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5 Fun Leeds Activities

March 18th, 2011 2 comments

If you’re planning on visiting Leeds in the near future then there’s many exciting things you can do to enjoy yourself. The subsequent things to do in Leeds will entertain families, groups, couples or else individuals.

1. Elland Road – Home of the once mighty Leeds United! Okay so you’re almost certainly not going to come to Leeds to visit Elland Road unless there was a Football game on, in which case you don’t have to read this article. Read on anyway for several great stuff to see!

2. Kirkstall Abbey – One of the oldest and best preserved cistercian monasteries in the kingdom. Kirkstall Abbey is set in lavish parkland on the bank of the river Aire. It is free to enter and look about and learn the history of this amazing national treasure. The Kirkstall Abbey museum is over the road and contains Victorian streets with old stores such as Cobblers and Blacksmiths.

3. White Rose Shopping Centre – A beautiful and spacious shopping centre containing everybody’s most liked stores and shops. The White Rose Shopping Centre has a huge food court with many bistros and places to have a meal.

4. Roundhay Park – Roundhay Park is gigantic and has a lake, cycle ways, concert venue and the superb Tropical World where you can see many exotic animals and plant life! The park is a a small number of miles beyond the town centre and away from the hustle and hum!

5. Victoria Arcade – Leeds has many arcades all sprouting from Briggate the main shopping road. Nevertheless the most famous of these arcades is the Victoria Arcade. This is a collection of streets that has been roofed and contains the pick of Leeds’ chic stores and cafes! It is easy to rest in Victoria Arcade by its brilliant fountain and of course, Harvey Nichols is joined onto it.

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The Ikon Gallery In Birmingham, England

March 10th, 2011 No comments

Birmingham is a cosmopolitan city in the English county of the West Midlands, it is a really popular destination for city breaks. The city has an incredible selection of first class attractions including many churches which have Grade I status and other impressive buildings as well as many museums and galleries, including Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery.

The Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, England, is an art gallery which specialises in contemporary art which can be found in the building which was once the Oozells Street Board School in Brindleyplace, however it had not always has such a prestigious local.

The Ikon was founded in nineteen sixty four by Angus Skene and 4 artists. The 4 artists were; Robert Groves, Jesse Bruton, Robert Groves and Sylvani Merilion. Skene had bought a piece of art by David Prentice and the two of them discussed the endless problems faced by local artists, including the lack of venues and general support. The conversation led to the creation of Ikon which was to be a “gallery without walls”.

Angus initially funded the project, which consisted of exhibitions in such unusual venues as post offices and cinemas in a motorcycle sidecar, the idea being to increase the accessibility of art to the general public. To reduce costs staffing was by the founding artists and family who did it for free. In 1965 the Ikon Gallery was given a glass kiosk in the Bull Ring shopping centre.

During the next two decades the Ikon Gallery moved from location to location until 1997 when it bought, with aid from the National Lottery Fund, its current premises, the former Oozells Street Board School. In the last few years the Gallery has held a selection of exhibitions and its continual ability to excel has led it to become surprisingly popular, so much so that it opened a second gallery in 2006, Ikon Eastside in Digbeth.

If you are thinking about taking a short break in the city of Birmingham we hope that this article has interested you so much that you will be visiting the Ikon Gallery. Also it is important to know that although there are many Birmingham hotels finding bed and breakfast in Birmingham can every now and again be pretty difficult. It is because of this that it is crucially important to book your accommodation at the earliest opportunity. You should be aware that Birmingham’s international airport is roughly eight miles away from the the city center just off the A45, near the M42. You will will be able to find a number of hotels not too far from the airport.

If you are planning to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation in Birmingham you may be interested in our listings of accommodation close to the Ikon Gallery

England’s South Coast – A Look At Some Of Its Sights And Attractions

August 22nd, 2010 No comments

There are many incredible places to visit and sights to see on England’s South Coast. But before we get to that, let’s discuss what England’s south coast is comprised of. England’s South Coast is part of Southern England which includes the southern counties of England. The UK considers Southern England to include South West England, South East England, Greater London and the East of England. So having established some geographical boundaries, here are some places to go on England’s South Coast:

The cliffs of Beachy Head and the Lighthouse b...Image via Wikipedia

- Beachy Head: 5km or 3 miles south of Eastbourne is a snowy white cliff at the end of the South Downs. It has popular views and is reached by a lovely footpath. It is known for its striped lighthouse. The cliff path that passes through Cuckmere, Haven and Seaford is 3.5 miles or 6km long and provides a great hiking opportunity.

- Bramber Castle: is a place to see the ruins of a gatehouse built by the Normans. It is an English heritage Property found on the west side of Bramber Village.

- The Kent Battle of Britain Museum: is in Hawkinge. It’s an old armory that contains the Luftwaffe Room, the Aircraft Armaments Room, the R.A.F. room and an art gallery.

- The Eurotunnel is England’s newest and fastest transport system. It crosses under the channel between Folkestone, Kent and Coquelles, France. It was completed im 1994. There is a visitor center in Folkestone and The Exhibition Centre in Cheriton, near Folkestone. The Exhibition Centre is dedicated to the construction of the Eurotunnel.

- Borde Hill Gardens in Haywards Heath: is set on 200 acres of Sussex woods and parkland. It is a renowned botanical garden and displays a fabulous variety of colour through all seasons.

