Visit The Canterbury Tales Experience and learn all about the fascinating history of the local area, and one of the UK’s literary classics. Our brand new location Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat will be opening its doors in Spring 2017, and The Canterbury Tales is the perfect introduction to the city’s literary history! Visit The Canterbury Tales attraction and enjoy a guided tour through an immersive event where you will enter the site to explore all the sights, smells and sounds of Chaucer’s medieval England. Be one of the first to stay at our luxury new location, Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat and enjoy a introduction to the city like no other at St Margaret’s Church as one of the city’s most loved visitor attractions.

Experience Geoffery Chaucer’s medieval England from his most famous writings The Canterbury Tales recreated at this one-of-a-kind attraction…

who is geoffery chaucer?

 

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Chaucer is known as one of the best poets of the Middle Ages, born in London around 1343, this is where The Canterbury Tales attraction begins its tour. Chaucer was from a family of successful merchants meaning he was well educated; being able to read and write during this period was particularly rare. The Royal family of the time were very fond of him, so much so that when Chaucer was captured by the French in 1359, King Edward III paid his ransom. They also implicitly trusted him, so much so that that the King even sent Chaucer on diplomatic missions to France, Genoa and Florence.

It was during these travels that Chaucer was exposed to some of the great authors of the time, he was not a professional writer himself but rather wrote for his own and friends’ pleasure, with his poetry becoming a favourite of the Kings. While working as Controller of Customs and Justice of Peace in 1386, Chaucer began writing his most famous works, The Canterbury Tales, written in a combination of verse and prose the collection of tales tells the story of over 30 pilgrims’ journey to the shrine of St Thomas Beckett. The work is also a comment on society at the time, with his characters offering insights and raising questions about social class, spirituality and religion. Chaucer didn’t follow the norm when penning his works, he wrote in English which was very rare at a time when everything was in French or Latin, the language of the courts, he was thought so highly of that he was actually the first poet to be buried in Westminster Abbey’s Poet’s Corner.

the Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales share the journey of 30 people on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Thomas Beckett, they engage in a story telling competition, making the tales a collection of 24 stories told as the pilgrims make their journey to Canterbury Cathedral. On your own journey through the attraction you will be immersed in five of Chaucer’s colourful and entertaining tales filled with love, infidelity, intrigue, courtship and death. All of this is brought vividly to life through recreated scenes, costumed guides and fantastic audio guides. Among the tales that you will hear at The Canterbury Tales attraction are The Knights Tale, The Miller’s Tale and The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.

the attraction

 

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You’ll discover 14th Century England in this immersive recreation of medieval life set in the historic St Margret’s Church nestled in the heart of the city. This is the second oldest attraction in the city behind Canterbury Cathedral. The attraction will give you a unique introduction to Canterbury and its literary connect to Geoffery Chaucer’s famous works.

Since opening its doors in 1988, the attraction has nearly 30 years of heritage and remains a must-see for all ages! The innovative and one-of-a-kind experience lets you explore medieval England through an immersive environment, it is the only tour dedicated to Chaucer and his works. Along with costumed guides taking you through the recreated scenes, there is an amazing array of audio guides voiced by ‘80’s TV stars, including Prunella Scales from Fawlty Towers, and Bernard Cribbons from Doctor Who. You will have a one-of-a-kind experience at The Canterbury Tales attraction, where you will learn all about medieval England and the fantastic writer Chaucer!

Now is the perfect time to start looking at attractions to visit in and around Kent with Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat opening in Spring 2017, and The Canterbury Tales is the ideal attraction for the whole family to giggle and learn!

Explore the historic city of Canterbury from a whole new angle with the award winning Canterbury’s Historic River Tours. Our brand new location Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat is due to open its doors in Spring 2017, the perfect time to explore the stunning local area and one of the most historic cities in the UK. Canterbury’s history surrounds you as you walk around the city, from the ancient architecture to the stunning Cathedral you can see on your wanders. Explore the secret parts of the beautiful city with Canterbury’s Historic River Tours…

Canterbury Historic River Tours is the perfect introduction to the city, with very friendly and professional staff who presents all the historical facts of the passing monuments in an entertaining, light hearted and humorous manner! This unique and fascinating tour will capture the imagination of all ages and will form a part of a great day out, flowing through the heart of the historic city exploring the hidden secrets and seeing the well known sights from a whole new angle. Canterbury Historic River Tours are award winning, with them having been finalists in both the Beautiful South Awards 2015 and 2016 Visit England Awards. They also won the ‘European Unique Tour of the Year 2017’ from the Luxury Travel Guides European Awards, so you know you are definitely in safe hands with these guys!

