In this month’s “What’s on where?”  There are a number of attraction’s coming up around the country to cover a wide range of interests. If you’re a food lover then on the 20th April in Durham just 10 minutes from the Bay Eden Arms the Food Festival features numerous demonstrations, talks, book signings and samples on offer to whet your appetite. After all that food some exercise may be in order so  on the 27th April  the Devon and Exmoor walking festival happens which is dubbed “The UK’s Most Scenic Walking Festival” and starts near the Bay Valley of Rocks hotel in Ilfacombe. Moving up to East Anglia also on the 27th at the Bay Carlton there is the East Anglian Game & Country Fair an annual two day family event held at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich.

Fresh Oysters

Too busy this month to take in some of those events then why not take in something more musical at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival just half an hour’s drive from the Bay Prince of Wales starting on the 1st May with performing acts like Lianne La Havas, Van Morrison and Dionne Warwick.

If Jazz is a little to gentle for your taste then visit the World record breaking Pirate Festival in Fishing town of Brixham on the 4th and 5th May being only a 20 minute drive from the Bay Torbay, Bay Trecarn, Bay Esplanade and Bay Tor Park you could go and try to enter the record books yourself. If you wanted something more relaxed there is the Devon County show running for 3 days from the 16th May which is the largest show in Devon and Kids go free. This year there will be the JCB stunt team performing their gravity defying routine, the UKs leading mountain bike and freestyle display team demonstrating their skills and 2 national cattle shows.

This is to name but a few but there are plenty more that can be found at our Whats on Where page if you click here.

Jazz Festival

If you have been to any of these we would love to hear your thoughts on them or if there are any events you think should be included please leave a comment below.

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The view from Bay Torbay Hotel looks a little different at the minute, a 60m observation wheel has been erected in Princess Gardens opposite the Bay Torbay Hotel, don’t worry views from the hotel have not been obscured.

The 365 tonne wheel was completed in four days by eleven highly trained staff and has come straight from London’s Victoria Park Olympic celebrations. It is open to the public from 10am to 10pm until 31^st October.

From the wheel you will be able to take in stunning views over the bay and on a clear day you can see for miles. From the wheel you can see over to Paignton and Brixham.

The ride will last approximately 12 minutes and passengers can hear commentary on Torbay’s history, events and attractions.

Within Torbay we have four hotels namely, Bay Torbay (Torquay), Bay Tor Park (Torquay), Bay Trecarn (Babbacombe) and Bay Esplanade (Paignton) each of these hotels offer weekend and midweek breaks throughout the year.

The Big Wheel

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In a recent survey conducted by MSN Travel, fellow British travellers have voted for Britain’s Favourite Landmarks. Amongst some of the famous places selected why not pay them a visit on your next break away?

Peering in at number 24……..

Image from amandalane.co.uk

Whilst staying at the Bay Majestic or the Bay Burlington hotel in Eastbourne, on those long hot days why not pay a visit to the picturesque sea side town of Brighton and visit “Brighton Pier” which was ranked number 24. It is easy to see why this historic iconic landmark, which dates back to Victorian times, is such a popular tourist destination with a multitude of seaside attractions to enjoy.

Bridging the gap at number 21…..

Image from vistaworld.com

When staying at the Bay Eden Arms Hotel in Durham just a short drive away is Newcastle upon Tyne and neighbouring Gateshead which is home to number 21 on the list, the “Gateshead-Millennium Bridge”. Just by looking at this magnificent piece of modern structural engineering which is the world’s first and only tilting bridge it’s clear to see why this made the list.

Towering down at number 18…..

Image from edwud.com

Since its opening to the public in 1894 Blackpool tower has always been a very popular destination. Why not visit it during your next stay to Bay Liberty’s on the Square hotel. Set against the background of Blackpool’s famous amusements and fairground rides its clear to see why this attraction towers over the competition.

Flying in at Angelic number 16…..

Image from picturesofgateshead.co.uk

Only a 30 minute drive away from the Bay Eden Arms in Durham you cannot afford to miss this iconic 20 metre tall sculpture of the “Angel of the North”. The British creator of the angel, Anthony Gormley, initially met opposition before constructing the weather resistant steel angel but she has since become a much loved icon of the North proven by the public voting her in at number 16.

Abbey times with number 15…..

Image from vivaboo.com

A stay at the Bay Royal Hotel in Whitby is not complete without a trip to Whitby Abbey. Positioned on the headland overlooking the popular seaside town of Whitby, you can enjoy the atmospheric gothic splendour of the Abbey or the stunning views towards the idyllic Yorkshire Coastline.

Pause for fort at number 14….

Image from bbc.co.uk

With the last formally recognised piece of Wales, Conwy Castle. Just a short drive away from the Bay Marine or the Bay County hotels stands this impressive medieval fortress which offers magnificent views of Snowdonia or alternatively one can “walk the walls” which have 22 turrets.

