Its british tourism week.

Be Part of It….. 
12th – 20th March 2011 During British Tourism Week 2011, businesses and organisations all over the UK will be involved in activities aimed at promoting the importance and diversity of our domestic tourism industry.

castlerigg stone circle

Castlerigg is an impressive prehistoric Stone Circle in Cumbria. It is the most visited stone circle in Cumbria to date and only topped by Avebury Stone Circle. Thousands of tourist trek to the site to photograph, draw and wonder why and when and by whom it was built.

Avebury Stone Circle Taster Tours

Avebury Stone Circle is probably one England's best kept secrets; because it is somewhat sadly over shadowed by it's more famous younger brother Stonehendge.

The Avebury ring is the oldest stone ring that is known to be in existence anywhere in the world and is even older than Stonehenge.

Glastonbury Abbey, the final resting place for Camelot's King Arthur & Queen Guinevere

Glastonbury has more more to offer than play host to an annual music festival; its also home to the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Reputed to be the final resting place for the 'fictitious' Camelot's King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, this ruined abbey was firmly placed on my to do list down in Somerset.

Shaftesbury Village, Dorset's 'little Italy' hill top crown jewel

Shaftebury Village is picture perfect and sits proudly on a 700 ft hill top overlooking Dorset's Blackmoor vale. To many it is the typical english village, but to me it is reminiscent of an Italian Hill top town. Its very much like Sienna in Italy were I spent many a student days wandering up the narrow steep back streets flagged by terraced houses. I think I will always remember shaftebury as my 'little Italy' and look forward to every visit.

Gorge at Cheddar Village and climb your way into prehistoric britain

As a lover of cheese I quite naively didn't realise there was such as a place called cheddar village. I thought the cheese just got the name from some old English place that no longer exists in modern Britain today.

Alnwick Castle and the Creature from the Tomb

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, and has been the home of the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309, making this year the 700 year anniversary. The castle has been most recently used for the filming of harry potter. However there is a more chilling tale to be told about the Vampire that once frequented this castle.

Count Dracula rises again after laying dormant under Whitby for centuries

Count Dracula is possibly the most famous of the un-dead creatures of the night. The very name instills fear  and dread at the heart of many an English mans soul. Bram Stokers Vampire creation came to England from the deepest darkest depths of eastern Europe on the search for fresh blood in 1847-1912.

UK's 'biggest stag' Exmoor Emperor is shot dead, but will he live on?

photographer Richard Austin

Its a sad day in england after a great giant red stag, nicked name the 'Exmoor Emperor' was found shot dead.

Unfortunately red stags are not a protected species in the UK and the kill was performed legally by a licensed hunter. I would argue that it may be legal but in its definitely not moral. The only thing sadder than the trophy murder is that the stag probably never got the chance to mate and pass on his genes.

I think we should be pushing for; at the very least, protection during the mating season. The red deer stags which are the biggest indigenous land animal left in the UK need to be allowed to rut in peace. Our countryside is special and the red deer is part of that. So please tell your friends that dear hunting is wrong and remember the great 'Exmoor Emperor' one last time.

Paranormal activity outbreak all over britain

With halloween not far away what will you be planning to do? Halloween is more popular in America but we have taken the celebrations to our hearts. Kids like nothing better than going around trick a treating but if you are up for more than just a scary child vampire at your front door then Pendle hill might just have the fright your after.

Appeal to save Brueghel for the nation

The National trust has joined forces with the Art Fund to launch a £2.7 million fundraising campaign to save an iconic Old Master painting for the nation.

The Procession to Calvary’ by Pieter Brueghel the Younger is the star attraction at Nostell Priory in Yorkshire, owned by the Trust since 1954, where it has hung for over 200 years.Now, however, the painting, which is still owned by Lord St Oswald, has been put up for sale, with the risk that Nostell’s greatest work will no longer be accessible to the public.

I would like to support the cause and urge every one to help where they can.

Support it now

Nostell Priory and Parkland is a fantastic house built on the site of a medieval priory.

Other related posts

Check out other stately homes

Wallington an 18th-century landscape park has ponds, gardens and woods to explore

Wallington in Northumberland Dates back to 1688, Wallington was home to many generations of the Blackett and Trevelyan families, who all left their mark. The result is an impressive, yet friendly, house with a magnificent interior and fine collections.

