The Victorian belief of bathing helping to heal ailments helped to create the wonderful Tunnels Beaches in 1820’s

The Tunnels Beaches are around a 30 minute walk (or a 10 minute drive) away from our beautiful Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, where you can enjoy a romantic getaway to Hele Bay, Ilfracombe in picturesque North Devon. The Tunnels are an award-winning and must-see tourist attraction in Ilfracombe, with subterranean tunnels carved in the 1820’s leading to bathing pools and fabulous coves.

The Tunnels’ history

Local entrepreneurs helped to transform Ilfracombe from a small fishing village in North Devon into an extremely popular seaside resort by employing a team of hundreds of Welsh miners to hand carve 6 tunnels, leading to 3 tidal bathing pools. Four tunnels are still in use today, with the coastline virtually unchanged from the 1800s, but it is now an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and marine conservation area.

Before the tunnels were carved, the surrounding coves and caves were known to be used by smugglers, and one was even the site where famous Knight William De Tracey hid after the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170.

The Tunnels took two years to build, with 950 cubic metres of rock removed by the Welsh miners and you can still see the pickaxe marks today all throughout the tunnels.

The Bath House

The Victorian cities were home to beautiful bath houses, and with Ilfracombe now a favourite tourist spot of city dwellers, the local population saw the need for an indoor bathing house.
The Ilfracombe Sea Bathing Company commissioned and built a large and elegant Bath House in 1836. There was sea water sent from the Tunnels Beaches by a wood fuelled boiler that powered a pump, baths were taken inside a labyrinth of small enclosures beneath the house for privacy.

It is key to remember that during this time, bathing was seen as an aid to health and doctors often prescribed ‘bathing’ as acute to medical ailments, it was not seen as something that was done for pleasure at the time.

Bathing, either inside or outside, was segregated and tightly enforced with any man attempting to spy on the women promptly arrested. Mixed bathing was eventually allowed in 1905.

rock pooling

Ilfracombe was made world famous for rock pooling during the Victorian era by a renowned biologist called Philip Henry Gosse, who was a friend of Charles Darwin. Gosse discovered several new species of marine life at the Tunnels Beaches, which made thousands of tourists head to the area to enjoy the new fashionable hobby of rock pooling.

The Tunnels Beaches is still a very popular rock pooling destination and is rated the 3rd best beach for rock pooling in the UK by the BBC Wildlife Magazine. The unrivalled rock pools are perfectly placed to make the most of the rugged coastline and are always teaming with sea-life of rare species and even rare sea coral.

Victorian etiquette

The Victorians are known for their manners and importance on politeness, the Tunnels Beaches had ‘etiquette guides’ for boating, as well as boys and girls habits. We have collated a few lines from each below to see what life was a little bit like in the Victorian era…

Etiquette for Boating

• men who cannot swim should never take ladies upon the water
• Great care must be taken not to splash the ladies, either in first dipping the oars or subsequently
• Neither should anything be done to cause them fright

Etiquette for Boys

• Respect your father and mother, and give them their proper titles at all times
• Guard against a profusion of slang that would do credit to a pickpocket

Etiquette for Girls

• When you talk, keep your hands still
• Get up in time for breakfast
• Be natural: a pure diamond is better than a good imitation
• Be reticent: the world at large has no interest in your private affairs

opening times & prices

Always check the Tunnels Beaches website for the most up to date times and prices.

Prices

The Tunnels Beaches is a Blue Flag award-winning location, with a rich history in the local area. They are also a popular wedding venue located on the private beach of the Gentlemen’s Pool, there is an option of a beautiful thatched gazebo overlooking the sea or have your ceremony inside the stylish and bespoke venue building also with wonderful sea views.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat offers a romantic getaway in our beautiful boutique Beach Hut accommodation, which only sleeps 2 for the ultimate break in Devon. Our Beach Huts have everything you could need for a self-catering holiday, including essential kitchen facilities, the comfiest of beds and wonderfully sumptuous sofas, as well as a range of hot tub accommodation to add a little extra to your holiday.

Chirk Castle was a symbol of King Edward I’s power over the Welsh people, showcasing his impressive medieval fortress along the board. Although Chirk Castle is a little over an hours’ drive from our 5 star, owners exclusive Aberconwy Resort & Spa, it is well worth the travel to learn about the castle’s impressive 700 year history.

