Tour-Smart Limited

A more positive note seems to be in the air with the odd few days of good weather, the smell of the barbecue and the ‘Taste Guernsey Seafront Sunday’ fish extravaganza along the esplanade.

In support of local industry we are sourcing as many local produce as possible, from milk, cream, butter and cheese, some of these assisting us to make our own ice cream, to local oysters, lobsters, crabs and flat fish where possible.
Our new June a la carte will be up on the website very soon and our new ‘dish of the month’ is:-
Turbot on crushed Jersey Royals, scallops, salsa Verde

This coming Thursday 6th June between 5.00pm and 6.30pm sees the start of “THURSDAY NIGHT IS COCKTAIL NIGHT” weather permitting on our terrace. For £12.50 per person you can have a cocktail of your choice along with a selection of canapés. We have created a new list of exciting cocktails to choose from – Summer garden – tanquerary gin, elderflower, apple and lemon or Aperol spritzer to mention but two.

Visit Guernsey’s summer season of events starts soon with Sunday concerts in Candie gardens, a short walk from the hotel, and Floral week starts on 6th July.

Special Offers


Luxury Weekend Break Package
Why not take the opportunity to really get away from it all and enjoy a few lazy days on the beautiful island of Guernsey...... 

Guernsey Overnight Residents Break
Are you a Guernsey resident? If you are and you have already booked dinner with us, why not treat your loved one to an overnight stay, with a 50% reduction in price...... 

Just B&B for me!
Enjoy a three night weekend break from £195.00 per person..... 

For details of these offers or to book yourselves a brilliant break e-mail the address [email protected] or to see the hotel details click on http://www.lafregatehotel.com

To see just what Guernsey has to offer click on 
GUERNSEY - CHANNEL ISLANDS

Spend a day foraging the Suffolk Heritage Coast and nearby landscapes led by expert forager Jon Tyler, then take your foodie finds back to the Brudenell Hotel at Aldeburgh where Head Chef, James Barber will combine the delicacies into a tasty, local feast for dinner.

The day starts at 11am with a two-hour forage along the beach at Aldeburgh returning to the Brudenell for lunch; a second afternoon session looks at the wild food that can be foraged in the nearby countryside. The three-course meal will be served around 7pm at a sociable communal table so guests can chat about their foraging experience and share their finds.

Jon, an experienced forager and bush-craft practitioner, will help to search and identify what can be safely eaten. His natural passion for wild food began at an early age munching blackberries and sorrel leaves from the hedge at the bottom of the garden. Now a practitioner of outdoor activities and hedge-craft, he leads an array of wildlife awareness, mushroom identification and wild-food activities across East Anglia.

Taking place on Friday, 20th September, the Seaside Foraging experience is priced from £110 per person including the day out, dinner, overnight stay and full Suffolk breakfast on the Saturday morning, based on two sharing an inland-facing Aldeburgh room. Alternatively, book a place on the foraging day at £45 per person including dinner.

The stylish, 44 bedroom Brudenell Hotel is in a wonderful seafront setting, just a step away from Aldeburgh’s shingle beach. Its tranquil situation, coastal themed decor and fresh, locally sourced food, optimises the perfect seaside break.

To make a reservation call The Brudenell on 01728 452071 quoting Seaside Foraging Dinner; more details can also be found on www.brudenellhotel.co.uk, seaview bedrooms available at a supplement. For more information about Jon Tyler visit www.wildforwoods.co.uk.


Update May 2013

Synopsis:
London, Soho... 1956. Where glamour rubs up against filth, and likes it; where the posh mix with musicians, whores and racketeers; where 'virginity is no city trade', and where a dashingly impecunious bachelor in need of quick cash and a good time has to live on his wits.

Turning con-man to fool his rich uncle, he variously becomes a lord, a high class call girl, and – God forbid – a poor actor. But a beautiful Soho tart is also on the scam: a whore to some, a religious instructor to others, and a debutante in need of an eligible bachelor to yet more...

