With winter closing in, be sure to celebrate the beauty of the season…as the icy breeze blows through the trees, feel the magic in the air! The winter solstice will be occurring on the 22nd December, marking the shortest day of the year or the longest night of the year! The winter skies are generally the best time for stargazing. The UK can boast no less than 6 National Parks that have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status - Brecon Beacons, [...]
The clocks may have gone back an hour, officially marking the end of British summer time, but it’s time to look forward! Maybe you are looking to take some time out, whether it be a cultural city break, the peace and tranquility of a rural escape, delving into the past to explore our great historic heritage or the need to be beside the sea, there are plenty of options! Whilst Norfolk with its fabulous 90 miles of coastland has to be [...]
Autumn, what a fantastic time of the year! The still warm sun burns away the morning mist from the valleys and meadows to set off the colours of the moor, mountain and countryside...An ideal time to wrap up warm and explore! A woodland walk at this time of year is particularly special... Discover the untamed beauty of the New Forest National Park, a captivating haven where nature takes centre stage. The popular New Forest Walking and Cycling Festival (14 - 29 October) [...]
As summer fades there’s no denying it, the days are drawing in and before we know it, Autumn will be upon us! The time of year that English poet, John Keats, describes as ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, is the perfect time to pause from the everyday rush and take time out... Enjoy the amazing places on our own shores…be it revisiting that special place or exploring somewhere new. New to B&B Nationwide, we are delighted to introduce Riverbank Bed & [...]
Enjoy this amusing Blog written by one of our B&B Hosts, Janet East at Yellingham Farm in Devon... “The grass is always Greener on the other side”. Whoever wrote that must have had my Black Welsh Mountain sheep in mind. The phrase dates back to the Greek poet Ovid, who lived in the first century B.C. The original saying was, “The harvest is always richer in another man's field.” Whichever phrase you choose, my Black sheep know the meaning and act [...]
Thinking of a short break away? It’s fair to say that for most of us Shropshire isn’t the first destination that springs to mind, but it’s not been called one of England’s ‘best kept secrets’ for nothing, so we thought we’d take a closer look! Picture unspoilt countryside, the beauty and tranquillity of the Shropshire Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, castles and canals, historic houses and beautiful gardens… Visit the World Heritage Site, Ironbridge Gorge with its ten museums – a fascinating [...]
Kent may only be a short distance from our great capital, but in so many ways it feels a world apart...From its fabulous 350 mile coastline to stunning Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Kent Downs, stretching from the white cliffs of Dover to the Surrey and London border...chalk ridges, ancient woodlands and superb walking trails, need we say more? Iconic attractions include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle ,''the loveliest castle in the world'', Chartwell , the much-loved home of Winston [...]
With the long hot days stretching ahead of us (we can but hope!), it’s a good time to plan a break away. So, continuing with our focus on various destinations around the country, Lincolnshire may sometimes be unjustifiably overlooked, so here are some insights highlighting this great county! Best-known for its popular seaside resorts, such as Cleethorpes and Skegness, one of Lincolnshire’s best-kept secrets however is its natural coastline. Offering miles of beautiful sandy beaches away from the crowds… Discover the [...]
With its spectacular dramatic coastline, picturesque harbours, sandy beaches and cultural heritage, the attraction of Cornwall has ensured its place as one of our favourite holiday destinations…and it would seem that Cornwall is reigning high as one of the top locations for a ‘Coronation Staycation’! Throughout the country, celebrations of King Charles III’s Coronation are set to take place across the Bank Holiday Weekend from 6th to 8th May. Cornwall is no exception, including on the 6th, a live screening of the Coronation from inside [...]
If you are interested in a walking experience like no other, look no further than the South West Coast Path! Stretching along 630 miles of spectacular scenery, the South West Coast Path starts at Minehead in Somerset and continues right around the southwest peninsula finishing at Poole Harbour in Dorset. Originally created by coastguards looking for smugglers, it’s easy to let the imagination wander as you stumble across old stone walls, stiles and coastguard cottages on route! The path showcases a [...]
