Your Guide to a Haunted Holiday in Britain

By Kimberlie Hutson

Do you fancy a change from the conventional week by the sea for your holiday this year, are you bored of spending your holiday in the same country cottage? How about a haunted holiday? Britain boasts a very rich and intricate history and the tradition of the ghost story keeps that history alive, we've all heard the stories of the tower of London which is reportedly still home to a whole host of its unfortunate victims, our most popular literature is also full of the supernatural, from Shakespeare through to Harry Potter, as a nation we do seem rather obsessed with supernatural spirits - so why not spend a short break in one of the UK's most haunted hotels, or even just a day trip?

Chillingham Castle in the north east of England is argued to be one of the most haunted castles in the UK and has featured on several television and radio programmes over the years. The castle offers self catering apartments for holidays and its picturesque setting makes it the perfect venue for weddings, romantic weekends away or simply a day trip to see the stunning grounds and castle. With its long and detailed history it's not surprising it's rumoured to be home to several ghosts, including the blue boy, who was trapped behind a brick wall after stumbling across some important documents, when his body was uncovered in the 1920's, his fingers were worn away where he'd tried to scratch his way out. Although the pink room, where his body was found, is closed to the public, screams were still heard coming from behind the wall which witnessed his death. Chillingham Castle is also resident to Lady Mary Berkeley who is rumoured to still be wondering the halls in broken hearted after her husband ran away with her sister.

The stunning Glamis Castle was the childhood home of the Queen Mother and set in the most tranquil of Scottish country side, it was also the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth and to this day still conjures images of witches and the supernatural. With tickets available for day trips to view the castle and gardens this beautiful castle is the perfect family day out or an exquisite setting for a wedding. Like most castles, particularly of this age (dating back to the 14th century), it is plagued with supernatural stories ranging from secret rooms to conceal deformed children, to soul sucking devil card players to entertain drunk noblemen to traditional old fashion hauntings, all of which promise an interesting story to fascinate even the most firm of sceptics.

It's not just magnificent castles which host the most spectacular ghost stories; the Station Hotel in Dudley may appear to be simply a conventional hotel, with its inviting atmosphere and convenient location in the heart of the country. It's not until you explore its theatrical history and see the impressive list of former guests ranging from Laurel and Hardy to Bob Hope that it starts to become so intriguing. Although many of the ghost stories surrounding this intriguing haunted hotel seem to have found their fame on a popular paranormal television show, the most commonly reported ghost is that of a young woman who was murdered after threatening to inform her killer's wife of his infidelity. She never got the chance as it's reported that after he killed her, he disposed of her body sending it through a chute that ended in the cellar (which along with room 214) is reported to be one of the most haunted places in the building.

So if you're looking for an interesting day trip or a last minute short break away somewhere and you don't want to have to rely on Britain's unpredictable weather, why not visit one of these stunning places?

Author name: Kimberlie Hutson
HotelshopUK are the experts when it comes to last minute breaks, so whether you're looking for a long weekend away, a short break or a day trip for the family, we're bound to have something for you.

Oakham and Horshoes

By Simon Haughtone

Oakham resides to the west of one of the largest man-made European lakes, Rutland Water. The town is on an incline and is in the Vale of Catnose. Oakham is part of Rutland. Oakham is the headquarters of the unitary Rutland County Council District Council.

The main tourist attractions are Oakham Castle and All Saints Church. It is possible to see the spire of All Saints Church from several miles away. The tower was built in the decorated gothic style in the 14th century. The majority of the rest of the exterior was designed in the perpendicular gothic style. The oldest part of the church is the south doorway which

dates bake to the early 13th century. The columns inside are beautifully decorated with animals, figures, birds, foliage and various scenes from the Bible.

The only part of Oakham castle that is still standing is the great hall. Surrounding the great hall is the inner bailey used for defense. The hall was constructed between 1180 and 1190. Much of the architecture is Romanesque. The hall was used as the Assize court until 1970. It is licensed for weddings and is occasionally used as the Crown court and Coroner's court. The outer bailey, currently called Cutts Close is a park with bandstand.