Sean Foley makes his RSC debut, directing Thomas Middleton's Jacobean 'city comedy': an outrageously wicked, brilliantly plotted farcical satire of lies and lust. His most recent work includes the West End productions of What the Butler Saw, and The Ladykillers.

To book your tickets now please visit

Bovey Castle Hotel

All reservations made before 2nd June also receive a £100 voucher towards food in the hotel’s Castle Bistro. Prices now start from £972pw, pets welcome. Guests have use of the hotel’s facilities including the restaurants, spa, indoor pool, golf course, tennis courts, croquet lawn and much more (some activities extra). Book through Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063, www.helpfulholidays.com  refs A86, A87 A88, A89, A94 and A155.

The 15th century Swan at Lavenham, Suffolk has scooped the highly sought after Gold Award in the Large Hotel of the Year category at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013. Presented at a glittering ceremony on Monday, 20th May at The Point Lancashire, County Cricket Club, Old Trafford, Manchester, the awards celebrate the best of English tourism.

Honoured and delighted with the hotel’s award, General Manager Ingo Wiangke said; “To have reached top place at these highly regarded, national awards is a glowing testament to our team’s hard work, dedication and passion to providing only the very best customer service. Our deepest thanks go to everyone who supported us.” This is the first year that The Swan has entered these important awards.

VisitEngland received over 320 quality applications for the 2013 awards, which were subjected to a rigorous judging procedure reducing them down to a shortlist of five in each category. It was therefore no small achievement for The Swan to take the coveted first place.

The Large Hotel of the Year category is sponsored by NatWest Bank.

Further details about The Swan at Lavenham can be found on www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk or for information about the VisitEngland for Excellence Awards visit www.visitenglandawards.org.
  

Seaton Tramway, the unique heritage tramway and tourist attraction in the Heart of Lyme Bay, is to hold its Popular Classic Car Show again this year.

On Sunday, 9th June, the Classic Car show will be held on the Underfleet car park in Seaton, where many classic vehicles will be lined up to delight the eye and enthral enthusiasts and visitors alike. The trophy presentation will take place at 4.00pm by Nicholas Owen. The trade stands will be held at Colyton, just a tram ride away.

In addition there will be visits to the Tramway Depot at Riverside, the popular Driver’s Eye “learn to drive a tram” Experience, Photographic opportunities and wonderful food at the newly extended Tramstop Café at Colyton station where the Coly River Jazz band will also charm visitors with its special brand of entertainment.

Don’t forget that all visitors now receive ‘Explorer’ tickets, which provide all day unlimited tram travel. Visitors can make as many journeys as they wish, with the bonus of being able to hop on and hop off at any station and ride on any number of fascinating trams from the oldest to the newest. Our gift shop at Colyton Station is an Aladdin’s cave stocked with a variety of exciting gifts, confectionery, local produce, books and Tramway souvenirs to suit all pockets and interests.

Remember, also, that children under three accompanied by an adult travel free, and children under sixteen accompanied by an adult pay just half the adult ticket price.

What better way to spend the day of the Classic Car Show to explore the Jurassic Coast at Seaton and the townships of Colyford and Colyton, as well as the River Axe Estuary and Axe Estuary Wetlands with all the amazing wildlife to be seen than from the open top deck of an electric tram.

Tickets can be purchased at the Seaton Terminus and Colyton Station ticket offices or why not pre-book on-line at: www.tram.co.uk. 
 

What more could you ask for a tram ride, a delicious roast chicken, chips and homemade coleslaw meal all washed down with the music of the Neil Diamond Tribute Show?
 

     

Seaton Tramway, the unique heritage tramway and tourist attraction in the Heart of Lyme Bay, has arranged a great Spring evening’s entertainment with the Neil Diamond Tribute Show performing on Colyton Station on Saturday, 8th June from 7.30pm – 10.30pm.

