A county of spires and squires located in the East Midlands region of England, Northamptonshire or Northants, is a landlocked county bordering Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire. Taking its name form the town of Northampton, the county has a population of over 600,000 and an area of some 2,364 square kilometres. The county town as you would expect is Northampton itself, and it has several largish towns namely Kettering, Daventry, Wellingborough, Corby and Rushden, to name but a few. Kettering is a market town dating back to Roman times when it was taken from a tribe called the Belgics. Daventry is another market town with Anglo-Saxon roots, it now has a population of over 20,000. Wellingborough another market town received its charter from King John, and is surrounded by five wells.
March 15, 2011
March 4, 2011
A Stroll Around Alicante
Located in a natural bay and sitting against the backdrop of the Monte Benacatil peak, the city of Alicante is a modern city with a chequered history leading it to where it lies today. Its strategic position has meant it has long been a major port but also a tourism centre, providing the city with much of its income. The 2nd largest city in Comunidad de Valencia, Alicante enjoys a booming economy, though this has declined somewhat due to the current financial constraints. The main shopping centre for the region Alicante attracts plenty of visitors just due to this one feature, with many of the surrounding, and popular, coastal resorts, having little in the way of retail outlets. It also has some great attractions and one of its most famous, the Santa Barbara Castle, looks proudly down on Alicante from its lofty position on Mount Benacatil. On the seafront you will find the beautiful Paseo de la Esplanada, a popular place to take an evening or weekend stroll. The Spanish just love to walk along the promenade, and Alicante is no exception, with thousands taking in the sea air, and enjoying the cooler evening weather conditions. Rows of palm trees line the promenade making this an attractive spot to sit and enjoy some lunch in one of the seafront restaurants. Easy to reach from the airport, which is just outside the city at El Altet, Alicante should be on your list of places to visit if you are heading to the Costa Blanca this year, or in fact any year. Alicante Map.
March 3, 2011
La Marina Costa Blanca
An extremely popular area for relocation and holidays on the Costa Blanca, especially with the Brits, La Marina is basically split into two distinct parts, the old coastal town and beach area, and the purpose built residential development, a short distance inland on the other side of the main coastal road the N-332. The coastal part of the town has some fantastic sandy beaches, which even in the peak season are so big that they never get packed, and you can always find a spot away from the crowds, to enjoy the sunny weather. The town itself has the usual rows of shops, banks, bars and restaurants, just a run of the mill coastal town. The residential development across the road has one of the largest concentrations of expats in Spain, it’s a bit like little Britain here, with a smattering of Germans and others, and even the odd Spanish person! The La Marina urbanization has all its own amenities, making it pretty much self sufficient, and of course there are a glut of rental properties in the area, though if you are thinking of renting there, you will certainly need a car to get to the beach. A good option is to rent a villa with pool, so that most day you can simply laze by the pool, cook on the barbeque and make the most of the superb weather conditions that are enjoyed here throughout the year. With a car you will be able to get out and about and visit the numerous coastal resorts, as well as attractions like the Rio Safari park, between Santa Pola and Elche, you can also get to local golf courses, of which there are plenty in the area. Don’t forget a trip into the city of Alicante, where the best shopping area can be found, and for culture maybe a visit to the Santa Barbara Castle. La Marina is surrounded by some charming little towns and villages such as Daya Vieja, Daya Nueva, Almoradi, Algorfa, Rojales, Formentera del Segura, San Fulgencio and Catral. All have been developed to a degree and if you are looking to buy property, there are plenty of villas and apartments for sale. Certainly worth a look if you are touring the Costa Blanca, La Marina will be waiting for your visit.
February 19, 2011
Cala Dor Majorca
A large, rather touristy resort built around a number of small coves and bays, Cala D’Or is situated on the east coast of Majorca, and developed as a holiday destination somewhat earlier than many of its counterparts. This former fishing village, is now barely recognisable as such, and styles itself as a rather upmarket resort, based around its chic marina. A quick look at the boats in the harbour at Cala D’Or, will tell you that this is a resort favoured by the well-heeled, though don’t let this put you off, if you are planning a visit, as there is plenty of affordable accommodation to be had in Cala D’or, with a choice of hotels and plenty of self-catering villas and apartments to rent. When the weather is good, the place to head is the beach, though in July and August, get there early to get a decent spot, when the weather is not so good, try visiting one of the local street markets, such as at Porto Colom or Felanitx.
