We’re casting for a new series of Channel 4’s popular ‘Four in a Bed’, celebrating the great Bed and Breakfasts and small hotels around the UK. Whether it be their five glowing stars or the quirky and unusual approach that the owners deem their unique selling point, the programme will look at the huge variety of accommodation providers around the country.
We are looking for enthusiastic and proud owners who feel that their business stands out from the competition and has something special to offer for the price that visitors are charged.
This series will now not only feature a wide range of B&Bs but also small hotels. They’ll all be run by owners who are deeply committed to their business and can explain in a lively and engaging way why their place, and the area in which it’s located, is so good to visit.
Each week, four places will compete against one another to be crowned that week’s best B&B or small hotel… and the judges of the competition will be the owners themselves – as they will each visit one another’s properties.
This is a potentially brilliant opportunity for owners to showcase their business on national television and highlight why customers should flock to visit them. We hope the programme will continue to encourage viewers to choose independently run places to stay in, rather than the larger chain operations.
Anyone who is interested should email us at fourinabed@studiolambert.com
The historical town on the coast of the English Channel with the castle being slowly taken away by the North Sea.
For many years Hastings has been a number one destination for Britons bored with hustle and bustle of the city life. Every week the charming corners of the old town, as well as picturesque beaches at the bottom of the cliffs, were buzzing with tourists craving the sea breeze and sun.
Present Hastings is, however, very different. No sign of mega crowds, but the scenic bay, the old castle and the town are still here. The change happened because more and more often Britons spend weekends abroad, with the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. But the residents of Hastings are unfazed.
Hastings, there is no doubt about that, is the right place for the fans of traditional English countryside, picturesque cliffs and small, winding streets.
The town’s biggest attraction are indisputably the ruins of the oldest British castle, built by William the Conqueror. It dates back to 1066, when the king has also decided to built castles in Dover and Pevensey. The castle in Hastings is being slowly washed away by the waters of the North Sea. Exceptionally powerful storms lasting over six months brought erosion of sandy cliffs and collapse of a part of the castle into the sea as early as in 1287. This proccess still continues today, so don’t hesitate and visit the ruins now, as it could be a one of a kind opportunity.
For the lovers of English traditional architecture, Hastings has its pretty old town with narrow, winding streets, traditional English timber framing buildings and romantic alleyways, called ‘twittens’ by the locals. It is here where the beautiful Norman Road is located, also known as Portobello Road of the South.
Hastings is one of the oldest places in the UK with fishing tradition. There are two museums devoted to it: Fishermen’s Museum and Shipwreck Heritage Centre. To see them, you need to prearrange your visit. Not far from the museum you will find a traditional fish market. Here you can try freshly caught fish and see the biggest fishing net in Great Britain, spread out on the beach.
Hastings has also something to offer for the fans of nature. The town is located in a bay, surrounded by scenic cliffs, which you can admire from long, sandy beaches stretching along the coast. Hastings Country Park, which covers the cliffs, offers a network of beautiful footpaths and picnic areas.
For more information on Hastings visit the town’s official website: www.hastings.gov.uk
Posted by tasha | Bed and Breakfast | Posted on July 25th, 2011
The Swiss Cottage Bed and Breakfast is exclusively for Non Smokers
>>> more information
Sometimes there is no need to travel very far to have a great day out. If you live in England, there is a perfect getaway location on the South East coast called Portsmouth, which is in Hampshire. Not only is there plenty of fashionable, modern entertainment to enjoy, but there is a wealth of history underneath the surface and plenty of stuff for the younger ones. And of course, the Isle of White is just a short ferry ride away if you feel like adventuring a little bit further.
1. Historic Dockyard
Whether you have a family to entertain, or you are, rightly, just quite interested in how Britannia used to rule the waves, this is a great day out. Highlights include the mysterious Mary Rose Museum. Who were the people aboard at the time? Why did she sink? Or why not check out HMS Victory, the famous war ship, and see where Nelson commanded and eventually died on board. The main attraction of Historic Dockyard is that the ships are brought to life by experts and actors in full dress and visitors can explore the ships themselves.
2. Spinnaker Tower
This spectacular building stands at 170 metres above the Portsmouth harbour, mimicking the shape of a sail blown in the wind. The tower was opened in 2005 and attracted nearly half a million visits in the first year alone. It is not hard to see why, with beautiful 360 degree views of Portsmouth and the sparkling Solent Sea. At the top of the tower, visitors can dare to walk across the largest glass floor in Europe, or brace the elements in the open air top deck.
3. Gunwharf Quays
Gunwharf Quays is where the old and new Portsmouth is brought together. This large complex encompasses restaurants with cuisines from around the world, fashion outlet stores for retail therapy, bars and nightclubs, a bowling alley and a cinema. The best thing about this location is that there are so many ways to enjoy it, whether you choose to sip a strawberry daiquiri before a fine meal, looking out across the sea, or have a madcap dash to the bowling alley with children in tow.