Never meant as a family home, the castle did eventually become this with centuries of occupants leaving their mark with lavish interiors and striking collections to view. Visit the State Rooms for a grand 18th Century saloon, which is filled with beautiful tapestries, then venture to the East Range for the impressive library and the 1920’s Bow Room. Take a walk outside in the award winning gardens, which is filled with immaculately manicured lawns and over 5 acres of rose, shrub and rock gardens. There are also 480 acres of stunning parkland to explore, which is home to sheep and wild ponies and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a beautifully preserved section of Offa’s Dyke. The parkland is also a designated Site of Scientific Interest because it is an important habitat for rare bats, invertebrates and beautiful wildflowers.

Chirk Castle’s history

Kind Edward I built the magnificent castle on the border to keep the Welsh population under English rule, with construction completed in 1310. It was originally built as a military fortress and had the most up-to-date defences during Medieval times, with spectacular ‘drum’ style towers that gave the resident archers a wide firing field. These impressive towers are actually wider at ground level and were designed to make it difficult for siege and battering rams to get close, snow casing the defences of the castle at the time.

It is said that Chirk Castle was so important that King Edward I made personal visits to see the castle during the construction. He handpicked the location specifically for its sparse treeless landscape, which meant his lookouts had a strategic advantage to keep a closer eye on the surrounding Welsh hills and valleys. Chirk Castle was designed as a symbol of power and did its job of dominating the surrounding land.

becoming a family home

In 1595 Sir Thomas Myddelton purchased the castle with the intention of turning it into a family home. Myddelton was the son of the Governor of Denbigh Castle who made his own fortune in London by investing in the East India Company, he was also knighted, built a mansion in Essex and became Lord Mayor of London in 1613.

Myddelton spent large sums of funds on Chirk Castle, turning it into a family home but never lived there, however, the family ruled the estate for over 400 years. Visit the State Rooms for centuries of collections, including Civil War artefacts, wonderful 18th Century large decorated mirrors and a beautiful King Charles I Cabinet, which was gifted to Thomas Myddelton II, who was a Royalist during the Civil War with Oliver Cromwell.

Chirk Castle was brought into the 20th Century by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden, Thomas Scott-Ellis, who fell in love with the castle and managed to negotiate a lease with the Myddelton family from 1910 to 1946. Scott-Ellis updated the castle in order to throw lavish house parties for the high society of the time. He also had a love for all things Medieval and often staged jousts during his parties, he also kept large collections of arms and armour, as well as having a suit of armour designed by the famous armourer Joubert.

opening times & prices

Open every day: 10am to 4pm

There is also a shop and café, where you can enjoy delicious hot meals and drinks, or peruse the shop with handmade gifts from local artisan makers. Enjoy a full day out at the wonderful Chirk Castle.

owning at aberconwy resort & spa

Chirk Castle is just over an hour’s drive from Aberconwy Resort & Spa, and is definitely worth the drive for a fabulous day out, and as an owner at Aberconwy you can visit the castle as many times as you choose!

Our beautiful, 5 star resort is perfectly located on the Conwy Morfa Beach and boasts the stunning Snowdonia Mountain Range backdrop, ensuring wonderful views from all angles. Along with these breath-taking views, Aberconwy offers first class facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, the Aberconwy Spa is home to fully trained therapists and able to offer you luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments, as well as a range of Jessica Nail treatments too.

The Langley’s Country Club is a fully equipped gym, with everything you could want for a work out, including a separate room for HIIT workouts and a range of fitness classes and PT sessions to take advantage of. Mali’s Hair Salon will help you put a spring back in your step with a wonderful hair treatment and restyle from our talented hair artists. Enjoy a delicious meal from our award-winning Signature’s Restaurant, owned by husband and wife team, Jimmy and Louise, Signature’s has accumulated many awards over the years, and is a firm favourite dinner spot to our owners, and many across the North Wales coastline.

Book your park tour today to visit us and see what Aberconwy Resort & Spa can offer you, our friendly Sales Team will be able to showcase a selection of our stunning holiday homes for sale in North Wales, with beautiful beach views and all the amenities you could need for a holiday home.

For more information about ownership, call us our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service on the website.

