York Update Summer 2009
01/08/2009
Main News
York to host first stage finish of Tour of Britain 2009
Ninety-six of the world's top cyclists will descend on York this September, when the city hosts the finish of the first stage of the 2009 Tour of Britain. The 2009 Tour of Britain will take place over eight days beginning in Scunthorpe on Saturday 12th September. Riders will cycle over the finish line of the first stage in York and the eight day race will finish in the heart of London on Saturday 19th September.
Welcome to Yorkshire in partnership with Visit York, East Riding, City of York and North Lincolnshire Councils are proud to host the opening stage of the Tour of Britain 2009.
Public contact: For more information about the Tour of Britain and the first stage which will be passing through Yorkshire, visit www.visityork.org/tourofbritain
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
York - one of the safest places to cycle in the UK
Visit York and Cycling City York have welcomed the news that a national survey has rated York as one of the safest places to cycle in the UK.
Research carried out by the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC) - the UK's national cyclists' organisation - found a direct correlation between higher levels of cycling and lower accident rates. This suggests that, the more bike-friendly the town or city, the safer it is for cyclists.
York is one of 12 locations in the UK to have been awarded Cycling Town or City status in 2008 and fought off competition from 74 other local authorities to win government funding. York joins the existing six Cycling ‘demonstration towns', which also include Darlington and Derby.
Public contact: For more information about cycling in York, visit the Cycling City York web pages at www.york.gov.uk/cycling/
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
A York Christmas
Whilst the country finally gets to enjoy some summer sunshine, historic York is already planning its winter festivities.
Surrounded by history that stretches back to the first century AD, York's narrow cobbled streets, medieval buildings and towering Minster naturally lend themselves to a traditional Christmas card scene. Not only are the streets lined with exclusive shops, quality high-street stores, great restaurants, café bars, pubs and attractions but the city celebrates Christmas in style with a range of seasonal events, markets and festivities.
The new Christmas in York programme will be published mid September when all the information about the event will also go live on www.visityork.org/christmas
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
www.visityork.org gets an interactive facelift
The Visit York website has recently completed its new look, with 5 new translated versions of www.visityork.org, and the installation of brand new interactive itinerary planning tools.
www.visityork.org is now available in five additional languages - French, Dutch, German, Italian and Spanish. The translated microsites contain information on accommodation, events, things to see and do in York, eating and drinking, as well as the essentials for tourists travelling to the city. In addition to this, information can be found in the five new languages on conferencing, group travel and the dedicated media room for journalists writing about York.
‘Plan my Visit' is an interactive itinerary planning tool which allows visitors to use the website to create personal travel plans ahead of their visit. Visitors can register and log on to ‘My York', where they can save itineraries they want to use, attractions they want to visit, and track their bookings.
To have a look at the new features of the Visit York website, visit www.visityork.org.
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
New six-day York Pass launched
Stepping up its campaign to ensure success for York and Yorkshire's tourism industry this year, Visit York has launched a brand new six day York Pass.
And for the first time visitors buying a York Pass will have entry to over fifty visitor attractions (increased from thirty attractions in 2008). Visit York believes this new six day Pass, now with an additional twenty visitor attractions will prove an irresistible draw for visitors from around the UK and overseas, putting York firmly at the top of the list when it comes to choosing a UK holiday this year.
The Pass comes complete with a 112 page guidebook (also available in French and German) and an extended selection of discounted retail and dining offers. As part of this new drive to bring increased tourism income into the city, the all new six day pass will offer visitors the chance to explore York and other parts of Yorkshire.
Public contact: The York Pass can be purchased through York hotels and at either one of Visit York's Visitor Information Centres, Tel: 01904 550099 or www.yorkpass.com Tour operators interested in group buying should contact Elaine Moss on 01904-554471 or email em@visityork.org
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
Museum offers up a ‘Reel' Treat
Film fans are in for a ‘reel' good time this autumn as a month-long season of films hits the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York.
The film season, named Rails & Reels, will explore and celebrate the influence of the railways on our culture through the use of on screen media - from the first railway film shown in 1895 to present day. The Museum provides the perfect setting to explore the effect the railways have had on film. Staged at the NRM from 12 September -11 October 2009, Rails & Reels will incorporate screenings of a range of films, from iconic feature films set around the tracks, to British Transport Films used to promote the railways.
