Category: Plymouth

Happy Hampers #HolidayMatters | Having Fun With Your Holiday Food

Posted on by Strathmore House
mix of food on stall

Holidays Matter – Edition ONE!

On the one hand; when you think about holidays the last thing that springs to mind is being a slave to the stove!

Eating out when you are on holiday is the best way to avoid cooking. Yet this can end up being pretty expensive if it’s done every night. It can sometimes feel rushed and less personal. Plus for many,  after consecutive nights out, it can leave you craving a simple home-cooked meal.

So, the question is:

How Do We Add FUN Into Holiday Food?

In order to get some top tips and great advice we seek the help of the Executive Chef who works for the Family portfolio in which Strathmore House Apartments is part of.

Paul Doidge has been cooking up a storm in Plymouth for many years and so knows only too well what a great addition sensational food can play in any experience; especially holidays.

“One of the greatest attributes of a serviced apartment is the kitchen facilities. I’m obviously an advocate for eating out, especially in one of our three restaurants: Steve’s Brasserie, The Dock, Kuku Sushi Bar and Robata and The Mission, but I also know the sensational feeling of feeding friends and family and creating those amazing dining room table moments. These moments then lead on into an evening of laughter and fun. Then they become memories that last a lifetime, creating stories that come out year after year!”

Paul Doidge 

A Full Kitchen Doesn’t Automatically Mean A Fun One!

Our serviced apartments boast a full kitchen; from pots, pans; utensils, fridge, freezer, microwave, oven and everything else you might possibly need to become a holiday chef. Yet although you have everything you need to hand; the real question is: how do you stop getting caught between wanting to create an archive of memories through your food and not wearily churning out meal after meal, day after day like we do at home?

“For me, I enjoy every aspect of cooking. But that doesn’t mean I don’t understand  being a ‘slave to the stove’ isn’t on the top of everyone’s holiday itinerary! The thing is; you don’t have to be a Michelin star chef to enjoy making tasty meals that everyone will enjoy, with a delectable array of quick and healthy dishes. If you want to have a truly triumphant summer holiday cooking experience, take my 5 Top Tips to gain haste over effort; to have fun and to perhaps even change the way you feel about cooking as a whole.”

Paul Doidge 

Get The Top Tips Now!

So – it would seem if we can nail holiday cooking, we can perhaps have a new relationship with cooking in our kitchens at home! Who knew we could get so much from our serviced apartment experience!

Click HERE for Paul’s 5 Top Tips in our printable, screenshotable help sheet.

The experiences that you have whilst staying with us really matter. So does your time in our beautiful Ocean City.  If we can give you any further news, views or reviews that you think will help; we would love to hear from you.

 

A Colourful City By The Sea…

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Local Art

Beauty Comes In All Colours…

Strathmore House Apartments are in a city that is often talked about for its contrasting beauty. The wild colours of nature in and around The Hoe. With the rich greens and primary colour from the infamous children’s play area.

Then, when you look out you see the turquoise sea and the branded ferries crossing the shores. Not forgetting the famous red and white of Smeaton’s Tower of course!

Travel inland and you will see the glittering grey of the city centre and sensational stone work in and around The Royal Citadel. Royal William Yard and The Millfield’s. Parts of which date back 1665 and earlier!

Yet, if on this grey day in the middle of summer you still feel a little gloomy; Plymouth has got a solution.

Let your imagination stray to the vibrant colours gifted by amazing artists adding an array of beauty and vivid richness to the corners of Britain’s Ocean City:

 

Local Art

An art revolution is happening in Plymouth…

Here you will find a recent post outlining the beautiful creations and murals that have been created all over the city – with artists having one common purpose: making our city more colourful…

Source: Plymouth Live. 

Why Plymouth Has The Best Christmas Market…

Posted on by Strathmore House
two ladies at Christmas

Festive markets are a fixture in many of our reasons for loving Christmas time!

