VisitLincolnshire

Transforming two acres of flat field & wilderness into a Japanese garden

2011-01-12T14:44:00.001Z

Maitreya will be playing at the Albert Hall in Nottingham on Sunday 16th January 2011

Pureland Japanese Garden has been a haven for visitors from all other the World and has become quite famous and loved by many visitors who return again and again.

Owned by Buddha Maitreya, he has received numerous awards in creating the stunning garden. Buddha Maitreya was born and brought up in Handa, Japan, has an MA in Buddhist Theology and lived the life of a Zen monk for a time. Through the invitation of a friend he came to England. He stayed in various centres and universities around the country and was whilst staying in Teversal in Nottingham he came across a property for sale in North Clifton that became a base from which to teach meditation.

Pureland Japanese garden was born in 1973 as a base for the teaching of meditation and provides a peaceful and beautiful garden for guests and visitors to the centre to enjoy.

Maitreya's main aim in creating the garden was to provide a peaceful, beautiful area which guests and visitors to the centre could enjoy. So in 1980 he began the process of transforming two acres of flat field and wilderness into a Japanese garden.

With no previous gardening experience, he plunged into the task, feeling his way as he went along. As North Clifton was in a flat area, Maitreya missed the hilly and mountainous scenery of Japan and so started to create his own in miniature.

Pureland Japanese Garden http://www.buddhamaitreya.co.uk/

Awards:

BA Award for Horticulture – 2008
Businessman of the Year – 2008
Healthy Living Award – 2009
Lifetime Achievement Award - 2009

The garden has been featured many times on television, magazines and newspapers, and is also featured in the following books:

The Inspirational Garden (AA Books)
The Good Gardens Guide (Readers Digest)
The Most Amazing Gardens to Visit in Britain (Readers Digest)

Christmas comes early for one Lincoln Visitor

2010-12-17T14:16:00.001Z

Christmas has come early for a city visitor after they won Visit Lincolnshire’s Christmas Elf Competition – a fun challenge that got residents and visitors talking about the best bits of the county!

The competition ‘Watch Out, Elf’s About’ hosted on Visit Lincolnshire’s website gave fans of the county a chance to win a Nintendo Wii by guessing correctly which Lincolnshire visitor attraction the festive Elf visited each week and adding a top tip of things to do whilst there.

A special presentation took place just in time for Christmas on Friday 17th December where the winner, Sue Matejtschuk from Hertfordshire (centre) and her son (left), collected their prize from Matthew Stevenson (right) from Springbok Computers who kindly sponsored the Nintendo Wii as the competition’s prize.

The competition supported Visit Lincolnshire and Lincoln Business Improvement Group’s first fully coordinated Christmas marketing campaign for the City, it unites all sectors of the local visitor economy including events, retail, food and drink, attractions and accommodation with the aim of boosting business over the festive season.

Upon receiving the news that she had won the prize Sue Matejtschuk said, “I was browsing the Visit Lincolnshire website to find out more after we heard the bad news that the Lincoln Christmas Market had been cancelled by the weather. I spotted the competition and thought, why not?”

“It was easy to suggest lots of great things to do in Lincoln, having both children studying in Lincoln means we often visit. It's a wonderful setting, the old with the new, something for everyone. Our first visit was when our son was looking for a place to study, and the University laid on a guided coach tour for parents. We now also receive the Taste of Lincolnshire magazine and have stayed in some lovely guest houses.”

“To receive my prize in time for Christmas will be perfect timing, we'll all be together and able to play the games as a family, and if I can find fitness type game for it there'll be no excuse for putting on lots of weight over the festive season!”

Matthew Stevenson, from Springbok Computers who donated the prize said, “Working with Visit Lincolnshire on their Christmas campaign has been great, it’s allowed me to contribute towards raising the profile of Springbok Computers whilst also promoting the City in the run up to Christmas.”

Interested in boats? Like food? Then join the Secret Supper Club on the last remaining Humber Sloop

2010-12-16T13:33:00.002Z

A dining experience with a difference has been launched aboard super sloop Spider T berthed at Keadby Lock.

On a cold December evening with thick slabs of ice still floating in the Keadby & Stainforth Canal, guests gathered for the inaugural ‘meeting’ of The Old Maritime Secret Supper Club.

Renowned local chef Nigel Brown, whose Cookery Academy is based at The Ropewalk in Barton-upon-Humber, demonstrated his skills in the galley of the beautifully restored sloop which was itself launched at New Holland in 1926.