Take a relaxing stroll from our own Bath Mill Lodge Retreat and visit the beautiful and historic Royal Victoria Park. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is only a two mile walk from both the bustling city centre and the picturesque Royal Victoria Park, which offers 57 acres of beautiful parkland, with botanical gardens and family fun attractions to enjoy.

the history

The Royal Victoria Park was the first of its kind to carry the then Princess Victoria’s name, who came to officially open the park in 1830 at just 11 years old, she never returned to Bath in her life. It is rumoured that a Bath resident made a disparaging comment about the young Princess’ ankles, this was reported to the Princess, which then caused her to shun the historic city for her entire reign.

The beautiful parkland is registered as Grade I on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage.

the park, gardens & attractions

The parkland spans 57 acres and holds something of interest for all ages, from enjoying a picnic in front of the famous curving Royal Crescent, to watching the hypnotic hot air balloons rise above the city.

Head to the beautiful Botanical Gardens in the North-West of the park. They were first built in 1887, the gardens contain one of the finest collections in the West Country of plants on Limestone. Explore the gardens and visit the replica Roman Temple of Minerva, which was originally used at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924 and late moved to the gardens. You’ll also see magnificent tree carvings, beautiful flowers and, of course, the intricate iron gates.

There are a lot of attractions in the park for all ages to enjoy, including a large adventure playground for the children, with climbing frames, zip lines and a fun skateboard area. Enjoy a game of tennis or head to the bowling and putting green for something a little slower paced. The park is also home to a 12 and 18 hole mini golf course to try your hand at, there is also a lovely boating area to enjoy and a bandstand for open air concerts.

The Royal Victoria Park really does have something for everyone, with free admission and a calendar of events and things to do all year round, including the ever-popular open air ice rink that arrives in November and can be enjoyed through most of the winter. Make sure to relax, have a bite to eat and refreshing beverage all year round at the Pavillion Café.

holiday at Bath Mill

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat offers a peaceful oasis only a 20 minute walk from the bustling city centre, the perfect alternative to a city hotel.

Our beautiful and luxurious lodges are ideal for a self-catering city break, with fully fitted kitchen’s holding all the essentials you could need, including fridge/freezer, oven and dishwasher, to some added luxuries such as wine coolers. The large open plan living space’s offer sumptuous sofas, charming dining areas and floor to ceiling windows, with French doors leading out to a private decking. Our bedrooms will give you the best night’s sleep, with soft bedding and dreamy pillows.

Bath Mill is home to the popular Brook Bar & Bistro, which serves mouth-watering family favourites and boasts a fully stocked bar, where you are sure to enjoy your favourite tipple in a wonderful atmosphere next to the babbling Newton Brook.

Book your holiday and enjoy your city break to Bath!

We’ve found the best places in Bath to watch the Six Nations when you stay with us at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat. Located only 2 miles from the city centre, Bath Mill offers the ideal place to base yourself as you venture out to the best places to watch the Six Nations in Bath. Take a look below at our top choices of places to visit below.

The Pig & Fiddle

2 Saracen Street, Bath, BA1 5BR
A favourite stop among sports fans, with walls lined with sporting memorabilia, The Pig & Fiddle is home to a selection of local ciders and real ales, as well as a large menu to keep your hunger at bay.

The Boater

9 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ
A popular place to watch the rugby with over 30 global craft beers available, ensuring there is something to tickle all taste buds! They will also have a menu of food to choose from, as well as ‘beer tapas’ for nibbles, and as an added bonus, they will be having 15% off drinks for 2 hours before every England match during the tournament.

The Westgate

38 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL
Home to a variety of ales, ciders, craft beers and cocktails, everyone can enjoy a drink at one of the best places to watch the Six Nations in Bath. Enjoy something tasty from their extensive menu, while taking in the match.

The Cork

11 – 12 Westgate Buildings, Bath, BA1 1EB
A hugely popular pub among draught beer lovers, watch the tournament and try something new from their classic pub-grub menu.

your holiday lodge

The truly best place to watch the Six Nations in Bath is your luxurious lodge at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat! Relax in comfort, without all the hustle and bustle, and order a delicious pizza takeaway from our Brook Bistro & Bar. Have your own Six Nations celebration with a takeaway pizza, in your pjs on the comfy sofa of your holiday lodge!

