February What's New Bulletin

This month we're excited to share news of picnic llama treks in Surrey; a new Robin Hood themed sculpture trail in Nottingham and a new visual arts festival in Plymouth. See below for more information, plus a roundup of more exciting news just in from around the country.

Coming soon

Gara Rock Retreat, Devon
Late spring
The new Gara Rock Retreat promises to be one of the finest boutique retreats on the UK coastline when it re-opens under new ownership. It's located on cliffs with fabulous views along the coast near Salcombe. The new Retreat will have new restaurant offerings, five new loft rooms and sea view apartments, new spa facilities and a new bar. The management team is made up of locals, many with strong links to the property and its history; Gara Rock used to be the site of cottages used by 19th century coastguards employed to help prevent illegal smuggling and watch for boats in difficulty. In fact, the coastguards' old Lookout will be the new bar – and the only bar in Salcombe to capture such stunning sunset views.
www.gararock.com

80th anniversary of HMS Belfast, London
February – March
March 2018 marks 80 years since the launch of HMS Belfast. A programme of on-board activities will celebrate the historic warship's anniversary weekend (17 – 18 March), and visitors can discover stories from the ship's fascinating 80 year history, from its 1938 launch to its arrival in London in 1971, via Arctic convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, the Korean War and more. Visitors can get involved in preparations for the milestone too; during February half term, they can take part in hands-on conservation as part of the Ship Shape programme of activities.
www.iwm.org.uk

Just opened

The Cow at Dalbury Lees, Derbyshire
December 2017
A new 12-bedroom boutique country inn has opened on Dalbury Lees' village green, seven miles from Derby city centre. The former country pub has been extended and fully refurbished; original 19th-century features have been retained and revealed and each room has been individually designed, themed and decorated. Guests and locals may dine in the restaurant on a menu created by executive chef Gareth Ward and The Cow's head chef Ben Peverill. The Cow Cab will offer transport between The Cow at Dalbury Lees and nearby gastro-pub The Horseshoes, which is operated by the same team. It's hoped that The Cow at Dalbury Lees is the first in what will be a prize-winning “pedigree herd” of inns and hotels from Cow Hotels Ltd.
www.cowdalbury.com

UK's first llama trekking inn refurbished, Surrey
January
The UK's first llama trekking inn has completed an extensive refurbishment. Owned by entrepreneur, yachtsman and philanthropist Peter de Savary, the Merry Harriers in Hambledon has had its pub, restaurant and private dining areas redecorated, and added four new ensuite bedrooms bringing the total number of bedrooms to seven. The new rooms are in keeping with the country inn style and have exceptional views, but it's the unexpected addition of llama treks that really make this place stand out – Merry Harriers is the only inn in England with picnic llama treks. B&B Trek Packages include a three-course dinner, B&B and lunch with a half-day trek through the Surrey Hills AONB (from £320 per couple).
merryharriers.com ; www.surrey-hills-llamas.co.uk ; desavary.com

And beyond

Hoodwinked – A Twist on The Tale, Nottingham
July – September
Scores of 'Robin' Hood sculptures will form a world-class art trail across Nottingham this summer. Each sculpture (a winking robin dressed up as the cheeky outlaw) will be decorated by an artist and the trail will put a modern-day camouflage twist on Robin Hood's attempts to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham. An art trail map and app will be available in July. The sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for Nottingham Hospice at the end of the trail period.
www.hoodwinked2018.co.uk

Bicentenary of Emily Brontë's birth, nationwide
30 July
The bicentenary of Emily Brontë's birth is being celebrated as part of Brontë200, a five-year programme (2016 – 2020) of events, workshops and activities celebrating the bicentenaries of the births of four members of the Brontë family. Emily was the third of the four surviving Brontë children and the author of Wuthering Heights, which was her only novel. Celebrations will centre on the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire – renowned screenwriter and producer Sally Wainwright and artist Claire Twomey are contributing – but events will take place across the country too.
www.bronte.org.uk ; www.bronte.org.uk/bronte-200

News Just In 

England on film - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
20 April
Despite the name, much of this adaptation of Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows' historical novel was shot in North Devon. Saunton Sands, Clovelley and Mouthmill all feature, as does Bristol Harbour. Lily James stars as Juliet Ashton, a writer visiting Guernsey who decides to write a book about the residents' experiences during World War II.
www.northdevon.com ; visitbristol.co.uk

The Atlantic Project, Plymouth
September – November
New visual arts festival The Atlantic Project will launch in Plymouth later this year. Site-specific artworks commissioned from internationally renowned artists will be on display in public and outdoor locations across the city. The Atlantic Project will also support talent development, foster artist-led activities and build community engagement. The project is a pilot for a new biennial international festival of contemporary art and a key part of Horizon, an ambitious two-year visual arts programme to expand Plymouth's cultural offering in the lead-up to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower in 2020.
theatlantic.org ; plymouth-horizon.co.uk

For more information on what's new for 2018 visit: www.media.visitengland.com

Ends

For further press information and images please contact: Evelina Andrews / Louise Ferrall / Anais Bobst / Sophie Dinsdale  VisitEngland Press Office  Tel: 020 7578 1446 / 020 7578 1437 Email: vepr@visitengland.org Notes to Editors: About VisitEngland

• VisitEngland's focus is on the development and delivery of the new Discover England fund for product development to ensure that bookable regional product is being sold in international markets. This activity will also benefit the domestic industry by building engagement and partnerships between and across regions and developing product that will be attractive to both domestic and international markets.
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