The evening was hosted by Spider T’s owners Mal and Val Nicholson, who have lovingly restored this treasure of the national historic fleet, with Nigel and Lisa Brown demonstrating and serving the delicacies prepared on the galley’s Rayburn range.

Guests included members of the Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society and the Humber Yawl Club which are both dedicated to preserving traditional craft of the estuary in their traditional waters.

With its Edwardian ambience, the Spider T’s dining room will be a ‘secret’ rendezvous for that special occasion, be it a private or corporate event, catering for up to 12 people for whom Nigel will demonstrate his cooking skills using locally sourced foods.

For further details The Nigel Brown Cookery Academy call 01469 530044.

http://www.nigelbrownchef.co.uk/ | www.spidert.co.uk

Merry Christmas from Anderby Creek

2010-12-13T10:58:00.004Z

Last week the Visit Lincolnshire team received a beautiful Christmas email from our good friend Martin, he runs a stylish beach chalet at Anderby Creek on the Lincs coast.

In fact it was so nice we thought we’d share it….

The sky is clear. The sun rises above the sea and throws a pale, pink, cold light onto the clouds on the horizon. An icy wind comes in from across the sea. The beach is white with frost and snow and the sand is frozen.

Winter has come early this year - early and hard.

The snow drifts over the fields and piles up along the hedges. The traffic has stopped and the landscape is silent. A woodcock nestles in the bushes behind the dune – a rare sight.

In the house a fire glows in the stove – snug and warm. Time to set up the Christmas tree.

The Twentysix team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011.

P.S - Due to a cancellation Martin at Twentysix has availability over Christmas from 20 Dec - 29 Dec. And they are taking bookings for next year. The season starts on the 5th of March 2011.

Martin Hoenle
07814 - 829 912
martin@anderbycreek.eu
http://www.anderbycreek.eu/

Five’s The Gadget Show films TV episode at Elms Farm Cottages, Boston

2010-11-29T13:24:00.004Z

You can watch our appearance on The Gadget Show on Monday 29th November, 2010 at 8pm on Five.

A few weeks ago we welcomed an unusual set of visitors to Elms Farm Cottages, our 4 & 5 star self-catering holiday cottages near Boston.

Of course, it’s not every day we check in a TV crew, electricians, builders - and three large, fiery and frankly quite intrusive guests…

Back in September, Producers of Five’s The Gadget Show approached us as a possible location for one of their popular reviews on the latest gadgetry. We wondered, what could they want with a farm in the middle of the Lincolnshire Fens?! It quickly became apparent that their visit would have little to do with the farm… and more to do with….well, fire!

The shows team explained that they would come to Elms Farm, stay the night and briefly enjoy some of the local area. How lovely! Of course we could accommodate them….oh, and could they bring three wood-burning stoves, install them in our cottages for a day, and take them home again?! After overcoming initial visions of builder’s dust everywhere, great gaping holes in our cottage walls and having to deal with the aftermath of it all, we agreed to the plan.

Everything seemed straightforward enough as we made arrangements for electricians to come in and make adjustments, builders to help remove and replace our stoves and so forth. However, when the producers discovered one of the stoves they had intended to try out in our cottages wasn’t going to fit, it all got rather more interesting!

The stove in question – a freestanding Stuv stove, comprising of a striking design mounted on a modern glass plinth, was quite a different sort of stove - but too tall to fit in our existing fireplaces. It was then suggested by the show that this stove could be fitted somewhere else – how about one of the other cottages, they probed.

This would involve moving the TV, aerial and power sockets, fit a chimney and move other electrics around – quite a job. We weren’t so keen at first – it seemed a lot of work for one stove, only to be whisked away again. The stove importer seemed very keen to feature the stove; if we weren’t crazy about having it installed and then taken away again, how did we feel about having it installed – and it staying there for good? A much better idea!

It was Thursday and the crew were due to arrive on Friday. Because of all the commotion surrounding the Stuv stove, it was a job to try and get it fitted that day to be ready for filming by the weekend. Despite the last minute request, the electricians and builders couldn’t wait to get on site and get started – they imagined they’d get a glimpse of The Gadget Show’s glamorous female presenter, Suzi Perry!