- Romney Marsh: is 50,000 acres of flowers that extends along the coast from Hythe. Visit in the spring when the flowers are the most beautiful.

- Mermaid Street: offers enchanting strolls in Rye. You will see The Mermaid Inn, a 15th century pub notorious as a meeting place for smugglers. Henry James lived out his last years here in Lamb House, a 19th century Georgian building, while writing his beloved novels “The Wings of the Dove” and “The Golden Bowl”. Don’t miss the Old Hospital. It’s a triple-gabled, half timbered 15th to 16th century building.

This is just a small sampling of the many things to do and see on England’s South Coast. Be sure to learn about the many other attractions of this beautiful area of England.

Next : Cheap Hotels Brighton

London Trips – First Time In London

March 6th, 2010 No comments

A trip to London can be quite exciting for the first-time visitor. As the capital city of England, there is much to experience in London. With millions of residents packed into this vibrant cultural melting pot, London is always bustling with activity, regardless of the day of the week or the month. You should make a list of sights to take in, as otherwise you might end up missing out on one of London’s highlights.

London has been around for more than 2,000 years. While few visitors have the time to take in all that London offers, there are some places more enticing than others. Take the time to see Westminster Abbey, the Tower Of London, and the Houses Of Parliament. You might want to consider taking them as part of a guided tour, as learning a little about their histories will give you an even better appreciation of them.

Also, be sure to find time for the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the accompanying clock tower. You have probably seen the clock tower, called Big Ben, on TV, and it is even more impressive when you see it in person. It has four 23-foot faces that light up at night. The minute hands alone are 14 feet long. It is not open for public tours, but standing back far enough to see it is a rewarding view.

There are lots of palaces and historic buildings to visit. The Queen of England lives in the most famous of all them, which is called Buckingham Palace. The changing of the guard outside is a sight to see. Tourists will gather long before the appointed time just to see the grand guards in their world famous red and black uniforms. The hat itself is legendary.

Depending on the time of year, catch a sporting event. London has some of best stadiums in the whole world, and five Premier League football (or soccer if you prefer) teams, including Arsenal and Chelsea, who have genuine football superstars in their teams. As well as football, you can take in a game of cricket or football. Attending a tennis match at Wimbledon is also an option if you happen to be in London during June or July.

As a final point, remember to pack your camera and take lots of photos!

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Thailand: My First Night in Pattaya

January 10th, 2010 No comments

It was seven-ish and I was sitting in a nice-enough room overlooking the front entrance to the pub above which I had just moved in. The pub was the Pig and Whistle on Soi 7 in Pattaya. Across the way was a big hole, which they were hoping to construct a hotel in and next door to that, just opposite me, was a tiny bar with one lady sitting on a stool outside it. Not that there was a wall there, it was open on two sides. The Soi was lovely and peaceful, I thought. I also thought that I might go and sit in that little bar and talk to that woman, if my friend was late, because I would surely see him arrive from two metres away, the width of the Soi.

So, I went to the bar in the pub at 19:15 to await my friend who said he would meet me at 20:00. It was much busier than thirty minutes earlier but not noisy and I sat at the bar. The first thing a barmaid did was say hello, give me a menu and step back. I did not really want to eat, I only wanted a beer as I presumed we would be dining together later, but I wanted to read the menu anyway.

‘A pint of Boddington’s', I said. It arrived and the girl began laying a setting for me. I tried to explain that I was not hungry, but it was no good. Like in Spain, most people eat and drink at the same time. All the while the girl was smiling at me. Then she said: ‘You live upstairs? My name Charli. What you want to eat?’. So, I gave in and ordered something and rice.

‘You first time in Thailand? You no can eat. Too spicy’, she said with a grin. ‘Oh’, I replied, ‘but I want to try. ‘I put only 50-50 for you’, she said and went.

I battled my way through that meal and it took a Boddingtons and a bottle of water. Charli had been accurate, it was too hot for first-time foreigners and she had reduced the chilis by 50%. I have always heeded a Thai’s guidance on food ever since.

I changed seat to by the window to see what was happening as it was dark by 19:30 and I was curious. Within thirty minutes Soi 7 had changed completely. I could see hundreds of ladies and tourists milling about. I wanted to go out and join in or at least sit in the quiet bar across the way, but I’m ashamed to say that I was too scared, so I sat put, rivetted to the Pig like a rabbit in a hunter’s beam.

My friend walked in on time and after we had been chatting for an hour, he said: ‘Drink up, I have someone I want you to meet’. This was it, we were going into that mele. A waitress opened the door for us and the racket and the heat were terrific. Particularly the noise. Every metre at least two or three girls would yell: ‘Hello, sexy man, you want a drink’. Trying to say no courteously to each call was out of the question, so I just stuck close by to my pal.

Luckily, we only had about fifty metres to stroll and we sat down in another bar. My friend said hello to several women and then said, this a girl I have been going out with for some time. I was flabbergasted as I had never heard him talk about her, ever. She was gorgeous, but could not speak English, so I sat in the pandemonium in silence. Not for long through, as my friend said, I have a blind date for you and he introduced another girl to me who was equally beautiful, but with whom I could speak a little. She was captivating and I was captivated. The pandemonium seemed to pass away, but it was only because I was concentrating on my new friend. The four of us had the best time and the best food I had ever had in my forty-nine years of existence.

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