No matter why you find yourself in the town that many have dubbed ‘London by the sea’, these five attractions are suitable for everyone to experience and enjoy while they’re down on the South Coast.

Brighton Lanes

The Lanes are a series of small streets in Brighton, which can be found near North Street, Ship Street, Prince Albert Street or Bartholomew Square. The small alleyways are home to plenty of shops, including a few antiques shops so anyone who is looking for a quirky gift or item for their home should head here. You can also find plenty of good shops in the North Laines, which isn’t to be confused with the Lanes, but is relatively close. You’ll find plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants in the North Laines, as well as Komedia, which is great for live entertainment and comedy shows. It used to be a Tescos!

Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion should, in theory, look incredibly out of place in Brighton but to me it looks as if it belongs here and simply adds to the charm that Brighton already exudes at every turn. A former royal residence, the Pavilion was a holiday retreat for Prince Regent, later King George IV and was built over a period of 36 years. Starting out as a farmhouse, Henry Holland was drafted in to help transform that humble farmhouse into the huge, sprawling neo-classical villa that it is today. Queen Victoria eventually sold the Pavilion to the town on Brighton in 1850 as she disliked Brighton and the level of privacy the Pavilion afforded her family was not enough. Following the sale of the Pavilion to Brighton the royal stables were converted to what is now the Brighton Dome concert hall.

Brighton Marina

The Marina is a great place to go for lunch and for a spot of shopping, as it houses many restaurants and a selection of boutique shops. You can also find a hotel, bowling alley, health club, cinema and casino here, meaning that this is an ideal place for Brighton stag weekends, hen weekends and throughout the day it is a perfect place for families too. As to be expected, the Marina is exceptionally busy in summer and is incredibly popular with local fishermen during this time too. You can find a place on one of the Marinas’ many sightseeing tours and fishing boat trips on most days with little bother.

Palace Pier

The Palace Pier (or Brighton Marine Palace and Pier, to give its full title) is actually Brighton’s third pier, following the first Royal Suspension Chain Pier which was destroyed by a storm in 1896 (working out well for the town as it was required to be removed so that the Palace Pier could be constructed), and also West Pier, which was closed in 1975 (fires and storms have also put West Pier in a much more dilapidated state). Palace Pier today offers all the fun of the seaside, with a large amusement arcade and fairground rides all found on the pier. You can also find plenty to eat and drink, with a small pub also found on the pier. This Grade II listed structure has become iconic with Brighton, often being highlighted in films and television shows to set the scene in Brighton.

Brighton Wheel

And finally, we have the Brighton Wheel. Perhaps this is why people refer to Brighton as London by the sea? The wheel is actually fully transportable and was used as an attraction at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Transported to Brighton in 2011, the wheel has permission to stay in its place in Brighton until 2016. Open from 10am to 11pm every day, the wheel can hold up to 286 people when full, and the ride lasts for three whole rotations, which takes around 12 minutes. You can get some incredible views of the Brighton city skyline, the beach and pier and the view out to sea.

There we have it, five of the most interesting and iconic attractions that the little old seaside town of Brighton has to offer! No matter why you’re here, you’ll love them all.

Lee is the Stag Company’s Web Content Editor, producing a neat line in articles and content that highlights the best of British and European locations for stag weekends and stag dos. Almost always in possession of a mug of coffee too.

Like our experience of all the other Best Western hotels the service was great, despite the hotel being relatively large and grand in size, you still feel very welcome and homely, like the staff know who you are and are all happy to see you.

It starts at a very helpful reception, who despatched someone to check if our room was ready, due to our earlier than check-in time arrival.  It was and we were quickly off to check it out armed with an access code to the hotel’s high-speed wi-fi, the restaurant times, and already booked in for dinner.

We were allocated the Ribble View suite (named after the River Ribble), a prestige room, living up to its billing.  With a main bedroom/lounge and further separate bedroom with twin beds, it was ideal for our party of two adults and one seven-year-old.

The main room was huge, with a comfortable leather sofa and chairs, and a large balcony allowing us to exploit the hotel’s superb location on the promenade of St Annes on Sea.

The location of the hotel is superb.  Right on the promenade, but still incredibly easy to get to and accessible.  During the afternoon of our first day we took a short walk across the road, where we found the beach, a pier with amusements and small rides, a cinema, a climbing frame and playground, a cinema, the Lytham St Annes Mini Links golf course, and even a swimming pool, which as hotel guests we had free access to.

As well as a bar, and free wi-fi the Glendower also has a computer and printer for free guest use (we used it to print a map out of the nearby Blackpool Pleasure Beach).

The hotel also has a gym, a full size snooker table, table tennis, and a Nintendo Wii set up on a huge cinema style screen.

