Best Activity Weekends

The Hipster Capital of UK

Did anyone tell you that Newcastle-upon-Tyne was all about coal and industry? Newcastle-Upon-Tyne or otherwise referred to as Newcastle was once the lifeblood of UK’s modern civilization. Fast forward to the 20^th century, this former coal city has gone through tremendous change and has become one of UK’s superstylin’ and coolest urban centres that caters to the young, carefree and adventurous. Steeped in tradition as well as modern in development, Newcastle is a rainbow of attractions, sights, sounds, tastes and smells.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne is home to the Geordies, an independent group of locals that are deep-rooted in traditions, tied together by history and distinguished by adversity and a fierce dialect with a language traced to the 1,500 year old Anglo-Saxon heritage of England. Tourists wouldn’t find a trace of coal dust in this city that is a reflection of so many characteristics with proud, hard-working people.

From a city clouded by the coal and steel industry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne has transformed itself in an elegant abode of grace and culture with it fascinating array of art displays and galleries, magnificent concert halls and a wide spectrum of fine restaurants, hotels and bars. Newcastle’s most eclectic display of modern buildings is seen through the cluttered array of its Tyne bridges. The Tyne Bridge, till today remains one of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne’s many attractions as is with the Newcastle Brown Ale, Newcastle United F.C and the world’s most popular half marathon- the Great North Run since 1981. To date, Newcastle is the 20^th most populous city in England and the 6^th most populous conurbation in the United Kingdom.

Dine and Wine in Newcastle

http://www.newcastleholiday.co.uk

A Hip city needs its equal amount of hot and trendy restaurants as the watering hole for those who want to see and be seen. Being and international hotspot, Newcastle is dotted with various restaurants and eateries. Apart from the usual chain outlets, Newcastle boasts an Eastern Affair with Chinatown and a slew of South East Asian restaurants serving Japanese, Indian, Thai, Indonesian and Chinese cuisine that tempt the taste buds of travellers looking for a taste of the exotic. For a more cosmopolitan venture, Marco Polo Restaurant and La Toscana offers tourists Italian and Mediterranean dishes and for a slice of France, head over to the Black Door for authentic french cuisine. Vegans and vegetarians will also find Newcastle a haven for vegetarianism as it serves up delectable cuisines in wholesome vegan through restaurants such as Simply Greek and Bob Trollop that offer vegetarian snacks, food and cuisine. When in Newcastle, taste and sample every eatery and restaurant you can.

The City through lenses of its Cinemas and Theatres

Sure you have access to all the blockbuster films in your own region, so it’s really no point going to a cinema in Newcastle. One other way to learn more about a city is through its independent cinematic art scene such as the Tyneside Cinema in the Old Town Hall in Gateshead, Newcastle. If you have been an ardent follower of the underground cinema scene in your own country, sample the art of independent films in cinema by understanding the culture of Newcastle’s population by exploring the different issues and concerns in the society. The Tyneside Cinema has long been a platform and window for world cinematic arts. Since opening its doors in 1937, the classic Tyneside Cinema building in Newcastle has been under numerous renovations to keep its historical background and heritage.

Apart from its cinemas, Newcastle also boasts popular theatres with big stage productions at the Playhouse and Theatre Royal to comedy at the Hyena Comedy Club and City Hall. The Metro Radio Arena is the largest venue in the city and hosts everything from major recording acts to dancing on ice spectaculars. The strong theatre tradition in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne ranges from the classic Christmas pantomime to Broadway musicals and large scale opera and ballet productions. About a few other private venues offer local and independent talent such as comedy with household names and lesser known lights. One of the famous venues in Newcastle is the Theatre Royal Newcastle which is home to lavish international dance, musical theatre, and plays, and the City Hall specializes in big name comedy and music. For a twist in home spun dramatic arts, the Live Theatre Company, on the Quayside, is a place to go. This is a writing company that is passionate about bringing local ideas and talent to the stage. Most tourists and visitors to Newcastle are impressed with the wide range of dramatic arts on offer and generally find a production to suit their tastes.

Explore, Dream and Discover Newcastle

Boredom never finds its way into your mind when you are in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city is known for its happening nightlife and partying, which never fails to attract millions of people all around the UK. Contributing to the long list of things-to-do in Newcastle, the city’s nightlife is part of the reasons that make Newcastle sparkle.

If you want to organize a stag or hen party, then Newcastle is your destination as this place is renowned for its stag and hen parties. From the latest dance to trance music, clubs in Newcastle appeal to every taste. Digital is one of the most popular clubs in Newcastle. With its recently refurbished interior with a state of the art sound system, Digital is for those who like their clubs with the latest tracks spinning in an industrial club atmosphere. The biggest and often regarded as the best club in Newcastle is Liquid and Envy, most popular for its excellent value. The best part is that this club offers free entrance before a certain time. Liquid and Envy are known for being the host to legendary student nights and most events have drinks promotions and a range of musical styles depending on the night.

Another hotspot for nightlife is in the appropriately named club called Sea which is located in the Neptune house on the Quayside. Offering glamorous music as well as mainstream dance, this club is the place to be for a night of hard partying. Drop in the nearby Stereo Bar to be entertained with an eclectic mix of clientele as Stereo Bar is a very busy and popular bar by day and club by night.

Newcastle -The destination for infotainment

Newcastle is also a premier destination during school holidays as it boasts many museums, art galleries, theatres and annual events. Newcastle boasts many museums and galleries with free entry such as the Discovery Museum and Centre for Life. This museum offers interactive and educational displays giving a modern twist to the attractions of an ancient city. You can never be bored with history again once stepping into this museum as your eyes will soak up in awe on the information, relics and artefacts displayed. Housing a Museum of Antiquities in its city, this museum is the main centre for archaeological artefacts in the North East, detailing the prehistoric to 17th century development of the area. The mediaeval past of the city is displayed by the Castle Keep and Blackgate, and Newcastle Town Wall, and St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas’ Cathedrals are also popular historic structures worth a visit.

