#weekend retreats North Yorkshire

[patrickbromptonhall]

Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore the growing popularity of weekend self-catering holiday cottages for short getaways. If you’re seeking a brief escape from the daily grind, a self-catering cottage offers the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, and freedom. Imagine having the entire space to yourself, without the usual constraints of hotel schedules. You can come and go as you please, cook your favorite meals, and relax in your own private setting, all while enjoying a change of scenery. At Patrick Brompton Hall, we offer the ideal environment for a peaceful weekend retreat, with the perfect self-catering holiday cottages in beautiful Bedale.

[tokyotimes]

Warmer Weather Ahead as Arctic Chill Retreats

The UK has seen its first air frost of the season, with some areas catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights on Thursday night. This week’s Arctic blast, driven by frigid northerly winds, has brought unusually cold temperatures and a dusting of snow to Scotland's highest peaks.

Relief on the Way Warmer conditions are set to return as the Arctic air retreats. Temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend, with some areas potentially reaching up to 25°C by next week.

Recent Cold Snap Daytime temperatures have been 2-3°C below September's average, with rain, hail, and snow affecting Scotland’s mountain tops. Nights have been particularly cold, with Topcliffe in North Yorkshire recording -2.7°C, marking England's earliest air frost in five years. Wales and Northern Ireland also experienced their earliest frosts in years.

Weekend Warming Trend The recent chill has been caused by north-westerly Arctic winds. As high pressure builds to the south and low pressure moves north-west, the wind direction will shift to the south-west, bringing milder air from the Atlantic. Expect temperatures to rise to between 14 and 20°C across the UK this weekend, with milder nights. Rain and cloud are likely, especially in the north and west, but the south-east should remain relatively dry.

Northern Lights Viewing Thursday night offered a chance to view the aurora borealis. Space weather forecasts suggest another opportunity on Friday night, particularly after midnight, although the aurora may be weaker and mostly visible in northern parts of the UK. Cloud cover could obstruct views, and a phone or long-exposure camera may be needed to capture the display.

Outlook for Next Week As high pressure strengthens and moves northwards, temperatures are expected to rise further next week. Scotland and Northern Ireland could see highs of 19-21°C, while England and Wales might reach 22-25°C by midweek. This warm-up will mark a significant change in the autumn weather, though it won't be a return to summer.

For the latest forecasts, check online weather resources.

[ofkeening]

“Morag’s upbringing was as wild and rough as the moors on which she lived. They slept under the stars, eating wild animals, and always following the strange scent of human death. She, like all of her kind, was quiet, forlorn, emotionally shallow, and untouched by deep feelings. They were not a species of introspection, or longing. As a wolf pack hunts a deer across miles and miles of open plains, so too do banshee broods wander wide spaces, hunting the mysterious sense of death, wailing their pitiless warnings into the air like sirens.”

FULL BIO / SPECIES INFO

Hi everyone :) My name’s Sophie, I live in England, and I’m 25 years old! By week, I’m a school librarian, and by weekend, I’m a costumed tour guide at a thousand year old local castle.

Here are a few of my favourite things: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Elementary, Russel T. Davies’ era of Doctor Who, The Crown, reading basically anything, cats, and vintage style (I’m very fond of the 1940′s, but the ‘60′s are neat too!)

And here’s some information about my daughter, Morag. It’s very truncated, so do check out the full biography if you want more information!

WITH THE AIRLIE BANSHEES (1910-2020)

Morag never knew her parents, being born into the Airlie brood of banshees, who are notoriously fickle, always leaving and re-joining the brood. Most groups of banshees act like a family, living together for the entirety of their long lives, but the Airlie banshees have no such ties.

Morag lived the feral life of a banshee, ageing sporadically, as they do. She aged around twenty-five years in ten, and then promptly stopped. She will appear around twenty-five for the rest of her life. (Side note: Banshees age quickly, and then appear anywhere between twenty-five and eighty years old.) The Airlie brood live on the moors of Yorkshire, naturally gravitating towards isolated villages when death occurs. Like all of their kind, the brood followed the indefinable sense of death for miles, and stayed on the outskirts of villages, keening as they sensed the death approaching

All of this was just after the turn of the nineteenth century, when the north of England was still a slow, rural, place, as yet untouched by modernity. But, as the twentieth century trundled on, the industrial age began to creep up the country, infecting the wild, ancient, moors where the banshees lived. They became cut up with footpaths and even cafes, tourists wandered the heather-covered hills, and the banshees had to retreat. And the scent of death, once so strong in villages, now grew fainter. Humans were dying in anonymous, clinical, hospitals, in big cities, not at home in their beds.

IN AMERICAN, THEN COALYARD (2020-PRESENT)

Longing to find that scent of death again, Morag abandoned the brood to search for it. A half-feral, quiet, creature, she wandered the countryside alone. Eventually, she flew from England (banshees are able to fly unaided by magic, brooms, or wings) and she travelled to America. There, she found wide open spaces, the likes of which were shrinking in her home country, and her searching eventually led her to Coalyard, where she lingered.

The strange scents of the creatures there made her go against her naturally nomadic instincts, and she decided to stay, to investigate. Now, she lives on the outskirts of the town, feeding on small wild animals, drinking from streams, and sleeping rough, as she used to on the moors of Yorkshire.

PERSONALITY

Banshees speak the native human tongue of whatever country they grow up in, as humans do, but Morag learnt to speak from the other banshees in her brood, with their grab-bag of accents. So, as a result, her voice is a strange, raspy, one, a mixture of the clipped vowels of Received Pronunciation, the lilting sing-song cadence of the northern Irish, and the slow pace of a Yorkshire local.

Because she spent most of her long life around other banshees, Morag is not very socialised. She is quiet, not prone to deep emotions or friendliness, stares for too long, and is not used to holding conversations with creatures outside her own species.

She would never dream of living within the town boundary, and instead has made a nest-like home in the forest on the edge of the town, hoarding the bones of her meals, using rags she’s found as blankets. When she senses a nearby death, whether night or day, she approaches as close to town as she feels is right, and keens into the air. A banshee’s cry has been compared to a screeching owl, or a wailing fox. It’s a chilling, unnatural, sound, haunting to anyone who hears it.

ABILITIES

Banshees can sense death in the air, and are predisposed to follow it. They warn of an approaching death by wailing like sirens. In their native land of Ireland, these cries were recognised as omens of death, but now, they might be mistaken for some wild animal, especially in a place like Coalyard, where such an array of creatures reside.

They are also able to sense burial sites, terminal illnesses, and murderers, as an extension of their ability to sense the presence of death, though they do not keen at the sight of a burial ground, terminally ill person, or a murderer. It’s simply something they’re aware of. They may warn with words, but not their chilling cry, of this awareness.

As mentioned previously, banshees are capable of wingless flight. They do not use this ability often, preferring to wander across the land by foot, and they mostly fly when moving from landmass to landmass. When flying, they are able to move high above the clouds, to avoid detection.

Finally, they live much longer than humans, with a banshee’s average lifespan being two centuries, give or take. Because of their nomadic lifestyles, they are a hardy species, able to withstand physical pain, and heal quickly from injuries, though they are able to be killed, and are weak when in contact with pure iron and salt.

[nasiknews]

'Unique' glamping retreat for dogs and their owners taking place in North Yorkshire this weekend

‘Unique’ glamping retreat for dogs and their owners taking place in North Yorkshire this weekend

A glamping retreat designed for dogs and their owners to ‘nourish the mind, body and soul’ will take place in North Yorkshire this weekend. Camp Katur near Bedale, a 45 minute drive from central Teesside, is playing host to The Waggiest Weekend where pooches and their human companions can try a bit of yoga and meditation as well as stargazing at one of the UK’s limited dark sky reserves. The…

[sussex-nature-lover]

Sunday 20th September 2020

Standen Part 1 - The House

First off I do hope our friends Oop North had a lovely birthday day today. In J’s honour we had a piece of Yorkshire Ginger Cake (because that’s what Mr Morrison had brought, for the princely sum of one British Pound - bargain, you couldn’t make it for that) with a mug of tea this afternoon. No candles though.

