Head to Talacre beach on 27th & 28th July for a fantastic weekend of World War II nostalgia along the North Wales coastline. Talacre village will be steeped in 1940’s nostalgia on 27th and 28th July, as the community centre will be putting on an event to help showcase what a key role this sleepy, seaside village in North Wales had to play during the Second World War.

Whether you’re a holiday guest or an owner with us here at Talacre Beach Resort, you are sure to have a fabulous time at the weekend long event, which will only be a 10 minute walk from your holiday home.

Talacre world war ii event

The World War II weekend event is part of the 2019 Now & Then exhibition, which is held at the Talacre Community Centre and is full of interesting facts about the local area from over the decades.

As the largest event of the year the World War II Event will be along the beach and throughout the village and is sure to be a huge hit with all ages. You will be able to learn all about the Spitfire target practice that took place along the beach, the fascinating Norcan pillboxes which are still there and you can find out what it was like growing up in the huts in the sand dunes.

The whole family will delight in the various displays on offer, including the static Spitfire display, the Merlin engine and Spitfire cockpit displays, as well as a range of other military vehicles and displays to enjoy. You’ll love the show from the re-enactors who are there to help showcase what Talacre was really like in the 1940’s.

The weekend extravaganza is sure to be a fabulous time for all ages!

now & then exhibition

Over 2019 the Talacre Community Centre have been showcasing their Now & Then exhibition, which displays pictures, letters and other materials to show the interesting and varied history of the Talacre village.

The exhibition was awarded various grants, including a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help bring the village’s unique history to life. Talacre beach was used as an area for Spitfire target practice during World War II, but it was also a place that many people were evacuated to in order to escape the bombing from Liverpool. Some evacuees elected to stay in Talacre, or kept their huts on the dunes as summer homes, which was the start of a long and successful holiday home owners history for the village.

Learn more about the Now & Then exhibition in our blog post here.

ownership at Talacre Beach Resort

As an owner at our 5 star location, Talacre Beach Resort, you can take full advantage of all the local area events, but still easily relax away from the hustle and bustle in your home away from home.

We offer a wide range of holiday homes and lodges for sale at Talacre Beach Resort. We will have the ideal home away from home to suit all needs and budgets, our professional Sales Advisors can introduce you to an independent financial advisors who will be able to help you spread the cost too. So owning your dream holiday home in North Wales could be much closer than you think.

Our friendly community of owners have unlimited access to our fantastic 5 star facilities, which includes an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa pool. As well as a newly refurbished Bistro Restaurant & Bar, where you can enjoy delicious meals and refreshing drinks. The whole family will love the arcade games and pool table room, as well as the day and evening entertainment programmes provided by Charlie Bear and his talented team of Rangers.

There is always something to do at Talacre Beach Resort, whether that’s getting stuck in with the activities on offer, relaxing in your home away from home or exploring the local area.

To find out more information about ownership at Talacre Beach Resort, call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or talk an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Discover over 12,000 fossils in a fabulous museum, where you’ll take a trip through time and learn about the Jurassic era in Lyme Regis

The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is located only a 15 minute drive away from our 5 star destination, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in picturesque South Devon. The museum is privately owned and managed by Palaeontologist Steve Davis and his wife, Jenny.

Mr Davis has collected over 12,000 specimens and created the museum to showcase how spectacular and fascinating the world of fossils really is. The collection still manages to grow every year, so you’ll always see something new at Dinosaurland! There’s even a map room showing you why Lyme Regis offers the best fossils and were the best places to find and your own are.

the three museums

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is split into 3 distinct areas, each showing a different aspect of the collection.

• The Fossil Collection – taking up the first floor, wander through the amazing collection of local 200 million year old marine Jurassic fossils and learn about the types of creatures who lived in the sea then. The exhibit is home to large fossils, including an impressive Ichthyosaur, as well as the small ammonites and, the tiny microfossils! There is also a collection of Chinese fossils, with the 73kg dino dung being the most popular attraction here.
• The Time Gallery – travel through Earth’s history and learn how Geologists date ancient rocks, with the exhibit showcasing the expanse of geological time on our planet. You can take a stroll through the different scenes portraying life and how it evolved through our history.
• The Natural History Room – marvel at an impressive collection of skeletons, beautiful shells from the beaches and a range of taxidermy showing a number of different creatures, some modern and some not! The exhibit shows how our present day life relates to the fossils that can be found in the collections at the museum. The Indian Python skeleton is a popular and fascinating sight, as it has 321 backbone segments!

why is Lyme Regis so good for fossil hunting?

