Boating in the Norfolk Broads

Visit one of the most peaceful, beautiful and natural places in the country; the Norfolk Broads offer a unique range of activities for all ages from boating to bird-watching. With plenty of customer amenities along the way, the Broads cater well to its paying visitors and is a tremendous place to be at one with nature, whilst enjoying the serene experience with your loved ones. A variety of quaint country homes and cottages are available to rent in the area and it’s no wonder the Broads are such a popular tourist location.

Norfolk Broads, UK by Martin Pettitt

Longleat Safari in Wiltshire

Renowned as the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa, Longleat was opened in the mid-1960s and visitors can witness first-hand the wildlife roaming freely through the park’s grounds whilst enjoying a day out with friends and family. Vast arrays of animals are showcased on the grounds including Gorillas, Zebras and Lions. Prices are affordable and there are many services available for those in need of them.

Photo of Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire, UK by fribbleblib

Leeds Castle in Kent

Kent isn’t known as the ‘Garden of England’ for no reason; its reliance on regions of natural beauty and preservation areas means it boasts a great number of outdoor activities for visitors. Leeds Castle not only features stunning archaic architecture and history, but a selection of activities such as mini-golf, mazes and museums. The castle’s grounds are laced with natural beauty and wildlife that are very easy on the eye and the regular exhibitions thrown at the castle are always worth a visit.

Photo of Leeds Castle in Kent, UK by Jim Bowen

Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

After being labelled as a World Heritage Site in the 1980s, Hadrian’s Wall has seen a flurry of tourists and visitors. The site features a large number of walking trails and a range of cafes along the way. Visitors are able to snap a photo of themselves standing on one of the most significant emblems of the nation’s history as well as taking in the overwhelming beauty of the nearby lakes and natural trails.

Photo of Hadrian’s Wall, UK by quisnovus

Hiking in the Moors

Following on from Hadrian’s Wall, the Yorkshire Moors are some of the most idyllic places in the UK for hikers. Steeped in a deep, rich history, the hills and woodlands are massively challenging as well as beautiful and can certainly keep visitors busy all day long. There are inns and cottages to rent around the areas for those wishing to make the most of their time and a mass of pubs, restaurants and cafes as well as ancient sites to visit such as Top Withens, an obsolete farmhouse that was supposedly the inspiration for the farmhouse featured in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

Photo of Yorkshire Moors, UK by chantrybee

Colin is writing on behalf of Boating Holiday & Norfolk Broads Holidays Operator – Horning Ferry Marina

The post Top 5 Outdoor Activities For A UK Holiday appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marc Evans

Among the most beautiful castles – not only in Britain but also in Europe – we can find the Leeds Castle in Kent, UK. It was built back in 1119 as a Norman fortress on the spot where the manor house stood already two hundred years before.

During its long existence, Leeds Castle served as the residence (also as the refuge) for the kings, deluxe residences for six medieval English Queens, exhibition of Henry VIII. and much more. The interesting is, that the castle was inhabited up to the 80′s of the last century.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Herry Lawford

The castle is surrounded by the massive walls which protect also a huge garden full of trees, shrubs and flowers. The romantic character is supplemented by the large moats, built long ago to hide the estate from the eyes of simple villagers.

Today, it has only an aesthetic function, as well as an aviaries, that are now a home for over a hundred endangered species of birds. Curiosity of the whole area is treacherous maze of hedges, with a sort of mound in the middle.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by gailf548

At the entrance, you will receive a card, with the important facts about the castle’s history and description of everything interesting regarding the castle rooms, including the authors of pictures etc. Although the current design was influenced by many minor changes and especially by the gradual expansion, the most of the internal equipment is original.

In Leeds Castle you can see – amongst others – the royal bedroom of Catherine of Valois, or a library and room of Lady Baillie. Also noteworthy is the restaurant named after Henry VIII., who frequently visited the castle. During a visit, you can also visit the Maiden’s Tower, which was built in Tudor times as the castle’s bakery and brewhouse beer. Now the premises of the Maiden’s Tower hold various exhibitions.

The only task of Leeds Castle is to impress every visitor and I’m sure that you will be impressed as well.

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