Take look at our blog to discover more about our destinations and hidden gems across the British Isles & Ireland.
Halloween is celebrated all over the world and is a really big deal in some places, but we you don’t need to travel too far out of the UK to discover the home of Halloween; to find the origin you have to look to the festival of Samhain in Ireland's Celtic past.
Below are the top 10 Irish Halloween traditions that are still alive and kicking today.
When we think of a holiday the usual visions that spring to mind are lying on a sun-soaked beach, chilling out with a very colourful cocktail and not a care in the world.
But not all holidays are the same!
There are a strange bunch of us that love jetting off to chilly climates and hurtling ourselves down a snow covered mountains risking breaking limbs.
Although autumn has definitely landed with am array of gorgeous coloured leaves and conkers on the ground, the temperature outside is all over the place, chilly enough to light a fire one day and warm enough for no coat the next.
We won’t complain though as the sunny and warm autumn days are just perfect for getting your walking shoes on and getting out to see the autumn displays that mother nature has provided.
October has arrived which means there is no longer any denying it, autumn is here, we need to pack away our summer wardrobe for another year and face up to the cold seasons ahead.
Its not all doom and gloom though, autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the countryside with colours bursting from the trees like fire and the temperatures not so cold as to cause frost bite when you go out for a walk.
So where are the best part of Ireland for a scenic walk?
As autumn tumbles upon us the weather begins to take a turn for the worse and the thought of getting out for a walk is less appealing. Getting totally soggy and cold doesn’t sound like a lot of fun and we can become tempted to shut ourselves away indoors.
The best thing we can do though is to keep up our walking through the autumn and winter months, stick with our outdoor adventures but just be a little more prepared for the elements.
Although we hate to admit it, the summer seems to be slowly slipping away and giving in to cooler temperatures and more unpredictable weather. It always feels a little sad as summer leaves but lets not forget that Autumn is a truly magical time of year here in the UK. The leaves on the trees turn beautiful shades of orange and red and the sun hangs low in the sky lighting up the countryside with gorgeous orange hues. So if you are thinking about booking an Autumn getaway then we think that its a great idea. Here are some of our favourite spots for autumn getaways in the UK.
You may be an experienced walker who has been rambling for years and has many a good campsite story to tell, or perhaps you are new to the walking club, whatever your circumstance it’s always good to chat to others and get their hints, advice and walking tips.
Even if you think there isn’t anything you don’t know about walking you’ll be surprised to hear different peoples experiences and you might even learn a nice little snippet of information that will help you on yours.
You’ve partied through your 20’s and scoffed at visiting a boring National Trust, but once you’ve settled down a bit, perhaps even started a family, your priorities change, you seem to enjoy the peace and quiet that being surrounded by nature and beauty brings, and all of a sudden you’ll find yourself asking ‘Is it worth buying a season ticket for the National Trust?
Some of us go walking in big groups or clubs with other fellow walkers, but some of us start out on our own. Perhaps walking is a new hobby that you’ve just embarked upon but you don’t know anybody else who shares your passion for going hiking, or maybe you’ve decided to start walking to get out and be a bit more sociable and meet new people. So how easy is it to makes friends as a walker?
This summer has been amazing so far in Ireland and because of that, outdoor swimming has been super popular. A trip to Ireland doesn’t always conjure up images of lazy beach days and sunshine but this summer it really has been just that.
If you are heading to the Emerald Isle for a holiday or are already here then you’ll definitely want to read about 8 of the best outdoor swimming spots in Ireland below.
Some of us choose to go walking with our families, others with groups of friends, some like to walk with their partner and then there are those of us that just like to go it alone.
There is something very special about being out in the wild, surrounded by only nature and your own thoughts, but as a solo walker there are some considerations to make before setting out that differ from walking with others and we look at them in this blog.
The idea of gorgeous family walks, soaking up the sunshine and immersing the whole family in nature and wildlife is definitely one thats flitted through the minds of most of us parents, but in reality a badly planned hike with the kids in tow can result in a lot of tears (yours and the kids!) and far more hassle then its worth.
Have a look over our top tips for managing an enjoyable hike with the whole family.
We walkers spend a lot of our spare time in the great outdoors discovering our beautiful planet on foot. Its a great way to exercise and really take in the world around us, but have you ever thought about stepping your game up a notch and getting involved in race walking?
Race walking is a a recognised discipline of athletics, is included in the Olympic Games and is essentially just a faster version of regular walking. It is regulated by the IAAF and judged so that you maintain a good walking technique. Points are then awarded based on how fast you complete a fixed distance and rankings are produced so that you can begin to compete with other who do race walking.
