Treat yourself... to big fun on a budget
IS YOUR bank balance feeling the strain after the festive season? Don’t fret – KATIE ROWE is armed with some great, budgetfriendly holiday ideas for 2017.
ESCAPE TO BOSCASTLE
WITH a natural harbour enclosed by an arena of bucolic cliffs and a rich history to uncover, the fishing village of Boscastle in North Cornwall has plenty to boast about.
Step back in time as you ramble across ancient headlands, wander around Norman churches and pop into the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, a quirky attraction that houses the world’s largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts.
Need a cheap place to stay? Perched on a valley overlooking the harbour, YHA Boscastle is a National Trust-owned rural retreat offering both dorms and private family rooms.
CELEBRATE IN MANCHESTER
IF YOU are still in mourning after the Christmas period, opt for a second wave of festivities by celebrating Chinese New Year in Manchester.
From January 26 to 29 there will be an array of free events to celebrate the Year of the Rooster, such as the Dragon Parade through the city centre that is led by a spectacular 50ft dragon. More than 6,000 lanterns adorn the streets and there are lion dances, street food stalls and a firework finale. Additionally, this year will see the acclaimed travelling art installation Lanterns Of The Terracotta Warriors stand guard in Exchange Square.
ENJOY EXETER ON A BUDGET
WITH famous artworks and historical artefacts on display, Exeter’s award-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum is a must-see – and what’s more, it’s free. Use the Rougemont Gardens entrance and take in panoramic views of the city from the Roman Wall. Once you’re inside, enjoy impressive exhibitions, including works on loan from other prestigious art galleries, while admiring the Gothic-revival architecture of the building. The carefully curated displays c cover everything from p pre-history to the present d day and include a 25 250,000-year-old hand axe an and a rare whale skeleton. Th There’s even a meteorite ga gallery. The ever-popular Exe Exeter Street Food collective see sees traders from the Sou South West selling produce at th three venues across the city, all of which are open late f for those all-important budget-friendlybudg meals.
WORKWO UP AN APPETITEAPP IN BATH
VISIT two of Bath’s most popular attract attractions and enjoy lunch with the SaverSa Package. The deal includes entry to the Roman Baths, as well as the Fashion Museum.
Hungry? A two-course set lunch at the Roman Baths Kitchen is also included, all for just £36.
More purse-friendly options come in the form of two fantastic museums, both of which are free to enter. The Victoria Art Gallery, next to Pulteney Bridge, houses more than 1,500 paintings and sculptures in grand Victorian surroundings.
The Holburne Museum, just an eight-minute walk away, showcases an exquisite collection of classic and contemporary decorative art that rivals that of London’s V&A. Afterwards, why not pop into the museum’s super-slick cafe, where huge floor-to-ceiling windows reveal pristine gardens. More ideas at VisitEngland.com.