Blog & News
02/08/10: It’s new, impressive, eco-friendly and free
Once a chalk quarry, Buckinghamshire’s College Lake (near Tring) was restored 20 years ago into a marvellous mix of natural wildlife habitats.
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28/07/10: Trout and About local food festival at Stockbridge – 1st August
Stockbridge is the tasty place to be this Sunday, 1st August, from 10am – 3pm.
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28/07/10: Oxfordshire & Thame County Show - 31st July
It’s billed as The Greatest One Day Agricultural Show in the country. Come along and find out why.
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14/07/10: Kent CAMRA Beer Festival: 22 – 24 July
Get a taste for real regional ales at the second oldest Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) beer festival in England.
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06/07/10: Six of the best: cool ideas for summer on the River Thames
The River Thames is a wonderful source of pleasure and entertainment for holidays and days out. Here are six ideas of where to start.
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03/07/10: Maize Maze Season starts in July
Take on the challenge of a giant maze with intricate paths weaving through of walls of living maize.
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02/07/10: It’s Beatrix Potter Time at Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire
Enjoy fun and games with Peter Rabbit and friends this July in the glorious grounds of Mottisfont Abbey beside the River Test.
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30/06/10: The first Surrey Produce Festival: Sunday 4th July
Plenty to see, taste and buy on panoramic Box Hill.
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24/06/10: Festival of Cycling at Bedgebury Forest – 17 & 18 July
Free coaching sessions, skills activities, enduro races, treasure hunt and more in safe and super off-road setting.
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17/06/10: Step Out and Explore
Join guided walks or step out in your own time on National Trails and other well-marked scenic routes.
Discover more of the great outdoors on National Trails, long distance routes which take in some of the finest landscapes in England and Wales.
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14/06/10: Adopt an Otter with the Surrey Wildlife Trust
And help protect the future of this charismatic creature.
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14/06/10: Get Close to Nature
Observe and enjoy birds, beasts, bugs and flowers with your local wildlife experts.
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14/06/10: Join the Fun at Visitor Attractions
Family activities, special events, shows and exhibitions mean that even the most familiar favourites have something you won’t want to miss.
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14/06/10: Enjoy Outdoor Sports and Hobbies
Gliding, clay pigeon shooting, mountain boarding, watersports, family activity days, tree climbing, Nordic walking and more.
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13/06/10: Keep Watching this Website!
Our COUNTRYSIDE 2010 fortnight of discovery may be drawing to a close, but keep visiting the website for current news of rural attractions, activities and events in South East England.
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12/06/10: Get on Your Bike!
Throughout South East England, there are plenty of friendly groups who welcome beginners, more experienced riders, families – in fact anyone who enjoys a bit of exercise on two wheels.
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12/06/10: Discover your River Thames
With special offers on boat trips, boat hire, riverside attractions, hotels and restaurants, a children’s Passport to Fun and a Grand Draw worth over £1,000.
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12/06/10: Visit a farm near you this Sunday, 13th June!
Get in touch with the land that feeds us: Open Farm Sunday invites us to meet the farmers who grow our food and care for the countryside.
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10/06/10: Visit Artists’ Open Studios in South East England
At this time of year, artists and craftspeople open their doors to the public to show off their work and talk about what they do.
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10/06/10: It’s the Big One and it’s happening now!
Catch the South of England Show in West Sussex, from 10th – 12th June.
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10/06/10: Stunning Views and Wild Flowers on the Ridgeway National Trail
Enjoy highlights of Britain’s most ancient footpath on guided walks this Sunday.
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08/06/10: Indoor Attractions for COUNTRYSIDE 2010
Don’t let a wet day dampen your enjoyment of the countryside. The Event Directory has details of some fascinating undercover attractions on a rural theme.
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07/06/10: Get on Your Bike in COUNTRYSIDE 2010!
Our Event Directory gives details of friendly groups who welcome beginners, more experienced riders, families – in fact anyone who enjoys a bit of exercise on two wheels.
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05/06/10: Catch This!
It’s Petal Fall Weekend at Exbury Gardens.
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04/06/10: A Cool Idea for this Sunny Weekend
This is perfect boating weather! Check these Directory entries for special offers on scheduled trips and private boat hire up and down the Thames.
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03/06/10: It’s Festival Time in West Sussex
Be it ale or art, gardens, music, drama, walking or local food – celebrations are underway throughout the Adur district during COUNTRYSIDE 2010.
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02/06/10: Springwatch Events are Happening Now!
Get to know the local wildlife with lots of outdoor activities that are fun and free.
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31/05/10: More Things to Do in the Woods!
Our COUNTRYSIDE 2010 Event Directory features all sorts of wonderful woodland activities and events. Here are more bright ideas for making the most of your time in the woods.
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28/05/10: Art in the Countryside
Visit Farley Farm House on Sunday June 6th 2010 and take a tour of the home of the Surrealists Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, enjoy the scuplture garden with great views of the South Downs. In Farleys Barn Gallery adjacent to the house is a free exhibition of works by local artists.
