Dundonald Castle

Advantages: Interesting history
Disadvantages: None

...Dundonald Castle is a ruin in the Ayrshire district of Scotland. It was built for Robert II in 1371 and was home to many Scottish kings over the years. Directions, Admission and Opening Hours The easiest way to get to the castle is to drive, following the A78 to Irving and then following the signs to Dundonald. You can also get to the town on public transport, buses stop within a few minutes? walk of the visitors centre and there are train services to local towns, and from there you can get a bus or a taxi. Admission: Adult £2.50, Child £1.25 (under 5 free). The castle and the visitors centre are open 10am to 5pm from 1st April to 31st October. Accessibility The visitors centre is completely accessible for those in wheelchairs; however the castle is located at the top of a very steep hill, which may cause...

Fiver29 29.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Dundonald Castle, Ayrshire

Anyone NOT for tennis ?

Advantages: Easily accessible, good facilities and nice staff
Disadvantages: Cost - unless you use it well

...Gym memberships appeal to two groups of people - those who want to impress others with their affluence and those who are desperate to improve fitness. I am in the latter, and reckon it is good value. Why ? Lloyd's in Belfast is in a great location, close to the Dundonald Ice Bowl, and on a nice green field site. It has pleasant outlooks and plenty of parking room - which is a secure, card-operated facility. Inside, the spacious entrance area and turnstiles welcome members into the inner sanctuary of raquet courts, pools and gym. Racquets courts - if you are for tennis after all, the courts are vast indoor areas as well as some outdoor courts, plus squash, badminton and table-tennis facilities. Swimming facilities include a large indoor pool, a smaller, heated outdoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room, all accessible from...

trevorbrock 19.03.2005 · Read review
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Review of David Lloyd Clubs, Belfast

More of the same - questionable value

Advantages: Special offers
Disadvantages: Everyting else expensive to cover the specials

...A recent unexpected visit to Northern Ireland and I find myself on the way to the local Safeway in Dundonald and not in my usual Tesco in Edinburgh.. What an opportunity for a Ciao op. Eyes at the ready, shopping list in hand and hopefully brain in gear to look out for the information which Ciao-ers love. Now the Dundonald store is not a Safeway original but was taken over from a company called Wellworths several years ago. Its competition is a Lidl just across the Road, and a 24hour Spar linked to the filling station also just across the road. The car Park is of a reasonable size though the very narrow access from the main Belfast to Newtownards Road is a bit scary at times. Trolleys were in abundant supply though you do have to slot in £1 to release a trolley and of course the one I had chosen had a badly buckled wheel so I...

confusion 23.11.2003 · Read review
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Review of Safeway (Shop)

Dining at the Apple

Advantages: Great Food
Disadvantages: Only open five days a week

...The Apple Inn is a great little eating house on the High Street in Troon. The Apple Inn is part of the Costley and Costley Hotel chain, which also includes the Lochgreen Hotel in Troon, the famous Brig-a-Doon Hotel in Ayr, Highgrove House in Dundonald and Cochrane Inn in Gatehead, and the one in Maidens, near Turnberry, whose name escapes me (*Does search on internet* that?s it - Wildings). And I can tell you I have eaten in all of them without any disappointment. The Apple Inn is one of the smaller establishments in the Costley and Costley Empire. It is a relatively recent acquisition. On entering the inn, you will find the bar straight facing you. It is a very small bar indeed, and this isn?t really the type of place where you would just go for a drink, although there are a handful of bar stools if this is your want...

helencbradshaw 08.08.2002 · Read review
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Review of The Apple Inn (Troon)

More about Belfast

Advantages: Lots to see & do
Disadvantages: Some people

...complex. There are also some good out of town shopping centres, such as Forestside, Connswater and the park centre, but the city centre has most of the shops found within these centres. There's a lot to see and do around Belfast. The city's botanic gardens are located close to the city centre, and are a lovely walk in the summertime. Other city parks include lady Dixon park, Belvoir forest park and Barnett's Demense, all close to the city centre. Kids are also well catered for in Belfast. Belfast zoo on the outskirts of the city provides a fun day out, as does the interactive learning experience of W5 at the odyssey. There is bowling available at the Belfast superbowl, and Dundonald ice bowl has both bowling and ice skating facilities. Also close is the Ulster Folk & Transport museum and aprox 10 miles away in Bangor, facilities...

fuzzibear 10.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Belfast in general

Fairytale White Castle

Advantages: First gothic folly to be built in Europe, an immense and varied history, its haunted....
Disadvantages: Been allowed to decay by an absentee owner, neglected by the local authorities, continues to fall into disrepair by the day, parts are now collapsing

