British holiday information

A quartet of legendary F1 drivers will compete at Brands Hatch next weekend (Saturday 4 September), when the new VW Scirocco Cup supports the DTM German Touring Car Championship at the Kent circuit.

Martin Brundle, Johnny Herbert, Derek Bell and Mark Blundell will make a one-off appearance during the series’ UK debut, which features identical specification bio natural gas powered Scirocco R-Cup machinery.

Between them, the quartet has a wealth of motorsport experience, including 389 Grand Prix starts and an impressive seven victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar endurance race. 

Brands Hatch marks Brundle’s second appearance in the Scirocco Cup this season, as he scored a podium finish at Hockenheim earlier this year.

The VW Scirocco Cup gets underway with free practice at 1.10pm on Friday (3 September), with qualifying and race taking place on Saturday.

Tickets for DTM featuring the VW Scirocco Cup are available from £25 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

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Red Arrows

Visitors to this year’s Dartmouth Royal Regatta will be delighted to hear that, contrary to recent rumours in the local and national press, the Red Arrows will be making an appearance.

There were health and safety concerns over buildings damaged by a fire in the town back in May 2010. However, the arrival of scaffolding has secured the buildings effectively, and Visit South Devon has confirmed that the Red Arrows display is scheduled for 27 August.

Sarah Streeter from Visit South Devon said: “The Dartmouth Regatta is one of the biggest South Devon events of the year drawing in over 50,000 people including a huge amount of tourists. The Red Arrows are an integral part of the celebrations and a huge draw for tourists - we certainly don’t want people thinking they aren’t coming this year”

Jim Bent, Chairman of the Regatta committee, said “We are extremely disappointed that these rumours have got into the press. The airshow is the highlight of the Regatta and if the buildings were in any danger we would have to review the whole programme - not just the Red Arrows”

The first Recorded Regatta in Dartmouth was in 1822. There were three sailing races, one six-oared gig race, and a military band played out at the Dartmouth Castle and 120 attended a ball.

In 1856 the event became a Royal Regatta when an unscheduled visit by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth because of bad weather in a flotilla of nine boats, the day before the scheduled Regatta.

This year’s Dartmouth Royal Regatta starts on 26 August - for full details of all the activities taking place visit: www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk

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Although there’s always plenty going on in Devon, and you’ll never be stuck for things to do, it is nice to have a few options, such as those listed below:

Plymouth Summer Festival
Plymouth’s Summer Festival offers an exciting programme of events right across the summer holidays including:

4 August - National Play day event
Taking place on West Hoe Park in Plymouth this event celebrates the right for children to play in parks and rediscover the great outdoors.

10 - 11 August - The British Fireworks Championships
Taking place on Plymouth Hoe, the British Fireworks Championships is part of the summer festival and a great fun experience for all the family and not to be missed. The event starts at 6.30pm on both evenings. There’s entertainment, fairground rides and refreshment stalls. The first firework displays start around 9.30pm as dusk arrives.

13 - 15 August - Flavour Fest
This annual food festival takes place in the city centre Piazza and is enough to get even the most discerning family’s taste buds chomping at the bit! There’s a Kid’s Kitchen offering children an interactive experience with all things foodie including: cookery demonstrations and a hands-on experience with bread making workshops. For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/flavourfest

21 - 22 August - Bang Goes the Theory Road Show
Also in the Piazza, Armada Way, the team from BBC One’s show want children to get hands-on with science. Join them to explore, stretch and explode science live on stage and then have a go yourself in the interactive area. More information at: www.plymouth.gov.uk

18 -20 August - Children’s festival
Yet another festival in Devon, this time at Paignton Green. Join Cosmo the Clown and a whole host of street entertainers for the festival, now in its 65th year. Expect music, magic and a lot of mischief and a packed programme of events including the return of the infamous festival water fight. Check out: www.englishriviera.co.uk

Wear your children out, or at least let them burn off some excess energy, at Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter. There’s a small charge for parking but otherwise it’s free. The Play Trail is a short signposted trail through the forest with interactive play equipment such as wooden musical instruments and small climbing frames along the route. Den building can provide hours of fun and the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World is also situated at Haldon: www.forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark.

