Places to Stay in Winchester

The cathedral city of Winchester offers all sorts of accommodation, whether you're staying for just one night or more, with accommodation for all budgets. Here are a few options available.

Winchester is a beautiful cathedral city in the heart of southern England. Each year many tourists come to the city. Most just come for the day, but if you're planning on staying longer then you'll want to know about the various places to stay in Winchester.

Despite being a very genteel place, with many carefully tended parks, ancient buildings and pubs and restaurants, Winchester possesses many attractions that are of interest for all, be they young, old, single or families. Likewise, Winchester offers a broad range of accommodation that caters for all budgets and tastes.

Many young people and backpackers come each year to Winchester and some stay for more than a day or two. Cost is usually a factor for such tourists and despite appearances, accommodation can be found in or near Winchester itself. There used to be a hostel in Winchester, run by the YHA. It was housed in a restored and working watermill in the city centre. Sadly, the hostel part of the mill is now closed. The nearest YHA can now be found at Burley 23 miles, Salisbury 24 miles and Portsmouth 25 miles away. There is an excellent bus network connecting Winchester to all these towns - all of which are within one hour's travel by bus.

Another good cheap option is camping. Morn Hill Caravan Club Site can be found on the outskirts of the town, so you can walk to the city centre from the site, or take a short bus journey. If you have your own transport, then you might consider one of the many campsites around Hampshire. There are many campsites in the New Forest. The Forest is one of England's last remaining ancient woodlands and makes a great base to explore Winchester and the county.

On a slightly higher budget you could stay in one of Winchester's bed and breakfasts or guest houses. They are numerous and can be found in the city centre, suburbs or just out of town at a price to suit everyone.

As might be expected, Winchester offers excellent hotel accommodation. In the centre of Winchester you can stay at The Winchester Royal hotel. It is a 75 bedroom establishment, oozing old-world charm and dates back to 1530. Also, in the centre of town you can lodge at The Winchester Hotel. This is a modern establishment that is very popular with the Business and Leisure traveller. The Macdonald Wessex Hotel was built in 1964, and is situated in the heart of Winchester City Centre. The hotel runs alongside the famous Winchester Cathedral and is within easy walking distance of the city centre shops. For those who can afford it, Lainston House Hotel is a lovely place to stay whilst visiting Winchester. The hotel is an elegant William and Mary house built in the seventeenth century. It is situated in Sparsholt on the outskirts of Winchester and is set in 63 acres of downland park. The Marwell Hotel is opposite Marwell Zoological Park and is styled as a colonial safari lodge. It has 68 rooms. The hotel is just 6 kms from Winchester.

For those who plan on staying longer than a few days in Winchester, a self-catering holiday staying in a country cottage might be the ideal choice. Hampshire is a quintessential English county and its cottages reflect this, with their thatched roofs, mellow brick walls, and rose adorned windows.

There are many places to stay in Winchester, offering accommodation to suit all travelers. During summer and other busy times of the year it is best to book ahead as Winchester can be very busy. Wherever you decide to stay in Winchester you're sure to be enthralled by the beauty of the city.

Robin O'Brien lives and works in Winchester and is founder of Winchester Tourist Information. You can find out more on places to stay in Winchester and book online and learn about places to visit in Winchester.

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Top Tips When Looking For Static Caravan Holiday Home Insurance

The main things that should be covered under a caravan holiday home insurance policy are storm damage and flood damage, which are becoming all too common in the UK. Cover should also include fire damage and the theft of belongings from the holiday home.

Look for a policy that will cover you for any malicious damaged caused to your property, as well as debris removal and resiting costs. The level of this cover can vary from insurer to insurer, but should be enough to cover the cost of removing a damaged holiday home (for example, after fire), and resiting and reconnecting a new holiday home in its place.

If your holiday home becomes uninhabitable whilst on holiday or when you had a holiday planned, your insurance should provide you with loss of use cover, which should help you to make alternative arrangements so your holiday plans won't be ruined.

What you pay for your static caravan insurance can vary depending on the sum insured - i.e. the amount at which you value the holiday home and it's fixtures and fittings.

It can also depend on the level of cover you choose. For example, many insurers will offer cover on either a 'new for old' basis, whereby the sum insured will reflect the cost to replace the holiday home and equipment with an equivalent brand new holiday home, or a 'market value' basis, whereby the sum insured will reflect the cost to replace the holiday home with one of a similar age. A new for old policy will often be more expensive than a market value policy as the sum insured is greater, however, you must bear in mind that you will not receive a brand new replacement holiday home if you have opted for a market value policy. New for old cover is often available for holiday homes up to 10 years so can be a great benefit if and when the worst happens.

