Britain is a great place during summer: there is something great to experience every day. No matter the weather the Brits will enjoy the summer to their fullest, with or without the sun.  Attend one of the hundred music festivals, enjoy a movie on the rooftop of a skyscraper or simply replenish your senses in one the seaside towns. Plan your summer in the UK this year and find out why so many people choose to do summer vacation courses in the UK to improve their English. You will quickly find it is not only because Britain is known for its great educational system but also because it offers them with the opportunity to travel around the country afterwards. The British summer is versatile and a lot of fun. So here is an overview of the things you simply cannot miss out on:

 

Summer Solstice, Stonehenge, England

If there ever is a time to visit Stonehenge it is certainly during the summer solstice celebration at the end of June. It is an event of peace, love and be wonderment. The historic monument grants access to 20.000 people that wish to see the sun come up behind the ancient ruins. Amongst the crowds you will find druids, pagans and hippies that have come down to revel in the moment. If not a beatify sight, to see the sun come up at a venue that is otherwise closed to the public, it is a great place to people watch. Depending on the time of year the summer solstice is celebrated on the 20^th of June to the 21^st of June, there is a camping site nearby and several different foods and drink stands.

 

Garden Gourmet, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Entice your taste buds during this two day gastronomic event in the Botanical Gardens of Belfast.  The garden Gourmet is a family event including live music, food and flower exhibits, a bowling pavilion and a children’s play area. The event is held during mid-September and forms the perfect ending to a great summer vacation. Take in the beautiful surroundings and indulge all of your senses.

Fringe festival, Edinburgh, Scotland

The city of Edinburgh turns in to a live stage each August. Whether you are in to cabaret, theatre, music or dance the Fringe festival will provide it. The festival is scattered out over plus twenty different venues in town. Some of the venues might be far apart so make sure to plan on beforehand and bring comfortable shoes or a bicycle.  Some of the performances are for free so if you are looking for the opportunity to experience something new without paying an extortionate price, this will be the event for you. Besides Edinburgh is an amazing place to visit anyway.

Beaumaris medieval festival, Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales

Every year the Beaumaris castle on the Anglesey Island organises a medieval festival to commemorate the bygone era of knights in shining armour. The festival takes place in August and will showcase several events including real life swordfights between armoured knights. Visitors will be encouraged to cheer and show their support to their favourite cavalier. This is a great day out for anyone who wants to explore history and enjoy something a little different. Enjoy the beautiful island scenery, the castle and be enthralled by the ecstatic atmosphere.

London is the tourist destination for many around the world. With around 14.2 million foreign visitors to the city in 2009, it is the hub of the UK. In the summer of 2012 the city will be alive with the Olympics but that is by no means all the city has to offer. There are a plethora of alternatives to the Olympics lets take a look at just a few.

London Zoo

This is a fantastic destination for families and singles alike. With a great atmosphere and fantastic wildlife, you can spend the entire afternoon enjoying a quieter part of London set on the edge of the wonderful Regents Park. This is a perfect place to get away from the Olympic buzz. A top tip to avoid the queues is to book your tickets in advance and they can scan the barcode from your smartphone.

Be sure to visit Penguin Beach for the show, but be there early because it fills up fast and is a favourite at the Zoo. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will want to explore this fantastic attraction

The West End

The West End is famous around the world for fantastic shows and is not to be overlooked. It can provide you with a fantastic taste of the hustle and bustle of central London while being a relaxing way to spend the evening. There are many different shows for every taste and the theatres are expected to be quieter than usual due to the focus on the Olympics.

The perfect accompaniment to a West End show is a preshow meal. There are a multitude of fantastic restaurants in the area that cater to the show going public with dedicated menus that ensure you will be able to get to the show on time. Make sure that you book in advance to get the best possible seats for the show of your choice.

Museums

London is host to a number of world-class museums, even if usually you are not interested, there is something for everyone. They are not quite what you picture when you think of a museum. Bright, light and airy with phenomenal exhibits that let you get lost in a world of discovery. There are so many levels of interaction that makes the whole experience come to life.

This is a day out that can be enjoyed by all and what makes it all better, is that the most museums in London are actually free to enter. This does not mean that they compromise on quality as the Science Museum even has an IMAX cinema inside, although this is a service that is paid for.