After feasting your eyes on historical pieces, it’s time to give your vision a taste of the metropolitan Newcastle with a bit of modern development. The Quayside, set along the banks of the River Tyne is a modern development arena that attracts visitors and residents for its popular music and arts culture as well as its famous bars and restaurants with local and scrumptious cuisine. The Quayside development is proof to a modern thriving Newcastle that seamlessly integrates its past with the future. Shopping is also a great activity to do as visitors throng places such as the Metro Shopping Centre. Known as a shopping haven the world round, Metro Shopping Centre boasts many of the world’s haute couture brands and is one of the most popular in the world.

Newcastle is place to have fun and be carefree and forget all your troubles and your worries. Soak in the sun, bask in the ambience and let all your inhibitions lose in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. This place offers the seamless balance of the old and the new, the normal and the quirky and appeals to both the young and the old. Get as personal as you can with the local culture to broaden your mind with a wealth of local knowledge and unique perspective through popular vantage points the city can offer.

If you have watched any of the Harry Potter series, have you ever wondered where the movie scenes are taken- scenes that involve beautiful and picturesque forests, greenery and woods, of Hogwarts, the Quidditch field and the Shrieking Shack? Well, as we know, the Potter movie series has been filmed in many places in and around England and one place that can be listed as part of the Potter phenomenon is Fort William in Scotland.

The opening scene of the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is taken in Fort William and not only was this movie shot in Fort William but movies such as Highlander, Braveheart, Rob Roy and the TV series RockFace and Monarch of Glen have been filmed here. The fact that many movies have been filmed in this location is proof that Fort William is definitely a must visit place for any tourist especially for Harry Potter fans.

Fort William is the largest town situated in the highlands of Scotland and it is also the largest settlement after the city of Inverness. With Glen Coe to the south and Glenfinnan to the west, Fort William is a major tourist centre that caters to tourists who come here for hill walking and climbing as the town is close to Ben Nevis which is home to the highest mountain in the British Isles and a slew of other Munro mountains.

Outdoor Capital of the UK

Fort William is known by its people and the world over as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ because it is well known for an abundance of activities such as hill walking, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, canoeing, sailing, quad biking, canyoning – you name it, you can do it here. Fort William is a place for you if you fancy adventure and sight seeing that uses both brain and brawn and if you are not the type to just sit in your hotel room all day.

Not to mention, of course, the many opportunities to take it easy and enjoy a gentle walk, take in a spectacular view or soak up the history and culture. Probably the most well known landmark in Fort Williams is Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest mountain and a total of 400 000 people trek this beautiful towering heights annually. Ben Nevis shows off its magnificent presence at the height of 1344 meters to the whole of Britain.

Head up Ben Nevis for a real hiking challenge

If it’s a challenge that you are looking for, then Ben Nevis has it as this is one of the many reasons why people trek to the mountain. Being in good physical condition is a must and plus, a good day of rest and good planning and preparation is vital before climbing Ben Nevis as the mountain path is 16km and rises 1300 meters above sea level. Trekking Ben Nevis shouldn’t be taken lightly as the trekking the mountain calls for planning and climbing know-how. If you are new to the climbing scene, get the help of an experience climber to assist you or you can even join a group of climbers. Apart from climbing Ben Nevis, there are other exciting things to do. Among the many favorites of tourists are mountain sports. In the high mountains of Lochaber, each plain and terrain is used by both visitors and locals to scramble, climb, walk and mount the hill slopes and caves, terrain and rock.

The mountains are not only good for climbing, it also exudes beauty with its rolling hills and cool breeze that makes you forget the worries of the world and just indulge in the beautiful nature of Ben Nevis. Lochaber has 2 of Scotland’s five ski centers which are Glencoe and Nevis Range with both centers having ski schools to help first timers get started as well as to test the skills of advanced skiers. Apart from ski mountaineering, visitors also do paragliding and climbing.

Water sports everywhere

When the weather is sunny and bright, it is an excellent time for water sports. Fort William has numerous lochs, rivers, canals and as well as the beautiful deep, blue sea. If it’s not the mountains of Fort William, it’s the sea and rivers of this beautiful town. Loch Oich makes the perfect location for water skiing and wakeboarding as it is flat water and in a sheltered location. A large pole enables wake boarders to jump and do tricks and stunts. Not the extreme sports kind? Then a ride in a boat on the lock will provide great fun for you or else you can try canoeing and kayaking as well as sailing.

A mecca for cycling

Fort William is also an attraction for cyclists as there are many cycling routes in this town that cater to different types of cycling such as mountain biking, road cycling and touring. It’s no wonder Fort William is the home to the UK round of Mountain Bike World Cup. Some of the famous cycling routes you can try if you are in Fort William are the Great Glen Cycle Route that stretches from Fort William to Inverness covering and approximately 75 miles of scenic splendor. This route is commonly used by cyclists as it provides the exact amount of speed, adventure and safety. Combine all this into one and you have got yourself an exhilarating ride.

Leanachan Forest is where you should head to in order to experience the variety of cycling tracks and trails through the forest ranging from rugged grandeur to meandering stream sides. Clunes to Laggan is for all ages as it is mainly a flat section terrain that covers forest tracks and single track road. On your cycling journey, you will be meeting some steep climbs but this is all good for a little dose of adventure. This path runs along the north shore of Loch Lochy.

Fort Bill and motor sports mix well

Motorsports is also a well known tourist favorite. Fort William is home to 6 days motorbike trials as the area offers spectators a fabulous week of entertainment and fun. From 4X4 driving to motorbike trials and gocarting with quad biking, Fort William is not the place that you will hear or say boring.

