found in London. Whether you like to shop in department stores or prefer to rummage through the markets, London has it all.

If you are planning a shopping trip to London you will find plently of cheap London hotels listed at www.londonhotelhelper.com

London is one of the most fashionable short break destinations in Europe and is probably in the top ten of the most popula international locations.

London has everything any tourist may want. If you are searching for a massive variety of shopping choices in fact London has the biggest amount of retail premises in the UK. Shopping ranges from designer stores to second hand deals on a market stall. There are huge well known department stores in the bustling main streets.

During a busy days browsing you could have a break in one of the numerous coffee shops or a glass of wine in one of the numerous public houses. After you have completed your browsing you can savour a meal in one of the legion of eating places. In London you will find a restaurant providing virtually every kind of cuisine you can envisage from every part of the world. London has a very diverse multi-cultural population and this allows holidaymakers to try out different types of culinary delights.

After dinner why not sample one of the numerous world class shows in London’s West End. There you will find numerous famous actors and actresses performing in the newest shows. There are many companies that provide great theatre breaks packages, which include a great seat at a performance of your choice and hotel accommodation.

London has a vast number of accommodation choices of varying criteria from a simple youth hostel to five star plus luxury hotels. The cost of the accommodation you choose can be costlier if you choose a property in a more popular part of London close to the principal shops or theatres. A good idea for some people is to stay a bit away out of the center of the city. This will help save you cash and you can use the tremendous underground network to take you about London.

Getting to London is simple as there are London flights departing from many major cities. You can normally get to London non-stop or by journeying via another major airport. Within Europe London is served by the many cheap airlines offering flights as low as just 1 pound or less plus airport taxes. A quick search on the internet will help you find them.

Staying in a one of the cottages in Ashford, a town which is located on the banks of the river is a great choice your Peak District holiday.It is located north of Bakewell and is a very unique part of Derbyshire as well as the Peak District so there is plenty to do in easy reach of the village.

Peak District tourism attracts millions of visitors to the area each year and Ashford should definitely be on your Peak District Accommodation shortlist.

If you like to explore visit The Holy Trinity Church like many others in the region is centuries old. Some parts of the church go back to the 13th century but much of it was rebuilt in the 1800’s as it had become so old. Fortunately some of the original architecture has withstood the test of time.

The north arcade still stands, which originates from the 14th century. The west tower, south door, and lower section of the church still have the Norman tympanum which shows the tree of life with a hog and wolf face to face.

The church also features a chalice from the 1600’s, an octagonal Perp font, and a Jacobean pulpit.

An ancient custom from the 1700’s was to hang funeral garland made of white paper that had been cut into rosettes and attached to a wooden frame, then carried in front of the coffin in the funeral procession, then hung up on the roof of the church, which four of them are still hanging there today.

Ashford was once known as a village that made candles but that industry has long been obsolete and today, a house stands in place of the old factory that once stood, which is located on Greaves Lane.

One of the most picturesque things you will find here is the Sheep Wash Bride. Historically this was used as a packhorse bridge, and later on it became popular with sheep herders who were able to wash their flocks here before shearing.

Ashford is known for the black marble it produces, and once it is polished serves as inlaid patterns for mosaics, clocks, table tops, and jewelry. Ashford Church displays such a table top of this type. This black inlaid marble has become poplar in the United States.

One of the most fascinating things in Ashford dealing with the culture of the village of the well dressing that happens on Trinity Sunday. On this day, six wells are dressed, which means they are layered with leaves and other natural objects that can be found nearby. The objects are then placed on a bed of clay to create a picture.

There is also Ashford Hall, which overlooks a beautiful lake that is part of the River Wye. Ashford Hall was built in 1785 by Joseph Pickford of derby, and belongs to the Olivier family.

Just down the road from Ashford, you can also find a Georgian house that is T-shaped which is better known as Thornbridge Hall. Until the middle of the 20th century, the hall continued to be privately owned but has had a succession of roles being a college for teachers in training to an antique shop.

If your not staying at holiday at one of the holiday cottages in Ashford definitely make sure it is on your list of places to visit especially if you are taking a holiday during Well Dressing week.

Visit the Peak District Tourism blog for more Peak District Tourist Information