Tag: education

Fun In The Forest

Fun In The Forest

HAMSTERLEY Forest in the Weardale region of Co Durham began life as a commercial forest in the years following the First World war. It is now important to the county for the environmental and recreational activities that are held there. People come in search of rare creatures or to go cycling, walking, horse riding or to take part in some other activity. Let me tell you about these.
Britain was suffering from a shortage of timber after the war. The Forestry commission was created and vast swathes of upland countryside were bought to establish conifer plantations. The labour problem was solved when the Ministry of Labour began to draft batches of unemployed men for three months at a time to do the heavy work of creating the new forests.
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre is a timber building that is a relic of those times. It was originally on of the accommodation barracks for these men. Now the benefits of Hamsterley Forest include picnic sites and recreational clearings. There are networks of walks and horse riding routes as well as a four mile forestry drive and extensive cycling facilities. The Forestry Commission created a cycling skills loop and downhill course in 2005 that cost ?220,000.
Forestry rangers run fun and educational events throughout most of the year. They often work with the Sunderland Astronomy Club to stage Starwatch. Visitors learn to find their way around the night sky and have the opportunity to take a closer look at the planets. Youngster enjoy the Survival Skills in the Forest sessions. Den building is a favourite activity as is the Children’s Adventure Challenge.
A large number of environmental events are held. Nightjars have made a comeback into Co Durham following its almost extinction in the early years of the 20th century. Bug hunting forms a major part of National Insect Week. Rangers often lead Deerwatch safari tour and bird box building is a popular event. The rangers instruct traditional country crafts such as wheel building, broom making and Christmas decoration creation.
Physical activities range from walks through easy cycle rides to MTB wheelies. There is basic forest navigation for horse riders, horse orienteering and summer solstice walks. Among the seasonal events are the Easter Trail and the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Hauntings and Christmas Festival Fun. Hamsterley Forest stages mechanical events such as the vintage tractor runs and the forest drive thrust. Behind the Scenes gives visitors the opportunity to see the monster machines that are used by the Forestry Commission. Visitors are able to buy natural Christmas throughout December at the Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre.
Hamsterley Forest has a greater diversity of trees, plants insects, birds and animals than the other northern forests due to the better quality of its soil. While the nightjar has returned to this area, our native red squirrel has been displaced by the grey squirrel. Hamsterley camp has been used as a centre for young offenders from the Wellesley Nautical School at Blyth and as a POW camp for German and Italian prisoners. The main entrance to Hamsterley Forest is via Hamsterley off the A68 Road or Wolsingham off the A689 Road.

Brighton – the family favourite

Brighton – the family favourite

Brighton is probably the ultimate family destination in the UK, and whatever your age, the hotels in Brighton will make your stay a truly memorable one. Brighton attracts around eight million visitors a year, and offers something for everyone, so you will never be short of something to do.

Brighton Pier opens at 10.00am every day, and is famous for its funfair and amusements. The fair is open from midday until 7.00pm and features a variety of rides that are suitable for children and families of all ages. For older ones there are thrills to be had, including the jaw-dropping Super Booster – described as the ultimate thrill ride – which is over 125 feet tall and features a 60mph drop! For amusements on the pier, look no further than The Palace of Fun, which has arcade games for all the family and some great prizes on offer. The Family Entertainment Centre also features arcade games, slot machines and a very family-friendly food-court.

The resort holds a Blue Flag Beach Award for cleanliness and quality of bathing water, making it an ideal destination for a family holiday, and visitors can rest assured that there are plenty of family-friendly hotels in Brighton.

The beach is a shingle-beach, although it does become sandy in places leading down to the sea. Along the seafront there are many more attractions, arcades and restaurants. A visit to Brighton Marina is a day out in itself, with shops, restaurants, cafes, and plenty to see and do, including the opportunity to take a sightseeing boat trip.

If however the weather looks dubious, The Sea Life Centre is located in Madeira Drive, and is the oldest functioning aquarium in the world. It features over 150 species including sea turtles and sharks. Lost in Amazonia is a mirror maze with piranhas, stingrays and tropical fish, all set against an enchanting rainforest backdrop.

For a bit of culture and a break from all things aquatic, the Booth Museum of Natural History, situated in Dyke Road, is always a family favourite. This is a wonderful and unique museum exhibiting half a million specimens, including butterflies, birds, a whale and the remains of dinosaurs. It is open every day except Thursdays. Alternatively, Brighton Toy and Model Museum is located in Trafalgar Street, close to Brighton Station. This magical museum is crammed with toys and games from days gone by and is guaranteed to entertain visitors whatever their age. It is open from Tuesday-Saturday.