If you are planning your next vacation of trip to Fort William some of the nice places where you can live at is Clan MacDuff Hotel. This hotel is a 3 star family run hotel that over looks the Loc Linnhe. Your stay at this hotel will be full of warmth, as the staff and atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

The Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club is a 2 star hotel that is situated a mile outside Fort William with a 50 foot swimming pool and a choice of 119 bedrooms. If luxury accommodation is your heart’s yearning then head over to the Inverlochy Castle that is nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis.

Inverlochy Castle

Built ins 1863 by Lord Abinger, Inverlochy is a 13th century fortress that has been a private residence for over a hundred years before being converted to Scotland’s finest country house hotel in 1969. Other luxury accommodations in and around Fort William are such as Glentower Lower Observatory and Ashburn Guest House. Ashburn Guest House is a Victorian villa located by the shore of Loch Linnhe, nearby the centre of Fort William.

We aren’t talking about Bristol Palin and neither are we talking about the other 34 places on Earth named Bristol. We’re talking about Bristol in England. There’s something about England that appeal to the majority of the population here on earth. England, London and the British Monarchy have been mentioned, used and portrayed in many, many ways through popular culture and much of Britain has been seen through the lenses of a camera, TV and even movies by people in Tokyo, Mumbai, Singapore, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and practically everywhere people have access to communication means. Every city in England has its very own appeal and attraction and you have to be living in these cities to truly experience the culture uniqueness of it. Though that, a taste of life in these places can be experienced by short visits such as to Cambridge, Leeds, Bristol Salisbury and Manchester.

Bristol must be on your agenda

Bristol is one city that is a must-visit to anyone touring England. The city needs no expansive introductory to the outside world as the city ranks seventh as UK’s most popular destination for foreign tourists, with over nine million visitors annually. This shows that Bristol is indeed on the ‘must-visit’ list of foreigners.

Bristol is known for certain exclusive things: the thriving British Aerospace industry and the Rolls Royce. If you are a fan of the Rolls Royce, then visiting its city of birth is a must, even if you don’t own a Rolls Royce. The city of Bristol is the largest and most dynamic city in the South West of England and is home to about half a million of people compromising a colourful ethnicity from whites, blacks, Asian and other mixed races. Synonymous with luxury and prosperity, Bristol sits between Somerset and Gloucestershire with Avon and Frome as its rivers providing its population with scenic views, picturesque settings and interesting flora and fauna. A trip down to Brandon Hill Park climbing the 105-foot Cabot Tower will give visitors a truly breathtaking panoramic view. Cabot Tower was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to America.

The history of Bristol

Before all that, Bristol is a seafaring town that once was home to Port of Bristol, a thriving maritime port with rich history in shipbuilding. This city with the largest culture, employment and education in the South West region, Bristol was second after London for at least half a millennium ever since the 13th century. This city’s glory as a famous port was expertly chronicled by the Maritime Heritage Center. When Bristol is mentioned, the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Ship are associated to the city as both these attractions are designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a local legend of the city. Other must visit places in Bristol include Berkely Castle, Clevedon beach, Dyrham Park and the ever popular Weston-Super-Mare resort.

Music, film and culture in Bristol

There is more to Bristol than just cars and ships as the city also boasts a strong presence in the world of music and film. In 2008, Bristol was named as the European Capital of Culture with organizations such as the Bristol Old Vic and the Theatre Royal founded in 1946 and 1766 respectively. The Theatre Royal is the oldest and continuously operating theatre in England and is a grade I listed building. Apart from these two famous landmarks in arts and culture, Bristol is also home to the Bristol Hippodrome which is a large theatre that can seat up to 1981 seats and is host to national touring productions. Of course, Bristol also has numerous other theatres that has become the training ground and the raison d’être of its naming as the Capital of European culture from the Tobacco Factory, QEH, Redgrave Theatre as well as the Show of Strength Theatre Company.

Eating and drinking in Bristol

So during the day you tour the city. Apart from the many place of interest to visit, the restaurants that Bristol houses is also a must go if you want to taste the cuisine of this rich city. Yes Bristol has its usual scene of chain restaurants and fast food franchises but as someone new to the city; branch out your horizons to sample the locally owned restaurants that offer a wide variety of comfort food, international flavours as well as upscale dining rooms.

For pubs, check out the Slug and Lettuce that is popular among the city’s young as it personifies modernity. The airy city wine bar has food with a twist such as organic sausages with potatoes and leeks. Want to dine overlooking the harbour? Then head over to The Cottage Inn and sit outside the patio, watch harbour ships go by while feasting on fish, steak and traditional stout pie and washing it all down with good old original beer. The Boston Tea Party gives you a more fashionable dining experience as you can sample some freshly brewed original gourmet coffee. At the Boston Tea Party, fresh is the main goal here as they serve coffees, teas, and delicious roast cod with pasta and chilli sauce that is all fresh and aromatic to the senses.

Bristol nightlife

For a city with half a million people, you’d think there was no nightlife? Bristol offers locals and tourists alike a wide range of clubs and pubs with a variety of styles, music and concepts. Fancy live music? Then head over to Fiddles Club for your dose of live music presented to you by Fiddlers’ regular musicians as well as groups from all England and all around the world. This is the place to go to rest your weary feet after hours of touring the sights and sounds of Bristol. Fiddlers Club is known for its laid back ambiance – combined with their good drink selection and good music, it’s a good place to mingle with the folk in Bristol.

Bristol has quite quirky names for their clubs and bars such as Fleece and Firkin, Bristol Bierkeller and Lakota. Lakota is one of Bristol’s hottest and most popular dance clubs that normally has famous DJs playing a blend of the eclectic, modern and funky sounds that get the crowd cheering as the night goes on. Bristol Bierkeller on the other hand is in a class of its own. Apart from live DJs spinning the hottest hits in town, Bierkeller also attracts crowd by staging comedy acts and live bands. It is a combination of live and fun entertainment that makes your Saturday nights always fun.

