http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34709 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34709 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34213 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34213 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34138 It’s a good few years since we pedalled the five miles to Padstow along the trail from Wadebridge. However it was the highlight of our camping holiday in Cornwall. Our daughters were at the upper end of primary school and the flat ride beside the estuary provided a day without the constant cries of, “What shall we do next?” There was plenty to see along the way and Padstow itself provided lots of choice for refreshment (along with a ferry trip across the estuary and a short spell on the beach).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34138 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34123 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34123 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33893 As well as admiring the grand architecture and decoration, the palace contains a wealth of treasure including valuable paintings, sculptures, musical instruments, Flemish tapestries and gilded ornaments. However, on our visit we were most fascinated by the collection of marionettes and the grottos on the lowest floor. The audio guide was very entertaining and informative.
We didn’t really do the gardens justice on our visit, as it was pouring with rain, however we did brave the rain to admire the terraces and the Giardino dell’Amore.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33893 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31680 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31680 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31529 The property we have used most (as it was en route to visit one of our daughters) is Clumber Park, just off the A1 in Nottinghamshire. It really offers a much more civilised break than that offered by Blyth services, a few miles north on the A1M: lovely landscaped parklands and lake, a restaurant which uses food grown in the walled garden – even an opportunity to hire bicycles (if you really want to blow away the cobwebs). There is also the chance of a surprise – we once arrived on a Saturday to find a Georgian re-enactment in full swing.
Before planning a long journey we always take a look at the map on the Trust website to see if there’s a property close to our route. The disadvantage – well Trust properties aren’t open 24 hours, 7 days per week – though the restaurant at Clumber is open every day except December 25th from at least 10am to 4pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29894 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29894 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29711 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29711 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28925 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28925 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28424 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28424 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28285 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28285 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28214 In addition to the magnificent autumn colours at this time of year there is a visitor centre/gallery and a licensed cafe which are open all year (though not every day of the week). Refreshment can also be had at the Sunnyhurst pub, which is close to one of the wood’s higher entrances.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28214 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27470 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27470 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26462
Whilst many of the popular resorts on larger lakes suffer traffic problems, cars are banned from the streets of Orta San Giulio, indeed many of the streets are too narrow for anything other than scooters. Day visitors and residents alike have walk down medieval streets and alleyways, which all lead to the main square and the stunning view across to Isola San Giulio.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25590 If any European city goes out of its way to make the British feel welcome, in our experience, it has to be Prague. And the Golden Wheel, despite being sleek, stylish and thoroughly modern, has an extremely welcoming atmosphere. All members of the hotel staff were helpful and friendly, with nothing being too much trouble.
The conversion of a building with a history going back 500 years has been carried out tastefully, providing unique bedrooms – ours was more like a suite – very different to the standard chain hotel rooms.
The small coffee shop on the ground floor was a real bonus – we stayed in winter and the hot chocolate was a warming treat on returning the hotel.
The location is ideal for exploring Prague – the Golden Wheel is situated in the Lesser Quarter, squeezed between the cobbled Nerudova Street and the castle walls. It’s also only a short walk to Charles Bridge and then across to the Old Town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25590 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24895 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24895 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24563
Two pubs in Tockholes and one at Abbey Village provide refreshment before or after your walk. An information centre near the Royal Arms can provide more information.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24563