Your Summer Bumper Issue - Aspire Magazine

UK HolidaysInvernesshireCERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITIONthe Pines CountryHouseCairngorm National ParkRelax and enjoyHighland hospitality.Children and pets welcome.Price: Double Room Bed &Breakfast from £57.50 per nightwww.thepines-duthil.co.uklynn@thepines-duthil.co.ukTel: 01479 841 220SuffolkPoplar HallSouthwoldPoplar Hall isa 16th centurythatched houseset in 1½ acresof lovely gardensurrounded bycountryside, yetis only 2½ milesfrom the sea and3½ miles fromSouthwold. Acharming, tranquilplace to enjoy the countryside, birdwatching,cycling and eating well!We offer both bed and breakfast in themain house, and beautifully appointed selfcateringaccommodation in the grounds.For More information contact:Anna GarwoodPoplar Hall, Frostenden Corner,Frostenden, Near Southwold NR34 7JATel: 01502 578 549Email: poplarhall@tiscali.co.ukwww.poplarhallsouthwold.comCornwallWith its mild climate and abundance ofattractions, Cornwall attracts thousandsof tourists each year. If you plan to be oneof them this summer, Aspire would like torecommend a stay at St Leonard’s House,on the Cornwall/Devon border.This longrunningB&Bwas takenover by theMarshallfamily in2002. JohnMarshall told Aspire why he boughtthe property: “We bought the propertyknowing it was being run as a B&B,but we wanted to simply live here – wewanted it as our home. However, oncewe’d bought it, we discovered that therewere still some bookings; we decided totake them and it’s grown from there.”The house has three en-suite roomsavailable for rent: one twin and twodoubles, all of which have TV withFreeview, hairdryer, bathrobes, andhospitality tray. Downstairs, there is a guestlounge that’s ideal for relaxing; it’s quiet asthere is no TV. Outside, the garden boastsa patio with garden furniture, perfect forrestful afternoons by the river.RutlandHave A Comfortable Stay AtLuxury At St Leonard’sBed &BreakfastThey say that breakfast is the mostimportant meal of the day, and this iscertainly the case at St Leonard’s House.John and Jane offer a feast and every tasteand dietary requirement can be catered for,so whether you like to start the day withtea and toast, coffee and croissants, or afull English, you’ll have the energy youneed to explore. Evening meals can also beprovided, by prior arrangement.As St Leonard’sHouse is openthroughout theyear, it’s theideal base fromwhich to exploreeverythingCornwalland Devon have to offer; from historicsites such as Tintagel and the townof Launceston (the ancient capital ofCornwall), to family attractions such as TheEden Project (45 minutes drive) and thenorth coast beaches. Guided tours of thearea can be arranged, and tailored to suityour individual interests.Tel: 01566 779195Email: john.marshall@stleonardshouse.co.ukWeb: www.stleonardshouse.co.ukBook a Break inBranstonAre you one of the many Brits looking to holiday at home thisyear? If so, a break in Lincolnshire offers many opportunitiesto discover what’s great about the British countryside, aswell as the history surrounding the city of Lincoln. Whetheryou’re looking for a week’s holiday or just a weekend break,Buckingham’s Bed and Breakfast offers a comfy, welcomingplace to stay, and is great value for money.Situated in the quiet village of Branston, this B&B is ideallylocated to soak up all the sights of Lincolnshire, and providesa great base from which to explore the entire county.Established as a holiday accommodation in 1998, this bedand breakfast has two rooms available for guests. The first isa double room, complete with en-suite bathroom, whilst thesecond is a twin room, with its own private bathroom, andboth are beautifully decorated and offer a snug and homelyplace to relax and unwind. The village location means you’refree from noisy traffic, guaranteeing a good nights sleep, andleaving you refreshed and energised to get out and enjoy thewonders of the county. Towels, linen and toiletries are alsoprovided.Guests will be treated to a hearty, freshly cooked fullEnglish breakfast, made from locally produced and organicingredients. If you prefer a lighter breakfast, toast andcereals are also available. The secluded garden to the backof the property provides a pretty area to sit out and enjoythe sunshine and the tranquillity of Branston. Arrival anddeparture times are flexible, depending on the guests needs,and keys are provided upon request, allowing you to comeand go as you please.Buckingham’s B&B welcomes children over the age of five.However, if you