Where’s your favourite place to watch the Six Nations? Bath Mill Lodge Retreat really is the best place to base yourself and explore the bustling city and all it has to offer.

Book your holiday at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, venture out to the city or kick back with a delicious takeaway pizza in your holiday lodge and enjoy the Six Nations!

Since the incredibly popular TV show has hit the screen, The Poldark Mine has grown in popularity too, read about the real mine below

The Poldark TV show, starring Aiden Turner, follows Ross Poldark’s story of returning to Cornwall after the American War of Independence to find his life and inheritance in ruins. Poldark’s story develops as he is trying to help the people in the village while attempting to run the copper tin mines, the show has kick-started a whole new interest into the tin mining industry in Cornwall.

the poldark mine

The real Poldark Mine is less than a 30 minute drive from our own Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat and it is the only full tin mine open to the public in Cornwall. It has been giving guided tours to the underground Wheal Roots for over 45 years, the underground 18th Century tin mine stands at 11 degrees all year round, so it’s a nice place to cool down in the summer and can often feel warmer than the surface during the winter.

The mine is one of the most historic locations depicting the Cornish mining history, with the nearby Parish of Wendon as the oldest mining district in Cornwall and was the most populated by 1779. The process known as Tin Streaming started in the Bronze Age in the Cornish area, a ground-fast granite outcrop was used over 4000 years ago to pulverise the alluvial tin ore that was from the Cober River, this called the Trenear Mortar Stone and it’s listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Significance, and the only one of its kind in England.

the Cornish heritage collection

The historic mine and fascinating Heritage Collection is set in beautiful rural gardens, which are slowly being restored to their former glory, and in 2015 there was a bandstand added that has since gone on to host a number of concerts and play for all ages to enjoy.

Following a period of neglect the mine was actually closed in 2013 and had filed for bankruptcy, however, it was saved from this sad fate by the new owners in June 2014, who had restoration and a new educational policy of Cultural Heritage Management plans for the mine. The museum was relocated to a larger building and it has expanded with larger and brand-new exhibits every year since. There has also been a wonderful tea room added, with a coffee and refreshments counter, which overlooks the picturesque gardens.

The museum is home to a wide range of historic items, including the Tech-Tin and Copper section, which houses items from telecoms, teleprinters and telephones, which all rely on tin and copper parts internally to work. There are also artefacts from the famous Penny Lane, Methodist Chapel in Liverpool, such as the pulpit, a number of pews and even the large pipe organ. The team at the Heritage Centre are continuing to restore a variety of historic machines and collections found in lost sheds around the site.

The Poldark TV show has created a whole new interest in the Poldark Mine and its true history, which is even more fascinating than the show, having the first female owner ever. There are new exhibits consistently being added, and a large amount of restoration work in the grounds, including the striking Victorian house, there is so much to see here. Travel underground into the Poldark Tin Mine and feel what life would have been like for those forgotten miners who helped to shape the modern world.

The mine is only a 30 minute journey from our beautiful Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat, you can explore the mine and head back to our luxurious accommodation, which will have everything you could need for a self-catering holiday in South Cornwall. Including fully fitted kitchens, open plan living areas, beautiful bathrooms and sumptuous bedrooms all on offer in our lodge-style accommodation.

Book your holiday with us and start planning your holiday in South Cornwall today

The Isle of Wight is teeming with fun things to do with the whole family, we’ve put together a list of all the fun things to do with your children on the island. Our wonderful Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers luxurious lodges for you and your family to relax in during your holiday with us, we are perfectly located in Wootton to explore the local area. We’ve created this list of things to do with the kids during your holiday in the Isle of Wight, have a read below and starting planning your holiday to Woodside Bay now…

amazon world

PO36 0UX / 10am – 5:30pm / Adult £11.95, Child £9.95, Family £41

Visit the islands largest exotic animal attraction at Amazon World, where you can see various friendly species of penguins, wonderful giant anteaters and fascinating tamandua! There’s also a fun Jurassic themed playground to discover, as well as a great café serving delicious meals and light snacks.

monkey haven

PO30 2NB / 10am / Adult £10.95, Child £8.95, Family £37

Monkey Haven offers a wonderful home for rescued birds of prey and various primates, who have been saved from different situations, including the illegal pet trade or animals who may have had trouble in their original groups. Also, check with the attraction by phone or social media on bad weather days as they may be closed to keep the animals nice and cosy inside.