A wide range of films will be screened including classics like Brief Encounter and Murder on the Orient Express, British Transport Films including Land of the White Rose, and a one-off screening of Trainspotting in a drive-in movie theatre being created in our North Yard.
Public contact: For more information about the events happening as part of the Rail & Reels season, please visit http://www.nrm.org.uk/
Press contact: Gemma Sneyd, Press Officer, NRM on 01904 686271 or email gemma.sneyd@nrm.org.uk
The Railway Children returns to York
Following the run-away success of The Railway Children last summer, the National Railway Museum (NRM) and York Theatre Royal have once again joined forces to re-stage the spectacular production of E. Nesbit's much loved children's tale. This theatrical event is once again featuring a real steam train and is taking place in a specially constructed theatre space at the NRM, from 23rd July- 5th September 2009.
Last year's production received national critical acclaim including a 5 star review in the Guardian in which The Railway Children was described as ‘a triumphant reinvention of a children's classic'. Industry bible The Stage also described the play as a ‘genuine theatrical event' with ‘excellence from everyone in the cast'.
Public contact: Tickets for The Railway Children are now on sale and are priced at £15- £18 for adults and £10- £12 for children (A family ticket is available for £40- £50 for 4 people including at least 1 Adult and 1 Child). Tickets can be purchased at the York Theatre Royal Box Office or by calling 01904 623568 or visiting http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/
Press contact: Abbigail Wright, Tel: 01904 550148, Email: abbigail@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
DIG nominated for National Lottery Award
DIG - the Archaeological Adventure in York, has gone head to head with other Lottery-funded projects from across the UK in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2009. Voting has taken place and the three projects in each category with the most votes will progress to the final round of public voting, which will run from 3-14 August. The finalists in each category will be announced at 9am on Monday 3 August 2009.
DIG is one of only 10 projects to make it through to the semi-finals in the Best Education Project category of The National Lottery Awards, which are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects. The winning project in each category will receive national recognition on a special BBC 1 TV show later this year, and a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.
Public contact: To find out more about DIG's nomination - log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards
Press contact: David Scott, York Archaeological Trust, Tel: 01904 543426 or email dscott@yorkat.co.uk
Behind the scenes at York Minster open to the public
The Stoneyard
This new 90-minute tour gives visitors to the Minster access to the Stoneyard, Drawing Office, Mason's workshop, Carver's Studio and the East Front of York Minster itself. The trip up the East Front also includes some fantastic high-level views over the city. The tours will be for booked groups only, with a maximum number of 10 people per tour. £5 per person.
Hidden Minster
These intriguing new tours set to begin later this summer, give a choice of three, each lasting between 1hr 15 mins and 1hr 45 mins:
The Chapter House Roof and Mason's Loft: A trip to see the internal structure of the roof of the Chapter House, the outside parapet with fantastic views over Dean's Park and the Mysterious Mason's Loft above the vestibule.
Early Minster: A tour which explores the passages either side of the Norman crypt and discovers more about the cathedrals that existed on this site prior to the present one. The party are then taken up across the walkway of the Five Sisters Window, 75 feet above the floor of the cathedral.
West End and Bell Towers: This tour explores the two western towers and gives the visitors the opportunity to see the bells and how they are operated as well as a great view from the external west gallery.
The tours are available for booked groups only, with a maximum number of 10 people per tour. £5 per person.
The Library
Public tours of York Minster Library will be run free of charge to those visiting the Minster until 7th September 2009. Tours will leave at 2.00pm from the information desk in York Minster and will last approximately 45 minutes.
New Exhibitions
From 31st July until 4th September 2009, the Armenia Exhibition will be open to visitors to York Minster.
This is a collaborative exhibition which will highlight the work done by artists Mick Oxley, Karen Babayan and Arsen Asatryan. This exhibition has come about through the work of Christians Together in Alnwick who have been working with survivors of the Spitak earthquake and one of their most successful projects has been the establishment of the Veratsnund Art School which offers therapy and teaches skills.
