British holiday information

Tourists worried about booking flights for holidays abroad this summer could bring a welcome boost for Devon tourism, according to Visit Devon.

The voice of tourism in the county, Visit Devon says that the combination of the travel crisis caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud and the current good weather in Devon has led to an increase in bookings for self- catering and hotel accommodation. Many businesses are reporting an increase in bookings of up to 70 per cent, however Visit Devon also acknowledges that the business tourism sector has suffered some losses and cancellations.

The General Manager of Visit Devon Rosie Bates believes that despite the recent difficulties for some businesses the outlook for the tourism market in Devon is positive, “Although bookings are down in the business and conference sector, the tourist sector has benefited from uncertainty about travelling abroad and the good weather has definitely also helped. Bookings are up and we are very optimistic about the summer holiday trade.”

Devon is easily accessible by rail or road which has proved attractive to many British tourists put off by flying abroad and who feel reassured that they will be able to return home safely following a relaxing break at some of the county’s outstanding accommodation and attractions.

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The Wyndham Hotel Group has announced it is to operate the new 200-room hotel currently being built on the waterfront in Cardiff.

When complete, the £60 million, 127-metre-high Wyndham Cardiff Hotel will be the tallest building in Wales, offering 200 rooms and 35 serviced apartments over 32 floors. A signature bar and restaurant on the 24th and 25th floors will provide panoramic views of the bay and Cardiff city.

The hotel is scheduled to open in the spring of 2013.

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After the recent Winter Olympics, the focus has really turned to the London 2012 Olympics

If like me, you can’t wait for the London Olympics and want to know what’s going on when, you can now sign up to get the latest information as soon as it’s released. To register you need to visit here: www.tickets.london2012.com/member/registration

Be aware that tickets to the Olympics won’t go on sale until 2011, and will be available from www.tickets.london2012.com (for UK and EU residents only) and official London 2012 sales channels.

Residents outside the UK and EU will need to apply for tickets through their local National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee or Authorised Ticket Reseller from 2011.

For more information about ticket ordering check here: www.tickets.london2012.com/eligibility.html

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If you’re planning to travel to the Isle of Man you can now take advantage of a speedier journey thanks to the reintroduction of the fast craft schedule on the Liverpool to Douglas route.

The spring fast craft schedule is now operating using the £20m Manannan, which will be assisted on the route by the Snaefell fast craft from the end of April. The Snaefell will also operate the Belfast and Dublin services.

The Manannan offers seating for 800 passengers and can accommodate 200 cars on the two-and-a-half-hour journey from Liverpool to the Isle of Man.

Services between Heysham and the Isle of Man are operated by the Ben-my-Chree which is back in operation following a three-week refit.

Related British holiday information:

• New ferry terminal for Scotland announced
• How to get to the Isle of Wight
• How to travel to the Isle of Man

There’s more travel misery ahead for anyone planning to travel by rail during the Easter school holidays after rail staff belonging to the RMT and TSSA unions announced their intention to strike.

Although rail travel during the Easter weekend will be unaffected, industrial action has been planned between the hours of 06:00 and 10:00, and between 18:00 and 22:00 each day from Tuesday 6 April to Friday 9 April 2010.

Negotiations are continuing to resolve the dispute, however if strike action does go ahead severe disruption to rail services should be expected.

Anyone planning to travel by train during the proposed industrial action should check the National Rail Enquiries website for ticketing details and timetables here: www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/2010/dispute.html

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In January I reported that the reciprocal health agreement between the UK and the Isle of Man was set to end on 31 March 2010, however, it has now been announced that the agreement has been extended for six months.

The six month extension will run from 1 April to allow for further negotiations.

For more information check the BBC’s website here

Related British holiday information:

• UK to scrap reciprocal health agreement with Isle of Man
• UK to end reciprocal health agreement with Jersey

British Tourism Week started today with the official launch at the Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales - the home of this year’s Ryder Cup. Although officially running from 15 - 21 March, the annual British Tourism Week was heralded in by the illumination of Hadrian’s Wall on Saturday, 13 March.

This week-long campaign, now in its fourth year, seeks to raise local, regional and national awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain’s tourist industry – said to be worth a staggering £114.4bn to the UK economy and providing employment for 2.7 million people in 2007.

There’s a vast array of events taking place this week to celebrate British Tourism Week, far too many to mention here, however, here is a selection:

• The 17th Annual Preston Beer Festival – 18 - 21 March
• Pirate Week at Blackpool Sea Life – 13 -21 March
• Blackpool transport – cut-price tickets until end of March
• Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival – 11 – 21 March
• The Bakewell Pudding Trail – 17 March, Bakewell
• Salisbury Cathedral Tower Tour
• The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala - 20 & 21 and 25 to 28 March 2010
• Conquests and crossings guide tour/walk – Wales

For a full list of planned British Tourism Week events click here.

And, don’t forget the closing weekend’s offer by the National Trust: ‘Bonus Time’, which offers free entry to many of its visitor attractions over the final two days - 20 and 21 March 2010.

For more information and to download a National Trust ‘Bonus Time’ voucher click here

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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

Related British holiday information:

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• 2009 Great year for top British visitor attractions
• Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall to highlight British Tourism Week

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

Related British holiday information:

• People’s History Museum officially reopens
• 2009 Great year for top British visitor attractions
• Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall to highlight British Tourism Week