Tour-Smart Limited

Update April 2014


Sir Neville Marriner CBE’s 90th birthday will be on 15th April 2014. This internationally famous English conductor and violinist conducted the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at a concert in his honour at The Royal Albert Hall on the 2nd April.

I know this is a rather tenuous connection (and, yes the spelling is different) but it leads us quite neatly to a story about sub-mariners at the Royal Navy’s Submarine Museum.

Go on board Britain’s only surviving WW2 era ocean going submarine with a submariner to hear his stories about living beneath the waves. With new dressing, lighting, noises and even smells inside the submarine, as if the crew have just gone ashore, the visitor can take a time journey through every decade of the submarine’s service from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. Visitors can also peer through the working periscopes to view Portsmouth Harbour and meet on board a veteran submariner who will tell their own personal stories of working beneath the waves.

New facilities are also available. For visitors with mobility disabilities, a platform lift can take wheelchair users into the after-end compartment of the submarine and tailored audio guides of the tour of HMS Alliance will be available in foreign languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) and for very young children.

This fascinating A class submarine was commissioned and designed in 1945 as WW2 came to a close for service in the Far East. She was launched in 1947 but is typical of the submarines that served throughout WW2. Alliance herself saw service throughout the Cold War years.

Outside of busy peak visiting periods such as school holidays, Guided tours are available, led by our experienced submariner guides who have their own individual unique take on life onboard. All of our Guides served in the Royal Navy submarine service and some even on HMS Alliance herself. All tours must be booked in the Alliance Centre.

November – March open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4.30pm
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays except for school holidays (except 23 – 26 & 31st Dec & 1 Jan)

April – October open everyday 10am - 5.30pm
Last admission 1 hour before closing.

Please be aware that the ticket office will open at 1pm on Thursday 3 April 2014.

Tickets: Adults £14, Seniors £11, Child £10, Family (2 adults & 3 children) £38
Don't lose time and book your ticket online now at
 http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk

Getting There:

Address is: Haslar Rd, Gosport, PO12 2AS

By Road: Exit M27 at J11 and follow the brown Submarine Museum (and anchor) signs. (About 20mins)
Please note most SAT NAVS when inputting our postcode will take you to the Gosport Immigration Centre as we share the same footprint of the former MOD site. Please input the GPS Co-ordinates instead or just follow the brown tourist signs from the motorway.
Map ref: Latitude: 50.788073 Longitude: 1.122837

By Train and on Foot: Exit mainline station at Portsmouth Harbour and take the frequent Gosport Ferry service across the Harbour to Gosport (approx 4mins). Then walk & follow waterfront promenade to Submarine Museum (approx 10mins).

April to October travel direct on the Portsmouth Harbour waterbus from Gunwharf Quays or the Historic Dockyard direct to the Submarine Museum via Explosion. The service runs from 10.15am until 5pm daily. Estimated travel time from Historic Dockyard is 25mins.

Drivetimes
From Guildford via A3 – 75mins
From Basingstoke via M3 – 60mins
From Christchurch via A31/M27 – 60mins
From Arundel via A27 – 60mins
From South London – 90mins
From Salisbury – 75mins

For many more interesting things to see and do please visit  http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk


Update March 2014

Lakeland retreat for two near Wordsworth’s former home in Grasmere
A few yards away from poet William Wordsworth’s former home in Grasmere, Dove Holme Cottage is a traditional Lakeland stone retreat for two. Ancient oak beams, comfy sofas and a wood burning stove make a warm welcome after a day out on the fells, while the village centre shops, restaurants and country pubs are also within an easy walk. The cottage is priced at £450 per week from Saturday 9, 16 and 23 March through Lakelovers on Tel: 015394 88855, www.lakelovers.co.uk, ref 160.

This Easter stay at 17th century Rose Cottage, which sleeps four, near Coniston in the southern Lake District at the reduced price of £820 from 5th and 19th April or £920 from 12th April and enjoy a free meal at the nearby Blacksmith Arms in Broughton Mills. Stylish interiors and a wood burning stove give a warm welcome after an active day out. Set in a lush green valley with views all around, the cottage is within easy reach of both Coniston Water and village for boating, lake cruises and attractions. Book through Lakelovers on 015394 88855, www.lakelovers.co.uk, ref 743.

Time on holiday is precious and shouldn’t be wasted researching what to do each day. Everyone booking a break with West Country self-catering cottage agency Helpful Holidays will receive a free booklet packed full with tempting ideas for days out plus discount vouchers for 84 major attractions. The What Shall we do Today? guide is sent to holidaymakers before their stay so outings can be planned in advance.