And all this, with Blackpool just three miles down the road.

Absolutely loads to do for families.

It is even positioned on the south side of Blackpool so the first things you get to by car are the Pleasure Beach, and the indoor water park.

Perfect for us as it allowed us to pop in to the madness of Blackpool for a day, without having to be amongst it.  Easy to get to, and with the even more local attractions of Lytham and St Annes not to be ignored and discounted.

The only faults I can levy at the hotel were having to ask for drinks during our first visit to the restaurant, and some of the leisure facilities being temporarily our of action for renovation.

But all-in-all a really lovely hotel.  Clearly versatile with guests staying for a multitude of reasons, but certainly one for discerning families wishing to visit the local area and the attractions of Blackpool.

Ian Newbold

Read Ian’s blog on family life at http://singleparentdad.blogspot.co.uk/

Are you an avid horse racing fan? BEST WESTERN Heath Court Hotel, Newmarket are giving you the chance to win 4 tickets to the Newmarket Open Day.

The Open Day will begin with horses being cantered on Warren Hill between 9am and 9.45am. Members of the public will be able to pick and choose their favourite horses to go and see between 9.30am and 12.30pm when the majority of Newmarket trainers yards will open. There will also be plenty of other visitor attractions open in the morning such as the National Horseracing Museum, Tattersalls, the British Racing School, Newmarket Equine Hospital and The National Stud amongst others.

Then head down to Rowley Mile Racecourse for some afternoon entertainment from Weatherbys Devil’s Horsemen, JSC Sport Pony Clubs Games featuring the likes of Hayley Turner and William Buick, Osborne Refrigerator Scurry Driving, the Martin Collins Quack Pack and pony rides plus plenty more fun for the whole family!

And if that is not enough, you are then invited to the hotel to enjoy Sunday lunch for 4, anytime between 12 noon and 7.00pm so you don’t miss any of the action of the open day.

You will need to be available on Sunday 23rd September, and be able to collect the tickets from BEST WESTERN Heath Court Hotel, Newmarket.

For more information about the Open Day, go to http://www.newmarketopenday.co.uk/

To be in with a chance of winning just answer the question below:

I was lucky enough to win a competition run by Best Western, Tots100 and Legoland earlier this year, and chose to take my prize on quite possibly the hottest weekend of the decade so far.

I took my eight year old son, Dexter, and we drove down to the BEST WESTERN Royal Adelaide Hotel in Windsor, late on Friday night. A genius idea, if I say so myself, as we missed all the traffic and got there in just over an hour from Kent.

We were warmly greeted by a member of hotel staff but were both asleep within minutes of getting into our air conditioned room. Bliss.

We had a lazy Saturday morning, enjoying a chilled breakfast at the hotel, before heading off to Legoland. To say Dexter was excited, is a massive understatement, and as the temperature gauge rose and rose, so did his excitement. I wondered, however, if perhaps, it was just going to be too hot for us.

I needn’t have worried. Yes, it was absolutely roasting, but this is where the water rides come into their own at Legoland – what better way to cool off!

I had decided beforehand that I was going to pay for a Q-Bot ride reservation ticket to try and jump the queues. The queues are the only downside to Legoland (and all theme parks,) and I thought I’d see if paying £15 each would make a difference.

And it did. You’re given a small device that you programme yourself, choose which ride you want to reserve a place for, you’re given a time, and you then go back to the ride at the given time. All quite simple really and saves having to wait around for hours on end.

We knew already which rides we wanted to go on; Pirate Falls, Jolly Roger (which, incidentally, scared the bejesus out of me,) Vikings’ River Splash, Spinning Spider and the Dragon roller coaster – they didn’t disappoint.

There’s so much to do at Legoland, but we managed to fit a lot into one day. The heat had taken it’s toll and it was time to go back to our hotel.

We showered and wandered into town for dinner, heading back full, tired but happy that we’d had such a great weekend.

Check out Kate’s blog www.witwitwoo.com

The Isle of Man is starting to be seen as an attractive destination for golfers planning their next golfing holiday. With 9 courses to choose from, boasting amazing links, heathland and parkland, and stunning views out to sea, you can be sure to enjoy your golf break.

With the help of Isle of Man Golf Tours, we’ve compiled a quick guide to the Isle of Man Golf courses.

Castletown Golf Links

The course matches the setting – among the top echelons of links courses in the British Isles.

Mount Murray Golf Course

A superb 18-hole championship course set in magnificent scenery, where the view from the 18th tee is a treat to look forward to….

Peel Golf Course

One of the Island’s most popular courses, Peel offers a spectacular variety of holes and natural hazards in just one course.