Public contact: For more information about events and exhibitions happening at York Minster visit http://www.yorkminster.org/
Press Contact: Kendal Chalk Tel: 01904 557248, Email: kendalc@yorkminster.org
Top names perform at the Grand Opera House
The Grand Opera House York has recently opened the grand circle bar for the first time in 9 years. The bar has been refurbished and is now available for conferences, children's parties, corporate entertaining, and all private parties.
Audio description is now available at the Grand Opera House, with the first ever caption performance for a pantomime in York will be on 21st December for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Our 2009 Live Nation Stage Experience (LNSE) is Fame - The Musical, and Leeds based director/choreographer Louise Denison is back on board after a very successful production of Bugsy Malone last year. Nearly 100 aspiring actors and theatre technicians will take part, working alongside professionals, to 'light up the sky like a flame'.
September kicks off with York Stage Musicals production of Oliver, the ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more, which will run for one week with a score full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got To Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything and many more.
There will be more comedy from Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Tim Minchin; music from Jake & Elwood, The Magic of Motown, Magic - A Kind of Queen, and to mark the 50th anniversary of Billy Fury's first single release, Maybe Tomorrow, his own band - the original Fury's Tornados remember him by performing live his unbelievable 29 hit singles - Last Night Was Made For Love, I Will, Jealousy, Halfway To Paradise and many many more in Halfway To Paradise.
Public contact: Visit http://www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk/ Tel: 01904 678700 or to book by telephone call 0844 8472322
Press contact: Celestine Dubruel, Press Officer, Tel: 01904 678711 Email: Celestine.Dubruel@LiveNation.co.uk
Moon landings inspiring 2009 York Maze design
York farmer and maze builder Tom Pearcy has looked to the Moon this year for inspiration for his York Maze design. To mark the 40th anniversary of the first Apollo Moon landings, the giant 30-acre field of maize is cut out in the shape of an Astronaut on the surface of the Moon. Previous designs have included the Statue of Liberty, The Starship Enterprise and the Flying Scotsman locomotive.
York Maze is open to the public from Saturday 18th July and will be open every day until Sunday 6th September 2009.
Public contact: York Maze is open daily from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 6th September 2009 from 10am to 6.30pm (last admission 4.30pm). 2009 admission prices: Adult £7.95, Senior £7.45, Children (3-15) £6.95, Under 3s Free, Family (2 adults and 2 children) £28.00. Free parking. York Maze Elvington Lane (B1228), York, YO19 5LT, just off the A1079 Hull Road.
Tel: 01904 415364, http://www.yorkmaze.co.uk/
Press contact: For media enquiries contact: David Leon, Partners Leisure, Tel: 01904 610077, david@partners-group.co.uk
Target Falklands at Yorkshire Air Museum
On Saturday 17th October, Yorkshire Air Museum will play host to an exciting lecture presentation by RAF Falklands War Veterans Barry Neale and Martin Withers, about their experiences in the famous Black Buck raids - the bombing of Port Stanely airfield. Martin flew the Vulcan Bomber that actually dropped the bombs on the airfield and Barry is a Victor K2 Tanker pilot, who refuelled Martin on the return. Barry was also involved in the strategic planning of the Black Buck raids, which at the time were the longest range mission ever undertaken by any airforce.
Also appearing is John Kennedy, who is one of the pilots to have flown legendary Chinook helicopter ‘Bravo November', which was the only Chinook to survive the destruction of the Arctic Conveyor.
The day will see a host of V Force, Chinook and fast jet veterans attending, with opportunities for question and answer sessions, memorabilia signing and the chance to meet Gordon Ramsey - author of ‘Falklands War - Then and Now.'
Following this event is the ‘Victor Nightshoot', joined by legend of the skies, the De Havilland Mosquito. This is the only restored Nightfighter version of this aircraft, so presents a unique opportunity to photograph these two aircraft in an evening setting with external / internal lighting on for dramatic effect.
These events can be booked individually or in a package: Target Falklands Lecture Presentation £12, Victor / Mosquito Nightshoot £25 or Lecture plus Nightshoot £30. All prices include museum admission.
Public contact: Book online at ‘Shop/Tickets' at http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/ or send a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Air Museum' to Target Falklands /Nightshoot, YAM, Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU. For further information please call 01904 608595.
Press contact: Ian Richardson: Tel: 01904 608718 or email pr@yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk
Iconic engine celebrates its Golden Jubilee year on North York Moors Railway
Visitors to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are in for a treat this summer, as the iconic steam engine, 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" will be in operation on the Moors Railway.