Another must-see is The Royal Pavilion. This is one of Brighton’s most famous landmarks and is centrally located, close to many of the popular attractions and hotels in Brighton. Families can take part in a number of entertaining and educational activities. These could include acting as a guest of King George IV, learning to write in hieroglyphics in the Ancient Egypt Galleries or visiting the wizard at the Toy Gallery. The Pavilion’s Families Programme also offers a range of interactive family activities including art workshops, storytelling and costume workshops.

Isla Mujeres: Explore This Majestic Island

Isla Mujeres: Explore This Majestic Island

You would thoroughly enjoy your vacation in Isla Mujeres. There are various tourist attractions available here like sightseeing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming. You could make the most of the island’s stunning white sand beaches as well as its serene atmosphere. If you are searching for a romantic site to rekindle your romance, then this island is the right choice. Mexico also boasts of first-class accommodations like the Grupo Mayan hotels and resorts. The Grupo Mayan employees were trained to serve you well. The following are several places that you should go to when you are on a holiday in this island:
1. Contoy Island. This island is actually a bird sanctuary and is a great way to take pleasure in the magnificence of nature. Contoy Island also possesses a beautiful lookout tower that offers a picturesque view. There are tours available here but then you need to book early because they only allow a restricted number of guests.
2. Dolphin Discovery. This is an astonishing yet educational experience. Dolphin Discovery makes sure that it would be safe and fun for each guest, even for those who do not know how to swim. They provide life jackets as well as a certified lifeguard to look after their visitors. You would be able to touch, kiss, and swim with dolphins here. You would also get to see manta rays, monkeys, macaws, bull sharks, and toucans in this wonderful place.
3. El Garrafon Marine Park. You would get to enjoy swimming and snorkeling here because of its gentle currents. If you are not interested with those activities, you could even go kayaking or take a swim in their infinity pool. The food here is also fantastic and you should prepare to be impressed by the view that could be seen from their chief restaurant.
4. Turtle Farm. This is also called Tortugranja by the locals and it is among the major attractions in the island. Annually, particularly between May to September, the turtles bury their eggs in the fine sand until the eggs have hatched. The turtle farm protects the turtles’ from hunters and wild predators. The small turtles are only released in the wild once they are tough enough to live by themselves. The practice of releasing the little turtles is carried out by local kids as well as by visitors of the farm.
5. Punta Sur Sculpture Park. This lovely park was launched back in 2001. There were around 23 artists who worked together in the construction of this park. Different from common art galleries, the artists’ masterpieces are placed outside, where you would be able to admire them along with the clear waters of the stunning Mexican Caribbean.
You would be immediately delighted once you step foot on Isla Mujeres. You would be able to take part in some exciting water activities, see the dreamy sunsets, as well as its fantastic beaches. For the top accommodation in Mexico, have a look into the Grupo Mayan hotels and resorts. You would love your stay at any Grupo Mayan hotel or resort for they provide premier services. Your vacation at Isla Mujeres could also prove to be your most romantic and exciting one yet.

A visitor's guide to Aligarh

A visitor's guide to Aligarh

Aligarh is a city known for its commercial establishments and the educational centers; one of the best in India. The city is located in the western side of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The city has always been a place for various movements that have shaken India! Apart from the revolutionary movements, the city is also quite well known for its beautiful buildings and monuments. The visitor’s guide to Aligarh will tell you more about the tourist attractions of this place and also its culture. The city has now developed itself into a prime business center in Uttar Pradesh.

Aligarh is quite famous for the educational universities and their involvement in various movements. The population of Aligarh consists of a majority of Muslims. The Aligarh Muslim University is a famous university in India imparting quality education. The visitor’s guide to Aligarh will tell you more about the famous monuments that adorn this city. The Aligarh Fort, the University, the Naqvi Park and the Mangalayatam are some of the famous tourist attractions of this place. The Aligarh Fort is one of the strongest in India and was built during the regime of Ibrahim Lodhi, by Mohammad, the son of the Governor of Kol (Aligarh).

The visitor’s guide to Aligarh will also cover about the climatic conditions of this place. Summers are simmering with sweltering heat waves. The temperatures rise to a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius. The winters are a bit cool with temperatures not going beyond 25 degrees Celsius. So the best time to visit this place would be in the months of October to March. Reaching Aligarh is not a problem. The nearest airport is in Delhi, 130 km away and the railway station is located in the city itself. The city has buses plying to and from major cities in Uttar Pradesh.

Being one of the most famous commercial centers in North India, you would not want to miss the fancy items that the city offers. Although known quite famously for locks, Aligarh is also known for brass sculptures and the famous Pajamas. The dress materials are of the highest quality; raw materials are exported to a lot of countries. The visitor’s guide to Aligarh will also tell you about the accommodation available here. Accommodation is available for the common man as well as the well to do. There are quite a many hotels in the city which offers good infrastructure combined with warm hospitality, making your stay memorable.