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Pitlochry: What To Do When You Visit Pitlochry

Holidays in Pitlochry are getting more popular not only with holidayers from Britain but from around the world as well. When you take a vacation in Pitlochry there is plenty for one to do and see whilst spending time in an area renowned for its stunning scenery. 

Pitlochry itself has kept almost all of its Victorian charm and features and is situated in the Perthshire Highlands. In fact, this town has been a very popular vacation spot for over a century and part of the reason for its popularity is that Queen Victoria stayed here in 1844.   

Although it was a popular location with visitors from around the UK after the visit of Queen Victoria, the town prior to this was well known. In the eighteenth century, the area grew the crop of flax and this was used to produce top quality linen in the town’s mills. In fact right through the 1700 and 1800, this town was a hive of activity. 

Along with the linen weaving, the city was renowned for its whisky that was being distilled at the Blair Atholl Whisky Distillery. Later, in 1835, the first water powered wool mills were opened by the local MacNaughtons and here raw wool was made into Tweed. 

Pitlochry is also home to the local highland games and it hosted the first modern highland games in 1852. The games are still played today and each year they are the last ones to be held in Scotland. The games take place very close to Pitlochry’s main street and are usually held here during September. 

Along with all the traditional kinds of games you would expect at such an event other ones have been included as well. Today they now include tug of war competitions as well as highland dancing and competitions between pipe bands. So there is lots to keep you occupied during the day’s events.

If your trip doesn’t coincide with the highland games there is plenty more for one to do and see whilst there. Along with these games, there are regular festivals such as the town’s Autumn Festival and the Winter Words one as well. 

Which means you don’t have to plan your Pitlochry holiday just in the warmer season. Providing you’re prepared to dress up warm and something to protect you from the rain then you can visit this part of Scotland at any time of the year.  You’ll be rewarded with a warm Scottish welcome whenever you visit.

Find your Pitlochry hotel or guesthouse from this list.

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Harrogate Vacations: What To Do When You Visit Harrogate

There are wealth of Harrogate attractions that one is able to enjoy whilst visiting this very beautiful city. Certainly, you are not spoilt for spaces where you are able to actually relax and spend a lazy summer’s afternoon. The center of the city has a two hundred acre grassland called “The Stray” as well as the numberous other parks and gardens that are scattered across Harrogate.

You can admire the city’s architecture whilst you are shopping in Harrogate and then maybe rest your feet and enjoy Betty’s tearooms. Why not take a seat by one of the windows and enjoy the views of Montpelier Gardens whilst enjoying some great tasting English foods.

Harrogate is also home to the world famous Royal Baths, which attract many of the town’s locals and tourists alike. They are open all week, the baths are no longer in use. You can still taste the Harrogate Spa waters from the Old Sulphur Well then you should also stop in at the Royal Pump Room.

Along with offering you the chance to sample some of the spa water this building now houses a museum also. Here you can view displays of what life was like for people living in the town during the 19th Century and also details on some of the more bizarre kinds of treatments that were offered at the spa.

For those who would like to venture further away from the town then a visit to Plumpton Rocks should be high on their agendas. These are 30 acres of parkland, found between Harrogate and Wetherby. Here one can pass away a pleasant day strolling on many of the lakeside walks or wandering through the woodland.

However, in order for the beauty of this place to be retained especially as it is not a Grade II Listed English Heritage site to gain entry one will need to pay a small fee. The park itself is only open to the public at weekends and on public holidays from 11.00 until 18.00 during the months of March through to October.

Children visiting Harrogate often enjoy a trip to Brimham Rocks. This attraction is located in the town of Summerbridge and is only a short distance from Harrogate. The rocks show the dramatic effect that the ice age and other periods have made on the rocks themselves. As you wander round you can view the weirdly shaped boulders, have all sorts of exotic names such as Dancing Bear and was also the location for the television show Roger and the Rottentrolls.

Check out this list of Harrogate hotels for your next visit.

