Queen Victoria may have been the first UK Monarch to travel by train – but her son, King Edward VII continued to give rail travel the royal seal of approval.

Read on to find out more about King Edward VII and his rail connections. And check our journey planner for cheap train tickets before you next head off somewhere by train.

Prince and patron

King Edward VII already had a reputation for being fond of the railways prior to his accession to the throne in 1901. In fact, in a piece mourning the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, on 26 January 1901, The Railway News stated:

His Majesty King Edward VII has always shown as much kindly interest in railway affairs as his mother; and he will receive the same heartfelt devotion from railway men as was so freely given to Her Majesty. He presided at one of the annual dinners of the Railway Benevolent Institution, of which he, as Prince of Wales, was a patron.

He also made railway history on 4 November 1890, whilst he was Prince of Wales, when he ceremonially opened the City and Southern Railway – the first deep-level ‘tube’ railway and the first underground electric railway, not just in London, but in the world. This stretch of track, which ran between Stockwell, Lambeth and King William Street in the City of London, was expanded and eventually became part of what’s now known as the London Underground.

Royal rail journeys and a station’s story

Like his mother, King Edward VII regularly took to the rails on the royal train to visit his subjects and travel between the royal residences, together with his wife, Queen Alexandra. You can still see Queen Alexandra’s saloon at the National Railway Museum Shildon.

But it wasn’t just the royal train that was designed to impress the royal couple. Wolferton Station, in Norfolk, was just a typical quiet rural station until 1863, when the then Prince of Wales and his new bride moved to Sandringham House.

They travelled to Norfolk by train, just 18 days after their wedding day – and Wolferton suddenly became one of the most important stations in the country. In 1876, due to the number of eminent train passengers alighting at, and leaving from Wolferton, the station was given a make-over, and a suite of royal waiting rooms was added.

In 1898, the station was rebuilt and even more royal waiting rooms were added. Queen Alexandra had her own sitting room and there was also a private garden in which the royals could take a stroll away from prying eyes.

The station was converted into a private home in 2001, but has recently changed hands and you can now walk along the platform and into the goods yard.

Edward VII’s last rail journey

King Edward VII died at Sandringham on 6 May 1910, following a bout of bronchitis and several heart attacks and part of his journey to his final resting place was made by train.

His coffin was first taken by train to London, to Westminster Hall, where he laid in state until 20 May 1910. It was then taken through the streets of London from Westminster Hall, to London Paddington Station, and. transported to Windsor by train – although the train was forced to travel along the ‘slow line’ rather than the usual line, due to another engine breaking down at Slough. The funeral took place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Do you know of any interesting royal rail connections? Let us know below…

The royals and trains … King Edward VII redspottedhanky

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations kick off this month – and we’re gearing up to celebrate with Her Maj. Take a look at our pick of royal-themed vintage railway posters to see how regal celebrations and destinations were advertised to rail passengers in years gone by.

And if you’re heading off to a Jubilee event soon, don’t forget to check our website before you set off – you could make some right royal savings when you book your train tickets, car hire and hotel accommodation with us.

1. British Railways encouraged people to take the train to London in 1953, the year of Her Maj’s coronation at Westminster Abbey, with this colourful poster, depicting the Queen’s Guard leaving Buckingham Palace and heading off along the Mall . The artwork was produced by Gordon Nicoll (1888 – 1959), a British landscape painter and commercial artist.

2. One palace just isn’t enough for a monarch and Queen Elizabeth II has a number of residences, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh.

London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) commissioned well-known poster artist Fred Taylor to produce the image of the Scottish capital’s famous landmark in this 1930 poster, in order to persuade tourists to take the train to Edinburgh. The poster shows soldiers on horseback and a military band accompanying a horse-drawn carriage as it enters the palace.

Of course, her Maj has given train travel the royal seal of approval many times – and she’s set to love it even more this year, as last month she was given a stunning new silver-liveried Diamond Jubilee train so she could travel in style on her Jubilee tour of the U.K.