So when in England, drop by in Bristol to experiences the city’s culture, its people and the lifestyle as Bristol is one place that needs your involvement to have fun!

The Lake District, Cumbria, is the UK’s largest adventure capital, full of landscapes that offer the opportunity for excitement and exploration. In the Lake District National Park is Scaffel Pike, England’s highest mountain and Wastwater, its deepest Lake, this is the perfect place to create your own adventures.

What Activities?

Cycling/Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Climbing, High Wire, Paintballing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Caving Underground, Skiing/Snowboarding, Sailing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Waterskiing, Diving, Hang Gliding, Sky Diving, Paragliding and loads more.

Where To Go

The Lake District National Park

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/

The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in the UK and it includes Scaffel Pike – England’s highest Mountain and West Water its deepest lake. With over 3500 kilometres of rights of way and 12 of the country’s largest lakes, you can walk, cycle or splash about until you heart’s content and there is something for everyone. You can also hire a boat from The Coniston Boating Centre or check out the playground, gardens and café at The Lake District Visitors Centre. This is the perfect place to visit if you would like to see some beautiful scenery and wildlife whilst having loads of fun. When heading out for outdoor sports, using a van rental company can get you a suitable vehicle.

Holmescales Activity Centre

http://www.holmescales.com/

Holmescales is situated in Kendal, Cumbria and is set in over 30 acres of beautiful Lake District countryside. The centre caters for all sorts of events. There are corporate events such as management training and teambuilding, Special events like hen and stag weekends and there are also family fun packages. There are a host of great activities to choose from, Quad Biking, 4 x 4 off road driving, Paintballing and Archery are just a few of the many activities that the centre has to offer. The Holmescales Activity Centre is pure fun and exhilaration and it provides a unique, unforgettable and memorable outdoor adventure for everyone.

Raw War Paintball – Aspatria

http://www.paintballcumbria.co.uk/

The Raw War Paintball is the Lake District and Cumbria’s largest purpose built Paintballing site and has been established for over 6 years. It has seven imaginatively created, action-packed paintball combat arenas complete with rivers, bridges, towers, forts & villages, old mine works which were made to make the scenarios a lot more interesting and realistic. There are 12 different scenarios which were designed to make the Paintballing experience a lot more exciting with the new No Man’s Land scenario created in 2008. Other scenarios that they have are storm the fort, mission impossible and have no fear and supervision and guidance on how to play are given by the staff. The centre also runs other activities such as clay pigeon shooting, raft building and other team building activities. This would be the perfect place to go for stag and hen parties or if you generally just want to have a day of group fun.

Lakeland Climbing Centre – Kendal

http://www.kendalwall.co.uk/

The Lakeland Climbing Centre has unique indoor and outdoor climbing facilities and offers a wide range of learning programmes for beginners and experienced climbers also. You can take part in beginner’s courses and taster sessions or just climb with an experienced friend. The centre is highly equipped with gritstone and limestone outcrops as well as the other indoor facilities. The main hall has several 10 metre climbing walls, a stalactite, roof area, slabs and the big 18 metre climbing wall. The centre also has 2 Bouldering rooms and a room with specially designed beginner’s walls. If you like taking part in exciting sports, why not spend the day here and bring the kids too.

Keswick Climbing Wall and Activity Centre

http://www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk/

Based in the heart of the Lake District, Keswick Climbing Wall is more than just a climbing centre. They run outdoor activities in Cumbria and the Lake District of all types; from biking to ghyll scrambling, canoeing to raft building, and of course climbing and abseiling. The centre runs a corporate event designed to encourage team building, enhance communication and develop leadership skills and also caters for individual, group or families, with specific courses to support your needs. Their Multi-activity days (MAD’s) are one of their most popular packages where customers get to take part in 3 or 4 activities all in one day, these activities include abseiling, assault course, canoeing, climbing, mountain biking and raft building. If you’re interested in challenging yourself whilst having loads of fun, look no further.

Kendal Ski Club

http://www.kendalski.co.uk/

Kendal Ski Club is a voluntary skiing organisation which has been up and running for over 20 years. All of the staff, including instructors, are members of the club who work on a voluntary basis because, no matter the level, they all love skiing. Originally, the club was formed with skiing being its only sport but more recently they have embraced snowboarding and they provide lessons for both sports. The club has an artificial slope which is 80 metres long and 35 metres wide as well as two normal flat areas of slope, a quarter pipe, two kickers, waves and three rows of moguls. The lodge provides equipment, toilet facilities, changing facilities and machine dispensers for refreshments. The centre is only open at specific times and dates so check before you visit.

The Low Wood Hotel

The Low Wood Hotel is a four star resort with a great selection of bars and restaurants, a leisure club, beauty salon and water sports centre. Located on a superb lawned shoreline on the edge of Lake Windermere with a fantastic view, this is the ideal venue if you’re looking for a place where you can relax and unwind with everything close by. Also, as the hotel is in the heart of the Lake District, its an ideal place to discover the timeless beauty of the Lakeland landscape.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need all of the outdoor activity gear you own and also, you’ll need to organise transportation to get around organised before you leave.

Other Useful Links

Go Lakes

http://www.golakes.co.uk/

Go Lakes is the official website of Cumbria tourism. On the site you can plan every aspect of your trip to the Lake District. You can choose from a range of hotels, camp sites and self catering cottages to stay at and also, you can choose whet activities you’d like to do, where you want to eat and the attractions you’d like to see. It is an easy website to use and is a useful resource when planning your stay in Cumbria.

The Lakes Guide

http://www.lakedistricts.co.uk/

This site provides an extensive amount of information about the Lake District and acts as a tourists guide to the area. It has information and pictures of the beautiful lakes and mountains which form the national park and there are also various maps to help you find your way around. There are also individual guides to each of the towns and villages that make up the Lake District and suggestions for accommodation. The site also has a directory for the district, listing loads of businesses in the area which range from bus companies to activity centres so no matter what you’re looking for in the Lake District, you can find it on this site.