Unfortunately for them, Suzi was working on another job. We were joined by her co-presenter Jon Bentley and the crew on Friday afternoon. During a spot of dinner at our local pub, Jon created quite a stir when he was recognised by some of the locals; Hubbert’s Bridge isn’t known for its high population of TV personalities…

On Saturday morning the crew set to work bright and early. It was also the day of the Lincolnshire Sausage Festival, so we’d been out and bought some sausages to try on the BBQ fitted to the Stuv stove! As well as filming the stoves inside the cottages (using some super-posh, perfectly cut logs they’d brought along) the crew shot various aspects of the farm; across the meadow, near the farmhouse and around the outbuildings.

Even our Lincolnshire Buff Chickens got in front of the camera – their first TV appearance. Over the course of the day the team worked on reviewing three specific models of stove: the Hot-Pod, Euroheat and of course the Stuv stove imported from Belgium and fitted into Yew Cottage.

We’re very pleased with its good looks – it adds plenty of style to the cottage! With it’s rotating design, the stove allows you to tailor the burner for different purposes. Turn it one way, and there’s a crisp glass door covering the fire. Rotate again, and the glass slides back altogether – perfect for toasting marshmallows or barbecuing. Or if you want to keep it burning, but tuck it away for the night, the final rotation leaves a small opening with the rest covered. It’s no surprise that the producers were so keen to get it on the show - and now we have a state of the art, modern wood burner for our guests to enjoy.

If you would like to come and see our ‘Gadget Show’ Stuv stove, why not book a break in Yew Cottage this winter? Enjoy this gorgeous cosy cottage for up to 5 persons whilst you relax in the Lincolnshire countryside close to Boston, Lincoln and the many attractions on offer. We also have 7 other 4 & 5* holiday cottages available for weekly, mid-week stays and weekend breaks. Elms Farm is the perfect place for a break with family and friends and can sleep up to 32 people.

Many thanks to everyone The Gadget Show for staying with us at Elms Farm, we really enjoyed having you with us.

You can watch our appearance on The Gadget Show on Monday 29th November, 2010 at 8pm on Five.

October guest blog: If I can jump, then so can you!

2010-10-28T12:58:00.000+01:00

Skydive Hibaldstow gave me an experience I will never forget and their professionalism gave me the assurance to do it. So what are you waiting for? If I can jump, then so can you!

A tandem parachuting jump in Lincolnshire is not only a brilliant and surreal experience, but a worthwhile and novel way to raise money for charity.

At first I didn’t know where to go, so I started by searching Google for skydiving. This took me to Skydive Hibaldstow. They suggested a tandem jump; which is essentially where you are strapped to an experienced instructor, who is crucially the one that opens the parachute and the two of you freefall together for a minute from around 15000ft.

Arriving at the drop zone, my sister and I were asked to follow instructor Wez into a classroom for our briefing. During the next 25 minutes he showed us our equipment and put us through our paces of how we were to exit the 15 place Dornier G92 airplane. Even before I put my harness on, I could feel my heart beating twice as fast. I started to panic “But what if the parachute doesn’t open”, Wez’s confident response that the parachutes were carefully packed each time, with the certainty that there would always be a second reserve one, quickly put me at ease. After all, if he can do it hundreds of times a year, then I can manage a single jump!

All kitted up, we boarded the Dornier. Before I knew it, my sister and I were anxiously smiling at each other as the red light to signal the door was open came on. Wez and I were due to jump first. We waddled as gracefully as we could to the rear of the aircraft, and a few seconds later the pure exhilaration began as the green light flashed on.

Suddenly, I found myself in freefall, for that minute we managed to cover over 3 vertical miles and contrary to what I was expecting; it was not stomach in-mouth at all. Yes it was breezy, but it was so beautiful. I could see for miles around as we plummeted to the ground at 120 mph. Time seemed to slow down since I felt the quick deceleration as the parachute shot open and the two of us were pulled upright.

“Well what did you think of that then?” asked Wez excitedly, even though it was most likely his 4th or 5th jump today. I had just leaped from an aircraft and still at 4000ft, what can you say in such a situation? We were descending gently over the Lincolnshire Wolds back to terra firma.

Moments before we landed, I was reminded that my legs needed to be picked up. Bums first we went into the field as if we had just slid down a children’s slide in a playground. I thought it was as simple as that.

For more information you can contact Skydive Hibaldstow on 01132 505600 or visit their website http://www.skydiving.co.uk/.