200 million years ago the climate in Britain was subtropical, with the northern edge of the country covered by the Tethys Ocean. There was an important combination in the Lyme Regis area of warm, shall water and rich food flowing through, this helped to create the fossils still being found today. There are 3 main reasons why Lyme Regis has such a high population of fossils:

1. The local area managed to create a rich and diverse lifestyle for the creatures here 200 million years ago
2. The well preserved fossils were contained rocks, which lifted to the surface over 15 million years ago
3. Natural erosion along the Lyme Regis area is consistently exposing new fossils for people to find

There are two main beaches near Lyme Regis that are best to try your hand at fossil hunting are Black Ven Beach and Monmouth Beach, and you could start your Palaeontology career!

the fossil shop

Explore the shop where you can purchase over 500 types of minerals and fossils, it’s just as interesting as the exhibits and you can buy these beautiful fossils home with you.

The shop also stocks an impressive range of rough diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other beautiful gemstones, all available for purchase.

And if you get home only to realise you wanted something from the fabulous shop, you can pop online to purchase anything you like and they will deliver it to your home!

Don’t miss out on a fascinating day out at Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, where you can take a trip through time and learn all about the Jurassic era in Lyme Regis.

about Hawkchurch Resort & Spa

Located only a 15 minute drive from the museum is our beautiful five star destination, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the magical Axe Valley.

Book your holiday at Hawkchurch to explore the local area and discover Lyme Regis, while returning to your luxurious lodge. Our holiday accommodation boats open living spaces, fully fitted kitchens, sumptuous bedrooms and a range of lodges with hot tubs, you will love relaxing here.

Enjoy our outstanding facilities, including the Bistro Restaurant & Bar, serving delicious meals and stocking all your favourite beverages. Soothe those aching muscles in our stunning Hydrotherapy Pool, or relax in our steam room and Hammam-style sauna. The Ezina Spa offers a wide range of Aromatherapy Associates treatments to help you unwind from the daily grind.

You can truly relax with us at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, and if you don’t want to leave? You don’t have to! We also offer holiday home ownership at Hawkchurch.

For more information call us on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Visit Bristol Zoo Gardens’ wide range of animals at one of the world’s oldest zoo’s and learn all about their conservation work too. Our very own luxurious location, Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is only a 30 minute drive away from Bristol Zoo Gardens, making it the ideal destination to base yourself. The zoo first opened in July 1836 and is actually the fifth oldest in the world, with a rich history of conservation research, having saved over 175 species from extinction. The zoo is also a wonderful day out for all ages and has had more than 90 million visitors since opening!

the history of Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Zoo Gardens is run by the Bristol Zoological Society, a registered conservation and education charity, but back in 1835 it was founded by Henry Riley, a local physician, who helped join together a number of local prominent individuals. They all came together with the same mission in mind:

“to facilitate the observation of habits, form and structure of the animal kingdom, as well as affording rational amusement and recreation to the visitors of the neighbourhood”

With such a long legacy, steeped in education, conservation and fun, there have been a number of key milestones in Bristol Zoo Gardens’ history.

• A lowland gorilla arrived in the 1930’s. His name was Alfred and he was very popular and learned how to make snowballs. His popularity soared throughout World War II, providing people with joy during a dark time
• In 1934 Adam was born, and he was the first chimpanzee to be both conceived and born in captivity in Europe
• During the 80’s and 90’s, the zoo started to develop into the Bristol Zoo Gardens it is today. Several large exhibits opened during this time, including the monkey house, reptile house, the redesigned aquarium and both the wonderful seal and penguin coast exhibits

The zoo is continuing its legacy and is working on a number of research and conservation projects around the world.

animals & attractions

There are endless species to visit during your day out at Bristol Zoo Gardens, all enjoying a unique and natural habitat, lovingly created by the team who care for each of them.

The zoo has been a home to the critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas since 1930, with the current family headed by the impressive silverback, Jock. The family is completed by Kera, Kukena, Kala and Toni, who was hand raised until she was 8 months old and then reintroduced to the family.

You can visit the lion pride, the black howler monkeys or the very vocal gibbons during your trip. But don’t forget the fascinating dwarf crocodiles, African pancake tortoises, the fascinating lemurs or the huge range of beautiful and exotic birds that all call Bristol Zoo Gardens home.

The attractions at Bristol Zoo Gardens are wonderful, including the fun adventure playground and a super fun splash water zone for the little ones. Or opt for a slower pace and try to find all the colours in the Butterfly Forest.