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27/05/10: Can’t Make the Chelsea Flower Show?
You’re still in for a treat. There’s plenty going on in the glorious gardens of South East England between now and 13th June.
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27/05/10: Free “Guinea Pigs” Bushcraft Day
The Woodcraft School at Midhurst runs year-long bushcraft instructors courses. As part of Countryside 2010, you are invited to be ‘guinea pigs’ for the day, learning a range of bushcraft skills. Midhurst, West Sussex. June 10-12
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26/05/10: Discovery the History, Folklore and Medicinal Properties of Herbs
Discover the history, folklore and medicinal properties of plants growing in Kent, with Herb Walks at Chilham with local practicing Medical Herbalist Milena Moore.
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25/05/10: Where Shall We Go this Half Term?
The COUNTRYSIDE 2010 Event Directory has over 700 choices – many of them are free!
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25/05/10: Last Chance to See Bluebells
In the cool cover of the woodlands, bluebells are still in flower. Here’s where to catch their final flourish.
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25/05/10: Trace England’s Bloody History – Chalgrove Battlefield Walk
A two mile walk across peaceful Oxfordshire fields will uncover of a turbulent past. As special walk organised by Battlefield Trust on Sunday 6th June, tells the tale of June 1643 when these same fields were the site of fierce fighting.
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24/05/10: Time for a ramble on the Hampshire Strawberry Trail
One of the best ways to discover the Hamble Valley on Hampshire’s coastline is to walk the self-guided Strawberry Trail taking in beautiful countryside and the attractions on the Hamble pennisular.
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22/05/10: Book Now for Bats and Badgers
Evening walks to detect bats and badgers are proving very popular. Make sure you book your place.
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21/05/10: Pens poised for The Sussex House Party
Writer Gilly Smith and Jed Novick are opening the paddock for a summer camp for writers and would be writers of all ages on the weekend of June 5/6th.
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20/05/10: There’s a Festival Afoot on the Chiltern Way
The Chiltern Way circular walking route is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a programme of guided walks exploring wonderful scenery and pretty Chiltern villages.
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18/05/10: Look to the stars at the Observatory Science Centre
Enjoy hands-on science and discovery among the domes and telescopes of a world famous astronomical observatory within the grounds of beautiful Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex.
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17/05/10: 22nd MAY: Open Day at Thames Motor Yacht Club, Hampton Court
Boat trips, marching bands, Morris men and more. Welcome to club! The Open Day at the Thames Motor Yacht Club is all about introducing new people to the joys of boating as part of Discover your River Thames 2010.
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14/05/10: Saturday 15 May: don’t miss the Dinosaur’s Birthday Party
The Oxfordshire Museum at Woodstock is celebrating its megalosaur’s first birthday from 11am – 4pm – admission is free.
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14/05/10: Ashridge on Screen in the new Russell Crowe movie
Russell Crowe stars as Robin Hood in Sir Ridley Scott’s new adaptation of the famous tale which opens at cinemas this week. Filmed in the Ashridge estate you can explore this lovely location during COUNTRYSIDE 2010!
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13/05/10: SUNDAY 16 MAY: The Alresford Watercress Festival - a great day out!
Every year, some 10,000 people gather to celebrate this versatile local crop with an action-packed day of food and fun, music and dance. A fabulous FREE day out for all the family!
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12/05/10: The UK’s Largest Walking Festival is happening now!
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is in full swing from now until 23rd May, with over 300 walks to choose from.
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10/05/10: Soar like the birds
If you fancy seeing the world from a new angle take to the air and experience the sport of gliding, perfect for getting a new view of the countryside.
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07/05/10: It’s National Mills Weekend
Visit wind and watermills opening on 8th & 9th May in a celebration of the UK’s milling heritage.
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05/05/10: Annual art extravaganza starts this weekend
Don’t miss the start of ARTSPACE 2010 with all the excitement of 20 years to celebrate. This amazing annual art exhibition opens this weekend, Saturday 8 May at 2pm and then daily until Bank Holiday Monday 31 May.
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02/05/10: Things to do this May Day bank holiday
There are plenty of activities planned in the South East region this bank holiday weekend from rock pooling to exploring ancient English woodland.
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30/04/10: Visit Private Gardens Open this May Bank Holiday
Treat yourself to a blooming wonderful May Bank Holiday by visiting one of the many gardens opening their gates to the public this weekend for The National Gardens Scheme.
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30/04/10: Abingdon Air & Country Show – 2nd May
Oxfordshire’s great charity fund-raiser presents three hours of Flying Displays, ground attractions for all the family, vintage and classic vehicles and a superb walk round Static Display of modern & vintage aeroplanes gathered for the event.
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27/04/10: If you do one thing this year – Discover your River Thames!
