Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on Aug 12

My Eco Adventures Review:  A Visit To Woods Mill - West Sussex - Summer 2010

Woods Mill is the Head Quarters of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and is based at the foot of the South Downs.  I went for a visit here as I love the Downs and chalkland wildlife - and I am on a mission to learn to identify more local plants and animals. 

And Woods Mill in summer has plenty to offer!

My Walk:
Arriving at the reserve was easy and there was ample parking when I arrived - and clean toilets after a long drive are always a bonus!

The reserve is free to all visitors and entry to the site is over a lovely old bridge with views of the historic water mill that gives the reserve its name.  There are already enough insects here to keep me busy with the ID guide!

There were damselflies and dragonflies everywhere - although I still can’t really tell them apart unless they come close!

A Male Ruddy Darter?

The reserve is criss-crossed with man-made waterways - both wet and dry - where in the past the mill was working and the landowner wanted to make a feature of the land.  There are large concrete areas cutting up the coppiced woodland as well as some delightful ‘ruins’ from a long forgotten folly meant to adorn the site!

There is however, a very well stocked large lake close to the entrance as well as a smaller dipping pond - which is currently filled to the brim with newts!  Both are surrounded by lush vegetation humming with insect life.

Needless to say there were school groups making the most of this varied nature reserve.  The SWT run educational groups from reception through to Adult Education on site.  Whether it’s pond dipping, woodland walks, wildlife surveying courses or photography - it’s all here! 

There aren’t many flowers in the shaded areas on site (apart from the bluebell woods), but the many woodland paths and willow structures certainly add something at every turn.  Rows of tree-trunk seating for story telling, and bug houses and composting too.

Live Willow Building

Coming out the other side there is a large meadow with plant life to suggest a wet past!  There is currently a very small but very deep river gully cutting through it’s centre and a whole host of swallows and swifts feeding high up above.

There is a small secluded bluebell woods to the side - but it is currently ‘out of bounds’ to visitors - however the owl box to the front shows that there is no shortage of wildlife in it!

Across the top is the man-made feeder stream directly to the mill - although it is virtually dried up here due to lack of incoming water from the Downs.  On the other side is a grass meadow, with wildflowers reaching up to knee-height and hedgerows filled with calling birds - including the locally common nightingales!

As we had brought a packed lunch, we found a bench by the lake and enjoyed being in the middle of such a peaceful habitat and surrounded by insects and birds!

I certainly wore out the insect and plant guide books during our 4 hour stay - and the camera didn’t have a quiet day either!

Definitely worth another visit!

Site Name: Woods Mill Nature Reserve - Sussex Wildlife Trust
This reserve is located in West Sussex just to the south of Henfield in Small Dole on the A2037.  It is located at the foot of the South Downs and inside the South Downs National Park boundary and is in the Adur Valley.

It is free entry for everyone, the car park is easy to find and access - and the site has nice clean toilets!

posted by Catherine on Aug 4

You and you kids could help spread the word about green travel by entering these 3 competitions!

The best way to pass on information about something you are passionate about is to put pen to paper, talk to them about them or capture the image - and this is just what these competitions could help you to do.

The first is for under 18 year olds still in education and revolves around the future of forests, the second is for those over 18 about your most memorable travel moment, and the final competition is for you both to show what you see in the environment!

Young Geographer Of The Year 2010:
Have you got something to say about he way we are treating our forests?  About what your local woodland does for your community, your family or the local wildlife? Or just something to say in praise of trees!

Whatever your motivation for entering - it doesn’t matter - it’s what you have to say that counts.

And how you say it is up to you: written, taped, a short documentary or video, photographs - or a combination of whatever media you think will best pass on your meaning to others!

Monkey Running From A Storm

There are 3 different categories depending on your age, and the closing date is October 2010.

PureTravel Writing Competition 2010:
Is there something you want to share with the world that you can tell them in under 500 words?  Something amazing that silenced you?  Something disastrous that made you speak up?

Something with some serious meaning that you think could impress the readers and judges and make a difference to your local area, some distant landscape, an endangered species or a threatened community - or just a funny story that you just can’t forget?

All articles will appear on the PureTravel website and the judges will pick 10 for the public to vote on before choosing a winner!  And your prize could be the inspiration for another great adventure!