The popular ZooRopia attraction is a fun adventure course for all ages, you can all take advantage of this absolutely wonderful opportunity to swing alongside the lemurs, gibbons and gorillas.

For a completely unique and wonderful journey, head to the Twilight World exhibit, where night and day will be reversed. Meet some of the most fascinating nocturnal creatures in the world, in beautiful settings from the dark forest with the aye-aye’s and underground with the naked mole rats to the town house, which is home to tiny house mice!

So if you’re looking for a fabulously fun day at Bristol Zoo Gardens is definitely the place to be and being only a 30 minute drive away from Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, it really is the ideal place to base yourself to explore the area.

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa offers everything you could want for a getaway, from luxurious lodge style accommodation with large open plan living areas, sumptuous bedding and a selection of hot tub lodges too. Our stunning five star facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Eden Spa offering Aromatherapy Associates treatments. The whole family will love the Go Active + programme, which includes a large rock climbing wall, waterwalkerz and archery.

There is so much to do at Cheddar Woods you’ll love relaxing for lunch or an evening meal at our Bistro Restaurant, while kicking back with a drink from our fully stocked bar. And if you don’t want to leave? You don’t have to, as Cheddar Woods offers holiday home ownership too, so you could holiday here every weekend!

For more information about holiday home ownership at Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or speak to an advisor via our live chat service and book your tour to see our resort today.

Explore stunning private estates in the heart of Kent, while trying your hand at a variety of amazing falconry and bird of prey experiences at Doddington Place Gardens. Located only a 35 minute drive away from our beautiful Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, The Hawking Centre offers wonderful falconry experiences in a beautiful setting of parkland, formal gardens and woodland. Take in the peacefulness around you and enter a world where you’ll meet stunning owls, hawks, vultures, eagles and falcons, as well as getting to learn all about these majestic creatures.

There are a wide range of experiences and in-depth courses from half day, full day and five day options all being available.

about the Hawking Centre

First established in 1998, The Hawking Centre was founded and is owned by Leigh Holmes. Created out of a true passion for these fabulously fascinating creatures, Leigh was only 20 years old when he founded the centre and designed his dream job.

The Hawking Centre’s very first bookings came from Doddington Place Gardens and Farming World in 1998. Soon after the successful summer season, the centre was a full-time fixture at Farming World, and in 1999 Leigh’s partner Jo joined the centre too.

8 years later, Leigh, Jo and their two children moved to Leeds Castle, offering falconry experiences full time in the old halls of King Henry VIII.
Eventually the family business came full circle and moved home to Doddington Place Gardens. The centre now has 15 experienced and passionate members of staff, including Leigh and Jo’s daughter, Ellie Holmes.

As well as the team of humans growing, the family of birds have grown over the decades to include stunningly white gyr-falcons, some of the world’s largest eagles, beautiful owls and hawks, along with character-filled vultures!

what experiences can you book?

There is a large variety of experiences on offer at The Hawking Centre in Doddington, we’ve listed these below, but for up to date prices make sure to visit The Hawking Centre website.

• Half Day Experience – spend the afternoon, or morning, learning to fly a fabulous team of eagles, vultures, owls and hawks
• Full Day Experience – enjoy a whole day flying the team of vultures, owls, eagles and hawks
• VIP Half Day Experience – take advantage of one to one flying experiences with the fantastic team of birds
• VIP Full Day Experience – indulge in a whole day of learning about a flying with the team of beautiful birds available
• The Big Four Experience – a truly wonderful half day experience flying the largest birds at the centre, while visiting all areas of the gardens
• Talons & Targets – a fabulous full day experience, where the morning will be spent flying a spectacular team of birds of prey, you’ll then enjoy lunch. And the afternoon will test your target skills with games of archery
• Falconer for a Day – take a sneak peek behind the scenes and have a backstage tour of the enclosures and the team of birds with a falconer
• 5 Day Falconry Day – the perfect course for those thinking about keeping and flying their own birds of prey
• 1 Hour Falconry Experience – a great taster session to kick start your obsession and love of birds of prey
• Afternoon Tea & 1 Hour Falconry – enjoy a perfect introduction into falconry and indulge in delicious afternoon tea (available at Eastwell Manor location only)
• Lunch & 1 Hour Falconry – enjoy a wonderful lunch and an hour introductory falconry session (available at Eastwell Manor location only)

enjoy Doddington Place gardens

Doddington Place Garden is a beautiful and imposing Victorian mansion, surrounded by 10 acres of magical wooded countryside, all in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Hawking Centre at Doddington perfectly uses the peaceful locations of the gardens as their falconry experience settings. Discover the expertly landscaped gardens, the beautiful woodland and large Edwardian garden, which includes extensive lawns, a stunning formal and sunken garden, as well as a picturesque rock garden with pools.