September guest blog: Anderby Creek

2010-09-10T12:20:00.002+01:00

The colours of the fields in the Lincolnshire Wolds have been changing from gold and yellow to earthy tones of brown. The farmers have been harvesting the barley and wheat and ploughing their fields ready for the next growing season. It is a wonderful time for hiking and cycling.

Over the last couple of days the skies have been clear, the colour of the sea has turned into a deep blue and the beach has been basking in the mild September sun. It has cooled down, but the sea is still warm enough for a dip or a swim. The spiders are enjoying the late summer sun as well, sitting in their cob webs under the eaves.
From the 17th to the 19th of September the Festival of the Bathing Beauties will take place along the sea front and beach huts from Sandilands all the way to Mablethorpe www.bathingbeauties.org.uk

Once the clocks change by the end of October and the nights draw in, it will turn quiet in Anderby Creek. Further up in Donna Nook the grey seals will arrive to have their pups. There will be hundreds of seals nurturing their newly born on the sandbanks behind the dunes - a rare spectacle - http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/.

Twentysix is available from the 14th of November to the end of the year and we offer a special arrangement for Christmas week (22nd - 29th of December).

This month our guest blog was written by Martin Hoenle, owner of Twenty-Six at Anderby Creek www.anderbycreek.eu

Escape the Rain: 5 Indoor Day Trips in Lincolnshire

2010-08-13T11:20:00.001+01:00

Summer weather in the UK is notoriously iffy - none more so than today, where it has started out reasonably sunny...but is now drizzly and grey.

Planning a day out all the same? We've put our heads together this morning to come up with 5 ideas for enjoying Lincolnshire this summer away from the elements.

Waters’ Edge Country Park and Visitor Centre, Barton upon Humber
North Lincolnshire’s ‘greenest’ attraction. This eco friendly building has interactive displays about caring for the environment and the wildlife of the Humber estuary. There's also a Bank Holiday craft fair on 29th-31st August which will be worth a look. watersedgecountrypark.org

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre
Get up close to one of only 2 flying Lancaster Bombers in the world - pretty amazing if you love flying, planes or a bit of English wartime history! Along with a vast selection of other aircraft you'll hear real life stories of wartime heroes on your guided tour of the hanger. http://bit.ly/battleofbritainmf
Batemans Brewery Visitor Centre
Batemans Brewery is one of the country's oldest family breweries brewing some of the finest beers in the UK. After your tour of the Brewery Visitors Centre you can pay a visit to the circular Windmill Bar for bite to eat and a sample or two of beer. http://bit.ly/batemans

Butlins, Skegness
Where better to spend your time at the seaside than the original Butlins Resort? Take the kids and have a water adventure in their sub-tropical Splash Waterworld. Little ones will also love the Looney Tunes' characters and Bob the Builder entertaining with stage and screen shows. butlins.com/resorts/skegness/

Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby
Interactive Fishing Experience – Sign in as a crew member and take part in Grimsby’s maritime story. Search for your catch in the Skippers Wheelhouse, haul the nets to the deck and feel the freezing winds and lashing rain as you journey back to ‘dry-land’. You can even book your tickets online in advance through Visit Lincolnshire. http://bit.ly/fishingheritagecentre

Dresses at Doddington

2010-08-02T16:48:00.002+01:00

Doddington Hall, a beautiful Elizabethan house in the picturesque village of Doddington near Lincoln is itself a lovely place to visit. Gorgeous, rambling gardens...room upon room of charm and character inside it's turreted house...a really great Cafe...not to mention the farm shop: baskets of homegrown veggies, shiny counters serving delicious cheeses, meats and breads...stacks of jars filled with every chutney, relish and conserve...ooh my, I could go on quite happily, but must make mention of it's latest (and rather wonderful) event worth a visit.

"Old, New, Mostly Borrowed & One Blue" exhibits a collection of unusual and historic wedding dresses. Amongst some of the 60 frocks on display and objects of marital signficance are items worn by royalty, high society and locals. This is a feast of textile and fashion regalia amongst an amusing and quirky take (I do believe there is a dress on show for a canine bride...) on this timelessly fascinating garment of marraige.

The exhibition is open every Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, 1pm - 5pm until 8th September.

For more details visit the Doddington Hall website or read the exhibition curator's Blog

Brigg Farmers Markets Celebrate Success

2010-07-28T13:29:00.000+01:00

Brigg Farmers’ Market celebrated it’s 10^th anniversary last weekend - a great achievement showing how important local produce is to communities.