WWT Photographic Competition 2010:
Take a moment to visit a wetland centre and try to capture what wildlife means to you today.

Whether it is a close up or a rare animal, a new way of looking at something we think we know so well - or to capture that strange moment in your life that might never be found again!

There are plenty of categories this year - including one that doesn’t have to have been taken in a WWT centre - so there is hope for everyone!  All ages, all themes, all places!

Whichever one you enter - I’m sure you will feel that yours is good enough to be a winner, and why not?  Every experience is real and can make a difference at different levels - whether it’s just in the way we think about things - or whether we manage to change other peoples way of thinking too!

Good Luck!

posted by Catherine on Jul 11

Just because you can go faster down hills - doesn’t mean you have right of way!

When you are riding your bicycle, you don’t want to keep stopping all the time to wait for a family to move over, or to get through a gate - but do you know you right of way ‘rules’ and when and where you can’t cycle?

There are different rules for different paths and routes - so make sure you plan your route and know your rights!

General:
Obviously, wherever you cycle, make sure that you are courteous at all times.  Don’t barge your way through crowds ringing your bell or shouting.  Sometimes other traffic has the right of way and if some cyclists are always grumpy towards others then it gives a bad name to everyone else on a bike!

You may come up against walkers, other cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users - so you need to think ahead as to what is suitable behaviour.  And there may be many path users that are hard or hearing or partially sighted - so never assume that people will move out of your way at the last minute, and don’t rely on your bell alone to warn people of your approach.

And - unless it is legally adapted for doing so - you cannot ride with a passenger on your bike!  No ‘backies’ or other seating arrangements are allowed on the UK roads (or pavements).

Footpaths:
You cannot cycle on a Footpath.  Only foot travellers have a ‘right of way’ over the land that makes up most Footpaths - and so cycling on one is against the law.

Footpath Sign

Therefore if you use a Footpath on your bike (or are even pushing your bike - which is still technically illegal) make sure that you are uber courteous to any walkers you meet and make their journey past you as easy as possible by either stopping or waiting to one side!

Bridleways:
These paths are usually wider than Footpaths and allow walkers, cyclist and horse riders to pass along them.  However, a cyclist must give way to the other 2 in all cases.

Pavements:
You cannot cycle on a normal pavement - and you can legally get an on-the-spot fine from an enthusiastic (or particularly picky) police officer.  You can however push your bike along by your side on the pavements and of course can cycle in a specific and well marked cycle lane on a pavement surface - but you must stay within the lines.

Roads:
You are allowed to cycle on all roads except motorways (or any other road that is signed as such) - and you must follow the highway code in terms of road signs, junctions and traffic lights!

At night there are rules about how you light your bicycle and specific colour reflectors on the pedals and the bike itself.  And it is recommended that you should always be wearing a safety helmet for your own safety.

It is also recommended that you make yourself as visible as possible on the roads, whether that is by wearing bright clothes, bright accessories, adding further reflectors to your wheels and accessories.  It’s obvious really, but the easier you are to see, the less likely you are to be hit by a car.

Public Transport:
Don’t always assume that you can get your bike onto a train or a bus either! 

Some trains have ‘bike specific’ times - or only allow those city fold-up bike on board as a space saving initiative.  And many country buses just don’t have the space for a mountain bike as they are fully seated inside.

And even attaching your bicycle to your own car needs to be thought out in advance and you need a specific bike rack to be correctly fitted to a suitable vehicle for driving on the road yourself.  Flailing cables and spinning wheels could draw the attention of a traffic officer!

So take care out there!

posted by Catherine on Jul 3

It can be eco friendly to take less medicines on vacation, so pick your destination well!

If you are hoping to go to a far flung travel destination, it’s not all vaccinations and tablets - and in fact these can add to your eco footprint along the way.

Now I am not saying don’t take medication if it is available and recommended by your doctor or travel clinic - but maybe by choosing your destination with some care - you can avoid the potential for disease and so reduce your chemical uses!

All medications - even the contraceptive pill and paracetamol can leave chemical residues in the environment so lets not be silly here - but if you choose from malaria-free countries, you could have a less stressful holiday too!

So here is just a simple list or the main malaria free holiday destinations by continent that you could consider:

Continental Europe:
Every country in Europe (2010) does not have any malarial risk, including the whole of Russia.

