The National Trust’s parks, historic houses, buildings and gardens are opening for free for a weekend in March to give the British public a “spring bonus”.

National Trust properties will be open to the public free of charge on March 20th and 21st this year. People will also be able to park for free at all of the car parks giving  access to miles of coastline and thousands of acres of countryside.

Members of the public will be able to download a voucher from the National Trust’s website, giving them free access to sites and car parks, while existing members will be able to take advantage of a special offer over the weekend.  To download the voucher visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bonus

Source: Yorkshire Evening Post

The cruise liner Queen Mary 2 is currently docked in Greenock (Glasgow) as part of a tour of the British coast to celebrate the 151,400 tonne ship’s fifth birthday.

A viewing area has been set up at the Ocean Terminal to allow onlookers the chance to see the enormous $800 million cruise ship. A firework display will mark the departure of the ship. The Queen Mary 2, operated by Cunard, is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower (984 ft) at 1,132 feet and is currently the World’s largest ocean liner (until the 225,000 tonne Oasis of the Seas becomes operational in November 2009).

Source: UK Press Association