Having undergone some minor repairs, the engine is scheduled to be in operation daily from 19-26th July, 2nd to 9th August, 16th-23rd August, 1-6th,13th -20th and 27th-30th September 2009 - giving visitors to the area an even bigger reason to enjoy a day out on the railway.
The streamlined 1930s engine is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, in so far as marking 50 years since it achieved the post-war record for speed by a steam engine, reaching 112 miles per hour on the East Coast Main Line, southward from Stoke Summit, with a full train of passengers returning from Doncaster works. Its sister engine, "Mallard" achieved the pre-war world speed record for steam of 125.88 miles per hour, on a stretch of the East Coast Main Line in 1938.
Public contact: For more details on the NYMR timetable, fares and special events, contact 01751 472508, via info@nymr.co.uk or go to www.nymr.co.uk
Press contact: Phil Bustard, Marketing & External Affairs Manager, Tel: 07837 405249.
Moors Railway gets help from local author
Bosses at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are looking to local author and former policeman, Mike Pannett, in an effort to turn people power into steam power, as they seek to raise £1 million for the Moors Railway.
In his new book, "You're coming with me Lad", Mike Pannett writes about more of his experiences in policing the North York Moors and Ryedale area in a knowledgeable and entertaining way. His first book, "Now then Lad.." was a runaway success, with tens of thousands of sales.
The new book, which was published by Hodder & Stoughton on 25 June, includes a special reference to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and its ‘Bridge & Wheels ‘ Appeal, which seeks to raise £1 million to fund a vital bridge replacement, and the restoration of a heritage steam engine.
Public contact: For more information about the ‘Bridges & Wheels' Appeal, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.bridgeandwheels.co.uk/ or contact Jim Dedicoat at jim.dedicoat@nymr.co.uk
Press contact: Phil Bustard, Marketing & External Affairs Manager, Tel: 07837 405249.
New Exhibitions
Spend a day where others spent a lifetime... at York Castle Prison
The infamous cells of York Castle Museum have been unlocked this July, unleashing the powerful, moving and sometimes gruesome tales of those that were once imprisoned there.
York Castle Museum's new experience, York Castle Prison, will plunge visitors back to the time when the building was used to house the county's worst felons and debtors.
By winding through the cramped authentic cells people can explore the dark, dank conditions prisoners were kept in and learn about their crimes and their punishment.
Public contact: The York Castle Museum opens from 9:30am to 5pm daily.
Admission is £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions and £4 for children, free to under-fives. For more visitor information, telephone 01904 687687 or visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
Press contact: For more information please contact Lee Clark, Media Coordinator, on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
New outdoor art exhibition shows Viking life in York
An exciting, new, Viking-inspired art exhibition showing what life was like in Viking York has been unveiled at the Hungate site in York.
Working in partnership, York Archaeological Trust, Arts Action York (the community arts team at City of York Council), and Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd have encouraged community groups throughout the city to produce a series of paintings that illustrate what life was like in Viking York.
The community groups, including adults with learning difficulties, families and older people in sheltered housing, have been working with artists over the last few months to create paintings based on Viking themes including voyaging, battle, markets and shops, and house and home.
The 24 paintings are prominently displayed on a 50 metre length of hoardings provided by developers Crosby Lend Lease and Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd for community art displays at the Hungate site. This is the fourth exhibition of community paintings at the outdoor gallery on the hoardings.
Public contact: To find out more and get involved with York Archaeological Trust, visit www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/involved/community1.htm
Press contact: For more information about this story, contact Louise McKenzie at The Partners Group on 01904 610077, email louise@partners-group.co.uk
A Gallery of Pots
A new gallery dedicated to one of the country's most important pottery collections will open at York Art Gallery this summer, on 1 September 2009.
The opening exhibition, entitled, 3 Collectors, will showcase some of the finest pots from the nationally important WA Ismay, Eric Milner-White, the Very Reverend Dean of York, and Henry Rothschild collections - many never seen by the public before. One corner of the gallery will become a learning area complete with a sofa and WA Ismay's original shelves containing pots the public can handle.