Africa:
The only countries currently listed as malarial-free destinations are Tunisia, Lesotho and Libya as well as the Seychelles.  However seasonal variations mean that many other destinations will be declared ‘malaria free’ for months at a time - as will certain cities which are above a certain height.

The Middle East:
Due to the harsh dry climate, countries like Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Qatar are all declared as malaria-free countries - so no worries here!

Central & South East Asia:
The islands of Japan, North Korea and South Korea are free as well as the expanse of Mongolia, but all other tropical areas and islands are at risk virtually all the time.

However, there are 2 cities in south-east Asia that do remain malaria free amid the jungles and swamps - Brunei and Singapore.

North America:
The whole of North America (including Hawaii) Canada and Greenland are not in any way at risk of malaria - so any vacations here will not require malarial medication.  The area though does still have other illness in the more remote areas - so don’t think any destination is completely safe!

The Caribbean:
The islands making up the Caribbean are as good as free of the disease, apart from the island that makes up Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  But do check for local reports if travelling to swampy areas.

Central & South America:
Unfortunately these areas are dotted with various patches of malaria in all the forested and wetland areas - so you need to be specific about where you travel to.  The only countries in Central or South America that are completely free of malarial risk are Chile and Uruguay.

Other Destinations:
The delightful Maldives in the Indian Ocean are always a popular destination not only due to their dazzling beauty, sandy islands and azure dolphin filled waters - but also because of their malaria-free situation - unlike neighbouring Sri Lanka!

Needless to say; Australia, New Zealand and all affiliated islands are completely risk-free for this disease - but of course have plenty of other things to worry the tourist!

However, bite avoidance is an obvious first step in any holiday destination - as insect bites can pass on many such debilitating diseases! 

Just make sure that you are aware of all the risks in all the destinationsyou are considering before you use this guide to choose your next eco holiday!

posted by Catherine on Jun 13

That just means taking part in a butterfly counting survey to assess the surrounding environment!

A few months ago there was a nighttime lepidoptera survey taking account of local moths - but now the daytime equivalent is approaching - and a lot more people can join in!

All you have to do is go sit in your garden, a local park, national park or nearby woodland and watch the butterflies passing by!  You can even do this on a walk in the countryside or along a riverbank and count the butterflies that you pass by!  Sir David Attenborough will be taking part too - as will Alan Titchmarsh!

It takes place in the height of summer (24th July - 1st August) as most of the native butterflies are in their adult form at that time - and the bright sunshine is what makes them active!  This gives you plenty of time to learn to id British butterflies before the survey…..

Step 1:
So to get prepared - go to their website and download yourself a butterfly identification sheet to show the most common butterflies that you will encounter on the count.

By learning these few, it will help you to better participate in the count as many butterflies look very similar to others unless they land closeby to you and hold their wings open until you have a good look!

By looking out for these species in advance of the count you will have learnt to identify some of the more common types in advance, so you can focus on learning many more species.  If you just turn up on the day with the id sheet, you won’t be able to give as good results as if you had put in a bit of advance research!

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Step 2:
Read the Butterfly Conservation website for great advice about butterflies, moths and our environment.  They believe that these creatures react very quickly to environmental changes and so can be seen as a great indicator or environmental change - hence the survey.

Butterflies are plant specific in that the adults feed (mainly) on one plant species, and their young will feed (mainly) on another single species - and this is where they lay their eggs.  Therefore if certain plants are becoming rarer or more abundant in response to changing habitats, industrial pollution or the effects of changing climate - these species will have to move from one region to another.

By mapping these movements and general trends over time, they will be able to monitor such national changes and try to see if there are any changes we could make to reverse or encourage such trends.

Step 3:
The count itself takes place between the given dates and you can do as many counts you want in that time and in as many different locations as well. 

This means that you can not only help out with the research by submitting more than 1 set of results, but that you can take your new found identification skills out to new habitats to see - and identify - as many different butterfly species as possible.

For example; sitting in my mum’s garden I mainly see speckled woods, in my sisters garden it is large whites and on the South Downs it is peacocks and small tortoiseshells!  It all depends on the proximity of their food and egg plants in the main - and by finding an established sallow plantation (and a lot of luck I am told) I saw my first purple emperor!

Anyway - record your sightings during just a 15 minute period at any time throughout the survey week following the guidelines on the website, and then you have up until the end of August 2010 to submit your results on the website form online.