The Lake District Tourist Guide

http://www.lakedistricttouristguide.com/

This site caters for all tourist needs in the county of Cumbria. It is a comprehensive guide for tourism and leisure activities and the guide is designed to help you choose your destination and plan your activities around it. The aim of the site is to ensure that visitors to the Lake District have the best possible start to their holiday with the help of the wide range of online services that are provided by this user friendly website.

Located in Scotland, Edinburgh is famous for its history and beautiful landscape. Also, in recent years it has became famous for hosting the Edinburgh International Festival, with its world class list of cultural events. Enveloped by rolling hills, lakes and forests, Edinburgh is a city made for adventure. There is plenty to see and do with the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary.

What Activities?

Trekking, Cycling, Dry-Slope Skiing, Sailing, Paintballing, Surfing, Windsurfing, Paragliding, Skydiving, Canoeing, Diving, Water Skiing, Snow Sports and loads more.

Where To Go

YellowCraigs Beach (Broad Sands Bay)

A sandy beach with great views to Fife and the lighthouse on Fidra Island. Yellowcraigs is a popular family beach with a barbecue site, nature trail and footpath through the nearby wood and grassland. This is a nice place to go for a walk and enjoy the scenery.

Port Edgar Marina and Sailing School

http://www.portedgar.co.uk/

Port Edgar Marina & Sailing School is major watersports complex and marina situated on the Forth just west of the famous Forth Bridge in South Queensferry, just 10 miles north of Edinburgh. The Marina has 300 serviced berths and is well located for exploring the islands and fishing Harbours of the Firth of Forth under the backdrop of Scotland’s Capital. South Queensferry Bay offers an excellent area for dinghy sailing and the Watersports Centre, offering all kinds of tuition including canoeing, kayaking and dinghy sailing. Also, the nearby Port Edgar Yacht Club has a race every Monday so you can rent a dinghy from the sailing school and join in. So, if you’re interested in watersports there’s plenty for you to do at Port Edgar.

Edinburgh Diving Centre

http://www.edinburghdiving.co.uk/

Edinburgh Diving School (EDC) is Edinburgh’s oldest, most established diving centre and has been running for over 20 years. The Centre has grown in size and reputation and now has a retail outlet, an equipment servicing and testing centre and a training facility. The scuba courses include all equipment hire and all course materials, so there are no hidden costs.

The Edinburgh University Skydiving Club

http://eusdc.eusu.ed.ac.uk/

If you want to throw yourself from a perfectly good plane then this is the club for you. Whether you want to do it as a one off experience or on a regular basis, the club has the course. Firstly, you could choose to take the Tandem course. You have half an hours training and then do a 12000 metre jump attached to an instructor. Freefall lasts around 40 seconds and then there’s a 5 minute canopy ride. Also, you could choose to take the Static Line Square, you’re given a day’s training and then jump alone from 3500 feet. The parachute automatically opens when you exit the plane and then you fly the parachute back to the landing area. Or finally, you could choose to take the Accelerated Freefall course where after several hours of tuition and 8 jumps you are a fully qualified sky diver.

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend, Edinburgh boasts of being Europe’s longest artificial snowsports facility. It is made up of two main slopes, a 20 m learning slope and a jump slope; the slope on the left (made to look like Ireland) is 276 metres and the big slope on the right (made to look like the United Kingdom) is 450 metres. The slopes are used for skiing, snowboarding and snowblading and lessons are available for both adults and children all year round. The runs are made from matting that is available for use all year round; the floodlights allow it to be used in the evenings and a misting system keeps it from getting sticky. Also, the equipment is available to rent in the winter months to use elsewhere. If you like snowsports the Midlothian Snowsports centre is the best place to go in Europe.

Nationwide Paintball – Edinburgh

http://www.nationwidepaintball.co.uk/

Nationwide Paintball’s Edinburgh Paintballing site is located just 15 minutes away from the city centre. The facilities include 6 team huts, changing rooms, toilet facilities and an on site shop. All games are played in a superb woodland setting and there are several different scenarios to act out which are designed to make the experience more exciting. Scenarios include the Pet Rescue, Comms Tower and the Shanty Town. The centre does package deals with lunch included in the price and you’ll play multiple game scenarios throughout the day. This is a great activity to do in groups, so if you and your mates feel like some action packed fun, this is the place to go.

Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre

Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre provides the local community and tourists with an excellent range of facilities including a leisure pool with flume, sauna and spa pool, large multi-use hall, Tonezone, outdoor five-a-side football pitches and soft play area.

Coast 2 Coast Surf School

http://www.c2cadventure.com/

Coast to Coast run 95% of local surf lessons at Belhaven Bay which is about a 40 minute drive away from Edinburgh and is accessible by train from Edinburgh also. They offer a wide range of surfing lessons for adults, children, beginners and professional and the east coast of Scotland provides some fantastic waves. The surf school offer a range of courses including a two hour white water lesson, a sunset course and a surf and yoga course. The lessons can be carried out with a group of up to 15 people, so this would be a nice thing to do with friends.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need to bring swimwear with you and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Also, organise transportation to get around the city before leaving.

Other Useful Links

Itchy Edinburgh

http://www.itchyedinburgh.co.uk/

The Itchy site is a travel guide to all of the major cities in the UK. Itchy Edinburgh provides the user with loads of information about Edinburgh city including restaurants, bars, entertainment, culture, shopping, events and activities. If you are planning to visit Edinburgh this site will prove to be vary helpful when planning your trip.

Edinburgh Online

http://www.edinburghonline.co.uk/

Edinburgh Online is the online guide to Scotland’s capital city. The website has a street index listing hundreds of local streets and roads and also lists thousands of local shops, accommodation, attractions, venues, pubs and clubs. The site also has a Web directory listing essential local websites. This means that it is easy for you to find not only the contact details of places you’d like to visit in the city, but you can also visit their websites to see what they have to offer.