The gallery will also include displays featuring highlights from the gallery's other ceramic collections, such as the recently acquired two-metre pot by Felicity Aylieff, with the help of the Art Fund and MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. The gallery has been made possible thanks to funding from the Arts Council Yorkshire and Renaissance Yorkshire.
Public contact: York Art Gallery opens daily, from 10am until 5pm, and admission is free. For more information, go to www.yorkartgallery.org.uk or telephone 01904 687687. Press contact: Lee Clark, Media Coordinator, on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk
Upcoming Festivals / Events
Illuminating York
23rd October - 1st November 2009
Experience York after dark during Illuminating York with cutting edge outdoor, light-based artwork, exhibitions, site specific performances and tours in some of the ancient city's many special places. The event is a showcase for York as a contemporary, creative city but Illuminating York is also an ongoing project, which aims to use light and innovation to breathe new life into York's historic but urban environment after dark attracting visitors from far and wide.
Details of the Illuminating York festival for 2009 will be announced shortly, watch www.visityork.org for more information.
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
Sample ‘Crude Food' at this year's Festival of Food and Drink
18th - 27th September 2009
The York Festival of Food and Drink is the region's annual showcase of the very best of food and drink from Yorkshire and beyond. Building on the 2008 them, ‘Better Food Less Waste', this year's theme of ‘Crude Food' will focus on simple, well prepared ingredients. The festival will focus on projects such as using second cuts of meat, organic, and ‘knobbly', vegetables and ‘back to basics' recipes keeping costs down and quality high.
With over 130 events within the Festival Programme, there will be things to see and do all day long. The Ginger Pig Dinner is one of the key events for 2009. In keeping with the ‘Crude Food' theme, it will be demonstrated that even using rare breed meat, you can use cheaper cuts and create a mouth-watering menu fit for a King.
Public contact: For a full list of events and more information about what's going on in this year's festival, visit www.yorkfoodfestival.com
Press contact: Michael Hjort or Debbie Waite, Tel: 01904 635149, email: admin@yorkfoodfestival.com
Get ‘Wild about Wood' at Castle Howard Arboretum
The Arboretum at Castle Howard is delighted to be hosting its first ‘Wild About Wood' Festival on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2009. This new festival promises to be the best annual event of its kind in the North of England.
‘Wild About Wood' aims to inspire, educate and entertain members of the public of all ages and tree festival fun will include chainsaw sculpting, heavy horse logging, coracle making, willow weaving, and an authentic Viking encampment.
With thousands of trees from hundreds of places, seeds of these exotic trees were gathered from around the temperate world, some of which are very rare, and the collection at the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust stands without parallel in the north of England and acts as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew's northern reserve for many valuable tree species.
Public contact: For more information about the ‘Wild about Wood' Festival visit www.wildaboutwood.org or contact Anna Porter on email: anna@wildaboutwood.org or telephone: 01904 643282
Press contact: Rachel Goddard, Intandem Marketing and PR on Tel: 01757 289696, Mob: 07774 486237 or email: rachel@intandem-marketing.co.uk
Or Anna Porter, Ignite Meetings Tel: 01904 643 282 or email: anna@wildaboutwood.org
York ... A City Under Siege
The stage is set for York's first English Civil War festival, running from Saturday 22nd August until Monday 31st August 2009. The festival will see over a thousand re-enactors from all over Europe commence battle in the biggest re-enactment that York has ever seen.
York Archaeological Trust and Sealed Knot are working in partnership to organise the ten-day festival which is hoped to attract thousands of Civil War enthusiasts to the city.
Public contact: Look out for more information on the Events section of www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk
Press contact: Louise McKenzie at The Partners Group on 01904 610077 or Emma Hunt at York Archaeological Trust on 07711 844893
Restaurant News
Café No.8 named in top 100 UK restaurants
Cafe No8, the stylish bistro on York's Gillygate, has been voted among the Top 100 Restaurants in the UK.
The recognition from Eat Out Magazine sees the bistro listed alongside culinary legends such as Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck and Restaurateur Gordon Ramsay.
Renowned for its fresh local produce and imaginative takes on popular classics, Cafe No8's tiny kitchen delivers inspired dishes that are big on flavour. The tranquil ambience of the City Walled garden is only interrupted by the sound of the Minster chimes.
