If like us you’re a fan of Wallace and Gromit you will love the fact that they have recently teamed up with Visit England to help promote “101 things to do before you go abroad”.

Here we are arriving at the Hotel

Along with a host of famous names ranging from Bill Oddie to Yeoman Warders from the Tower of London, each specialist selected the top 20 experiences from their categories and all have used their expert knowledge to compile this list to help encourage tourism in England.

Categories covered include:

Wildlife & Nature – Bill Oddie

Health & Fitness – Sonali Shah

Arts & Culture – Clemency Burton-Hill

Food & Drink – Skye Gyngell

History & Heritage – Barney Chandler

“Because it’s Awesome!” – Wallace and Gromit

Followed by the Visit England tour bus

Lady Cobham, Visit England’s Chairman has said:
“With so many incredible and unique experiences in England, it was always going to be a challenge to choose a mere 101, so we’re thrilled to be working with such a knowledgeable panel. Between us, we will be able to choose the ultimate list of must-dos and must-sees which will inspire the nation to get out and explore this wonderful country of ours.”

Sat relaxing with John, Martin and Chris

During Wallace and Gromit’s tour of England they paid a visit to “Shakespeare’s England” visiting the Royal Shakespeare Company before calling  in on The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel for some well earned Rest and Recuperation after making such classics like the “Snoozeatron”,  “Moon Rocket” and of course the “Techno Trousers!” and judging by the photos I think it’s safe to stay they had a cracking time!

Just planning our next England break

The fun didn’t stop there however as taking inspiration from “A Grand Day Out” they heeded Wallace’s thoughts of “Gromit, that’s it! Cheese! We’ll go somewhere where there’s cheese!” and preceded to make their entry on the 101 list as “Cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill” an annual event held where competitors run, trip, tumble and chase their way down the 1:2 gradient in pursuit of an 8lb Double Gloucester Cheese wheel.

Having a relaxing soak in the tub

While this seems a bit much for me I’m more likely to sit down with a cup of tea and watch one of Wallace and Gromit’s classic films like “A Grand Day Out” or “The Wrong Trousers”.

A quiet nights sleep

To see their new TV advert “Wallace and Gromit’s Great UK Adventure” click play below

 

If you have found this interesting we would love to hear who your favourite character is and if you have done any of the 101 ideas, which were your favourite?

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Since its creation The Windermere Hotel has had a varied history, we start with the arrival of the railway to Windermere opening in April 1847.  It was owned by “The Kendal and Windermere Railway Company”. A company with shareholders which also provided at least some of the finance for the construction of the Hotel, which was overseen by Abraham Pattinson being in charge at the time and the architect was Miles Thompson of Kendal.

Postcard of The Windermere Hotel

The hotel officially opened on 12^th May 1847 and at this time the hotel was referred to as ‘Birthwaite Hotel’ during its construction.  In the 1849 and following directories the hotel is referred to as “The Windermere Hotel”

The term “Rigg’s Windermere Hotel” first appears around 1854 in travel guidebooks to the Lake District from advertisements placed by the hotel.  The name “Riggs” comes from Richard Rigg who commissioned the hotel to be built. It seems to have been common practice in those days to name the hotel after the manager or owner  running the hotel, hence “Rigg’s Windermere Hotel” named after Richard Rigg.

Richard Rigg is described as the first tenant of the hotel where he also owned and ran a successful coaching business, where he was known as the “Coaching King”.  It seems likely that he owned a stake in the hotel at the outset and he may have built up his stake over many years with profit from the coaching business, perhaps to own it in full.

In 1851 the census names Richard Rigg, aged 36, as the head of household at ‘Windermere Hotel’ and his occupation as ‘Innkeeper’.  In 1861 he is described as ‘Hotel Manager’ but still living at the hotel.  Richard is married to Sarah and their children are John, Thomas, Mary, Richard, Sarah, Jane Anne and Lucy Anne.

Richard Rigg was a highly respected and well liked member of the community and described as ‘one of the most respected hotel keepers in the North of England.  He died in July 1866 after a long illness, aged 52.  According to the probate of the will his son John was ‘hotel-keeper’ of Windermere Hotel at the time of his father’s death.