The tram departs from Seaton at 7.00pm, which will give you a chance to get into the mood as you take a wonderful evening ride along the Axe Estuary. When you arrive at Colyton you can enjoy a delicious roast chicken, chips and homemade coleslaw meal in the newly enlarged Tramstop Café, before the Neil Diamond Tribute Show begins at 8.00pm and you will be able to sing along to “Sweet Caroline” and all the good old favourites.

After all this excitement, the tram departs from Colyton at 10.30pm for the return journey to Seaton.

    

The tram ride, entertainment and food prices are: Adults £23, Children (3-15) £17.00 and Children (under 3) £5.00. If you are making your own way to Colyton to enjoy the food and entertainment, the prices are: Adults £18, Children (3-15) £12.00 and Children (under 3) £5.00. This is sure to be another popular event, so please pre-book in advance on 01297 20375 to avoid disappointment.

For much more information visit www.tram.co.uk

The next evening event will be the Tom Jones and Elvis Tribute Show, styled “A Vegas Night Out” on Saturday, 6th July and The Abba Salute on Saturday 3rd August. We round off the year’s evening entertainments with the Twerzels West Country Tribute together with the Chaz & Dave Tribute Show on Saturday, 31st August.

For the past 43 years Seaton Tramway has been running from the main car park in Seaton three miles inland through Colyford to Colyton, much of it along the old Seaton to Seaton Junction branch line between the picturesque estuary of the River Axe and the Axe Estuary Wetlands.

All our double-deck trams have open top decks providing 360 degree panoramic views, but for inclement days there are enclosed single deck trams making it an all weather family attraction. The fleet of 14 passenger carrying single and double-deck electric trams were purpose built by the company from designs based on heritage trams that served our towns and cities in the first half of the 20th century.

Open Daily: From now until 3rd Nov and then 27th Dec – 1st Jan 2014.
Halloween Tram of Terror: 26th – 31st Oct.

Birdwatching, Birthday Parties, Tram Driving Experiences and Lessons available all year.

Santa Specials: 15th 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th Dec. Group bookings available during the festive season for Turkey & Tinsel or Mince Pie Magic.

* * *

Stay B&B from £115 for two at nearby Titchwell Manor Hotel

The magnificent art collection of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, sold to Catherine the Great to adorn the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, will be reassembled in its spectacular original setting of Houghton Hall for the first time in over 200 years. The exhibition Houghton Revisited runs from 17th May until 29th September.

The bar at Titchwell Manor Hotel

Nearby Titchwell Manor Hotel is offering special breaks for visitors planning to view this famous art collection priced from £115 B&B per night for two sharing. After visiting Houghton Hall relax back at the hotel with a sundowner on the seaview terrace before dining in the AA three rosette Conservatory restaurant, where you can sample Head Chef, Eric Snaith’s innovative four or eight course Conversation Menu or choose à la carte dishes.

A smart retreat for those seeking fine dining in stylish surroundings Titchwell Manor, has stunning views across open marshes to the sea. To reserve a room call 01485 210221, www.titchwellmanor.com; for details about Houghton Revisited visit www.houghtonrevisited.com or telephone 01603 598640; tickets available from Houghton Hall or Norwich Theatre Royal, should be booked in advance and are dated and timed.

Note:
The collection has been kindly loaned by the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg and other institutions including the National Gallery in Washington DC and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, as well as a number of other important Russian museums.

The annual Open Exhibition showcasing the best paintings, prints and drawings by artists from around the region will be held at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington from Saturday, 15th June until Saturday, 20th July. As the name suggests, the selling exhibition is open to both amateur and professional artists and there is no limitation as to subject matter or style, ensuring the display of an interesting and diverse range of works.

The chance to display artwork at the Open Exhibition is much sought after and highly competitive resulting in only the highest quality items being chosen by the panel of professional artists, which this year includes Bonnie Brown, Tim Craven and Gerry Dudgeon. Although it’s open to any artist from across the UK, most entries come from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex.