The booklet features a wonderful variety of places throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset including gardens, historic houses, castles and family adventure parks, as well as wildlife and activity centres.

Nearly all the leading West Country attractions have included a deal or special offer ranging from two for the price of one and free admission for two accompanied children, up to group rates for individual entry. Orca Sea Safaris of Falmouth are offering a 25% discount, while the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is giving 30% off its admission price for four people and Dartmouth Golf & Country Club is discounting its full green fees and day membership by 25%.
Amongst the many new additions this year are Beach Schools South West – family fun and learning on the beach; Dartmoor Electric Bicycles guided tours; Geevor Tin Mine at Pendeen and Porfell Wildlife Park, near Liskeard. There’s also a much improved, county-wide offer from English Heritage, which now includes all their castles in Devon and Cornwall and abbeys in Somerset.
Popular with holidaymakers is the very useful calendar of events, which includes larger festivals as well as the more quirky and historic customs that make the West Country such a fascinating place to visit. Other helpful pages list farmers’ markets plus walking trails, pubs, restaurants and award-winning beaches in each of the four counties.

In addition, the guide features Helpful Holidays own top 10 suggestions for the best coast and country walks, favourite beaches, places to eat, houses and gardens and West Country wonders such as the Minack Theatre, Eden Project and Lundy Island. The top 10 attractions for children have been thoroughly tested over the years and now carry Helpful Holidays ‘time to go home’ (TTGH) rating according to the level of protest when these words are uttered.

Attractions don’t pay for inclusion, but are selected on their merit and willingness to offer a financial incentive to visitors; every place is also highlighted on the interactive Explore the Area map on Helpful Holidays’ website.

Helpful Holidays is a recommended provider by Which? travel, having come top in their members’ survey for 2012 and 2013, and won The Sunday Times 2013 travel editor’s choice award. In addition it won the 2013 British Travel Award in the Best Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company with between 600 and 2,000 rental units (UK properties); this followed a Silver British Travel Award for the two preceding years in its category.

For information about Helpful Holidays’ portfolio of over 635 places to stay in the West Country, visit www.helpfulholidays.com or call 01647 434063 for a brochure.

Howbarrow Farm Cottage, a Lakeland retreat for two on an organic farm near Cartmel, Cumbria has been reduced down to £276 from £325 for a week from Friday, 7th March through Lakelovers. Ancient beams, vaulted ceilings and uneven walls add to its character, there’s also a comfy sofa in front of the woodburner in the living room. Outside there’s a sitting out area and electric car charging point. One dog is also welcome to stay for free; to book call 015394 88855, www.lakelovers.co.uk.

A thatched cottage for four on a former East Devon Quaker farm with 14th century origins has been reduced by 20% down to £335 (full price £418) for Easter weeks from Friday 4th and 11th April. Tucked away in country lanes near Membury, Quakers has pretty cottage style furnishings to complement the wobbly walls, ancient oak beams and exposed stonework. Own sitting out area plus seven acres to explore and shared use of a hot tub. Pets welcome. Book through Helpful Holidays on Tel: 01647 434063, www.helpfulholidays.com ref G54.

Book an Easter break before 29th March at the Cider Barn near the cathedral city of Wells, Somerset and pay just £298 per week saving £47 on the brochure price of £345. Sleeping three, the character stone cottage lies in the hamlet of Yarley with scenic views to the nearby Mendip Hills. It’s available from Saturday 5th and 12th April through West Country Cottages on 01803 814000, www.westcountrycottages.co.uk.

A pretty, whitewashed cottage for four and the family dog within easy walk of the pub at St Issey, just three miles from Padstow, North Cornwall is down 20% to £409 per week (full price £511) for Easter from Saturday 5th and 19th April. Inside The Cottage has ancient beams and an open fire in the living room with double and twin bedrooms above. For a treat book a meal at Rick Stein’s Sea Food Restaurant in Padstow, hire a bike and cycle the Camel Trail, which starts just over two miles from the cottage or drive over to Trevose Head for some great surfing beaches. Book through Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063, www.helpfulholidays.com ref P347

LEGO® Lost World Zoo at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
Is now open


5 years old Leia Mackay in the LEGO Dinosaur

Go along to Milestones living history museum in Basingstoke Leisure Park, Hampshire between Saturday, 29th February and Sunday 27th April and embark on a Victorian journey of discovery at the LEGO® Lost World Zoo.