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
If the little ones are looking for something a little more cuddly then four hundred donkeys at the world famous will delight parents and children alike. For more information check out www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

The donkeys at Sidmouth have all seen the last of their working lives, but to see how horses and donkeys used to be utilised pre Industrial Revolution pop along to The Grand Western canal, Tiverton, which as well as being perfect for walking and cycling along flat trails features a horse drawn barge! Check out: www.tivertoncanal.co.uk

Every Saturday in August - Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours
There’s a special interactive Children’s Tour – aimed at 5 – 10 year-olds every Saturday in August at 2.30pm. www.exeterandessentialdevon.co.uk

21 August 2010 - Cavaliers Fun day
The Great Torrington Cavaliers has been organising community bonfires to mark historical occasions or to raise money for charity. For more details about this free event visit in North Devon check out: www.torrington-cavaliers.co.uk

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If you’re staying in the UK this year and fancy a seaside holiday, you might want to take note of a survey conducted by Which? Holiday.

The independent survey questioned more than 4000 members of the general public to determine their favourite seaside resort. Topping the list was Blackpool, which was described by one respondent as “simply breathtaking”, while, a favourite of mine, Brighton, featured second on the list.

According to the survey 40% of UK adults took a trip to the seaside last year, and that number is expected to increase this year – respondents said they were more likely to visit the seaside in 2010 than in 2009.

The Which? Holiday top ten seaside resorts were:

1. Blackpool
2. Brighton
3. Whitby
4. Bournemouth
5. Scarborough
6. Newquay
7. Torquay
8. St Ives
9. Skegness
10. Great Yarmouth

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Paignton beach in Devon

The whole of the West Country offers a wealth of possibilities to tourists and families looking for a great summer getaway and, if you get lucky with the weather, there’s no better place to spend your summer holiday.

Ok, so I may be a little biased as I have very fond childhood memories of family holidays in Devon,Somerset and Cornwall, but seriously, what more could you ask for, great beaches, historic sites, beautiful costal and country scenery, and that’s just for starters.

If you’re planning a family holiday to the West Country this summer and want to keep your budget in check, fear not, there’s plenty to do for free. In fact, Visit Devon is highlighting a number of options for free family fun this summer.

For starters, what about their beaches for free things to do in Devon? In Devon families are spoiled for choice with some of the UK’s best beaches.

Torbay tops the UK’s league for blue flag awards; it has five blue flags for good water quality and beach cleanliness.

East Devon has the award winning Sandy Bay at Exmouth which, as well as being sheltered, has many rock pools, perfect for little ones to while away an afternoon safely collecting all manner of creepy crawlies in their buckets.

For older more adventurous children who want to surf, kayak or try other water sports the beaches of North Devon at Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe and Westward Ho! have everything for the adrenalin seeking teen.

The Dartmouth Sailing Week from 21 to 29 August is also a must see for those interested in either watching or participating in this famous sailing week. You can also catch the famous Red Arrows display - check out www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk for regatta details and Red Arrow performances.

For an idyllic day in amongst the sand dunes head to Dawlish Warren beach which has an internationally recognised nature reserve. There are good family facilities and a free summer entertainment programme, all within easy reach of the beach.

Also in South Devon is Bigbury-on-Sea, a stunning sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty joined by the causeway to Burgh Island. It offers shallow water for paddling and rock pooling and is great for windsurfing and kite surfing for older children or everyone who is young at heart!

For more information check out www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk and www.northdevon.com

Image courtesy of Devonbrand

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Hill leads Kiyonari

The fight to become the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike champion will intensify this weekend (16/17/18 July) as the title battle reaches the high-speed Snetterton circuit for a triple-header round for the first time this season.

Josh Brookes and the HM Plant Honda team lead the overall standings by just four points from Worx Crescent Suzuki’s Tommy Hill, and as the final three round ‘Showdown’ beckons the pressure mounts on the leading riders to perform.

The opening race of the weekend will take place on Saturday, following the cancellation of the previous race at Knockhill due to adverse weather conditions. However for Brookes or Hill to reign supreme in Norfolk they will need to hold off the challenges of rivals including Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati’s Michael Rutter, who was the victor last time out, Relentless Suzuki’s Michael Laverty and former double BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Don’t miss the BSB triple-header race weekend at Snetterton circuit. Advance adult weekend admission tickets cost just £29 online with children aged 12 and under admitted free. For more information and to book visit www.snetterton.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000.

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Could you pull this Titan Airways 737-300 50 metres?