Doddington Place Gardens is recognised as being of historical importance by the English Heritage Society, you’ll love all the time spent exploring the gardens during your Hawking Centre experience.

Book your falconry experience at The Hawking Centre and enjoy a wonderful day with a passionate team and truly beautiful birds of prey.

Stay at Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, where our luxurious self-catering lodge accommodation will hold everything you need for a getaway, but a few little extras. Enjoy relaxing in the large, open plan living room, while indulging in breakfast on your private decking area. The spacious bedrooms offer a wonderful night’s sleep, with the stunning bathrooms having everything you need for a holiday away. Our beautiful lodges really do have everything you could want for a holiday in Kent.

The summer season at Llandudno’s theatre offers plenty the whole family can watch and enjoy. From murder mystery plays, live performances from CBeebies stars and a visit from three of Strictly Come Dancing’s much loved professional dancers.

To help you choose from the show-stopping line up on offer during the Summer months we’ve created this ‘top picks’ blog.

So keep reading to find a show that takes your fancy!

one night of queen

When: 22nd June

Do you or someone you know LOVE Queen? If so this show is the one for you!

This spectacular show will showcase all of the best Queen classics from one of the best rock bands of all time and it promises to ROCK you!

Tickets are £24.50

club tropicana

When: 24th – 29th June

Joe McElderry is leading the cast of Club Tropicana, a musical packed full of 80’s bangers! So grab your flip-flops and head to Venue Cymru for the ultimate feel-good holiday musical.

Get ready for a set of 80’s pop anthems, performed live on stage, including Just Can’t get Enough, Take on Me and the Look of Love and many more!

Tickets from £19.50

here come the boys

When: 19th July

That’s right three of Strictly Come Dancing’s most loved professional dancers, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez are taking to the Llandudno stage for ONE night only!

They’re going to be having a dance off battle with each other showcasing Latin, Ballroom and contemporary dance. With live music from Elizabeth Troy (formerly with Clean
Bandit) covering the likes of J.Lo, Bruno Mars, Gloria Estefan and much more!

Limited Availability! Tickets from £26.50

the mousetrap

When: 12th – 17th August

Agatha Christies’ The Mousetrap has been adapted for the stage and will be heading out on a UK tour in 2019. It is well known for keeping its audiences guessing and is becoming the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre.

Be prepared to be held in suspense as you try to guess which mysterious character is responsible in this twisting mystery drama.

So get your detective hats at the ready and enjoy a night of thrilling live dramatic theatre.

Tickets from £20

in the night garden

When: 31st – 1st September

That’s right! The BAFTA award-winning CBeebies children’s TV show, ‘In the Night Garden’, is returning to the Llandudno stage in September.

Get ready for a spectacular production, perfect for your littles ones first trip to the theatre! There will be live music and stars Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka will return with friends for a musical theatre experience perfect for the whole family.

Tickets from £14

To book your tickets to see any of amazing shows on offer this Summer at the Llandudno theatre, then just give the Venue Cymru Box Office a call on 01492 872000 or visit the Venue Cymru website.

With its own microclimate, Ventnor Botanic Garden in the Isle of Wight offers breath-taking surroundings and a wide variety of plants. Located only a 35 minute drive away from our own Woodside Coastal Retreat, in the heart of the Undercliff, Ventnor Botanic Garden is perfectly placed to be protected by the chalk downs from the northerly winds. Spend the day at the hottest garden in the UK, where there are plenty of things to do and fascinating plants to see.

about Ventnor Botanic Garden

In the undercliff of Ventnor it rarely rains, with a climate more similar to the Mediterranean, the Ventnor Botanic Garden in the Isle of Wight boasts an impressive collection of subtropical plants. Because of this warm climate, combined with the moderating impact of the sea, the Botanic Garden is unrivalled in being able to grow plants considered too delicate to grow in mainland Britain outside and unprotected.

Ventnor Botanic Garden Grows succulents, cacti, herbs, mature palm trees, Australian eucalyptus and colourful South African treasures, plus so much more. Enjoy an immersive experience, where you can travel the world through a range of landscapes, with plants designed and grown in geographical regions, for a delightful experience for all.

what’s at Ventnor Botanic Garden

As well as the general garden itself, there are particular places to visit and things to do, so we’ve listed them below for you:

• The Tropical House – this house perfectly showcases the famous Victorian curvilinear conservatories. You’ll enter the conservatory through a derelict mineshaft that opens into a tropically heated house, where warm running water produces the humidity that these plants need to survive. The pool contains 22 tonnes of heated water and is home to the magnificent Amazonian Giant Waterlily during the summer.
• edulis Restaurant – enjoy beautiful food from talented chefs who use the freshest of ingredients, including fruit and vegetables grown in the surrounding gardens. Check opening times as they do vary depending on season.