Riggs Windermere Hotel

The census return of 1871 gives Richard’s son, John Rigg, aged 25, as head of household at Windermere Hotel with occupation ‘Licensed Victualler and Farmer’.  Also given at the hotel are John’s sister Mary as ‘housekeeper’, his brother Thomas as ‘landowner’, and younger siblings Richard, Jane Anne and Lucy Alice – all scholars.

Today inside the hotel many of the original features can still be seen including the marble urinals and railway features. Visit Coast and Country Hotels to take a further look.

We’d love to learn more about the history of The Windermere Hotel and the Riggs family. If you know more, or perhaps have stayed in the past, why not tell us by posting a comment below.

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Guest Lounge Area at The Lansdown Grove Hotel

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s iconic novels, The Lansdown Grove Hotel is about to launch a new reading room. From this April, guests will be able to use the newly created Jane Austen Reading Room, which is located just off the reception area. Guests will be able to learn about one of Britain’s most celebrated writers who lived in Bath and set two of her novels in the vibrant city.

Jane Austen was an English novelist famed for her works of romantic fiction. During her teenage years and into her thirties she experimented with a number of literacy forms including the epistolary novel which she then abandoned. From 1811 until 1816 she wrote four novels, those were, Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816). She wrote two additional novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, which was eventually titled Sanditon, but died before completing it.

The Jane Austen Room includes a small library of Jane Austen’s work and an Austen-themed writing desk on which guests can write their own notes and novels. Jane Milliken, General Manager at The Lansdown Grove Hotel, said: “Jane Austen is one of Britain’s most celebrated authors and her books are still widely read today. We decided to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen’s links to Bath with this room that inspires budding authors to begin work on their own novels. The Jane Austen Room will take guests back in time to experience the style and romance of Regency England. We’re expecting the room to be very popular among literature fans.”

The Gardens at The lansdown Grove Hotel

Guests at the hotel will also receive 10% off Jane Austen books purchased at the nearby Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights bookshop.

If you are looking for a break away in Bath you may want to visit during The Jane Austen Festival, which is from 13th to 21st September. If that is not soon enough The Lansdown Grove offers two and three night weekend breaks as well as four night midweek breaks.

If you’re a Jane Austen fan, we would like to hear which of her novels you love and why?

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Planning a short break in the next few months? Why not take advantage of some of the upcoming local events up and down the country. Here is a glimpse of some upcoming events, if you want more inspiration and ideas take a look here.

March

Bath Literature Festival (1st March to 10th March)

Are you a fan of books, authors and reading? If so Bath Literature Festival could be for you. The 2013 programme is brimming with some of the greatest names in literature such as, Hilary Mantel and J.K Rowling. For a full line up check out www.bathfestivals.org.uk.

Need somewhere to stay? The Lansdown Grove Hotel can help you.

April

Harrogate Flower Show (25th to 28th April)

Having just been awarded Best Gardening Event by readers of Which Magazine, Harrogate Spring Flower Show is set to be even better than last year with double the number of Show Gardens offering you more ideas and inspiration to take back home. The Flower Show will also feature a number of displays from over 100 nurseries in the UK, offering plants for every space and growing condition, not forgetting a wealth of knowledge to help your flowers and plants bloom! If you want to roll up your sleeves and get dirty why not have a go at making a Yorkshire Dry Stone wall? Students from Askham Bryan College will be on hand to help out.

If you fancy going you will need to book online here: www.flowershow.org.uk, if you need somewhere to stay? The St George Hotel.

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration (20th and 21st April)

Every year Stratford-Upon-Avon marks the birth of the world’s greatest playwright with a weekend full of celebrations. The weekend brings together the local community and ambassadors from around the world in celebration of the life and works of William Shakespeare. During the two day event the town’s streets overflow with music, pageantry and drama.
There is no need to book as most events are free.

Looking for somewhere to stay? The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon can help you.

May

Bath International Music Festival (22nd May to 2nd June)

This Music Festival brings together Classical, Jazz, World, Folk and Electronic Music in a numbers of venues around Bath. This year sees a newly appointed Artistic Director who has announced a line-up that includes Seth Lakeman Scottish Chamber Orchestra led by Alexander Janiczek, Danish String Quartet, Sacconi Quartet, Bath Philharmonia and many more.

Read more at www.efestivals.co.uk. Need somewhere to stay? The Lansdown Grove Hotel can help.

Devon County Show (16th to 18th May)

This year the Stunt Team from Diggerland will be performing in their Dancing Diggers with a gravity-defying routine. Also at the show Savage Skills – the UK’s leading Mountain Bike and BMX team will be on hand with advice and demonstrations.

