13 minute read
Holidays
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HEAD FOR A HIDEAWAY
Inside High Tide
Idyllically located on the Isle of Anglesey, on the shores of the Menai Strait and with spectacular panoramic views of Snowdonia, Ben and Holly’s Hideaways are a selection of exclusive retreats that can accommodate a range of groups in one truly stunning location. The buildings have all have been extensively restored and developed by antique dealer and interior designer husband-and-wife team Holly Johnson and Benjamin Aardewerk, to a standard that makes a stay in any of the properties a luxury vacation. The portfolio comprises a luxury collection of four houses. Ty Stable is an ‘upside-down’ house sleeping 11 people. Ty Pinc, a beautifully restored property dating to the 16th century,
sleeps 12. High Tide is a first-floor apartment sleeping six, and Low Tide on the ground floor sleeps four. All are just a five-minute walk from the beautiful town of Beaumaris, with its variety of shops, restaurants and famous castle and pier, and makes a stay in any all have rooms that look out of the properties across the bay. Ty Pinc a luxury vacation. Ty Stabl, originally the stables to the manor house Tros Yr Arfon, has been comprises a restored as three storeys, with a balcony to maximise luxury collection the views. Filled with bespoke artwork and mid-century of four houses. Ty Stable pieces, it has a unique style. Originally part of the manor is an ‘upside-down’ house house, Grade II listed Ty Pinc has undergone comprehensive sleeping 11 people. Ty Pinc, a restoration, peeling back time to reveal a hidden Tudor wall beautifully restored property painting, ‘A’ frame beams and timbers – a unique home, now Ty Stabl dating to the 16th century, with a touch of modern luxury. benandhollyshideaways.com
“All have rooms looking across the bay”
SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE
Looking ahead to holiday plans for 2023? Imagine sitting back and watching the world drift by on board a Cheshire Cat Narrowboat. This small family-run firm is based at the award-winning Overwater Marina, Audlem, on the Shropshire Union Canal. It is a stunning location, just below the Audlem Lock flight and only three hours’ cruising time to the popular Llangollen Canal.
The fleet includes boats for two as well as family-sized vessels and its newest addition, New Moon. 60ft in length, and in the popular reverse layout with the L shaped lounge/ diner at the rear.
The team at Cheshire Cat Narrowboats aim to ensure you have a truly enjoyable holiday experience, with expert tuition to set you on your way with confidence. They can provide guidance on routes, and tell you all about the amazing scenery, cosy pubs and historic architecture you are likely to see along the way. cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk
Ride the Llangollen Aquaduct
HOT SPOTS
If you’re in North Wales on holiday, Wrexham is one (newly crowned) city worth a visit, set between the mountains and the lower Dee Valley on the border with England. At its centre is an Edwardian park called Bellevue, built to celebrate the jubilee of the town’s incorporation. Often used for concerts in the summer, it has a wide range of facilities including a play park, bowling green, tennis and basketball, or just enjoy a leisurely walk.
“…three Of the Seven Wonders of Wales, three are in Wrexham. The 16thof the century tower of St Giles’ Church can be seen for miles and is one of the
Seven Wonders of Wales” finest examples of Gothic architecture in North Wales. The Gresford Bells can be found in the 15th-century All Saints, another of the country’s finest churches. And in Overton village, in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, are 21 yew trees dating from early medieval times.
HOLIDAYS Get away from it all
Llawrbetws Caravan Park is a peaceful, family-run park set in 14 acres of idyllic countryside with panoramic views of Wales’ rugged Berwyn Mountains. It’s the perfect spot for some splendid isolation – this time of your own choosing! If it’s an authentic country experience you look for in a caravan holiday, and scenery, wildlife and a rural lifestyle are important to you, then it’s the ideal spot for you. The park is positioned between the most notable National Parks in the world, with pitches looking out on Snowdonia and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Llawrbetws Caravan Park is an excellent base to explore the local area, as you can get to most notable destinations within 30 minutes. The area has recently received the accolade as the 4th most popular world destination by Lonely Planet Guide, and is certainly deserving of the title. The entrance to the park itself is on a country lane, right
in the middle of spectacular scenery, just off the A5 and A494. Snowdonia National Park 30 minutes. The is a short drive away and features many area has recently walks for all levels of experience. From the received the determined mountaineer to the Sunday accolade as the stroller, there is a walk waiting for you, 4th most popular packed full of wildlife, stunning views and world destination by everything else nature has to offer. Lonely Planet Guide Llawrbetws has upgraded facilities including piped gas and and is certainly WiFi on this country caravan park and there are a range of deserving of the caravans and pitches for sale throughout the year. In addition, title. The entrance to eight newly built pitches on the exclusive Berwyn View site are the park itself is on now on the market, making it a perfect time to invest in your The park is very peaceful a country lane, right own slice of paradise. llawrbetws.co.uk
“Invest in a Set in 14 glorious acres slice of paradise”
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
Garden and historic house lovers have the chance to capture the magic of Christmas in a trio of outings with a unique Shropshire family tour business. Wisteria Tours, which specialises in tailored coach tours to destinations across the UK, is offering a seasonal triple of trips leading up to Christmas.
There’s the chance to visit a festive light show in London’s Kew Botanical Gardens as well as the Christmas market at Blenheim Palace on 20th-21st November.