Rowany Golf Course

Greg Norman played his great pal and former Island resident Nigel Mansell at this outstanding course. Wide open in places and tight and narrow in others, this is a tricky course to master yet very rewarding.

Port St Mary Golf Course

No other view in Manx golf compares. Bobbing boats in the harbour form a perfect backdrop as your ball sails towards a guarded green…

Ramsey Golf Course

Featured in the Golf Monthly’s Top 100 Hidden Gems – “a seriously pretty course in a superb and tranquil setting.”

Glen Truan Golf Course

Located in a nature reserve, Glen Truan offers pure and natural links golf in a stunning setting near the tip of the Island and tranquillity like no other…

Douglas Golf Course

One of only a select number of golf courses in the world designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, architect of some of the world’s most challenging courses including Augusta in Atlanta.

King Edward Bay

Boasting some of the best views on the island, a round of golf at King Edward Bay is a memorable experience. The course is superbly maintained, and the springy mountain turf is quite exceptional.

WIN a fabulous golf break to the Isle of Man

The Island’s only golf tour operator – Isle of Man Golf Tours are giving you the chance to win a fabulous 3 day golfing break to the Isle of Man.

Teaming up with the BEST WESTERN Palace Hotel and Casino and with Manx2.com you could win -

- Return flights for 2 from any Manx2.com airport

- 2 nights bed and breakfast at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino

- 3 rounds of golf for 2

- Golf Club Hire with the latest TaylorMade RocketBallz clubs

- All transfers between airport, hotel and golf courses

Just visit www.isleofmangolftours.com/bestwestern to answer the simple question and enter your details. The competition closes on the 31st of August and is open to over 18s only.

Yes the chance to go to the races on Friday night in the summer (did I say summer?) and be entertained by Suggsy and the Madness boys is what I’d call a great night out. These nights are very popular and attract some good bands across a wide spectrum of tastes. Check out the course and book before as some sell out, like Madness or Jessie J if she appeals!

Having been before, we opted to stay at the BEST WESTERN Cambridge Quy Mill Hotel, mainly because it’s just off the A14, with easy access to Cambridge for shopping or sightseeing. The outside rooms are spacious, well furnished and worth the price. Whilst the hotel has a newly refurbished leisure complex and it’s less than 15 minutes to Newmarket’s July course where the events are held. So quick drive or Taxi and you’re there!

Get tickets for the Premier enclosure and it’s a nice spacious view when the act comes on. The racing is fun for many that go mainly for the entertainment. In our case and having seen them last year at the same event, we knew madness would be crowd pleasers. The Heavy Monster crew hit the stage, go one step beyond constantly entertaining and perform a wall of hits at the end, just about everybody would recognise!

What a great night out and left with the boys getting a the full encore treatment.

Back to the Quy Mill, have a few drinks, the bar is open late and wake up for a little detox in the sauna, steam room and pool before breakfast.

We only ate at breakfast and then headed off into Cambridge, but in truth once you’re over there, anywhere on the East coast is probably worth a visit – as most of the time it takes what seems forever to get anywhere on those flat fen roads!

So ideal place for a weekend break, bit of entertainment and sport all rolled into one. Time for a high octane adrenaline rush, think I’ll go visit Silverstone.

Gary Palmer – Year of Get Up and Go blogging panel

Guernsey is a peaceful island, every bit attached in outlook to the U.K, yet whether it is their natural close links to France, it’s history or the number of French and other European guides, waiters/waitresses etc in the many bars and cafes of St Peter Port, it somehow has a distinct european flavour too!

We stayed 5 nights in the 5 star experience of the BEST WESTERN Hotel De Havelet. We got exceptional service organising everything from taxi waiting at the airport, booking car hire, tourist attraction help, what to do and see and when and just such accomodating staff! This hotel actually was all round terrific, the breakfast set you up for the day, with views from the restaurant which are stunning on clear days, the food in evenings was also very good value, in a restaurant often used by locals and claimed to be one of the best in St Peter Port.

The rooms were always clean and tidy and to an high standard of facilities and cleanliness; we used the steam room, sauna, pool and jacuzzi every day and the bar seemed to be open whenever I wanted something. As for the internet, well here I am blogging on day 5! Enough of the hotel, what else is there to do?

Well we visited Herm which is so unspoilt and well worth a day trip. You’ll find sandy, secluded beaches, just need good weather and lots of sun cream as little shade. Sark is altogether different, but equally nice if you want tranqulity. On Guernsey, kids found enough to do with the German museums,but real history seekers ought to take in Castle Cornet. then there is crazy golf at oaklands, playing on the west coast beaches, we liked Cobo bay best, but it can be breezy this time of year and St Peter Port was nice with all the bars and restaurants to wander round. Plenty have offers between 6-7 p.m, ideal for kids.