the history

 

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Canterbury was founded and thrived because of the river that flows through the city, the Romans settled because it was where the River Stour forms around a series of islands making it the easiest place to find a crossing for their commute to London. The river has always helped the city prosper, initially as a source of drinking water and providing food, and later the helping provide power for the city’s growing mill and weaving industries. The Canterbury Historic River Tours first departed on 26th March 1932 from the Black Friars Monastery under the name Canterbury Friars Ferry, with the aim of showing visitors and residents the well known beauty spots from a new view, as well as providing a ferry service for locals, which the current tour still does. In 1932 the tours were so popular and much anticipated, that for the first departure local residents and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the event, with the local newspaper covering it also!

the tour

 

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This 40 minute guided tour will take you through the city, to Franciscan island which is home a 13th Century Chapel that spans the river and is the oldest Franciscan architecture in the country. As well as seeing places such as the 12th Century Eastbridge Hospital, the Kings Bridge and many medieval industrial buildings, including the Cromwellian iron forge. The tour has been one of the favourite pastimes of visitors to the city for decades, being able to explore the hidden beauty of Canterbury and seeing sights you wouldn’t from the streets, including unique and wonderful sights of the historic Cathedral. The river tour is the perfect way to explore the city away from the hustle and bustle above, and seeing the hidden gems that are only accessible by boat, creating the perfect way for you and your family to enjoy the historic sights.

So why not visit these friendly people, jump in a boat and row on down the river (don’t worry you don’t actually do the rowing) and learn all about this historic city in a brand new way! With Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat opening its doors in Spring 2017, it is the perfect time to start booking your holiday and spectacular river tour now. Also follow Canterbury Historic River Tours on instagram to keep to date with them, and to see the special sights of Canterbury on their travels.

Happy Boating Ladies & Gents!

Explore Exmoor Zoo and visit some of the most exotic animals in the world at the award winning zoo!

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is a fantastic getaway for all couples, and exploring Exmoor Zoo will add fun and excitement to your trip. The zoo is home to over 50 exhibits, an integral part of the Europe Breeding Programme and houses exotic, beautiful animals you won’t see at another UK zoo.

Note: Scroll to the bottom for some stunning photos that will make you say ‘awe’ over and over…

the zoo

You wander around the beautiful winding paths, which are lined with shrubs and trees, which provide homes to countless birds and invertebrates, so you can find interesting creatures all over the 12 acres of land on your adventures! The zoo promotes natural husbandry for the park as well as the animals enclosures, that means there are plenty of safe, hidey holes for the animals, and you can glimpse these stunning animals when they are most relaxed. All the staff at the small, family run zoo are passionate, knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly, which means that if you have any questions about a habitat or animal they are always more than happy to help and answer them!

Exmoor Zoo has won Best Small Attraction in Devon, which is a huge achievement for this family run zoo! And while you are wandering around seeing the animals it is easy to see why, there are educational and interactive talks every 30 minutes (and sometimes every 15), with feeding and handling experiences too. These are often the talk of the day as they are filled with fun facts and incredible information!

the animals

The list of animals you can visit at Exmoor Zoo is extensive, including a trio of young female African Wild Dogs that you will spend hours trying to tell apart, the Caracal Cats that are absolutely stunning, make sure to look out for them and their black ‘butterfly wing’ ears! Say hello to Hendrix and Flea, the beautiful Eurosian Wolves, as well as the pretty Manned Wolves and Singing Dogs. Pop along to visit the Meercats everyone’s favourite burrower, the breath-taking Lynx Cats and Cheetahs. And don’t forget one of the most photographed animals at the zoo, the Sand Cats where you will hear “Oh I wish I had one” being uttered, but don’t be deceived by the most adorable of faces, they have sharp teeth and claws! The reptile house is a fun place to visit too, with chameleons, snakes, spiders and even crocodiles among the many residents here.

home of the exmoor beast

The Exmoor Beast is a local legend, born of the wild big cats living in the moors, they can be seen walking in the shadows in the few wild places left. Those who have seen this ‘mythical beast’ say it looks just like a panther, or a black leopard, not unlike Ebony and Zoysa at Exmoor Zoo…