If you are heading to Scotland for a summer break then there are so many wonderful things to get up to, but make sure to pack for all manner of weather and temperatures as the climate is a little unpredictable year round and there is no guarantee of balmy summer days, that said these days do exist this far north, much to many peoples doubt!
We’ve sought out some of the best places to visit in Scotland this summer, have a read.
Suffolk is a beautiful part of the country that many people flock to for their holidays, situated on the east coast of England you’ll find gorgeous beaches, charming medieval towns, stunning countryside and loads of pubs, restaurants and attractions to keep in busy in Suffolk.
We’ve selected some of the best, not to be missed parts of Suffolk here to help you plan your holidays.
BEACHES
A lot of people come to Suffolk to be beside the seaside and with Suffolk being the closest undistrubed beach to London its a popular destination for people wanting a break from city life.
Walberswick Beach: This is our favourite coastal spot in Suffolk, with a gorgeous little sand dune backed beach just across from the river Southwold, you can have a play or kick back on the sand and shingle beach or have a dip in the sea, there is also a lovely walk along the Walberswick Nature Reserve if you get bored of relaxing (not likely!)
Southwold Pier Beach:This is more of the traditional seaside resort style beach in Suffolk, with a 250m long pier, a sand and shingle beach and lots of attractions including traditional seaside arcade fun for the family, restaurants, summer punch and judy shows and an under the pier show which you must visit.
South of Claremont Pier Beach (Lowestoft): If its a sandy beach that you are craving in Suffolk then you’ll love South of Claremont Pier beach, which is a fine stretch of sand known locally as Victoria Beach. This is a popular holiday area with colourful beach huts, restaurants and cafes and is also known as the ‘sunrise coast’ so if you fancy an early start one morning during your stay in Suffolk then you can test this out for yourself and see if the sunrise is as good as they say!
ARTS & CULTURE
Arts and Culture are a big deal in Suffolk and combine new and original theatre productions, dance, festivals and lots of museums and galleries to mooch around.
Benjamin Bitten was born here in Suffolk, arguably one of the greatest composers of the 20th century and leaving a rich musical heritage to the area.
Aldeburgh Beach Lookout: Check out this tiny art temple by the sea, a magical and stimulating place for the art-minded to visit.
The Hunter Gallery, Bury St Edmonds: Here, well-known local artists exhibit paintings, sculptures and furntiure for people to view and buy. They specialise in art for the home and have some really beautiful pieces if you fancy taking home your very own little piece of Suffolk.
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmonds: The Theatre Royal in Suffolk is one of the most significant theatre buildings in Britain and the last surviving Regency playhouse. This grade 1 listed building is actually part of the National Trust property portfolio and shows a vibrant, year-round programme of drama, music, dance and comedy.
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS:
There are loads of things to do to keep the family busy in Suffolk so if you fancy a day away from the beach then check out some of these brillaint days out.
Africa Alive: This is an African themed wildlife park and is part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia. It aims are advancement and education, animal welfare and conservation and its a real treat for the family to see African animals in Suffolk.
Set in 100 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside there are some lovely walks around the park aside from getting up close and personal with the animals.
Easton Farm Park: A visit to Easton Farm Park in Suffolk is all about learning about real farm life, meeting the animals, smelling the smells and hearing the farm noises. The children can roam around freely and safely meaning parents can relax. There are often workshops going on over the summer months too.
Framlingham Castle: Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring these castle walls in Suffolk. Rich in history, exploring a castle is always an adventure for little ones and is super interetsing for bigger ones too! There are walks, exhibits and a cafe for lunch.
Pubs & Restaurants
Scutchers Restaurant, Long Melford: This tastefully decorated, lovely restaurant is a real treat with amazing food and service that is second to none.
If you fancy the food but want to relax in your pj’s then head for the Scutchers shop which sells starters, mains and puddings and wine all to be taken away.
Queen’s Head, Blyford: A beautiful 500 year old thatched pub close to Southwold and Halesworth in Suffolk, this is a fine example of a traditional English pub complete wih a gorgeous beer garden for those warmer days.
Here they specialise in local meats but also have an array of speciality nights throughout the week including curry, pie and italian nights.
Morston Hall: Morston Hall in Suffolk boasts a Michelin star and the restaurant is located in the gorgeous country house hotel.
Expect beautifully presented, imaginative food that will get your tastebuds tingling.
Just because you aren’t feeling flush doesn’t mean you can’t have a Dublin city break, there are so many wonderulf budget options available, which means you get to save your hard earned cash for sightseeing, eating out, hitting the shops and generally enjoying yourelf. We’ve sussed out some of the best budget options right here.
Buswells Hotel
In the heart of the city, Buswells offers a really well-priced, old-fashioned style hotel that is as cosy as they come.
The service is attentive and the staff are super friendly and will help you plan your days out with their wealth of knowledge of Dublin.
