Friday, 30 January 2026

Travelodge

Travelodge is a major budget hotel chain, primarily in the UK, Ireland, and Spain, known for offering affordable, no-frills, accomodation with convenient locations in cities, towns, and near transport hubs, focusing on providing a comfortable, well-priced stay with basic amenities like Wi-Fi and some offering Bar Cafes. They are a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers seeking good value, with modernised rooms and facilities across their large network.
In essence, Travelodge provides a reliable, value-focused lodging option for those prioritizing location and price over extensive luxury amenities, aiming to be a trusted choice for everyday travel.
Alex Fox

Friday, 23 January 2026

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, is a National Trust property featuring a Jacobean-style country house built on 12th-century ruins, set within 114 acres of stunning 20th-century gardens created by Lord Fairhaven, known for its formal gardens, vast lawns, Winter Garden, and Lode Mill, offering seasonal beauty and a blend of history and luxury. Visitors can explore the opulent house filled with art and antique clocks, walk extensive grounds with statues and themed gardens, and enjoy seasonal highlights like snowdrops and summer borders.
Anglesey Abbey is famous for its extraordinary Pagoda Clock, a Chinese-style automation built in London by James Cox in the 1770s, featuring jewelled pineapple plants that spin and open with a tune from 12 bells at midday and 3 PM. After a major restoration using digital technology to preserve its music, this complex timepiece, which once traveled to China, now delights visitors as a rare example of 18th-century horological artistry, showcasing mechanical plants and Scottish Airs.
Alex Fox

Friday, 16 January 2026

The Raptor Foundation

The Raptor Foundation in Woodhurst, near Cambridge, is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured birds of prey, operating since 1989, offering public visits with flying displays, educational programs, and housing many species, including some reptiles and meerkats, focusing on conservation and care for birds unable to return to the wild.

What They Do

Rescue & Rehabilitation: They provide 24-hour care, treatment, and rehabilitation for injured wild raptors, aiming to return them to the wild.
Permanent Home: For birds too injured to survive independently, they offer a permanent sanctuary.
Conservation: They assist in 'Breed & Release' programs to help rebuild raptor populations and conduct research.
Education: They offer workshops, talks, and work experience for students, focusing on raptor care, conservation, and falconry.

Visitor Experience
Animals: See over 40 species of birds of prey (e.g., owls, eagles, hawks) and also meerkats and reptiles.
Displays: Daily flying displays showcase the birds' abilities.
Facilities: Includes a tearoom (Silent Wings Tearoom) and gift shop.
Experiences: Offers hands-on animal encounters like hawk walks.

Key Features
A registered charity dedicated to animal welfare and conservation.
Houses around 170-200 birds of prey, from small owls to large eagles.
Works with local schools for student placements.

In essence, it's a charitable attraction for nature lovers, combining education, conservation, and a chance to see majestic birds up close.

Location & Contact
Location: The Heath, St Ives Road, Woodhurst, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3BT.
Contact:  (tel:01487 741140). 
Alex Fox