blackgang chine

PO38 2HN / 10am – 4:30pm / Peak Standard £22.50, Off Peak Standard £20

The whole family can enjoy a wide variety of play areas, where you can be an outlaw and rob a bank, or become a sheriff of your own town and lock up all the outlaws. Explore the whole park and fight pirates before finding fantastic life size animatronic dinosaurs!

tapnell farm park

PO41 0YJ / 10am – 5pm / Adult £8.95, Child £10.95, Family £36.55

Head to the Farmyard Barn where you can meet adorable animals, including friendly alpacas and meerkats, as well as adorable goats and sheep. The Straw Bale Adventure Zone will delight all with pedal go-karts and fun zip wires, and the little ones will love the soft play area in the Play Barn.

lost world adventure golf

PO36 9JT / 9am – late / £4 per person

Spend an hour having a blast at one of the islands best adventure golf venues, where you’ll explore some Aztec ruins and trek all over the rainforest and there are even monkeys and lions lurking around.

Isle of Wight zoo

PO36 8QB / 10am – 5:30pm / Adult £11.35, Child £9.30, Family £36.55

This fabulous zoo is known for offering a wonderfully enriching retirement home for rescued tigers and lemurs, but there is a wide variety of animals to meet at the zoo! Including a whole mob of meerkats, a friendly family of Wallabies, Darwin the Tawny Owl during the falconry sessions and the island’s first ever white lion, Casper.

robin hill country park

PO30 2NU / 10am – 5pm / Standard £19

Explore this beautiful adventure play and theme park set in 88 acres of picturesque countryside. The whole family can get involved in the park rides, test out the jungle play with the treetop nets and be amazed by the fantastic falconry shows available too.

Family fun is what it’s all about on a holiday away, so we hope this list of fun things to do with your family in the Isle of Wight helps you plan your getaway with us at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat!

holidays at Woodside Bay

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers the ideal place to base yourself while you explore the island, with 5 star facilities and first class accommodation to enjoy. Our luxurious lodges come fully equipped with everything you could need for a self-catering holiday, from fully fitted kitchens with essentials such as ovens, microwaves, fridge/freezers, to added luxuries including wine coolers and dishwashers. The large living spaces boast French doors leading to a private decking, large flat-screen TVs and the comfiest of sofas to relax in. Our bedrooms range from beautiful twin rooms to sumptuous king size beds, with all our bathrooms boasting beautiful finishings. You can truly put your feet up and relax on your holiday at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat.

Our 5 star facilities include mouth-watering meals from the onpark Bistro Restaurant & Bar, where family favourites are served and all ages are catered to. Relax in the seating area outside with a drink from the fully stocked bar, or a hot drink from the varied Costa Coffee menu, and soak up the beautiful views of The Solent. Indulge in a luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatment at the Woodside Bay Spa, where you can have a relaxing full body massage, soothing facial or rejuvenating Jessica Nails hand and nail treatment. If you don’t want to miss out on your weekly workout, head over to our state of the art gym, which will have everything you need for a full body workout, or a light gym session.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the local area, being only 10 minutes away from both Ryde and Cowes. Book your holiday to Woodside Bay and take full advantage of the fantastic facilities, outstanding accommodation and explore the island at your own pace.

Mary Anning was a wonderfully fascinating 19th Century female fossilist in Lyme Regis, who helped to change the way scientists look at the world

Mary Anning has been mentioned as being in consideration as one of the historical figures to be printed on the new £50 notes, and she has been part of our culture for centuries, Mary is the lady behind the “she sells sea shells on the sea shore” children’s rhyme!

Mary lived in Lyme Regis, making a living by searching the cliffs and beach in Lyme Bay for fossils and selling them to wealthy scholars and collectors. She also took these scholars on excursions around the Bay and even consulted with them on anatomy and classification. She managed to carve a career doing what she loved during a time when women struggled for independence.

Mary’s history

Mary’s discoveries were some of the most important geological finds of all time, they provided evidence which was central in developing new ideas about the geological history of the Earth and what happened to create our landscapes. During the 19th Century, women were not allowed to vote, hold public office or attend university and the Geological Society of London did not allow women to become members or attend meetings. Mary was seen as an outsider within the scientific community of the age, she did however become well thought of and was eventually held in high regard by a few influential members of the society.

