Fairfield Blog

Freya Papadakis asked:


 

Looking for a beachin’ good time? The state of Connecticut has some pretty great beaches, all practically at your doorstep. Most are open during the summer season, and come complete with amenities for public convenience. The fees are reasonable enough, and you can be sure to have a grand time, what with the list of summer events being organized and the wide range of activities present. All age ranges can be amply accommodated, from grandparents to month-old babies, for any length of stay desired. The beaches are usually run by their respective town councils, so any questions may be also be directed directly to them for more accurate information.

The Fairfield or Southwest Region of Connecticut has Calf Pasture Beach on Calf Pasture Road in Norwalk, the Fairfield Beaches, namely Jennings Beach, Lake Mohegan, Long Beach, Penfield Beach and Richards Beach. Jennings Beach is on South Benson Road, Lake Mohegan on Tahmore Road, Long Beach at Oak Bluff, Penfield Beach and Richards beach on Fairfield Beach Road. In Bridgeport, there’s Seaside Park Beach. Also a favorite is Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. A “swimming hole” called Weed Beach is located on Nearwater Lane, and is a naturally wooded, rather more secluded spot.

In the Central Region which includes Hartford, Connecticut has only one public beach open. Harvey’s Beach on Route 154 in Old Saybrook is available for general use during the summer season. There are, however, swimming holes that can be located throughout the area.

The Mystic or Eastern Region has some of New England’s most beautiful beaches, as well as state parks. Ocean Beach Park on Ocean Avenue in New London is one of Connecticut’s widest and most-equipped beach, complete with fun rides and restaurants inside. For more parks, there’s also Day Pond State Park on State Route 149 in Colchester, Hopeville Pond State Park off Route 138 in Griswold, Rocky Neck State Park off Route 156 in East Lyme. Misquamicut State Beach on Atlantic Avenue in Westerly is quite a large beach that is open only on weekends outside of the summer season. Sound View Beach on Hartford Avenue in Old Lyme is a smaller beach that is less crowded. A swimming hole called Watch Hill, a few meters away from Bay Street in the village of Watch Hill, is a distant but scenic destination if one wishes to avoid the summer boom.

The New Haven or South Central region probably has the most number of beaches in Connecticut, as well as parks and a lake. Lake Quonnipaug in Guilford is a freshwater venue, while Lighthouse Point Park on Lighthouse Road in New Haven offers more nature-related activities in addition to the regular swimming. Silver Sands State Park on Exit 35 in Milford is the sight of the infamous Captain Kidd’s treasure. Hammonasset State Park on Route 1 in Madison is the biggest beach in Connecticut, and is also supplied with a wide campsite for public use. Other beaches are: Bradley Point Beach on Exit 42 in West Haven, Clinton Town Beach on Waterside Lane in Clinton, Gulf Beach on Exit 39A in Milford, Morse Beach on Exit 42 in West Haven, Oak Street Beach also on Exit 42 in West Haven, and Sandy Point Beach at the same address. There is a swimming hole at Walnut Beach on Exit 34 in Milford, as well.

Take a pick of any of these and have a wonderful time with family or friends beach tripping and generally giving justice to the summer season.

 

 

To know more about beaches in Connecticut, visit www.penfieldbeach.com



MOLTER

Jenny Andrew asked:


The number of couples and families choosing to spend Christmas away is increasing each year. When children start to grow up they can be quite bored by the Christmas experience at home. Also, for parents it can be a stressful time with large Christmas lunches to cater for. The cost of which will be felt quite heavily this year with the current economic situation and the price of food rising day by day.

An excellent destination for Christmas escapism is the English Lake District. It is a Christmas destination for all ages with endless activities to keep even the most demanding teenager amused. There is a fantastic choice of Lake District hotels to stay at with most offering special Christmas packages to take away all the stress and hassle. A particularly good location is Windermere and the hotels in the Lake District really go to town during the festive period. Windermere is such a good location. Near to the lake and the surrounding fells, but also to Ambleside, Grasmere and Coniston. Windermere lake cruises can be taken and even private charters can be booked for an extra special Christmas treat. Lake Windermere is the longest lake in England at 17 kilometres from Newby Bridge in the south to Waterhead in the North. The difference in scenery is evident whilst cruising the lake from the pretty countryside of Newby Bridge to the rugged fells when approaching Waterhead. Walking off a Christmas dinner couldn’t be done in a better setting. A short stroll down to the lake or for those serious walkers, a hike up Fairfield to blow the cobwebs away. Some hotels offer guided walks by qualified guides with organised cruises and events at the hotel all part of the Christmas package.

Windermere and nearby Bowness are used to the onset of tourists during Christmas. Excellent displays of Christmas lights are put up with beautiful trees. Carol concerts are held in both locations and if a spot of last minute shopping is required, Windermere and Bowness have a plethora of gift shops. Our Lady of Windermere and St Herbert Roman Catholic church welcome visitors wanting to attend midnight mass also.



MAYEUX

Jenny Andrew asked:


The name “Ullswater” is believed to have come from an early Viking settler but due to a stone circle called The Cockpit at Barton Fell, some say it could have been earlier. The valley has many farms which is now the main economy of the area along with tourism. Some of the farms which are still working today, date back to as early as the sixteenth century.