Fancy something a little different?

Something that may not be for everyone, but can be a great experience is a trip to the BFI IMAX cinema for the Lord of the Rings All-Nighter, all 3 films back to back in a fantastic movie marathon. This is an experience as many of the people that attend dress for the occasion.

London is a city full of attractions but to make the most of it, make sure that you get you accommodation in a prime location there are a lot of London bed and breakfast rentals available online. Research into the location that suits you best and visit Wimdu to find the accommodation of your dreams.

 

This Saturday is St. Paddy’s Day – a day where the whole of Ireland are partying together and having a merry time. As a matter of fact, most of Britain- in fact, the World- will be indulging in a nice pint of Guinness!

St Patrick’s Day is originally a cultural and religious holiday which is celebrated on the 17th March; commemorating Saint Patrick (the most recognised patron saints of Ireland) and the arrival Christianity in Ireland. The day is now more of a celebration of the Irish culture in general, which is celebrated in many countries such as United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and states of the Caribbean and continental Europe. Due to the Irish diaspora (Irish emigrants that fled in the 1830’s), there’s an estimated 80 million people Worldwide who claim to have Irish descent.

So where can you go to celebrate St. Paddy’s? The obvious option would be the nearest Irish pub, which is guaranteed to be jam-packed and full of fun. Most other pubs will also be making extra effort to celebrate, but you won’t be able to beat the atmosphere of an Irish bar!

Wear lots of green clothing, silly hats, whatever you want! The biggest point in St Patrick’s Day is to be merry and be friendly to everyone; as they say, everyone is Irish on St Paddy’s Day!

Guinness is attempting to break a Guinness World Record, by making St. Paddy’s Day the friendliest day of the year. If you’d like to pledge yourself to St. Paddy’s Day, click here.

Early in any new year, most people will make resolutions or, as they're proposing as a more positive alternative on the eHarmony UK Facebook page, life goals for the following year. In theory, these resolutions are designed to improve our happiness, health and wellbeing. In practice, they are more difficult to follow than we may realise at first.

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Join the Gym
Each January fitness centres enjoy a sharp increase in trade. After turkey and mince pies, the nation flocks to the treadmills with dreams of leaner, more toned physiques. In many cases gym memberships are bought due to post-Christmas guilt, which fades over time. People often struggle to set realistic goals and soon revert to old habits. You may fulfil your resolution to join the gym, but paying for a membership will not improve your fitness without that all important perseverance.

Save money
Most people are feeling the fiscal pinch this year. When money is tight, plans to build a nest egg are put to one side. This resolution requires that you are consistent, plan ahead, and start out small.

Get organised
After the chaos of the festive season it may be time to take control. This might mean investing in a personal organiser or tackling a neglected ‘to do’ list. Getting organised could involve taking evening classes, trying online dating, or making plans for the long term future. Once back at work, however, many people are drawn back into the same hectic daily routine. In order for this resolution to succeed, it is important to be realistic and allow time for unplanned events.

Go green
Next year could mark the start of a more environmentally friendly way of life. Insulating the house, recycling and using eco-friendly products all help. But many people don’t consider the impact of travel; the carbon footprint of flights could put green and travel plans in opposition.

Volunteer
Giving back to the community is an admirable aim, but too often plans do not follow through. For some, the main hurdle is in knowing where to start. For others, living, working and dating in London, the distractions of daily life mean that good ambitions are never realised.

Lose weight

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With spring around the corner, New Year marks a race towards the perfect summer beach body. After a season of rich, festive dishes, dieting is a common resolution. Many dieters fail because they struggle to deny themselves high calorie ingredients. The focus should be on sustaining gradual weight loss and creating a healthy relationship with food.

Quit smoking

For most smokers quitting is notoriously difficult. Driven by the benefits of quitting, many resolve to quit smoking in January and many fail. This resolution requires determination. There are products and services available to smokers who want to quit, from gum and patches to weekly group meetings.

Travel

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Travel is a common lifelong ambition. When planning an exotic trip, time and money are the two biggest obstacles. If you dream of a large and expensive expedition it may take more than 12 months to save up. For smaller holidays, your ideal location might be outnumbered in a vote with your partner, friends or family members.

Drink less
If you had one too many the night before, vowing to drink in moderation will be an easy resolution to make. In practice, the hangover subsides and many revert to old habits. 

