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Fishing is free anywhere along the tidal Thames from Teddington Lock to the sea. Catch freshwater and sea fish, ranging from roach, pike and perch to bream and flounder. Choose your spot carefully and watch the tide. A friend of mine is a passionate angler, and swears Thames carp fishing is some of the best to be had anywhere. You'll need a rod and line licence, available online or through the post office.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/
Licence: 1 day £3.75 (or £8 for salmon and sea trout)
Google map: bit.ly/OnukwR
This is a small, but perfectly formed little diner in the heart of student central. The decor is "interesting" and the welcome is friendly. While not top end food the menu includes some of the most authentic Korean food I've had outside of Seoul. Try the brown rice tea. A cracker !
kimsminimeals.com/
5 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JN
+44(0)131 629 7951
Google map: bit.ly/NhBSoB
It's a fab B&B that is a traditional country cottage on the outside and funky design statement on the inside. The food is astounding and there's a hot tub in the completely private garden. Try a champagne bath in the amazing bathroom! A secret hideaway that is just amazing.
Pond Cottage, Selling Road, Old Wives Lees, Canterbury, Kent CT4 8BD
+44 (0)7705 424070
Google map: bit.ly/MytACY
Has a great view, sits up a hill - it's the Cotwolds bar you were looking for and does an inclusive (with accommodation) English breakfast. I slept from midnight to 9.30am.
It's run by a couple trying to make a go of it who bought it eight months ago.)
www.theamberleyinn.co.uk/
Culver Hill Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5AF
+44(0)1453 872565
Google map: bit.ly/Mj2h4k
Superb intimate family run hotel. Run by Martin and Anne, the hotel is full of memorabilia of the past including hunting and horse racing.
Luxurious accommodation and superb dinners and breakfasts. The cooking combines the precision of nouvelle cuisine with the extravagance of Yorkshire hospitality.
www.waterfordhousehotel.co.uk/
Waterford House, Kirkgate Leyburn DL8 4PG
+44(0)1969 622 090
Google map: bit.ly/MRbCLu
A really romantic converted hayloft tucked away gite-style in the garden of the owners' home. Full of character coupled with modern comforts and lots of lovely little touches like an iPod dock, plenty of films on DVD to watch after a hard days' sightseeing and complimentary dressing gowns. We got a bottle of wine when we arrived together with home made muffins, and fruit. Torquay is an ideal holiday spot with endless places to visit, but it wouldn't have been the same without retiring back to Windchimes afterwards. Lovely hosts. We couldn't have asked for more.
www.windchimeshayloft.com
Croft Lodge, Lower Warberry Road, Torquay South DevonTQ1 1QP
Google map: bit.ly/MlzSK8
It's been recommended by many and we've been meaning to go for ages. Thankfully my wife treated me on my first Father's Day. Excellent choice. We had a fantastic Sunday Roast with the best horse raddish I've ever had. Complimented the equally good beef and yorkshire. Owner and staff all really friendly and helpful, especially with our 10-month old!
If you are ever passing or in the area this is a must do, not just for the food, but to sample the decor and ambiance. Real relaxed feel and you certainly go away chilled. Next time we'll be looking to give the outside garden a go as the seating area looks great. Fingers crossed for some good sunny weather.
www.bluebellhenley.co.uk/
93 High Street Henley-in-Arden, West Midlands B95 5AT
+44(0)1564 793049
Google map: bit.ly/MxwGZl
We had an outstanding week's wildlife watching with Speyside Wildlife - it's not cheap, but it's worth every penny. Everything's included, and the accommodation in the Steading in Glenfeshie is really comfortable (and surrounded by wildlife), the food is lovely and the professional guides really know their subject. We saw much more than we would have done on our own - pine marten, red squirrel, badger, dolphin, osprey, crested tit, corncrake, dotterel and many other species. Also learnt a lot about plants and butterflies.
They also run holidays abroad and we're hoping to go to Spain with them next year.