3. Her Maj likes to hang out at Windsor Castle at weekends – and the royals have been taking the train to and from Windsor for more than a century. In 1842, Queen Victoria travelled by carriage from the Castle to Slough Station and caught the train to London, the first British railway journey by a UK monarch.

Windsor and Eton Station opened in 1849 – and this poster was produced by British Rail in the 1980s to advertise the station’s ‘Royalty and Railways’ exhibition (later renamed ‘Royalty and Empire’).

The station, which had been taken out of use in the late 1960s, was restored in 1982 – British Rail and Madame Tussauds created this amazing exhibition, based around Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, to celebrate its reopening and promote its royal connections.

Which of these vintage railway posters do you like best? Please Facebook or tweet us and let us know …

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee – with some regal railway posters redspottedhanky

In our weekly competition, 10 savvy rail travellers win £10s worth of redspottedhanky.com loyalty points by tweeting their tips about a set destination to #RSH Guides, for us to share through foursquare. This week, we asked you to tweet us and tell us about the places you like to go for a caffeine hit in Birmingham.

Read on to see who won and find out more about the Birmingham’s coffee hot-spots. And don’t forget to share your tips with us using Twitter – you could win loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets, hotel stays or car hire.

• @LauraCow took the first of this week’s prize points with a a winning tweet recommending The Warehouse Café in Allison Street for its cheap and healthy food. This vegetarian restaurant serves some mouth-watering main courses, like veggie Bangers ‘n’ Mash, and delicious desserts, like cinnamon carrot cake.

• @lawrenceandrews made it into our winners’ list this week with his top Twitter tip to try one of Urban Coffee Co’s two Birmingham emporiums for good coffee, good food and good times. The company’s flagship emporium is in Church Street, close to Birmingham Snow Hill Station, and the second outlet is in Warstone Lane, in the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter.

• @nic_ford steamed into this week’s top 10 with a great Twitter tip to head to Six Eight Kafé in Temple Street and try a cup of Jailbreak espresso. This stylish café also sells yummy cakes made by home baker Gavin Page, and trying the Chocolate and Guinness Cake while you’re there is a must.

• @CallumCollie won this week too with a Twitter suggestion to visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and stop off for afternoon tea in the elegant Edwardian Tea Room. He says it’s the perfect option if you fancy a traditionally British interlude during a cultured day out.

• @Rabidandy picked up those loyalty points too with a top tweet directing us to the Coffee Room Bar & Bistro, in the Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street. Its menu includes a wide range of coffee blends, as well as snacks and meals, and it’s close to the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Birmingham New Street Station.

• @birm2lond chugged into this week’s top 10 too with a Twitter tip to try the Centenary Lounge at Birmingham Moor Street Station. Perfectly situated for weary rail travellers in need of refreshment, this café bar is styled to look like a 1930s art deco bistro, and railway memorabilia has been incorporated into the design.

• @ took home those prize points too with a top tweet suggesting a visit to Fredericks Coffee Lounge and Bar in the Jewellery Quarter. You can enjoy sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers or even a curry, and sip a steaming hot cup of coffee prepared by an experienced barista.

• @AstroTour2010 made it into this week’s top 10 with another Twitter vote for the Urban Coffee Co. With friendly staff, and great tasting coffee and food, this independent coffee company is certainly popular with travellers to Birmingham.

• @GDRichards railroaded his way into our top ten this week a top Twitter suggestion to try the tapas and espressos at Café Ikon in Brindley Place. This contemporary, chic café is situated within the Ikon Gallery, so it’s perfect for hungry art lovers visiting the city.

• @rh23rh23 pulled in the last of this week’s prize points with a top tweet recommending Saints, an independent coffee shop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. And with tasty treats like home-made Nutella-filled donuts on offer, we can see why it’s his top pick.

