� IN FOCUS l SOUTH OF ENGLAND & ISLE OF WIGHT


Kent Life unveils calendar of events


Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, near Maidstone, kicks off its 2018 calendar of events at half-term with ‘February Fun & Frolics’ (February 10-18). Other events include Spring


into Easter (March 30-April 15); May Day Celebrations (May 5-7); Farmyard Fairy Tales (May 26-June 3); and Summer Holiday Fun (July 25-September 2). kentlife.org.uk


Chessington to open Land of the Tiger


Chessington World of Adventures Resort will open a multimillion- pound enclosure in spring, which will be the first in Europe to include overhead trails for tigers. Called The Land of the Tiger, the enclosure will welcome a family of four endangered Amur Tigers, which will move to the Surrey resort from Sweden. Guests can also ride a log


flume called Tiger Rock, and join the carnivore keepers for tiger experiences. Russell Bowes, zoo operations


director, said: “We’ve been working tirelessly to make sure our tiger quartet will settle in perfectly to their new home and we can’t wait to welcome Olga, Tsar, Kalinka and Kyra to Chessington. “With three trails connecting


three habitats, this is the first enclosure of its kind in Europe, giving the foursome – who, like domestic cats, enjoy surveying their surroundings from up high – the opportunity to roam and explore as they would naturally.”


The Land of the Tiger launch will be accompanied by the unveiling of four new tiger-themed rooms in the Chessington Safari Hotel. chessington.com


Spabreaks.com teams with White Calm Retreats


Spabreaks.com has unveiled new wellness holidays in Essex in partnership with wellness retreats specialist White Calm Retreats. The ‘Nourish and Flourish


Retreat’ focuses on healthy eating and takes place on selected dates at Down Hall Hotel and Spa. A three-night break costs from £2,950 per person. A one-day beginner’s yoga course at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa is available on regular dates between February and October, and costs £283. A ‘Mindfulness and Meditation


Retreat’ is available at Down Hall Hotel and Spa, and Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, between February and November. A two-night break costs from £1,860 and teaches the skill of meditation and mindfulness. The White Calm Retreats are also


available in Bovey Castle, Devon, and Ibiza. spabreaks.com


20 TravelGBI | February 2018


CRAFT WORK IN THE BUSH: Haven has added new bush craft activities to its Nature Rockz programme for 2018. They are available across the Haven park portfolio, including the Dorset resorts – Littlesea, Weymouth Bay, Rockley Park and Seaview Dorset – and Church Farm, Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Guests can learn to track unusual animals, forage for edible forest food and master the art of water purification.


Reach for the stars at Sea Life Brighton


Sea Life Brighton will open its ‘Sea Stars’ installation on February 10, in time for the half-term holidays. Featuring more than 170


havenexpert.co.uk Hever Castle plans Easter activities for kids


Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent has a programme of Easter-themed activities during the upcoming school holidays (March 30-April 15). Visitors can follow the trail of the Lindt Gold Bunny, make an Easter bonnet at daily craft workshops and take part in a quiz about the history of Easter. The gardens will be in bloom


with daffodils, hyacinths, camellias and tulips.


Kids aged seven to 14 can


sea dwellers from across the world, Sea Stars is the UK’s largest collection of ‘star fish’. Max Leviston, Sea Life Brighton general manager, said: “Star fish, or echinoderms, are simply stunning creatures. This installation puts their beauty front and centre – and celebrates all of the wonderful ecosystems Sea Stars make possible.” These creatures come in


a range of shapes, sizes and colours, and some have up to 200 arms. Visitors can learn about


explore the new Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets. hevercastle.co.uk


the role that ‘star fish’ play in the ocean’s ecosystems and why they are often referred to as ‘keystone species’ in their habitats. visitsealife.com/brighton


travelgbi.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32