The Farmers’ Market takes place on the 4th Saturday of every month (special dates for Christmas), the 10^th anniversary was celebrated with awards for the stall holders and a birthday cake. When the market first began there were only 14 stall holders, now it’s bursting at the seams with 34 traders, taking up most of Brigg's lively market place. 10 of the original stalls still come every month!

On average the market attracts 4-5,000 visitors/shoppers every month, and really brings Briggs streets to life.

The market also won FARMA’s Farmers’ Market of the Year award last year (09). FARMA is the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets association, FARMA is a quality accreditation in the markets industry, they regulate fair market trading and only give their quality mark to markets which encourage local traders that either grow, rear, produce or smoke their own foods. They also require that the market stall holders have a thorough knowledge of their produce and are able to advise on the food journey (ie, which farm the meat was reared etc.) The FARMA’s symbol means that the market has passed inspection and represents true farmers’ markets values. Lovely stuff!

Party in the Pews - 17th June, Louth

2010-06-04T12:16:00.001+01:00

The fine market town of Louth in the Wolds is gorgeous in summer. Deep in the Wolds, this pretty place is defined by Louth St James, a 500-year old church with a whopping 295ft spire. Seen for miles around, the church is a key asset of this thriving Lincolnshire community.

On 17th June, the church will open its doors for the evening to host a rather interesting event; 'Party in the Pews'. From 6pm onwards you can sit back in your pew (of course!) and watch local entertainment from schools, artists and musicians...there's even a fashion show. Refreshments are available and FREE tickets can be obtained from Perkins Pantry, Off the Beaten Tracks and Roystons Deli.

For more information please contact Mark Barnes on 07917 628149 or send an email

Doddington Hall's 'Forgotten Room'

2010-04-06T16:44:00.003+01:00

Having returned from leave to the usual glut of unread and frankly unfriendly emails, I happened upon a rather pleasant message about a quirky new development at local attraction and all-round superb place to visit, Doddington Hall.

The Forgotten Room has been unveiled to the public at the Hall, where you can feast your eyes on a most intruiging assortment of nik-naks from a byegone era : hundreds of unusual, fascinating and eclectic items collected by both previous and the current occupants adorn every surface and wall.

Items include handwritten decanter tags from the 1800s, an egg carrying box made by current owner Claire Birch’s father Antony Jarvis, a collection of antique and vintage hats, a toy wooden yacht and a huge pram used by Claire’s grandparents for her mother in the 1940s.

The Forgotten Room was originally a bedroom and has a fireplace, high ceilings and a view of the West Gardens and parkland beyond. It has not been decorated for many many years, so offers a chance for people to realise the extent of maintenance that the Hall’s other rooms have received.

We love the accompanying pictures that came through from The Forgotten Room - you can see this as our featured background for this week on the Visit Lincolnshire Twitter page. CL

Self Catering for Large Families - Brackenborough Hall

2010-02-24T12:32:00.004Z

If, like me, you have a family of Walton-esque proportions and are brave enough to entertain the idea of taking a holiday with them all, then Lincolnshire's 5* Brackenborough Hall Coach House should fit everyone from Great Aunt Lil to Baby Archie in - with enough space left to dine, relax and 'holiday' together in comfort.

The lofty converted coach house is split into three units, but when hired altogether is quite wonderful for keeping the 'rellies' at an arm's length, allowing you to invite them upstairs to the main event - The Granary, a large open plan affair - when you want...for breakfast, afternoon tea or a wholescale family feast.

Apart from the fact you're deep in the Lincolnshire Wolds, on a working farm and next to a deserted medieval village (Brackenborough) your hosts Paul & Flora Bennett's attention to detail will have you grinning from ear to ear, hopefully making the whole experience more 'heaven' than 'hell'.

And, just when you thought having baby changing mats and highchairs was a godsend, there's even a croquet set, dressing up box and enough books and toys to keep everyone entertained. Book well in advance - this place is popular...and we can see why. CL

www.brackenboroughhall.com

Penguin Chick Born at Natureland in Lincolnshire

2010-01-08T11:12:00.000Z

Now here's a piece of heart-warming news to take the chill off this sub-zero weather!. A baby penguin has been born at Natureland, Skegness - the first chick for 15 years.
The chick - who is yet to be named, hatched just before Christmas and has so far been well looked after by its parents, Pip and Pepsi. Duncan Yeadon, Director at Natureland has explained that the parents are taking it in turns to feed the chick and are keeping it warm in the cold weather.
But at the moment Duncan has said they are trying not to disturb the family, as penguins can abandon chicks if they feel threatened - plus this is the first chick the pair have had.