First prize, the Clarke Willmott Award for overall merit is worth £250 to the winning artist, while the runner-up will receive the Mackenzie and Mackenzie Award (£200). Further prizes include the Mary Symons Memorial Award for the best print (£250) and the Beaulieu Fine Arts Award for best work by a non-professional artist who will receive £50 worth of framing.

Tickets to the Open Exhibition and museum, which is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, cost £4 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and students, £2 for children aged five to 15, and £10 for a family of two adults and up to four children; under fives are admitted free of charge.

For more details visit www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk or telephone on
01590 676969.

Listings Information:
Open Art Exhibition
Selling exhibition showcasing the best prints, paintings and drawings by regional artists.

* * *

Under the Greenwood: Picturing British Trees - Past
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington
27th July - 5th October (listings at end)


Edward Burra - 'Blasted Oak'

Under the Greenwood: Picturing British Trees - Past, a new exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, examines how well known artists ranging from John Constable and Samuel Palmer to Paul Nash and Graham Sutherland have been inspired by our great trees. Running from Saturday 27th July until Saturday 5th October, it will be followed by a companion exhibition looking at how trees figure in the works of 33 present day artists.

The oak has become a symbol of our national character and individually, or collectively, trees are an integral part of our natural landscape. The first exhibition explores how trees have gradually been domesticated from the forbidding wildwood to the town garden. It studies mythology and religious symbolism, the longevity of trees and the seasonal cycle, and how man has exploited them for timber, food and fuel.

Regarded as a nationally important celebration of the tree, the exhibition will also include works from several other distinguished British artists. Amongst them will be Paul Sandby, John Martin, Heywood Sumner, George Clausen, Charles Ginner, Claire Leighton, John Nash, Robin Tanner and Henry Moore.

The exhibition is being produced in partnership with Southampton City Art Gallery.

Tickets to Under the Greenwood and St Barbe Museum, which is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, cost £4 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and students, £2 for children aged five to 15, and £10 for a family of two adults and up to four children; under fives are admitted free of charge.

For more details visit www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk or telephone 01590 676969.
 

Excursions™ 2014, the UK’s premier one day group travel show taking place on Saturday, 25th January, is celebrating its 10th successful year at Alexandra Palace with an exciting move into the venue’s stunning Great Hall.

Significantly increasing stand space and bringing all the elements of the show into one big hall, the dynamic 2014 show will provide visitors with much more to see, do and discover.

There will be a greater number of exhibitors from across the UK plus an expanding international area where tourism businesses from both European and further flung destinations can showcase their group offer. The hospitality and entertainment areas will also be greatly enlarged and the media centre will be in the main exhibition area.

Alexandra Palace was keen to work with Excursions™ to grow the show. Co-organiser Adrian Gates from Group Travel Organiser magazine said; “This exciting development offers us a great opportunity to expand the overseas element of the show, while allowing existing exhibitors to enhance their presence for 2014 and brand new exhibitors to try the show out.

“We can see huge potential for the bigger hall and will also use it to upgrade the visitor experience with improved facilities”, concluded Adrian.

The larger show will be packed with fresh ideas to inspire new and regular visitors to develop their existing group programmes as well as suggestions for domestic and overseas trips. There will also be new opportunities for visitors to extend their day at Excursions™ into a weekend break, staying overnight and experiencing some of London’s many sights.

Delighted to announce the move Elaine Pearce from Tourism South East said; "After 10 years of considerable success holding Excursions™ at Alexandra Palace, we are confident now is the right time to move forward. We already have a sizeable waiting list of potential exhibitors waiting to hear about our expansion plans and will be announcing more exciting details very soon. We believe Excursions™ 2014 will be our best show ever and look forward to welcoming both visitors and exhibitors to the Great Hall next January. If you haven’t attended Excursions™ before, this is the year to give it a try, there will be even more to discover!”