Congratulations to the winners – and thanks to everyone who took part this week by tweeting their Birmingham cafe recommendations! And if you didn’t win this week’s competition, try again next week and you could pick up some loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets, car hire and hotel accommodation.

Tweet your tips to #RSH Guides, so you can be in with the chance of winning some redspottedhanky.com loyalty points.

Your top 10 Birmingham cafes – #RSH Guides redspottedhanky

Tama - "The Station Master" - Image Credit: Wikipedia, Free Commons

Plenty of people take their pets with them when they’re travelling by train. But sometimes slightly more unusual animals are spotted at railway stations.

Read on for our pick of the funniest pictures and video clips of some surprising station wildlife – and if you’re heading off to the platform soon, don’t forget to check our journey planner for cheap train tickets, car hire and hotel rooms.

Keep moo-ving by taking the train

German commuters were stunned to find a cow waiting at the platform when they arrived at Steinfurt Station in February of this year.

After responding to calls from bemused rail travellers, the police successfully managed to track down the owners of the life-sized model bovine. Bernie Schmidt and his wife, who live near to the station, had been keeping the cow in their garden, as they considered it to be a classier alternative to a garden gnome.

But this unusual garden ornament had been pilfered in the night and placed on the platform for a jape by some – presumably worse for wear – jokesters.

Saddle up, it’s time to take the train

In May 2011, some horsing around at Wrexham Railway Station hit the headlines, after a man was spotted on CCTV trying to board a train to Holyhead, Anglesey, with a four-legged friend in tow.

The conductor refused to let the pair board the train, so they trotted off to the ticket office, where the man tried to buy two tickets – one for him and one for his pony. Unfortunately, horses aren’t allowed to board trains, so they were sent packing.

Purrfect platform etiquette

In Melbourne, a cat called Graeme hit the headlines for his platform antics. Each day, the friendly feline heads off to the station with owner Nicole Weinrich and sees her safely onto her train to work. Then, later in the day, he heads back down there to pick her up and escort her home.

Sometimes, Graeme spends a little extra time at the station, lying in the sun and enjoying attention from the other passengers.

Tama the train station tortoiseshell

Graeme isn’t the first cat to have gained media attention for his train antics. Back in 2007, tortoiseshell cat Tama made the news when she was given the role of Station Master for Kishi Station in Western Japan.

Her role was to sit in front of the station wearing a black station master’s cap and pose for photos with train passengers and tourists – and she was paid with cat food rather than cash.

She was so successful at in increasing passenger numbers (and profits for the previously ailing Kishikawa line) that in 2008, she was promoted to ‘Super Station Master’ and given her own ‘office’ (a converted ticket booth, complete with litter tray). In 2010, she was promoted again to the position of ‘Operating Officer’, making her the first feline executive of a rail company.

In January of this year, Kishi Station unveiled its succession strategy for 12-year old Tama’s role – announcing the employment of an apprentice for the famous feline, ‘Nitama’ – or ‘Second Tama’. You can find out more about Tama by following CNN’s official reports.

Have you got any funny stories about animals at train stations? Please tweet or Facebook us and let us know…

Seriously, on trains … amazing animal antics redspottedhanky

In our weekly competition, 10 train travel fans win £10s worth of redspottedhanky.com loyalty points by tweeting their tips about a set destination to #RSH Guides, for us to share through foursquare. This week, we asked you to tweet us and tell us about your favourite Birmingham restaurants.

Read on to see who won the winners were and find out more about the best places for hungry travellers to get a mouth-watering meal in Birmingham. And don’t forget to share your tips with us using Twitter – you could win loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets, hotel stays or car hire.

• @adamgreene27 took the first of this week’s prize points with a a winning tweet recommending Lasan, an award-winning Indian restaurant in St.Paul’s Square, where you can enjoy delicious food in atmospheric surroundings. And it’s not just @adamgreene27 that rates this Birmingham restaurant highly – Gordon Ramsay named it as the F Word’s Best Local Restaurant in 2010.