Natureland are welcoming suggestions for naming the little penguin. So far names suggested by BBC Lincolnshire's Breakfast Show include Polar, Paintpot and Pingu.
Suggest a name for the chick by emailing info@skegnessnatureland.co.uk

Lincolnshire's Beaches - Tell us Your Favourites

2009-11-27T16:45:00.000Z

We're just putting together some copy for our new website about Lincolnshire's beaches and really want to know what people think of them....

What's your favourite beach? Why do you love it so much? Is is great for families/beachcombing/rockpooling/dog walking?

We'll put all the best answers together to form our favourite beach spots and share them across the web.

Answers on a postcard please! CL

The Old Mill House gets a Big Thumbs Up

2009-09-03T15:56:00.000+01:00

We get a lot of emails and letters from visitors here at Lincolnshire Tourism, but felt this little gem just had to be dug out the postbag to share! It's from a couple who stayed at the 4* Old Mill House in Maltby-le-Marsh near Alford:

Dear Lincolnshire Tourism,

We have just come back from a short break touring various lovely parts of England, ( Lake District, Northumbria, Pennines, Lincoln, Suffolk, Brightlingsea), but just had to get in touch to let you know about a truly outstanding B&B in your area.

I have honestly never been in such a beautifully kept place- every detail was thought out and no comfort left out. It was exceptional- down to the herb tea in the tea and coffee selection and the disposable razor and shower hat. Wendy and Pete Breeds give a warm welcome in a beautiful and historic setting and the disabled friendly walk-in shower was a great treat after others in various places which lacked the luxury factor!

The access was great for me with my limited mobility and handles all well sited with a moveable ramp to overcome the small entry step.

To cap it all, my husband was so relaxed, he left two shirts behind, which duly arrived in the post yesterday. The Old Mill House gets our vote for best UK Bed and Breakfast

Jacky Mortimer and Mark Heron

Fantastic to hear that Jacky and Mark were so impressed by their accommodation choice they had to write and tell us the good news! We'd like to applaud The Old Mill House's owners Wendy and Pete Breeds on this really encouraging piece of feedback.

www.oldmillmaltby.co.uk

A Lovely Message from the Mailbox

2009-08-19T11:36:00.000+01:00

Isn't it lovely when someone sends you a nice email?

This morning we received this very kind message from a couple who had enjoyed walking in Lincolnshire:

Sent: 10 August 2009 16:57
To: Customer_Services
Subject: Thank you

We recently sent for some of your walking information packs which duly arrived and which proved very useful on our recent trip to Lincolnshire. I am writing to thank you for this very efficient and impressive service and to say how well signposted the footpaths were.
We were very impressed with the quiet rural charm of the area and very pleased to see so many butterflies and other insects which would seem to indicate that the countryside is being cared for. A number of the roadside verges had signs indicating that they were conservation areas.
Please feel free to pass on our comments as appropriate. Thank you again Colin and Rosemary Cheshire

Hats off to everyone who was involved in putting the walking discovery packs together - and of course to the countryside services who made their visit so enjoyable.

And of course, thanks very much to Colin & Rosemary for sharing your happy experiences with us. CL

Lincolnshire: Going a Richer Shade of Green

2009-08-12T11:43:00.000+01:00

Green, hey. What a bandied-about phrase that seems to be these days.

On the face of it, "green" might seem like yet another trendy bandwagon of the 21st century: half the population are on board, waving their compost heaps and solar powered panels for all to see; then there's all those funky Bags for Life floating about and eco toilet cleaners made from lemons and coriander leaves...

If we dig a little deeper into our organic vegetable patch however, it's apparent that something quite substantial is growing. No longer regarded as a hippy way of life - or indeed something to make yourself feel 'at one' with the earth - green is very much the shape of the future. Every serious organisation worth their salt is assessing their green credentials, working out their eco-friendly objectives and tightening up their carbon footprints.

So it was encouraging to hear today that one of Lincolnshire's top hotels has been awarded a Silver accolade from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort of the QHotels group sits on the outskirts of Brigg in the north of the county, just a few minutes from the M180. Less the motorway stopover, more a secluded haven; the resort sits amongst ancient trees, peaceful wild heathland and an impressive championship golf course.