Yesterday we had lunch and drinks in the garden with the younger Ms NW and her beau. The weather was reasonable, although it did turn decidedly chilly later in the afternoon. The garden looked fairly decent too and the new back gate came in handy for entrance and exits. We had a strong feeling this might be our only opportunity to see each other before social distancing tightens up again.

Standen (1891/2 - 1894) on a previous visit. I love the design.

Part of our conversation was about National Trust visits (they’d been to Scotney) and it reminds me that I’ve got so many photos from Standen that I really wanted to post them up here as a record of our day out. I know already that this blog is going to be heavy on pics and lighter on words/

As I said before we were lucky with the weather, it was really warm with beautiful blue skies. Like most places, Standen excels in the sunshine.

The front entrance courtyard with the small orchard on the raised patch to our right

Fabulous detail and styling for the front door porch entrance

The design style of Standen is Arts and Crafts (a style I’m very fond of and which has quite a strong hold locally) Its architect was Philip Webb - often called the father of the Arts and Crafts movement, and its interiors were created by Morris & Co, the company that William Morris started with Webb (and others) although Morris wasn’t involved in this particular house design. 

A side note is that The Red House (1859) was Webb’s first independent project, it was the family home designed for William and Jane Morris and Standen was his final project. Neat eh?

Another side note is that Webb was not only architect of the Royal Courts of Justice but also school local to us, for which he refused payment. Funds to build the project were raised by local community donations. One of the room guides this week also guides at The Red House and told us more about Webb and the group of friends who formed this artistic community (including Rossetti, who was something of a cad apparently - I didn’t know that) 

I digress.

The house, commissioned originally as a weekend and Summer retreat, later their full time residence, remained the home of the Beale family and their descendants until 1972 when the National Trust took it on. The family influence is very strong indeed and the atmosphere is of a much loved home.

>>After Beale's death in 1912, Margaret Beale continued to live at Standen. When she died in 1936, their unmarried daughter, Margaret, succeeded her, and after her death in 1947, Standen came into the possession of Helen, their youngest daughter, also unmarried.[4] On Helen's death in 1972 the house passed by bequest to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.<<  Wikipedia

For this visit, only the downstairs of the property was open to viewing as a suitable one way system couldn’t be implemented to comply with Covid-19 guidelines and take in the whole house. Masks are required indoors, hand sanitiser is provided at both the entrance, where you wait for the red light to turn green and grant admission and there’s hand sanitiser when you exit the house. The shop and café are open with similar precautions. 

I really do feel for all these attractions and businesses that are having to make all kinds of changes to help us all stay safe, healthwise.

Entrance Hall off the vestibule

This room leads directly to both the Snooker Room and the Drawing Room, because of the furnishings it seems to function more as a day room than what we think of as a Hallway transit area.

Snooker Room

Note the bespoke built in bookshelves (all adjustable) Score Board and Sofa Niche. As you enter this room it has its own fireplace and seating area, it’s a very convivial room - to be honest, they all are. They’re pleasant, comfortable rooms rather than ostentatious or grand ones. As you leave into an inner lobby there’s access to a Gentleman’s Cloakroom: I imagine the ladies retired to their quarters? and the Conservatory. All the attention to detail is just beautiful and the craftsmanship really must be properly appreciated.

This area is the transition from the Snooker Room outside the cloakroom and Conservatory, but the same paper is used in the Dog Leg corridor leading to the service areas.

For Trellis Wallpaper details see below.

Here’s the Inner Hallway and Staircase. The stairs are easy to climb and very decorative with a half landing flooded with light. The easy to climb comment might seem a bit odd but it’s important for gracious living! I always think the same of the staircase at Scotney. The proportions are spot on.

Mr and Mrs Beale

I’m not going to dwell too much more on the inside of the house as we spent most of our visit in the grounds this time and of course, as I said, the upstairs was not accessible. What I simply must show is the dining room fireplace, which is glorious, because along with the Conservatory, the dining room is probably the room I love best. We learnt yesterday that the cheeks are not in fact pewter, which is what they look like, but sheet steel. So there you go, although, if you think about it, pewter is too soft for the application isn’t it, so it wouldn’t be...

Design Plans

Standen is not only an elegant home, constructed of attractive local materials, it’s got a very practical and welcoming flow to the spaces. Of all the NT properties we visit, this is the one I’d pack my case right now and move in to if it were on offer - beyond unlikely as it’s actually a Grade I listed building and I have Champagne tastes but a lemonade wallet these days, certainly by comparison with the Beale family. Honestly, the mind boggles. I must do a bit more digging.

The generously sized Conservatory with its lovely windows

The Dog Leg Corridor housing the Safe

This Trellis Wallpaper has been replicated for modern use. It was the first paper designed by William Morris assisted by Philip Webb and was based on the rose trellis at Morris’s home, The Red House. I love all these small circular connections.

MILNER a by-word for safe keeping and fire resistance. Patent Info

There’s an interesting exhibition at the moment about electricity and I’m going to try and put up a small blog with photos from that, but for now, here is where the current tour ends. I made a pun! Clean your hands on the way out please.

Part 2 of this blog about Standen will feature the outside.

By the way E, yesterday we had fish and tonight we had a chicken curry ;)

♦ Please note that the bold type external links are not affiliated to this blog

[mattattridge-smith]

#Repost @holidayathomeyorkshire with @get_repost ・・・ COMPETITION TIME... 💕 For your chance to #WIN the ultimate Valentines weekend away for 3 nights at Austin, our romantic retreat at Holly House Farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire with flowers and chocolates to make this Valentines the best yet! All you have to do is... 1. Like this post. 2. Tag somebody who you would love to spend a weekend here with 3. Follow us @holidayathomeyorkshire ... The winner will be announced on Wednesday 13th February, just in time to surprise your loved one this Valentines Day! Good Luck... #competition #valentines #romance #couples #love #romanticretreats #yorkshire #hollyhousefarm #win #valentinesday #prize #holidayathome (at Middleton, Greater Manchester) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btu-ypDFkJE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vfbuf2ko2tm6

[pattynanmedia]

(via Simon Mayor )

January 2019

  Simon Mayor & Hilary James

Fri 18.  Reading Irish Centre 96-104 Chatham St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7HT

Tel: 0118 939 3096 Tickets £10.00 -- Doors 7:30 p.m.       

  Simon Mayor & Hilary James Somerset. Weekend Workshops Fri  25th to Sun 27th Simon Mayor Mandolin Workshop Hilary James Voice Workshop Fri  25th to Sunday 27th: Halsway Manor, Halsway Lane, near Crowcombe, Somerset, TA44BD Tel: 01984 618 274 See website for full details 

  Simon Mayor, Hilary James and Janet Giraudo In Concert

Sat 26. Halsway Manor Halsway Lane, near Crowcombe, Somerset, TA44BD Tel: 01984 618 274 Tickets £10.00 -- From 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

  March 2019

  Simon Mayor & Hilary James

Sun 10. Ilkley Playhouse Weston Rd, Ilkley, W. Yorkshire LS29 8DW     Tel: 01943 609539 Tickets £14.00  -- Doors 7:00 p.m.

  Simon Mayor & Hilary James

Thur 14.Toll Gavel United Church Toll Gavel, Beverley, E. Yorkshire HU17 9AA Tel: 01262 678 258 Tickets £15.00 -- Doors 7:30 p.m.

Simon Mayor & Hilary James

Fri 15. The Ram Folk Club,  The Old Cranleighan Club, Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0HB Tel: 0208 686 9421 Tickets £12.00 -- Doors 7:30 p.m.