Public contact: For bookings, call 01904 653074 or for more information log on to www.cafeno8.co.uk
Press contact: Chris Pragnell is available for interview on 01904 653074.
Accommodation News
Visit Yorkshire's Small Luxury Hotel of the World
The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa has become one of the newest additions to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. The luxury boutique hotel and spa is located in the picturesque market town of Helmsley, North Yorkshire and has 33 bedrooms, 22 of which are suites, a two rosette restaurant, an outdoor heated swimming pool and the newly opened Verbena Spa.
The Verbena Spa launched last October along with 6 new poolside suites after a £1.2 million investment. Following the recent developments, the hotel was awarded its fourth star, closely followed by its welcoming into Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is an exclusive brand of more than 480 independent, luxury hotels offering an infinite variety of memorable experiences in 70 countries. Criteria for joining the exclusive collection includes exemplary standards of service, exceptional food and wine, unrivalled comfort and luxury and unique experiences; all of which the Feversham Arms & Verbena Spa has to offer.
Public contact: For further information on the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa please visit www.fevershamarmshotel.com or call 01439 770 766.
Press contact: For further information and enquiries, please contact Laura Garratt at laura.garratt@perception-uk.com or Cath Couzens at cath.couzens@perception-uk.com or alternatively by telephone on: 0845 293 2552
Carry on Glamping...
In this time of economic austerity Jollydays epitomises the new luxury - it's about simplicity, beautiful surroundings, great food and making time for family and friends, new and old alike - all at an accessible price.
Set in 15 acres of a 200 acre woodland, in idyllic North Yorkshire - only 20 minutes drive from York city centre, Jollydays is a completely unique concept that takes "glamping" to a whole new level . More a boutique hotel in the woods than traditional campsite, (think four poster beds, vintage furniture, ensuite facilities and chandeliers) this inspirational camp leads the way for a whole new British holiday - stylish, sociable and accessible (described by one happy camper as Enid Blyton meets Woodstock).
Public contact: To book a stay at Jollydays campsite, visit www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk or telephone 01759 371776. Village Farm, Scrayingham, North Yorkshire YO41 1JD.
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
Bedrooms fit for Lords and Ladies opened at Carlton Towers
Carlton Towers, in Carlton, near Goole is delighted to announce the opening of eleven new bedrooms, designed by Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard herself.
The home of Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, Carlton Towers is a 19th century Gothic style country house, which provides a perfect setting for both formal and informal events for up to 250 people. The eleven new rooms take the total up to sixteen, providing an excellent venue for meetings, conferences and events.
Lady Gerald proudly put the rooms together herself, combining family pieces of furniture and china with bargains from ebay and high street stores to create the stunning result.
Public contact: For more information about Carlton Towers call 01405 861 662 or visit www.carltontowers.co.uk
Press contact: For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Nicola Thresh on 07974 079735 or nicola@thresholdmarketing.co.uk
Enjoy a romantic retreat at York Yurts
Less than fifteen minutes drive from the centre of York, ‘York Yurts' aims to provide a relaxing, laid back environment so you can escape from the pressures of everyday life and unwind completely. York Yurts provide incredibly romantic accommodation enabling you to experience all the joys of camping without comprising on home comforts.
Three beautiful cosy and romantic Yurts, each individually furnished to a very high standard all have wood burning stoves enabling all year round use. Each yurt has its own fully equipped cooking tent and fire pit/barbecue for those wanting to use their own culinary skills. Alternatively guests can just 'arrive' with their loved ones, a good book, a couple of bottles of wine and York Yurts will do the rest. Guests have the option to enjoy breakfast in bed, lazy lunches and candlelit dinners - offered for those who want the ultimate relaxing experience.
All three yurts can be booked individually or larger parties can take all three and have the whole farm to themselves. York Yurt's aim is to give its guests an extra special break.
Public contact: To find out more information about York Yurts or to discuss requirements for that special break, telephone 01904 468711 or email sara@yorkyurts.com
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org
For more ideas on York themes for 2008/09 visit www.visityork.org/media
Journalists: If you would like to visit York on a press trip we'd be delighted to hear from you, please contact:
Kay Hyde, PR Manager
Visit York, 20 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6WR
Email kh@visityork.org
Visit www.visityork.org/media
Public Contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel 01904 550099 or visit http://www.visityork.org/