Step 4:
Now you know how to identify some common butterfly species - why not take part in other surveys in your area for the Butterfly Conservation Trust or other local or national groups?

Any by finding their associated plants you could then learn more about their habitats and start to become involved at a local nature reserve surveying plants as well.  It take time to get to learn identification skills - so you need to get lots of practice.

And once you have the skills - why not put them to good use?

posted by Catherine on May 13

There is a very unusual evening event taking place across the UK - but are you too squeamish?

This event focuses on those sometimes scary and often unwanted nighttime moths - but if you read more about them, you will find that they have much to offer your garden and the environment.  And you may even get to like them after this!

The event has been running since 1999, and takes place on a date where the conditions should be best for moths to be out hunting.  This year is falls on the night of May 15th - and there are events all over the country that you could become a part of.

The Event:
Run by the Butterfly Conservation Trust (BCT), this annual event allows you experience the world of moths when they are at their best, and to help the trust to identify species distribution and any new arrivals in the country - for example in 2008 a species was found in Ireland that hadn’t been seen in the UK ever before!

However 62 moth species became extinct in Britain during the 20th century - so it’s not always good news!

This year though, is the first time that the BCT are teaming up with the Bat Conservation Trust (confusingly also the BCT - so BatCT for this article).  As bats are also found hunting at night (mainly the moths you are trying to record!), it seemed the best use of resources to get the people who were already out at dusk counting moths to record and bat activity they saw at the same time.

This extends the nighttime adventures you could have!  Whether you are aiming to just watch from inside you home at the creatures who fly up to your lights, whether you want to head out into the woods and set overnight (live) traps or whether you want to join a group bat watch and get to use their specialised equipment to hear their communications.  It’s up to you!

There are 16 species of bat to be found in Britain - and they all feed on moths!

Habitat Change:
However, as the bats feed on the moths and other insects, they are just as much at threat to land use changes.  This includes your gardens and local parks and woodlands. 

If plants are cleared for driveways and decking replaces grass, there is less food for the insects and less nesting sites for their young - like caterpillars.  Caterpillars need to eat plants when they are growing - and they eat a lot, so rather than only having delightfully ornamental plants in your garden for your own pleasure - make sure there are some local plants still around that they can use to grow and breed.

That way, when they start to eat through young plants, you won’t be tempted to use chemical to keep them away.  And their prefered plants are often fast-growing native plants that can be planted away from your favourites!

The same goes for ponds and other waterways.  Bats are commonly associated with water as well, as many insects lay their eggs in or around water and as they hatch - along come the bats for a feast!

Counting Them:
Take a look at the event website for details on local events or how to make your observations count - and how to download your photos of the event.

You don’t need to buy any special equipment to take part - unless you are very enthusiastic - but there are some easy home-made ways to trap moths of all sizes.  And some are truly beautiful to look at - not all of them are brown or grey!  Take the Elephant Hawk Moth - it’s pink and lime green and a good size!

photo credit: Wm Jas

There are obviously many tips on how to make the night a success - and you never know, you may well find a new species along the way!

posted by Catherine on May 8

Did you know that 27 European Union countries are now using the same emergency services number?

Now, you know that you can call an emergency expert wherever you are on the continent - from France to Finland, Sweden to Spain - it’s all the same number: 112.

Of course, some countries still have other numbers working alongside this, like the UK still uses 999 - but generally, all 112 numbers are directly sent to the emergency services of that country, or are diverted to a place where they can be effectively dealt with!

Why Know This?
Well, when you are backpacking across countries, or travelling by train - you never know quite where you are going to end up that night.  Sometimes you may only be in a certain country for a few hours as you pass through, and others you might turn up in and stay for months!

So, it’s not likely that you will learn and remember all the different numbers - but what if you see an emergency situation like a house on fire, or are involved in an incident?

But, how can you help if you don’t know who to call?
Two things can really help in this type of situation and they are as follows:

1) Your Cell Phone:
All GSM phones are pre-programmed to recognise their local emergency numbers - for example 999 in the UK.  This means that you can get through to an emergency service immediately if you dial this number - even if their is no SIM card in your phone!

It will also let you dial this number when your keypad lock is on or when you dial the emergency number instead of your pin - it is designed to do this to get your call answered as soon as possible and therefore your emergency service to deal with the situation without delay - I mean every second really does count when there are lives involved.