..., a Breakfast Room, twenty-eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, several domestic offices, Servants hall, Wine Cellar, Coal Cellar, Butlers sitting Room, Strong Room, electric service lift, private electric supply, Laundry room, cesspit, Gas plant, a Bothy, saddle room, four garages, a pet cemetery, a stable block suitable for six horses, an Ice House, washhouse, and, of course, the 52 step marble staircase. The latter of which was, and still is, one of the most impressive features of the Castle, designed by George Edmund Street and built by Robert Bamford-Hesketh during the 1870?s. When Lloyd died, the Castle was left to Robert Bamford-Hesketh. Winifred, Countess of Dundonald, inherited Gwrych in 1894. She was forced into marriage with the Earl of Dundonald. After the Earls many affairs and an affair with the Archbishop of Wales on her behalf...

Sarah_Louise 24.08.2003 (29.08.2003) · Read review
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Review of Gwrych Castle

They're the best.

Advantages: great selection of deals, plenty of ways to earn them
Disadvantages: none

...For Northern Ireland Dunluce Centre, Co Antrim Odyssey Bowl, Belfast Dundonald Ice Bowl, Belfast For Wales National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Carmarthenshire Snowdonia Mountain Railway Welsh Mountain Zoo Northern England The Deep, Hull Blackpool Tower National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford Central England and Merseyside Cadbury World, Brimingham National Space Centre, Leicester The Beatles Story, Liverpool The South East Buckley's Yesterdays World, Battle Blenheim Palace Knockhatch Adventure Park, East Sussex The South West Wookey Hole, Somerset The Big Sheep, Devon Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire As I said there are many more but that should give you an idea of the range of different activities included for these days out deals. National Trust, Sea Life Centres, Madame...

belfin 01.10.2005 · Read review
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Review of Tesco Clubcard

The Rise and Fall of Gwrych Castle

Advantages: Important Grade One Listed Building
Disadvantages: Allowed to become derelict

...are taken from those at beaumaris with the larger ones from harlech and conwy. the round tower with the small turret on top is a replica of the chapel tower at conwy castle. the square towers are more difficult to place but seem to be influenced by the Welsh Castles such as Dolwyddelyn. The crenulations are similar to those at Raglan Castle and the corbelling is taken from a mixture of Raglan, Beaumaris and Harlech. Due to the various different builds at Gwrych there are several window patterns from the Gothic Revival of the nineteenth century. The original pattern made by Rickman in 1819 was still being made into the 1850?s. Wooden replicas of these windows were utilised by the Countess of Dundonald in 1914. Much of the heraldic stained glass was designed by Hesketh himself and filled the halls at the Castle. Gwrych today is...

fleetwoodmac 03.02.2004 (04.02.2004) · Read review
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Review of Gwrych Castle

Irvine Soap for Irvine Folk

Advantages: See Review
Disadvantages: Not a holiday hot spot, by any means!

..., although just out of town. Alternatively for a more upmarket des res, try one of the fantastic Costley and Costley Hotels, which are also restaurants. These are the Brigadoon in Ayr, the Highgrove in Dundonald and the Lochgreen in Troon. There is also a Golf Hotel in Irvine and plenty of B and B accommodation. Irvine has its own tourist office now. Good restaurants -------------------- For pub grub, visit any of the Harbour pubs. For a more upmarket meal the Costley and Costley hotels are popular but you may need to book in advance for a weekend. If you fancy a curry, try the Taj in Prestwick, although the Gulab in Irvine is pretty ok, and about one mile from me, so I am a regular there! If you really want to push the boat out, go to Braidwood?s in Saltcoats, about eight miles from Irvine and recently voted Scotland?s finest...

helencbradshaw 19.01.2002 · Read review
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Review of Irvine in General

"A Great Country, just Pretending to be Small!"

Advantages: Friendly, Welcoming People
Disadvantages: Bleak Past

...Fermanagh! SO WHERE SHOULD YOU TAKE THE CHILDREN? Odessy Arena, Belfast- Visit the iMax cinema, and the W5 science exhibition. Dundonald IceBowl, Belfast- Ice-skating to enjoy the day. Waterworld-, Portrush. The best, most exciting swimming pool in the country. Banana?s Play World, Derry City- a small kiddie?s dream! WHY NORTHERN IRELAND IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  We have all the pros of both England and Ireland available to us, and right on our doorstep. We have the great NHS (some may disagree) and yet we only have to cross the Irish border to fill our cars with cheap petrol- 20 Euro (£13) fills my tank!  We can claim dual Nationality, so heaven forbid we get kicked out of a country, we can just go back under a different passport. (I?m kidding!)  We...

lulu2004 03.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of General: Northern Ireland