TouristnetUK.com

http://www.touristnetuk.com/sc/edinburgh/index.htm

To make finding a holiday in the UK easier, Touristnet.com broke it up into 10 main regions and provide information about the relevant tourist areas. Their section about Edinburgh provides loads of information about accommodation, attractions, food and drink and attractions in the city. The site is very useful and easy to use and is worth having a look at when planning your holiday.

A vibrant, modern city, Southampton is a major port and one of the most popular leisure and culture destinations on the south coast of England. Located between Portsmouth and Bournemouth, Southampton is noted for being the home of the RMS Titanic, The Spitfire and more recently a number of the largest cruise ships in the world. Cosmopolitan and buzzing, yet the perfect getaway.

What Activities?

Snowboarding, Snowblading, Skiing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Crazy Golf/ Golf, White Water Rafting, Windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing, Power Boating, Roller Hockey and loads more.

Where to go

The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex

The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex is located at the heart of the Southampton city centre and has facilities to suit everyone. The diving pool has a moveable floor which means that the depth of the pool can be adjusted to host swimming, diving and aqua fit sessions and the fun pool has a waterfall, fountains, flume, whirlpool and many other water features to keep you entertained which includes a beach entrance which slopes into the water. The centre also has a 25 metre national sports course championship pool with eight lanes and lots of other sports facilities to suit your needs.

Ocean Village

Ocean Village is a marina and leisure development located on the River Itchen in Southampton. The SS Shieldhall, an old steamship and several smart yachts are moored in the marina right in front of Canutes Pavilion with its gourmet restaurants, designer boutiques and market halls. Ocean Village also has two cinemas, but the real attraction is sitting on the waterfront with a glass in your hand whilst taking in the beautiful scenery.

Woodmill Outdoor Centre and Canoe Shop

http://www.woodmill.co.uk/

Woodmill is located on the outskirts of Southampton and offers a variety of courses and several outdoor activities. These courses vary and range from professional courses in coaching to fun, one day taster sessions. The centre offers courses in loads of activities such as kayaking, climbing, abseiling and canoeing just to name a few and is a great family friendly environment. There are courses that are designed specifically for children and courses for the family so that everyone can take part together. Woodmill is the perfect place to go if you want to have some outdoor fun with or without the family and would prove to be well worth your visit.

Southampton Water Activities Centre

http://www.swac.co.uk

The Southampton Water Activities Centre is located on the River Itchen, adjacent to the Ocean Village Marina. The centre operates on the lower reaches of the river offering and other areas in Southampton offering a range of activities to schools, colleges and the local community. The centre has an extensive fleet of modern boats and does courses in loads of activities such as dinghy sailing, power boating, sailing and windsurfing. This would be a good place to go and get out onto the water whilst having lots of fun.

West Quay

http://www.west-quay.co.uk/

West Quay is a popular shopping destination in the Southampton city centre on the south coast. There are over 100 shops to choose from including big retail names like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer. So if you plan to do a bit or a lot of shopping in Southampton, this is definitely the place to go.

Southampton Sports Centre

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres/sportscentre/

The Sports Centre is set in 150 acres of lad and borders on the Municipal Golf Course. The centre offers a wide range of activities to take part in and is the perfect place for training, increasing your general fitness and taking part in competitive sports. Also, the football, tennis and netball courts provide the perfect place to go and have a match with friends. There is also an eight lane, international track which plays host to several athletic clubs and professional athletes that train at the facility and it is also open to casual users.

Southampton Alpine Centre

http://www.southampton-alpine-centre.co.uk

The Southampton Alpine Centre has three artificial slopes which are 110 metres, 90 metres and 30 metres in length and are serviced by two poma drag lifts. The centre offers skiing and snowboarding facilities and training ranging from instructor courses to short recreational courses. There is also a refreshments and functions chalet which is a great place to gather when you get too cold and is available for parties or group bookings. Also, a new ringo’s course will be opening this winter. Whatever you’re reasons for learning to ski or snowboard, the professional instructors and support staff, coupled with the fun atmosphere will make it a memorable experience.

Southampton Municipal Golf Course

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres/golfcourse/

The Southampton Golf Course has two separate layouts: an 18 hole course (Par 69, 6213 yards) and a 9 hole course (Par 33 2389 yards) which are open and available for recreational use all year round at a reasonable price. Other facilities include 2 putting greens, chipping area, shower and changing facilities and an 18 acre practi8ce ground for beginners. They also have a golf shop and a club house bar where you can buy equipment, souvenirs, hot food and refreshments. If you like golfing this would be a great place to go if you’re visiting Southampton.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need to bring swimwear and any Watersports gear you own with you. Also, if you’re into golf, it would be a good idea to bring your golfing equipment too. Also, bring some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty for other outdoor activities.

Other Useful Links

VR Southampton

http://www.vrsouthampton.co.uk

VR Southampton is a tourist site which provides visitors to Southampton with the information they’ll need to know when planning their trip. The site acts as a guide to accommodation, businesses and attractions in the area. It also provides a virtual tour, a gallery with panoramic views of the major attractions in the area and a weather outlook. This is a very useful site to visit if you’re planning a visit to Southampton.

Visit Southampton

http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk

Visit Southampton has all of the latest information about what’s going on in the city. The site has information on how to travel to Southampton, places to stay, nightlife, restaurants, events, tours, attractions, shopping and cruises as well as maps, photographs and weather information. Visit Southampton is a great guide to the city and will prove to be very helpful if you’re planning to take a break there.

Southampton Online

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/tabs/visitors/

This is the official, government website for Southampton which provides local and tourist information about the city. The site provides information about accommodation, things to do and what’s going on in the area. There are also links to other useful websites and contact information for local businesses. Whether you’re visiting the city for a short break, a longer holiday or simply passing through, you will find some useful information on this site.