Excursions™ is organised by Tourism South East and Group Travel Organiser magazine, supported by London & Partners. Around 250 tourism businesses took space in 2013 including attractions, destinations, accommodation providers and tour operators; there was also a marked increase in the number of European exhibitors from France, Germany and Ireland, which are set to grow. Visitor numbers have also been held at around 1,000 for several years.

For further details, visit www.excursions.org.uk or call 023 8062 5472; booking forms and a floor plan will be available shortly with discounts for members of regional tourism organisations.

Follow Excursions™ on Twitter @Excursionsshow
Visit our Facebook page at ‘Excursions: Group Travel Trade Exhibition’
Join our Linked In group ‘Excursions2014’

Update April 2013

Children going down to Gilbert’s Garden in Selborne, east Hampshire during July are sure for a pleasant surprise.

A teddy bear trail awaits them at Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates Collection to find around a dozen bears hidden amongst the plants, each identifying an item of yummy local produce that you might find in the best picnics. Worksheets will ask youngsters to show what food is linked to each bear.

After completing the trail, enjoy your own glorious summer picnic in the 30 aces of beautiful parkland and garden.

Entry is free for all under 16s accompanied by a teddy bear and a full paying adult. The event is part of the month long Hampshire Food Festival organised by Hampshire Fare.

The stories of three great explorers of the natural world can also be discovered in the unique galleries at Gilbert White’s House. These include the pioneering 18th century naturalist, Gilbert White himself; Captain Lawrence Oates of the final Scott Antarctic expedition of 1911-1912, and Victorian explorer of Central America and Africa, Frank Oates.

During July Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates Collection is open daily from 10.30am until 5.15pm. Admission is £8.50 adults; £7.50 concessions, free for under 16s accompanied by a teddy bear and a full-paying adult (£3 for 5-16 year olds without a teddy), family tickets £20 (two adults and three children). The museum is also home to a gift shop and award winning Tea Parlour and there is free parking a short distance away in the village car park, behind the Selborne Arms. For more information call 01420 511275 or visit www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk.

* * *




West Country specialist (Chagford, Devon based), Helpful Holidays, has been awarded first place in the Which? Travel magazine member survey of holiday cottage and villa companies for the second year in succession achieving a very high score of 91%.

The family owned agency was awarded five out of five stars in all but one category; this included a top rating for its properties matching their descriptions – they were the only company to achieve this.

To find the best self-catering cottage or villa booking company Which? members were asked to rate any that they had used in the past year on everything from customer service to value for money. The panel of 2,377 members named hundreds of different agencies and listings websites. Helpful Holidays achieved the highest score impressing members with its customer service, quality of information, ease of booking and comprehensive range of properties. Its advanced online search facility with 42 handy filter options from pianos to pools also achieved five stars.

Moray Bowater, General Manager, Helpful Holidays said: “Everyone knows Which? endorsements are truly unbiased and trustworthy. To achieve its members top rating two years in succession is a pleasing recognition of the diligence and attention to detail our team puts into practise with every booking we take. Ultimately, trust is the currency that really counts and earning that of our customers has been our purpose for the last 30 years.”

Lorna Cowan, Editor, Which? Travel added; "Helpful Holidays has proved to be a continued hit with Which? members after being voted the best holiday cottage company in our annual satisfaction survey for the second year running. Its impressive customer score and maximum five star rating in six out of the seven featured categories, including customer service and ease of booking, shows just how well members rate the company and the cottages it offers.”

Helpful Holidays has more than 600 places to stay in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset ranging from romantic retreats for two up to big country houses sleeping a maximum of 48 guests. All the properties are regularly and carefully inspected and star rated by the agency’s own team so they can advise holidaymakers honestly through first-hand experience. Holidaymakers can always speak to someone who has visited any property and get answers to questions the website or brochure might not answer. Many of the places are exceptionally plush and the agency has a deserved reputation for offering big and beautiful houses.

Every property on www.helpfulholidays.com has a map showing attractions, activities, events and eateries nearby plus a full and frank description, several images and, in some cases, a video or audio tour; most also have a number of independent reviews by holidaymakers so guests know what to expect and can plan their holidays with confidence.

