Gosport is 'busiest' sailing haven

With four marinas and a perfect position on The Solent with its 'double high water' each day, Gosport claims it is the busiest sailing destination on England's South Coast. The town, which also boasts Explosion! The Royal Navy Submarine Museum, but is often overshadowed by its bigger nautical neighbour Portsmouth, has improved its website for prospective visitors. As well as introductions in French and Spanish for the growing number of visitors from those countries, it is possible to download detailed information on what to see, walking tours and waterfront events.

Gosport's marinas are home to Alex Thomson, who achieved the single-handed record for the most miles sailed in 24 hours, and Dee Caffari, the first woman to have sailed single-handedly the 'wrong' way round the world – against the trade winds - becoming Yachtsman of the Year in 2006. Gosport is 83 miles south of London. Continue reading...

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Indoor surfing at new Swansea centre

Learning to surf without going to the beach seems an unlikely scenario but that is exactly what visitors to the new Swansea Leisure Centre in the South Wales city will be able to do when it opens in December. The revolutionary Surf Stream will be part of a network of pools, slides and waves enabling novices and experts alike to try stand-up and bodyboard surfing in a huge indoor water park which will also include 'Masterblaster' – the world's first uphill water slide.Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Welsh cycle route improved in Snowdonia

One of the most popular and scenic cycle routes in North Wales is being improved and reopened in time for spring. Called Lôn Eifion, it stretches from Caernarfon, with its 13th century castle, for 20 kilometres (12 miles), following an old railway line to the village of Bryncir. Gwynedd Council is removing the old dust surface along a section of the path, upgrading it to a smooth Tarmac finish. Known for its pleasant views of the Llyn Peninsula to the south west, Caernarfon Bay and the Isle of Anglesey to the west and north, and the mountains of Snowdonia to the east, it forms part of a trans-Wales route from Holyhead to the capital, Cardiff on the National Cycle Network.Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Balloon rides in the Scottish Borders

Guests at the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso can take to the skies and enjoy the beautiful Scottish Borders scenery from a hot air balloon. A special package includes a one-hour balloon flight from the hotel grounds with flight specialist Adventures Aloft, champagne on landing, an in flight photograph and breakfast at the hotel from the 'Celebrate the Flight' menu (£195).Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

London Dining - April

A new Japanese restaurant and special events at Pearl Restaurant and Bar feature in news from London's restaurant scene.Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

First 'virtual dive cage' opens in Bournemouth

Visitors are being invited to come face to face with great white sharks, dolphins, manta rays and a blue whale when the world's first interactive dive cage opens (March 27) at the Oceanarium in Bournemouth. Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Cycle the royal River Thames

The Tour de France cycle race may be starting in London for the first time this summer, but leisure cyclists are being offered a chance to 'go with the flow' on a different route to the capital. Cycling holiday company Capital Sport has planned a nine-night self-guided tour following the River Thames from its official source near Cirencester in the Cotswold Hills to the Thames Barrier, east of the capital.Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Public spa for London's Bethnal Green

York Hall in London's Bethnal Green, site of some of the country's most famous boxing bouts, is set to become home to a new state-of-the-art spa facility. The £1.2 million Spa London, a joint project between the local council and Greenwich Leisure, will enable visitors to benefit from a whole host of treatments and therapies as they relax and unwind at the country's finest public sector spa, which is scheduled to open in the spring.Wednesday, April 4th, 2007