 

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District at a length of 8 miles. The lake is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the area and is a very popular place to stay for walkers wanting to tackle Helvellyn, Highstreet and Fairfield. The Coast to Coast walk goes through Patterdale with the Patterdale YHA situated on the route. For less adventurous walkers, there are many lower level, less strenuous walks such as the lovely Hallin Fell walk. It is approximately 3 miles long and of the same distance, the Aira Force Walk. Aira Force is the most spectacular waterfall in the Lake District and the beautiful walk through a leafy glen is wonderful.

If staying in the youth hostel is not for you, the area is blessed with a pletherer of Lake District hotels ranging from small bed and breakfasts to luxury 80 bedroom hotels with bars and restaurants. At the Pooley Bridge end of the Lake which is the North of the Lake, there is a choice of camp sites so the area really does cater for everyone.

 

As a break from the walking, a trip down the Lake from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge or vice verse is perfect. The vessil is a steamer boat and the Ullswater Steamers have been operating on the lake for nearly 150 years. Staying at one of the Lake District hotels at Glenridding means you are perfectly situated for the Steamer pier.

 

Unlike Lake Windermere, Ullswater is a very quiet lake perfect for wind surfing, small sail boats and fishing. Access from the M6 motorway is excellent with Pooley Bridge being just 6 miles from junction 40 and Glenridding is an 8 mile drive south along a very picturesque lake side road.



ERVIN

Jennyhicks asked:


The landscape in the Lake District differs quite dramatically from one area to another. The northern area of the Lake District National Park is for serious walkers. This area holds some of the most demanding fells for walking and one of them happens to be the tallest mountain in England. Scafell Pike is 3,210 feet tall but also in the same area are the next three highest, Scafell at 3,162 feet, Helvellyn at 3,118 feet and Skiddaw at 3,054 feet. As a base for walking in this area there is a great choice of Lake District hotels or if preferred, there are some wonderful Lake District cottages for hire. A cottage can often give more freedom for walkers also space for drying clothing due to the Lake District’s notorious rain!

The western Lake District is not as busy with tourists as the Keswick area but it holds some of the most dramatic scenery and high fells. From Wastwater, Scafell Pike can be seen alongside Great Gable at a height of 2,949 feet. The view of Great Gable and Scafell Pike won the title of “Britain’s Favourite View” in 2007 really putting the area on the map. Much photographed and painted, Wastwater is England’s deepest lake. Wasdale is a haven for walkers tackling Great Gable and Scafell Pike with its hostels and various camp sites.

For the less adventurous, the Lake District offers a huge range of lower level walks. A popular area is the Central Lakes, namely around Windermere, Ambleside and Coniston. There are still some larger fells in that area for example, Fairfield and the Coniston Old Man but these are set amongst smaller fells such as Loughrigg and Todd Crag. The busy town of Ambleside is always full of walkers stopping off to re fuel before their next outing but is also a popular place for non walkers who just want to take in the views or a cruise on Lake Windermere. For larger party of walkers, it is worth looking into bunk barns and bunk houses. In and around the Lake District there are bunk houses, often tucked away in hidden locations but that offer cheap accommodation for a larger party.

So, to conclude, the Lake District is an all round destination for all ages and which offers endless adventures and entertainment.



LEBOEUF

Niall Buchanan asked:


Ayr is fast becoming a popular tourist destination assisted by the increasing popularity of the nearby Prestwick Airport.  Due to the boom in low cost airlines, Preswick Airport is become one of the most popular airports for cheap flights to mainland Europe.

Dozens of Ryanair flights leave each day connecting the area with popular European destinations such as Italy, France and Germany.  Most flights cost less than £30 return meaning it’s the ideal choice for a cheap break.

Due to the times that some of these flights leave or arrive at booking a hotel in Ayr or near Prestwick airport is sometimes a popular option.  There are number of hotels and guest houses available in the area and some are within 5 minutes of the airport and offer a free shuttle service to and from the airport.

If you are looking for somewhere in close proximity to the Airport and you are on a budget then the best choice would probably be the Holiday Inn.  There is an Express hotel that is only a few minutes away from the airport and the room rates are very reasonable.  You also know that by staying at a well respected chain hotel that you will have a good standard of accommodation.

There are other options if you are looking for a more homely accommodation then try the well respected Failte Bed and Breakfast.  Here you enjoy a complimentary breakfast with the room price and there is also a pick up and drop off service to and from the airport. 

The airport is only 3 miles away and the railway station is only a couple of minutes walk from the B&B.  This is ideal for those looking for convenient airport accommodation or for a central hotel from which you can explore the town of Ayr.

If you are looking for more luxurious accommodation in Ayr then the four star Fairfield House offers some of the best accommodation in the region.  Along with a picturesque seafront location you can enjoy some excellent facilities such as an award winning 2 AA rosette restaurant and on-site Gymnasium.

If you have time to spend in Ayr then there are several attractions that are worth seeing, one of the popular activities is the racecourse.  This hosts both the Scottish Grand National and the Ayr Gold Cup, which are popular horse racing events.

This is also an area heavily associated with Scotland’s most famous poet Robert Burns, as this was his birthplace.  There are museums and memorials to him around the Ayrshire region, the most popular attraction is Burns National park.



GEPHARDT