They have a bar and restaurant or if you fancy heading out you are in a perfect location with everything you could want on the doorstep.
The website has some offers too so you may make further savings, always good to check them out before booking.
The Kingfisher Townhouse
This cosy hotel makes a great budget option, its 100m from O’Connell street which offers the best shopping in the city and a ten minute walk from the popular Temple Bar district.
The rooms here are spacious and have been recently renovated and there is even the option of an apartment containing a fully equipped kitchens and sitting area, ideal for families or groups and could save you a fortune on eating out.
Royal Marine Hotel
Overlooking picturesque Dun Laoghaire Harbour looking out to Dublin Bay, the Royal Marine Hotel has just wonderful views and is a brilliant budget option.
This bustling seaside hotel has a great atmosphere, some rooms with seaviews, a spa, gym, pool and tennis courts, so you won’t be getting bored!
Ballsbridge Hotel
Located 20 minutes walk from the city centre, Ballsbridge Hotel is a well-renowned, stylish and inviting hotel that makes for a great budget option.
The traditional Irish hospitality is perfect and the you won’t leave without having a drink at their pub The Dubliner, where locals and residents alike enjoying meeting.
With 400 rooms you’ll pretty much always find there is space and it’s super close to the RDS Arena, 3 Arena and Aviva Stadium.
Ariel House
This guesthouse happens to be one of our favourite budget options, it occupies two Victorian townhouses nect to the Aviva Stadium and it is impressive!
The interior is elegant but welcoming and cosy with big comfortable sofas to sink into and a grand piano in the drawing room.
The rooms have been kitted out with good quality furnishing including orthopeadic matterresses and quality linen and towels.
Although Ariel House has a great price tag you won’t feel like you are scrimping in the slightest.
Generator Hostel
Located in the fashionable Smithfield district of Dublin, the Generator Hostel is a real budget option but will really surprise you.
If you are looking for a lively place to stay that definitely won’t break the bank then head this way.
With amazing open social spaces, a cafe and bar, reclaimed wood and exposed brickwork there is a really cool industrial feel to this place.
If you want to add a pinch of luxury to your budget stay then book the shared room with the hot tub!
Whether you are a seasoned camping pro, are relatively new to the camping game or are just considering buying a tent and getting into it all, camping is a great way to take a break without having to spend a fortune and it is really, really fun (honestly!) With beautiful campsites all over the UK, we focus here on Devon since during the summer months its a stunning part of the country to visit.
Here are some of our favourites.
1.Secret Spot Camping, Braunton
Secret Spot is a gorgeous little camping spot which is aptly named since its pretty hard to find! Don’t be put off though once you find it you’ll be rewarded with beautiful flower gardens, barbecue’s, picnic spots and relaxation spots with benches hidden away in little nooks and crannies.
This campsite is nestled in totally unspoilt countryside where you might see butterflies, dragonflies, owls and bats.
Super close to Croyde Bay its a great spot if you are a surfer or beach go-er and the lovely family who own the site are on hand should you need anything during your stay.
2.Stowford Farm Meadows, North Devon
If you are looking for a fabulous, family friendly campsite then you are going to love Stowford Farm Meadows.
This is rural campsite set amongst 500 acres of rolling coutryside and mature woodland which provides beautiful views and lots of exploring opportunities for the family.
On site you’ll find loads of great facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, crazy golf, a horse riding centre, childrens entertainment and play areas.
3.Karrageen Camping and Caravan Park, Salcombe, South Devon
This family run campsite is set near gorgeous Salcombe in a beautiful valley surrounded by National Trust protected coastline.
This isn’t a campsite with loads going on, its all about kicking back in the peace and quiet and soaking up the beautiful surrounding countryside.
There is a small, well-stocked shop at the reception though and it does sell alcohol so if you fancy watching the sun go down with a nice glass of wine you won’t be disappointed.
4.Ocean Pitch, Croyde
The views in Devon don’t get much better than here, so if you need to be near to the ocean then this is your spot.
Ocean Pitch offers an ideal location for exploring the beautiful Croyde Bay, surfing, cycling, walking and providing great access to the South West Coastal Path.
These guys offer some fun activities if you want to get involved, most revolve around the ocean. There is a surf shack on site for some great breakfast and lunch options too.
5.Caffyns Farm, Exmoor
Set in 160 acres of countryside in one of Exmoor’s most beautiful coastal locations with a stream running though you’ll find absoute peace and quiet here, even though you aren’t far from so many great places.
Here you are ten minutes to Lynton and Lynmouth and close to all of the North Devon towns and attractions.
One of the barns has been convereted into a lovely cafe that has inside and outside seating overlooking the sea. There is also a shop on site.
