Travel
03 November 2009
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| Marina takes flight at Bodyflight in Clapham. |
WHETHER your childhood superhero is Robin Hood, Superman or Agent 13, you can emulate all three on an adventure weekend in Bedfordshire.
During an action-packed two days, I fulfilled my superpower dream of flying and shot rifles and arrows in a manner Maid Marian would have approved of.
There are plenty of options in the county for superhero wannabes and those who also want a little relaxation.
Sporting Targets in Riseley is a great venue for corporate weekends or hen and stag do's with conference and catering facilities.
One of the biggest clay pigeon shooting clubs in the country, the 36-acre facility offers dune buggies, quad bikes and 4x4s for off-roading, as well as a whole host of shooting ranges for all abilities.
It is so big you can borrow a golf buggy to get around but the club has an intimate feel and members enjoy a hearty meal and cup of tea in the bar after practice.
We tried clay pigeon shooting, rifles and archery with expert instructors Fletch and Rob, who encouraged us and were patient as we got the hang of the various targets.
Pulling the trigger - and particularly hitting the target - was a great yet simple pleasure and adrenaline release away from the city.
Tess can cater for your party's individual requirements and can even place pictures of your in-laws for shooting targets if the stresses of the big day prove too much for bride or groom.
Bodyflight in nearby Clapham is the UK's first and world's largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel and is a great gift for anyone who dreams of flying. We had two, one minute 15 second flights, which seem like forever when you are trying to hold the flying position while being blown around by the hurricane force. The second time the wind seemed to be turned down and I managed to hold my position and enjoy the rather strange sensation of flying.
After the excitement of the day, we were happy to head back to our hotel, The Embankment, right on the banks of the River Great Ouse. The mock-Tudor pub building was given a new lease of life in March when it reopened after refurbishment. It is now a stylish and warm hotspot welcoming a young crowd to its bar on weekend nights as well as families staying in the opulent rooms.
It is cosy without being twee and the restaurant serves up an eclectic range of dishes with lots of tempting specials from French chef Christophe Perney.
If you need to unwind, therapists can visit you in your room and offer a range of reasonably priced treatments.
I am normally a connoisseur of weekend breaks abroad, but with a wealth of attractions on my doorstep, a local break is very tempting. And you don't need a superpower to get there - we reached Bedford in 40 minutes from Kings Cross by train, making a day trip possible.
Travel Tips
STAY
Embankment Hotel
www.embankmentbedford.
co.uk
ACTIVITIES
www.sportingtargets.co.uk
www.bodyflight.co.uk
MORE INFORMATION
www.visiteastofengland.com.