Mary actually knew a lot more about fossils than the wealthy scholars she sold to. They would buy the fossil and listen to her analysis, they would then publish it as their own finding and never credit Mary. This was actually a common pattern in the 19th Century against working class people, with many fossils being found by construction workers or quarrymen, who would then sell to weather collections, who in turn were credited with the find if they were of scientific value. Mary grew tired and angry about this and frequently wrote about her frustrations to friends and in her diary.

Although Mary was not allowed to be part of the societies or scientific community, she did manage to carve a name for herself with a number of high profile discoveries, a lot of hard work and her seemingly endless knowledge.

Mary’s discoveries

Mary Anning’s discoveries came at a time when there was little knowledge about the world outside of religious teachings, her geological findings shock the scientific community to the core. It made them start to think about the world slightly differently and look at alternative explanations for the changes that have occurred in the Earth.

Her very first famous discovery was in 1811 and was the fossil of an Ichthyosaurus skeleton found along the Lyme Bay cliffs. It was actually the first Ichthyosaurus skeleton to come to the attention of the scientific circles in London.

In 1823 Mary found an almost complete skeleton of a Plesiosaurus in Lyme Bay, it was then sold to William Conybeare who published his findings and neglected to mention Mary, not crediting her for the find much her frustration. However, in 1830, she found another complete Plesiosaurus skeleton and was credited for this find.

She also made a number of smaller, but still significant discoveries which greatly contributed to early Paleontology, including a number of fossilised ink chambers and the first Pterosaur skeleton found outside of Germany.

Mary was also a key role for scholars to visit Lyme Regis in search for excursions to the Bay, as well as offering consultations and classification advice to many in the societies.

hardships & passing

Mary was a little unlucky and had faced a number of financial hardships throughout her life. The worst came when she lost her life savings, around £300 (a huge sum in those days), to a bad investment. Her friend William Buckland persuaded the British Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as the Government, to award a civil list pension in return for her geological contributions. The £25 a year pension allowed her some security until her next geological find.

At 47 Mary passed away after suffering from breast cancer for around a year. The Geological community showed their high regard for Mary when they heard about her cancer diagnosis in 1846, they managed to raise money to help her with expenses for medical help and general living. The Dorset Museum also made her an honouree member.

After her death Mary was buried at St Michael’s Church, a deeply religious person, Mary was devout to her church throughout her life. The Geological community contributed to a stained glass window in her memory at St Michael’s Church, you can visit the church, gravesite and see the window today.

Mary was well thought of in the scientific community of this point, with her childhood and lifelong friend the President of the Geological Society. He wrote a eulogy which was published in the quarterly transactions, it was the first ever given to a woman, as this honour was only reserved for society members. Later on, Charles Dickens wrote an article about her life and hardships, emphasising all the difficulties she overcame to make a name for herself.

Mary Anning created a career and status for herself, by hard work and relentless self-teaching of fossils. Finding fantastic geological specimens along the Jurassic Coast in Lyme Regis cemented her story and her knowledge ensured her legacy.

Why not spend the day scouring Lyme Bay for any fossils Mary may have missed? You can learn more about Mary at the Lyme Regis Museum, which is only a short drive from our very own Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in South Devon, a 5 star luxurious location with first-class facilities like no other.

Relax in the soothing Hydrotherapy pool, or soak up the heat in the sauna and steam room, before indulging in a luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatment at our on-park Ezina Spa. Grab a bite to eat at our Bistro Restaurant and sit back with a drink from our fully stocked bar, or hit the weights in our state-of-the-art gym.

Book your holiday at Hawkchurch, or book a park tour and find out about our holiday home ownership options, allowing you to explore the local area in your own time and taking advantage of our facilities, views and stunning lodges for sale in South Devon.

Call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 for more ownership information or feel free to talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

The popular Conwy Quays Marina boasts a beautiful backdrop and a perfect location, being only a 15 minute walk from our own Aberconwy Resort & Spa…

The Conwy Marina is part of the Quay’s Marina group, which owns a few marinas along the North Wales coast and is one of the most respected operators in the UK, which gives a safe haven to you and your boat in the only marina to be awarded the 5 Gold Anchor Marina Award in North Wales.