Ebony and Zoysa are two stunning black leopards residing in the Exmoor Beast enclosure, who are an inquisitive pair. They live in a natural enclosure so it may take some work to find them, if it’s sunny you may catch them in the middle of their mid-day nap, or playing with a the trunk of a tree. Although they may look asleep, don’t be fooled, they will perk up at the first sign of any potential meal, or if the occasional visitor attracts their attention… You can witness Ebony and Zoysa’s afternoon feed around 4:15 pm (except on Friday’s) and watch these magical creatures in action.

beautiful images

So on your next stay at the Best in Britain award winning Beach Cove, make sure to visit Exmoor Zoo for some fantastic educational and interactive talks, jaw droppingly beautiful animals and a glimpse at the magical Exmoor Beast!

Happy Adventuring Zoo Goers!

Images provided by Exmoor Zoo

Rookin House offers activities in breath taking Cumbrian surroundings!

Our brand new Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat in Cumbria offers fantastic facilities and outstanding views of the Lake District. Just 8 miles down the road from the town of Keswick is the Rookin House, a place filled with fun and adventure!

what is Rookin House?

An established adventure venue in Cumbria, that is a family owned and run business for over 20 years. Rookin House offers a huge variety of outdoor activities, with something for everyone and all ages. Offering adult activities, children’s activities, family fun, couples adventures, stag and hen party activities, as well as corporate fun days and team building exercises, phew! There will definitely be something for you, even if you want to sit and admire the stunning Cumbrian view, with the Blencathra providing an outstanding Lakeland backdrop.

the activities

Rookin House offers an endless stream of activities, including; air rifles, archery, argo cat rides (which is an amphibious all terrain vehicle for the adventurous out there), both children’s and adult’s assault courses, clay pigeon shooting, paint balling and quad biking. And that’s not even half of what they have on! The activity that grabbed my attention was the fun looking Video Navigate, where someone drives a car with blacked out windows and has to be directed around a course by the rest of their team. This is the ultimate in a communication skills test, I can only imagine how my husband and I would fair in this task!

Have fun in the local area at our brand new luxurious Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat holiday destination!

Happy Adventures Dear Readers!

The Snowdon Mountain Railway will give you the journey of a lifetime to the breathtaking rooftop of North Wales. Our own Talacre Beach Resort is only a short drive away from the Snowdonia Mountain Range, so while you’re on your holiday you can have the trip of a lifetime up in the clouds. And if you are looking for holiday home ownership on the North Wales coastline we have both Talacre Beach and Aberconwy Resort & Spa offering a beautiful haven away from the hustle and bustle. The Snowdonia Mountain Range brings in thousands of visitors every year, and is one of the must see attractions of the region, but you don’t have to walk the world renowned mountain, you catch the Snowdon Railway to the summit.

the history

Spanning three centuries, starting in the late 1800’s, the Snowdon Railway is in a unique position of being very aware of its legacy. The railway celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2016 with a whole host of festivities to celebrate this milestone across both its Traditional Diesel Service and also its Heritage Steam Experience, which includes the Snowdon Lily steam train which was reconstructed from its original 1896 chassis.

The railway has recently built and commissioned new carriages for its ever expanding fleet, so you are sure to have a fantastic trip up the mountain.

the mountain

At 1,085 meters Snowdon dominates the landscape and is a true colossus of a mountain, with its very own place in Welsh legends. Said to be the burial place of the giant ogre Rhita, who was vanquished by none other than King Arthur himself, and some believe that Arthur’s Knights still sleep beneath the stones. The mountain is a fabulous land of fairies, giants and kings, with Welsh Princes holding council here for centuries, the land up the to the summit is dotted with ruins that chronicle the history of long lost communities that lived in the clouds, and keep a special eye out of the stunning Hebran Chapel.

the journey

The train ride to the summit will take around an hour, with a 30 minute stop over at the peak, where you can gaze on at the endless miles at the beautiful North Wales countryside. On the way you will see the breath-taking waterfall of the Afon Hwch plunging into the gorge below, as well as once in a lifetime sights and fantastic panoramic views of the Mountain Range. Once you reach the peak of the highest mountain in Wales, you will gaze at the most stunning scenery and awe-inspiring views the region has to offer.

