Hi Glampers ! 

Recently I have been introduced to some unique ways to take tours and see our beautiful county of Yorkshire. Some of these adventures make great days out for you and your friends, or a romantic day for you and your loved one. With Yorkshire being voted the third best region in the world to visit in 2014 by the Lonely Planet Travelers Guide, why not explore it in style ! 

Yorkshire Trike Tours

This family run business provide a quirky way to travel around the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They describe riding on a trike as giving you the freedom and exhilaration of a motorbike, with the safety and comfort of a car. They offer a variety of tours from 1-3 hours, half a day or a full day. Some tours can include stop offs at different places including reservoirs, Malham Cove and Stumpcross caves and some tours also include stops for lunch and refreshments. Prices start from £49.00 per person based on two people sharing. The different tours are all listed on their website www.yorkshiretriketours.co.uk .  

4 x 4 Experience Day

This company offer a fun day out as well as seeing some fantastic scenery. You get to drive your own fully prepared Land Rover Defender 100 Tdci County Utility Wagon. You will tour the North Yorkshire National Park both on and off road. You get to be in the driving seat all day and you can bring up to three friends to share the experience with you. You can stop for lunch along the way or take a packed lunch with you. These Experience days cost £225.00 and last approximately six and a half hours. More details can be found on their website, www.uklandroverevents.com 

Sutton Bank Gliding Experience

Gliding at Sutton Bank, Thirsk is something I personally have first hand experience of and I can honestly say it is brilliant. As a nervous flyer myself when this gift was given to me for my 30th birthday I was more than a little nervous, but once they got me in the glider and up in the air I thought it was fantastic. The views you can see from up in the sky are amazing, I could see for miles. The pilot did a few acrobatics too which was fun. I would recommend the taster flight to anyone. Details can be found on their website, http://www.ygc.co.uk/ .

Hot Air Balloon Ride  

What a great way to surprise someone for a birthday or anniversary. A champagne flight seeing the sights over Yorkshire and Lincolnshire would be a real treat for someone special , creating a memorable event and for most people it would be a once in a life time experience. This company offers different flights from York and have some cheaper mid week flight options available. Details and bookings can be done on their website, https://www.balloonridesltd.co.uk/

Chauffeur  Driven Tours of Yorkshire

This is a way to explore Yorkshire in style in your very own chauffeur driven Range Rover. The great thing about the Yorkshire Chauffeur Company is that they tailor their tours to suit you and what you want to see. They do half day and full day tours but are flexible to your requirements as to what you want to see and do, whether it be visiting Abbeys and Castles, stopping for lunch and afternoon tea or visiting the North Yorkshire Moors and the Coast. The choice is yours. For more information you can visit their website at www.theyorkshirechauffeurcompany.co.uk .

Yorkshire Belles 

This is a bus tour company with a difference. It prides itself on being humerus and quirky, offering riders an introduction to the city of York and seeing the local museums and attractions, and seeing where the Kit Kat is made.  Yorkshire Belles also offers the bus for private hire so if there was a group of you wanting to tour York and the surrounding areas then this would be a fun way of doing it. It seats up to 55 passengers and they also allow you to bring your own food for your journey or can hire in caterers to supply food for you. For special family events or Hen and Stag parties this would be perfect. For more information you can visit their website at www.yorkshirebelles.co.uk .

If any of you know any other unique ways of exploring Yorkshire or have been on any of these experiences yourselves I would love to hear from you.

Bye for now

Girl in the Cupboard
xxxx

Pictures taken from,

www.yorkshiretriketours.co.uk .  

www.uklandroverevents.com 

www.ygc.co.uk/ .

www.balloonridesltd.co.uk/
www.theyorkshirechauffeurcompany.co.uk .
www.yorkshirebelles.co.uk .

Hi Glampers,

We are all getting ready here at Camp Katur to open up for our new season and getting things ready for all our guests. We are opening in time for Easter and already have the bookings pouring in.

Here at Camp we regularly get asked if there are any great days out nearby and what there is for children to enjoy. Obviously here on the Estate we have Camp Hill with their wide range of activities for all ages such as Quad Biking, Segways, Zip Wires, Climbing Walls, Gemini Buggies and not forgetting Aerial Extreme but there are also many local attractions only a short drive away.

The Forbidden Corner 

This is an amazing labyrinth full of mazes, chambers, tunnels and follies. There are tricks and surprises in every corner and its your job to locate everything on the map and find your way around the beautiful gardens looking for many structures on the way. You can navigate around the paths, some of which lead to nowhere, inside the Temple of the Underworld, through the mazes and across the stepping stones. This is a great day out with a difference which will challenge both adults and children of all ages. 

Distance from us : 18.4 miles, 40 minutes drive

www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk

Big Sheep Little Cow

This children's farm offers a great day out for all the family and it is not far away from Camp Katur at all. They offer hands on informal guided tours allowing children to meet some of the farm animals. There is a large outdoor play area and go-karts which children will love. 