Conwy Marina offers the perfect place to base yourself to explore the picturesque North Wales coastline. You can discover the cruising grounds of North Wales, where shallow draught vessels can follow the Conwy River and go as far in-land as Tal-Y-Cafn, where you can secure your boat and have a lovely lunch with spectacular views.

in the local area

The Conwy Quays Marina is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering beautiful views all around, but you’ll be able to discover all the wonderful landmarks around the coast with your boat. From the marina, you can take in the views of the seaside town of Llandudno and the Great Orme landmark, which boasts a range of family fun activities and cable cars. Travel along the Llyn Peninsula towards the picturesque Italianate style village of Portmeirion, which was made famous by the 1960’s sci-fi TV show ‘The Prisoner’. Or choose to follow the Conwy River to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens, which are reported to be amongst the most stunning and finest gardens in the world.

One of the most popular destinations for boats to visit is the island of Anglesey, as vessels with a draught of 1.5m are able to navigate the sea to the island, and there are plenty of sheltered areas to anchor. There is also a peaceful anchorage point on Puffin Island, which is roughly 3 miles out and is home to a number of wildlife, including a range of birds, cormorants, puffins and seals. Take a picturesque trip through the Menai Straits, where navigation requires care but you’ll be able to see Plas Newydd, a National Trust property where the Marquis of Anglesey lives.

training courses

Conwy Quay Marina is a Sewake centre and an accredited RYA training centre, with a wide range of courses to cater to all boat enthusiasts. Offering a unique experience, the Conwy Marina combines the safety aspects of the Conwy Estuary and the challenging waters of the Menai Strait, you’ll be tested on all levels from the best instructors.

The RYA instructors are highly experienced in all training areas and the marina has a fleet of commercially coded vessels, as well as offering training courses for your own boat training, individual training and commercial skipper examinations, plus more.

If you’re looking for a place to anchor and base yourself, with 24 hour staffing, free Wi-Fi and a beautiful Mulberry Pub onsite serving delicious food, the Conwy Quays Marina is for you.

The Conwy Marina is only a 15 minute walk away from our luxurious, 5 star Aberconwy Resort & Spa destination, which offers holiday home ownership and unbeatable facilities.

about Aberconwy

Aberconwy Resort & Spa is our owner’s exclusive destination along the North Wales coastline, offering beautiful lodges and holiday homes for sale, with breathtaking views of the Conwy Morfa Beach and magical backdrops of the Snowdonia Mountain Range.

Book a park tour to visit our location and meet our friendly team, who will be able to take you around the park, showcasing the stunning facilities and our wide range of lodges and holiday homes for sale in North Wales. The team will be able to talk you through the process, help you find out if the holiday home lifestyle is for you, help you pick out your dream holiday home and talk you step by step through the purchasing process. Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have, or even if you just wanted to pop into the Sales Lodge for a cuppa and a chat!

Our 5 star facilities include a beautiful indoor, heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room to relax in, as well as the Aberconwy Spa where you can indulge in an Aromatherapy Associates treatment by our fully trained therapists. The Langley’s Country Club will have everything you need for a full body work out, including a wide range of cardio machines, free weights and deadlift areas, as well as a separate HIIT room, with a programme of classes to enjoy. Aberconwy is also home to the multi-award winning Signatures Restaurant, where owners Jimmy and Louise offer fabulous and friendly service and outstandingly delicious meals for all to enjoy.

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

Get set for another high-flying panto as Aladdin opens in the Rhyl Pavilion for a festive season of fun! The cast of this year’s Aladdin panto really do put on the ultimate festive extravaganza for audiences. It offers everything you could ever want from a magical seasonal production, with adventure, humour and crazy costumes!

Follow the story as Aladdin (played by David Perkins) tries to convince Princess Jasmine (played by Gemma Naylor from Nick Jnr’s Go! Go! Go!) to fall in love and marry him whilst also going in search of the magic lamp, home to the all-powerful Genie, before the wicked evil villain Abanazar steals the lamp in an attempt to take over the world!

I was lucky enough to watch the show on Saturday afternoon (December 15th) and audiences (including me!) were completely wowed by this fairytale classic which features plenty of modern tunes to get you singing along. Loula Geater, who played the Slave of the Ring, blasted out an amazing rendition of ‘I Need a Hero’ and to add to the magical atmosphere there is even a flying carpet!!