And, because it is registered as an emergency number, it also gets priority over other numbers in the pecking order of networks.  This means that if you witness an accident and call 112 your call will get put straight through, while other callers might be made to wait for a ‘line’.

So, it is worth checking that you phone does this for the countries you are planning to visit for any length of time - so that your calls are taken seriously.

2) The Number 112:
Yes, there are other emergency numbers for a variety of specific services - like coastguard and drugs hot lines in many countries - but you will get straight through to an expert if you dial 112.

So rather than either panic and try to find someone to help or guess at a number to call, you can at least try 112 first.  And if it’s not the first choice number of the country you happen to be in - at least it will be a trained emergency service person that you speak to. 

For example in Norway, 112 will get you straight to the Police, whereas you need to dial 113 for an Ambulance - however at least you know that the Police will be more help to you than a farmer you happened to find down the road!

Other Tips?
Make sure that you take out travel insurance before you travel.  I know the emergency services will come to your aid, but medical treatment, helicopters and other rescue services could well charge you thousands!  And make sure you read the policy details before you go too - as not calling them before getting treatment could void some policies completely!

Also try to take a Basic First Aid course before heading off on longer journeys or at least get a medical tips book to cover all the basics.  I mean knowing the simple cures and treatments for common holiday woes could save you a lot of wasted time - and make sure that you buy remedies locally rather than taking a whole pharmacological first aid kit with you from home!

And finally - if you accidentally dial this or any other emergency number - DO NOT HANG UP.  The person on the other end of the phone may think that you are incapacitated or unable to continue with the call due to some type of emergency!  And we don’t want them to waste time finding out…….

So, stay on the line and explain why you no longer need them - otherwise they could be wasting money and resources trying to locate you again to help you out - when in fact you are just now carrying on along your journey without a care in the world!

Take Care!

posted by Catherine on Apr 18

Why not use the ‘no flights’ situation to help persuade others to travel by train or boat!

We know that you can get around Europe very easily by train, coach and boat - so why not help revive their use during this time of aviation standstill!

Rather than just listen to your friends and work colleagues worry and moan about how their holidays or whatever are ‘ruined’, why not help them find alternative routes to the destination using more eco friendly means.

Depending on their insurance policy details and how important their travel is, you could easily find a route to their destination for them using all the support of the internet - and some logical thinking.

The Route:
The hardest part of their journey will not be the crossing of the Atlantic or the 13 hours to South East Asia it will be the parts closer to home.

It’s easy to forget that direct travel isn’t the only option, for example London to the Caribbean doesn’t have to be a one stop shop. Flights go from all over the world to these delightful tropical islands.

So, you can get a flight from Spain to Bermuda or Italy to St Kitts - all you need to do is get to the nearest working airport to your home that is allowing flights.  Whether that involves a boat or a hi-speed train, the result is you get to arrive to your destination.

Now, although this still involves a flight, many trips people are looking to book could easily be shaped by a non-flying decision.  Why not suggest a romantic train ride through the Alps to Italy, or a sail-boat trip around the Mediterranean.

The Alternatives:
Don’t forget that many people will not be so open to looking for other modes of transport of a ‘greener ilk’ and this could be your chance to open their eyes to an alternative means of travel - and possibly a great short haul holiday.

And, if you are offering to take the sting out of arranging all this for themselves, they may well be more likely to go ahead with it - in the same way that people might not want to cook themselves a vegan meal, but in cooking it yourself they can experience the new!

I’m not suggesting that you start interfering in your friends or bosses lives, but a bit of gentle persuasion never did anyone any harm! 

And if all these people still want to travel after the suspension is lifted you can imagine the number of extra flights that might be laid on to clear the backlog of passengers?

The more of these people who travel by other means can only alleviate the strain.

And, what a great way to a bit more towards reducing air travel!

posted by Catherine on Mar 30

It felt like being in an Agatha Christie novel - but in a slightly smaller room than they show on TV!

I recently travelled overnight on a train from London to Edinburgh in a sleeper car.  It was a lovely gift that someone had brought me as I was going on about a visit to the city for ages.

However, the journey I made a few years ago to the Cairngorms was a bit more boring and a lot more carbon-emitting! 