Distance from us: 5.7 miles, 15 minutes drive

www.farmattraction.co.uk/Big-Sheep-Little-Cow.html

Lightwater Valley

A theme park for all ages, Lightwater Valley is is perfect for all the family. If it is thrill seeking rides your after it has got plenty including Europe's longest roller coaster- The Ultimate. It has also got many rides for small children and is home to the UK's first Angry Birds Activity Park which offers over 30,000 square feet of  interactive indoor and outdoor adventure play. You can take a walk through Eagles Creek Farm and meet lots of farm yard friends and discover the Lightwater Valley Falconry which is home to many types of Owls, Falcons, Eagles and Hawks. Lightwater Valley also has its own Shopping Village if you fancy something a bit more relaxing you can enjoy a stroll around looking at the many gift, toy, craft and clothing shops.

Distance from us: 7.9 miles, 17 minutes

www.lightwatervalley.co.uk

Newby Hall and Gardens

Set in 25 acres of award winning gardens you will find many beautiful and rare plants plus one of Europe's largest herbaceous borders. There is an enchanting woodland walk, miniature railway and adventure garden which is great for your little ones to enjoy too. Newby Hall also has a restaurant and picnic area great for those summer days ahead. 

Distance from us: 9.6 miles, 20 minute drive

www.newbyhall.com

Fountains Abbey

This world heritage site set in 800 acres of beautiful countryside make a brilliant day out for both adults and children. Discover the magnificent 12th century abbey ruins, explore the medieval dear park and walk around the Georgian Water Garden of Studley Royal, complete with its classical statues, follies and breathtaking views. There is a lovely little cafe here as well with some delicious cakes.

Distance from us: 15 miles, 30 minute drive

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

Brimham Rocks

Set in Nidderdale, Brimham Rocks really is nature's best playground. It hosts an amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations. Spot the dancing bear and the eagle and crawl through the smartie tube. You can get lost in the labyrinth of paths finding your own rocks to climb and explore.  

Distance from us : 20 miles, 40 minutes

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimham-rocks/

Aysgarth Falls

Near the village of Aysgarth the River Ure tumbles over a series of broad limestone steps known as Aysgarth Falls. Although not particularly high the waterfalls are one of Wensleydale's most famous beauty spots and have even been featured in the Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood- Prince of Thieves. There are many wildlife to be seen here throughout the year including a variety of birdlife, salmon, many species of butterfly as well as dragonfly and damselfly. 

Distance from us: 23.2 miles, 42 minutes drive

www.thefalls-aysgarthfalls.co.uk

The Black Sheep Brewery

The Black Sheep Brewery offers guided tours demonstrating how they brew their famous ales. Afterwards why not make a day of it and relax in their Bar and Bistro and enjoy a delicious meal. There is also a shop full of goodies including of course their range of award winning ales to stock up on before you go home. 

Distance from us: 8.3 miles, 20 minute drive. 

www.blacksheepbrewery.com

So whether you are staying with us this year or just planning for things to do in the up coming Easter Holidays, I hope I have given you plenty of ideas. Personal favourites of mine are the Forbidden Corner ,because I am a big kid at heart,  and Fountains Abbey because I can take my pooch and it is just beautiful .

Girl in the Cupboard  xxx:) 

Pictures taken from; 

www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk

www.farmattraction.co.uk/Big-Sheep-Little-Cow.html

www.lightwatervalley.co.uk

www.newbyhall.com

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimham-rocks/

www.blacksheepbrewery.com

www.thefalls-aysgarthfalls.co.uk

Christmas Gift Ideas

Hi there, 

So I don't know who else out there is like me and suddenly realised its nearly two weeks until Christmas and they really need to finish their Christmas shopping! Now I hate going shopping near Christmas, its too busy in town, people bumping into each other and finding the present they wanted to buy has sold out. I am definitely a buy online kind of girl and I am also a hunt for bargains kind of girl too ! So I thought I would share with you some of my great gift ideas that I have found online this year, some of them great for people who love Glamping, and some just because I thought they would make great presents. I'v e thrown in a few bargain tips too!

Camping Games

It is safe to say when camping in this country you never know what the weather is going to be like, we all pray for glorious sunshine but sometimes this doesn't happen! Having a list of games and things children can do no matter what the weather is a way of preventing boredom kicking in and keeping your holiday entertaining for them and relaxing for you.

Here are my top games for kids that will never fail to entertain!

Ten Great Glamping Ideas!

What a brilliant idea taking an old pill organiser box and filling it with your favourite spices and herbs. You would just need to label the top of each compartment with whatever you want inside and this is so much easier than bringing individual bottles should you want to add a little spice to your recipes.

http://www.misstweedle.com/2012/08/diy-camping-friendly-spice-rack.html