Guernsey was in Jubilee mode and it’s ideal for bank holiday or weekend breaks, as flights get you there in no time. Do hire a car if you can, but bus routes and taxi’s are plenty. So yet another fantastic break to get up and go with in 2012….next up, time for some summer Madness in the Newmarket nights.

Gary Palmer – Year of Get Up and Go blogging panel

Well the Best Western Ship Hotel in Weybridge has a big one.

We arrived earlier in Weybridge on the Jubilee Weekend (the weather had curtailing our morning plans). Despite this, the staff at the hotel remained unflustered, polite and very helpful.

Like our other Best Western stays the reception staff were more than pleasant. They told us all about the hotel, and we discussed Weybridge, as I’d been told it was one of the country’s most desirable places to live.

As you would expect for a late morning arrival our room was not quite ready, so we were offered a drink in the hotel’s lovely bar while we waited.

The bar is split into two sections, a homely looking pub-bar section, leading up to a comfy lounge, that overlooks a nice courtyard, but the weather put pay to us exploring outside much.

Our visit to Weybridge was centred a round a plan to visit Legoland in nearby Windsor. My seven-year-old was instantly comfortable enough at the hotel to go and ask the staff if they had any Legoland information, which they did, and they even offered him access to Legoland’s website and a printer if he wasn’t satisfied with a pamphlet.

So we sat down and made good use of our wait by planning our Legoland trip, and taking in some of the Jubilee coverage that the barman had kindly switched on for us.

Our room was a good size, and had all you’d expect from a family room. A giant double-bed, and a set-up sofa-bed for my son to sleep on. Luckily for us, he quickly lay claim to the inviting sofa-bed.

The only negatives I’d say for the room were I couldn’t find a thermostat (other than the one on the radiator) and the room was a little warmer than I would have liked it. Plus I always prefer a quilt to sleep with, and the bed was made up with just sheets. Still not enough for me to make a fuss about.

With the rain subsiding we headed out to a Jubilee party at nearby Reigate, armed with the local cinema listings just in case the rain returned.

We had a great time in Reigate, and returned to The Ship to be joined by my parents for dinner – who were also staying in the hotel.

There was plenty of choice and we all chose different things from the menu, my parents taking advantage of a special two or three courses deal.

Visiting Legoland was a breeze from Weybridge. Not an immediately obvious place to stay when visiting the land of the plastic mini-figures, families generally staying in Windsor and Slough. But if you ignore the SAT-Nav routes, and instead follow the quiet B roads (B386 and B383 specifically) you’ll be there in under 30 minutes, and generally avoid the queues created by everyone heading in from the North.

Back at the hotel there is plenty of parking, and we took dinner in its restaurant. Again all enjoying steaks after a long day out trekking around Legoland.

Many of the hotel’s other guests were visiting London, and a quick check on my smartphone found out how easy a London visit from The Ship is. Weybridge train station is under a mile away, and has regular trains to London’s Waterloo that take around 30 minutes.

Breakfast was superb and again service was very good and friendly. And we witnessed the staff being just as nice to other parties in the restaurant.

Making it all round a very comfortable place to stay.

Ian Newbold – Year of Get Up and Go blogging panel

This summer we are determined to make every day count! With a new and fun inspiration every day until 21st September, you can be sure not to run out of ideas to make this your most exciting summer yet.

And if that isn’t enough, every Friday we will have a competition with all sorts of prizes to help you on your way!

To enter our first competition of the summer see the details below.

As it’s around a 400 mile drive from Berwick upon Tweed to Bath, I stayed at the Best Western Plus Mosborough Hotel near Sheffield on the drive down. My accommodation in the Bath area was at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel in Radstock.

On the first night I had tickets for the Ministry of Burlesque High Tease at the Komedia. I’d never been to anything like this before but thought it’d be fun. It was such a laugh; there was a making a sherry trifle routine and a bit of audience participation with a scene from WW2.

As I’d been the city of Bath previously and it was a very hot day, I decided to visit some National Trust properties, hoping to stay in the shade as much as possible. My first port of call was at Westwood Manor.

I had a stop in Bradford upon Avon for walk along the canal.

The Courts Garden in Holt was absolutely enchanting.

By mid afternoon I’d overheated, so headed back to the Centurion Hotel to cool off and get ready to drive to Bath to see the ‘Hold Everything Dear’ modern dance performance by Laila Diallo that evening. The dance style in that performance didn’t appeal to me, but you never know when you select tickets for an event. Also, I like to try some new things, instead of going for the safe options.

On the drive back home, I stayed at the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel in Chester.

By Karen Bryan, Europe a la Carte Blog