They have been a calendar event for years. But recently they really do dominated our November and December schedules.

Almost every town and city now hold a Festive Market. Some big, some small. All offering the same atmospheric riches that can only be found during this picturesque time of year.

Here at Strathmore House Apartments, we LOVE Christmas and we LOVE the Plymouth Christmas Market too!

Each year, we are welcoming more and more guests. Returning to soak in the atmosphere and purchase some unique hand-made gifts for loved ones.

So for all those early birds who love to plan ahead, here are our top THREE reasons why:

We LOVE our Christmas Market by the sea...

That Festive Feeling…

With the sparkling lights, the smell of cinnamon filling the air, the festive tunes jingling in the background and the mulled wine flowing…the atmosphere of a Christmas Market, especially our Christmas Market, is the stuff of Little Women and Enid Blyton tales!

Carol singers, Christmas treats and traders sharing their crafts; it’s the perfect way of treating yourself to a less stressful Christmas Shopping excursion! A shopping trip fuelled with niceness and smiles, not elbows and frowns!

For much of the year, when we shop, we mostly choose convenience. Be that online, in Malls and out of town for parking ease or in supermarkets while we buy our bread and milk. Christmas Markets are an amazing time of year to support local crafts and independent traders and retailers, as well as high-streets.  Independent retailers are facing their toughest battles, not only as they are now competing with an army of online providers, but also the ever changing landscape of Britain’s high streets.

If you haven’t been to the Plymouth Christmas Market, make this year the first year you do. Not only will the atmosphere blow you away and feel sensational, the feeling you get when you make a purchase from someone with passion about their product or craft (or both) is the stuff that Christmas is really made of!

If this is to be your first year; we are certain it won’t be your last!

The FOOD…

Words will NEVER do the food scene in Plymouth justice at any time of the year – but especially at Christmas!

Never could you ever describe the taste, the smell and the satisfaction of the hearty, winter warming delights!

It’s not just the street food either that will blow your mind and fill your belly!  It’s not just the tasty German bratwursts, the roasted chestnuts or the homemade pastries from the market itself; oh no! The local restaurants, cafes and bakeries pull out all the stops to ensure you are fully sated for your shopping experience.

What’s more, if you are staying at Strathmore House Apartments you don’t have to worry about the drive home! You are just a short stroll away from the action.  So, you can wash all the amazing food down and warm your cockles with a mug of mulled wine whilst you continue shopping, for a truly sumptuous additional Christmas experience.

There’s nothing more enjoyable than walking around the market sampling the delicious Christmas offerings, whilst buying some extras for your Christmas Day treats.

The Joy Of Giving The Perfect Gift…

Christmas is the time for giving; it’s a time for thinking about the very best item for that very dear someone. It could be £1 or £100 – gifts are not about the price tag but about the thought.

What better way to say ‘ I saw this and thought of you’ than with a local gift, from a talented and passionate person, selling not only their product, but giving you a little piece of themselves while they do.

The great thing about any market is that when you wander around, seeing the amazing creations, you naturally feel inspired to ask questions. Then you get to hear all about the where, the when and the whys. So not only do you then take home the present, you also take home the narrative. When you share this with the gift, you have the perfect pair!

A handmade gift from a Christmas Market; whether that’s traditional crafts, scented soaps, candy and chocolate, unusual Christmas cards, to your favourite person’s favourite tipple, there really is something special for every special someone.

Whilst you are here, why not think about a little gift to yourself? Add a special something to your Christmas list, for your Christmas tree!

A gift or perhaps a new tradition; a little Christmas decoration for decorating your tree, then you will always be reminded of your special trip by the sea.

 

 

Shop ‘Till You Drop In Plymouth…

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Shopping In Plymouth…

With an array of fantastic cultural offers, visitor attractions, stunning views and excellent shops; Plymouth is a lovely city for visiting…but also for shopping!

Whether it’s for things to wear, to hang on your walls or collections pieces to add to your interiors; shopping in Plymouth has it all.

