Saturday 17 August 2013

Holiday Blog Tour #3 - Staycation

Holiday's are a wonderful way to explore foreign lands or distant parts of your own country.  We love to venture far and wide in search of an escape, but in our quest for adventure we often overlook the simplest destination of all - our own back yard.


By this I don't mean open the patio doors and take in the view of your petunia's, what I do mean is take in the delights of your local area.

During our holiday blog tour for my August challenge I have driven approximately 520 miles (836km), taking in the Cornish coast and the breathtaking beauty of Somerset.  This week I'm staying closer to home and looking at what's available in my local area.

I live 8 miles from Britain's second city, Birmingham.  An amazing city full of rich architecture, museums and famed for its food festivals.

I also live 23 miles (37km) from Stratford-upon-Avon, home of William Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.  A thirty minute drive will take me to Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa and Drayton Manor Park and Zoo.

During the summer months my own home town of Solihull hosts numerous events such as a food festival, craft markets, activities for the kids and music events.

Once you begin to take a closer look at what is available on your doorstep you will be pleasantly surprised.

I attended a writing workshop today, hosted by the fabulous Stan Nicholls, bestselling author of the Orcs series at a venue just 15 minutes from my house.  This is a place I have passed a hundred times, I knew it was there but it never occurred to me to visit with the children. 

This place is Sarehole Mill, a working watermill built in 1750 but a place best known as where JRR Tolkien spent part of his childhood using the surroundings as inspiration for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Enjoy a 'staycation' and look closer to home for a day out this August, you'll be so glad you did.


Where do you live and do you have an amazing landmark on your doorstep? 

2 comments:

  1. Hi Shelley,

    I hope you’re having a lovely week! My name is Sheri, I work a digital agency based in Bristol called Digital Visitor. I was just doing some research for one of the campaigns we’re running at the moment & I came across your lovely blog!

    I was having a read and noticed that you’d been to the South West on a little holiday recently and thought you’d be a perfect match! I wondered whether you might be interested in sharing a competition with your readers on your blog and/or facebook/twitter? Red Spotted Hanky are giving away a holiday for you & 3 friends or family to Devon where you can take part in one of three fab Devon experiences!

    Below is some general info & I can also send you some pictures.

    ************************
    Come down to Devon with redspottedhanky.com and experience a fantastic weekend with a little something for everyone!

    Simply follow the link & pick your favourite Devon experience to be entered into the prize draw! Choose from an undersea adventure at a behind the scenes Turtle Tour at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, a traditional steam train journey with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Co or Go Ape & fly down zip-wires in the Haldon Forest with Go Ape!

    http://bit.ly/17E5hzj

    If you win, we’ll zip you and three friends or family to Devon by train - plus we’ll give you vouchers so you can book a lovely local hotel too!

    So enter now for the chance to experience a fantastic fun filled trip to Devon you’ll never forget!

    *************************

    Let me know if you have any questions or if you decide to do a post!
    I look forward to hearing from you,
    All the best,
    Sheri
    sheri@digitalvisitor.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sheri, sounds fabulous. I have sent you a direct mail so please feel free to send me pictures, thanks :)

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