Time-travelling Royalty at Kenilworth Castle for Jubilee bank holidays!

Source:  Cision

Archery, hand-to-hand combat, and junior jousting – the sports of kings will be coming to Kenilworth Castle as part of English Heritage’s Jubilee celebrations from Sunday June 3rd to Bank Holiday Tuesday June 5th, as the site marks the Royal milestone in medieval style!  The three-day event will provide a taste of how jubilee celebrations might have taken place in medieval England – although no monarch in this era ever achieved the length of reign of Elizabeth II!

A troop of knights and ladies will welcome visitors to the site for hands-on medieval fun, demonstrations and trails around the grounds of England’s largest ruined castle.  Throughout the day, visitors can hear entertaining tales of kings and queens from the past in a series of presentations taking a light-hearted approach to the strengths and weaknesses of various kings and queens, hear of the greatest conquests that they presided over, and even learn the appropriate etiquette that must be followed to avoid a trip to the Tower of London for treason, should you ever meet a medieval monarch!

Forget waving a Union Jack, this event comes from a time before the flag was created, when being a king required public demonstrations of strength and resolve, because there was always a treacherous Lord or pretender wanting to take the throne for themselves!” comments English Heritage’s events manager, Karen Pike.  “Visitors will be able to try out some of the longbows and crossbows for themselves in have-a-go archery sessions, and young knights can mount their hobby horses to try junior jousting, a true sport of kings!”

There will also be a Kings & Queens trail around the site throughout the weekend. Children will be challenged to track down all the elusive monarchs who have been cunningly hidden around the site, with a diploma for everyone completing the trail.  Time Travellers Go… Royal!  Runs from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with the castle and Elizabethan Garden opening one hour earlier at 10.00am. Admission prices are £8.20 for adults, £7.40 for concessions and £4.90 for children.

A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £21.30. English Heritage members get in free. An additional £1 will be charged on entry of every child to fund the Time Traveller activities.  A Park & Ride service will run every 10-15 minutes from 10am – 6pm from Kenilworth clock tower bus stop. Please park in the town centre car parks-charges may apply. Disabled parking available at the main castle car park.

Wave Hill Announces Garden & Nature Walks This Summer

 Source:  Cision

Step outside and explore Wave Hill’s blooming gardens this summer. Select from a variety of walks showcasing unique aspects of the garden and its wildlife. Hear Wave Hill’s talented gardeners discuss their favorite plants and describe their plans for the gardening season at the Meet the Gardeners Walk.  Stroll through the Wild Garden with a garden interpreter at Walk on the Wild Side, and gain some fascinating insight into the planning and management of this “natural” garden with Director of Horticulture Scott Canning and gardener Syretha Brooks at A Gardener’s View of the Wild Garden.

Join a Wave Hill History Walk and learn the fascinating history of the gardens, buildings and the people who once called the grounds home, with historian and Wave Hill Garden Guide Deirdre LaPorte. Uncover coy woodland dwellers at Cowering in the Shade and observe the diversity of ornamental grasses at Grasses that Grace the Garden Walk.

Investigate sunny adaptations at Reveling in the Sunshine, and learn about the fascinating ways plants deal with dry conditions at Coping with Drought. Examine strategies plants use in the summer’s hot months in the Plant “Survivor” Series with horticultural interpreter Charlie Day.

Garden Walks

Cowering in the Shade

Sat, June 2 & Thu, June 7, 2PM

Walk on the Wild Side

Thu, June 4, July 12, Aug 9, 2PM

Wave Hill History Walk

Sat, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, 11AM

Gardener’s View of the Wild Garden

Thu, June 28, 1PM

Meet the Gardeners Walk

Wed, July 11, 1PM                                   

Plant “Survivor” Series        

Grasses that Grace the Garden Walk

Sat, Sun, July 14, 15, 1PM & 3PM

Reveling in the Sunshine

Thu, July 26 & Sat, July 28, 2PM

Coping with Drought

Sat, Aug 11 & Thu, Aug 16, 2PM

Nature Walks                        

Birding@Wave Hill

Sun, June 10, July 8, Aug 12, 9:30AM

Dragonfly Walk 

Sun, July 22, 12:30PM

Bat Walk

Wed, July 25, 7:30−9PM

Butterfly Walk

Sun, Aug 12, 12:30PM

Top NY Travel Tips For The Under 30s

Source:  Cision

·         Hang Out With The Cool Kids At The City’s Summer Festivals

Leave the jazz hands at Broadway this summer, and head out to NY’s outdoor music, film and fringe events instead. The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) takes place from 10 – 26 August, The New York International Film Festival runs from 9 – 16 August and Electric Zoo – New York’s Electronic Music Festival takes place from 31 August – 2 September, with David Guetta headlining on the Friday.

• A Cooler Alternative To Central Park? Try Tomkins Square Park

This popular park in the middle of the East Village is the perfect centrepiece for its eclectic neighbourhood, which houses artists, radicals and fashion lovers. The performances hosted by the park are as unique as its residents: the annual line-up includes the outdoor drag festival Wigstock, the Howl Festival commemorating Allen Ginsberg, and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Along with its excellent people-watching, the park is equipped with two playgrounds, a handball court, chess tables and a basketball court.

• Go Downtown For Dining

This leftfield Manhattan district has long been a refuge for immigrants, artists and students craving good food at a great price — Waves of émigrés from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Russia and China have stirred their cuisines into a melting pot of ethnic eateries, and deals can be found at Vanessa’s Dumpling House, Thai favourite Zabb Elee and the East Village’s Mark and Meatpacking’s Bill’s Bar & Burger, both for better-than-fast-food burgers. There is even a ‘recession special’ at Gray’s Papaya — two franks and a beverage for $4.95.

• Try A Tour With A Difference

Forget about seeing NY’s ubiquitous landmarks – give one of the experiences with Side Tour a go. You can do everything from explore the urban jungle’s natural spaces on a wilderness, to live vicariously through a rock star’s best friend on an experience led by Rolling Stone journalist and best-selling author Anthony Bozza! Or, why not see the city through the eyes of a real New Yorker, with Big Apple Greeter? New York locals are on hand to share personal knowledge of their city with visitors. What’s more, they offer their services free of charge.

• Swap Macy’s for Flea Markets And Sample Sales

The home of middle-of-the-road 90s fashion beloved by Rachel from ‘Friends’ et al, whether you’re after high-tops or haute fashion, you won’t find it at Macy’s. However, you will find lots of kooky and cool vintage pieces at New York’s flea markets, from pre-loved Polaroid cameras to 70s vintage furs. And for those who want to bag a designer bargain, Racked.com tells you where NY’s sample sales are taking place.

• Bag A Hotel Bargain With Added Freebies

Cheap, chic and ideal for the under 30s, The Hotel @ Times Square offers stays from $224.99 per room (under £70 per adult per night) in June.  Situated just a short stroll from Central Park (great for yoga, cycle hire and inline skating), Fifth Avenue (try to find the Museum Of Sex) and Times Square (they often film morning TV there – be part of the audience, if you’re up early enough!), this budget-friendly hotel boasts complimentary wi-fi, continental breakfast, national calls and a fitness suite.