• @Manda_1976 won this week too with a top Twitter recommendation to head to The Karczma in Bordesley Street for a taste of Polish cuisine. This charming restaurant is decorated in the style of a Polish country cottage and its menu includes traditional dishes like Hunter’s Stew, pierogi (stuffed dumplings) and pickled herring. It’s just 5 minutes’ walk from Birmingham Moor Street Station too.

• @veritybrown chugged into this week’s top 10 too with a top Twitter tip to dine at The Victoria in John Bright Street. This historic pub specialises in ‘soul food’ and its menu includes Deep South favourites like deep fried crayfish, Cajun chicken and gumbo, as well as burgers and great value combo meals.

• @vmarcher made it into our winners’ list this week with a great tip to try Miller & Carter for tasty steaks at low prices. This contemporary steakhouse in Wharfside Street, Mailbox, overlooks the canal side, so you’ll get great views while you dine – and it’s also within walking distance of Birmingham New Street Station.

• @CallumCollie railroaded his way into our top ten this week with his tweet recommending Bodega on Bennetts Hill, for its fantastic food, cocktails and décor. Its menu includes cuisine from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Cuba, so you can take a culinary tour of South America without leaving the heart of Birmingham.

• @BerryBerryBlues picked up those loyalty points too with a Twitter tip to head to Chaophraya on Spiceal Street, in the Birmingham Bullring, for generously-sized portions of authentic Thai food. The restaurant has a terrace, so you can eat al fresco in the summer, and the dishes are prepared in an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs at work.

• @inspiredscilly steamed into this week’s top 10 with a Twitter vote for The Warehouse Café in Allison Street. Situated close to Birmingham Moor Street Station, this award-winning vegetarian restaurant’s menu is sure to make you want to eat your greens.

• @Sarah_Ly1 also took home those prize points with a top Twitter suggestion to head to Oldbury, just a short train journey from Birmingham, and try Chamberlains for some classic British comfort food – fish and chips. With its homely atmosphere and a menu which also includes dishes like fish pie, scampi, and bread and butter pudding, this restaurant’s a must-visit when you’re in the West Midlands.

• @Saltnvinegar12 won this week too with a top Twitter recommendation to try Chung Yin Garden in Thorp Street for some fabulous Chinese food. One of two Chung Yin restaurants in Birmingham, it’s within walking distance of the city’s New Street Station, so it’s the perfect place for hungry train travellers go to refuel.

• @alwaysbeengreen pulled in the last of this week’s prize points with her top tweet recommending Around the World in 80 Dishes in Brindley Place. This buffet-style restaurant offers Chinese, Indian, Thai, Mexican and Italian food, so there’s something for all tastes.

Congratulations to the winners – and thanks to everyone who took part this week by tweeting their Birmingham restaurant recommendations! And if you didn’t win this week, you’ll get another chance to win loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets, car hire and hotel accommodation next week.

Tweet your tips to #RSH Guides, so you can be in with the chance of winning some redspottedhanky.com loyalty points.

Your top Birmingham restaurants – #RSH Guides redspottedhanky

Take the train to May’s beer festivals and you can sample as many ales and ciders as you like, without needing to worry about how to get home again. And, if you check our journey planner before you travel, you could save enough money to cover your entrance fee too.

Read on to find out more about May’s Rail Ale Trail …

Take the train to Cheltenham…for the Spring Ale and Steam Weekend 2012

Combine your love of real ale with your passion for the rails this month, by heading off to the Spring Ale and Steam Weekend 2012 at Greet, near Cheltenham.

Organised by the North Cotswold branch of CAMRA and now in its fourth year, this fantastic festival takes place at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway’s Winchcombe Station, in the village of Greet, on Saturday 19th May (11 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.) and Sunday 20th May 2012 (11 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.).

Just jump aboard a train to Cheltenham, head to Cheltenham Racecourse and take the steam train to Winchcombe Station to try 24 delicious ales and several ciders and perries. Make sure you hang on to your train ticket though, as you’ll need it to get into the festival.