Look out for part 2 of Top Tips When Looking for Static Caravan Holiday Home Insurance, where we look in detail at cover benefits and conditions that may apply to your policy.

Heather Robinson of Leisuredays. Leisuredays insurance specialise in static caravan holiday home insurance in the UK. For more information about insuring your holiday home, visit http://www.leisuredays.co.uk. Leisuredays is a trading name of Caravan Guard Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Robinson

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Although caravans and motorhomes can give a great sense of freedom to their owners, sometimes they can be a little cramped, especially if a number of people are staying in them. There are various solutions to this problem, but the most practical and effective is to use a caravan awning.

Caravan awnings are structures made of materials such as acrylic or PVC-coated polyester supported by a frame made of aluminium, carbon fibre or zinc-coated steel poles. Designed to be lightweight and portable, with practice they can be easily set up, giving extra living space on the outside of the caravan or motorhome. In the most basic models this can mean a simple roof giving shade and some protection from the elements, while more elaborate models can give an extra room with a door, windows and even a carpet.

Some higher-end models, designed to be more hard-wearing, will have additional features. Ropes and cables attached to the awning are fixed into pegs into the ground to provide extra stability, while heat-reflective roof sheets provide additional protection against harsh direct sunlight. Additionally, a storm-belt system can help protect the awning and users in the event of unusually high winds.

Before purchasing an awning, it is important to consider a number of factors that will have a direct bearing on your choice, as failing to do so can mean an awning that fits incorrectly or is unsuitable for the use intended. First the caravan the awning will be fitted to must be measured correctly: if it is not, the awning may not fit and either provide insufficient protection or be useless. Secondly, the environment in which the awning will be used and also the frequency of use must be considered. Will the awning be used occasionally in relatively clement weather, or will it be used often and be exposed to a range of temperatures and weather conditions? If the latter, it is clear a more resilient, well constructed and therefore expensive awning must be bought. Thirdly, the area where the awning will be pitched must be examined. Is the ground firm or soft? If the caravan to which the awning will be affixed is in a caravan park, is there enough space for a large awning to be erected, or will a smaller model have to be selected?

Lastly, when actually purchasing an awning, there are a few things for the buyer to watch out for. Does the awning dealer have a solid knowledge of his product, or does he rely on product brochures? Does he try to push for a big sale with many superfluous extras, or does he listen carefully to the buyer's requirements and tailor his advice accordingly? Does the dealer have a good reputation for after-sales service? Consideration of these points will help the buyer in selecting a reliable dealer and therefore decrease the chance of purchasing an unsuitable awning.

By: Mike Drabble

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If you're planning to stay in a static caravan for your next holiday, you'll need to make sure you're prepared. Today's caravans are luxurious, comfortable and warm, and caravan parks occupy some of the best coastal locations in the country. Plan ahead, and you'll enjoy a fabulous holiday.

Fewer clothes than you think!

It's a well-recognised fact that we usually over-pack for our holidays, and this is especially true in the UK where, no matter what time of year we travel, we like to be prepared for a wide variety of weather. Static caravans boast much more storage than they used to, but if you want to make sure that there's a place for everything, then pack with caution. Most caravan parks have an on-site laundry, so you don't need to pack two outfits for each day - you can simply wash the clothes and use them again. This is particularly true for younger children, who are liable to be covered in sand or grass stains not long after breakfast!

Buckets and spades

If your caravan holiday is going to be near the beach, then be sure to take plenty of beach equipment with you. Good caravan parks are often right on the edge of the beach, which means you can take the kids down for an hour at the beginning or end of the day, or spend all day sunbathing. However you choose to use the beach, you'll need all the right equipment - and anything you can't fit in the car will probably be available at the on-site shop. Many static caravans also have an additional, outdoor storage space so that all those sandy things don't have to come inside.

A good book

A lot of people say that their annual holiday is the time when they catch up on their reading, and the best thing about a good book or a stack of magazines is that you can read them at any time. If the weather's sunny, take them down to the beach and relax on the sand, or sit outside your caravan so that the cold drinks are on tap. If you have a bad-weather day, then sit in the comfort of your caravan with a cup of tea and make the most of some enforced quiet time.

Of course, you'll need to take much more than these three items when you go on your caravan holiday, but put them at the top of your packing list!