It’s not just the city centre that has some great finds either;  scattered around the city in placed like Stoke, Millbridge, The Barbican and Mutley are some great little streets packed with beautiful independent boutiques and interesting finds.

Whether for a city break or for a week long stay; you will find some of the best shops, stalls, vintage outlets, quirky pop-ups and of course Drakes Circus, our mall.

Enjoy your city break in one of the most beautiful destinations and treat yourself to a new wardrobe while your at it!

Strathmore House Apartments are in the perfect location to really make the most of Plymouth…with plenty of wardrobe space to hang your fabulous new finds!

 

A City Wide Celebration…

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A cleaner, brighter, better  tomorrow in Plymouth…

There is nothing like a city with pride and a city with purpose. Here at Strathmore House Apartments we take great pride in celebrating our beautiful city and its successes.

The success today comes in the form of a very big cause for celebration. Plymouth has once again been on a mission to create positive change for the future. We are always striving to make tomorrow better than today. Yet again through hard work, collaboration, willpower and passion our city by the sea has realised another goal.

It’s not just the amazing campaigners in Plymouth that have been celebrating this week; the entire community was filled with pride when it was announced that Plymouth had been awarded Plastic Free Community.  This is a status that really recognises the hard work of partners across the city who have made it their mission to reduce single use plastics and tackle plastic pollution.

As a city we pride ourselves on our ability to engage with cross-sector collaboration. The Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City Plastics Task Group is a great example of how this form of collaboration brings such richness to a city. The Task Group has been made up of a wide range of partners, from across all sectors including the voluntary, statutory, public and private sector.

Great British Spring Clean…

The news also followed a successful Great British Spring Clean. A clean that included almost 600 volunteers, they all took part in litter picks and beach cleans across Plymouth. Together they collected 1079 bags of litter on the way. The events were coordinated by local community groups Clean Our Patch and Plymouth Beach Clean Volunteers. Interestingly, the oldest item found was a crisp packet dating back to 1973!

The campaign to raise awareness of the misuse of single use plastics has been warmly welcomed by everyone involved to date … and shows no sign of slowing down!

More Information & How To Get Involved:

For more information you can follow the link and read the many highlights and successes.

Travelling Solo In Plymouth…

Posted on by Strathmore House
Girl sat on a ramp looking out to sea

Staff Have Their Say…

We hear from our Development Manager, Elinor Eaton, on why solo travelling in Plymouth is a wonderful thing…

Nomadic Desires…

When you talk to some people about your travel bugs and nomadic desires they look confused by the concept. Especially when you add ‘solo travelling’!

Why would you? Does no one want to go with you? What will you do?

This is definitely not a generational thing, more just about lifestyle choices and personal preferences. When it comes to choosing where, when and how you holiday – well it really doesn’t get more personal than that!

Whether its time or money – we are investing in our holidays. If you’re lucky you get one or two a year and so we REALLY should choose what’s best for us. The choice is limitless today. In hours we can be anywhere, exploring, adventuring and filling our mind with memories that will last a lifetime.

For some it will be a sunny holiday package, lazing by the pool and soaking up the sangria! For others it will be an adventure that is not fully planned but that is, without doubt, an exploration and a step into the unknown.

From discovering more about yourself, testing your being or finding new friends (after all, strangers are just friends you haven’t made yet – right!?) these reasons, along with many more, are why I choose and chose to travel alone.

The Thrill…

From 1999 to today, there is little I enjoy more than travelling and exploring alone. Be that for months with a back pack or a simple day trip – exploring a place, and yourself at the same time, is one of my favourite things to do.

Although I may sound bias, as it’s my home town, Plymouth is probably one of the best destinations for solo adventures: friendly people, amazing food and so much to see and do. Plus there are so many other beautiful towns and cities all within close distances.

Why Plymouth…

Plymouth is also quite possibly one of the easiest cities to explore thanks to its excellent public transport system, be that on the water, on the road or on tracks!

