Thursday July 29, 2010
If you're feeling a little parched and peckish round Yorkshire way this Sunday, try popping into the Black Swan Tearoom, in Helmsley. It adjoins one of our favorite hotels, The Black Swan and, more to the point, it's been named the Tea Guild's Top Tea Place for 2010.
To celebrate the honor, the Black Swan is offering themed afternoon teas every month to the end of the year. And to celebrate Yorkshire Day, August 1, they've gone over all Yorkish at the Black Swan for all of August. Forget about smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches. Instead, try York ham, Pickering smoked trout and Wenslydale Cheese sarnies with Black Swan chutney, Yorkshire curd tart and Yorkshire parkin. Of course, it wouldn't be tea without scones, jam and cream and there will be lashings of that as well.
Afternoon tea will be served from 12:30p.m. onwards and will set you back £14.95 per person
Wednesday July 28, 2010
It's the UK season for Corn Mazes - or, as they like to call them here,
Amaizing Maize Mazes. Between now and about mid September when the corn is finally too exhausted to stand up, acres and acres of them, designed as animals, cartoon characters, all sorts, will open for family fun all over Britain and Ireland.
The biggest in Europe, and one of the largest in the world, the York Maze, run by farmer Tom Pearcy (shown here with Battle of Britain veteran, Flt. Lt. Terry Clark, and a real Spitfire), won the York Tourism Attraction of the Year award in 2010. This year the maze honors the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with the world's largest Spitfire. The 1,000 foot Spitfire, cut into a million living corn plants, is 30 times the size of the real thing. And it's, laced with more than 6 miles of pathways. In all, the York Maze covers 45 acres with family oriented mazes and attractions.
Read more about the UK's corn mazes and how to find one near you.Share your UK blog
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Photo Courtesy of York Maze
Monday July 26, 2010
You've come over to the UK for a short trip and you're looking for a chance to get out of London. Lots of companies offer day trips, by train or coach, that ostensibly make visits to top attractions outside of London easy and economical. But are they good value for money? Find out what I think.
Are Multi-Stop Day Trips From London Worth the Money?
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www.britainonview.com
Wednesday July 21, 2010
Some people think television cooking shows are the new porn. Don't know about that but there's no denying that foodie programs and festivals are one of the newest forms of entertainment. So it was only a matter of time before The Edinburgh Festivals found a way to merge the two.
The Foodies Festival Edinburgh arrives in Holyrood Park, alongside all the other Edinburgh arty partying, August 13 -15. There will be a food theater, yummy things to eat, top chefs and master classes.
Because it's Edinburgh, top comics and performers will get in on the act as well. Comedians Stephen K. Amos, Brendon Burns, Jon Richardson and Tim Vine will cook their favorite tasty bites alongside Scotland's Michelin star chefs. Performers Abi Titmuss and Caroline Rhea will assist the chefs. The Edinburgh Festivals Magazine-sponsored stage will showcase award winning Fringe performances - music, dance, comedy and kids shows.
Even the food demos are theatrical. One of the classes in the food and Drink Masterclass Theatres is a Heston Blumenthal-inspired liquid nitrogen class. And keeping the whole family happy, a Cooking with Kids masterclass will be held daily.
More than 100 exhibitors and chefs are taking part. You can read all about it, and book tickets online at the
Foodies Festival Edinburgh website.
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