Simon Mayor & Hilary James Tour of schools for Cambridgeshire Music Live Tue 19th to Fri 22nd. Cambridgeshire Music Live

Office: 36 Mayfield Road, Huntingdon PE29 Tel:01480 373 500

  Simon Mayor Mandolin Retreat

Sun 31st March - Thur 4th April. Falcon Manor, Falcon Gardens, Settle, North Yorks.  BD24 9BD Tel: 0118 9268615  See website for full details

November 2019

  Simon Mayor Mandolin Retreat

Fri 1st to Sun 3rd Kenwood Hall Hotel, Kenwood Road, Sheffield, Yorks S7 1NQ Tel: 0118 9268615 More details coming soon

[limejuicer1862]

Wombwell Rainbow Interviews

I am honoured and privileged that the following writers local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me. I gave the writers two options: an emailed list of questions or a more fluid interview via messenger.

The usual ground is covered about motivation, daily routines and work ethic, but some surprises too. Some of these poets you may know, others may be new to you. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.

Amanda Huggins

is the author of the short story collection, Separated From the Sea (Retreat West Books), which received a Special Mention at the 2019 Saboteur Awards.

She has also published a flash fiction collection, Brightly Coloured Horses (Chapeltown Books), and a poetry collection, The Collective Nouns for Birds (Maytree Press). Her short fiction, poetry and travel writing have also appeared in numerous anthologies, literary journals, newspapers and magazines.

In 2018 she was awarded third prize in the Costa Short Story Award, and she has been placed and listed in numerous other competitions, including Fish, Bridport, Bath, InkTears, the Alpine Fellowship Writing Award and the Colm Toibin International Short Story Award. Her travel writing has won several awards, notably the BGTW New Travel Writer of the Year in 2014, and she has twice been a finalist in the Bradt Guides Travel Writer of the Year Award.

Her new short story collection, Scratched Enamel Heart will be published by Retreat West Books in May.

Amanda grew up on the North Yorkshire coast, moved to London in the 1990s, and now lives in West Yorkshire and works full-time in engineering.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1913508005?pf_rd_p=f20e70b1-67f9-48d1-8c78-ba616030b420&pf_rd_r=JAK1D24RE377KP69RZA6 (Link to my poetry book on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Separated-Sea-Amanda-Huggins/dp/1999747267/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=separated+from+the+sea&qid=1583092828&s=books&sr=1-1 (Link to my short story collection on Amazon)

https://maytreepress.co.uk/shop-poetry-book/ (Link to my poetry book on Maytree Press)

https://troutiemcfishtales.blogspot.com/ (Link to my blog)

The Interview

1. What inspired you to write poetry?

I wrote a lot of poetry when I was younger, including for my ‘A’ level creative writing paper. However, when I started writing again around ten years ago I concentrated exclusively on short stories and travel writing. Then a couple of years ago I started to take a serious interest in poetry again, and I had ideas for a handful of new poems. I had no real intention of writing a collection at that stage, but gradually it began to take shape.

2. Who introduced you to poetry?

I learned to read long before I started school, and my parents encouraged me to read poetry as well as prose. The first book of poetry I was given was Now We Are Six by A A Milne. My real love for poetry started at sixth form college, and I started buying all kinds of poetry books – particularly things I hadn’t read before, such as post-war Japanese poetry. I gradually amassed quite a large poetry library and I’m still adding to it.

3. How aware were you of the dominating presence of older poets?

I was aware of their domination as a teenager, but when performance poets such as John Cooper Clarke started to appear at music festivals things began to change.

4. What is your daily writing routine?

I have a full time job in engineering, so I write for an hour or two most evenings and regularly at weekends. I also go away a couple of times a year to a holiday cottage in Northumberland where I spend at least half my time writing.

5. What motivates you to write?

I have always tried to work to deadlines as that keeps me focussed and motivated. When I started writing again I sent a travel article to a national newspaper every week until I got published! I find competition deadlines a good motivator, and my own personal goals usually have a self-imposed deadline.

6. How do the writers you read when you were young influence you today?

I’m not sure that the writers I read when I was very young still influence me today – as I used to read a lot of crime fiction and horror as a young teenager, and I don’t read or write either of those genres today. However I am still influenced by the poets I read as a teenager, and by writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Hemingway, Patti Smith, Steinbeck.

7. Who of today’s writers do you admire the most and why?

I read a lot of short stories, and the contemporary collections on my shelves include books by William Trevor, Tessa Hadley, Helen Simpson, Helen Dunmore, A L Kennedy, Wells Tower, Stuart Evers, Miranda July, Yoko Ogawa, K J Orr, Taeko Kono, Haruki Murakami, Richard Ford, Annie Proulx, Angela Readman, and A M Homes.

I’m also a huge admirer of Japanese novellas and short stories. Japanese literature is often poetic, quiet, unhurried, and that way of writing suits the short story form. Sparing and effective use of language, subtlety and nuance, a certain elusiveness, all demand that the stories are read slowly, and that they are re-read and savoured. These are the qualities that draw me back again and again, and the tales of yearning and loss, of not quite belonging, all resonate with the themes I explore in my own fiction. I really like Murakami’s short stories, and particularly enjoyed his recent collection, Men Without Women. Murakami is renowned for his surreal writing, yet I prefer his stories when he writes of single men and smoky bars, lonely hearts and enigmatic women. I also love the short stories and novels of Yoko Ogawa. Like Murakami, her writing is often surreal, and can be unsettling and even grotesque. She is adept at self-observation and dissecting women’s roles in Japanese society.

For fresh contemporary writing, I recommend Miranda July. Her stories are unsettling, quirky, alternately grounded and surreal, oddball, off-beat, skewed. Yet they betray vulnerability, and are both raw and poignant.

8. What would you say to someone who asked you “How do you become a writer?”

Read, read, and read some more. Practice your craft, hone your skills, then submit, submit, submit. You’ll be rejected over and over again, but persistence pays. Take constructive criticism on board – it will sting at first, but 95% of it is usually right.

9. Tell me about the writing projects you have on at the moment.

I‘m very busy with a number of projects right now, but most of them are at the editing stage. My second short story collection, Scratched Enamel Heart, comes out this May with Retreat West Books, so I’ll have the final edits for that any day. In the meanwhile I’m editing my first novella, and I’ll have some exciting news about that soon! My second novella is currently looking for a home, but I do have some irons in the fire – and I have an exciting idea for a new book! I am continuing to write poetry for competitions and to submit to journals and anthologies, but it will be a while before I think about a second collection. My poem, Songs of Leaving, will appear in the next Maytree Press anthology, Green Fields: Sorted for Poems, which is out this April.

Wombwell Rainbow Interviews: Amanda Huggins Wombwell Rainbow Interviews I am honoured and privileged that the following writers local, national and international have agreed to be interviewed by me.

[patrickbromptonhall]

Self-Catering Yoga Retreats for Flexible Wellness

Looking for a yoga retreat that fits your schedule? Our self-catering yoga retreats provide a unique combination of independence and relaxation. Located in the tranquil countryside, each retreat offers comfortable, fully equipped cottages where you can prepare your own meals, allowing you to follow your own dietary preferences. Start your day with yoga and meditation sessions, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and spend your free time exploring the scenic beauty of nature. Ideal for solo travelers or small groups, this retreat offers flexibility, peace, and the freedom to recharge at your own pace. Visit us at Patrick Brompton Hall for your personalized yoga retreat experience.

[cynthiabryanuk]

The UK’s Spookiest Halloween Events! Which One Gets Your Vote?

Brush off your broomsticks, pick a pumpkin to carve and don your most frightening fancy dress… it’s time for some Halloween high jinx! Many of us love a bit of fiendish fun on Halloween, so get into the spirit of things with a stay near one of these spook-tacular events. So, if you’re looking for something to scare your socks off this Halloween, you’re in the right place. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite event by 30th October!

