EVENTS NOT TO MISS ON YOUR UK HOLIDAY IN SEPTEMBER

ALEX JAMES HARVEST FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, 9 - 12 September

Alex James presents Food at Kingham, Oxfordshire with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingshall on Sunday and Richard Corrigan on the Saturday.  Music from KT Tunstall, The Kooks, The Feeling and more.

Glamping also available on site.

See www.alexjamespresentsharvest.com

FAMILY FRIENDLY HARVEST Food and Music Festival also at Jimmy's Farm, Ipswich, Suffolk on the same weekend - see www.harvestatjimmys.com

Luxury Self Catering, Restaurants with Rooms and Boutique Hotels available with UK Travel Boutique in Suffolk.

NORFOLK FOOD FESTIVAL 4 September to 2nd October 
Five featured weekends showcasing the finest produce the county offers including 60 producers at Holkham Hall 3-4 September.  On 10-11 September the festival centres in Norwich City Centre including a food fair in the Castle Gardens and The Best Sausage Competition at the Forum.  Visit Swaffham on 17 - 18 September with a pop up restaurant, art exhibition and community orchard and allotment and more.  Taste The View celebration is on 24-25 September and encourages you all enjoy the Norfolk Countryside by getting out and visiting a farm shop, farm open day and farmers market enabling them to showcase their local produce.  Finally 1-2 October sees the Aylsham Food Festival opening with a country market on the Friday and closing with aThe Big Slow Breakfast on the Sunday.
See www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk
Boutique Hotels, Glamping and Luxury Self Catering available with UK Travel Boutique in Norwich, Norfolk.


THE COAST IN LONDON CITY 9 - 11 September
Lots of nautical going ons including oysters arriving from the East Cost at St Katherine's Dock and Arthur Ransome's boats for children to explorer just as in Swallow and Amazons.
See www.thamesrevival.com
Many Boutique Hotels available with UK Travel Boutique in London.

ART IN SUSSEX 27 August - 30 September
Exhibitions, open studios and interventions at Hastings and St Leonards, East Sussex
See www.coastalcurrents.org.uk
Luxury Self Catering and Glamping available with UK Travel Boutique nearby.

FAST YACHTS 10 - 18 September
Eight regattas at Plymouth, Devon this months showcases world class sailing and races.
See www.americascup.com
Luxury Self Catering available with UK Travel Boutique in Plymouth.

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY AND 40'S WEEKEND 17 - 18 September
Themed events from the 40's in Sheringham, North Norfolk at all stations and in the town centre
See
www.experiencesheringham.com/where-to-visit-event.php?page_id=9&eventcat_id=&event_id=96
Luxury self catering and cottages available with Uk Travel Boutique nearby.
North Norfolk Railway - The Poppy Line - The Great 40’s Weekend

SOME TOP UK ATTRACTIONS FOR JULY

JAMIE OLIVER'S BIG FEASTIVAL at CLAPHAM COMMON, LONDON 1-3 July
Loads going on here with celebrity chef cook offs, cocktail making, a big BBQ, herb garden, Shoreditch's WI group, afternoon at the Romany Caravan, Gourmet food markets, Fun Fair and lots more.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival/

GRILLSTOCK at BRISTOL HARBOURSIDE 1-3 July
A festival dedicated to outdoor cooking and entertainment from the USA. Lots of Cajun, steaks and possibly rockabilly!
www.grillstock.co.uk

BRITISH BEACH POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS at SANDBANKS, DORSET 8 - 9 July
Watch the world's top polo players compete on the sand at glamorous Sandbanks.
www.sandpolo.com

OPEN ART STUDIOS, ISLE OF WIGHT 15-25 July
Over 100 local artists will contribute to this ever growing event.  This is your chance to see and buy new, one off  interesting works.
www.isleofwightarts.com

WHITSTABLE OYSTER FESTIVAL, KENT 23-29 July
Apart from the obvious Oyster eating this festival spends the week celebrating Whitstable and it's unique history with many events including crabbing, beer festivals, sailing and competitions.
www.whitstableoysterfestival.com