would like accommodation for a baby, guestsmust provide their own travel cot, although there is no extracharge. Pets are also welcome, provided guests care andprovide for their animal themselves.The Old Bake HouseExplore the stunning views of Britain’s smallestcounty with a stay at the Old Bake House. Situatedin the quiet, charming village of Belton-on-Rutland,you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of thecountryside and get a guaranteed goodnight’ssleep.The Old Bake House is a self-contained apartmentwith two bedrooms. The first is a triple, offering adouble and a single bed, whilst the second is asingle-bed room. The apartment offers a traditionalstyle and there is a large, comfortable lounge,complete with television. There is also a futon, ifextra bedding is required. The modern kitchen isequipped with a cooker and microwave and there isplenty of off-road parking available. The apartmentis located next to the owner’s property and sharesthe garden, which is nicely secluded and offers arelaxing atmosphere, where you can sit and listento the birds.Rutland may be Britain’s smallest county, butthere’s plenty to see and do. Just seven miles awayyou’ll find Rutland Water, a man-made reservoircovering 3,100 acres, which draws people to thearea year after year. The shoreline covers 25 miles,giving you ample room to enjoy leisurely strolls,cycling and fishing, or even experience somethingnew at the watersports centre. With the opportunityto try out canoeing, windsurfing and sailing, you’llfind you need more than a day to cram it all in.Rutland Water Nature Reserve is well worth avisit as it’s one of Britain’s most important wildfowlsanctuaries. Regularly home to more than 20,000waterfowl at any one time, it has also beendesignated a European Special Protection Area. It’sa great area for birdwatching and the many hides,positioned around the reservoir, provide plenty ofcover for a day’s twitching.Nearby you’ll find Stamford, the finest sandstonetown in England, which is home to BurghleyHouse. Built in the 16th century, the stunninghouse offers magnificent gardens and a sculpturepark. The market town of Melton Mowbray is alsoclose by and the hourly bus services to Leicesterand Uppingham also mean you can leave the carat home for the day. The village pub is great forenjoying a quiet drink and a hearty meal at the endof a busy day.As well as its superb location for exploring thewhole county of Rutland, the Old Bake House isalso great value for money. Prices are charged at£50 per night, or £250 for a week’s stay.The Old Bake House, 6 Church Street,Belton-On-Rutland LE15 9JU Tel: 01572 717627Email: jimanne6@mail.adsl4less.comPrices are £50 per night, based on twoguests sharing, or £30 per night forsingle occupancy. Buckingham’s Bed andBreakfast is open all year round, except forChristmas and New Year.For more information, or to make abooking, call:01522 828658Buckingham’s B&B73 Station RoadBranstonLincolnLN4 1LGWith so much to see and do in the vast and varied countyof Lincolnshire, you might be wondering where to start.Just three miles from Branston sits Lincoln, the second mostvisited city in Britain, outside of London. This magnificentcity is steeped in history and culture, and its cathedral andcastle both come highly recommended for a day out. LincolnCathedral is also home to one of only four surviving copiesof the Magna Carta, one of the most important documentsof our history, and should be at the top of anyone’s listof places to visit. There are also many shops to browse,including fashion boutiques, specialist bookshops and highstreet stores, and historic cruise tours, running through thewaterways of the city, are also a perfect way to see the sights.For a more active way to spend the day, there are localstables near to Branston for a spot of horse riding, and alsothe new Water Rail Way, which provides a beautiful riversidewalk along the picturesque Lincolnshire countryside. Thereare also many stately homes to visit, with magnificent gardensto enjoy.Why not head to the coast for some seaside fun. Just anhour’s drive will take you to Skegness, and with its beach,amusement arcades and Natureland Seal Sanctuary, you’llfind your day is lively and entertaining. The Fantasy Islandfunfair at nearby Ingoldmell’s is also great fun for kids.If you’re hungry after a busy day exploring Lincolnshire,the nearby pub is the ideal place to head for a tasty, hotevening meal, before heading back to Buckingham’s Bed andBreakfast for a great night’s sleep.18 ASPIREASPIRE 19