Snap up money saving offers and banish boredom. Discover boating fun, canoeing, river wildlife and family attractions and more on and around our most entertaining river.
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23/04/10: Find a Bluebell Walk Near You
The bluebell season is starting now. Here’s how to pinpoint a spectacular stroll.
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19/04/10: Special Treat for Garden-Lovers on 24th & 25th April
The Garden Show in Spring at Firle Place is an excellent reason to visit the East Sussex countryside this weekend. It’s also a rare opportunity to explore the 18th-century Secret Gardens of Firle Place.
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19/04/10: Picnic Afloat on the River Thames
Boating and summer picnics go hand in hand. Here’s how to put the two together for a stylish interlude on the broad and beautiful River Thames.
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14/04/10: A Wednesday to Remember in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
Many of the websites listed on our Link In to the Countryside page enable you to create your own itinerary for country visiting. Several sites also offer some really tempting ready-made options. Here’s a nice one from the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
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12/04/10: Kent Country Tours at the Touch of a Button
If you want to get straight to the heart of Kent’s finest countryside, simply follow one of the county’s four Country Tour motoring routes.
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08/04/10: Midsomer Murders Visitors’ Trail
DCI John Barnaby brings new blood to ITV’s crime classic when filming starts on the 14th series of Midsomer Murders in late July. Dip into Buckinghamshire’s Midsomer Murders Trail to track down some of those idyllic country locations, familiar to viewers in over 180 countries.
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08/04/10: Take Your Horse on Holiday
South East England has mile upon mile of accessible rides, on routes delving deep into peaceful countryside. Here’s a route to the B&Bs where horse and rider will feel at home.
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27/03/10: Free Sites Unlocked
English Heritage has come up with a modern way of providing information about free historic sites that are free to the public.
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27/03/10: Head for the Heights of the Surrey Hills
Leith Hill Tower, on the crest of the North Downs, is the highest point in the South East of England. An amazing 13 counties are visible on a clear day. These Surrey summits are simply breathtaking.
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05/03/10: 20 – 21 March: a Spring Bonus from the National Trust
The National Trust will be opening their doors for free on the weekend of 20-21 March 2010!
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23/02/10: Last chance to see Bewick’s swans
Last chance to see Bewick’s swans before they head north to their breeding grounds.
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12/02/10: Anyone for Polo?
It’s fast, it’s gladiatorial – and it’s free to watch.
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10/02/10: Fancy a fling on Pancake Day?
Then the village of Olney, in Buckinghamshire, is the place to be.
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02/02/10: Connect with us on Twitter
Follow and connect with us on Twitter. We’ll be posting news and updates as the campaign draws near.
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20/01/10: Snowdrop Spectacular!
Some of our greatest gardens are rolling out the white carpet to celebrate the first signs of spring.
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13/01/10: Idyllic England of the 1930s
Open now for winter weekends, Pendon Indoor Model Village and Railways, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, is a rare and special place. In exquisite and colourful miniature, it captures the life and landscape of the Vale of the White Horse as it was around 1930.
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12/01/10: Cinderellas of the Soil: Digging for Victory on the Sussex Downs
The Land Girls: Cinderellas of the Soil tells the triumphant story of the 200,000 women who left their pre-war lives to learn milking, rat catching, threshing and tractor driving as members of the Women’s Land Army, whose heroic efforts sustained our farming industry during World War II.
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06/01/10: Sounds just right for this weather!
Nordic Walking will be featured in the COUNTRYSIDE 2010 fortnight – but it sounds just the thing for snowy or wintry weather.
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26/12/09: For everyone lucky enough to live in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
For everyone lucky enough to live in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, here’s a tip on how to beat the Boxing Day bulge.
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15/12/09: Watch out for winter birds at the spectacular Winter Wildfowl
Watch out for winter birds at the spectacular Winter Wildfowl
Watch from 18 – 20 December at Pulborough in West Sussex.
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02/12/09: OS OpenSpace - mapping mashups for the great outdoors
Outdoors types can now benefit from a wealth of new websites that are being developed using OS OpenSpace. This great new facility from the national mapping agency allows anybody with a website to overlay information directly onto Ordnance Survey mapping. So events, activities, routes, locations and more can be displayed on a map and shared with others.
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30/11/09: Special offers for country visits
South East England’s official visitor website presents a variety of special offers that can be snapped up now or taken up later.
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24/11/09: Fun stuff for indoors and out: never be bored again!
For fun and games that bring the countryside to life, the Woodland Trust is a real breath of fresh air. The website of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity offers inspired ideas, all the year round.
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24/11/09: Share your image of the countryside in winter
The 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition attracted a record 43,135 entries from amateurs and professions all around the world. The RSPB would like to show everyone what you can do.
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23/11/09: A new meaning to working out
Research shows that this outdoor activity boosts energy, builds confidence, relieves stress and leaves you feeling fitter. It sets you a goal – and it’s free.
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