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Newquay Holidays: Things To See and Do When You Visit Newquay

Of all the parts of Cornwall that many tourists from around the world flock to, Newquay is one of the most popular of them all. There are ten different beaches in the town but also there are plenty other things on offer for those thinking about a Newquay vacation.

In fact, you will find that this area is extremely popular with surfers from across the globe and each year there is an annual surfing competition that takes place. This means that during the summer season the town is busy night and day with a variety of attractions and vibrant nightlife. However, along with its role as a surfers haven the town is also a popular family destination. And in the months of July and August the towns’ population nearly quadruples.

The climate is somewhat different from other parts of England the summer season is normally quite warm and therer is a very low rainfall at that time of the year. The winter months are warmer as well, being “cool” as opposed to cold or frozen. So because of this Newquay can be the ideal spot to visit at any time of year, just remember to bring some warm clothing if visit during the winter or spring months.

Originally the town was a thriving port (although not as large as rivals Plymouth or Portsmouth), but now it has become a hot spot for tourists instead. Certainly if you are looking to come and stay in Newquay whether for a few days or a week then it’s best to book your Newquay hotel early.

That said, if you are looking to avoid all the tourists and have a peaceful stay in the town then a good time is during April and May. The weather in these months is reasonable and it’s normally quite warm (but not baking hot) then. One of the best things about visiting Newquay “off season” is that the beaches are almost completely empty.

Although the beaches and the surfing are the main reasons why so many people choose Newquay vacations, there are plenty of other things for one to do and see. Certainly if you are holidaying in Newquay then visits to Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium are a must. And if surfing seems too energetic, why not hire a body board instead?

When you’re looking for a Newquay hotel or guest house, you’ve got a wide choice of places to stay. You can stay in a hotel in Newquay or or you may prefer the friendlier option of a family run guest house or bed and breakfast. They are also usually a cheaper option than a hotel if your budget is limited.

What To See and Do When You Stay in Maidstone

Maidstone in Kent has a wide variety of wonderful attractions in and around it that you can enjoy. The town caters for young and old alike and below we look at a few of the attractions which are popular with visitors to this town. 

Leeds Castle – This castle can trace its history back to Norman times and was home to six different medieval English queens and also King Henry VIII more recently was bought by an American heiress in 1926. The heiress, Lady Baillie, was the last private person to own the castle and decided to restore it to its former glory and then in 1974 she founded the charitable trust, called the Leeds Castle Foundation, to keep it up together.

The castle is only a few minutes drive from Maidstone itself and you can travel back through over a thousand years of history on your visit. As well as spending time exploring the castle’s rooms and examine the numerous tapestries, paintings, furnishings and other antiques the castle also offers plenty of things to see and do outdoors as well. Children visiting will enjoy the Kinght’s Realm playground and the turf maze as well as watching the birds in the aviary. Plus why not go and watch the exhibition of Falconry or spend time yourself in the other maze and grotto. Golfers can test their skill at the golf course in the castle’s grounds. 

Stoneacre – Is a National Trust site and the main building goes back to the fifteenth century and has wonderful gardens, orchards and meadows for its visitors to explore. Plus inside there is the Great Hall and Crownpost to be viewed. That said, the property is still privately owned and is actually someone’s home. 

Hop Farm Country Park – If you have children and you want to tire them out a bit this is the perfect place to spend a day at. Inside, there is a museum but there is discovery world, a display of military vehicles, as well as shire horses and an various farm animals. Plus there are both indoor and outdoor adventure play grounds for the children to enjoy and use up some of their boundless energy.

The Museum Of Kent Life – This is a place where you can view a variety of historic buildings which show you what life would have been like in the so-called “Garden of England” that Kent is referred to over the last 150 years. Along with the farm animals for children to get close to there is also herb, hop and kitchen gardens for one to explore. Furthermore there is an adventure playground for children to explore.

When you stay in Maidstone, choose your Maidstone hotel or guest house here.

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