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED IN MAY

ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL
It's a great time to walk a coastal path in all this sunshine we are having! Running 7th to 22th May see www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk  for more details

MUSEUMS, CATHEDRALS AND LIBRARIES AT NIGHT
Opening at night nationwide from 13th to 15th May there is music, dance, ghostly tales and art events to choose from.  Try Durham Cathedral, Faber and Faber Archive in London, or explore Dove Cottage former home of William Wordsworth's by candlelight.  For family friendly events try Keats House in Hampstead or Newcastle Seven Stories.  For more information check out http://www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/museums+at+night/art355690

DAPHNE DU MAURIER FESTIVAL, CORNWALL
Running 12th to 21st May this is a varied arts festival showcasing Port Isacc's shanty singers, The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britian, Shakin' Stevens and John Sargeant!  Daphne Du Maurier lived and wrote extensively about Cornwall and there there will also be events in her honour. www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
Brighton and Hove are in full swing with numerous events running from 7th to 29th May.
www.brightonfestival.org

NORFOLK AND NORWICH FESTIVAL
Growing in popularity and now internationally renowned the Norfolk and Norwich Festival offers 2 weeks from 6th to 21st May of comedy, classical music, arts, jazz and dance events across the city and county.  See www.nnfestival.org.uk

CROMER AND SHERINGHAM CRAB AND LOBSTER FESTIVAL
Enjoy cookery theatre, a seafood trail, art music and of course a bit of crabbing from 20th to 22nd May.  See www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk/index.html

THE ROYAL WEDDING - we are all getting in on the act!

Everyone is getting in on the act!  You can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing about William and Kates day; who the dress may be designed by, who's on the guest list and recipes for wedding cakes or William's famous biscuit cake make with common old rich tea (I might try that one myself)!  Even my daughter is being taught about the Royal Wedding at school.  However when asked who Prince William was related to she didn't have a clue, but she gleefully told me she had drawn a nice picture of the wedding scene.  My husband is in London for work and decided to do a detour past Westminster Abbey this morning  to see what all the fuss was about.  He excitedly called me to say he had seen Sian Llloyd from BBC Breakfast reporting on the Royal Wedding from a podium and asked her to smile for a picture.    I look forward to the results later!  There were thousands of people gathering around the abbey and he thought the atmosphere was great.

Is anyone having a street party?  Our neighbour is having a bring a sausage party and if we bring our own sausage he will cook it on his BBQ for us.  I am just wondering whether it would be better to stay indoors and watch the wedding on TV or stand outside in the drizzle eating a sausage.

Of course you could book yourself into Camp Royale at Clapham Common if there is any space left!  See details on the UK Travel boutique website at
http://www.uktravelboutique.com/inventory.php?&productId=901&catId=5&searchStr=camp%20royale

or grab yourself a souvenier to remember the big event.  We have a whole section in our travel shop dedicated to the wedding at;
http://www.uktravelboutique.com/travelshop/index.php?cPath=70&osCsid=128cbe86531829e43f995c79b5397661

or buy a bit of luxury and stay in an apartment near Kensington Gardens from only £99

http://www.uktravelboutique.com/inventory.php?&productId=221&catId=5&searchStr=london

What ever you are doing tomorrow have a great time!

A busy April

Wow we have been busy in April!   Our holidaymakers rushing to book that last minute Easter break and here in the office we have been adding many new Glamping, Campervan hire, boutique hotels and luxury self catering for you all to choose from.  Here are just a selection of the wonderful new products we have for you this month;

HIRE A CAMPERVAN
VAN VENTURES OF STAFFORDSHIRE give you adventures in Elvis from just £275 a weekend
DUB DAYS offers vintage VW Campervan rentals at £47 per day
HIGHLAND CAMPERVANS offers the modern motorhome with free transfers from Inverness airport form just £85 a day

GLAMPING
STRAWBERRY SKYS, Powys offer yurt camping in mid Wales from £60 per night
WILD LUXURY ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS offer luxury safari tent camping in Norfolk from just £225 for a midweek break

LUXURY SELF CATERING
TRULY HOME FROM HOME offer chic self catering in Norwich city centre from £80 per night

BOUTIQUE HOTEL
ECKINGTON MANOR the ultimate romantic hideaway in Worcestershire with a cookery school from £130 per night

Happy holidays!