Putting myself in the shoes of a Forest Pines Hotel guest, I wondered what I might expect to find at this newly stamped 'green' resort. Bamboo sheets? A mossy roof? Or how about rainwater in the pool? Er, no. Rest assured the comforts of 4* luxury remain. Polished floors, contemporary styling and swish facilities abound. The real green graft is much more of a behind the scenes effort it seems.

Firstly, a 'Green Team' was established around 18 months ago, made up of internal staff with plenty of eco-enthusiasm...they meet, share ideas and help implement green practices within the hotel. Since the green gang have been working their magic, the resort has seen positive decreases in energy usage and significantly reduced their waste to landfill impact. Look out for their posters too, encouraging you to not waste water, switch off lights etc. There's also Conference with a Conscience, a programme whereby company delegates offset their mileage to the hotel, who in turn plant a tree in the grounds on their behalf. Neat.

So after a great round of golf, retire to your room and sink into a heavenly bubbly bath... (large glass of Shiraz in hand of course) then breathe easy - your luxury break is green and guilt-free, too. CL

Lincolnshire places to stay & visit with a Green Tourism Award:

Protect our Lincolnshire Sausages!

2009-08-10T15:13:00.000+01:00

Well now, here's something quirky to tell your friends: as a treasured delicacy of our fine and fertile land, the Lincolnshire Sausage has gone all political on us...

A Number 10 petition to protect the infamous banger is attracting many signatories, all in favour of ensuring the Lincolnshire Sausage is given 'Protected Geographical Indication status' - in other words, the sausage cannot be sold using the Lincolnshire name unless it was produced in the county using the traditional recipe.

If you've never tried a Lincolnshire Sausage, do - it's a delicious herby experience (particularly enjoyable when squashed between two thick slices of bread, it has to be said). When visiting the county, you're more than likely to be offered a couple with your eggs and bacon - and if they aren't on the menu GASP loudly and refuse the pale pink joke sausage they've offered instead.

The question remains then, if this petition is successful what difference will it make to Lincolnshire? Here's a few thoughts...

No. 1 - producers. Our wonderful and tireless farming community deserve a big pat on the back. Lincolnshire Sausages are the lifeblood of many a meat producer and hopefully PGI status might throw some more national and international business their way, plus give them extra credibility as a specialist supplier.

No. 2 - shops. At the front end of the Lincolshire Sausage chain are the shops who sell to the public. Petition granted, these shops can be reassured that Mr Visitor & Family will not mosey off to Asda and pick up some L.S imitations because the butchers was closed. Unless Asda add the sausages to their 'local' selection of produce. In which case they will have to source them from Mr Farmer, see above - oooh win win win.

No. 3 - our reputation. Lincolnshire remains largely a misunderstood and mysterious land. Our hidden secrets are yet to be recognised by the wider world! If Lincolnshire were catapulted onto the front pages of The Sausage Mail and Bangers n' Mash Weekly a flood of visitors would descend upon our doors, come and eat some sausages (at the very least) and trot back home and tell their friends how jolly lovely it was. No really... it's amazing what a bit of foodie PR can do for a place, and we'd be certain to see a positive result for the county.

So...not only can we boldly claim fame to our favourite mash accompaniment without fear of poor or misguided imitation but also, hopefully, encourage people to visit the county off the back of our VI-PGI saucisson. CL

Rainy days on a shoestring

2009-07-17T09:11:00.000+01:00

Picture this: it's summer...you're trapped inside the house by a thunderous torrential downpour which is a) soaking the washing you've just hung out b) causing Rover to bark repeatedly and skitter around the kitchen table in a frenzy c) making you curse yourself for not fixing the hole in the conservatory roof. To top it off, the school holidays have arrived. Which of course means your little darlings are wreaking havoc in every room with their half-eaten packets of crisps and sticky fingers whilst leaving a trailing cornucopia of Iggle-Piggle's, lost socks and Doctor Who action toys.

Simply turfing them out in the garden during such weather could possibly beckon social services to the door. Taking them all out for the day in the traditional sense does seem like a sure-fire way of wringing your bank account dry. Not really where you want to be with six weeks of entertaining to do. However fear not - there are ways to satisfy the relentless energies of your brood whilst keeping the pennies in check.

