Travel Destination Bucket List

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Top 5 reasons to visit the Lake District in the UK

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If you haven’t yet visited the Lakes, where have you been? Thanks to the abundance of stunning natural scenery, the welcoming nature of the local people, and the overall relaxed vibe, the Lakes is the perfect place for winding down whilst also immersing yourself in proper British culture. In the county of Cumbria, the Lake District is Britain’s largest national park, covering a huge 2,292 sq km. Most famous for its abundance of beautiful crystal watered lakes, the area boasts some of the most beautiful picturesque views, whilst also being rich in historical culture. But if that doesn’t persuade you, here’s 5 reasons why you should visit the Lake District:

Food glorious food

Sampling all that the Cumbrian countryside has to offer is nothing short of a delight. With so many local watering holes and eateries to delve into, Cumbria truly is the place to be if you’re a foodie. Be it classic pub food, or something a little more up market, the Lakes has it all. Indulge in a traditional British afternoon tea, complete with tea by the pot, jam and cream scones and delicate finger sandwiches for the ultimate in British country cuisine.

Photography

If you’re a keen photographer, the Lakes is definitely the place for you! The endless landscapes, stunning wildlife and breath-taking views make it a photography dream, be it amateur or professional. To get the ultimate shot, head down to one of the many fantastic lakeside areas at dawn, to snap the scenery as the sun rises.

Events galore

From beer festivals to bonfires, there’s a traditional event for everyone in the Lakes. Take inspiration from the season by visiting Beatrix Potter at Hill Top and have the opportunity to see the very place the writer, most famous for The Tale of Peter Rabbit, lived. If delving into the culture of the Lakes isn’t your cup of tea, there’s also a huge range of historic public houses ready to serve you craft beers and home-brewed ale.

It’s a little luxury

Visiting the Lakes gives you the opportunity to spend some time relaxing, indulging in a little me time and looking after yourself. Renting a cottage is the best way to see the lakes, not only does it give you the freedom to do whatever you please, but lots of properties come with free standing baths or hot tubs, perfect for that little bit of luxury living. There are a fantastic range of Lake District cottages from Lakelovers, one of which could well be your dream resting place. Ranging from romantic boltholes to picture-postcard luxury and everything in between, there’s something for everyone.

Peace and Quiet

Going to the Lakes gets you out of the hustle and bustle of daily life, as well as being able to see a part of the world previously hidden and gives you the opportunity to steal a moment or two to yourself. Submerging yourself into tranquil surroundings naturally leads to a feeling of calm, and what better way to do that than in the beautiful setting of the Lake District.

Visiting The Lake District, England

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The Lake District in the North West of England is a beautiful area. For anyone that loves nature and wants to escape to a quiet area for their next vacation, rather than visiting England’s capital of London, perhaps you should discover everything that The Lakes can offer.

Scenery

Wherever you go in and around the Lake District, there is so much amazing scenery to enjoy, for free. If you have children, this is the perfect place to get them active and enjoying nature. There is a reason that the Lakes hosts millions of tourists every year, and this is because of how beautiful it really is. Whether you go on a boat across the stunning Lake Windermere or you take your children on the Buffalo Trail, there is plenty of things to discover and enjoy, all whilst taking in the fresh country air. If you’ve never been abroad, Tourist2Traveler.Com has some great tips.

Accommodation

If staying in a cottage, far away from everyone else, surrounded by peace and quiet and the beauty of the lakes and mountains sounds like your dream vacation, the Lake District can certainly offer you this. With many stunning lakeside cottages to rent, for couples and families, this is a perfect way to get closer and discover quaint country pubs with lovely locals. You may want to brush up on your Cumbrian dialect though!

Things To Do

The Lake District is home to many adventurous activities, as well as more educational pursuits. The famous author and poet William Wordsworth had a little house in Cumbria, in which he spent time writing some of his most famous poems. The Castlerigg Stone Circle is another must-see; these stones are around 4,000 years old and are surrounded by a spectacular view of the mountain peaks. If you want to do something a bit more thrill-seeking, the Lake District has many adventure sports on offer. You may want to rock climb on a real mountain or kayak and scuba dive in the natural great lakes. You can rent rowing boats if you wish to have a more chilled out time on the water. Whatever you want to do, take advantage of everything that these natural formations can offer you.

Food and Drink

There are many great restaurants and bars to be discovered in the Lake District, which is perfect for those who want to discover some local pubs rather than large chains. There is something lovely about grabbing a pint in the beer garden, all whilst knowing you are supporting a friendly local, and you will notice a difference in service too. Keswick is home to some great restaurants and bars, such as The Chief Justice of The Common Pleas, which is an old courthouse turned pub where you can enjoy your food and drink in a holding cell, or sat in the judge’s chair.