The seasonal theme continues with a mini-break to York and Castle Howard on 4th-5th December, and follow it up with a Christmas Day trip to Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, home of the Rothschild art collections. Christmas at Castle Howard
Wisteria Tours co-owner Jacky Burnell said the Kew Gardens trip had been organised in response to popular demand. “It is the most wonderful time of year at Kew, with a magical winter trail for Christmas. To add to all that, on our return we will stop at Blenheim.” For those who prefer a day trip, Wisteria Tours has organised a Christmas outing to Waddesdon Manor on 8th December.
The company is run by sisters Jacky and Sue Burnell and builds on the business set up by their mother Jackie Crick.
“We all share a love of finding the really special places in the UK to share with our customers. These Christmas tours will really capture the magic of the season,” said Jacky. For details and to book call Jacky on 07892 953217, email jacky@wisteriatours.com or visit wisteriatours.com
Charlotte Graham
HOT SPOTS
If you’re spending time in the countryside or waterways around Cheshire, be sure to pop in to the city itself as Chester has a lot worth visiting, not least its magnificent medieval walls. Chester’s roots date back to Roman times, and the Vikings, Danes, Saxons, Scots and Normans also occupied the place at various times. But it was maritime trade along the River Dee in the 12th-14th centuries that brought commercial and cultural prosperity.
“The Old City The Old City has been a conservation area for more than 50 has been a conservation years and retains numerous well-preserved half-timbered houses, as well as the Rows, its amazing two-tiered medieval arcades. Add to the mix attractive bridges, parks and river walks, as well as festivals, area for excellent shopping and one of the world’s top zoos, and it’s little 50 years” wonder Chester ranks among the most popular UK destinations.
Start living the lifestyle
Canny travellers will know the joy of researching holiday options and weighing up the pros and cons of different travel plans. But there is one way of nabbing the best deals and holidays that work for you, without all the hard work. Michael Colley is the man behind an exciting travel lifestyle club and he is welcoming new members to find out what it’s all about.
He said: “We all like value for money and few travel clubs, if any, can offer the amazing benefits of GoPackGoTravel.com “Incredible value, best Set up with the members in mind service, to give incredible value, industry best service and outstanding outstanding benefits, it stands apart from benefi ts” other travel clubs.”
The club offers members their own booking portal with exclusive access to compare millions of real-time prices on flight tickets, and amazing deals at hundreds of thousands of hotels worldwide. There is also an exclusive car rental search engine, and holiday rentals at rock-bottom rates, as well as over 300,000 tours, attractions and activities. Members pay a low monthly subscription, discounted for quarterly or annual payments, and every pound is matched with reward credits. The best deals, hassle-free
Michael is also offering an international opportunity to promote the club and over 150 other quality non-travel related services. He said: “For budding entrepreneurs wishing to increase their earnings part time working from home there is a business opportunity behind this which may be of interest to readers. It is direct sales with approximately 150 services and products in 27 countries with a major award-winning company.”
To see a travel club presentation or have the business opportunity explained contact Michael at GoPackGoTravel.com
INVEST IN THE BEST ESCAPE
If you’ve decided this is the year to invest in your own slice of holiday heaven, then chack out the options available at Morfa Lodge holiday park. This family-owned and operated park occupies the perfect location, nestled in the foothills of the Snowdonia mountain range, for that ideal family holiday.
The park sits within beautiful, unspoilt parkland and offers excellent facilities, while being served by a team of helpful and dedicated staff.
Visitors can choose between the two heated outdoor swimming pools, with patio areas and allocated play areas for the children, and the park shop offers a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, newspapers and gifts. Morfa Lodge has a large number of facilities available for guests of all ages and there is free wifi across the whole site. The Clubhouse offers a large family room with adjacent games room, where you’ll find a range of amusement machines and a pool table. Over-18’s can also enjoy the Lounge Bar throughout the day and evenings, where bar meals are served daily. In the peak season there is live entertainment to provide fun family nights out, as well as the dance floor ready to be filled. The popular hog roasts offer a more relaxed evening at Morfa Lodge. The site is in close proximity to many local attractions, such as Caernarfon Castle, Bangor Cathedral and the stunning Aber Falls, and it makes “Fun family a great base for exploring this nights and beautiful corner of a dance fl oor ready to Wales. There are a range of lodges available to purchase or hire and with be fi lled” plots available in unrivalled locations, Morfa Lodge can offer the ultimate holiday idyll. morfalodge.co.uk
Choose between two heated outdoor swimming pools
HOT SPOTS
The beating heart of Shropshire lies in its county town, Shrewsbury, where there is a lot to see and do during a visit to the area. Nestled amongst the Shropshire Hills and just a few miles from the Welsh border, this laidback little place is a gorgeous spot to hang out. It’s perfect for a day trip or weekend break, with sites of interest dotted all across the town. As a child, Charles Darwin called Shrewsbury home, and there are plenty more nuggets of history to discover as you wander the streets and beside its waterways too.
“A For history buffs the castle is a must. Surrounded by the River Severn, gorgeous it has been a fortress for generations of the elite. place to hang out” Just a short stride from the town centre, The Quarry is a sprawling 29-acre park. Unless there’s an event on, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along its walkways or have a picnic overlooking the river.