Need somewhere to stay when The Devon County Show is on, take a look at The Imperial Hotel in Exmouth.

Why not tell us if you have been to one of these events before. Was it good and did you enjoy it?

The post Upcoming Local Events appeared first on Coast and Country Hotels Blog.

Connect with us

Did you know we are on a number of Social Networks? We have lots to talk about and thought we would share it with you. Here is how to connect with us.

Why not pop over to Facebook and Like Us. Here you will be able to find other people with similar interest.

www.facebook.com/CoastandCountryHotels

Have you got a Twitter account? If so you can follow us on Twitter. We have two accounts, our main channel is @CandCHotels. We keep this channel up to date every day, keep an eye out for interesting facts and images, plus be kept up to date with what is happening in and around our hotels.

www.twitter.com/candchotels

Our second Twitter account is used for sharing our latest offers, it is updated every Friday. There will be regular Tweets going out on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

www.twitter.com/CandCOffers

Finally we have an e-newsletter, this is sent direct to your email account. By signing up to receive our e-newsletters you will be automatically entering into our monthly prize draw to win a weekend break for two at any of our Coast and Country Hotels.

www.coastandcountryhotels.com/newsletter

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I have always loved Christmas with the presents under the tree, mince pies and cream, the giving of gifts and getting friends and family together, but it is not just Christmas day that I enjoy as I find the build up to it just a exciting as the day itself.  For me part of the magic is going around the different Christmas markets and experiencing some of the different cultures that have come from overseas but did you know the history behind the humble Christmas market or the difference between a market and a Fayre?

They have always been popular in the UK, which was until of course Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas in the fashion people had got used to; this naturally affected Christmas markets to the extent that they died out almost instantly. During the Victorian era many areas would sell Christmas style items and foods building up to Christmas however they were not known officially as Christmas markets!

Since this time markets have come back into fashion with the markets often having different foreign themes bringing traders over from Italy, Germany and France. There are many places around the UK where traditional German markets can still be experienced such as London, Oxford, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds but they can be visited all over from small town centres to bustling cities and last from a few days to many weeks.

Christmas markets are best described as being Continental or Traditional by which it’s a safe bet that the stalls will most likely be wooden chalets that sell a range of traditional toys, foods and gifts, and in some areas you may be lucky enough to even find an ice rink and some European traders. Having said that Christmas Fayres are a little different, in that, although Fayres may still have a traditional feel, some may lack the olde-worlde charm that you might expect from a Christmas Market.

No matter whether you’re visiting a Fayre or Market I hope you all have a great time and enjoy this festive time of year.

The post Christmas Market time… appeared first on Coast and Country Hotels Blog.

Whilst staying in one of our fabulous locations across England, Scotland or Wales, after a leisurely day of shopping, walking or taking in some of the idyllic sights in the area it’s always nice to come in to your warm cosy room, run a bath put the kettle on and relax before taking in some quality food and entertainment. At coast and country hotels we appreciate this fact which is why we are constantly working hard to improve our facilities and have recently undergone extensive refurbishment of many of our properties bedroom providing comfortable surroundings and all the modern facilities you would expect from a modern hotel like en-suite bathrooms, TVs and hot beverage making facilities. Did you also know however that we offer a range of upgrades to make your stay that little bit more luxurious ranging from view rooms to Superior or Premier upgrades to offer you another level of comfort.

Standard Refurbished Room at The Savoy Hotel

Our scenic view rooms  are always popular upgrade options often selling out quickly. With all of our hotels being in prime coastal or country locations these rooms offer some spectacular views over the local areas.

Why not upgrade to a Superior room offering luxurious beds, 26” flat screen TV, spacious en-suites with a shower/bath rooms and being larger than our standard rooms it gives you that little bit more comfort.

Superior View Room at The Grand Atlantic

Our premier rooms are our most luxurious option featuring four poster beds, spacious en-suite facilities refitted to accommodate both bath and shower options, these large rooms also offer a comfortable seating area and large 32” flat screen TVs, perfect for celebrating anniversaries or birthdays…a touch of luxury. In some of our locations we also offer Premier view rooms which combine the best of both worlds.

Premier Room at The Windermere Hotel

Make your next break more than just a bed for the night. Want to know which of our hotels have got these rooms?  Take a look here. 

