Located in the highlands of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Balmoral Castle is a large estate house best known as one of the residences of the Royal Family.  It was originally purchased by Queen Victoria, who razed the home and rebuilt it from the ground up, and has been owned by successive monarchs since that time.  The working estate covers about 49,000 acres, and has managed herds of deer, cattle, and ponies. With a mix of rugged topography and manicured gardens, it’s easy to understand why the Queen loves her highland holidays at Balmoral. Also on the estate:  Birkhall, where Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall spend their summers, and Craigowan Lodge, where other royal friends and family stay.  There are also six smaller cottages on the property that are available for rent. While your stay in your Scottish cottages […]

Fans of the offbeat, quirky museums and industrial history may enjoy London’s Kew Bridge Steam Museum, home to a collection of water pumping steam engines.  While it may sound a bit dull at first thought, Victorian-era London produced some of the finest waterworks around, and it’s on display here.  Located on the River Thames in west London, this quirky steam museum is easily accessible from most hotels and apartments in London. The steam museum is on the site of the original Kew Bridge Pumping Station which originally opened in 1838.  Although the pump station expanded over the following few years, eventually the steam engines were retired from service.  The final use of steam engines at the site was in 1958 – it was a demonstration only.  The pumps weren’t eliminated completely, however, they were merely stored in the hopes that […]

Kendal is a small town located in the Lakes District of Cumbria with a rich history that attracts tourists.  Located on the River Kent, it was once known as Kirkby in Kendal, but now is referred to as simply Kendal.  It’s historically been a popular spot for visitors in the Lakes District, both because of its setting and its history.  If you’re planning a visit you can book Cumbrian cottages and settle in just like you were a local, then spend your days setting out exploring the area. One popular spot to visit in Kendal is the Kendal Museum.  Founded in 1796, the Kendal Museum features collections covering a variety of topics with a focus on history, archaeology, geology, and nature.  The museum is divided into galleries, each featuring impressive exhibitions. The Wainwright Gallery – Named after a former honorary […]

  If all Olympics and Jubilee festivities of London are a bit too stuffy for you, get out of the city and head to Brighton, known as a premier UK hotspot for nightlife, music, and festivals.  About an hour south of London, by train (the Jurys Inn Brighton is located not too far from the station), it’s easy to pop down for a day trip.  But with so much to do, you may want to make it a weekend. Here are a few Festivals in Brighton to choose from: Brighton Festival –  The second largest arts festival in the UK (the largest is in Edinburgh), the festival is full of parades, fireworks, theater, music, dance, visual arts (and lots more) all staged in venues around the city.  One of the unique features of the festival is the Artists’ Open House […]