December 29, 2010
Geevor Mine Pendeen St Just
A museum and heritage centre located in a former tin mine in western Cornwall, the Geevor Tin Mine is a great place to visit if you are in the Penzance, St Just area. Learn a little about the historic tin mining industry, you can take the underground tour, visit the Hard Rock Museum, take a look down the Victory Shaft, visit The Dry, left as it was when the mine was operational, or try your hand at mineral panning an see what you can find. Located near to the village of Pendeen, north of the town of St Just, the Geevor Mine is open Sunday to Friday.
December 8, 2010
Chesham Buckinghamshire
The largest town in the Chiltern District of Buckinghamshire, lying in the south-east of the county, Chesham is a market town situated in a steep sided valley at the source of the River Chess. A progressive town with a population of around 20,000, Chesham is a popular commuter town which is on the London Underground line (Metropolitan), giving good access to the capital. Chesham holds a market twice a week, much as it has done for centuries, and a more recent addition, the Elgiva Theatre attracts thousands of visitors to the town, providing much needed entertainment for both its residents and those living nearby. Surrounded by wide expanses of beautiful countryside, Chesham offers plenty of opportunity for walking and cycling, while providing a relaxed and friendly shopping experience for those choosing to stay in the town centre. Places of interest nearby include the Hertfordshire village of Bovingdon, which holds a well known Saturday market on its disused airport, on the same airport you can try out paintballing or watch banger racing, should you wish, and also the pretty village of Ashley Green, a charming place to spend an hour or two.
December 6, 2010
Abbotsbury Dorset
A picturesque, and peaceful rural village located inland of Chesil Bank, in the county of Dorset, England, Abbotsbury attracts many thousands of visitors each year, who not only arrive to enjoy the charm of the place but also to see the famous Abbotsbury Swannery and also the nearby Subtropical Gardens. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks, hundreds of years ago, and now visitors can feed over 600 friendly mute swans and walk amongst these extraordinary birds. The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens were established by the Countess of Ilchester in 1765 and contain many rare and exotic plants over an area of 20 acres of Dorset countryside.
December 3, 2010
Gulliver’s Land Milton Keynes
To entertain the kids on a visit to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, pay a visit to Gulliver’s Land, a children’s theme park, located at Newlands, just outside the town. Perfect for a day out especially when the weather is fine, Gulliver’s land boasts 7 distinct sections, Toy Land, Lilliput Land, Junior Discovery Cove, Adventure Land, Discovery Bay, Lilliput Land Castle and Main Street, and offers lots to keep the kids amused for a few hours. Standard entry prices fro 2010 are £13.50 for both adults and children, and a daily passport is £49.99. To find Gulliver’s Land, head for the Willen Lake area of Milton Keynes, and follow the brown Gulliver’s Land signposts.
See a map of Milton Keynes here: http://www.milton-keynes-map.my-towns.co.uk/
November 25, 2010
Boroughbridge and Aldborough Yorkshire
For many centuries, an important river crossing over the River Ure in North Yorkshire, the small town of Boroughbridge is worth a visit if only to view the standing stones which are located on the edge of the town, and are known as the Devil’s Arrows. Dating from the Bronze Age, the Devil’s Arrows are 3 millstone grit menhirs reaching a height of 22 feet. The nearby village of Aldborough was previously more important than Boroughbridge, and has a Roman history, being the former settlement of Isurium Brigantum. The river crossing around which Boroughbridge grew, was moved from Aldborough by the Normans in the 11th century, reversing the importance of the two Yorkshire places.
See a map of Boroughbridge here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/boroughbridge-map.html
And a map of Aldborough here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/aldborough-map.html
November 23, 2010
Keswick Lake District Cumbria
A popular tourist destination standing beside Derwent Water in the Lake District, Cumbria, north-west England, Keswick is in an area of great natural beauty, and attracts thousands of visitors each year, as it has done for many decades. Formerly attractive to the Romantic poets of the Victorian era, Keswick attracted the likes of Wordsworth and Coleridge, who visited for the inspiration that the beautiful Lake District scenery provided. Close to Keswick, you can visit the Castlerigg Stone Circle, an ancient monument probably dating from the Bronze Age, and over one hundred feet in diameter, when the weather is pleasant head along to Derwent Water and maybe take a boat trip on the lake, or visit the Theatre on the Lake and watch one of their fine performances.