It was tradition when royalty passed through Oakham to leave a horseshoe as a forfeit. Royalty left horseshoes in Oakham for over 500 years. Today when royalty visits they present a commemorative horseshoe, over 200 hang n the wall in the great hall. The oldest horseshoe on the wall is from King Edward IV in 1470. The horseshoes are hung upside down to stop the Devil from sitting in the hollow.

Oakham is easily accessible as it has a railway station that has trains traveling to Birmingham, Leicester, Peterborough and Stansted Airport. It is also possible to reach Stamford, Corby, Uppingham, Melton Mowbray, Nottingham and Leicester by motorway.

Look for hotels in Oakham.

Things to Do and Entertainment During August, Around Torquay and Paignton

By Gregory Greene

South Devon in August has always been a special place to be or spend a well earned break or holiday during the summer months. Like many holiday resorts and locations in the UK, Torquay and Paignton were both first established and made fashionable as holiday destinations as far back the Queen Victorian era.

Since then the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham also known as the "English Riviera" (which was coined from the name French Riviera, the holiday area of the south coast of France) has gone from strength to strength as a South Devon holiday resort area. For this area it is no surprise as this part of the Devon coastline has some amazing and breathtaking scenery, with many local attractions that are both new and historic, scattered throughout the area will give you plenty to see and do.

If you're a tennis fan and enjoyed the summer coverage of "Wimbledon" in London, you will be in for a real treat as the "Torbay Open Tennis Championships" starts on the last day of July and carry on for a week into the beginning August. This is a historical event as it was first staged back in 1887 and is now one of the country's leading tennis tournaments and is hosted proudly by the Torquay Tennis Club.

The beginning of August also sees the "Cockington Fayre" at Cockington Court and Country Park in the typically quaint Devon village of Cockington, just on the outskirts of Torquay. It's largely a traditional old English country fayre, with side stalls with local produce, as well as arts & crafts, there is also music and dance, as well as displays by exhibitors. The fayre will also feature traditional "Morris Men Dancing" dressed in all of their regalia. As well as all of the attractions at the fayre there will also horse carriage rides, art galleries, a medieval church, cafe selling freshly made dishes plus a 460 acre award-winning Cockington country park with lakes and woodland to explore, so it makes a great family day out.

Next on your list of things to do and see in early August should be the "Torbay Steam Fair" at Churston Ferrers, situated just on the edge of the town of Brixham and this year the Steam Fair see's itself having its 25th Anniversary. This is another good family orientated event with much to experience, the fair is largely aimed at showing off all the wonderful working steam engines, vintage, and classic cars, old trucks and lorries by their loving owner's. There are also military displays, market stalls, a range of local cider's to sample and for the children there is entertainment from Como the Clown, pony rides and also a beautiful birds of prey display and you can even handle some playful parrots. One thing is for sure there is plenty for all the family to see and do around Torquay and Paignton in August.

Gregory Greene is writing on behalf of "H and H Caravans" of Torquay in South Devon, for a great choice in Paignton Caravans or when you are looking for the best Holiday Park Devon with a relaxing atmosphere near the sea.

Ghosts of Chillingham Castle

By Jackie Reynolds

Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, UK is said to be the most haunted castle in the UK and not surprisingly since the castle houses dark dungeons and macabre torture chambers. This ancient fortress dates back to 1246, when the Earl Grey lords built this remarkable building and where the Earl Grey ancestors have resided for centuries.

The castle is presently the home of Sir Humphry Wakefield Bt., his wife The Hon. Lady Wakefield and their family. The family claim it is the most haunted castle because of the many ghosts which frequently haunt their home.

The most notable ghostly apparition is the 'blue boy' (or 'radiant boy') who is said to haunt the castle's Pink Room. Many guests, whilst occupying the room, have heard terrifying wailing sounds soon to be followed by a halo of blue light appearing above their bed.

Although that particular haunting ended when a gruesome discovery during renovation work revealed the bones of a young boy and a man who had been bricked inside a wall. It was intended that no one should ever hear their piteous cries for help, as the wall was built 10 feet thick.