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Brighton is a beautiful, extraordinary and exciting seaside city in Britain, located on the stunning south coast. With its wide range of nightlife, boutique shopping, year round events and beachfront it is regarded as the “pleasure dome”. Brighton’s beach, which is a sand free shingles beach, has been awarded a blue flag and the seafront has bars, restaurants, nightclubs and amusement arcades, principally between the piers provide loads of entertainment for tourists.

What Activities?

Swimming, Surfing, Sailing, Volleyball, Bungee Jumping, Wakeboarding, Kite Surfing, Aqua Spheering, Abseiling and loads more.

Where To Go

Brighton Pier

http://www.brightonpier.co.uk/

Brighton Pier, also known as palace pier is situated on Brighton Beach and is a source of several different forms of entertainment for people visiting the area. The Pier has a wide range of restaurants, arcades, funfair rides, stalls, bars and kids games, providing entertainment for the whole family and there is also free admission. If you’re visiting Brighton beach it’s well worth stopping off at the pier for a bit of fun and entertainment.

Yellow Wave Beach Sports

http://www.yellowwave.co.uk

Yellow Wave is the UK’s first permanent beach sports venue and is located on the Brighton Seafront. The centre offers beach sports activities for all ages, these include: Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer, Bouldering and Foot Volley just to name a few. The venue has a fantastic decked area with Barefoot Bar/Café and the lovely beach backdrop makes it the perfect place to chill out and relax. This is the perfect place to visit for lots of fun and socialising and also to relax and just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Wave Riders Kitesurfing

http://www.waveriders.biz

Waveriders is a Kitesurfing company, based in Hove, which specialises in worldwide Kitesurfing holidays, courses and training. With their tuition they can take you from being a novice, to an expert level and they support you by providing you with all of the Kitesurfing equipment that you’ll need. The company has a shop in Brighton and run the Waveriders UK Kitesurfing School there. If you’re interested in extreme Watersports or want to learn something new this would be a good activity to take part in and would prove to be worth while.

Knockhatch Adventure Park

http://www.knockhatch.com/

The Knockhatch Adventure Park is about a half an hour drive away from Brighton situated on the A22 and is open on selected dates from March through to November. The Adventure Park is a family friendly attraction and they run activities to suit all age groups. The activities range from trampolining and Go Karting for the kids, to rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding for the whole family. With over twenty different attractions and activities to try out the Knockhatch Adventure Park is the perfect place to visit for a day of family fun.

The Lagoon

http://www.hovelagoon.co.uk/

The Lagoon Watersports Centre is a perfect getaway to the water. The Centre can be found at Brighton Marina, situated minutes away from the city centre and a stones throw away from the beach which means that the Lagoon is easily accessible from the main tourist spots. The centre offers a range of activities such as: sailing, yachting, power boating and dinghy sailing so if you’re interested in Watersports it would be well worth stopping off here for a day of activities. Whether you’re interested in extreme Watersports or just a relaxing trip you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Lagoon Watersports Centre Also, on the website you can find accommodation and useful tourist information about the local area.

Brighton Marina

http://www.brightonmarina.co.uk

Brighton Marina is the largest marina destination in Europe with over 1600 berths. The marina is situated a short distance away from both the city centre and the beach and offers a mixture of both daytime and night time entertainment. The marina has sailing boats, a casino, bowling alley, cinema, boardwalk and the latest in waterfront leisure and shopping. This would be the perfect family destination, with plenty to offer for a lovely day out.

Marina Water Tours

http://www.watertours.co.uk

Marina Water Tours is a family run business which has been going for 10 years and they have recently purchased a new boat called The Voyager. Their three boats are vary in size and are available to rent for private functions, corporate entertainment, and other celebrations of special occasions. They also operate sea cruises and fishing trips throughout the year for tourists and locals. Their day trips range from half an hour tours of the marina to one and a half hour fishing trips which run on a daily basis. The Voyager’s A.P.A system also plays music through CD and the wide deck and stable platform provide freedom to move around making this the perfect, unique option for party bookings.

What You’ll Need

Again, you’ll definitely need a swimming costume and some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

Other Useful Links

Brighton.co.uk

http://www.brighton.co.uk/

Brighton’s number one site for tourists, the site provides suggestions for accommodation and useful information about the local area. This is a very useful site for anyone planning to visit Brighton and will help prepare you for your trip.

Brighton and Hove Tourist Information

http://www.tourism.brighton.co.uk/

This is a tourist information site for Brighton and Hove. The site provides an extensive amount of information about the area and works as a guide to the local bars, restaurants, accommodation, events and history. You can plan every aspect of your trip on the site and it is definitely a great travel resource for people planning to visit.

Brighton Life

http://www.brightonlife.com/

This is also a great tourist guide to Brighton. The site provides tourists with information about Pubs, Clubs, Hotels, Theatres and other attractions in the city, giving you an idea about whet life is like in the city and allowing you to plan your visit and have a carefree holiday.

Located on the north Atlantic coast of Cornwall, Newquay is the unofficial surfing capital of Britain. With its secluded coves and family beaches, it is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, sunbathing. Also, the Newquay Harbour provides the perfect place to go fishing, with several great fishing businesses located there. Newquay is a beautiful seaside resort and there is always plenty to do, whether you like to take part in thrilling extreme sports or just want to have a nice relaxing time, Newquay has a lot to offer you.

What Activities?

Surfing, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Zip Wire, Cliff Hanger, Mountain Biking, Junior Surfing, Coasteering, Horse Riding, Go-Karting, Golf and loads more.