• Plantation Room Café – a wonderful place to relax and enjoy good food, if the weather is on your side dine on the terrace and soak in the views across the colourful garden
• The Gift Shop – the shop offers a range of products, including gifts and mementos, as well as showcasing local art, photography and fine china. There is also a range of produce made from the exotic and rare ingredients grown at Ventnor Botanic Garden
• The Wellbeing Experience – Ventnor Botanic Garden boasts a rich history of improving health and wellbeing, being a chest and respiratory disease hospital during the Victorian era. Nowadays, they offer a wide range of yoga and wellbeing classes to be enjoyed in the tranquil garden

secret places at Ventnor Botanic Garden

There are many hidden secrets around the garden just waiting to be found and explored, with some secrets dating back to the Royal National Hospital of the 1800’s, we’ve listed the best below.

• The Tunnel – this hidden tunnel runs all the way through the cliff, from the garden to the peaceful shore. In 1875 the hospital requested a tunnel in order to help patients gain access to the shore, however it was rejected. It’s not clear when the tunnel was created, but it is assumed sometime in the 1880’s, but it was not built for patients (or smugglers as rumours suggest), it was actually built for drainage and waste disposal. It was closed at both ends in 1940, it is 350ft long with a vaulted roof. DO NOT try to find the exit or enter the tunnel without a guide. Ventnor Botanic Garden runs free guided tours at 2pm every day.

• The Wall Lizards – these beautiful lizards are also known by their scientific name, Podarcis Muralis . They are often seen basking in the sunshine or heard running through the leaves of the Mediterranean Garden. Their origin is still under debate, with their homeland in Italy, the long standing population could have been accidently be introduced and naturalised, or the Isle of Wight is the northern most part of their natural habitat.
• The Mushroom Chamber – inside the chamber you will find all kinds of mushrooms, as well as the team growing an extensive variety of edible mushrooms in the Fruiting Chamber, Ventnor Botanic Gardens also allows you to sample the grown mushrooms in the Plantation Room Café. Varieties include Shitake, Yellow and Red Oyster.
• Secret Gardens – there are many little secret gardens hidden all over the 22 acres of Ventnor Botanic Garden, all off the beaten track and waiting for you to discover and explore. You’ll find romantic seating areas, tranquil locations and peaceful clifftop meadows boasting beautiful coastline views.

opening times & prices

Located at Undercliff Dr., Ventnor, PO38 1UL – Ventnor Botanic Gardens is only a 40 minute drive from our own Woodside Coastal Retreat destination.

The garden is open every day, 10am – 5pm

Prices for 2019

Woodside Coastal Retreat offers five star accommodation, with large open plan living spaces, sumptuous bedding and a range of lodges with hot tubs, so you can holiday in style. Guests also have unlimited access to our sister resort, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat and the exceptional, five start facilities available. Including the Bistro Restaurant serves a range of delicious meals and boasts a fully stocked bar, as well as the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge offering a variety of luxury Aromatherapy Associates treatments.

Why not book your holiday to Woodside Coastal Retreat today and start exploring the Ventnor Botanic Garden, as well as the rest of this fascinating island.

In Surrey, you’ll find the fascinating Birdworld park, where you can meet and learn about a large variety of birds from all over the world. Located only a 15 minute drive away from our five star Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, Birdworld in Farnham, is a fun and educational day out for all ages, with over 1,200 species of birds and other animals to learn about.

Birdworld is part of a number of international breeding programmes and helps the conservation of many of its animals, as well as promoting their conservation knowledge, so we can all help save habitats!

the history of Birdworld

Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Surrey, Birdworld offers a fabulous day out and has done since it opened to the public in 1968.

Originally a family run business by Roy Harvey and his family, the park became a popular attraction and grew, adding new exhibitions, including the aquarium and children’s farm.
In 1996, Birdworld was bought and is still owned, by a local business called Denys E. Head Ltd. The new owners continued to develop the park over the decades, with the most recent additions including Parrots in Flight and the award-winning, Penguin Beach exhibition.