Walking around Plymouth is also one of the best ways to really see how diverse Britain’s Ocean City truly is. There’s ‘The Yard’ which is home to the largest collection of Grade 1 Listed Naval buildings in Europe. The Millfields; which from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Falklands conflict was the site of a Royal Naval hospital for almost 250 years. Then of course Plymouth Sound; the award winning marinas; the Hoe; Barbican and so much more!

It’s impossible to get bored in Plymouth and really easy to refuel with numerous coffee shops, shacks and restaurants.

Our city by the sea really is a great destination for both the seasoned solo traveller and those wanting to embark on their very first adventure. Whether you are lovers of nature or into urban living, there are tons of reasons to fall in love with solo travelling in Plymouth.

Stay With Us…

No matter what your travelling preferences, here at Strathmore House Apartments you can be sure of a warm welcome and a safe place to rest your head after your wonderful adventures in Plymouth.

How To Find The Best Holiday Apartments In Plymouth…

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Booking a holiday apartment offers the chance to save money on costs whilst experience a unique property in a beautiful city.

But with so many to choose from, in a market saturated with opportunity, how do you know which one to choose?

Here are some handy hints and things to look out for when looking for the best apartment in Plymouth…

Keeping Your Costs Down:

With prices starting at just £70 a night in many serviced apartments, they can be great value for money. At Strathmore House Apartments we have 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments; so anything up to 8 adults can share the cost of their stay. Making it a super and cost effective way to holiday.

Look Out For:  Apartments with a fully fitted kitchen like ours are a great bonus. You can save on those meals out and drinks bills that soon add up!

Space To Play:

It’s certainly not uncommon to have lots of space in a serviced apartment. All of our apartments are full units – so you get bedrooms, living spaces, dining areas, kitchens and bathrooms. The rooms and layouts offered differ between apartments, but they are all light and airy with plenty of room.

Look Out For: Check what your apartments come with. Inside our apartments we cater handsomely for all of your needs; fully fitted kitchens, linens and towels, TV’s and hairdryers – we offer the perfect home from home service. Check before you leave what you will and won’t need to take. Also be aware that some (not us!)  have additional charges for towels and linens.

Privacy Matters:

Serviced apartment buildings as a rule will typically be smaller than hotels. This means that the overall number of people in the building will be far fewer. There obviously then isn’t the same amount of public areas, or additional functions happening, so this also reflects a more home from home experience. This is a great way of feeling like a real local in your new city! Our apartments all have their own entrance, so you really can close yourself away and have your own private piece of Plymouth!

Look Out For: If privacy is important always check if you have shared access to any facilities. If it’s not clear, always contact them before you book – just to double check.  It’s also really good to look at the apartments Frequently Asked Questions. You sometimes find questions you haven’t thought of that are really useful to know.

Airbnb It:

As a ‘Superhost’ on Airbnb it has become a great tool for us to connect with our guests.  Airbnb’s impact on the way we travel has been huge over the last few years, so much so that some city authorities are starting to clamp down on private rentals.

What we love about Airbnb is that it now features great local experiences too.

Look Out For: On Airbnb, when you are ready to book, you are sending a request to the host to book a reservation – you are not making a booking at this time.  Make sure you are fully aligned with where you are with your reservation and booking.

Booking online has never been easier, with great access to the very best deals available and reviews at your fingertips. Don’t forget, when booking your apartments, like any bookings, you will always get the best value when you book direct.

It’s Not Just For Vegans…

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Plymouth Vegan Festival | Saturday 6th July 2019

10.30am – 4.30pm | Plymouth Guildhall

The Vegan Society has estimated that the number of vegans in the UK has grown fourfold in the past four years from 150,000 to 600,000! However, t’s not just Vegans that are enjoying the plethora of new options on the market! Many non-vegans are choosing vegan options too. This is in part due to the great new tastes and innovative recipes. An example of this is the notable boom in oat and nut milks in coffee shops across the nation.