Where To Go

The Adventure Centre – Lusty Glaze Beach

http://www.lustyglaze.co.uk

Lusty Glaze is a privately owned beach on the North coast of Cornwall which has its own leisure centre where you can take part in a variety of thrilling outdoor activities. Their water based activities include surfing and Coasteering and there land based activities range from abseiling and rock climbing to kite boarding and mountain biking. The Lusty Glaze beach is the perfect, secluded area to spend your holiday.

Hollywell Bay Fun Park – Hollywell Beach

http://www.hollywellbay.co.uk/

The Hollywell Bay Fun Park is located a short walk away from Cornwall’s Hollywell Beach and is well known as one of Newquay’s best attractions for action, thrills and family fun. They have a range of things to do including Formula One Go-Karts, Battle Boats, Turret Guns, Bumper Boats, Adventure Golf and loads more.

Porth Beach Tourist Park – Porth Beach

http://www.porthbeach.co.uk

Porth Beach Tourist Park is situated just 100 metres away from Cornwall’s Porth Beach and is surrounded by open countryside. Porth Beach is regarded as one of the safest places for swimming in the Newquay area and is perfect for families, with lots of room to play in and plenty of rock pools to explore. The Porth Beach Tourist Park is not only situated in this ideal location, it has a wide variety of fully equipped caravans, spacious camping pitches fantastic showering and washing facilities and its own children’s play park. Although the park is quiet and relaxing, it’s in easy reach of all of the amenities that Newquay has to offer.

Fistral Beach

Fistral Beach is a major surfing beach in Newquay which is about 750 metres in length and can produce some great waves. The British Surfing Association and Newquay Board Rider Club are located on the North end of the Bay and provide rental equipment and training packages for people who want to learn how to surf, also, the Cribbar, a reef situated just north of Fistral provides wave faces of up to 40 feet and there’s plenty to explore.

Newquay Harbour Boatsmen’s Association – Newquay Harbour

http://www.newquay-harbour.com

Newquay Harbour is a tidal area and very much a working location for fishing and touring boats. Newquay’s Boatsmen’s Association have the top two angling boats, the Mystique and the Che Sara. They offer half day, full day and evening trips at reasonable prices and are fully licensed and insured. The Harbour also offers Mackerel fishing and pleasure boat and speed boat trips where you can admire Newquay from the sea, looking at the wonderful coastline and beaches.

Watergate Bay – The Hotel and Extreme Academy

http://www.watergatebay.co.uk

Watergate Bay is a two mile long, sandy beach situated just north of Newquay. The beach is a popular location for Watersports, kite flying, and sand art and it provides combinations of adrenaline and total relaxation, dramatic coastline and beautiful countryside. The extreme academy is a great place to try a variety of sports such as kite surfing, wave skiing, mountain boarding, traction kiting and loads more. With the Hotel of Watergate bay sitting close by and with its stunning Oceanside location, it’s the perfect place to stay.

Great Western Beach

Newquay’s Great Western Beach is an extremely popular family beach. The beach is west facing, with several sandy coves and towering cliffs. The fact that the beach is quite sheltered means that it provides smaller surf, ideal for people who are just learning to surf. There are also a wide range of facilities including surf and deck chair hire and a private lift which descends through the cliffs from the Great Western Hotel. However, tides can get quite high, covering most of the sand so make sure you know the times of high water.

Newquay Water World

http://www.newquaywaterworld.co.uk

Waterworld is located in the Trenance Leisure Park, Newquay. Waterworld has two superb swimming pools. A six lane, twenty five metre pool and a tropical fun pool with water canon, tipper, flumes, slides, erupting volcano, spitting snakes and loads more. Other facilities in the Trenance Leisure Park are a wooden Waves Ramp Park, Tennis Centre, Zoo, Crazy Golf, Miniature Railway and children’s play areas.

The Boating Lake

The Boating Lake is located right next to Trenance Hill, near the Trenance Leisure Park and is a beautiful part of the landscape. The Boating Lake Café is a great place to stop off and have a few refreshments before exploring the rest of Newquay. Also, Trenance Riding School (http://www.newquayridingstables.co.uk) are nearby and provide riding lessons at a reasonable price. The Boating Lake is the perfect place to relax and take in the scenery and is a lovely sight to see at night with it’s beautifully illuminated fountain lighting up the whole area.

Dairyland Farm World

http://www.dairylandfarmworld.com/

Dairyland Farmworld is a family friendly attraction, providing fun and entertainment for all ages, whatever the weather. The park provides activities to take part in for all ages including several children’s play areas, drop slides, raging bull rides, Tractor rides, feeding and milking and loads more. The Dairyland farm is the perfect place to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a real working farm.

What You’ll Need

You’ll definitely need to bring a swimsuit with you and some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty for when you’re taking part in daytime activities.

Other Useful Links

Mad Ferret Adventure Activities

http://www.madferret.co.uk/

Mad Ferret Adventure Activities is based in Newquay and offers a wide range of activities for all ages including: Coasteering, Body Boarding, Go Karts and Paintball, to name a few. Their website also provides useful tourist information about the local area and a list of possible places to stay in Newquay.

Newquay, Cornwall – Official Website

http://visitnewquaycornwall.co.uk

This is the official website for Newquay which provides useful information about the area. It tells you about the events, nightlife, attractions, activities, accommodation, food and beaches in Newquay. The website is the perfect travel resource for people planning to visit the area.

The Escape Surf School

http://www.escapesurfschool.co.uk

Escape Surf School is centrally located just a five minute walk away from both Fistral Beach and Great Western Beach and is based at Belushis, Newquay’s premier surf bar and hostel. They practice at both beaches and offer package deals for accommodation and surfing lessons. Their site tells you about important surfing events and has special offers for discounted times of the year listed on their site.

Newquay.net

http://newquaynet.com

This is a tourist information site which has an extensive list of activities, attractions, accommodation, beaches nightlife and news and events that are located in Newquay. It acts as a travel directory for the area and has a lot of information that a tourist will need to know when planning to visit Newquay.

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