Conservation work and development is always at the forefront of the Birdworld ethos, helping to protect the future of the species and creating the most natural and enriching habitats for those in captivity.

penguins of Birdworld in Surrey

At Birdworld there are two penguin species to visit, the Humbolt Penguins, which originated in Peru and Chile, as contrary to popular belief they actually thrive in hot climates, with cold water near to their colony so they can fish. The park has enjoyed impressive success in breeding, with over 300 Humbolt Penguins either increasing or establishing colonies all over the world.

Visit the award-winning Penguin Beach to meet the African Penguins, who also enjoy a warm climate. The attraction is a recreation of South Africa’s Roben Island, which is most famously known for the prison that held Nelson Mandela as a political prisoner. However, Roben Island is also home to an abundance of wildlife native to the island, including African Penguins.

Birdworld attractions and animals

There are countless attractions and animals to explore and learn about at Birdworld, Farnham, and we’ve listed a few of the best ones for you:

• The Jenny Wren Farm – one of the most popular areas of the park. The Jenny Wren Farm is home to a wide range of farmyard animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep and pigs.
• Penguin Island and Penguin Beach  – this is home to the two colonies of penguins at Birdworld. You can watch them jump and dive for their lunch during the daily penguin feeds here.
• Outback Landing  – this is a walkthrough aviary where you can enjoy being up close to some of the most iconic birds in the Australian Outback.
• Owl Parliament – a quieter area of the park that is dedicated to the majestic owls. Here you can see distinctive owl species like Snowy Owls and Burrowing Owls.

daily and seasonal events available

There are a number of annual events held at Birdworld in Surrey, including Easter Egg Hunts and Santa’s Grotto, as well as the option to book wonderful Animal Encounters available for all ages. But there are also a range of daily events available for everyone to enjoy, including the ever popular Penguin Feeding time, where you can learn more about them and watch them chase each other and dive for their fish!

check out the upcoming events at Birdworld

opening times & prices

Birdworld is in Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LD. A 15 minute drive from Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat.
It is open every day from 10am – 6:00pm (BST) and 10am – 4:30pm (GMT) (last admission is one hour before closing)

Prices for 2022

Birdworld, Surrey offers a fantastic day our where you can see more than 1,200 species of animals, including crocodiles, piranha and seahorses in the aquarium. And with development continuing, you never know what you might see next!

Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is located in Farnham, Surrey and offers a luxury escape to the countryside, but still only a 50 minute train journey into London for city breaks.

Tilford Woods is home to beautiful lodge style accommodation, which has everything you could need for a self-catering holiday in Surrey, including a fully equipped kitchen, large open living spaces, sumptuous beds and beautiful bathrooms. We also have options for private hot tubs and even private saunas in your lodge, to add a little extra luxury to your holiday escape.

Book your holiday to our Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat today!

Enjoy a peaceful escape to Cumbria at Thanet Well Lodge Retreat and learn all about the local history of Brougham Castle. This striking castle is only a 20 minute journey from Thanet Well Lodge Retreat and offers a unique look into the history of Penrith. Surrounded by the raw beauty of the Lake District, you can enjoy a picnic and take in the scenic setting of the River Eamont.

Brougham Castle was originally built in the early 13th Century and has been added to and resorted over the centuries. Currently, the Great Keep survives, along with the ‘Tower of League’ and the unusual double gatehouse, you can explore it all!

the history of Brougham Castle

The castle was founded by Robert de Viexpont in the early 13th Century, who was one of the only lords in the area to be loyal to King John, during a time when he was most unpopular in the kingdom.

The Viexpont family were well known and well connected, they owned land all over the North West of England and has spectacular castles in both Brough and Appleby. Robert de Viexpont built the original great keep out of stone and an enclosure out of wood.

However, his grandson lot the castle in 1264, being declared a traitor and having all the family’s property confiscated by King Henry III. The property was eventually returned and stayed within the family until 1269, when it passed through marriage to the Clifford family.

In 1269 the War of Scottish Independence broke out and Brougham Castle was known as a formidable barrier against the invasion and was an important military base for Richard Clifford, the First Baron de Clifford.

During this time, the Baron made impressive fortifications to the castle, including stone walls as an outer defence, and adding a large, stone gatehouse.

Brougham through time

Over the centuries, Brougham intermittently served as a family residence before falling into disrepair. Restoration began at the castle in 1643, when Lady Ann Clifford inherited the property, however after Lady Ann’s death, the 6th Earl of Thanet inherited the castle and he eventually sold all the furnishings, leaving the castle completely empty by 1714.

As the castle was too costly to maintain, it was left to decay until the English Heritage Society took over care of the property. The castle is now listed as a ‘scheduled monument’, which means it is a ‘nationally important’ historic building and archaeological site and it is protected against any and all unauthorised change.