So my dear readers, what ever time of the year you are visiting, you can jump aboard a beautiful and historic train to reach the peak of one of the most stunning and legendary mountains in the UK. Take that trip into the clouds and marvel at the outstanding beauty surrounding you.

If you are looking to make a booking at the Snowdon Railway during your North Wales Holiday, then you can always make your booking online on their website.

Located just 30 minutes away from our wonderful Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park it is the perfect place to visit during your North Wales holiday break. Ruthin is a sleepy Welsh town that is steeped in history and local culture, with a rock in the town centre claiming a connection to King Arthur and Nantclwyd Y Dre being a 15th Century house, Ruthin is like taking a step back in time!

Nantclwyd Y Dre is a 15th Century town house, just off the high street, with history and beautiful gardens, the house itself is known as Wales’ oldest dated timbered town house and was continually occupied for more than five centuries.

Since becoming a house in 1435 Nantclwyd Y Dre has been home to some colourful characters, and you can learn all about them during your tour around the lovingly refurbished house. Over the centuries the house was updated and upgraded, with the rooms having been beautifuly restored to demonstrate the ever changing fashions, so you can really see what life was like during the relevant periods.

One room has been left alone, due to current residents still living there. In the attic there lives a family of bats, you can take a sneak peek at these lovely creatures using the ‘bat cam’. The newly refurbished Lord’s Garden adds a whole new dimension to the house, and helps to show people what the original Nantclwyd Y Dre garden looked like.

A visit to Nantclwyd Y Dre is like taking a trip through time, a wonderful tour of the centuries through the house, and they even have an accompanying Interactive Tour App if you fancied more stories about the beautiful and fascinating house! For the opening times, please visit the Nantclwyd website.

Happy Exploring Ladies & Gents!

Ruthin Gaol is the only Pentonville style prison open to the public as a world heritage site, and is a fascinating day out for all the family. Located in a sleepy and traditional Welsh town, Ruthin Gaol (Jail) is a fascinating few hours out for all the family, and with it being so close to our wonderful New Pines Holiday Home Park, it’s the perfect place to visit while on holiday with us!

In 1886 the large Pentonville style wing was added to help improve conditions at the dark, overcrowded and unhygienic prison.

The wing was in contrast with the prison, with it’s clean and stark interior, it was originally designed to rehabilitate prisoners through hard labour and a strict regime.

While wandering around Ruthin Gaol you can learn what life was really like at the prison, the prisoners daily routines, what they ate and what punishments they suffered (and you can even try a few of these out if you want to!). Learn all about the man they called the Welsh Houdini and even about William Hughes, who was the last man to be hanged at the prison, and view his ‘condemned cell’.

During your tour around the prison you will hear tales of some its most colourful prisoners, there are fun ‘prisoner hunts’ to enjoy, as well as plenty of quizzes and activities for all ages to take part in too! Ruthin Gaol also have a calendar of special events that add more to the experience and history of your visit, including fun activities around Halloween half term!

For the opening times, please visit the Ruthin Gaol website.

A great family day out in a picturesque town, learning the local history and culture!

Enjoy a great day out for the entire family at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary

The Award Winning Paradise Park is a great location for a fun family day out for anyone who is staying at our 5 star Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat in Cornwall.

This fantastic attraction features something for people of all ages, with a wide range of animals on show, bird shows and also an indoor play centre for the smaller children. Read on to find out everything that is on offer at this wonderful visitor attraction near Hayle in Cornwall.

fun filled daily events programme

There are over 140 different species inhabiting the Paradise Park which includes a grand total of 650 birds. Many of these animals are part of the conservation breeding schemes including the Red Pandas and otters which are a wonderful sight to behold.

The Park is involved in a number of schemes aimed at helping to protect these remarkable animals including the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project, with the aim being to establish more breeding groups in the park before eventually releasing them back into the wild in the future. It is always good to know that the money you pay to get into an attraction gets used for a good cause.

You will get to see these animals in a safe and loving environment on the park, with special shows put on throughout the day. This includes Penguin feeding sessions in the walled garden area where guests are occasionally asked to help the keepers feed these much loved creatures. You can also view the otter feeding sessions from the comfort of the Otter Pool café at certain points in the day.

During the summer months, visitors are also given the chance to buy pots of nectar to feed the resident lorikeets as part of the ‘Flight of the Rainbows’ event. Be sure to check the daily events timetable upon arrival or on the website before you visit to find out what time these feeding sessions are taking place.