Catch a glimpse of the rare red squirrels at Formby if your lucky.

If you have a place in your special nutty heart for squirrels then you must get over to Formbys pine woodlands and look out for the endangered red squirrel. Whilst you there you may as well enjoy the stunning coastline with large areas of beaches and sand dunes.

The woods here are one of seventeen red squirrel reserves in northern England; the reds are attracted by the large numbers of conifers, as they feed on the ripe pine cones.

Its definitely not grim up north

Its a popular saying from the south of England "Its grim up north", but just how has the North West of England managed to expel the gloomy image and become one of the top tourist destinations.

Well to start with the North West has an immensely diverse appeal, containing the splendor of Cumbria and the Lake District, through the romance of Lancashire and the cosmopolitan metropolis of Liverpool and Manchester to the ancient town of Chester. The North West is bordered by sea to the west, full of great beaches like southport and seaside resorts like Morecombe. Rugged Pennine Mountains to the East and lets not forget the fells of the Lake District to the north. The North West also borders two countries, Scotland and Wales so in all its uniquely equipped to thrill, surprise and seduce any visitor.

The North west is a place of extraordinary beauty, ranging from the soft, sandy coastline of cumbia to the rolling plains of cheshire, from the tranquil lakes of lancashire to the hubbub of blackpool and her famous illuminations. Have I gone on enough?

So next time you are thinking of a day out why not give the north west a visit.

Ashridge Forest, Autumnal scenes straight out of the story books.

The ancient Ashridge Forest glows with colour this time of year. The vibrant oranges and yellow of autumn shine through; a final burst before the snow covering of winter.

The magical forest surrounds Ashridge House, a Gothic mansion built by James Wyatt in 1808. The estate extends for six square miles and to the north leads Ivinghoe Beacon.

Nuclear Power plants; a necessary evil or should we look to preserve our landscapes?

The government has today identified eight sites in England and Wales that are suitable for future nuclear power stations. The possible locations are: Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex; Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, Gloucestershire; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk and Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey.

Get spooked at a haunted castle - after dark they comes out!

Legend has Lowther Castle is haunted by Sir James Lowther. He was very unhappy with a prearranged marriage, and fell in love with a farmer's daughter. When she suddenly grew ill and died, Sir James refused to believe she was dead and left her on the bed. She was finally moved and placed in a coffin with a glass lid, which he set in a cupboard where he could look at her. She was finally buried, and Sir James died unloved and unmourned.

Apple day at Beningbrough Hall & Gardens

© NTPL / Derry Moore

The national trust are celebrating the Apple all over the Britain. One such event is at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens North Yorkshire Apple Celebrations, 16 - 30 October 11am - 5pm.

If you like apples, cake and cider then there is something for you. Displays of apples, apple information on our many varieties, see our new orchard labyrinth, enjoy apple lunches, apple pressing and art workshops. Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.

Great Northern Cheese festival, The Lake District

A very cheesy event in the north west of england, The Rheged Centre will be talking place on Saturday and Sunday 16th & 17th October. So if you stuck for something to do get and smell the cheese.

This two-day event on Saturday and Sunday 16th & 17th October will offer visitors the chance to meet with, and sample cheese from small and large producers not just locally but from all over the UK, as well as have the opportunity to learn more about cheese through cookery demonstrations and cheese lectures from local and celebrity chefs including Michelin and 5AA Rosette award winning Jean-Christophe Novelli and Annette Gibbons OBE in our theatres.

Find out more

Claremont Landscape Garden Autumn Dawn Walk National Trust Event

The Claremont Landscape Garden will be open early for visitors and early risers can also enjoy a guided dawn walk to witness the magic of sunrise in the Garden followed by a warming cooked breakfast in the Tea Room.

Claremont garden is a beautiful garden surrounding a small lake and featuring an unusual grass amphitheatre. The garden's creation and development has involved great names in garden history, including Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and 'Capability' Brown. In 1726 it was described as 'the noblest of any in Europe' and the garden today is of national importance. Visitors walking round the lake will see the island and pavilion, grotto and many viewpoints and vistas. There are hidden features to enjoy as well as wider estate walks and a new children's play area.

Read more about claremont landscape garden and the national trust event