Even when the castle buildings are closed to the public during the winter months Knaresborough castle is still worth a stroll around if only for the views of its famous railway viaduct and river Nidd gorge with Knaresborough perched on its cliff high above the Nidd.
www.knaresborough.co.uk/castle/
Castle Yard Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8AS
+44(0)1423 556188
Google map: bit.ly/JKSr5M
A source of free drinking water and a historical reference to Ripley's history all in one.
Next to Ripley's main square and the Boars Head Hotel/inn.
www.boarsheadripley.co.uk/
Main Street, HG3 3AY Harrogate (North Yorkshire), HG3
+44(0)1423 771888
Google map: bit.ly/M74sDd
Ripley's parish church is quiet with noteworthy features inside it. However the musket ball holes in the walls around the church graveyard are particularly sobering. The graveyard has a good view of Ripley lake
www.ripleychurch.org.uk/
Ripley, North Yorkshire HG3 3AY
+44(0)1423 770147
Google map: bit.ly/NHYueW
Ripley Castle is set in a beautiful landscape with its own lake and waterfall. For the best view of the castle take the path signposted for the deer park, walk past Eel tower and pause at the bridge over the waterfall to admire the castle in its all glory as it is reflected in the lake's water. The friendly tour guides provide a thorough guided tour of the castle itself sharing stories about its bloody English civil war connections. The gardens are well tended, colourful and child friendly.
www.ripleycastle.co.uk/
Hollybank Lane Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3AY
+44(0)1423 770152
Google map: bit.ly/M7c6xw
A grade II listed building which does have a ghostly eerie feeling as it is unmanned. It has a pretty footbridge.
Google map: bit.ly/Lxdev8
A scenic spot best seen from the viewpoint on the cliff above the landing. The fishing cobles are neatly lined up in a ledge in the cliff which serves as Filey's makeshift harbour.
Google map: bit.ly/Mcyw3W
This small but very informative museum is well worth a visit as it teaches you lot about Filey's vital fishing and tourism heritage. The museum volunteers are really friendly and will happily explain about the wide range of exhibits and more. There is a £2.50 entry fee
www.fileymuseum.co.uk
8-10 Queen St, Filey YO14 9HB
+44(0)1723 515013
Google map: bit.ly/Kf7xzQ
Filey Brigg is the most famous feature of Filey. A must do is to walk from Filey sands to the very tip of Filey Brigg and have the sea all around you splashing in your face - it is really exhilarating. But this is a dangerous walk as you can only do it at low tide and you MUST get off the brigg at least two hours BEFORE high tide to avoid being trapped on the brigg. It is wise to check the tide times before you set off. The times of the tides on each day are clearly posted around Filey sands.
Google map: bit.ly/L2sXTW
The walk up on Carr Naze above Filey Bay has the best views of the bay and Bempton cliffs. On a good clear day you can see right across to Scarborough and its castle on the west side of the naze. Be careful though as the soft clay cliffs around Carr Naze are prone to erosion and landslides.
A must is following the narrow path to its end where you can admire the tip of Filey Brigg from a high and safer viewpoint
Carr Naze is part of Filey Brigg Country Park
Google map: bit.ly/KEMnB2
This twelfth century church is Filey's oldest building and a truly charming hidden charm of the town. Well worth a visit on the walk between Filey train station and Filey Brigg Country Park as it has examples of the main features of Norman architecture.
fileyparish.blogspot.fr/
5 Belle Vue Crescent, Filey, YO14 9AD
+44(0)1723 512745
This tranquil open space on the outskirts of Filey has the most encompassing views stretching from Filey Bay, Filey itself to Bempton cliffs and Flamborough Head. It is free entry so go early to avoid the tourist crowds and to appreciate the view fully.
Google map: bit.ly/McC5aa
They are based online but are currently doing some pop up shows. It's great a local gallery is looking for new and up and coming artists and not only that what they sell is pretty damn cool. Their framing is second to none and to be fair I dont know of anything or one like them in the Midlands.
www.thegallerycourt.com
+44(0)121 236 7557
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