The Collection, a free-to-enter museum in Lincoln is an ideal place to take children for an hour or two. Walk through the intriguing timeline display of objects, many of which are finds from the Roman city of Lindum, now Lincoln as we know it. Highlights include a seven metre long log-boat and a Roman mosaic. There's also a fascinating selection of informative displays including coins, weapons, pottery and clothing. If you're still hungry for culture, the Usher Gallery next door houses Lincolnshire's premier art collection with pieces by Turner and DeWint.

Another fabulous free attraction with a strong focus on children's activities is The Hub at Sleaford. As the UK's largest centre for craft and design, this place is a multi-storey bevvy of ever-changing exhibitions, studios and events. For a few pounds per head, families can also book themselves into one of the activity workshops - check the website for specific dates and times. There's also an on-site shop, where you can pick up souvenirs and unusual arty gifts to take home. Also, if you need refuelling with snacks and drinks after absorbing all that art and craft, there's a cafe on the ground floor overlooking the River Slea.

If nature and the environment are a more popular choice the Whisby Natural World Centre on the outskirts of Lincoln might be just the ticket. If the day really is a washout, there's eco exhibitions and displays, plus a shop and cafe to keep everyone amused. However if you can brave the drizzle, a walk around the 375 acres of lakes woodland and ponds should present some life of the wild sort to entertain your offspring.

Escape the wet-weather at the North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe, where the kids can enjoy an interactive exhibition and step back in time to relive the People's War. Over in Mablethorpe on the coast Sharky's Family Entertainment Centre provides an indoor go kart track, inflatable slide and amusements for everyone to go wild on - there's a coffee shop for you to relax in too. CL

A trip to Belton House, near Grantham

2009-07-15T14:48:00.000+01:00

Two weekends ago a friend came to stay from London. After a discussion over Sunday breakfast - Lincolnshire sausage sandwiches, naturally - we decided to hop on the A1 south to Grantham and take a look around Belton House, a 17th century manor which is now a National Trust property.

Our journey from Lincoln was uncomplicated; the house is well signposted from the A1, which leads to some pleasant undulating lanes before you enter Belton - a pretty little village of honey-coloured houses. Once you're through the gates and parked up there's plenty to see and do. The main house doesn't open its doors until 12.30, so we took a basement tour to get us started.

This eerie underbelly of the home is currently open on a trial basis by the trust, and is one of the most intriguing areas we saw. Amongst the wine cellar, nightwatchman's quarters and house chapel, each room tells a quirky story about the bygone era of the house. In stark comparison to the servant's quarters, the butler's room appears very comfortable, almost modern; plus, the old dumbwaiter is still in situ below all the house bells. We learnt that due to a kitchen relocation away from this area, a servant boy would have to push the hefty silver food trays quite a distance to reach the butler and his magic lift. This was achieved by wheeling each tray along on a metal track along an inclining curvy passage. And you do of course get to witness this quirky 'food track' - as well as the relocated kitchens - on your way back out of the basement. The range is something for even present day cooks to covet, and the wash-house a chilling reminder of a servant's plight.

We ambled back to the garden entrance and had a sunny stroll through the pretty grounds. With its follies, benches and bulbous box hedges, it is easy to fall into a fairytale daydream of having such an estate of your own. A trip to the Orangery is a little walk from the main house; it's packed to the gunnels with lofty flower and fauna that rises like a rainforest canopy. After a quick check on the time we realised the main house was now open and made our way around to the front entrance - watch out for the confusing signs to the house, we ended up looping a few times.

Inside the huge imposing doors up deep stone steps we scuttled through past the families stalling to rearrange buggies and offspring in the lobby. I say lobby, of course you can expect something rather more stately with the obligatory classical art and statues that would in any regular home seem eccentric. The tour takes you from one side of the house to the other, up and then down the two floors of sumptuous rooms and galleries - from the green dining hall adorned with paintings of grouse and game, to the bright silks of the Pink room. A firm favourite amongst our party was the Chinese Room, flanked with the most beautiful handpainted 18th century wallpaper. The silver collection is also incredible and spearheaded by a gluttonous wine cistern which hangs, rather humourously we thought, underneath a random painting of a bull.

Whether you bring a picnic or not, there's a shop and cafe, or like we did you can drive to a nearby village to grab some sustinence. We visited the Houblon Inn at Oasby - a gorgeous little pub with a rustic interior and a reassuring small menu of fresh, seasonal food. CL

More information on Belton House
The Houblon Inn, Oasby - houblon-inn.co.uk