November 22, 2010
Appleby in Westmoreland Cumbria
Situated in the beautiful valley of the River Eden in Cumbria, the town of Appleby is the location of a famous Horse Fair, which is held in June every year, this colourful event attracts many thousands of visitors, especially gypsies, who descend on the town from all over Britain. Appleby Castle was formerly the home of Lady Anne Clifford, and was restored to its former glory by her, after being damaged during the English Civil War. The St Lawrence church in Appleby contains the tomb of Lady Anne Clifford who died in 1678. The River Eden flows through the town and when the weather is fine is a terrific place to do some walking. Appleby is located to the east of the Lake District and the areas around the town are peppered with tiny hamlets such as Reagill, Sleagill, Burrells and Murton.
Ampleforth North Yorkshire
Situated in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, the small village of Ampleforth stands on the southern fringes of the North Yorks Moors National Park, and is a perfect base for touring this area of great natural beauty. With its population of 888, Ampleforth is only a tiny village, though it has some history, and its parish church dates from Saxon times, it also has a abbey (Ampleforth Abbey), which is located about a mile from the village centre. Ampleforth is about 20 miles drive from the city of York, and nearby places include, Yearsley, Grimstone and Fritton, head into the North Yorks Moors, and you will find the hamlets of Wass and Oldstead .
See a map of Ampleforth here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/ampleforth-map.html
And a map of the North Yorks Moors here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/north-yorks-moors-map.html
November 15, 2010
Skipton North Yorkshire
A market town located in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, Skipton is often referred to as “The Gateway to the Dales”, due to its position at the southern tip of the Yorkshire Dales, an area of great natural beauty. Dominated by its medieval castle, which was originally built by the Normans, Skipton has a number of interesting places to visit including the George Leatt Industrial and Folk Museum, the Craven Museum, and the High Corn Mill, a restored mill building. When the weather is pleasant be sure to take a stroll along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which runs through the town. Skipton is approximately 27 miles from Leeds.
See a map of Skipton here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/skipton-map.html
And the latest Skipton weather here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/skipton-weather.html
November 11, 2010
Hertford Hertfordshire
A town and parish located in the county of Hertfordshire, England, Hertford has a population of around 24,000 and a history going back to Anglo-Saxon times, when it acquired its name which no doubt refers to its position on a ford over the River Lea, where harts (or stags) would have crossed. First recorded as a town in 673, Hertford was a significant town by the time of the Norman conquest, having mills, churches and markets already established. The Normans built a castle in the town and there was also a priory erected, which remained until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Hertford grew prosperous over the centuries and especially after the arrival of a canal in 1767 and the railway in the mid-nineteenth century. Hertford has been the county town of Hertfordshire since Saxon times, and has retained its importance in the affairs of the county. Major landmarks in the town include Hertford Castle, with some original sections, the Robert Adam designed Shire Hall (1779), Wallace House, the Corn Exchange and the Hertford Museum. Hertford lies at the confluence of four rivers, them main one being the River Lea, and when the weather is fine there can be no better way to spend a few hours than to take a stroll along the river, or even hire a boat and cruise along the river itself.
November 10, 2010
Moraira Costa Blanca
Moraira Port and Marina
An attractive town on the northern Costa Blanca, Spain, Moraira is located just a few miles from Javea. Up to around forty years ago Moraira was little more than a few fishermens cottages, sitting along the sea front. Although a marina and a number of urbanizations have since been built, the town has still retained much of its original quaint charm, most of the property in the area comprises isolated detached villas set amongst trees and vegetation. The beaches of Moraira have decent sand and warm, clear water, and are the ideal place to enjoy the wonderful Moraira weather, which is mostly sunny and dry throughout the year. The main beach of Moraira, Playa de L’ Ampolla, is within easy walking distance of Moraira’s town centre but it can get very busy during the summer season. A little to the south is the excellent beach of the Platgetes which is lined by a promenade. There are several pretty bays along the coast around Moraira, some of which are very rocky, making them perfect for snorkeling or diving. One of the finest coves is the Cala Punta Estrella, which can be accessed via steps dug into the cliff face. The pretty marina which is located close to the town centre and has over six hundred berths. Moraira is a desirable location for the purchase of holiday property and has also seen many expats settle permanently in the resort over the last 30 years or so.