Come face to face with a LEGO sabre-toothed tiger, find the flock of LEGO dodos, and discover the giant dragonflies and butterflies, pose for photos with the LEGO Neanderthal man or moa bird and enjoy the giant interactive play DUPLO® Archelon turtle. Throughout March watch a huge 2.5m tall woolly mammoth being built from LEGO bricks on the indoor museum ‘showground’ by Bright Bricks, a certified LEGO builder.

This new themed exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to get up close to these extinct creatures that historically roamed Hampshire as the world faces up to the ongoing challenge of extinction, climate change and biodiversity.

There will also be an array of family activities such as dressing up as an explorer, completing the spotter trail and making a LEGO bug with even more fun events at weekends and during school holidays, some need to be pre-booked and carry an extra charge.

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 £8.70 per adult, £7.70 for concessions and £5.15 for children aged 5-15 years, under 5s free. Family tickets (two adults and two children) £26.

Admission charges rise on 1st April to £8.95 adults, £7.95 concessions, £5.25 children and £26.75 families.

For more details and to book admission tickets visit www.milestones-museum.com.

Last Post: Remembering the First World War
Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge Gorge: 10 April 2014 – 27 March 2015


Soldiers receiving post at the front

A poignant new free exhibition, Last Post: Remembering the First World War, will explore the effect of the events of 1914-18 on the Post Office, its people and the contribution of postal communications to the war effort. It will be on display at the Coalbrookdale Gallery, adjacent to Enginuity in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire from Thursday 10 April 2014 until Friday 27 March 2015.

Before 1914 Post Office communications were vital to everyday life through the telegraph, telephone and postal systems. At the outbreak of war, the Post Office, as one of the biggest businesses in the world, contributed to military operations on a scale never seen before, providing a vital means of communication between the fighting fronts and the home front. Tens of thousands of Post Office workers fought in the war and over 8,500 were killed.

Curated by the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) in partnership with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the exhibition will showcase objects of military and postal importance and include stories from a Shropshire perspective.

The exhibition encompasses a variety of themes that bring to life the importance of human contact and communication during a time of great suffering and uncertainty. The themes will include communications both at home and on the frontline and the working lives of people involved in the postal service during the war, including those of women on War Work.

Dr Matt Thompson, Senior Curator Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust commented “The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is proud to be able to commemorate the often forgotten role that the Post Office played during the First World War and is grateful to the BPMA and other partners for their hard work in putting this excellent exhibition together”.

“The First World War Centenary is an opportunity to reflect on the impact that this cataclysmic conflict had upon everyone, not just those fighting on the Front Line”, said Dr Adrian Steel, Director BPMA. “Few organisations had a greater role to play, or a greater impact, over the five years of hostilities than the British postal service. It has been a pleasure as always to work with our friends at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust to bring this significant exhibition and its often-hidden stories to the people of Shropshire and the wider public.”

A nationwide touring exhibition of Last Post: Remembering the First World War will run in parallel to the exhibition at Coalbrookdale.

Last Post: Remembering the First World War, will be open Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm at the Coalbrookdale Gallery, entry is free. For further information contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).

FREE POP UP FESTIVAL OF STORIES
Comes to Enginuity, Ironbridge Gorge
Saturday April 19th 2014


Mr Big illustrator Ed Vere

Children’s writers, illustrators, poets and storytellers will be entertaining and inspiring families during an exciting day of free events, activities and art workshops celebrating children’s literature at Enginuity and Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge on Easter Saturday, 19th April 2014.

This children’s literature festival with a twist, brings children and families together to enjoy and participate in stories by creating a magical event where play, experiment, creativity and collaboration are celebrated.

The Pop Up Festival of Stories is free for all, including admission to Enginuity and Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, so everyone can experience the joy of children’s books. Children and families can expect to see fantasy author Sarwat Chadda’s Marvel Comics inspired interpretations of classic myths, told through roaming performances and monster puppets, novelist Julia Golding’s Arthurian Pavilion, featuring medieval game shows, knights, minstrels and the legendary Round Table and illustrator Jane Ray’s giant toy theatre, telling tales of mermaids, firebirds and flying horses, which children help bring to life on the day.

Other highlights include Mr Big illustrator Ed Vere’s 50s era jazz joint with a cabaret line-up, whacky cocktails and compulsory dressing-up; Katie’s Picture Show creator James Mayhew’s pop-up art gallery, where giant art-works by classic artists – co-created with children and parents – come to life and Illustrator Thomas Docherty’s enormous mobile installation of an enchanted city, co-created with hundreds of children and parents who attend the Festival.

During the day visitors can also enjoy visiting Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, the Darby Houses and Enginuity, all of which will be open free of charge on the day. Visitors are advised to park at the Ironbridge Park and Ride, a short distance away at the top of Jiggers Bank - post code for Sat-Navs TF43QE.