Emmerdale’s Jonathan Wrather was leading this year’s cast as Abanazar, and played one of THE best baddies I’ve seen in panto. He really got the crowd going and in every scene the crowd could loudly be heard booing and hissing the character as he went about his wicked mission to steal the lamp from Aladdin’s grasp and take over the world. There were plenty of great references to his time in the famous soap’s village which will be an added treat for any Emmerdale fan – as a big fan of the show I loved all the added extra nods to the soap!

get ready to fully immerse yourself in this interactive production with plenty of chance to shout and sing…

Tom Whalley as PC Pong provided plenty of slapstick and the scene featuring PC Pong, Wishee Washee and a big new washing machine was one of my favourite scenes of the show. It left the audience in hysterics, long after the curtains had closed on the scene.

Local acting legend, Sean Jones, returned for his seventh annual pantomime in the role of Wishee Washee, again providing plenty of local references and humour. The audiences just love him and his comic timing is second to none. He even managed to sneak in several renditions of the smash hit ‘Baby Shark’ which had all the young ones in the audience out of their seats and singing along! A true comedy legend who I hope will be in the Rhyl pantomimes for many years to come.

Of course, a panto isn’t a panto without a hilarious dame, her adventurous and wacky costumes and the cheesy lines that will still make you chuckle days later! This year’s Rhyl Pavilion dame didn’t disappoint, Simon Jessop plays the wonderful Widow Tawnkey, providing plenty of jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud moments. The costumes are a sight to behold!!

The supporting cast comprising of two local talented dance schools, The Gay Harris Dancers and The North Wales School of Dance were also superb and a great addition to the production. Adding plenty of sparkle to the show!

Rhyl Pavilion’s 2018 Aladdin pantomime really did provide a perfect selection of entertainment, audience participation and family friendly humour. This is one you’ll certainly not want to miss!

Aladdin will be in the Rhyl Pavilion until Saturday 5th January 2019. Tickets for this magical production are priced from just £10! Book your tickets by calling the box office on 01745 33 00 00 or visit the Rhyl Pavilion website to book online.

Don’t miss Bath’s biggest ice rink this festive season in the beautiful Victoria Park, filled with fun, food and events. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is only short distance from the historic city centre, meaning you can explore all the hustle and bustle of city life but retreat back to the peaceful oasis Bath Mill offers. And during your winter break with us, don’t miss the ever popular Bath on Ice!

about Bath on ice

Bath on Ice opens on Friday 16th November and is open every day (except Christmas day) until Sunday 6th January. This year the rink will be 1000 square meters of ice, making it the biggest ever ice staking rink in the city, which will provide more space for skaters than ever before, there will also be new, more comfortable lace-up boots available to hire too.

The Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf course will also be back and is always a popular attraction, with 18 holes, mist and atmospheric lighting, and of course, glow in the dark golf balls! Put your competitiveness to the test with this fabulous attraction, in the beautiful surroundings of Victoria Park.

After a fun time skating and playing mini-golf, head into the warmth of the Moguls Alpine Bar, which will be serving festive hot mulled wine, mouth-watering wood fired pizzas and luxurious hot chocolate. There will also be a range of beers and wines available at the bar, and wonderful log burners to relax next to.

events at Bath on ice

There are a range of family friendly events throughout November and December to enjoy at Bath on Ice, where you can enjoy time with family and get in the festive spirit.

Enjoy the events and have fun skating, but Bath on Ice also offer private event functions, where you can book a group booking, birthday or Christmas party and have a wonderful night!

opening hours & prices

16th Nov – 14th Dec: weekdays 11:45am – 9:30pm / Weekends 10:30am – 9:30pm
15th Dec – 6th Jan: Everyday 1:30am – 9:30pm (Closed Christmas Day)

Why not book your Bath Mill holiday break and visit the fantastic Bath on Ice, skate the night away, enjoy the Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf and indulge in delicious food at the Alpine lodge.

Bath Mill offers a great alternative to a city hotel escape, with a range of luxurious lodge choose from, including our one bed Norland Lodges which are ideal for city breaks and a range of larger lodges for full family holidays. Indulge in a delicious main meal at our onsite Brooke Bar & Bistro, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and decadent desserts, as well as a relaxing drink from our fully stocked bar.

Photo’s provided by Bath On Ice