10 Scary Things To Do This Halloween

While these spine-tingling festivals and Halloween events might give you nightmares, the amazing rentals close by certainly won’t! Choose from cosy cottages to snuggle up in, or family townhouses that’ll be a treat for all ages. With so many rentals to choose from, picking your favourite is as easy as pumpkin pie!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Farmaggedon 2018 | Lancashire | October (various dates)

Farmaggedon is “the ultimate indoor, and outdoor, interactive extreme scare experience!”. There are three ‘scare houses’ including Beast of Terror (the UK’s largest), The House of Rock and Freak Street. There’s also outdoor Zombie Paintball and a terrifying outdoor secret scare maze. At Farmaggedon, zombies and other crazy creatures continually roam the farm looking for fresh victims to terrorise and devour, so keep your wits about you! After an evening of frightening fun, head back to your private holiday rental for a good night’s sleep – just don’t have nightmares!

Book a stay in Ormskirk this October

Tulley’s Shocktober Fest | West Sussex | 5 October – 4 November

The world-famous Tulleys Shocktober Fest is located at Tulleys Farm in Crawley. Returning for 2018 with nine horrifying live attractions, daredevil fairground rides, street theatre, two live music stages and three food courts, this spooky event is sure to be electrifying! It’s a great night out for all the family, with a perfect blend of horror, comedy and a friendly festival atmosphere. The event ends with a bang on 3 November, where guests can enjoy a fantastic firework finale.

See all spooky stays in Crawley

Dreamland’s Screamland | Kent | 13 – 31 October

Test your nerve this Halloween as Kent’s iconic amusement park, Dreamland, once again mutates into Screamland; a hair-raising (and terrifying!) after-dark thrill experience. Back for its fourth year, this chilling event immerses visitors in a frightening world of interactive scare mazes set to horrify and haunt even the darkest soul. A Screamland ticket includes access to all seven scare mazes from 6pm and unlimited use of the rides in the amusement park. ‘No Scare’ tickets are also available for those too terrified to enter the mazes, but want to soak up the Halloween atmosphere with unlimited ride access.

Book a rental nearby in Margate

The London Dungeon, Screamfest | London | October

For over 40 years, The London Dungeon has terrified travellers from across the globe. But London’s scariest attraction just got scarier with its special October event, Screamfest! With twenty haunting tales and two thrilling rides, guests will come face-to-face with London’s most terrifying and notorious characters, Sweeney Todd, The Plague Doctor and The Torturer, before plummeting to their doom on the exhilarating Drop Dead ride. Elsewhere, the spine-tingling Séance returns and, exclusively for Screamfest, a new Jack the Ripper show sees guests plunged into complete darkness on the streets of Whitechapel.

Look for a spooky stay in London

Xtreme Scream Park | Leicestershire | 28 September – 31 October

The multi award-winning Xtreme Scream Park returns this Halloween, promising to deliver  more spine-tingling fun! Hot from winning ‘Best Halloween Attraction’ at the ScareCon awards  for last year’s maze The Village, the Xtreme team have been busy preparing their terrifying line-up. Those who dare to enter can experience a fantastic event including six purpose-built attractions, festival entertainment with live local bands, and spook-tacular street theatre. So, what are you waiting for? The Xtreme team are dying to meet you!

Pick a place to stay in nearby Melton Mowbray

Scaresville, The Haunted Village | Suffolk |  October & November (various dates)

Locals whisper of an old village that appears in darkest Suffolk every year. Ghosts, ghouls and other creatures stalk the night are said to be able to cross through from the ‘other side’. They talk of it as a haunted village! Some say these are just stories, others won’t say anything at all… are you brave enough to investigate? Scaresville is now in its twelfth year with visitors coming from all over the UK for a good old fashioned fright. Do you dare to join them?

See all stays in Sudbury

Paisley Halloween Festival | Scotland | Sat 27 October

Something wicked this way comes! This frighteningly good festival will see Paisley town transformed into a spectacular, illuminated, ghoulish wonderland! Expect flying witches, giant pumpkins, breathtaking aerial displays, a mardi gras-style parade and much, much more. Inspired by Paisley’s dark and deathly 17th-century witch history and set against a backdrop of the town’s historic steeples and spires, Paisley Halloween Festival is one of the major events as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations. Retreat to a cosy rental nearby at the end of your spooky festival experience.

Choose an October escape in Paisley

Glasgow Horror Fest | Glasgow | 27 – 28 October

Now in its fourth year, Glasgow Horror Fest aims to get horror festivals back to their roots and combine all the best parts of Halloween into a two day spook-tacular. The 2018 event takes place in Glasgow’s Classic Grand and features a brand new 80s horror-inspired escape room, ‘The House With Neon Windows’, in partnership with Scare Scotland. Plus, there’ll be a ‘Comic Con’ style convention hub focused on horror and Halloween. A range of new, classic and short horror films are in store, along with burlesque, a horror musical, live monsters, Q&As and much, much more!

Go to Glasgow this Halloween weekend

Scream Factory | North Yorkshire | October (various dates)

Scream Factory is the North East’s largest purpose-built Halloween haunt and is made up of nine terrifying scare zones. Set in the grounds of an old ‘haunted’ nursery behind Kirkleatham Museum, Scream Factory features all the sounds and sights you would only expect to find on a Hollywood movie set. Those fortunate to survive the horrors of the extreme tour tell stories of escaping from nursery rhyme-singing butchers, the flickering lights of an old cinema blinding their way, and the fear of entering an abandoned mine. Scream Factory promises its guests the funniest fright of their lives!

Find a rental near the event in Redcar

Terror Mountain | Wales | October (various dates)

In the shadows of the Cambrian Mountains, just outside Aberystwyth, Terror Mountain returns for its 4th incarnation… and it’s more terrifying than ever! Prepare for a night of frightening fun with live-action horror experiences, scary entertainment and more. Set in an original Victorian mine, visitors can look forward to four terrifying horror attractions, including some of the most terrifying specimens from favourite horror genres You’ll find everything from zombies to demons! After a thrilling evening, escape to the safety of your private holiday rental.

Book a break in Aberystwyth

The post The UK’s Spookiest Halloween Events! Which One Gets Your Vote? appeared first on Holiday Lettings Blog.

from News And Tips For Traveling https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/spookiest-halloween-events-uk/

[nyflowerguy]

Rose, Thorn, Bud | Reflecting on 2017 & Looking Forward to 2018

Over the Christmas holiday, I read this blog post by Monica at The Elgin Avenue. It references an aptly named technique for the floristry community called Rose, Thorn, Bud!

The idea is to decide on the highlight of your day (Rose), what went wrong during your day (Thorn) and what you’re looking forward to tomorrow (Bud). The method can be equally applied to a year. And I thought you may find it useful for reviewing your last 12 months, plus looking forward to 2018.

Here are my personal reflections and plans for the next 12 months.

ROSES

Speaking at The Chapel Designers Conference in London

Attending the McQueens Italian Masterclass in Cermignano

Attending The Brand Stylist Retreat in Majorca

Starting and continuing to work with my coach Elizabeth Cairns

Interviewing five florists for British Flowers Week

Interviewing florists and traders for the new video for New Covent Garden Flower Market

Attending Jennifer Pinder’s 2 Day Portfolio Workshop

Attending a Large Urn Workshop with Firenza Flowers and Sarah Winward

Visiting flower growers Holme Flowers and Picked at Dawn in North Yorkshire

Attending a dinner in celebration of the centenary of the BFA at the Palace of Westminster

Attending Ponderosa & Thyme’s London Workshop

Launching the new hashtag #inthefloralspotlight and account @inthefloralspotlight

Attending a Christmas Class at the McQueens Flower School

The @underthefloralspell Instagram account reaching 50K followers

Visiting Zita Elze’s Florist Shop in Kew

Attending All For Love‘s Christmas Wreath Workshop

Working freelance with New Covent Garden Market

Weekends | The Scarlet Hotel, The Pig at Coombe, Bordeaux, Bristol, Bucks, Dorset

Holidays | Salcombe, Ile de Re

Spending time with family, especially my two little nephews, at Christmas

THORNS

Working virtually every waking minute | This year, I’ve assessed the impact of my work on my well-being and now fully appreciate that ‘you can do anything but not everything’. 2017 has been about making adjustments, including changing my blogging schedule, taking a YouTube vacation and delegating the day-to-day running of the Flowerona for Florists Facebook Group to a committee of members. Since August, I’ve started to have more personal, non-work time in my week, something that’s been a rarity since I started Flowerona in 2010.