* * *

A magnificent Georgian country house for 21 guests set in 34 acres of grounds and woodlands with stunning views over Loch Lomond has recently joined House Parties collection of large, stylish properties available for short breaks and longer stays.


The Sitting Room
 

Ideal for celebrating anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions, or for families and friends planning a relaxing holiday together, Grade 1 listed and luxuriously furnished Stuckgowan House boasts a combination of extras rarely found in self-catering properties. These include a private cinema, games room/bar, gym, children’s play room, Wi-Fi, hot tub and a ‘mud room’ for dirty boots and outdoor clothing. Professional catering is also available for those preferring not to cook dinner for themselves, while fresh water is supplied by a Highland spring.

The egg shaped bath
 

Almost 200 years old, the house has been lovingly restored with great care from being almost derelict to become one of the finest holiday homes in Scotland. It now offers ‘no expenses spared’ light, bright and spacious accommodation within the old thick granite walls providing everything the holiday maker might possibly want.

Entertainment Zone
Accommodation is set across three levels with the living rooms and nine bedrooms on the ground and first floors, while the lower ground floor is best described as the entertainment zone, a great place to escape on poor weather days. Here the cinema features a 126-inch screen with full surround sound and an extensive film library of DVD, Blu Ray and 3D movies as well as interactive games; mood theme lighting, comfy sofas and bean bags complete the experience. The games and children’s play rooms, small gym and mud room can also be found at this level.

The ground floor is home to a study/library, dining room and the large sitting room, which has an open fire and panoramic views, plus two bedrooms and the superbly fitted kitchen with its breakfast bar for 14. A further seven bedrooms are on the first floor above accessed via two staircases and a beautifully galleried landing. All the bedrooms are named after the trees found growing on the estate, which include a 45 metre Sequoia, believed to be the joint tallest in Scotland, and many rare specimens.

Outside there’s a large terrace with dining for 16 and the sunken seven-seater hot tub with mood lighting and an integrated sound system. Guests are also welcome to explore the 34 acres of private grounds.

Stuckgowan House is perfectly located for outdoor enthusiasts with excellent walking, golf, fishing and boating on its doorstep, but if this sounds too active guests can just sit and admire the wonderful views from the terrace or relax in the hot tub.

The property is within easy reach of Glasgow airport from where there is a train service to Balloch, around 16 miles away. There is also a train station at Tarbet, two miles north of the house, with connections to Glasgow Central and Fort William.

Stuckgowan House is priced from £2,737 (£130pp based on 21 sharing) for a two-night short break low season up to £5,285 (£252pp) for a week during peak periods. To book call House Parties on 01845 597614 or visit www.house-parties.co.uk.

House Parties specialise in offering unique big houses of exceptional quality for special occasions and holiday lets sleeping up to 28 guests; professional catering is available at all and pets are welcome at many. Their properties are generally located in outstanding locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

Add some fizz into your life with a bottle of Dom Pérignon 2003 Brut vintage champagne for £160 and stay overnight for free with full Suffolk breakfast at the Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh overlooking Suffolk’s stunning Heritage Coast.

Available Sunday to Thursday from 28th April until 30th June, this tempting offer is for two sharing a standard Aldeburgh room, which is usually priced from £180 without the vintage bubbles. A three-course dinner in the romantic AA two rosette seaview restaurant is just £20 extra per person.

This outstanding vintage champagne has hints of fresh almond and harvest aromas along with smoky and toasted qualities. It’s creamy on the palate, intense and elegant.

The stylish, 44 bedroom hotel offers a choice of rooms with panoramic views either out to sea or inwards to the river Alde and countryside beyond. Privately owned, the Brudenell is in a wonderful seafront setting, just a step away from Aldeburgh’s shingle beach. Its tranquil situation, coastal themed decor and fresh, locally sourced food, optimises the perfect seaside hotel.