Take the train to Cambridge…for the 39th Cambridge Beer Festival

The 39th Cambridge Beer Festival takes place on the city’s Jesus Green, just outside of Jesus College, from Monday 21 May until Saturday 26 May 2012. It’s just a 15 minute bus journey from Cambridge Railway Station to Jesus Green, so it’s easy for anyone taking a train to Cambridge to get there.

Organised by the Cambridge & District branch of CAMRA, the Cambridge Beer Festival is the longest running CAMRA beer festival in the UK, and it’s also the UK’s largest regional beer festival. If you head off to this year’s event – the theme for which is ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’ – you’ll be able to choose from more than 200 ales, 60 ciders and perries, and a selection of foreign beers, wines and meads.

You can also taste a range of British cheeses, as well as pork pies, bread and other savoury snacks, at the festival’s famous CAMRA cheese counter.

Take the train to Stockport…for the 26th Stockport Beer and Cider Festival

Jump on board a train to Stockport and head to Edgeley Park, home of Stockport County F.C. and the Sale Sharks, for the 26th Stockport Beer and Cider Festival. Edgeley Park is just ten minutes’ walk from Stockport Railway Station, so it’s simple to get there when you travel by train.

The festival, which is organised by CAMRA, takes place from 31 May – 2 June 2012, and there’ll be more than 80 different beers, as well as ciders and perries, on offer at each session.

You can also enjoy some great live entertainment, including performances by: Manchester-based Ska band, The Uplifters; Wigan-based folk rock band, Merry Hell; and critically acclaimed blues singer Connie Lush and her band, Blues Shouter.

Other May 2012 beer festivals

You can also:

• Hop on board a train to Lincoln for the Lincoln Beer Festival (24 – 26 May 2012).

• Take the train to Aberdeen for this year’s Aberdeen & North East Beer Festival – also known as the 26th Great Grampian Beer Festival – (31 May – 2 June 2012).

Richard Jones, the festival organiser, told us: “The 26th annual festival is designed to permit discerning drinkers to sample a wide range of the best Real Ale that the UK has to offer. Over 100 different Real Ales are being supplied by more than 70 different breweries from throughout the UK. Styles range from the darker stouts and porters to delicate milds, and from robust barley wines to light pilsner style ales as well as fruit and wheat beers. In addition there will be a wide range of ciders and perries available together with some of the finest bottled continental beers. So with over 14,000 pints being dispensed in 3 days, there should be enough choice to satisfy everyone. The entry fee includes a commemorative beer festival glass sporting both festival and showcase brewery logos. This special glass can be used for free re-entry to the festival at later sessions. ”

• Jump aboard a train to Southampton for the Southampton Beer Festival (31 May – 2 June 2012).

Will you be taking the train to a beer festival by train this May? Which is your favourite beer festival? Tweet or Facebook us and let us know ….

Wet Your Whistle on May’s Rail Ale Trail redspottedhanky

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations begin this month, with the Diamond Jubilee Pageant – so get in the mood for a right royal knees-up with the redspottedhanky.com book club.

Read on to discover our top five royal train reads. And, if you’re planning to head off for some Jubilee fun this summer, check out our journey planner for cheap train tickets before you travel.

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant taking place in the grounds of Windsor Castle on 11 – 13 May and the main celebrations kicking off at the beginning of June, it’s time to start getting into the Jubilee spirit – so pick up one of our top five royal literary gems to take with you on your next train journey.

1. Sixty Glorious Years: Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee, 1952-2012 – Victoria Murphy

As the Daily Mirror’s Royal Reporter, Victoria Murphy is in the perfect position to create an insightful and revealing portrait of Her Maj – and she does just that in this beautiful new book.

‘Sixty Glorious Years: Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee, 1952-2012′ may be a little bulkier than your traditional train reading material, but it features more than 300 images from the Daily Mirror’s archives, as well as interviews with people close to the Queen, little-known facts and information documenting the changes in the world during her reign. So it’s sure to keep you occupied until you get to your destination.