Welcome Norfolk VW Campers!

Norfolk VW Campers specialise in the hire of  VW camper vans for your holiday in East Anglia including Norfolk and Suffolk. Explore the Broads and beaches and beyond. Perfect for families, couples or a quite holiday on your own!  Visit us for more details at
www.uktravelboutique.com/inventory.php?&productId=902&catId=1&searchStr=vw%20campers

WE WELCOME WHEATLANDS LODGE, THE LAKE DISTRICT - luxury Boutique B&B

Wheatlands Lodge is a luxury boutique family owned Bed & Breakfast set in the Lake District.

The property has been totally refurbished with pride in a contemporary style yet still respecting the house's history by retaining many original features with private parking in a quiet area off the main road yet still within a few minutes walk from the shops, restaurants and train station.

  At Wheatlands Lodge, Sarah & Joe offer a friendly attentive service in an inviting environment that makes their guest always come first.

Find out more at
http://www.uktravelboutique.com/inventory.php?&productId=894&catId=8&catId=8&accId=1

FABULOUS BOUTIQUE STAY available at UK Travel Boutique

Higher Westcott Farm, Boutique Guesthouse, Westcott, Devon

Higher Westcott Farm is the perfect long weekend location for family or friends looking to relax or enjoy a celebration. Delicious, locally-sourced food, sumptous beds, contemporary bathrooms, stunning views....Higher Westcott Farm is the country home from home you've always dreamed of.
You'll find squashy leather sofas in the lounge/bar; a breath-taking stone fireplace in the unique dining room and Egyptian cotton sheets duck-down duvets and flat screen DVD players in the bedrooms. The ensuite natural stone bathrooms have contemporary fittings and solid oak surfaces.  From only £80 per night.

We love THE GUARDIANS Best Festivals for 2011

THE GUARDIANS BEST FESTIVALS FOR 2011

at  www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/jan/03/best-festivals-2011

EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL

There are several science festivals but let's not forget Edinburgh was the home of the Scottish Enlightenment. Insanely enthusiastic programming means you can dip into biodiversity, robotics, evolution and carbon capture before you've even had coffee.

City Art Centre, Edinburgh (0131-553 0322), 9-22 April. sciencefestival.co.uk

STRAWBERRY FAIR

This was one of a number of festivals that were shut down last year due to security demands from the police. But this year, the famous freak-magnet Strawberry Fair is back on. It's still free, still dependent on volunteers and the local community (the security guards are the only people who get paid), and there will be samba, poetry, knitting, drawing – and, of course, strawberries.

Cambridge, 4 June. strawberry-fair.org.uk

TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS FESTIVAL

Held in the hometown of the Dorset martyrs, whose legal victory in 1836 was a major step forward for the British trade union movement, this warm-hearted festival, magnificently catered by the Women's Institute, mixes politics, music, poetry and comedy, and is capped every year with a blood-stirring speech from Tony Benn. Inspiring.

Tolpuddle (01305 848237), 15-17 July. tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk

THE STURMINSTER NEWTON CHEESE FESTIVAL

Any festival that includes a game called "squeeze, sniff and taste" has to go on the itinerary. It has gained an enviable reputation for being a treasure trove of cheeses – Windswept Cow, anyone? – as well as a wonderful family day out.

Sturminster Newton, 10-11 September. cheesefestival.co.uk

ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

This little market town still has a working market hall, and hasn't had its heart gouged out by an out-of-town supermarket; it's surrounded by small farmers and producers with a great restaurant, the Walnut Tree, just down the road. The festival, which is both strongly local and a brilliant party for anyone who comes along, now has around 200 stalls and hundreds of food-related events. In Abergavenny Castle there are always shows and demonstrations – a group of mushroom fanatics up there will even identify any mushroom you care to bring them.