The financial side of running a small business | Collating expenses and producing accounts are one aspect of my job which I really don’t enjoy and actually find quite stressful. So, I’m so pleased that I’ve finally made the decision to invest in the book-keeping services of my accountant.

The undesirable symptoms of ‘the change of life’ which hits women of a certain age | Oh my, where do I start?! I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say that this has been a very challenging year on the health front. I tried to steer clear of popping pills by attending lots of weekly classes at the gym, healthy eating, meditation and reflexology. But the symptoms just didn’t improve. So I’m now one month in on my second type of medication. (The first one made me feel worse!) Crossed fingers this version kicks in soon.

BUDS

Launching my new lnstagram for Florists Online Course

Attending Vervain’s Seasonal Class

Getting out of the office more, meeting and catching up with people face-to-face

Spending more time behind, and possibly in front of, the camera

Continuing to work on being less busy and more productive

Prioritising self care

So, as we come to the end of 2017, why don’t you also spend some time thinking about your Roses, Thorns and Buds? I’ve found the process both thought-provoking, as well as therapeutic.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

SaveSave

from Flowerona http://ift.tt/2lmKAHP via IFTTT

[nebuulaa]

I really feel like I’m losing my mind again and I don’t really fully understand why. It’s been a hard week. Jevon and I hit the roughest patch in our friendship in four years which has kind of lead me to start reminiscing and thinking a lot about my adult life so far. Since I turned 18 a lot has happened in my life. I’ve lost people, had four terrible failed relationships. Courtney and me ended on terrible terms. Tom was an abusive manipulative fucking psychopath. Lissa was nasty and manipulative and used me until there was nothing left of the person I used to be and then Bex and me were never ever going to work out when we wanted completely different things out of life. I really suffer with nostalgia I think it stops me moving forwards because I really do spend so much time thinking about the past and the trauma that I faced. I’ve learnt a lot about myself this week and I think typing it all out and getting things off of my chest will free me somehow.

So I’m dramatic. Very dramatic. Around my friends and not really my family which also ties into the fact that I talk a lot. The reason for both of these I’ve come to realise is that I don’t ever feel listened to at home so when I get to work and spend time with my friends I find it hard to stop talking because I finally have someone in front of me who cares enough to hear me out. That being said, I was once told that I talk a lot but say very little. And I think that’s true too. I talk a lot of shit but when it comes to the things that really hurt me or how I’m really feeling I find it hard to articulate those emotions in a healthy and productive way which is why they manifest themselves in tears or bouts of anger and sadness. I know that isn’t a constructive way to manage those emotions but I struggle to find another way. It’s something I’ve been working on a lot lately actually. I’ve stopped to think more before I post a tweet or say something to someone. I’ve learnt how to manage feeling desperate and instead of lashing out I now retreat, take a step back and do something that I know will put me in a more positive frame of mind before tackling the situation that confronts me rather than just being reactive.

Something I’ve noticed myself starting to develop, on a less positive note, is a stutter and stammer. Now I’ve struggled with this before at various points in my life and now I know why. These phases of nervous speech coincide with points in my life where I feel as though I’ve lost or am starting to lose sight of myself. It really took hold this weekend when, for some unknown reason, I started to slip and spiral into self loathing and felt as though I had no control over the direction in which my life was heading. It scares me; not feeling as though my mind has both hands on the wheel. But I’m starting to process my thoughts before they manifest into words so that I can have a dialogue and continue to maintain healthy relationships.

I’m learning to look after myself in the most basic way. That’s something you only truly discover when you have mental health issues. Basic things like eating properly and getting enough sleep cease to be second nature and become things on a to do list that slip further and further down in priority. This week, in an effort to combat the creeping feelings of doubt and fear I have been going to bed at a slightly more reasonable hour before and trying to get at least five hours sleep. Which when compared to the two or three that I’ve been getting if lucky, is a vast improvement. After working an eleven hour day at my high pressure, stress filled job on Monday night I came home and barely slept. But tonight after a terrible, long and very emotionally and physically demanding day, I ran myself a bath, poured myself a glass of wine and washed off the day. Then I took a walk through my town to clear my head before coming home and getting into bed to spend some time writing and listening to songs that make me feel more at peace with myself.

Taking care of yourself becomes a chore when you feel as though your life isn’t yours anymore. I’ve been finding remembering to eat lunch difficult and when I get home I hardly manage to eat dinner because I’d rather go for a three hour long walk in the freezing cold in an effort to detox from the day I’ve had. It’s slowly improving with time. I do still need time away from work and home to de-stress and think about how I’m going to move forward with my life. I’m coming to a point where I have a lot of big decisions to make and I want the space to be able to make them in such a way that I give myself the best possible outcome. In five days I have a week off of work; three of those days off I’m spending in Yorkshire because that county has always brought me a real sense of peace. At the risk of sounding corny it’s where I’ve always gone to “find myself”. This time I’m going up alone. Getting on the train on Monday morning to spend three nights in a cosy b&b in the North of England is something I really cannot wait to do. I’m going to go for long walks, eat well, get in the Christmas spirit and maybe even find time to do a bit of writing in the evenings. I need fresh surroundings to think clearly.

I’m in the process of deciding whether I want to move teams at work to potentially open up some new doors but with that being said I’m already in the toughest team with the best Title Lawyer at the firm and some of the nicest people. I’m just now debating if moving away from certain people might be what’s best for me to try and move on with my life. I love going to work and I absolutely love my job but staying in the same place for long periods of time because it feels safe is what got me into so many of the worst situations I’ve experienced. Maybe it’s time to step out of the comfort zone I’ve built myself and try something new. All the better if it’s hard and slightly scary at first. Because that’s how we grow as people and it’s how I plan on advancing and improving in my twenties. I want to become a woman that I can be proud of being and that my kids can one day be proud to call their mum. So for now I’m going to take a step back, evaluate where I am in my career and my life at the moment and see how I can better myself even further. Because I didn’t come this far to only come this far

[jrosenewall]

BY THE SEA

Nestled a few miles outside Whitby is the charming fisherman's village, Runswick Bay. 

A quintessential coastal escape; Runswick Bay is renowned for its red roofed cottages that fill the crescent-shaped bay, whilst fishing boats scatter the coastline. A sleepy village, which is home to the last remaining thatched cottage on the North Yorkshire Coast.

I spent the weekend in Runswick Bay with my parents, which was a much needed retreat and so nice to spend time away with them. We took daily walks along the coastal path, Cleveland Way, to Whitby, just a five and a half mile walk over the beautifully scenic coast.

Some people say you should always try new places rather than revisiting old ones, and in some respect I completely agree and I'm the first person to jump at experiencing a new place. That being said, there's something so beautiful about going to a place you've seen before with new eyes. Although I always loved going away in England and taking a family holiday by the sea, I never really appreciated how close it was, how beautiful it was or how sharing a place with certain people can change your experience completely. I feel so at home near the sea and taking a few days out with no set plans other than to just enjoy the setting and each others company was really special.

We spent the evenings on the beach watching the sky turn a dusty pink, sharing beer, stories and a lot of laughter.

Once the sun had gone down, the bay is pitch black with just the small glow from the houses illuminating the water. We found the village pub, which could have been mistaken for just another cottage as it had no indication or sign other than the picnic bench calling our name on the balcony. After dinner, with full bellies we headed up the steep hill back home to settle in for the night. As a family we've never really played a lot of board games, don't get me wrong, I do love a good game now, but I tend to end up bankrupt and lending money in Monopoly, just to give some background. So when I found Trivial Pursuit, I thought it might be a good time to have a go at playing. Five minutes in and I'm just asking every question on the card to see who knows the answer first and storing as many answers as possible ready for my next pub quiz. I do wonder how parents have this ability to know so much, like the answers to things that I just can't fathom why they'd know...but maybe it's from someone reading the answers of Trivial Pursuit cards to them?