2. The Untold Life of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother – Lady Colin Campbell

This new biography of the Queen Mum caused a storm in the run-up to its release last month. Lady Colin Campbell’s controversial claim that the nation’s beloved Queen Mother, who passed away in 2002, was actually the daughter of her family’s French cook, Marguerite Rodiere, was fiercely disputed by other royal experts, including Hugo Vickers, the writer and broadcaster, and author Michael Thornton.

This isn’t the first time that Lady Colin Campbell has caused a ruckus with a royal release. She published two biographies of Diana, Princess of Wales, containing scandalous stories about the princess and her marriage to Prince Charles, both of which infuriated other experts too.

If you want to know what all the fuss is about, pick up a copy to take on your next train trip and see what you think of it.

3. Wallis: The Uncommon Life of the Duchess of Windsor – Greg King

Whether you’re just an incurable romantic or watching ‘The King’s Speech’ (2010) and ‘W.E.’ (2011) made you want to find out more the life of the American divorcee who captured the heart of King Edward VIII, resulting in his decision to abdicate the throne, this is the book for you.

Greg King presents an unbiased view of Wallis Simpson, based on historical documents and interviews with people who knew her, to produce a fascinating account of the facts and the fiction surrounding the woman at the centre of the most famous royal love story in modern British history.

4. The Autobiography of Henry VIII – Margaret George

For a fictional take on royal history, try Margaret George’s historical novel, ‘The Autobiography of Henry VIII’. You can download the Kindle version from Amazon now and the paperback version is due to be released on May 10 2012.

Interestingly, that’s the same day as Hilary Mantel’s ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ – the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 Man Booker prize-winning Wolf Hall – which also fictionalises the reign of Henry VIII, is scheduled for release, so fans of the Tudor period can compare the two.

Margaret George’s novel, which is written from the King’s point of view, has had rave reviews on sites like Amazon, so it’s a must for anyone planning to indulge in a spot of royal reading this month.

The Queen’s Knickers – Nicholas Allan

If you’re looking for the perfect picture book to keep your little one occupied on the train this month, Nicholas Allan’s ‘The Queen’s Knickers’ is sure to fit the bill. This charming book takes you on a journey into a little girl’s imagination, as she wonders which knickers the Queen will wear on a school visit.

And don’t worry – Her Maj clearly isn’t offended at all this interest in the royal underwear collection. Earlier this year, on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she headed off to Dersingham Infant and Nursery School, where she was greeted by a class of three and four year olds keen to show her the display of decorated royal bloomers that they had made.

Her Maj was clearly amused – although prior to her trip, Buckingham Palace did advise the school that the children didn’t need to ask the Queen what she was wearing that day.

Do you have any royal rail reading recommendations? Are you reading along with us every month? Tweet us and let us know …

RSH Book Club: 5 royal reads to take on the train redspottedhanky

In our weekly competition, 10 train-goers win £10′s worth of redspottedhanky.com loyalty points by tweeting their tips about a set destination to #RSH Guides, for us to share through foursquare. This week, we asked you to tweet us with your favourite days out in Manchester.

Read on for this week’s winning tips and to find out where to go and what to do when you’re in Manchester. And don’t forget to share your tips with us via Twitter – you could win loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets, hotel stays or car hire.

• @tijeno made it into our winners’ list this week with a top Twitter tip to try the Museum of Science and Industry where you’ll find a 4D cinema, a Steam School and exhibits chronicling Manchester’s past as an industrial power-house. What’s more, as this top-notch museum is housed in Liverpool Road Station, the world’s oldest railway station, it’s a must-visit for train fans too.

• @rx00xEMMAx00x picked up those loyalty points too with her great tip to sample the city’s shopping scene, stopping by the Red Hot Buffet for lunch. With salads, seafood, carvery fayre, sushi and more on the menu, you’ll definitely be fuelled to shop until you drop.