You won’t be stuck for things to do when visiting the Lake District, and discovering the mountains and lakes is completely free, meaning you don’t need to spend a fortune.

Great New Forest Getaways

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Swan Green, New Forest, Hampshire, England.

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Autumn is always a lovely time in most places – albeit with changes in weather which might leave some people wishing for the days of summer to return. Autumn can be a beautiful time of year, especially to get one last trip away from home in before the winter hits, and what better way to get away for a few days, or even a week, than booking a cottage somewhere.

South England

It’s no surprise that the south of England has a number of great attractions for all types of people. With easy and quick proximity to London, the south is always a bit of a hot spot for tourists from all over the world, and it’s a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city for awhile, especially with all the fantastic cottage rental options in the area. For example, you can rent a cottage in the New Forest for relatively cheap, depending on the time of year and the size of the cottage, which allows you a wonderful autumnal getaway in a beautiful part of the country. The New Forest is historical as well in that it was used as prime hunting grounds for monarchs of England dating back to the middle ages, and was employed as a large, makeshift airbase for Allied troops in World War 2. Memorials can still be found dotted throughout the New Forest, amid its wandering ponies and pigs, and its thatched roof cottages and winding, country lanes.

The Surrounding Area

The area surrounding the New Forest is equally unique and provides many easy travelling opportunities to other cities and towns with a variety of sights and events. For example, a short drive from the New Forest are the cities of Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury – Salisbury being the location of a number of amazing historic pubs, a charter market dating back to the middle ages each Tuesday and Saturday, as well as one of the oldest professed pubs in the area – the Haunch of Venison, which boasts flooring taken from the original floor of the gothic cathedral in the 1200’s when the floor was redone. It also is home to one of the last remaining full pewter bar taps in Britain, which makes this a great stop for history buffs. Salisbury, as mentioned is home to the famed Salisbury Cathedral, which has the tallest spire in the UK.

Other great towns nearby include Yeovil, Glastonbury, Bath and Bristol, with Glastonbury hosting numerous beautiful pagan sites and the famed Glastonbury Tor, and Bath being well known for it’s ancient Roman Baths and Thermae Spa which recreates the Roman bathing splendour for relatively low prices to be enjoyed by visitors. Numerous villages are dotted throughout the New Forest alongside their own unique pubs and teahouses, with Burley being perhaps one of the quaintest of the small villages, with a number of quirky shops and restaurants and single room teahouses.

So there you have a few amazing reasons to visit and book a cottage in the New Forest. Not only is it an area rich and ripe in history and amazing sights, but it lends itself to being a location that works for both outdoor lovers, shoppers, city explorers and the like. So don’t delay – many cottages are offering great last minute deals if your holiday ends before October, so book today and come see just what a treasure the New Forest really is!

Reasons Why You Should be Heading to the Forest of Dean This Year

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The Forest of Dean is a historical and scenic location set in England’s beautiful county of Gloucestershire, the thousands of acres of woodland in this part of the country are some England’s oldest and best preserved and the area makes for a great place to take a break. The River Wye runs through the heart of this region and the area has been used in the past for many films and TV sets due to it’s medieval feel and its unspoiled nature. If you are looking to take a break in England then the Forest of Dean is a great location to choose and here are just a few reasons why you should consider this stunning part of England.

Cycling

For those of you that love to jump on your bike then this area is perfect for you, with several trails for you to follow through the varied scenery you can take your bike through the heart of this rugged woodland. The terrain ranges from stoned paths, muddy tracks and and paved roads, meander through the forest and take on hill climbs and rapid downhill descents, there is something here for all abilities regardless of whether you are looking for something high octane or a relaxing cycle through the woods, you can find it here.

Old Buildings

For a glimpse into the past of Old England you can visit some of the old buildings that sit in the area, from castles to the jail museum there is plenty here for visitors to see. The larger castles offer guided tours through them where you can explore and learn who occupied the castle and the battles that took place to take them over. These are great places to spend your days and there is plenty of fun to be had for the kids as well.

Tranquility

Many of us work and live in bustling cities and towns with plenty of noise and chaos each day, taking some time out in the Forest of Dean is the perfect way to recharge your batteries in a tranquil setting, a world away from the mania in our daily lives. Enjoy a quiet stay in a holiday cottage here to get the most out of your experience, many of the cottages are set in isolated places so that you can get the most from the peaceful environment and beautiful scenery that the area has to offer.

Clearwell Caves

Clearwell Caves is a huge underground expanse where you can head below the ground for a truly memorable experience. This vast cave system has been significantly mined, leaving behind what is essentially an underground town. The caves have been used in a whole host of TV shows and during Christmas and Easter the caves are themed as Santa’s grotto or with an Easter Egg trail. You won’t find yourself wading through water to see stalactites down here as it is fully visitor ready and a great place to spend your day during your time in the Forest.