There’s more to the Isle of Wight than you might think

Posted on December 30, 2011 by watersidebreaks

The Isle of Wight is often overlooked as a holiday destination in the UK, but with so much to see and do, it really is a hidden gem. Steeped in history and with a huge number of attractions and places of interest, there’s certainly no risk of running out of things to do. Indeed, if Queen Victoria thought it was alright, then who are we to argue?

The Needles, Isle of Wight

The Needles, Isle of Wight

From Alum Bay and The Needles to Blackgang Chine and Osborne House, the whole island is steeped in history, with a range of attractions throughout. With monuments, gardens, country estates and churches, as well as wildlife centres and themed attractions, a self catering Isle of Wight holiday affords you the perfect break from to get away from it all.

As well as the tourist attractions, the Isle of Wight allows you to indulge in the more typical British pastimes with a wide range of pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, in addition to nature reserves and places of scientific interest. Indeed, the Isle of Wight is renowned for being one of the richest locations of dinosaur fossils in the whole of Europe, particularly at Alum Bay at the western tip of the island. Adjacent to Alum Bay is The Needles, a quite breathtaking example of physical geography where you can almost see coastal erosion in action.

Whilst the coast offers some stunning vistas both across the Solent and Channel, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied inland too, with castles and other historic buildings indicative of the amount of history associated with the place. It was a favourite holiday destination of Queen Victoria, and whilst a lot has changed since then, it remains a splendid place to spend some time.

The Isle of Wight is particularly famous for its military history, and owing to its strategic location naturally suffered heavy damage in World War II. The Solent is also the final resting place of countless unfortunate ships, the most famous being the Mary Rose until she was raised in the 1980s. The Isle of Wight Military Museum at Cowes, as well as the Shipwreck Centre at St Lawrence provide fascinating glimpses into the past, and in addition to other historical attractions on the island represent an intriguing way to spend an afternoon.

Once on the Isle of Wight it’s easy to forget that it’s not just meant for tourists, and an island with roughly 150,000 permanent residents requires a strong local economy. As such, the shopping, dining and entertainment is every bit comparable to that on the mainland, with cinemas, leisure facilities and much more.

Whether it’s Scottish log cabins or Isle of Wight self catering holidays and Norfolk Broads holidays, Waterside Breaks offer a huge range of holiday cottages and other properties suitable for a summer holiday or just a weekend break.

About Us:

Waterside Breaks specialises in marketing, promoting and offering high quality Scottish log cabins, Scottish holiday lodges and Norfolk Broads holidays.  We offer personal service to all our customers whether they require log cabins in Scotland, or a self catering Isle of Wight holiday.

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Norfolk Broads holidays – Great for Experiencing the Outdoors

Posted on December 30, 2011 by watersidebreaks

Whether it’s fishing, cycling, boating, canoeing, golfing, walking or even horse-riding, Norfolk Broads holidays provide everything you need to pursue an active lifestyle whilst holidaying in the British countryside.

Renowned for its terrific scenery and extensive waterways, the Norfolk Broads have something for everyone. Why not hire a boat or bike and see the wildlife and landscape at your own leisure? The largely flat terrain make it an ideal place for walking too, allowing you to discover what Norfolk Broads holidays have to offer at a more sedate pace.

Norfolkis particularly known for its great angling, and with plenty of coasts, rivers and lakes, it’s no surprise that fishing heavily influences the local cuisine. In fact, as well as having over 200 miles of waterways, Norfolk is one of only very few counties in England to have more than one coast, full of bass, cod, mackerel and flounders, as well as occasionally sole and eels. A little further inland there’s even more to discover, with waterways stocked with plenty of bream, pike, perch and lots more. This is why the Norfolk Broads is an ideal location for fishing holidays.