• @AngelaDickson also won those loyalty points for her Twitter tip to head to the Chill Factore where you can learn to ski and snowboard on the UK’s longest and widest indoor slopes. You can also sledge, climb and air board here too. And it’s all on real snow.

• @ryath89 picked up those prize points too with a winning tweet to try the Museum of Science and Industry – its second entry on our top 10. @Ryath89 says it’s a must-see as it’s free to visit, keeps the kids entertained and dishes-up great grub.

• @LTsteamfan chugged into this week’s top 10 with a great Twitter tip to take the Metro to Bury and hop on board a restored heritage steam or diesel train on a 12-mile trip over the West Pennine Moors at the East Lancashire Railway. The Railway will be running special events like Rail Ale trips and 40s weekends – so check their website to see what’s on when you’re next in Manchester.

• @ukheather also won those loyalty points with a Twitter reminder to head to the Trafford Centre – the sporting ground of Manchester’s dapper footballers and their glamorous wives and girlfriends.

• @muskrat16 made it into this week’s picks too with a top tweet to get physical at Heaton Park – where you can take a guided walk, go orienteering and even row a boat.

• @itsjustste railroaded his way into our top ten this week with a Twitter tip to treat yourself to a Nando’s at the Arndale Centre – the UK’s largest city shopping centre. And with hundreds of shops to pop into, you’ll definitely be in need of lunch or dinner.

• @northern_lauren steamed into this week’s top 10 with her Twitter suggestion directing us to The Hidden Gem Church, the John Rydland Library, Manchester Town Hall and Manchester Cathedral for a glimpse into Manchester’s history and architecture.

• @donzersdiatribe pulled in the last of this week’s prize points with a great tip to visit Ordsall Hall – a lovely, recently renovated stately home that’s said to be haunted by the ghost of ‘the white lady’ – who you can find tweeting too.

Congratulations to this week’s winners – and thanks for all of your great Manchester day out recommendations! And if you didn’t win this week, don’t worry – we’ll be giving you another chance to win loyalty points to put towards cheap train tickets next week too.

Don’t forget to tweet your tips to #RSH Guides next week, so you can be in with the chance of winning some redspottedhanky.com loyalty points.

Your top 10 days out in Manchester – #RSH Guides redspottedhanky

It’s nearly time to get your running gear on and race to the platform. The Sunderland City 10K takes place on 6 May 2012. This year, it’s got a companion too – the first ever Marathon of the North – and Redspottedhanky.com is sponsoring both events.

Read on to find out more – and if you’re heading up north for the big day, make sure you hot-foot it to our journey planner first for cheap train tickets.

Last year, thousands of runners headed out in the heat for the inaugural Sunderland City 10K, raising masses of money for both local and national charities in the process.

Redspottedhanky.com is proud to be sponsoring this fantastic event again this year – and we’re hoping that even more cash will be raised for deserving causes, including our partner charity, Railway Children, in 2012.

This year, a new event’s being into the race-day fold – the first ever Marathon of the North – and we’re sponsoring that too. So grab your running shoes, pick up your water bottles and head to Sunderland on May 6 to be part of the action.

The Sunderland City 10k

Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, young or old, planning to run for fitness or for charity, the Sunderland 10K is the race for you.

Taking part in the Sunderland 10K will also give you the opportunity to discover Sunderland and see some of its most famous landmarks.

The race – due to begin at 10.15 a.m. on Sunday May 6 2012 – begins and ends at the Stadium of Light, one of the most highly regarded football stadiums in Europe and the home of Sunderland AFC. The race route takes runners across the River Wear by way of the Monkwearmouth Bridge and into the city centre.

Participants will then run through Mowbray Park – a Victorian municipal park known for its sculptures, which also offers superb views of the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens – and on through the newly renovated and now fashionable Sunniside Area of the city.