Have more family time
Gathering around the Christmas tree was heart-warming, but once the holiday is over studying, working and other practicalities can take hold. Setting aside more time to spend with the family will mean making sacrifices elsewhere in your life.

Resource Box:

• Mind tricks of gym membership: Megan Lane reports for BBC news on the January boom in UK fitness centres.
• Smoke free: This NHS page is full of advice and resources for those who want to quit smoking.
• Do-it: Do-it is a government run online database of volunteering opportunities in the UK.

Whichever country you are visiting, it is interesting to visit family homes because often a family home can show you an interesting side of a country’s culture and traditions. It’s also interesting to visit historic houses that are now home to exhibitions and museums, to see how decorations and interiors have changed throughout history, and how different events such as change of monarchy or world wars have influenced the way people decorate their homes.

The types of houses in Britain

In Britain, there are a wide variety of building types in modern times. There are many new, eco-friendly, purpose built apartments, old fashioned, square blocks of flats from the late 20^th Century, old country cottages and farmhouses, semi-detached and terraced houses, Regency, Georgian and Victorian homes and even houses inspired by European architecture. Amongst all of these wonderful buildings, the 3 bedroom terraced house seems to be the most typical and common type of home, especially as the well-known national statistic for family sizes in the UK is “2.4 children”

Interior fashions

Vintage fashion and the “shabby chic” look have become very popular in the UK over recent years, and this has been reflected in interior design. The feminine, floral, homely style can be found in many family homes and department stores offer a huge range of reproduction furniture, cushions, fabrics and ornaments to create this style.

The minimalistic look is also popular in the UK and has been since the 1990s. Some families choose sleek leather sofas, glass or gloss surfaces for their kitchen cabinets and lounge furniture, and bare white walls, with just a hint of colour introduced with fresh flowers or a rug here or there.

 

19th century decoration

Some British families still live in homes that are full of keepsakes, family memories and ornaments, particularly if the elder members of the family grew up during the 1940s in the second world war with the “make do an mend” mentality. In the 1970's, it was fashionable to use bold patterns and bright cloours in wall paper and soft furnishings - mainly geometric or large floral patterns. Some homes do still hid these original delights, but as vintage style is back in fashion the younger generation are recreating the 1970s look in the 21st century.

Typical layout

The typical 3 bedroom terraced house consists of a ground floor, usually including a lounge area, small kitchen and possibly a dining room or office, and usually a small back garden. On the first floor will be a large master bedroom and two smaller rooms, one usually only big enough for a single bed, and the family bathroom. It is rare for terraced houses to have room for en-suite bathrooms or conservatories. If you don't know any British families to visit, you can check out the layout of the different types of British houses on websites like House Simple that let you sell your house online. Usually there are plenty of pictures selling the house and also a floor plan, so plenty to have a nose around at!

What do you normally eat on a Sunday? If you’re in Britain, the chances are that you’ll be indulging into a lovely roast dinner. A tradition for most people in Britain is to enjoy their dishes with their family at the end of the week.
Some would say that the Sunday roast is probably a downgrade to a Christmas dinner, but this meal still brings families closer; in my house and many others I know, this is the one time in the week the whole family have a chance to sit down together.

A Typical Roast

Your typical Sunday roast would consist of a particular meat. This would normally tend to be either lamb, pork, beef or chicken. If you’re vegetarian, a nut roast is a common option to have instead of meat. A nut roast contains nuts, grains, vegetable oils, butter & seasonings.

There a various different vegetables that can be used with your roast dinner, some could be boiled, steamed or roasted. The main piece of ‘veg’ is the roast potato.  Some say it can take years to master cooking the perfect roast potatoes and there a lots of different ways to cook them. Other traditional vegetables used are carrots, peas, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, parsnips, turnips or swede. Red cabbage and cauliflower cheese are also popular vegetable dishes.

All of these vegetables are normally accompanied by a Yorkshire pudding. If you’re not familiar with one of these, it’s not a dessert! It’s a very simple bit of pastry that goes nicely with pretty much everything on the plate.
Another addition would be some stuffing; a mixture initially used when stuffing or filling the meat before it’s cooked, but some would have it on its own.