Our Saturday was spent walking along the coastal path to Whitby, the English coastline is incredible and so varied. Growing up in a city, I always presumed I’d end up living in a huge vibrant city and after having lived in London and Melbourne, whilst incredible and always something around every corner, I think it’s moments like this that I missed and needed whilst being there.

I love nature and long walks, and being able to sit somewhere by myself to just take everything in and appreciate that what we have is incredible and how beautiful the things, places and people around us really are.

I think I’ll always be drawn to the excitement of city life, so many things inspire me about being in a place where things are constantly changing and happening but I feel safe here just surrounded by the simpler things. I think for now this place has been a saviour being able to reconnect with everything here, including myself.

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/best-luxury-spas-uk/

17 of the Best Luxury Spas in the UK

Spa days are one of the best ways to relax here in the UK and no matter where you are in the country, you’re never too far from the nearest luxury spa. Here at House Parties, many of our farm houses, cottages and manors come with swimming pools and hot tubs, so you can create your own spa experience in your home away from home. But for those who aren’t staying in one of our pool holiday homes, here is a list of some of the best luxury spas worth checking out the next time you’re away.

1. Harrogate Turkish Baths

The spa town of Harrogate is one of the most well-known tourist towns in the North, and attracts many tourists every year. It’s recognised for its fantastic boutique shopping and its tea rooms, particularly the world-famous Betty’s Tea Rooms. But it’s also known for its wonderful Turkish Baths & Health Spa. A great way to spend the day and fantastic for all ages. The great thing is, there are so many treatment packages available so you can find the perfect spa deal to suit your group/party. With spa days ranging from the Express Pamper to the Turkish Signature Spa Experience.

2. Dormy House, Worcestershire

Dormy House is a favourite in the Cotswolds, offering everything from accommodation and fine dining to a luxury spa that aims to have its guests spoilt rotten from head to toe. The Dormy House Spa is designed as a sensory sanctuary to beautify the body and soothe the soul. And on site, guests will have access to an indoor and outdoor pool area, a blend of soothing therapies on offer, a serene terrace with hot tub, plus a Scandinavian style thermal suite. Spa day packages with unlimited access start from £195. Children are also welcome in the pool between certain hours for those who are travelling with kids.

3. Calcot Manor Spa

The Calcot Manor Spa is set within a cluster of beautiful farm buildings, thoughtfully preserved on the outside and modernised for total luxury on the inside. It features a large indoor pool, a number of treatment rooms, a lounge and relaxation area, plus an outdoor hot tub surrounded by relaxing lavender that also overlooks an open wood fire. It’s pure paradise, and some of the treatments are to die for too. The products used are from the Aromatherapy Associates, so guests can enjoy complete relaxation. Give the 45 minutes Rose Facial a go for beautiful skin and make sure you make time to refuel with the spa’s healthy dishes. Book ahead because the spa is hugely popular with both locals and tourists.

4. Thermae Bath Spa

Perhaps the most famous spa town in the UK is Bath, not only for its historic Roman spa attraction, but also because the city has so much to offer in terms of shopping, sightseeing, food and drink. So you can combine your spa break with all sorts of adventures. As Britain’s original thermal spa and the only naturally warm spa pool in the country, the Thermae Bath Spa is a must. The waters are rich in minerals and are believed to have numerous healing effects on the body. The rooftop swimming pool provides spectacular views of the city and indoors, you will find a wonderful Turkish steam room, an indoor swimming water circuit, a relaxation area and treatment rooms.

5. TOR Spa Retreat, Kent

Treat yourself to a day of rejuvenating treatments and relaxation at the beautiful TOR Spa Retreat in Kent. Surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens and lovely countryside, you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The property has a fantastic pool, Finnish sauna and steam room. And during your visit, you can help yourself to hot and cold drinks, including herbal teas, chai and Ayurvedic infusions. Every detail has been considered so guests can have an unforgettable spa experience. From the huge selection of books and magazines or the gentle background music to the enticing vegetarian menu, TOR Spa Retreat has left no stone unturned.

6. The Devonshire Spa at Bolton Abbey

This luxury spa retreat is tucked away in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. So if you’re looking to get away from it all, this is the place to come for peace and quiet. The unique setting on the Bolton Abbey Estate means that you’ll have mind-blowing views wherever you turn, and the spa itself features the best facilities you could wish for. Including a whirlpool spa and indoor pool, 5 treatment rooms, a fully equipped gym, steam room and sauna, a Rasul Temple, a ‘Tropical Experience’ shower, a lounge and relaxation zone, and an outdoor terrace with secluded sun trap.

7. Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

This is a venue that impresses straight away. From the moment you arrive, there will be that wow factor. Drive down the mile-long driveway lined with beech and lime trees and you will reach the imposing Palladian mansion. Inside there are over 40 rooms and suites available for guests who want to stay over, a Michelin star restaurant, and a luxury spa with the best facilities. Including a 20 metre swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, five thermal cabins, and treatment rooms with therapies using exclusive products from Anne Semonin, Ila and Carita. There is also a gym and fitness centre, plus acres and acres of land which can be explored on horseback if you’re a keen rider.

8. Fawsley Hall Spa

Fawsley Hall Spa in Northamptonshire is one for the spa connoisseurs. Within this striking Tudor estate is a wellbeing centre that has been designed for the most luxurious of treatments and facilities that have been installed to the highest specs. A sanctuary for tired city folk, the Fawsley Hall Spa will revive the body and mind and features a swimming pool overlooking a secret garden, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a relaxation room, a steam room and sauna, and much more. The onsite experienced therapists use Elemis products for their beauty treatments, and dining options cover everything from Afternoon Tea to traditional Sunday lunch.

9. Cowshed Spa at Soho Farmhouse

Looking for a bit of exclusivity? The Soho Farmhouse in Chipping Norton is a members’ club set in 100 acres of wonderful Oxfordshire countryside. There are 4 levels of membership that can be applied for via their website. And access to their Cowshed Spa is available for all members or farm guests. Within the exclusive spa, guests can enjoy manicures, pedicures, massages and numerous mud and body therapies. There is also a steam room, a sauna, an ice room and hot tubs. Additionally, there’s a men’s grooming salon so this is the ideal spa for couples.

10. Cameron House, Loch Lomond

This is the perfect place to visit if you are staying in the nearby Stuckgowan House. Imagine a luxury spa with all the workings of a 5 star venue. Now throw in a panoramic lake view that will blow your mind. The spa at Cameron House boasts one of the most spectacular rooftop pools that overlooks Loch Lomond, and guests can also make the most of all the other spa facilities on site. Including the various different treatment rooms, the thermos and hydro pools, and the VIP couples room complete with mineral room, steam bath, and balcony. To refuel, make sure you visit the Spa Café for healthy snacks and light bites.

11. Lime Wood, Hampshire

Lime Wood is a favourite for city dwellers; located just 90 minutes from London by Train, this spa is an easy escape from the capital. Set in the idyllic New Forest and surrounded by wild ponies and wildlife roaming near the grounds, you really will feel like you’ve travelled a lot further. The spa features a rooftop herb garden where you can enjoy peaceful relaxation time, morning yoga or meditation. Onsite, you will find a hydro pool, steam room and sauna room, an outdoor hotpool and a mud house. Plus spa visitors will get to enjoy drinks from the pretty courtyard bar or enjoy upscale dining at the Michelin star restaurant.

