Tag: Wales
Some of the best spots for Autumn colour, cared for by the National Trust
Following my post on The National Trust’s hopes for a spectacular autumn (which you can read here), here’s a rundown of some of their best locations to head for to see the colours of autumn in all their glory.
Plus there’s a few pointers and inside knowledge from people in the know at these locations to guide you along the way.
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The British Tourism and Travel Show 2020 postponed due to coronavirus
One of the UK’s leading travel and tourism events has been postponed as the country continues to deal with the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus.
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Day 38 – 45 Days Of Rugby
Day 38 of 45 Days of Rugby and the second Rugby World Cup semi-final of the weekend.
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#RWC2015 – Then there was four!
What a weekend of quarter-finals in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
And I wasn’t too far off with my predictions, even if one was wrong, two were a lot closer than anticipated and the other, well, went the other way.
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#RWC2015 – Who has the biggest travelling support heading to England?
We’re almost 14 days in now, and it has been interesting to note the levels of support at all the matches played so far in the Rugby World Cup.
There has been criticism still and throughout the lead-up to the tournament at the high cost of ticket prices for many of the games – even the less high-profile encounters, particularly as the 2015 RWC is according to many reports set to be the most costly sporting event ever for sports fans.
But it seems it has not deterred rugby fans – particularly those arriving on these shores, in snapping up tickets to get behind their team and country at all the match day venues.
Research has revealed that tourist arrivals into England from countries that have teams playing have almost doubled (a 90% increase in fact) compared to the same period last year.
A study by online travel company Opodo has highlighted the countries that have the biggest influx of rugby supporters flying in to watch their teams during the Rugby World Cup.
And the country leading the way?
Japan with almost 20 times more tourists expected.
Puma supporters are in full force as tourist arrivals from Argentina are quoted as being 16 times higher than usual. In third place with a 450% surge in visitors flying in is the USA.
Pool B’s top supporting nations – Japan, the USA and South Africa- have a combined increase of 2600% more travelers flying in during the event.
France’s rugby team Les Bleus and Australia’s Wallabies are both attracting twice more visitors to England during the Rugby World Cup matches, meanwhile closer to home, 80% more Irish and 50% more Scottish supporters will be making a short trip in comparison to watch their teams in action.
The list of Top 10 Supporting Nations by tourist arrivals during the Rugby World Cup goes as:
- Japan
- Argentina
- USA
- Georgia
- South Africa
- Romania
- New Zealand
- Australia
- France
- Ireland
Opodo is one of Europe’s leading online travel companies, with over 440 airlines and 550,000 hotels to choose from, as well as packages, cruises, car hire and travel insurance.
Founded in the UK in 2000, it was the first European online travel company, and today is active in 14 European countries including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden.
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#RWC2015 – Reasons to take your mind off Saturday
So, Saturday Night was a bit of a shock, or was it?
Wales’ win over England at Twickenham in their Rugby World Cup Pool A game was historic and momentous for so many reasons.
And it has really put the pressure on the tournament hosts ahead of what is now a massive ‘do or die’ encounter with Australia, again at Twickenham.
(and if you need a few positive pointers ahead of the latter, read here)
However, to take your mind off that (or increase the excitement in the build-up to Saturday, after a few days break at the start of this week, there are other group games to look forward to this week.
Notably Wales v Fiji on Thursday (particularly from an English, Welsh and Australian perspective), and then South Africa v Scotland before the big clash in south west London come Saturday night
Here in the birthplace of rugby football, the Enjoy Rugby Festival continues.
Despite not actually hosting any games, Rugby as the #ProudHome of the game is hosting an official Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzone.
Located on the old market place at a Rugby Village, the Fanzone will screen matches from the Tournament on a giant screen. The town is also hosting a family festival celebrating Rugby’s heritage from 12 September to 6 November 2015, with a packed programme of events covers the arts, engineering, literature, film, sport, science, and food and drink, all of which celebrates a part of Rugby’s history and heritage
To find out what’s on this week and in the coming weeks, head here
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Worrying decline in days out by the coast
Worrying decline in days out by the coast.
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20 years of opening the doors to local and national heritage
September signals the once-a-year chance to explore the world on your doorstep, unlocked and completely free of charge.
Today signals the start of Heritage Open Days which celebrates England’s wide array of culture and architecture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
Every year on four days in September, buildings, visitor attractions and other ‘hidden gems’ of a cultural significance of every age, style and function throw open their doors, for a once-a-year chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.
Local heritage – some of which you had probably forgotten about or taken for granted, or not even known was there, open and right on your doorstep.
And it goes further as September is a month of open days across Europe.
Heritage Open Days was established in 1994 as England’s contribution to the European Heritage Days, so 2014 marks the 20th anniversary.
The scheme was initiated in 1991 by the Council of Europe to raise appreciation for Europe’s rich and diverse cultural assets and their need for care and protection.
The principle behind it all was to simply throw open the doors to historic monuments and buildings, in particular those normally closed to the public. One of the key requirements was to offer free access to all properties taking part in the European Heritage Days.
In the UK, there are five open day schemes that are part of the wider European Heritage Days scheme across the continent, those being:
- England: Heritage Open Days (11-14 September 2014)
- London: Open House London (20-21 September 2014)
- Scotland: Doors Open Days (every weekend in September)
- Wales: Open Doors (every weekend in September)
- Northern Ireland: European Heritage Open Days (13-14 September 2014)
To find out more about what is on offer ‘on your doorstep’ so to speak, check out the Directory Map or get a printable guide list
As travel writer, and Editor and writer for a UK publisher with two magazines that focus on UK tourism (Discover Britain’s Gardens magazine, and Discover Britain for Groups magazine), this is right up my street.
However, the offering on my very own doorstep (Rugby, in Warwickshire) is slightly disappointing.
There are some great places to visit, don’t get me wrong such as Brownsover Hall, the Marton Museum of Country Bygones to name a couple.
but for the town which heralds as being the birthplace of the game, one would have thought this would [again] be a great opportunity to capitalise on this unique claim to fame, and offer local and visitors/tourists alike a chance to go behind-the-scenes.
Still, with the Rugby World Cup on these shores next year, you never know…
In the meantime, wherever you are, get out, enjoy and explore what’s on your doorstep whilst you have the chance to.
The Landlocked Traveller 