The last (but in no means least) feature of a Sunday roast would be the gravy. This can be made from juices released by the meat and a little help from some stock cubes or gravy granules. For me, this is the ‘cherry-on-the-cake’ for roast dinners.

If you never normally have a roast, I recommend that this Sunday you do! It may take a while to really master cooking, but remember that the most important ingredient for a roast dinner is the people eating it with you!

What would a wedding be without the perfect venue? Well for some the venue is the most important part of the wedding, as it is the place where your future begins with the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Tie the knot in the sun

You could chase the sun and get hitched in one of the many wonderful places that are blessed with sunyear round. One of the most popular places to get married is Mauritius, with the crystal clear waters and white sand.It is not hard to see why this is such a romantic destination and why so many couples have this as their location of choice. 

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Get wed in a winter wonderland

If the sands of Mauritius are not for you but you still want to go a little further from home you can break the mould and take a trip to the winter wonderland that is Finland, more specifically Lapland.

Traditionally this is seen as a place for kids to enjoy a Christmas holiday however there is far more to Lapland than Santa and his Reindeer. It is a truly beautiful and picturesque place to be married .

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Trust in traditional 

If you would prefer something a bit more traditional, whichcan accommodate all of your extended family and friends then there are numerous wedding reception venues in Manchester that will be able to cater for all of your needs.

There are Churches scattered throughout Manchester that 1794 and these are beautiful and mesmerising places to wed the person of your dreams.

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No matter where you choose to get married it will be a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. The venue is only one ingredient but it influences many of the other decisions: the dress, cake, guests, reception, budget - the list could go on and on! That is why it should be the first decision for couples to make.

 

Resource Box

http://www.confetti.co.uk/ latest wedding venues, dresses and honeymoon ideas http://www.hitched.co.uk/ free wedding planning help http://weddingmagazine.co.uk/ a magazine dedicated to all things wedding related

When it comes to music festivals, the UK has a lot to offer. From large scale weekends with big name line-ups, to alternative music, arts and culture, there is no shortage of options. Festival-goers are advised to book their tickets early. Tickets for many events become sold out hours after becoming available, so plan in advance to avoid disappointment. Day tickets are usually available if camping isn’t your thing, or weekend camping tickets for the full experience.

The following list covers only the tip of the iceberg; countless festivals take place between June and August, with many more hosted in early autumn and throughout the colder months.

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June

 One of the UK’s most renowned festivals, Glastonbury, will not be taking place in 2012 but will continue in June 2013. Still, for the following year it is worth highlighting. Glastonbury combines a wide range of performing arts and attracts visitors from all walks of life. Young groups, mature couples, families with children, up-and-coming artists, and international students of English courses in London travel from the capital to the festival for a week of alternative British culture. Tickets for the 2011 festival sold out only four hours after going on sale.

 

Download Festival

 8^th- 10^th June 2012

 The three day rock music festival, Download, is back in 2012 for its ten year anniversary. This year the impressive line-up features Metallica and Black Sabbath.

Glade Festival

14^th- 17^th June 2012

Glade Festival is a major calendar event for lovers of electronic music. Electronic dance, psy-trance and world music combine with experimental art for an interactive festival.

Isle of Wight Festival

22^nd- 24^th June 2012

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The Isle of Wight Festival has established itself as one of the UK’s top annual music events. The line-up is yet to be announced, but previous years suggest that the weekend will be crammed with high profile acts.

 

July

Wireless Festival

6^th- 8^th July 2012

This festival, which takes place each year in Hyde Park, London, will feature a mix of popular artists. Rihanna will be performing; her only live UK date of 2012 will be at Wireless Festival.

Latitude

 12^th- 15^th July 2012

Suffolk based Latitude is relatively new to the festival scene, having started out in 2006. Already a major contender for festival-goers, the event mixes live music with theatre, dance, comedy and literature. Latitude encourages emerging talent, and so appeals to students in the UK.

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The festival provides a platform for young artists and designers of London colleges to exhibit their work.

Similarly, the mix of literature and theatre draws in school of English London based students from overseas, keen on experiencing English language and culture.

Grassroots Eco Music Festival

21st July 2012

The Grassroots Festival is an eco event; dedicated to reducing carbon footprint and environmental impact. There will be a ‘recycle for free drinks’ initiative and food made from local produce. Blues and reggae dominate the line-up.