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In a recent survey conducted by MSN Travel, fellow British travellers have voted for their favourite landmarks in Britain. Amongst some of the famous places selected are situated some great Coast and Country Hotels…why not pay them a visit on your next break away?

Image from www.historvius.com

“Whet your curiosity…..”

The Coast and Country Lansdown Grove Hotels ideal location makes it the perfect base from which to go and explore Number 19 on the list; the world heritage site of the “Roman Baths”. Although you cannot bathe in the waters you are still able to walk the paths previously trodden by Romans and learn about the interesting history of Britain’s natural spring. The ruins of the roman bathing complex and temple have now been restored to their former glory for all to see.

Image from www.ukbestguide.com

“This visit is set in stone…..”

Visit York Minster Cathedral during your stay at the Coast and Country St George Hotel in Harrogate to witness the gothic grandeur of one of the largest gothic cathedrals in northern Europe. For the more energetic traveller you can climb the central tower to witness some of the spectacular views over the city and beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Image from www.oasisuk.org

“Let your guard down…..”

Just a 10 minute walk from the Coast and Country George Hotel stands Hadrian’s Wall which started life in AD122 and spans 73 miles across the rolling hills and dales of North England. What was once the most heavily fortified roman border now stands as a Unesco world heritage site and is home to museums, activities and forts all waiting to be explored.

Image from www.ownersdirect.co.uk

“This is Paramount…..”

During your stay at the Coast and Country Ship and Castle Hotel  why not travel just an hour’s drive away to the island of “St Michaels Mount”. Steeped in legend and history this island was once given to the Benedictine monks of Mont St Michael in France by Edward the confessor. It is now home to a sub-tropical gardens, historical village, priory church and medieval castle with plenty of events including weekly music sessions on the green you won’t be stuck for things to keep you entertained.

Image from www.evanevanstours.co.uk

“This engineering masterpiece Rocks!….” when planning your trip to The Coast and Country Lansdown Grove Hotel in Bath be sure to visit one of Britain’s most important prehistoric sites of “Stonehenge”. This ancient stone circle, which is now famed for its summer solstice celebrations, remains an awe inspiring spectacle to anyone who lays eyes on it despite the mystery of its true meaning…

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Windermere Hotel Historical Plaque

Plaque Is Unveiled!

Mounted by the front door to The Windermere Hotel is the first Windermere and Bowness Civic Society historical plaque. Following research into the history of the hotel and careful design by a dedicated team from the Civic Society, the plaque was manufactured by a local craftsman and mounted on the wall by a local building company. This is the first of many more plaques to come, which will create an historical walk around Windermere.

The wording on the plaque is:

“Rigg’s Windermere Hotel – This listed building, the first hotel in Windermere, was built by Abraham Pattinson and opened in 1847 to attract visitors from the newly opened railway. Richard Rigg was the first proprietor and a coach operator, his ‘four in hand’ coaches travelled over Dunmail Raise to Keswick”.

Master of ceremonies for the unveiling in early May was President of the Society, Barry Tullett, and we were delighted that Diana Matthews, a great-granddaughter of Abraham Pattinson who built the hotel, gave a most entertaining and informative speech before unveiling the plaque.

The Windermere Hotel then kindly served refreshments to the thirty or so members and guests which included the town mayor who attended the unveiling.

The picture shows the plaque by the front door to the hotel with Diana Matthews, Barry Tullett, Mayor Joan Stocker, and hotel manager Giles Norwood.

Rigg’s Windermere Hotel

Having recognised the first hotel in Windermere in this way, the Civic Society is working towards the next historical plaque in a series planned for Windermere and Bowness.

About The lake

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England and is known as a Ribbon Lake, these lakes are very narrow but very long, shaped like a finger. It was formed 13,000 years ago during the last major ice age by two glaciers. The lake contains 18 islands, of which the largest island is Belle Isle, which is privately owned. It is one of the country’s most popular places for holidays and summer homes since the arrival of the Kendal and Windermere Railway’s branch line in 1847. Windermere has also been the venue for the Great North Swim since 2008.

Why not take a look around The Windermere Hotel?

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Here at Coast and Country Hotels we are not quite ready to launch this blog, but we are busy behind the scenes setting it up. For the time being why not check out our website, www.coastandcountryhotels.com. We just wanted to Say Hello World!

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