Sudeley Castle Costume Exhibition
Historic Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, is celebrating its long association with British royalty in a new exhibition. The ‘Six Wives at Sudeley Castle Costume Exhibition’ features costumes associated with David Starkey’s television series ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’ and has specially commissioned mannequins displayed throughout the Castle apartments, depicting Henry and his wives. Rochester Dickens Festival
The city where Victorian novelist Charles Dickens lived and wrote will mark the 25th anniversary of its festival in his honour this summer. The Rochester Dickens Festival (May 29 – June 1), held annually in the historic Kent city 30 miles south-east of London, is being extended from three to four days, including parades of costumed characters daily, guided walks and talks.
'Two for the price of One' at Tartan Weaving Mill & Exhibition, Edinburgh
Visit a real, working tartan weaving mill producing tartan cloth, blankets and scarves, all of which are for sale on the premises. Discover how tartan products are made on an interactive tour explaining the process from sheep to shop. Until the end of April visitors to the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Company Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition will enjoy two admissions for the price of one.
National Trust Easter Trails
Children up and down the country are invited to join the National Trust Easter Trails this year. Over 130 properties will be joining in the Easter holiday fun by holding quiz trails, egg hunts and other egg-citing activities. Green and Black's, the makers of delicious organic chocolate, are providing over 135,000 chocolate prizes for youngsters to win. This is a great opportunity for both kids and their parents to get outdoors for spring and let off steam with a whole variety of Easter events including egg and spoon races, chocolate tasting and egg rolling.
Mother's Day Meals at National Trust Properties
Mothering Sunday meals and other events will be on the menu on 30 March at twenty of the National Trust's spectacular houses and gardens in England. From Cornwall to Yorkshire, National Trust restaurants and tearooms will be offering a mouthwatering selection of three course and two course lunches or high tea, providing the ideal way to spoil mum on her special day.
River Thames Cycle Tours
Five-day cycle tours following the River Thames from south-west London to Oxford are being introduced this summer by Capital Sport. They start at Richmond-upon-Thames and guests travel independently at their own pace, with plenty of time for stops at such places as Kew Gardens, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, and a series of riverside villages, locks and old inns.
Llangollen canal cruises
H & H Narrowboat Hotels are running four special cruises in 2003 featuring perhaps the most spectacular scenery on Britain’s Inland Waterways, the Llangollen Canal, a branch of the Shropshire Union network. Each journey into the past winds through the delightfully unspoilt countryside of Shropshire, crossing the border into Wales, and features the historic hill town of Llangollen.
Mazes and Puzzles at Hampton Court Palace
The evergreen labyrinths of Hampton Court Palace’s historic and famous maze have attracted visitors determined to conquer the confusing paths lined with thick hedges for years. Now visitors can fathom their way through yet more fun mazes and historically-themed games with Hampton Court Palace’s month-long "Puzzle Palace" event, to be held from March 22 to April 27, 2003.
South West Coast Path marks 25 years
Britain’s longest national walking trail, which follows some of England’s most rugged and spectacular coastline, will mark its 25th anniversary this year. The 630-mile South West Coast Path embraces steep, ‘hog’s back’ cliffs rising to 800 feet, fishing harbours, pretty villages and unspoilt countryside. The path stretches around the ‘arm’ of South West England, from Minehead in Somerset to South Haven Point near Poole in Dorset.
William Morris House to Open
Red House, former home of the influential Victorian designer William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement, has been taken into the care of conservation charity the National Trust, which plans to open it to the public early this summer. The house, set in a four-acre garden at Bexleyheath, south-east London, was completed in 1859.
Battle of Shrewsbury Anniversary Events
Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, has unveiled a calendar of events commemorating the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Shrewsbury, one of the most important battles to have ever taken place on English soi. Events run from the end of February to the middle of October, and full details are contained in a new, free leaflet
Chatsworth Celebrates Paxton Anniversary
Chatsworth House, near Matlock, Derbyshire, is planning special events to celebrate the life of Sir Joseph Paxton, creator of the Crystal Palace and one of the most original and influential gardeners, architects and designers of the 19th century.
Historic Houses to Open
Almost one hundred historic houses throughout Britain will open their doors to the public for the first time this year. In many, visitors will be able to take afternoon tea or other refreshments with the owners, whose families have often lived there for generations. |