4. The Isle of White Festival
Technically, this is on the Isle of White, and therefore not central to Portsmouth. However, it is a top destination for music lovers throughout the year and so close to Portsmouth that it is definitely worth a mention. In June, there is the Isle of Wight Festival, which is a popular destination for pop and rock lovers, with 2011 headliners including Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters and Kasabian. Bestival is a much more alternative affair, which is very family friendly. The Cure are headlining this year. Every year there is a fancy dress competition which all festival goers are encouraged to take part in.
This post only really scratches the surface when it comes to things to do in Portsmouth. Why not find out for yourself this summer?
UK Travel bug writes for a number of hotels and leisure destinations in the UK, and recommends finding a great Portsmouth hotel, or a hotel near Spinnaker Tower to get the best out of your stay in the area.
There’s plenty to do in Windsor, even though people seem to associate Slough with the boring workplace and dull roundabout featured in The Office, with Ricky Gervais. Slough is only 10 minutes away from Windsor in the car, which means it can be an excellent base of operations for jaunts with the family. With Legoland and Windsor Castle so close together, it’s somewhere you can easily keep the little ones entertained for a few days.
Children and adults alike are bound to be inspired by the view on approach to Windsor Castle. When I took my 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, they couldn’t quite believe their eyes upon site of the castle at the end of the long driveway. When they saw the turrets, I think they thought they were entering a Disney movie. It ticked the box for impressed children. When I explained that the slits in the stone masonry were for archers, who would have aimed their arrows towards attacking troops, their eyes widened. We had several conversations about knights and jousting that day.
The castle is still inhabited by Queen Elizabeth II, when she is not engaged in international appointments or visiting one of her other abodes in the UK. A good portion of the castle is open to the public, and there is a new tower tour – “Conquer the Tower”- where visitors can learn about the Round Tower. Not always ideal for those with height phobias, but definitely fun if you are not affected by vertigo.
Throughout the castle there are the sumptuous decorations you would expect of a royal dwelling. There is a personal art collection to enjoy, but every room is filled with colourful, paintings and enormous wall hangings, as well as many objects from around the world. There have been many trips abroad for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to gather elements of different cultures.
Highlight of the trip was something my daughter was highly fascinated by – but I loved too. Lovingly preserved at the castle is Queen Mary’s Dolls House- a perfect recreation of a house in miniature, complete with flushing toilets and working lights. Just fabulous.
Take my advice and take the children for a historic day at Windsor Castle- you won’t regret it! There are plenty of hotels near Windsor Castle you could try.
UKTravelBug writes about UK travel and accommodations like hotels near Slough. Find me on Twitter for more.
Posted by tasha | Advertising | Posted on June 2nd, 2011
Once again we are offering a free full page advert on www.selfcateringholidaydirect.co.uk when you advertise your b&b on www.bedandbreakfastdirect.co.uk
Posted by tasha | Devon, Half Term | Posted on February 21st, 2011
Looking for some family fun events this half term?? We’ve got lots on, plus lots of donkey friends to meet http://bit.ly/eWtcLT
Posted by tasha | Event | Posted on February 20th, 2011
Fire Engine & Vintage Vehicle Rally at Escot Park on 26 June. Check www.dsfire.gov.uk for more info nearer the time.
Law Change: Smoke Free UK: [Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England] What does it mean?
How does it deal with smokers?
Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in public places [2004] followed by Scotland [2006], Wales April 2007 and in July 2007 Law on Smoking in Public Places in UK . The law [all UK countries are similar in wording] allows owners of accommodation to decide whether the accommodation has provision for smokers. Guest rooms can be allocated for smokers where they may smoke. The room’s ventilation system must not allow smoke to enter the building in any way, not into hallways or public areas, but instead, be vented out into the open air. Accommodation providers may state that no rooms are allocated for smokers but will allow smokers to sleep in the rooms and going outside the building to designated smoking areas. The details are similar in all other UK countries.
Accommodation providers can however designate the whole building and grounds just for non-smokers.
What is ‘Exclusively Non-Smokers’? and how can we get across that accommodation including, hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, etc. are for non-smokers only?
>>> more information
Posted by tasha | Bed and Breakfast | Posted on December 7th, 2010
• Channel 4 is back to make a second series of Four In a Bed and you could be a part of it.
• Do you think you have a great B&B?
• Would you like to show the nation why they should book in?
• Do you think your business knowledge would make you a good judge of other peoples B&Bs?
We would like to talk to passionate and out-going Bed and Breakfast owners for the second series of Channel Four’s popular Four In a Bed.
We are looking for B&B owners who feel they have something special to offer their customers – and are willing to put their businesses to the test. We’re looking for a wide range of B&Bs, but they’ll all be run by proud B&B owners.
For more information please contact Studio Lambert ASAP on fourinabed@studiolambert.com
Please state the name of the B&B that you run, your contact details and tell us why you are so proud of your business.