Abergavenny, 17-18 September. abergavennyfoodfestival.com

WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL

Tucked into the south-western corner of Scotland, laid-back Wigtown was designated Scotland's National Book Town in 1998 and has nearly 20 bookshops – that's one for every 50 residents. It welcomes writers such as Iain M Banks, Roddy Doyle and Barbara Trapido for conversation and contemplation of whisky. It's the sort of festival people get possessive about.

Wigtown, 23 September – 2 October. wigtownbookfestival.com

FESTIVAL OF HISTORY, IDEAS & PHILOSOPHY

The details for this brand new festival are still sketchy, but the vision is exciting. Malmesbury is the birthplace of Thomas Hobbes and is keen to turn itself into a "philosophy" town.

Malmesbury, 14-16 October. philosophytown.co.uk

THE KIRKWALL BA' GAME

Rugby looks like a game of Connect 4 compared to the famous Ba' Game, played twice a year in Kirkwall and usually the cause of a few broken noses. The men of the town divide into two (the Uppies and Doonies), a ball is hurled into the crowd and then they kick and shove each other through the streets to get the ball to their own side of town. No refs, no whistles, no time limit – just a lot of men, whisky and paramedics.

Kirkwall, 25 December and 1 January (01856 872856). visitorkney.com

LAUGHARNE WEEKEND

Ramshackle and a bit unpredictable, the Laugharne Weekend really is true to the spirit of Dylan Thomas. This was his hometown, and the basis for Under Milk Wood. A very young book festival for rockers and boozers, performers in its five-year history have included Howard Marks, Patti Smith, Julian Cope, Stuart Maconie and former members of the Fall.

Dates tbc. thelaugharneweekend.com

Browsers Welcome

We 'officially' launched our new travel shop late last night. Packed to the brim with bang on trend travel accessories from brands such as Trunki, Joules, Liberty, Cath Kidston, Hunter and on......please come and have a browse. http://bit.ly/icPxBq

Lucky Number

Read today that the number of people in the UK who can see the sea from their upstairs window is 2 million! Wish I was one!!!! Are you one of the millions?

Exploding Banjo

Campervan was OK. Presenter rather sterotypical. Scenery stunning. Loved the book so felt a little disappointed watching One Man and His Campervan (Mons 6:30pm BBC2). But did laugh at the reason why the fried egg sandwich was called an exploding banjo. According to Martin Dorey, the banjo playing reference comes from the position you adopt when you find out the egg has exploded all over you.

Shop til you drop

One of the UKTB team has been unusually quiet this weeek. They have busy virtually building and virtually stocking our new travel shop! What a job but I suppose someone has to do it :) The shelves will be stacked with unique to inspiring, practical to quirky travel must-haves and we're told, other than a bit of tidying up to do, is due to open very soon! Watch this space.....

Certainly no flash in the pan!

UKTB Welcomes : This stunning Airstream from Trailerflash to its fold today. This iconic trailer is available for hire for any location across Scotland. Just take a look at the interior images. http://bit.ly/ePDdTn

This takes glamping to whole other level!

Love Is In The Air

Forget the supermarket flowers. Ditch the sorry card. Don't even think about a box of chocolates. Instead, take yourselves away on a romantic break this Valentine's - see our pick of the crop:

Starry Eyed & Starry Skies - http://bit.ly/gXtOwh
Get Heated In A Hot-Tub - http://bit.ly/gBemjy
Bliss By The Beach - http://bit.ly/dVcFu1
Intimate Hotel - http://bit.ly/hieKTu
Cosy In A Camper - http://bit.ly/hXYP1E

A walk in the park!

Take a Sunday stroll and explore some of the UK's outstanding scenery and Areas of Natural Beauty, as recommended by Enjoy England - http://bit.ly/4AhyuP

WOW!

Woolacombe Beach, North Devon - awarded the "Best British Beach" title by the Mail on Sunday, along with the "England for Excellence Gold Award" for being the best family resort. And it also happens to be the view from some of the Southover Apartments that we welcomed to UKTB this week. http://bit.ly/hECpJQ