12. Archerfield House, North Berwick

One of the newest spas from Sisley is Archerfield House in North Berwick, set on 550 acres of glorious landscaped grounds. Onsite the Archerfield House estate is Fletcher’s Cottage, where the luxury spa offers everything from the Sisley Supreme Anti-Ageing Facial for restoring tone and radiance to the Sisley Body Treatment involving deep muscle relief. You can finish off your spa session with a hot stone massage or by relaxing in one of the private bath huts available. Located in Scotland, just 40 minutes away from the city of Edinburgh, the spa at Archerfield House is ideal for a romantic Scottish weekend away.

13. Elan Spa at Mallory Court

An education in luxury and complete indulgence, Elan Spa at Mallory Court is the ultimate spa experience. Located in one of Britain’s most illustrious spa towns, Royal Leamington Spa. Tucked away in the beautifully landscaped grounds of Mallory and surrounded by trees and foliage, Elan Spa is a secret hideaway filled with sublime, state of the art facilities and treatment rooms. This is the place where people come to de-stress and get away from the noise of the city. Lifestyle spa memberships are also available for those who wish to come back time and time again.

14. Rudding Park

The exclusive Rudding Park in Harrogate is one of the grandest venues in the North. In addition to its fine dining restaurant, rooms and wedding services, it also features a luxurious spa. Offering full or half day spa packages for those in search of some relaxation and serious pampering. The packages include bespoke treatments, access to the spa’s Mind and Sense zones, access to the rooftop pool and garden, and hydrotherapy and thermotherapy experiences. Full days start from just £77.

15. The Treatment Rooms, Brighton

A secret haven set in the heart of a busy city. The Treatment Rooms is a favourite for any spa aficionado. There is no pool but if you’re looking for the best massage around, this is the place to go. Inside, you will find a large welcoming reception and changing room area, 10 treatment rooms, a relaxation room, massage rooms and a retail shop selling sumptuous lotions and potions to keep your face and body looking great at home. There are treatments available for both men and women, so it’s ideal for a couple’s spa day. And massages range from LaStone massage, Ayurvedic Indian Head Massage, Lava Shell massage, Hot Stone Massage, Legology to Oncology massage.

16. The Malvern Spa

The Malvern Hills are a walkers’ favourite and the town of Malvern itself is a charming little tourist hotspot with cafes, tea rooms, antiques and boutique shopping. A great place for a little weekend away with family or your other half. If you’re visiting, make sure you don’t miss The Malvern Spa, a lovely little venue with an ‘outdoor pool area and an endless list of spa packages to suit you and your group. From the basic Relax Spa package and the Discovery Package to the Luxury Hen package and the His & Hers Malvern Spa Experience, this is the ideal place for relaxing with loved ones.

17. The Forest of Wellbeing

The Forest of Wellbeing Spa at The Bicester Hotel is set in 134 acres of spectacular countryside and peaceful landscaped gardens plus an 18-hole golf course. So if you’re planning a romantic spa weekend for two, or the ultimate his & hers day out, this is definitely worth checking out the next time you’re holidaying in Oxfordshire. Spa days offer full use of the facilities, access to the gym, use of the studio classes and a spa lunch included in the price of the package. The spa has a 20 metre swimming pool, a hydrospa and spa pool, sauna room and steam room, foot spas and feature showers.

  If you don’t want to leave your luxurious holiday home then we can help you arrange for beauty treatments to be carried out in the property for you; perfect for a hen party or birthday celebration.

[loradmurphy]

Weekly Wedding News 13/01/2017

This post Weekly Wedding News 13/01/2017 first appeared on The Wedding Community Blog

From Our Suppliers…

News

Amanda Karen Photography gave tips on displaying your wedding photos in your home

Carmela Weddings suggested 15 wedding planning resolutions for 2017

Story of Your Day published their 2016 awards

Micklefield Hall gave details of their available weekend wedding dates in 2018

Shropshire Petals looked at the wedding colour trends for spring 2017

Carina Baverstock Couture shared pictures of real bride Rachel wearing her Bardot wedding gown by Jenny Packham

Entertainment Nation gave their top eight tips for booking a band

Thomas Frost Photography revealed that he now offers wedding thank you cards

Ambience Venue Styling explained why January is a great month to get married

Real Weddings and Bridal Shoots

A St Donat’s Castle wedding, photographed by Steve Gerrard Photography…

© Steve Gerrard Photography – A St Donat’s Castle wedding

 A Caswell House wedding, photographed by Georgi Mabee Photography…

© Georgi Mabee Photography – A Caswell House wedding

 A Nottingham Contemporary wedding, photographed by HBA Photography…

© HBA Photography – A Nottingham Contemporary wedding

 An Anteros wedding, photographed by Martin Beddall Photography…

© Martin Beddall Photography – An Anteros wedding

 An Orchardleigh winter wedding, photographed by Martin Dabek Photography…

© Martin Dabek Photography – An Orchardleigh winter wedding

 Recently On…

The Wedding Community Website

Liesl Lamare predicted 2017 Wedding Trends

The Wedding Community Blog

We shared some of our favourite Alternative Engagement Rings

Last Night of Freedom looked at the Most Popular Hen Party Destinations of 2016

We revealed the winner of our December 2016 Picture of the Month

Modern Viking Wedding Inspiration was the inspiration behind this stunning shoot

We chose Pictures of the Day from Voyteck Photography, Pauls Studio, Albert Palmer Photography, Murray Clarke and Image-i-Nation Photography…

 Dates for Your Diary…

Wedding Events

Ending 14th January 2017

Suzanne Neville Trunk Show at Ivory Tower Bridal Couture, 1692 High Street, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 OLY. 14th January 2017

Jesus Peiro ‘Mirtilli’ Trunk Show at Exquisite Bridal Couture, 5 & 6 Walcote Place, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9AP. 14th January 2017

Suzanne Neville Trunk Show at Carina Baverstock Couture, 11 Silver Street, Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1JY. 14th January 2017

Romona Keveza Trunk Show at Browns Bride, 12 Hinde Street, London, W1U 3BE. 13th – 14th January 2017

Sassi Holford Taunton Sample Sale, 6 The Bridge, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1UG. 7th – 14th January 2017

Ending 15th January 2017

The Brides Sample Sale at The Corinthia Ballroom, Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2BD. Tickets Required, 12pm – 6pm, 15th January 2017

Sassi Holford Collection Preview at Julia Tasker Bridal Couture, Shop 3, The Old Antiques Warehouse, North Terrace, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3AU. 21st January 2017

Ella Rosa Designer Event at A Bride 2 Bee, 5-7 Warsash Road, Warsash, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 9HW. 13th – 15th January 2017

Berta Trunk Show at The Wedding Club, 10 Yeomans Row, London, SW3 2AH. 12th – 15th January 2017

Ending 22nd January 2017

Benjamin Roberts Designer Event at Belle En Blanc, 79 High Street, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 4EF. 20th – 22nd January 2017

Benjamin Roberts Designer Event at Jessica’s Bridalwear, 124/125 Frankwell , Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8JU. 20th – 22nd January 2017

Caroline Castigliano Designer Event at one 1 Bridal, 16 Minister Street, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HR. 21st – 22nd January 2017

Jenny Packham Designer Event at The Bride, No. 18 George Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4ES. 20th – 22nd January 2017

Georges Hobeika Fall 2017 Trunk Show at The Wedding Club, 10 Yeomans Row, London, SW3 2AH. 18th – 22nd January 2017

Twobirds Bridesmaid Trunk Show at The Wedding Club, 16 Highfield Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 3DU. 18th – 22nd January 2017

Les Trois Soeurs Sample Sale, 36 Beaufort Court, Admiral’s Way, Canary Wharf, London, E14 9XL. 21st – 22nd January 2017

Ending 27th January 2017

Anne Priscilla Bridal Sample Sale, 57 Miller Street, Glasgow, G1 1EB. 27th January 2017

Sassi Holford London Sample Sale, 82 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HR. 21st – 27th January 2017

Ending 28th January 2017

Augusta Jones Designer Event at Ivory Tower Bridal Couture, 1692 High Street, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 OLY. 27th – 28th January 2017