To make a reservation call The Brudenell on 01728 452071 quoting Dom Pérignon; more details can also be found on www.brudenellhotel.co.uk. Seaview and larger rooms are available at a supplement; this offer is not valid Sunday 5th and 26th May and 7th – 23rd June.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival 2013 packed with new events
Saturday 22nd – Sunday 30th June

A fabulous haul of new fishy events and activities for all ages have been confirmed for this summer's county-wide Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival in south west Wales, which runs from 22nd until 30th June. With over 200 events highlights will include celebrity chef demonstrations, cookery workshops, foraging sessions and angling competitions as well as kayaking and surfing plus special Fish Week menus at a host of pubs, restaurants and hotels,

The festival starts at Milford Fish Docks with a variety of activities including demonstrations by Chef Angela Gray, hands-on fish cookery workshops with Channel 4 Chef Tim Maddams and tasty dishes to try in the Feast-on-Fish pop-up tent restaurant.

Also new for this year is TYF’s Kayaking with a Catch day plus a beach BBQ dinner with Dragon Activity Guides and foraging for edible and rocky shore delights on the North Pembrokeshire coast. Or you can take a week long coastal walk with Pembrokeshire Paths, stopping off along the way to dine on Fish Week specials at some of the region’s finest pubs and cafés.

Week long fishing competitions, Thai fish cookery workshops at Pembrokeshire College and a Seafood Safari food trail, which ends with a great fishy feast, are all sure to be popular.

There are also lots of great family activities. Join Pembrokeshire Coast National Park throughout the week as they explore beaches, walk the coast path and paddle in rivers, learning about the wildlife and creatures inhabiting Pembrokeshire, alternatively drop in for one of the fun and creative fishy workshops at Oriel Y Parc visitor centre and gallery in St Davids.

And to finish the festival with a flourish, come along to the Festival of The Sea at Saundersfoot Harbour on 30th June - a day of activities on the sea and seashore.

Full event details plus competitions, recipes, family fishy fun, news, a Fish Week planner and much more can be found on www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk or call 01437 776171 for a brochure.

Suggestions for places to stay as well as other things to see and do can be found on www.visitpembrokeshire.com or for a free copy of the 2013 Pembrokeshire Holiday Guide call 0844 888 5115.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week Festival is organized by Pembrokeshire County Council and part-funded by the Welsh Government.

Enjoy a wonderful day racing at Royal Ascot between 18th and 22nd June then spend a luxurious night at the four-star Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa, near Camberley. Set in peaceful gated grounds and gardens, the elegant Victorian manor house hotel is offering B&B from £161 for two sharing a classic room including free secure parking.

After leaving the excitement and crowds behind, arriving back at Frimley Hall you can celebrate your winnings with a bottle of chilled champagne or a glass Pimms on the lawn, then relax over a three-course dinner in the hotel’s AA two rosette Linden Restaurant. Drive yourself, or the hotel can arrange a chauffeur driven car to the racecourse.

Overnight guests also have free use of the hotel’s VITAL Spa with its 17-metre indoor pool, thermal suite, Technogym, relaxation area and five beauty studios offering pamper treatments using Decléor products from Paris (treatments extra).

For details call 0844 879 9110 or visit www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/FrimleyHall;
extra nights and upgrades to feature rooms available on request.

The Houses of Parliament looks after some of the nation’s finest contemporary portraits, many of which can be viewed on the ‘Contemporary Portraiture in Portcullis House’ tours. Highlights of these 75 minute guided tours include works by Grayson Perry, Gerald Scarfe and Henry Mee and tickets are now available to book.

Rt. Hon Margaret Thatcher. Oil on canvas by Henry Mee 1992, commissioned by the House of Commons in 1992. WOA 3634.
 

Portcullis House, designed by leading British architect Sir Michael Hopkins and completed in 2001, is home to the House of Commons contemporary portrait collection. This unique collection records many well known Parliamentarians including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and David Cameron. The works on display reflect a diversity of styles and approaches by leading UK based artists over the past 50 years.