I had decided to drive there from Hampshire, and it had taken me over 10 hours of driving up motorways to arrive.  And, of course on arrival, I was so tired that I had a shower and fell asleep - thereby wasting a lot of my first day!

However, on the train - The Caledonian Sleeper - I was able to snuggle up in a cosy bed for the whole night and arrive in the centre of the city bright-eyed and bushy tailed the following morning - ready for a full day of sight-seeing.

The Train:
It was 13 carriages long and still had the 1st class division, but as it was part of the whole adventure - seeing them settling down for an evening meal at their cute little tables didn’t put me off.

We got to our cabin and found a delightfully cheery man waiting to check us in on the platform.  He welcomed us aboard, checked our tickets and then asked the ‘most important question’ - What do we want for our complimentary breakfast in the morning!

He explained that there are toilets in every carriage, as well as a dining carriage if we didn’t want to go straight to sleep or got peckish in the night!  He also explained how the catch on the door worked - but I never managed to figure this out on either journey!

We stepped into our cabin and although it was a bit snug, it had everything you would imagine for the journey.  It had 2 bunk beds decked out with crisp white bedding, 2 fluffy pillows and a bedside light each as well as the main cabin light.  There were plenty or coat hangers on the wall for your clothes (with their own little seat-belts to stop them flapping about).

Each bed had a table flap coming out of the wall about mid way down and a solid shelf along the end of the beds to put your bags on - and in my case some overnight nibbles, drink and a good book!

The lower shelf was wider as it had a flap that lifted up to expose the sink with complimentary soaps and toothbrush sets as well as 2 hand towels!  There was also a full length mirror, a button to call the attendant and a window.

All in all it was just what I was hoping it to be!  And I couldn’t wait for the return journey either!  It felt as though - even though we were leaving Edinburgh - that there was still a whole part of the trip to look forward to!

And, it was my first holiday of the year, and it was eco friendly! I’m definately starting as I mean to go on!

posted by Catherine on Feb 27

That’s exactly what the National Trust in the UK are offering to everyone who fancies it!

They are opening up all their sites for 2 days this month with no entry fee - that’s a saving of up to £15 a person at the larger sites, so well worth investigating.

Check your diary for Saturday the 20th of March and Sunday the 21st - and make sure they are free!

Many of the larger properties have huge grounds for you to explore - and some even have their own deer herds…..

There are great lakes, hidden follies, secret churches, trout-filled streams, rose gardens, miles of glass houses and acres of woodland walks - and that’s just a few of the things you can find with the National Trust.

And the fact that they have properties all over the country means that you don’t need to travel too far to make the most of their offer either.  You could be just a few miles away from something magnificent!

So, here are a few of the best sites, and the normal price for 2 adults and 2 children under 16 - kids under 5 are usually free (but do check for exact prices for your group before you go!).

Wakehurst Place - West Sussex: (Family: £22.70)

This huge landscape is also the home of Kew Gardens Millennium Seed Bank, and also has plants from around the world in distinct gardens.

A family could spend hours walking through the pine woodlands or along the scary limestone ‘wall’ where trees have grown almost out of the very rock itself!  There are great water worlds and a few bird hides too.

The Japanese garden is a delight and there is a wonderful walled garden to explore for the adults - and of course you can all marvel at the amazing challenge of collecting every single seed from every single plant from every country in the world!

Stourhead - Wiltshire: (Family: £18.30)

This world-famous 2,650 acre landscape is set within it’s own valley and has miles and miles of chalkland trails - including 2 iron age hill forts - and has a view over 3 counties.

With a huge lake, classic temples and follies with many rare and exotic trees to discover, this could be a great place to wear out the kids whilst learning about some unusual and totally native plants and habitats.

St Micheal’s Mount - Cornwall: (Family: £21.75)

Take your kids to the most amazing place on the south coast - well actually, just off the south coast - this place is an island.

However, there is no boat involved - you have to walk across the sea floor at low tide to get to the island - and be off before you get wet feet!

There is a cobbled causeway (covered in crabs and seaweed) leading up to the gates of this property, and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore inside.  A castle with narrow passages dominates the island and the house, monastery ruins and church can fill the rest of your day.

Have a look at all their sites on the website and see if something appeals to you and your family - you need a voucher for the free admission - so don’t forget to print it out before you go!