Charlotte Balbier Bridal Gowns and Separates Trunk Show at The Wedding Company, 116 Ridgeway, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 2HN. 26th – 28th January 2017

Ending 29th January 2017

Alan Hannah Bridal Event at Bijou Bridal Boutique, 70 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD9 3AZ. 28th – 29th January 2017

Benjamin Roberts Designer Event at Perfection Bridal and Menswear, 222 High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1PQ. 27th – 29th January 2017

Savin London Trunk Show at The Wedding Club, 16 Highfield Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 3DU. 27th – 29th January 2017

Claire Pettibone Romantique Trunk Show at Lace and Co Bridal Boutique, 1 Cluntergate, Horbury, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 5AF. 27th – 29th January 2017

Daalarna Couture Trunk Show at Les Trois Soeurs Bridal, Canada Place, 34 North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HX. 28th – 29th January 2017

Ending 3rd February 2017

An evening with Caroline Castigliano at Exquisite Bridal Couture, 5 & 6 Walcote Place, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9AP. 3rd February 2017

Ending 4th February 2017

Caroline Castigliano Designer Event at Exquisite Bridal Couture, 5 & 6 Walcote Place, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9AP. 4th February 2017

Sassi Holford Designer Day at Brides of Winchester, 81D High Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9AP. 4th February 2017

Ending 5th February 2017

Fross Wedding Collections Sample Sale, 273 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London, SW6 2TX. 4th – 5th February 2017

Charlotte Balbier ‘Untamed Love’ Trunk Show at One1 Bridal, 16 Minister Street, Cardiff, CF24 4HR. 4th – 5th February 2017

Claire Pettibone Couture Designer Event at Blackburn Bridal, 56 Tranquil Vale, Lewisham, London, SE3 0BD. 3rd – 5th February 2017

Justin Alexander 2017 Collection Trunk Show at The Harrogate Wedding Lounge, 38 Forest Lane Head, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7TF. 4th – 5th February 2017

Ian Stuart Designer Weekend at Devlin Bridal Couture, 109 St Thomas Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 7LT. 4th – 5th February 2017

Jenny Packham Trunk Show at White Mischief Bridal, High Street, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9HP. 3rd – 5th February 2017

Ending 11th February 2017

Claire Pettibone Atelier Trunk Show at Blackburn Bridal, 56 Tranquil Vale, Lewisham, London, SE3 0BD. 3rd – 11th February 2017

Wedding Fairs, Shows and Open Days

For details of the latest wedding fairs, shows and open days visit our Wedding Fairs page.

 Wedding Competitions…

Please ensure you check full terms and conditions for wedding competitions before you enter. The Wedding Community accepts no responsibility for third-party competitions.

Win a wedding reception and ceremony at Comlongon Castle, worth over £5,000, with The News and Star

Win a rose gold plated cubic zirconia bracelet, worth £149.99, with Wedding Magazine

Win a two hour crèche at your wedding, with Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding Magazine

Win a bundle of calming products from Bach Flower Blends, with Your Kent Wedding Magazine

Win a Heidi Klein bikini, courtesy of Turquoise Holidays, with Wedding Magazine

Win a romantic Mediterranean sailing honeymoon from SeaDream Yacht Club, worth £7,000, with You and Your Wedding Magazine

Win a luxurious break in the Cotswolds, worth £1,500, with You and Your Wedding Magazine

Win hen night sashes, with Your North East Wedding Magazine

Win a luxurious overnight spa break for you and five friends, worth £750, with Your South Wales Wedding Magazine

Win a three-night mini-moon for two at Tynrhyd Retreat in Aberystwyth, with Your South Wales Wedding Magazine

Have a great weekend.

This post Weekly Wedding News 13/01/2017 first appeared on The Wedding Community Blog

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The Benefits of Choosing a Residential Retreat Space for Your Next Break

In today’s demanding world, taking a break isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Finding the right place to unwind, reflect, and rejuvenate is crucial for reaping the full benefits of time away. Residential retreat spaces provide an unmatched environment for both personal and group escapes, offering the serenity and focus that traditional vacation spots often lack. For those seeking a transformative retreat experience, Patrick Brompton Hall stands as a shining example of what these spaces can offer.

Here’s why residential retreat spaces are the perfect choice for your next getaway.

Immerse Yourself in Tranquility

Residential retreat spaces are deliberately designed to foster peace and mindfulness. Unlike traditional motels, these venues are frequently set amidst herbal beauty, surrounded by lush greenery, serene gardens, or calming nation-state views. The environment encourages you to disconnect from the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in tranquility.

By disposing of distractions and putting you in a nurturing setting, residential retreats assist in creating the proper situations for non-public growth, rest, or innovative thought. The ecosystem looks like a mild reminder to slow down and prioritize self-care.

Facilities Designed for Wellness and Focus

Unlike inns or holiday leases, residential retreat areas frequently come equipped with amenities that cater to well-being and personal development. These can include:

Yoga and meditation studios.

Wellness centers offering holistic treatments.

Creative areas for workshops and artistic endeavors.

Quiet corners for analyzing, journaling, or non-public mirrored images.

The focus isn't always simply on supplying an area to sleep but on developing an environment in which every aspect of your stay contributes to your bodily, emotional, and intellectual well-being. These thoughtfully curated centers make residential retreats an ideal preference for the ones seeking meaningful escapes.

Build Meaningful Connections

One of the most profitable factors of staying in a residential retreat area is the opportunity to build deeper connections, both with yourself and others. Shared meals, group activities, and communal living areas create an inviting environment for interplay and collaboration.

Whether you’re attending a well-being retreat, hosting a creative workshop, or becoming a member of an expert group-building occasion, the experience of network nurtured in residential areas frequently ends in meaningful and lasting relationships.

For people looking for solitude, residential retreats additionally offer the option to turn their awareness inward and revel in a quiet, uninterrupted connection with their internal self.

Personalized and Professional Support

Residential retreat venues regularly go the extra mile to make sure your experience is customized to your specific desires. Many areas provide access to wellness experts, event facilitators, or teachers who can design activities and applications that align together with your goals.

From yoga periods to innovative workshops and group-constructing sporting activities, professional help guarantees that your retreat is effective and enriching. Having professionals available to manage you lets you recognize absolutely your objectives without the strain of making plans for each detail.

Escape the Noise of Routine

One of the primary benefits of a retreat is the capability to step far from the busyness of regular life. Residential retreat areas are deliberately located in places that inspire a breakout from recurring, permitting you to unplug from era, meetings, and other distractions.

This spoil from the norm helps to reset your thoughts and body. When you return to daily existence, you’ll possibly discover yourself extra centered, refreshed, and inspired.

Positive and Lasting Impact

The time you spend in a residential retreat regularly has a ripple effect, extending some distance beyond the duration of your life. The instructions found out, conduct shaped, and proposal gained at some stage in your retreat may have an enduring impact on your standard well-being.

Whether you leave with a brand new attitude, more potent relationships, or a creative breakthrough, the experience of a residential retreat enriches your existence in limitless methods.

Why Choose a Residential Retreat Space?

Residential retreat areas cater to an extensive sort of needs. Whether you’re planning a solo getaway, a set retreat, or an expert workshop, those spaces provide an environment that fosters growth, connection, and relaxation.

For the ones seeking an extraordinary retreat to revel in, Patrick Brompton Hall gives everything you need to create lasting reminiscences. With its serene placing, thoughtfully curated services, and inviting ecosystem, it’s an ideal destination for everybody looking to recharge and reconnect.

Plan Your Next Retreat with Patrick Brompton Hall

Taking the time to retreat, reflect, and recharge is a powerful investment in yourself. Residential retreat spaces, like Patrick Brompton Hall, provide the perfect backdrop for meaningful experiences. Whether you’re planning a weekend of wellness, a creative escape, or a team-building retreat, their offerings are tailored to help you make the most of your time away. Contact Patrick Brompton Hall today to discover how their unique space can make your next break truly transformative.