70 | CARCATION - PART 2
www.nitravelnews.com ENGLAND FAMILY CARCATION
November/December 2024
In the second of her three-part England Carcation travelogue, Heidi McAlpin, husband Ray and children Scarlett (17) and Freddie (14) visit the cathedral city of Winchester and enchanting Isle of Wight...
BY HEIDI MCALPIN
IN the second of her three-part England Carcation travelogue, Heidi McAlpin, husband Ray and children Scarlett (17) and Freddie (14) visit the cathedral city of Winchester and enchanting Isle of Wight. Working out a two-week road trip round England has us spoiled for choice. Though with a husband and two teens to please, it’s important to strike the right balance between history, entertainment and just a smidgen of downtime. I’m not so good at the latter but appreciate my fellow travellers need to recharge now and again. For me, a holiday is all about packing in as many experiences as possible. Let’s face it, travel ain’t cheap so why laze about when you can do that at home for free. Which is why our fortnight in England is ablaze with new destinations designed to please the entire posse.
Exhibit A: Winchester. My husband loves a cathedral and Winchester meets the brief. As England’s medieval capital, before William the Conqueror moved it to London, the entire city is brimming with history. A giant statue of Alfred the Great overlooks the main thoroughfare
which brims
with floral baskets, quaint cafes and bouji boutiques.
There is
even a replica of King Arthur’s legendary Round Table in the city’s 13th century Great Hall. Following an 80-minute drive from Oxford, we were keen to unpack at our next accommodation,
the
majestically monikered Winchester Royal Hotel. Perfectly situated just off the main street, our two double rooms overlooked the walled garden where outside seating made the most of warm summer nights.
The hotel
dates back to the 16th century, a further nod to Winchester’s rich past. With the teens taking time out from yet another history lesson, us parents headed for the nearby cathedral.
From the grave of Jane Austen
to an
Antony Gormley sculpture, Winchester Cathedral encompasses centuries of stories and some of England’s most celebrated citizens. This medieval marvel dates back
t o the 11th century and boasts St.
Swithun as its patron saint. Legend has it that if it rains on St. Swithun’s Day – 15th July – it will rain for 40 days. And, wouldn’t you know, it, we were in Winchester on that very date and it was bucketing down. Not a problem for us, though, as we took an hour-long Tower Tour of this Gothic expanse which included a walk through the world’s longest medieval cathedral and a 46-metre ascent of the central tower for exceptional views across the city and beyond. A swift rain-soaked dash back to base and we rounded the evening off with a delicious meal at the hotel’s Garden
Restaurant replete with that peaceful verdant view. Day two in Winchester and it was time for a family daytrip to Marwell Zoo. It may be just 20 minutes from the city centre, but this Hampshire haven is home to more than 1200 animals. On our visit, many were sheltering from St. Swithun’s interminable
downpour, but we hardy tourists and a smattering of school groups were rewarded with glimpses of giraffes, penguins, rhinos and all manner of primates. Lots of time was also spent in the steamy Tropical House watching birds swoop and soar overhead and spotting
insects and amphibians who inhabit this eco-friendly indoor jungle. A delightful afternoon to say farewell to Winchester and set off for an island escape.
For years I have longed to visit the Isle of Wight. There’s something about islands that stirs the soul. A feeling of escapism and discovery you just don’t get with big countries. And so, this diamond in the Solent was next on our England adventure. Though, much like we here in Northern Ireland,
these particular islanders see themselves as distinctly different from their mainland neighbours. It is an innate pride of coming from somewhere just a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the big island. And I’m here for it. Three departure points connect England with the Isle of Wight, and we were headed 40 minutes to Portsmouth for a further 45-minute Wightlink Ferry crossing to Fishbourne. Our three nights in a Geodome at Tapnell Farm Park awaited on the other side of the island, so we took our time driving through the idyllic seaside towns of Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor before heading inland and westward to our glamping retreat. And boy what a sensational vista awaited, made all the more special with a heatwave which transformed our trip into a true summer holiday. Tapnell Farm Park sits on the former site of the iconic Isle of Wight Festival and a former dairy farm. But where Jimi Hendrix played his final gig and over 800 cattle once grazed, families and friends congregate to enjoy a medley of attractions and overnight options. As accommodation goes, this was an absolute standout. A four-poster bed, bunk beds for the teens, spacious seating areas and fully fitted kitchen and shower room with all mod-cons made up the luminous interior of our stunning Geodome. Golden sunsets kissed panoramic Solent views as we wallowed in our private wood burning hot tub and planned our 72-hour stay on this island paradise. Then
following day, we headed to
arguably the Isle of Wight’s most well- known landmark; The Needles. Like three broken teeth jutting out from the English Channel, these jagged chalky rocks are punctuated with the equally iconic Needles Lighthouse.
The Needles Landmark
Attraction is a medley of family activities and eateries designed to keep day-trippers distracted with the likes of crazy golf, a carousel and several souvenir shops. Chief among them all, though, was the Needles Chairlift,
a breathtaking ride
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