The route then continues along the riverside, through the University of Sunderland Campus, around the Sunderland Marina and along the shoreline, before heading through the city’s famous Roker Park and back into the Stadium of Light.

For a taste of the race day atmosphere, take a look at our Sunderland 10K 2011 photo gallery or watch the video below:

The Marathon of the North

The inaugural Marathon of the North – the first major road marathon to take place in the North of England – is due to kick off at 9.15 on Sunday May 6 2012.

This new race will be a true test of any runner’s stamina and is likely to attract competitors from all over the world. The Marathon of the North’s 26.2 mile route incorporates the Sunderland 10K route and, like the shorter race, starts and ends in the Stadium of Light.

For more information and to download a pdf of the route, visit the Marathon of the North website.

Getting there by train

Although car parking spaces are available at the Stadium of Light on race day, they’re likely to fill up quickly and, with some of the city’s roads closed for the event, travelling to Sunderland by train is a far better option.

Getting to the event is simple when you travel by rail – just take the train to Sunderland Railway Station and hop on the Metro to get to the Stadium of Light.

And don’t forget to check our journey planner for cheap tickets before you set off – you could use the money you save to off-set some of the entry fee or use it to kick-start your charity fundraising. And if you aren’t running, you could use it to sponsor someone else who is.

Will you be heading off to the Sunderland 10K or the Marathon of the North? Let us know by leaving a comment below…

Run for charity at the Sunderland City 10k and the Marathon of the North redspottedhanky

Holidaying in Britain by rail can really take the hassle out of travelling for you and your pet, as there are no pet passports or immunisation jabs needed and your favourite feline or pooch can sit alongside you on the train.

But, as some hotels don’t accept animal guests, it can be tricky to know where to go for a pet-friendly break. There’s no need to worry though, as Donna Wilkinson from Best Western Hotels – a hotel group with 109 pet-friendly properties in the UK – has shared her tips with us on where to take your pet on holiday. Just remember to check our journey planner for cheap tickets before you and your pet hop on board, holiday-bound …

Donna says: “Pets are much more than ‘man’s best friend’; they are an integral part of the family, so why not take the whole family on your next holiday?”

“Travelling with pets has become increasingly popular and demand is growing for pet-friendly hotel packages and facilities. As a nation of animal-lovers, more and more hotels in the UK are welcoming and catering for our four-legged friends.”

“So when you fancy a short break or a change of scene, forget the hassle of organising pet friendly certificates and passports, and consider what the UK has to offer.”

“Britain has some incredible landscapes to set the perfect backdrop for your enjoyable dog walks. Whether you fancy wandering along Cornish beaches or hiking over purple heather on a Scottish moor, there are numerous UK holiday destinations that welcome animals.”

“Why not try a trip to the Lake District, with its picturesque scenery and miles of footpaths to suit every walker. The pet-friendly Best Western Ambleside Salutation Hotel is in the heart of the English Lake District, just one mile from Lake Windermere. With charming local attractions waiting to be explored, this is the ideal location for those who want to live rural life to the full.”

“Or if you prefer seaside strolls, try the costal resorts of Cornwall or Devon. The family run Best Western Hotel Bristol in Newquay welcomes pets to their cliff-top hotel that overlooks the golden sands of Tolcarne beach. This relaxing retreat provides a great tour base, with Cornwall offering a number of beauty spots and attractions.”

“Alternatively, the tranquil surroundings of Best Western Studley Castle Hotel, set deep in the Warwickshire countryside, boasts a 28-acre estate – ideal for your furry companion. This stunning setting near Birmingham has plenty to entertain the kids too, with a host of nearby attractions including Cadbury’s World, West Midlands safari park and Warwick Castle.”

“So whether you prefer the countryside, beside the coast or in a national park, just pick up the lead and explore the best UK destinations with the entire family.”

What are your favourite pet-friendly holiday hot-spots? Please leave us a comment and let us know …

Best Western’s guide to pet-friendly holiday spots … redspottedhanky