 

WOMAD

27^th- 29^th July 2012

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WOMAD festival celebrates the best of music, dance and the arts from across the globe. The festival has an international feel and a pro-diversity ethos.

 

August

V Festival

20^th- 21^st August 2012

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V Festival is divided between two UK sites; one in Chelmsford and the other Shropshire. This is a large scale festival with a combination of chart topping and emerging international talent.

Leeds/Reading

26^th- 28^th August 2012

Reading and Leeds host among the most popular events on the young festival-goer’s calendar. The line-up will soon be announced, with fans anticipating an extensive list of top performers.

Resource Box

 eFestivals

eFestivals provides up to date information on ticket releases and line-up changes in 2012.

Time Out

Time Out London allows browsers to search for music festivals in and around the capital city.

Real Festivals

A list of the top UK music festivals in 2012, with links to the site of each festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.K Rowling, who doesn't know her? She is one of the most famous writers of the last few years. You might know her for books which are a series of seven fantasy novels taht tell the story of a young wizard, Harry Potter, who is learning to practise magic. The novels include mystery, thriller and romance.

 

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J.K. Rowling has written other books, some of them related with Harry Potter too, such as Quidditch Trough the Ages which explains the "history of Quidditch", the fantastic sport practised at Hogwarts.

As a result of her global success on the Harry Potter books, Rowling has turned into one of the wealthiest people in the world. She has earned millions of money, part of which she has donated among various charities (e.g. One Parent Families). Currently, she is the president of the NGO.

Rowling also founded Lumos charity, which tries to transform the lives of disadvantaged children.

We sure admire people like J.K. Rowling who, despite an amazing success, still worries about the future of others.

 

 Brighton combines many elements – it’s situated on the seafront, home to many attractions, accessible from London and on the edge of the peaceful Sussex Downs. The area provides plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Built as an emerging leisure resort of the Regency era, Brighton is by no means short of attractions. It is easily accessible by train from the capital, and draws thousands of tourists from London and further afield each year. The area has a reputation for having a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a penchant for the arts. With a large student population – there being two universities and many language schools in the area – Brighton also offers amusements to occupy the family.

 

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Brighton beach

Any description of Brighton would be incomplete without due homage to the seafront. Visitors flock to the pebble beach every summer to soak up the fleeting British sun. For adventurous tourists water sports and volleyball are features of the warmer months. Others prefer a relaxing drink at one of the cafes or bars dotted along the beachfront. The pier offers Victorian charm, with an arcade and fairground rides at the end of the promenade.

The Royal Pavilion

 

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Built as the seaside palace of George IV, the Prince Regent, the Pavilion stands out for its striking architectural features. Tourists are able to take a tour of the Pavilion, with audio guides in various languages for non-English speakers. The building backs on to the Pavilion gardens, with Brighton’s museum and art gallery offering free entry.

Devil’s Dyke

Every summer open-top buses carry visitors on the short journey from Brighton to nearby Devil’s Dyke. The grassland valley offers spectacular views across the Sussex Downs and rare species of wildlife. It provides an activity visitors can share with the entire family, and is popular with cyclists and dog walkers (tourists with dogs should book with one of the dog friendly bed and breakfast Brighton offers).

Brighton Sea Life Centre

The Brighton Sea Life Centre is home to an interactive rock pool, underwater walk-through tunnel and Amazonian jungle habitat, as well as more than 150 aquatic creatures, including seahorses, sharks and turtles. Visitors with children will find the Sea Life Centre entertaining and educational.

Shopping in Brighton

 

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Brighton is famous for the Lanes – a series of narrow pathways and small boutiques that run through a section of the city. Here visitors can find a treasure trove of curiosities among the art galleries and antique shops. Visitors searching for high-street shops will find them in Churchill Square, with an indoor shopping centre and occasional outdoor markets. On the seafront next to the pier artists exhibit their work, with an interesting mix of painting and sculpture for sale.

Manoeuvring through the Lanes and beyond can be tiring business, but for those with any energy left after a day’s shopping Brighton’s famous nightlife is worth experiencing. With a high density of pubs, bars and clubs across Brighton and Hove, night owls can party into the early hours before heading for some well-deserved sleep. Book into a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast Brighton offers to top off a great visit to this unique seaside town.