The Ironbridge Gorge Pop Up is preceded by an extensive outreach programme including 20 days of author workshops in Shropshire Schools and high profile author events at venues in Telford and Ironbridge. Local children will then have a stake in the Festival and encourage their friends and families to come to Ironbridge Gorge on 19th April, helping to build a diverse and loyal audience.

First in a three-festival tour, the Ironbridge Gorge Pop Up will be followed by similar events at High House Production Park in Essex, in partnership with the Royal Opera House Bridge, on 3rd May and Swiss Cottage in London on 12th and 13th July, supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund for the Arts and Bloomberg. Each Pop Up Festival offers over 100 hours of free events, enriched by a Royal Opera House team creating sets, costumes and other design elements to enhance the commissions.

At the heart of Pop Up’s work is the conviction that by facilitating pleasurable encounters with authors and their stories, they can ignite imaginations, inspire future readers and writers, and build more literate communities.

For more information about the Pop Up Festival of Stories visit www.pop-up.org.uk and for the Ironbridge Gorge Museums visit www.ironbridge.org.uk or call 01952 433424.

Now in its ninth year and bigger than ever before, the Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival (Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th May) is offering a choice of over 50 free, varied and rewarding walks in and around the stunning Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, where the Industrial Revolution began over 300 years ago.

From challenging all day hikes for the more experienced walker, to family friendly trails and short informative walks, this year’s Festival has something to whet the appetite of all ages and abilities. With the newly acquired Walkers are Welcome status a warm welcome is guaranteed in the town.
As well as nearly 20 new walks, the 2014 Festival will be introducing the first 100 Mile Ironbridge Challenge. Those taking part must finish seven specified walks on seven different days with the combined mileage toping over 100 miles. Walkers completing the challenge will receive a certificate and woven badge for their rucksack.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, on Saturday 10th May a guided linear walk around The Gorge will visit memorials to the fallen, as well as sites connected with both World Wars.

Other new walks include an early evening family outing on 7th May to explore the nature and wildlife in the enchanting woods at Loamhole Dingle, Coalbrookdale with a surprise for all, and an opportunity to learn about the variety of wild flowers in Lodge Field under the guidance of an expert from Shropshire Wildlife Trust. There will also be additional nature walks with information to help identify trees and birds and an early evening ‘quiz walk’ around Coalbrookdale finishing at a local inn.

Popular tried and tested walks being repeated explore historic trails and the part played by The Gorge in the Industrial Revolution. There’s also a gentle two-hour family treasure hunt suitable for pushchair and wheelchair users, alternatively experienced walkers can join a strenuous 15 mile circular hike over the Wrekin, ideal for walkers happy with steep climbs and rough terrain.

For those wanting to discover more about the heritage of the area there is a walk that take in the history of the river bridges and a 15 mile circular walk skirting the edge of the World Heritage Site. Three walks explore the many churches and other places of worship in and around The Gorge on 6th and 9th May.

All walks are free however pre-booking is essential; well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on most walks but please check before booking. To reserve a place or request a copy of the programme contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre by email at [email protected] or call 01952 433 424; details can also be found on www.visitironbridge.co.uk/walkingfestival.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week, regarded as one of the tastiest food festivals in Europe, is taking place between Saturday 28th June and Sunday 6th July. Among the new events this year will be a night with Celebrity Masterclass Chef Paul Rankin at the Milford Haven Torch Theatre on 2nd July; Proms at Pembroke Castle with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra on 5th July - a time for picnics, prawns and Pimms with a firework finale and a family fun afternoon on the beach at Goodwick Harbour.

The festival begins with the Fish Week Open Day at Milford Haven with chef demos headlined by Bryn Williams, cookery workshops, live music and hands on family activities plus tasty dishes to sample in the ‘Blas-y-tir' Feast on Fish pop-up restaurant.

Other delicious events include cookery workshops with S4C TV’s Tim Maddams, including back to basics fish cookery; a Fish Feast, gourmet nights and tutored tastings. There will also be several fishing trips and estuary cruises, and a chance to explore the coastal waters in a kayak, perhaps finishing off the day at a coastal retreat with a fish BBQ and music. Family events include a special day of sea and shore based activities around Saundersfoot Harbour on 6th July.

Competitions throughout the week range from photography to art and craft, plus the chance to catch a £1,000 angling prize or win a weekend at four star St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot.

For full details visit www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk or call 01437 776168 / 776171; follow Fish Week on Twitter @PembsFishWeek and Facebook at Pembrokeshire Fish Week. For details about where to stay see www.visitpembrokeshire.com