British holiday information

If home improvements, interiors, home gadgets, gardens, and all things remotely connected with homes are your thing then get yourself along to the Ideal Home Show in London this month.

This great annual event has been running for more than 100 years - the first Ideal Home Show opened in 1908 - and in that time the show has proved a launch pad for many household labour-saving devices, such as, the toaster and electric kettle (1920), the microwave (1947) and the electric grass mower (1970).

The Ideal Home Show opens at Earls Court on Saturday 20 March and runs until Easter Monday 5 April.

More information:

Where:
Ideal Home Show opens at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London, SW5 9TA

Opening times:
Daily from 20 March until 5 April 10am – 6pm with late night on Thursday until 9pm

Nearest tube stations:
Earls Court (Piccadilly/District)
West Brompton (District)

For more information on exhibits and tickets check out the official website at www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

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The People’s History Museum in Manchester was officially reopened on Friday 5 March following an extensive £12.5 million redevelopment.

The museum explores the history of the working people of Britain charting the history of democracy from the early 18th century to the present day. Since it reopened on 13 February 2010, the museum has welcomed more than 5,000 visitors.

Dr Nick Mansfield, Director of the People’s History Museum said: “The stories behind the rights we take for granted – time off, the vote, social security, the NHS – deserve to be celebrated, and we’re delighted to represent the history of the working people of Britain in such an incredible new space, alongside our beautifully restored former home in the city’s Edwardian Pump House. We’re incredibly grateful to all of our supporters and look forward to welcoming visitors to see our amazing collection and new exhibitions programme.”

More information
The People’s History Museum offers free admission to its main galleries, changing exhibition gallery and community gallery. Most events and talks are also free with the occasional charge for some events – see the museum’s website for further details www.phm.org.uk.

Where to find the People’s History Museum
The museum is situated on Left Bank in Spinningfields in Manchester city centre.

Nearest rail station: Salford Central

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In January I reported that the London Eye was offering free flights to celebrate its 10th birthday. Now, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the day it opened, the famous London landmark is offering a free glass of champagne to anyone taking a flight from 7pm onwards on Tuesday 9 March.

Also taking place on the day is the London Eye’s on-site birthday party and an impressive light show.

At 135 metres high, the London Eye is the world’s tallest observation wheel and has welcomed more than 36 million visitors since it first opened on 9 March 2000.

More information:

The London Eye is situated on the south side of the River Thames near Waterloo Station.

A full circle in one of the 32 capsules takes approximately 30 minutes and offers leisurely views over London and its famous landmarks.

London Eye opening times:

• October to April - 10.00am - 8.00pm daily
• May and June - 10.00am - 9.00pm daily
• July and August - 10.00am - 9.30pm daily
• September - 10.00am - 9.00pm daily

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Stena Line is investing £200m at Loch Ryan to boost tourism links between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The investment will include the creation of a new ferry terminal and the introduction of two large modern ferries on its Scotland to Belfast service when the terminal opens.

The new Loch Ryan terminal is due to open by autumn 2011 and will replace the existing terminal at Stranraer, which is set to become a marine leisure centre.

Stena Line opened a new £37m port facility in Belfast harbour in 2008 and carries 1.16m passengers between Scotland and Northern Ireland each year.

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2009 was a good year for British visitor attractions according to figures just released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).

The association, whose 42 members manage 1,548 of the leading and best know British visitor attractions, such as museums, galleries, heritage sites, cathedrals, gardens, zoos and leisure parks, reported an overall increase in visitors of 10.9% when compared with the previous year. Increased visitor numbers have been partially attributed to the increased number of overseas visitors and the number of people taking a ‘staycation’. Visitor numbers to free-entry attractions showed a significant increase.

Top British visitor attractions in terms of visitor numbers:
British Museum
The National Gallery
Tate Modern
Natural History Museum
Science Museum (South Kensington)

Visitor attractions reporting the highest percentage increase in visitor numbers:
The Home of Charles Darwin, Kent  + 198%
Calke Abbey  + 92.8%
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire  + 58%
Blenheim Palace  + 43.6%
Bodnant Garden  + 33.4%

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The heavyweights of the motor racing world return to Brands Hatch for the first of two meetings in 2010 on 17 - 18 April.

These 1,000bhp beasts have to be seen to be believed as they race to 100mph faster than a Porsche 911! Once again Stuart Oliver will be the man to beat - the Hexham haulier has secured a remarkable nine British Truck Racing titles and will be set to launch his bid to reach double figures with an opening victory at Brands Hatch.

Truck Superprix at Brands Hatch 17-18 April 2010
Race tickets available online here
Children aged 12 and under go free

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The Exchange and Rentals business arm of Wyndham Worldwide is set to acquire Hoseasons Holdings Ltd in a deal said to be worth around $60 million.

Suffolk based Hoseasons was established in the 1940s and currently offers more than 15,000 lodges, cottages, villas, caravans and boats across seven European countries. Hoseasons brands include: Bowhills, holidaybank, Dales Holiday Cottages, Scotland Cottages, Cottage Holidays Direct and Boating Holidays Direct.

Wyndham’s European rentals business includes many of Europe’s best-known holiday brands including English Country Cottages, Scottish Country Cottages, cottages4you, Welcome Cottages, Chez Nous and Canvas Holidays in the UK.

The purchase is subject to approval from the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which the companies expect to receive before the end of the first quarter.

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The National Trust has launched a ‘Bonus Time’ initiative to offer free access to visitor attractions on the weekend of 20 – 21 March 2010.

All the National Trust’s pay for entry properties, countryside and coastal car parks that are normally open over 20 - 21 March will be participating in the free offer, however, there will be a number of excluded properties – to be announced from 1 March 2010.

Bonus Time vouchers and details of participating properties are available here.

‘You are never more than 40 minutes away from a place looked after by the National Trust, wherever you are in the country,’ said Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust.

‘This is the perfect excuse to discover what’s on your doorstep, perhaps re-visit somewhere you pass regularly or explore somewhere totally new.’

Free parking will also be available for visitors visiting the National Trust countryside and coastal car parks- just display a copy of the ‘Bonus Time’ voucher in your vehicle.

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If you plan to visit Brighton between March and September and love photography, get yourself down to the seafront near the Brighton Pier.

The Natural History Museum is teaming up with Brighton and Hove City Council to stage Wild Planet, a free outdoor photography exhibition, which starts its tour of the UK on 12 March in Brighton.

Wild Planet is a free exhibition featuring 80 stunning photographs from past Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions.

The exhibition is open daily – daytime until 23:00 (lit from dusk) - from 12 March until 26 September 2010. The exhibition will also feature the Wild Planet Store

The Wild Planet will be touring other cities in the UK after September – dates and locations yet to be announced.

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Oulton Park will be the place to be this Easter weekend as exotic supercars and future Formula One stars will be lining up for the first round of the 2010 British Formula 3 series.

British F3 has proven to be one of the most successful stepping stones for young drivers on their way to Formula One as graduates from the series include Ayrton Senna and 2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button. The Cheshire circuit saw Australian Daniel Ricciardo score his first two wins in the series on his way to the 2009 title. A number of young drivers will be eager to follow in the young Australians footsteps.

The British GT championship will again be joining F3 at Oulton Park. Some of the most evocative marques in motorsport will be competing over the weekend. Expect to see Ferraris, Porsches, Dodge Vipers plus the new for 2010 Audi R8!

It is set to be a bumper weekend of racing this Bank Holiday weekend!

British Formula 3 starts on 3-5 April 2010
Race tickets available online here
Children aged 12 and under go free

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