Talking of feeding, the human feeding areas are pretty good too. In addition to the Otter Pool Café which serves both light bites and larger meals, there is also the Bird in Hand Pub and Brewery. Hot meals are served here in addition to the fine ales and other beverages.

gardens of paradise

First opened in 1973, these gardens were designed to compliment the wildlife on display in the park, and recently won the South West in Bloom Gold Award for 2016.

As well as being good on the eye, they are also good for many of the creatures on site providing nectar for the bees and being an excellent habitat for the beautiful butterflies which are on show.

junglebarn indoor play centre

The smaller children in your family simply won’t want to leave the JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre where they are guaranteed hours of fun. Inside the centre there is a multi-storey soft play area, a toddlers ball fountain and giant slides which vary in size depend on how much of an adrenaline junkie your kids happen to be.

While the kids are playing, the adults and older children can head to the snack bar where you can sit back and take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi which is provided.

We highly recommend the Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary to all families staying at Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat. The park is open daily from 10am and entry prices vary throughout the year, so suggest you check the Parks website for the latest information and look out for discount vouchers too!

Explore this wonderful park with a holiday at Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat

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Welcome to a Love Local post my loyal readers, this month we are in breath taking countryside of Hampshire. Over 250 years go Selborne and its surrounding areas inspired Gilbert White to start a life-long investigation of the natural world, writing one of the most famous books in the world.

Just over half an hour away from our very own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, Selborne is a beautiful village to visit, with picturesque country houses surrounded by rolling hills, trees and the English countryside. Our Love Local business for October is The Gilbert White House & The Oates Collection and it is a must see for all those visiting the region, steeped in history but with fun games and event days for all the family to enjoy and learn something new about the natural world.

the history

Gilbert White is author of the world famous book The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, first published in 1789, the book has never been out of print and is said to be one of the most published books in the English language. White was the first person to grow potatoes in his village, that gives you an idea of the history we are talking about, before potatoes! He also has the reputation for being the first ‘ecologist’, he believed in studying living birds and animals in their natural habitat. This was considered an unusual approach back in the day as other naturalists carried out experiments on dead specimens in the comfort of their studies, so White really changed the game on ecologist studies.

the house

Gilbert and his family moved into the house when he was around 7 or 8, it was originally a small house and was extended on to over the decades creating the long and sizable house you can visit today. The rooms of the house have been restored using the descriptions in White’s correspondence, including bed hangings that were embroidered from him by his Aunts, contemporary furniture, a chair that White himself used at Oriel College in Oxford, as well as many family photos. On display in the house is the original manuscript of his book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, more than any other book it has shaped our everyday view of the relations between human and nature. The extensions on the house contain The Oates Collection, which celebrates the lives of two members of the Oates family who were both pioneers and explorers, who were very different, but both equally intriguing.

family days out

The Gilbert White House is a fantastic place for families to visit whatever the season, as you wander through the house you will learn all about Gilbert White and his book, but also about life during the 1700’s. Keep an eye out for the Georgian cooking utensils, venture out to the garden to see the growing sunflowers and pumpkins with so much to explore in the wider gardens. The house and gardens has an exciting programme of family activities and events all year round, including Nature Drawing Workshops and Fungus Walks around the gardens, where you discover local fungi and learn the different types and how important they are.

Next time you’re staying with us at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, make sure to make time for visit this hidden gem in the stunning English countryside.

The North Wales coastline and countryside is magical in all seasons, the culture, adventure and history seeps from the surrounding mountains…

With 4 locations to choose to own your holiday home along the North Wales Coast, Darwin Escapes has something for everyone’s taste. From Talacre Beach Resort, the traditional seaside family location and the nearby secluded owners exclusive Seaview Holiday Home Park, to the family countryside retreat of New Pines Holiday Home Park and finally Aberconwy Resort & Spa that oozes luxury and opulence surrounded by the Snowdonia mountain range, and the sandy Conwy Morfa beach on your doorstep. With so much variety there is no wonder that North Wales has been a popular holiday home ownership location for decades, and these 16 images prove our point…

Did they made you want to visit North Wales? Why not book a park tour or contact our Ownership team on 01745858010 for more information about having all of your getaways to explore this beautiful region…

Happy Adventuring Guys & Dolls!