If you fancy showing off your superhuman strength, how about trying to pull a Boeing 737 50 metres at Bournemouth Airport this August?

After the success of the inaugural event in 2009, which raised more than £7000 for charity, the organisers have announced that the 2010 Dorset Plane Pull will be held at Bournemouth Airport on Sunday 8th August.

Teams of 20 will each attempt to pull Titan’s distinctive 30,000kg Boeing 737-300 a distance of 50 meters, with the proceeds raised being donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Ferndown-based John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

With this year’s Charity Plane Pull fund-raising target set at £10,000, the organisers are keen to obtain as much sponsorship as possible. To find out more about getting involved, or entering a team, visit the event website at www.planepull.co.uk

If you just fancy going along to watch, there will be live entertainment, food and drink, stalls and exhibits available to keep you amused.

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Fans of the British Superbike Championship can get their fix this bank holiday weekend when the racing descends on Oulton Park.

Oulton Park is renowned for producing some of the most thrilling and closest racing of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season so fans can expect this round to be no different.

The 2010 season is already gearing up to be an epic, with former World and British champion Neil Hodgson making his much-anticipated return to the BSB paddock after signing for the Motorpoint Yamaha team last week. Other riders already confirmed include crowd favourites Yukio Kagayama and Tommy Hill at Worx Crescent Suzuki.

The new season also marks the introduction of the new Evolution class so fans can expect some frantic fairing-bashing racing when BSB returns to the track for the first time in 2010.

This is the best way to spend your Bank Holiday weekend.

More information:

MCE British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park 1-3 May 2010
Children aged 12 and under go free
For ticket information phone 0870 950 9000

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Shaun Hollamby and his VW Golf

Brands Hatch is gearing up for an almighty battle when the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives at the West Kingsdown circuit this May Bank Holiday weekend (1/2 May) for a trio of races on the Grand Prix circuit.

The Bank Holiday showdown marks the BTCC’s return to the Brands Hatch GP circuit following a thrilling 2009 season finale, in which Chevrolet’s Jason Plato became only the second driver in history to win all three races in one day – edging out Tom Chilton’s Ford Focus in the closest race finish in BTCC history!

Fans’ favourite Plato returns to the championship in 2010 with a factory-backed Chevrolet Cruze as part of the BTCC’s impressive 23 car grid, and the Fifth Gear presenter is a strong contender for victory after setting the quickest time around the Indy circuit in pre-season testing.

However, with seven different manufacturers on the grid including a pair of factory supported Honda Civics for former champion Matt Neal and BTCC race winner Gordon Shedden, competition will be incredibly tight when the series reaches Brands Hatch.

Among the front-runners this Bank Holiday are local hopes Airwaves BMW, who are based down the road from Brands Hatch in Wrotham. The squad is on flying form after scoring their first ever 1-2 finish in the season opener at Thruxton with drivers Mat Jackson and Steven Kane.

There will also be strong challenges from Team Aon Ford Focus duo Tom Chilton and Tom Onslow-Cole, and WSR BMW’s Rob Collard – who is currently locked in a war of words with Matt Neal after the pair were involved in a controversial clash during the opening round.

In addition to three outings from the BTCC, there will also be an exciting programme of support races including the Ginetta Junior Championship – featuring Goudhurst teenager Jake Hill – Formula Renault UK and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Plus, there will be a packed schedule of family off-track entertainment with a free pit lane walkabout and driver autograph session on Sunday and the new ‘Fun Zone’ children’s activity area operating all weekend.

Tickets for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on 1/2 May are available from £24 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

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If the UK’s general election is getting too much for you consider taking a holiday in Britain’s only ‘election-free zone’ – the Isle of Man.

Tourism officials in the Isle of Man have responded to the general election fever by offering unique ‘Election Free’ holiday packages and have specifically requested that hotel proprietors do not mention the forthcoming election. Isle of Man Tourism has also confirmed that the Island will have no campaigning billboards tied to lamp posts or election leaflets on B+B entrance hall tables.

Rod Nipper, Isle of Man Director of Tourism explains: ‘The Isle of Man is only an hour‘s flight from most major airports in the UK and our ‘Election Free’ holiday package proves that you don’t have to travel abroad to get away from it all. The Island provides a perfect retreat for a long weekend or a longer break with the family, so you can return home fully refreshed.’

More information: how to get to the Isle of Man

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