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Restoring a Used Motor Home

Buying pre-owned stuff almost always guarantees some repairs. A used motor home is not exempt from this. You may have exerted your best efforts in picking out the best motor home from the set of secondhand motor homes but the most you would come up with is an almost perfect match. It is inevitable that the motor home you purchased would need some modifications and a few repairs. For this matter, knowing how to restore one would make your repair project a bit easier.

Restoring a used motor home starts with assessment. Assess the extent of the repairs and changes your motor home needs and the costs of these repairs. Remember -- if the cost of these repairs are twice the price you pay for the motor home itself, get that warranty and refund your money. But, if the costs are minimal, then go ahead and start your restoration project.

After assessing the extent of repairs needed, identify the tasks that you need to do to restore your used motor home to its former glory. Take note and differentiate between needed repairs and extraneous changes like personal color preferences. Prioritize your list by putting the most important and necessary repairs at the top and the extra tasks at the bottom. It is also wise to set a schedule for doing each task. Unless you have a motor home the size of a shoebox, the restoration process does not and could not happen overnight. By streamlining your tasks, you get to maximize your available resources.

Identifying the tasks needed in restoring your used motor home is just the tip of the restoration project. The work would be finished faster if you enlist the help of others like your friends and family members. You can divide the tasks and work schedules among yourself and your helpers to make the restoration project go smoother. For example, you can hardly hold a hammer while balancing the beam you need at the same time. Having somebody hold it for you would undoubtedly minimize mistakes and make the job easier.

Coming to the work proper, stick to the schedule you make to ensure that all tasks are covered and done on time. This way, you minimize the risk of doing a later job before a needed task. For example, replacing inside fixtures like curtain rods or counter tops must be done first before painting the interior of your used motor home. If you paint first before doing the necessary hammering and replacing, you risk cracking or damaging the paint. This also ensures that no task is done twice especially in the case of having helpers.

These tips are neither step-by-step guides for restoring your used motor home nor replacing your motor home fixtures. Rather, this is a guide to ensure that your restoration project would go as smoothly as possible. If there is anything worse than a million-dollar motor home, it is the destruction of a perfectly good and cheap used motor home because of careless and unplanned restoration projects.

For more valuable information on Used Motor Home click here.

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Campervan Rental - How To Get The Best Deal

 Know the things you need to consider for your campervan rental.

When thinking of renting a campervan or a motorhome, it is important to consider the vehicle that best suits your needs. This way, you'll get the best value for your money and have a wonderful holiday vacation. Firstly, you have to compare quoting costs. In order to fully enjoy and benefit from what you pay for, during vehicle selections, you should compare quotes. Ask yourself why this vehicle is much more expensive than the other one when they both have the same number of berths or the same facilities. Probably because there are daily costs involved. To help you decide, here some things to consider:

1. Check the bonds. Do they require a security bond to be paid upon pick-up of the motorhome? Compare how much the difference is for each.

2. Ask the operator why there is a difference in quotes. Bonds are excess costs that are needed to insure the vehicle in case something happens to it, such as accidents for example. Bonds are included in the excess reduction options. Most operators have an all inclusive package ready, but clients can choose other options, too. Before renting a vehicle it is a good idea to know the coverage and cost. Bonds are refundable, only if there is no vehicle damage.

3. Renting more than one vehicle? Ask the operator if they can recommend multiple hire discounts.

4. There is also such a thing as one way rentals. Ask the operator about their one way rental terms. Is the fee separate from the daily rates?

5. Lastly, are there any taxes and other rental fees to be paid? Remember to ask this, for some operators do not always quote this up front.

So much for comparing quotes. When it comes to the vehicle, it's a different story. In order to get what you pay for and enjoy the vehicle that you need. Ask yourself what would you be comfortable with during the length of your vacation or rental duration. Here are important things to consider:

1. Are there children coming along? They might need additional space and maybe booster seats.

2. The number of people traveling may be the same number as the berth of a vehicle.

3. Do you need a toilet and shower?

4. What is the age of the vehicle? This is important because the age (usually 0 - 3 years) dictates the cost of the vehicle because it's a new model, and it might come with modern and new facilities such as a DVD player, colored TV, etc. This is also something to consider when traveling with kids.

5. Also note the seating configuration and lay-out of the vehicle. Consider the physical setting, such as the access for example.

6. Would you want to drive an automatic or manual?

These are major things to consider when renting a motorhome or a campervan rental. By taking these guidelines into consideration when renting a campervan, you will be sure to get the best deal worth your money. But there is one thing you shouldn't forget. The best deal is when you are having fun! For more information on campervan hire Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Europe, please visit My Drive Holiday - Campervan Rentals.

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