“Dove Cottage”, home of William Wordsworth, near Grasmere, England by Strobilomyces

Slate

As you wander around Ambleside and Keswick, two of the most popular towns with visitors, you will notice that a large number of the buildings are constructed from slate and many more have slate roofs. Indeed the slate cottage is one of the characteristic Lakeland dwellings, featuring on many postcards and is a sought after place to stay – you will notice many bed and breakfasts and holiday lets housed in slate buildings. It is of no coincidence that these slate houses occur so frequently in Lakeland towns and villages; within the surrounding mountains there are deposits of slate, which were mined extensively in days gone by. While there may not be many slate mines still open in the Lake District, you are able to visit that at Honister Pass where you are able to take a guided underground tour and can purchase various slate mementos from the shop there.

Stone

Another typical style of Lakeland house is that of stone, again quarried locally, which has had its walls white limewashed to prevent damp – it does rain considerably in the Lake District, so be prepared when you visit. A good example of this type of home is Dove Cottage in Grasmere (a short drive from Ambleside), which was home to William Wordsworth, one of England’s finest poets. As with many properties, including those let to buy, you will notice that slate also makes an appearance on the roof and chimney stack of this cottage, as well as on the floor of the downstairs rooms. A guided tour of the cottage, including what was Wordsworth’s study, provides details of features in each room and is well recommended.

Times gone by

Following your trip to Grasmere, you might like to drive on to Near Sawrey, to visit the home of another famous literary person from Lakeland, Beatrix Potter. The 17th century farmhouse of Hill Top was bought by Beatrix with some of the money she made from the sale of her first books. Holidays to the Lake District as a child inspired her work and she went on to write many more tales of animals after purchasing Hill Top Farm. The site is now owned by the National Trust and visitors can see the interior, complete with the same furniture and possessions, as when Beatrix lived there until 1943. It is worth spending some time in the grounds, as the cottage garden is full of flowers, herbs and fruits typical of its time. The house and gardens can be considered to be a time capsule of the era.

In harmony

There are many more towns, villages and properties with historical interest that you might wish to visit while in the Lake District, each with its own character and style; those discussed here are merely a selection to get you started. Wherever you choose to go, your journey through Lakeland will demonstrate how well the buildings here blend into the surrounding countryside and this factor certainly contributes to the beauty of the area. Features such as dry stone walls, hedgerows and narrow lanes help with the continuum between settlements and the natural environment, but tight building regulations within the National Park have helped to preserve the landscape.

Claire Harrow regularly travels throughout England visiting the many beautiful historic towns and villages where local buildings often reflect locally available stone and construction techniques and styles that go back generations giving them a truly unique appeal.

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London / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Andrew Gatt

Regarding accommodation there are a wide range of accommodation options available to you. From budget hostels to luxury rentals London is bursting with exciting opportunities. Where you stay in London will largely depend upon your budget and plans.

A cheap way to stay in London

If you are on a shoestring budget then a luxury hotel will obviously be out of the question and there are a number of youth hostels, cheap bed and breakfasts and shared university accommodation. You will find these all over London and although more expensive than a lot of bed and breakfasts, hostels etc in other parts of Britain, they will provide you with a good base from which to explore everything the capital has to offer. During the Olympic period however, even these options can be expensive as accommodation has largely sold out.

Location, location, location

If your weekend trip includes a trip to the theatre or to the museums then you will probably want to stay nearby. This will limit your options slightly although you should still find something within budget if you look around. If you are prepared to travel though you will find that the London underground is extremely reliable and useful. If the idea of the Tube doesn’t appeal there are countless taxis you can hail or you could even hire a car and driver.

A more expensive way to stay

You can spend thousands of pounds per night for some of the finest luxury hotels London has to offer or you can rent a property for the duration of your stay. For luxury rentals London cannot be beaten. You will find hotels that blow your mind away but if you would like to keep your independence you can rent a luxury apartment or house for the duration of your visit. These obviously don’t come cheap but you will be able to stay in a high-end London rental property in the heart of the city. This will give you easy access on foot to all the major attractions whilst allowing you to live a home away from home.

This article was written by Brandon Barnes on behalf of Rhodium RH45 which offers luxury properties in London both for sale and rent.

The post Where To Stay In London For A Weekend Trip | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo by admin

First of all, a rented villa offers much more space than a hotel at a much lower price. Most villas are airy and well maintained. Some even have terraces where you can have open-air meals or just sit down and enjoy the view all around you. Others come with a pool where you can take a relaxing swim or entertain guests and friends.

Renting a villa during your cheap holiday in Italy will also offer you the privacy that you cannot get at a hotel. You can have peace and quiet and you can be sure that you won’t be bothered by the crowds especially during the peak season.

If you love to cook, then a villa is perfect for you since it is equipped with a working kitchen and other comforts of home. You will be able to have the foods that you are used to at a much lower price. This will also give you the chance to explore the local markets and get to know the local people. When you stay in a villa on your cheap holiday in Italy, it is basically living in your home away from home.

So if you are just in looking for some accommodation in Italy, think about this tip!

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