These tours run on selected Fridays between April and July at 9.45am, 11.30am, 2.15pm and 4pm. Tickets cost £16.50 per person or £14 for concessions. Discounted group rates of £13 are available for bookings of 10 or more people. Due to limited space each tour can only accommodate up to 15 people so early booking is advised.

Tickets can be booked via Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1672 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk/housesofparliament. Group bookings can be made by calling 0844 847 2498. There are no booking fees. More information about the tour is available on the Parliament website www.parliament.uk/visiting/.

Update March 2013

LEGO® Mania 2013 follows the successful spring 2012 event, when over 36,000 LEGO® fans visited Milestones to see a fantastic scale model of historic Basing House constructed at the museum.

Bright Bricks, who helped TV’s James May achieve his dream night in a LEGO® house, will build the model co-ordinated by Duncan Titmarsh, the only certified LEGO® builder in the UK. It will be built live in front of visitors on the indoor ‘showground’ in Milestones Museum and displayed throughout the Easter holidays.

There will also be an array of themed events surrounding the build including competitions, a LEGO® Minifigure hunt, LEGO® and DUPLO® play tables and a new graffiti wall plus a photographic gallery and exhibition of amazing LEGO® models such as an Olympic style stadium. Pre-booked, and pre-paid, workshops offer a chance to build and customise Minifigures and join in other activities. Events will vary from day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum entrance fee.

While at the museum, change a pound coin into old pennies and try your luck in the Penny Arcade where vintage slot machines, popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, are on display until the autumn. Also currently on show is an authentic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car. Built by MGM to promote the famous 1968 film, this car, registration GEN 22, is now the only road legal Chitty in the UK and Europe (www.chittycar.com).

Since Lego® Mania 2013 will be a popular event, advance booking is recommended either via the museum’s website.

Milestones is open Tuesday-Friday and bank holidays from 10am to 4.45pm and weekends from 11am with last admission at 3.45pm. Entry until 31st March is £8.50 per adult, £7.50 for concessions and £5 for children aged 5-15 years, under 5s free. Family tickets (two adults and two children) £25. Admission charges rise on 1st April to £8.70 adults, £7.70 concessions, £5.15 children and £26 families. Entrance is free to Culture-all passport holders, www.culture-all.co.uk but vouchers, discounts and Tesco Clubcard days out vouchers are not valid for this event.

To book tickets or workshop places for LEGO® Mania 2013 at Milestones visit www.milestones-museum.com/lego; for further enquiries call 01256 477766.
Milestones is one of a series of museums and attractions run by Hampshire County Council - www.hants.gov.uk/tourism.


Update February 2013

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
 

There has never been a better time to visit the RSC. They reopened their new home two years ago and have developed the range of products to enhance your visit.

Theatre Tower – If you can spare 20 minutes, you can enjoy views of Shakespeare’s hometown, including his birthplace and the church in which he is buried. Theatre Tours range from a 30 minute glimpse of theatrical life up to a 2 hour tour, tower and afternoon tea experience. The performances are programmed up to a year in advance, current productions are confirmed to March 2014. Click on http://www.rsc.org.uk/visit-us for details.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Shakespeare's Birthplace

A visit to the five Shakespeare houses is the perfect introduction to the man behind the plays. This April sees exciting new exhibitions open, a range of special interest talks and tours, as well as exclusive after hours packages.
Visit http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-the-houses

Warwick Castle

Less than 10 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick boasts many connections to William Shakespeare and is home to over 1,000 years of unique British history at the mediaeval Warwick Castle.

Visit Warwick Castle and you will see great halls, beautiful landscapes; mournful dungeons and high towers - but you'll also see people having fun, laughing and being amazed. We have eleven hundred years of history, but also great battles, ancient myths, spellbinding tales, pampered princesses, heroic knights, Merlin's Dragon and the dark Castle Dungeon. Click on http://www.warwick-castle.com/ for more details.