Brougham Castle’s beauty has inspired many creatives over the years, including a painting by JMW Turner and it was even mentioned in The Prelude, a famous poem by William Wordsworth.

opening times & prices

Brougham Castle is located a 20 minute drive from Thanet Well Lodge Retreat, at Moor Lane, Penrith, CA10 2AA

The castle is open every day, 10am – 6pm

Prices for 2019

Spend the day exploring Brougham Castle and discover the maze of complex passages and spiral staircases within the stone keep.

The stunning setting, next to the crossing for the River Eamont, allows for the perfect place for a picturesque picnic (I do love alliteration!).

You can also enjoy views over the Eden Valley from atop the tower, as well as views of the ruins of the old Roman fort, Brocavum adjacent to the castle.

Enjoy beautiful lodge-style accommodation boasting unrivalled views of the Lake District at our Thanet Well Lodge Retreat, where our self-catering holiday lodges offer everything you could need. Including fully equipped kitchens, large living spaces with comfortable sofas and flat screen TVs, sumptuous beds with plenty of storage and beautiful bathrooms. Some of our holiday lodges also boast hot tubs, so you can soak up the surrounding nature in style.

Book your holiday to Thanet Well Lodge Retreat today and explore Penrith’s rich history.

There’s something for everyone at Bournemouth Pier, whether you’re looking for a relaxing stroll in the sun or an adventure filled day out

Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat offers luxury self-catering holidays in Dorset and is only 30 minutes away from the historic Bournemouth Pier where you can enjoy a day strolling the 1000ft stretch and taking in the views. Or you can get stuck in at the RockReef and join other adrenaline junkies on the climbing walls or vertical slide. The pier also boasts the Bournemouth Pier Zip Wire, the world’s first pier to coast zip line!

Learn more about the pier and the activities below:

the history of bournemouth pier

Bournemouth’s very first pier was just a short wooden jetty, it was built in 1856, but as the area became more popular it was replaced by an 800ft wooden pier.

Around 1866 the pier was damaged by a number of storms, with the landing stage being completely blown away, which resulted in cast iron replacements. However, even these were damaged in a particularly strong storm in 1876, which caused the partial collapse and closure of the pier.

The Lord Mayor of London opened a new Bournemouth Pier in August 1880, which is most like the one that stands today. Over the next 70 years few additions were made, but some changes included a bandstand and covered shelters, as well as increasing the size of the pier to 1000ft.

In July 1940 almost all the piers in the country were demolished by the Royal Engineers as a precaution against German invasion, it was repaired and reopened in 1946, after the war ended.

A new substructure and the Bournemouth Theatre were added in 1960. The theatre held all the best shows from around the country before eventually closing its doors in 2011.

The adventure activity zone RockReef was opened in 2014, with the world’s first pier to shore zip line, Bournemouth Pier Zip Wire opening later in the same year.

rockreef indoor activity centre

RockReef is an all-weather attraction located on Bournemouth Pier, where all ages can get stuck in with a variety of adventure activities on offer.

Rock climbers will be in heaven with 28 clip and climb indoor climbing walls, all offering different themes and a wide range of difficulty levels, so there will be challenges for all ages and abilities.

Try the Pier Cave activity, a 65 metre cave experience with three different routes which allows for varied ranges of difficulty and comfort.

The Vertical Drop Slide is sure to get even the biggest adrenaline junkie’s heart racing. All participants wear a body suit and start at the bottom of the slide, holding on to the handlebars as they are winched higher up the 25ft slide. How high can you hold on until? You decide when you let go and let gravity take over, set yourself a new target on each go and you’ll be surprised how high you go!

Have a go at one of the most challenging activities on the Bournemouth Pier activity centre, the Leap of Faith. An activity ideal for all the daredevils out there, start by climbing the 20ft pole to the platform, walk the plank to the edge, count to three and jump! Reach for the punch bag and see how far you can jump, you’ll be wearing a harness and helmet for safety. The punch bag can be moved close to further away, to help create your own challenges!

bournemouth pier zip wire

The 250 dual zip wire is the first pier to shore zip line in the world! Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Bournemouth beach from a platform 25 meters above the sea. Ride the dual zip wire with friends or family for a completely unforgettable experience on the Bournemouth Pier Zip Wire.

food & shops

Bournemouth Pier has everything you could want for a fun day out at the coast, from activities and beautiful views, to 3 unique food offerings and classic seaside shops.