Big Ben comes in high at number 9….

Image from snow-cams.com

Set in the highlands, Ben Nevis towers over the Bay Caledonian Hotel in Fort William. During your stay a scenic walk around the highest mountain in the British Isles is a must. While ascending the 1,340 meters to the summit may be too much for myself, many attempt the Ben Nevis race, a 14km hill race with 1,340 meter ascent.

Pins and Needles with number 8…..

Image from victoriamount.co.uk

During your stay on the Isle of Wight at the Bay Royal Esplanade or the Bay Broadway Park, when walking around the beautiful Isle of Wight countryside one of the things that you must see is one of the natural wonders of Southern England “The Needles” which are three large chalk monoliths that rise out of the ocean at the most westerly point of the Isle of Wight. When you lay eyes on the chalk behemoths you can see why they have been nominated as one of the top 10 favourite attractions.

Open the door to number 3……

Image from momentoflight.co.uk

Whether staying at the Bay Royal hotel in Weymouth or the Bay Majestic hotel in Eastbourne only half an hour away situated in the beautiful Jurassic coast of Dorset stands “Durdle Door”. This archway made up of limestone that over time has become eroded by the natural elements is a popular tourist destination with its sandy beach and picturesque vistas over the ocean.

Right on “cause” at number 1 …..

Image from onestep4ward.com

Northern Irelands most popular destination of “The Giants Causeway” is a natural spectacle to behold. Formed around 50 to 60 million years ago from mounds of lava erupting from earths surface causing an estimated 37,000 basalt columns why not pop over on a trip from the Coast and Country Portpatrick Hotel to Ireland for a day and pay them a visit.

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The Whale Bones and Whitby Abbey, 2 of Whitby Attractions

Whitby is dominated by the ruins of St Hilda’s Abbey, located high on the East Cliff. Down below is the picturesque seaside town, with a maze of alleyways and narrow streets. A trip to the parish of St Mary, will give you some history on Bram Stoker who took inspiration from the churchyard to write the world famous book, Dracula.

1. Captain Cook Memorial Monument

Captain James Cook was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy. His first voyage with Endeavour was to travel across the Pacific Ocean to observer and record the transit of Venus across the Sun. His final voyage was to the Hawaiian Islands, Cook was the first European to visit the islands in 1778. The captain Cook memorial can be found outside the Royal Whitby Hotel overlooking the sea.

2. Whitby Museum

Set in Pannet Park, the museum is quite large and has a number of sections, including the town’s Whaling history and the mining of Whitby Jet, reputed to be Queen Victoria’s favourite gem stone. The museum also holds a collection of fossils including a gruesome fossilised crocodile. This is a good attraction to visit come rain or shine!

3. Whitby Abbey

The Abbey is set on the headland looking over Whitby. When walking around the ruins an audio tour is available. As well as the Abbey ruins there is a museum displaying finds from the Anglo-Saxon, medieval and Cholmley periods.

4. Whitby Lighthouses

The town of Whitby has a total of four lighthouses, two of which are still in operation, with the other two having been decommissioned some time ago. Whitby’s West Pier Light (Old) is open during the summer months for people to visit. The lighthouses are used as navigational aids at the entrance to the harbour, which means they have red and green lights and not white ones.

5. Whitby Pavilion

First opened in 1880, Whitby Pavilion remains the town’s largest and most popular entertainment venue, it hosts a number of evening events such as music concerts. New to the Pavilion for 2012 is the Cinema, which can now show some of the biggest blockbusters.

6. The Northern Star Steam and Motor Carriage Company

Take a ride through Whitby town on Elizabeth the Steam Bus or Charlotte the Charabanc. Nowhere else in the country can you find a Steam Bus still working full time for a living.

7. Whitby Ghost Walks

Fancy an evening walk with a difference? Take a unique guided tour through the streets and alleyways as you listen to talks of the strange and supernatural. Where you can listen to stories and the backgrounds of Smugglers, Sailors, Shipwrecks, folklore and legend.

8. Whitby Beaches

What would a seaside resort be without beaches? Around Whitby there are several beaches. One of the easiest beaches to get to is Whitby beach and is reachable from the town centre. During the high season donkey rides may be available too!

9. North Yorkshire Moors Railway

For something a bit further out of town why not take a trip on a steam train, visiting many places within the Esk Valley such as Grosmont, Goathland, Newton Dale Halt, Levuisham and Pickering. In total the line is eighteen miles long.

10. Ruswarp Pleasure Boats

Spend some time on the River Esk. The river is quiet and peaceful and offers a unique opportunity to see the wildlife on this, the only migratory salmon river in Yorkshire. The pleasure boats offer traditional wooden rowing boats or for the more adventurous canoes are available.

For hotel breaks to Whitby why not take a further look here.

Photo credits: FreeFoto.com

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