This was not the end to the hauntings in Chillingham Castle. The owners have also witnessed a much more sinister energy which wanders the halls...the terryfying spectre of the once evil torturer - John Sage.

JOHN SAGE - A GHOST OF EVIL PAST

When nightime falls around Chillingham Castle, one of the most feared sounds to be heard on occasions is that of 'something' slowly dragging its foot as it wanders the corridors. It is believed to be the spirit of former Lieutenant, John Sage who earned the nickname 'dragfoot', when in life, his leg was injured by a spear during his final battle in the ongoing wars with his Scottish neighbours.

After his injury he was desperate for a position of work and was proud to be given the title of Chillingham Castle torturer by the castle owner Edward Longshanks (1200 AD). Sage was a monster of a man and his gruesome work would give him immense satisfaction for the next 3 years, where he would go on to torture at least 50 of his Scottish enemies per week.

Sage would revel as the Scots were captured and tossed into the castle's dungeons. These poor souls would wish they had perished on the battlefield, as Sage was renowned for carrying out the most hideous tortures in history. One torture device came to be known as one of the most feared...'the cage'. This apparatus would trap its victim and then be placed over a blazing fire - roasting the captive for hours, whilst Sage sat studying his enemy - writhing and screaming for their death.

Sage's insatiable thirst for torture would eventually lead to his downfall, when one day his lover Elizabeth Charlton paid him a visit. During their sexual liaison, Sage decided to place Elizabeth on one of his other torture devices - 'the rack'. Sage then began strangling her during the height of her sexual pleasure, but he went too far and accidentally killed her.

Elizabeth's father (a Border Reiver, clan leader and outlaw), upon hearing of his daughter's death, warned the now almost penniless Longshanks, if he did not have Sage killed he would join in an allied attack with the Scots against the Castle.

Longshanks' dwindling resources due to the war and the fact that the Border Reiver's were a powerful force gave him little choice but to put Sage to death. He was hanged on the grounds of the castle on 'Devil's Mile' (aka, Devil's Walk) before a crowd of jeering onlookers.

As Sage's body still twitched with life, the crowd set about him - slicing pieces from his body, including his nose, toes, and testicles. A rather 'cutting' fate, some may say, for one who's greatest rapture was the sight of an ungodly end.

http://www.worldmysteriesandtrueghosttales.com

Ten Hot Tips to Help You Achieve a Happy and Safe Seaside Holiday Vacation

By Keith Pritchard

No matter how long you have been waiting for that long-awaited seaside break, and how much preparation is done beforehand, the success of your holiday lies not only in what you pack in your luggage. Here are ten important points to remember whilst you are away to help ensure a safe and successful, seaside holiday vacation.

Before we begin my 10 Hot Tips, let's remember what may be the most obvious safety precaution to take because so many people do need reminding! Avoid excess exposure to the sun as you will burn more quickly by the sea due to higher ultra violet light level. If you ignore this oft-repeated medical advice you may well very soon suffer with sore skin, which can be extremely uncomfortable. You may also soon dehydrate, leading to headache and nausea. Worse still, you will expose yourself to the risk of skin cancer.

OK, so here then is my main list of other things you might like to bear in mind to help things run smoothly, ensure you are made welcome at your holiday destination, and in some cases, even prevent disaster.

*Arrival: When you arrive at the coast, if the road is in any way busy, do always keep up with the main flow of traffic, concentrate on the road, and don't suddenly pull in without notice. By doing so you will avoid being 'cut up' or honked at by locals, who frustrated by congestion caused by a constant stream of 'Sunday Drivers' need to get on with their daily business.

*Excitement: Try to curtail excessive noise at your holiday cottage due to excited children, a dog in unfamiliar surroundings and so on. If you decide to have a barbecue, don't smoke out the neighbours. Have a word with them first if possible, just in case they any windows open or washing drying that you can't see. They'll be pleased to meet you and make you so much more welcome for taking the trouble.