Whilst the Norfolk Broads in particular are well known for their great fishing, it’s also an ideal base from which to explore the wider area for other catches as local fishing expert John Wilson explains: “There is such an array of available fishing in East Anglia that much of it is little known, especially by the coarse angler who often tends only to think in terms of the Norfolk Broads and their accompanying tidal rivers. However, quite apart from the clean flowing upper reaches of the big rivers, several interesting mini-rivers and many streams, there is so much more available sport now to be found in the unlimited acres comprised of ponds, lakes, meres and particularly in clay, gravel and sand pits.”

Of course, fishing isn’t all there is to do on a Norfolk Broads holiday. The generally flat topography of the area lends itself brilliantly to boating holidays, cycling, horse-riding and walking, whilst still offering variety from the fens to the coast. There’s plenty to do in between too, from pub walks and brewery tours to steam railways, zoos and adventure parks,Norfolk offers something for everyone.

Waterside Breaks provide a huge range of holiday cottages in Norfolkand beyond, from Scottish log cabins to self catering on the Isle of Wight. With plenty of choice available and splendid locations in holiday destinations across the UK, Waterside Breaks have all you need for weekend getaways and summer holidays alike. Whether it’s Scottish holiday lodges or quiet country cottages, get in touch with us at Waterside Breaks for a holiday that’s ideal for the whole family.

About Us:

Waterside Breaks specialises in marketing, promoting and offering high quality Scottish log cabins, Scottish holiday lodges and Norfolk Broads holidays.  We offer personal service to all our customers whether they require log cabins in Scotland, or a self catering Isle of Wight holiday.

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Tracking Great Crested Grebes in the Norfolk Broads

Posted on December 30, 2011 by watersidebreaks

For a quintessentially British holiday, you need look no further than the Norfolk Broads. With 120 miles of navigable waterways in the picturesque East Anglian countryside, the Broads are home to a multitude of wildlife, particularly birds. Indeed, for avid birdwatchers there’s certainly plenty to see. One of the more interesting birds found in theBroads is the Great Crested Grebe. In Victorian times it was hunted almost to extinction for its head plumes, which were used to decorate clothing. The RSPB was first set up ostensibly to save the Great Crested Grebe, and its thriving numbers today make it a real success story.

The unusual and elaborate courtship ritual of the Great Crested Grebe really is something to behold; the male and female rise up out of the water and somewhat bizarrely shake their heads at each other. Found on many ofNorfolk’s wetlands, they can be seen all year round. Great Crested Grebes aren’t the only birds to be found in the Norfolk Broads though; the Avocet, having been virtually extinct as recently as the 1940s, represents another success story. The Broads are also home to the only nesting pairs of Cranes in theUK, as well as a huge range of less exotic species.

Birdwatching isn’t the only reason to consider Norfolk Broads holidays though. From heritage sites to adventure parks to steam railways, there’s plenty to do whatever the weather. Which is just as well, since despite Norfolk being one of the driest and sunniest counties in the UK, it can still rain from time to time. This is a great excuse to check out some of the range of indoor activities that the area has to offer, such as Norwich Cathedral, Colman’s mustard factory, art galleries, breweries and much more.

Norfolk Broads holidays are best when the sun shines though, and as well as taking to the water for a day in a hire boat or going off the beaten track, cycling or walking, there are gardens, zoos and more to entertain the whole family.Norfolk is home to some internationally renowned events too, from the Royal Norfolk Show to the East Anglian game and country fair, as well as regular heritage open days, horse racing events and exhibitions. One of the biggest events that the area has to offer is Latitude, a family-friendly music festival with internationally acclaimed artists and a great atmosphere.

The Broads are also home to a wide selection of quality pubs and restaurants, as well as there being plenty of shopping to be had. Waterside Breaks offer a wide range of holiday cottages and lodges from which to enjoy Norfolk in comfort. Why not take a look around our site to find out more about Norfolk Broads holidays? We provide accommodation all over the UK, from Scottish log cabins to self catering on the Isle of Wight.

About Us:

Waterside Breaks specialises in marketing, promoting and offering high quality Scottish log cabins, Scottish holiday lodges and Norfolk Broads holidays.  We offer personal service to all our customers whether they require log cabins in Scotland, or a self catering Isle of Wight holiday.

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