Monthly Newsletter Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter! Plan a Break Away - 'The Little Green Book' - March Newsletter It's been a busy start to the year for the Team at B&B Nationwide, with preparations finalised for the publication of our new 2023 Brochure, The Little Green Book. We are excited to announce that the new Brochure will be available later this month, so be sure to order your copy. The Little Green Book is an ideal way to [...]
With winter closing in, be sure to celebrate the beauty of the season…and as the first icy breeze blows through the trees, feel the magic in the air! The countdown to the festive season heralds a time of special events and activities around the country. Many National Trust properties are hosting time-entry ticketed illuminated trails in their grounds. Kingston Lacy in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, is set to showcase its garden and parkland with ‘Ignite’, a magical illuminated discovery trail. Lightopia – a [...]
The clocks may have gone back an hour, officially marking the end of British summer time, but it’s time to look forward and make the most of those fabulous winter’s days. A winter break has its own magic... from walks along the wind swept beach, or through the frosted woodland to that pub with its roaring fire and warming tipple, to braving the elements on a blustery day and exploring all the area has to offer... making the evening away from [...]
Autumn... what a fantastic time of the year! The still warm sun burns away the morning mist lurking in valleys and meadows to set off the colours of the moor, mountain and countryside. Even the greyest of days struggles to dampen spirits, when set against a vibrant display of autumnal colour! An ideal time to wrap up warm and explore the wonders on our own doorstep! As well as the 15 National Parks we have in the UK, there are also 38 Areas of [...]
Take a step back in time to follow the trail of our selection of castles where Britain’s Kings and Queens were born, brought up, loved, fought and died! Stirling Castle, Scotland Stirling Castle, the home to Mary Queen of Scots through much of her life, boasts an impressive sight, as it sits high on a crag overlooking the River Firth. This sets the scene for the famous battles that took place not far from the Castle walls, such as Stirling Bridge [...]
Whilst the days may be getting shorter, summer’s not over yet! There’s still time for a late break, (now the crowds have dispersed!), in arguably some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Whilst Wiltshire is sometimes overlooked as a mainstream tourist destination, this county of chalk streams, rolling hills, open plains, canals, castles and ancient history should not be under-estimated! A predominantly rural county, it is to be found in the south of England, approximately 90 minutes from London and [...]
The UK can possibly lay claim to some of the most famous, beloved authors in literary history! Classic British authors include Jane Austen, whose novels are still among the best-selling classics ever, Agatha Christie, the ‘Queen of Crime Writers’, Charles Dickens, Victorian novelist whose famous works include A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of mastermind detective, Sherlock Holmes, to name but a few! Let’s not forget the likes of Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl, A.A.Milne and [...]
Wiltshire’s moonrakers weren’t so daft…Since the 18th century, Wiltshire men have been known as moonrakers. An odd name to match an equally peculiar story. The tale goes that one moonlit night some Wiltshire yokels were raking a village pond for kegs of smuggled brandy, when they were surprised by excise men. Country guile kicked in as they feigned stupidity claiming they were trying to rake out the moon, which was reflected in the water. Needless to say, several communities claim the [...]
As we have recently seen the UK recording temperatures above 40C for the first time, those fortunate enough to have booked time away have certainly been making the most of it! It’s not too late though to book a summer break and many of our Hosts still have some availability. It’s worth checking our ‘Special Offers/Late Availability’ for our latest updates. As you plan your summer itinerary, for something different, why not include a visit to one of Britain’s splendid fountains [...]
An enjoyable day out...many of us will at some point have experienced the challenge of time spent/getting lost (!) in a maze! Did you know the word 'maze' dates right back from the 13th century and comes from the Middle English word meaning delirium or delusion? Hedge mazes became popular in British formal gardens and estates in the 18th century, providing entertainment and from time to time even the setting for secret meetings! Film buffs may recall the maze being used [...]
