What to do in England, events, ideas for the weekend, places to go

The long weekends of Easter and Spring provide the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to enjoy an extra special break away. When it comes to spending some quality time together, where better than a De Vere Hotel? Each one offers quality without compromise and is characterised by superb cuisine, superior service and outstanding leisure facilities. And as they're set in some of the UK's most breathtaking locations, they offer a fantastic base for those who love nothing better than escaping to the great outdoors, or taking in the fresh sea air of the South Coast.

Treat yourself and your family to an Easter break at a De Vere Hotel or relax and enjoy special packages including Easter egg hunts, champagne receptions and much more.

You can be sure we have something for everyone at Easter.

Stately Holiday Homes - houses, cottages and apartments in historic and rural settings ever dreamed of staying in an English country stately home for a holiday. Imagine having the free roam of stunning stately rooms and four poster beds, access to hundreds of acres of park land, all to yourself? Well, it is possible now with Stately Homes Ltd.

Christmas in Birmingham 2005: "Christmas Lights Switch On
Millennium Point
Saturday 12 November
3.30pm – 7.30pm, Switch On at 7.30pm
Supported by 100.7 Heart fm and Birmingham Mail

Frankfurt Christmas Market
Victoria Square and New Street
Thursday 17 November – Friday 23 December
10am – 8pm, daily
Supported by BRMB and Birmingham Mail

The BMI Baby Birmingham Christmas Grotto
Chamberlain Square
Saturday 19 November – Saturday 24 December
Weekdays: 11am – 6pm from 19 Nov – 22 Dec
Weekends and 23 and 24 Dec 10am – 8pm
Sponsored by BMI Baby, the Mall Pallasades, Pavilion Central, House of Fraser, Bullring, Martineau Place, Mailbox, Tesco and Centro.
Supported by BRMB and Birmingham Mail

Canal Boat Light Parade
Canal side – NIA to the Mailbox
Sunday 20 November
5pm – 6pm
Supported by BBC WM and Birmingham Mail

City Plaza Pantomime Horse Grand National
Edgbaston Street
Sunday 4 December 1 – 5pm
Supported by 100.7 Heart fm and Birmingham Mail

Bullring Christmas Reindeer and Lantern Parade
Bullring to Brindleyplace
Sunday 11 December
5pm – 6.30pm
Supported by 100.7 Heart fm and Birmingham Mail"

Yuletide York - Christmas 2005: "York is magical at Christmas time with its cobbled streets and snickleways, welcoming inns and restaurants and its candlelit churches. Christmas events around the city are diverse and offer something for everyone. If you're in need of some retail therapy, enjoy an excellent variety of quality shops in York's historic streets and bustling market place or combine your visit to one of York's three out-of-town shopping parks featuring the best in designer clothing and high street names.

New to York in 2005, the city will host a Children’s Christmas Fayre from 18-20 November 2005. Coinciding with the national Children In Need charity campaign, York promises a range of stalls and entertainment especially arranged for Children.

York boasts some of the best specialist markets in the country, starting with St Nicholas Fayre from 24 - 27 November 2005. This four day Fayre across the city offers an array of markets ranging from gifts, craft and medieval goods, to the best in local food produce. Newgate Market is open 7 days a week and the city centre will fill up with more market stalls every weekend leading up to Christmas.

The enchanting Festival of Angels will take place in The Quarter on 10 - 11 December - experience a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, snow and a true festival atmosphere. York's venues, museums, theatres and churches come alive throughout the season with a variety of festivities along with the city's many cafés, pubs and restaurants - bringing Christmas cheer to everyone. Check out the ‘Christmas Festivities’ pages for more information."

Funky and Festive: Christmas at Fabric - londonlaunch.com - Corporate and Private Event Management for London: "Conveniently located in Farringdon (ideal for access from both the City & the West End), Fabric offers a spectacular setting for events & entertainment. The venue occupies the space of the former Metropolitan Cold Stores: an impressive network of brick, glass and metal rooms & areas – all boasting state of the art of sound & lighting equipment.

With its five bars, three sound systems (including a “body sonic” dance floor), stages & screens + an exclusive VIP mezzanine, Fabric will offer the coolest, funkiest Xmas parties this year.

Classic Package Includes:

* £75 + VAT per person
* Champagne reception
* Selection of hot & cold gourmet canapés
* Unlimited bar, including beer, wine & soft drinks
* DJ

Using this as a template, we are happy to tailor-make packages to suit your specific requirements (we can arrange themed parties, buffet menus, additional entertainers, luxury bar packages etc). From a red carpet welcome to a cab service from the venue, our hospitality team will look after absolutely every aspect of the party. "

BBC - Lincolnshire Places - The 24th Lincoln Christmas Market: "It all started 23 years ago with the first Lincoln Christmas Market in 1982 being a somewhat modest affair by today's standard.
The Lincoln Christmas Market

INTERNET LINKS

Lincoln City website

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
HAVE YOUR SAY

Have you got some advice for anyone going to the Christmas Market?

Have your say, e-mail lincolnshire@bbc.co.uk
SEE ALSO

Pictures from previous Lincoln Christmas Markets

Lincoln Christmas Market survival guide

Lincoln Christmas Market Webcam


From those days of a few stalls in Castle Square the market now takes over most of the Cathedral Quarter of Lincoln. In fact, there were just 14 stalls there compared to the 300 plus now.

For some it's the most important event in the City's calendar as it brings over 150,000 visitors to Lincoln. These visitors often return at other time in the year when they realise what Lincoln has to offer."