*Shoes: Wear sensible shoes when crossing rocks, loose shingle or sand; broken and sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries to arise by the seaside.

*Flags: Beach safety flags should not be ignored: Red Flags means danger, don't enter the water, Chequered Flags indicates that the area between them has been designated for craft-use, such as wind surfing, kayaks and surfing. Avoid swimming there. Red and Yellow Flags indicate swimming zones where a lifeguard is present.

*Seagulls: It's always a temptation to feed the birds, especially by throwing the seagulls a few spare chips. Do refrain from doing this though as incoming gulls seeking titbits can be very frightening to small children and the disabled who can't always frighten them off. Partly tame seagulls can also become a nuisance by tearing open bin bags in the search for food, thereby creating a health hazard.

*Tides: Never try to guess the time of the tide. If you swim offshore, venture along rocks, or plan to walk any distance out onto open sands, always seek and heed advice about the wisdom of so doing before you set out. Locals will respect you for it as their relatives or friends, working on the lifeboat, or as coastguards won't be called out, possibly putting themselves in danger, unnecessarily.

*Fishing: Be careful not to discard fishing line on the beach. By so doing you'll prevent sea birds from becoming entangled and suffering tortuous death.

*Wildlife: Seals, that may often appear quite tame, are wild animals. When they hauled out ashore or swimming near the tide line they will sometimes lunge towards humans if provoked. Also do not pursue dolphins in a speedboat; your propeller could slash them causing both the animals and yourself great distress.

*Dogs: When walking your dog on a cliff top, always use a leash. It's commonplace for seagulls to mob unattended canines and for the dogs to chase after them. Say no more.

*Souvenirs: Be aware that if you take pebbles off many beaches to decorate your garden pond or garden, you may breaking local by-laws and face a heavy fine! This has come about since people began moving van loads of stones to garden centres for easy profit, to the potential detriment of natural coastal defence.

So, there's my list: the ultimate 'do and don't' guide to a successful seaside holiday!

I hope it's helpful.

Have fun!

This item is provided by, Keith Pritchard, Professional Photojournalist of 30 years standing.

Please visit: SEA SAFETY and SURVIVAL

Cromer Crab - A Taste of North Norfolk

By Kerry Samantha Miller

If you are staying at any one of the main hotels in North Norfolk, there is a good chance you will have Cromer crab on the menu at some stage. This is the seafood delicacy that Cromer is particularly famous for and there are many fishermen from the resort who make a living from catching the crustaceans.

A classic North Norfolk seaside resort, Cromer has a splendid beach, a broad promenade and a traditional pier, with seaside shows at the end of the pier during the summer. Cromer was developed as a resort by the Victorians and is now a place to visit either on a hot summer's day or to enjoy a bracing stroll in the middle of winter too.

Many North Norfolk hotels are open all year round, so finding a place to stay shouldn't be too difficult, even in the low season.

Cromer has all the usual shops where sticks of rock, buckets and spades and rock pool nets can be bought and you can also purchase some famous Cromer crabs from outside the homes of the fishermen. Usually cleaned and dressed in their shells, they can be enjoyed at home or with a picnic on the sand.

Cromer crabs are fabulous, they tend to have a greater proportion of white meat to brown, and their flesh is ever so slightly sweeter than that of other crabs. It can be found on menus of pubs and restaurants and in particular on menus of Norfolk luxury hotels.

You can also try to catch one of these tasty crabs yourself. Every day, scores of people make their way down to Cromer Pier armed with crab bucket, bait, hook and line in the hope of catching a crab. You can join many of the adults and children with their lines hanging over the side of the pier, all waiting in anticipation of hoisting up a crab. Children can be seen proudly showing off their catches but as is the custom, these crabs are then thrown back into the sea.

But if crabbing is not for you, then simply sit and relax on the pier and have an ice cream or a pot of tea.

However, any weekend break Norfolk wouldn't be complete without sampling Cromer crab.

Kerry Miller is a keen traveller who has stayed in many North Norfolk Hotels including Norfolk Luxury Hotels