With the appetite for vegan products increasing, a designated festival is a winner for all! It’s set to be an exciting day at The Plymouth Guildhall on  Saturday 6th July. 

The Plymouth Vegan Festival will be a one stop shop for vegan essentials, with over 70 stalls, free samples and the entire day programmed with informative and interesting talks as well as inspirational cookery demos.

Entry is just £3 payable on the day on the door (under 16’s free) or there is also £15 VIP tickets that you can book in advance from eventbrite which include fast track entry and a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers.

For more information, to book a stall, learn about sponsorship or to volunteer email veganeventsuk@gmail.com.

**Looking for a place to enjoy some vegan food, check out Steve’s Brasserie and their latest menus! 

Life’s A Beach!

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people sat on a beach with wine

Beach Holidays In The UK…

We might not enjoy the sunshine of the Mediterranean or the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, but it’s easy to forget that the UK is home to some truly beautiful coastlines.

Plymouth for one is surrounded by golden sandy beaches. Beaches that are recognised for being some of the very best in the UK. Perfect for rock-pooling, swimming and surfing alike.

To add additional adventure to your beach day, you can get there by ferry! Just hop on and in a short ride from the city is Barn Pool at Mount Edgcumbe. It’s a highly popular place for families and tourists to visit and has the most amazing views across the Estuary and Plymouth.

Then there are the glorious sandy beaches of Bovisands and Wembury. Both just a 15 – 20 minute drive from Strathmore House Apartments.   Wembury is a beautiful beach, owned by the National Trust, which is just as beautiful on a misty winter’s day as it is in the summer heat and is great for rock pooling. Bovisands is a sheltered bay of yellow sand with cliffs either side, this popular beach has a large expanse of flat sand when the tide is out, making it perfect for games.

As areas of outstanding natural beauty, these destinations are very popular with locals and families.

Once a haven for smugglers, you also have the quaint twin Cornish villages  of Kingsand and  Cawsand. They are totally worth the half hour boat trip from the Barbican. You’ll find secluded beaches, delightful walks and a warm welcome in the pubs and cafes.

If beach holidays in the UK is your thing; then Plymouth and Strathmore House Apartments really do hold something very special!

Where should I stay when visiting Plymouth…

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sea and green grass

Alpaca & Llama Walks on Dartmoor, boat cruises and sea tours on Plymouth Sound and so much more!

“Where should I stay when visiting..?”  This phrase is one of the most typed in searches in Google for any holiday destination.

Probably as our holiday destinations are often chosen as we want to visit them because we have heard about the riches they have to offer. It could be perhaps an event we want to attend, an activity we want to explore, a building we want to see, the vista we want to breath in or to see our family and friends. But rarely, very rarely do we book a destination for the accommodation we will be staying in.

A home from home…

So, accommodation then becomes an urgency!! Our destination is chosen … but where will we stay?

Getting the right location; the right services; best price; a feel right for us … all things that can take top level planning and researching; especially if you aren’t familiar with the city or area you are visiting.

We have to hand the most amazing research tool going. We have the internet! Home to news, views, reviews and top tips on where you should stay and why you should stay there. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy or straightforward.

Strathmore House Apartments; Serviced Apartments On The Hoe…

Here at Strathmore House Apartments, we know that your holiday (be it two nights, two weeks or two months) is one of the most important and cherished times of the year. We also know that our city is rather remarkable!

Within either walking distance or a short drive you have everything and more on offer. Everything you could wish for your holiday!

Alpaca & Llama Walks on Dartmoor, boat cruises and sea tours on Plymouth Sound and so much more!

We know Britain’s Ocean City won’t let you down, and we hope that with our location, our warm welcome and our amazing facilities – we won’t let you down either.

So when you ask “Where should I stay when visiting Plymouth”, make sure you consider our serviced apartments and all they have to offer.