Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry’s first flight on his broomstick

Fans of Harry Potter will remember when Harry made his first broomstick flight , launching himself from the Hogwart’s lawn.Well for the film location they chose Alnwick Castle.

In fact the Castle was used for both these films

2002 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint; directed by Chris Columbus

and

2001 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint; directed by Chris Columbus

You can see a picture of the Hogwart’s lawn, here (Alnwick Castle), however if you would like to visit the castle then there is rental accomodation available nearby.

Film buffs might also be interested to know that Alnwick Castle was also used for the following films with a quite distinguished list of actors and actresses over the years.

998 - Monk Dawson
Directed by Tom Waller. Rhona Mitra and Martin Kemp co-starred

1998 - Elizabeth
A Working Title production with Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Eccleston

1991 - Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
Alan Rickman and Kevin Costner starred

1982 - Ivanhoe
Starring James Mason alongside Anthony Andrews

1979 - The Spaceman and King Arthur
Walt Disney produced with Kenneth More and Jim Dale as co-stars

1971 - Mary Queen of Scots
Starring Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson, again produced by Hal Wallis

1964 - Becket
Starring Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, and produced by Hal Wallis

Perhaps we should also say a little about the history of the Castle.

The earliest parts of the castle were built by Yves de Vescy the Baron of Alnwick in 1096, just 30 years after the Battle of Hastings. To try and put the age of this castle in perspective remember that it was built a generation before Ghengis Khan was born!

The Castle has a truly unique atmosphere. Part of this is probably attributable to its age but also there is the architecture and layout. The high walls with their carved stone figures create a strange, otherworldly atmosphere and you can begin to understand why moviemakers so favour this Castle.

Where To Stay In Torquay

When it comes to where to stay in Torquay there’s a big choice of different types of accommodation to choose from. But be warned if you’re thinking about visiting this seaside town during the summer months then it is wise to book accommodation well in advance of your trip. Because of its temperate weather, Torquay is a town that attracts visitors of all ages right the way through the year and especially in summer.

In this article, we will look at a selection of the different types of accommodation that you can choose from when staying in Torquay. Along with the many hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s there are also other types of accommodation as well.

If you don’t want to stay in the relatively busy town center then it’s worth thinking about booking your place on a farm instead. Torquay boasts lots of farms who to help make ends meet are now making accommodation available to visitors to the area.

The accommodations are of a good standard and they are value for money as well. On top of that, if you’ve got children in your party what could be of more interest than giving them the chance to interact with animals. It will definitely give them plenty to speak about when they go back to school after their summer holiday.

Another cheap way of visiting Torquay is to stay at one of the many camping and caravan parks, which are located close to the town. The environment is often very friendly and your children will find plenty of new friends whilst you’re relaxing. You can decide to stay at ones that are located near to the coast or those that are located a little further inland.

The caravans and mobile homes on these sites that you can rent offer you some of the luxuries you would expect at home. They have a shower, along with a kitchen and a TV, plus they’re much bigger than the average room in a hotel. On average, depending on the exact unit you choose to rent you’re looking at around £300 per week in high season.

However, if you’d prefer to stay right in the town centre and be within walking distance of everything there then booking a hotel, guesthouse or B&B for your stay. There are lots of them that you can choose from and all will offer you good quality accommodation. Certainly, for those whose budget is somewhat limited then choosing a guest house or bed & breakfast will be cheaper than choosing a hotel.

When you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Torquay, you can choose your accommodation from these Torquay hotels and guest houses. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the variety of accommodation available to you. However, as mentioned previously it is important that you book your accommodation well ahead of your trip especially if intending to visit the town of Torquay during the height of the summer season.

Reliable Car Hire South Africa

If you have decided to choose South Africa to spend your next vacations, a self-drive holiday may be the best option to organize it. With a planned itinerary you may have a wonderful time in this spectacular country that offers the two extremes of only some places may be proud of: wild life and modernity.

It is alwasy important to organize every detail before starting your trip to have the best vacations. One of the items that you will have to take into account is car hire / bakkie rental South Africa. Most big car hire companies have their own locations in South Africa, therefore you will feel comfortable by choosing among several types of services. But if you want to enjoy your vacations in South Africa, it is necessary to consider some tips, which will help you during your trip.

So, the first and more important tip is that all type of visitants should hire from a trustworthy car hire firm. This group of companies is the one that will give you the best support during the trip. In South Africa and in many other countries, booking agents usually offer lower prices for similar service. Their packages often include unlimited kilometers options. When renting a vehicle, you often are charged for 24hour units. One of the most important things to do when receiving your car is to check the fuel tank. Apart from that, book the vehicle you need as soon as possible. All South African car hire companies ask their clients for a credit card.

Regarding policies they change from one car rental kzn company to another. Some companies allowed their clients to take the cars into Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. Some car rental firms do not allow their clients to leave South Africa by driving the car they have rented. So, check if you are allowed to cross South African boundaries to avoid any legal problem.

London Bed and Breakfasts: A little known alternative to a hotel

Whatever your reason for visiting the city, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay in London. The London bed and breakfast is certainly an option; but, you will need to determine whether ot not it’s a route you want to choose.

In recent years bed and breakfasts have risen in popularity for people who were seeking a friendly, locally run, place to stay for their vacation.

These establishments tend to be less expensive than a London hotel. Travelers can enjoy home-cooked meals and experience local knowledge and hospitality.

Staying at a bed and breakfast offers quite a few advantages. Local people will share their knowledge with the most interesting sights in the area, you can take advantage of having your own personal tour guide. You B&B host will know the local area intimately. They’ll also be able to assist with getting around the city.

If you want to do some shopping during your stay, there’s a good chance your hosts will be able to point you in the direction of some bargains.

It is also possible to find accommodations at a London bed and breakfast without advance plans, which makes it a great option for those spur of the moment trips.

When you’re thinking about your choices don’t rule out hotels either. A hotel will typically offer larger rooms and higher quality of fixtures and fittings. You may also find your stay is more private and “anonymous” in a hotel room as opposed to a B&B. Most hotels have more amenities than B&Bs, such as gyms, bars, restaurants and even shops.

If you’re looking for a friendly, cheap place to stay in London, have a look at this list of London bed and breakfasts.