Great news and ideas from Britain

Visitors to England are being offered the opportunity to stay in a holiday home at a Roman villa, or at medieval monastery in Yorkshire. The cottages, which provide all home comforts but in historic settings, are among the latest additions to a portfolio from English Heritage.

The conservation agency, which maintains many historic properties for the benefit of day visitors, launched five holiday homes for the first time in 2006 and these have now been awarded five stars by VisitBritain. The eight ‘new’ properties include The Retreat, a one-bedroom cottage at North Leigh Roman Villa, Oxfordshire – it overlooks the foundations of a home last used in the 4th century. Guests can also enjoy the tranquillity of the cloisters of Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire, staying in the Prior’s Lodge; and two attractive cottages (each accommodating four people) at Walmer Castle in Kent, a favourite residence of the late Queen Mother. The cost is from £455 for a week in a one-bedroom property. For more information visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages

The centenary of the birth of author Daphne du Maurier is being marked this spring in her home county of Cornwall with the Centenary Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts and Literature. The festival (May 10-19) grows in popularity each year. The author of Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, The Birds and many other classics – which were turned into iconic films by directors such as Alfred Hitchcock – loved maritime Cornwall and made her home near the pretty harbour town of Fowey. It is here, and in the surrounding towns and villages, that the festival takes place. The focal point for most activities is the Festival Village, erected in the grounds of Fowey Hall Hotel, with its commanding views of the river estuary and sea.

Among those appearing in a wide-ranging programme are veteran actor Peter Sallis – the voice of Wallace in the Oscar winning Wallace and Gromit movies; politician and broadcaster Michael Portillo and popular folk/rock group Jethro Tull.  For more information visit: www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk

The world’s leading rose society, founded in 1876, will reopen its gardens – formerly known as The Gardens of the Rose – early this summer. The Royal National Rose Society Gardens reopen on June 9 after nearly two years of rebuilding. Designed by landscape gardener Michael Balston on a 12 acre site, highlights include a replanted Queen Mother collection, beds to illustrate how roses can fit in a small garden setting, a sequence of beds illustrating the history of the rose and much more.

Completely replanted, the gardens will display thousands of roses, both old and new, complemented by companion plants, as well as trials for new breeds from all over the world. The society’s International Merit Trials, held for both amateur and professional breeders, are renowned worldwide. For more information visit: www.rnrs.org

A life-long Beatles fan and tour guide has opened a Beatles coffee shop close to Abbey Road Studios where the famous pop group recorded its albums. It is also the location of the zebra crossing on which the ‘fab four’ were photographed – now a place of pilgrimage for fans worldwide. The Beatles Coffee Shop is at St. John’s Wood Underground Station (Acacia Road, NW8 6RE) and is run by husband and wife Richard and Irina Porter. Richard has been a Beatles and rock’n’roll tour guide for the past 15 years. His tours have featured in TV shows and newspapers around the world. The shop sells hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and pastries and a range of Beatles and Abbey Road Studios merchandise. For more information visit: http://www.beatlescoffeeshop.com

Kensington Court serviced apartments is offering an attractive alternative to hotel accommodation a few minutes walk from London’s Kensington Palace and High Street Kensington. The eleven four-star apartments, from studios to three bedroom apartments, are elegant with kitchen and dining areas offering guests the option to dine in or out with a number of restaurants on the doorstep. A concierge service organises guides and passes as well as airport transfers and breakfast packs while pre ordered shopping can also be delivered. Buses and Underground services are nearby. For more information visit:  www.kensingtoncourt.co.uk

The Lake District in North West England is the focus for a month of adventure this May, with three festivals highlighting all that is great about this scenic region.The first Cumbria Bike Fest (May 7-13) will be the biggest celebration of biking the North of England has ever seen, including trial displays, stunt demonstrations and vintage bikes. Lowther near Penrith will also host the Merida Mountain Bike Marathon with 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km races while Keswick will hold the Open5 Adventure race.  For more information visit: www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk  

Ullswater Walking Festival (May 5-13) is celebrating its second birthday this year with a range of walks for all abilities from gentle lakeside strolls to strenuous hikes up Helvellyn, with informative local guides giving an insight into the Ullswater valley. For more information visit: www.ullswater.com  

Another new festival will give visitors a chance to discover the Lake District from the comfort of a lecture hall or exhibition space – as well as the outdoor thrills of scrambling, water sports or fell running. The Keswick Mountain Festival (May 16-20) will offer a wide programme of events which also include guided walks, training in conservation, paragliding and Nordic walking. For more information visit: www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk  

Spas, champagne and culinary delights all feature in news from the UK’s hotels. The Spa at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey is introducing a new treatment brand to the UK. Inspired by the elements fire, earth, water and air, Terrake is from the Thalgo group and its treatments are designed to stimulate the senses and promote emotional and physical wellbeing. The Spa has eight pools, including the ballroom pool with underwater music, as well as hot tubs, Jacuzzi and hydrotherapy. The five star Pennyhill Park is in Bagshot. For more information visit: www.exclusivehotels.co.uk  

Four luxury hotels in the Lake District have joined up to offer visitors a chance to discover six new walking routes between the hotels. The Famous Wild Boar Hotel, Low Wood, Storrs Hall and The Waterside all offer quality Cumbrian food and hospitality and will arrange for luggage to be transferred while guests take on the walks: up to nine miles through the woodland, meadows, and beside lakes in this beautiful region. More more information visit: www.elh.co.uk/walks

A new and unusual Holiday Inn hotel will open in June next to one of the UK’s most popular theme parks, Chessington World of Adventures. The four star, 150 room hotel is situated in the park’s planned animal land development and has been designed with safari touches to reflect its unique location. Chessington World of Adventures is 12 miles south west of London and incorporates many thrilling rides. For more information visit: www.chessington.co.uk.

Guests at the Queen’s Head in Belton, Leicestershire can take the hotel restaurant’s gastronomic secrets away with them with a new cook book created by proprietors Henry and Ali Weldon. Royal Feast details six starters, six main courses and six desserts from the popular and comfortable gastropub. The hotel is situated on the edge of 400 acres of woodland near Loughborough.  For more information visit: www.thequeenshead.org

A Champagne Bar is the first step in the renovation of the Grand Hotel, Jersey in the Channel Islands. Guests can relax in leather sofas with individual ice buckets as they sip champagne and watch silent black and white classic movies on a 62 inch plasma screen. The hotel is in the centre of the island’s capital St. Helier and over the next 18 months the entire hotel including its 113 bedrooms will be refreshed. For more information visit: www.hilwoodresorts.com  

Report by The Mole