Britain on the Cheap

It’s easy to slip back a century or so for the holidays when you visit Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Shropshire. On Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, Blists Hill Town residents will be celebrating in 1800s style, with Christmas songs and stories, Punch and Judy and a magic show. Sing [...]

Take your chances on the Ghost Tours Oct. 26 and 27 from the Discovery Centre in Winchester, Hampshire. The walk, £5/$8 pp, will start at 6:30 p.m. with tales of creepy happenings in the Discovery Centre itself, before heading on to find out more horrible histories in the Theatre Royal next door. The ghost of [...]

Free Halloween fun is afoot at The Red House Museum in Christchurch, Hampshire, a former Georgian workhouse. On Oct. 27, children five and older can discover a “Skulls, Skeletons and Skull Duggery” hands-on workshop. On Oct. 29, families can make Halloween lanterns, which they can take with them later on the spooky night Ghost Tour [...]

Yes, summer 2012 means Olympics in London, but for loyal royalists, it’s all about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend June 2-4, 2012, marking Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. VisitLondon has a new contest to win a five-night trip to help the sovereign celebrate. The winner will spend a night under the stars at [...]

The Bank Holiday, starting Aug. 26, still has some good overnight bargains. The Cider Barn, near Newnham-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, is 15% off, with a three nights’ rental now £313/$515, saving £55/$91. The bright conversion, for a couple, is on the doorstep of Border castles, the cathedral towns of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, and walking, cycling, riding [...]

Rooms are still open for the royal wedding April 29! The official Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding site has all the latest details. If you simply can’t resist, there are still spots! The Colonnade Hotel in London’s Little Venice is offering a room-only rate of £184/$290 during the royal wedding weekend. Ashdown Park Hotel [...]

There are still hotel spots in London for the royal wedding April 29! Look for the latest news on the official Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding site, then pounce on your best price! Doyle Royal Wedding, April 15-May 8. The three London hotels of the Doyle Collection– The Marylebone Hotel, The Bloomsbury Hotel and [...]

Don’t give up if you really want to be in London for the royal wedding April 29! Check out the official Prince William and Kate Middleton royal wedding site for all the latest details, then book your hotel. Here are some hotels whose rates have not gone through the roof. Apex Hotels, April 28-30. Apex [...]

The NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival will throw an epic finale with the free New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival from 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Newcastle’s Ice Queen and her entourage will lead the fun, with a carnival atmosphere in the streets around the city monument. At 5:15 p.m., you can join the parade on its way to [...]

Throughout December, SACO serviced apartment company has discounts up to 50% off. Bath has one-bedroom apartments at £105/$168 per night, saving £35/$59. Two-bedroom apartments are £175/$277 per night, saving £63/$103. Birmingham has one-bedroom apartments at £79/$127 per night, saving £87/$143. Two-bedroom apartments are £99/$157 per night, saving £95/$165. Cardiff has one-bedroom apartments at £79/$127 per [...]