The Bournemouth Pier Key West Bar & Grill offers a relaxed atmosphere at the end of the pier, with both outdoor and indoor seating. Key West serves delicious meals from a varied menu, while showcasing the most breath-taking sea views.

Bournemouth’s Sandy Beaches is the perfect place for a coffee shop stop, located on the pier approach you can watch the hustle and bustle, while enjoying their famous Puro Coffee. The Proper Cornish Pasty Shop is ideal for a snack on the go, with freshly baked pasty’s every day and a selection of sandwiches and other hot snacks.

There are 3 classic seaside shops on Bournemouth Pier, visit the Rock Shop for a stick of traditional Bournemouth Rock and other sweets, or pop to the gift shop for some handmade presents for your loved ones. Head to the Beach Shop for everything you’ll need for a day at the beach, from buckets & spades to beachwear.

Bournemouth Pier offers a fun day out for all the family, no matter the weather. The pier holds a number of events throughout the year, including the Bournemouth Air Show, firework displays, Halloween and Christmas themed events.

Our own Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat is only a 30 minute drive away from the beautiful Bournemouth beach and pier, so you can have the best of both worlds. Soak up the peaceful countryside surrounding your luxury lodge-style accommodation, before relaxing in the sun at the seaside.

Our fully equipped self-catered accommodation offers a truly relaxing holiday experience in Dorset, with a large open plan living space that includes fully fitted kitchens, charming dining areas, comfortable sofas and flat screen TVs. The bedrooms offer sumptuous bedding, walk-in wardrobes and the best nights’ sleep you could want, as well as a select number of lodges offering hot tubs for the ultimate in relaxation on your holiday escape.

Book your holiday away to Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat today

Talacre Beach Resort has been a popular holiday destination for nearly 60 years, with the village, beach and lighthouse consistently drawing new fans…

Talacre village has a population of just under 400, with only around 100 residents actually being born in Wales (2011 Census), this helps to show how popular a holiday home destination Talacre really is. It is embedded into the pop culture conscious as a ‘typically British’ seaside holiday resort, however guests are blown away by the luxury that greets them when they stay with us at Talacre Beach Resort.

Talacre Beach itself, was used for evacuees and Spitfire training during World War II, this lead to a number of evacuees becoming permanent residents or later on, holiday home owners.

The beach is now known for the beautiful golden sands, world famous sand dunes, as well as being an RSPB nature reserve and a Special Area of Scientific Interest, with the population of protected newts and natter jack toads living in the dunes.

Talacre Beach Resort first opened in the 1960’s, known then as Morfa Camp, and some of our first holiday home owners originally used to holiday on the Warren in the ‘bungalows’, which were self-contained shacks along the beach.

Our beautiful resort grew in popularity and by the 70’s, there was a 44 acre holiday resort filled with all the luxuries of the time, and is has continued to develop and grow with the times since, having recently undergone a one million pound renovation of the five star facilities.

Have a scroll below of some of the older images of Talacre, these include images of the village, the Warren bungalows and the start of Talacre Beach Resort.

Images are from the Talacre Community Centre Facebook page and Francis Frith website

the lighthouse

The iconic lighthouse was built in 1776 and is only around a 15 minute walk from our Talacre Beach Resort.

The lighthouse is arguably one of the most photographed in the UK and has featured in a Dulux TV advert, as well as an episode of the popular E4 drama, Skins.

It is also known for its supernatural stories, with many ghost sightings over the years reported, with people most commonly seeing a figure wearing old fashioned lighthouse keeper clothes near the lighthouse and a figure standing in front of the glass dome, the lighthouse has been abandoned for a long time.

So popular were these stories there was an art installation placed in front of the glass down, in respect of the legend of the lighthouse keeper. The metal figure had holes cut into it to create a ‘moaning’ tone when the wind blew through it.

Scroll below for older and more recent photos of the lighthouse…

With so much history in this little village, it is easy to see why people are drawn back to the Welsh coast time and again. Learn more about the history of the town and the community determined to keep it alive, in our Talacre: Now & Then post.

Talacre Beach Resort offers first class holidays and outstanding holiday home ownership options, with a wide range of lodges and holiday homes for sale in North Wales, as well as our stunning, five star and recently renovated, facilities, which includes an indoor heated swimming pool, beautifully decorated restaurant and bar, new arcade and a fantastic daily children’s entertainment programme, along with a family evening entertainment programme.

To learn more about joining our friendly ownership community, book a park tour to meet our team and see the resort with your own eyes, talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service, or call our dedicated team on 01745 858010.

Lighthouse Photo Credit: Steve Wilson