| Jane Austen Fayre
Basingstoke, in Hampshire, is hosting a Jane Austen Fayre this August, with historical re-enactments, local 18th Century crafts, and even dueling officers!
Locomotion Rail Museum at Shildon
The opening of a new railway museum in North East England this autumn will be a fitting climax to 2004, the 200th anniversary of steam railways. The £11 million Locomotion – the National Railway Museum at Shildon – is situated in County Durham in a region known as “the birthplace of railways”.
Diana, Princess of Wales Fountain
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain has been opened by Queen Elizabeth II (July, 2004) in Hyde Park, London. The unusual, oval shaped water feature is based on oval stone ring created from Cornish granite.
Roman Tour Launched in York
Walk anywhere in York and you are walking on top of a major city of the Roman empire. Now a new self-guided walking tour has been launched to help visitors and residents discover more about historic Roman York.
Ham House, London, offers Ghost Tours
Visitors to reputedly haunted Ham House, in Richmond, London, can check for themselves whether there is any unearthly ‘presence’ on regular family-orientated ghost tours (August 2, 9, 16, 23 and October 18 and 19). There will also be an evening Halloween tour (Oct. 31) – for adults only.
King Arthur Movie Map
This summer, audiences will discover the roots of one of Britain’s most enduring legends with the release of the film King Arthur. To tie in with its global release, VisitBritain, the official British Tourist agency, has published a new King Arthur Movie Map.
Royal Geographic Society Opens to Public
The London headquarters of one of Britain’s most hallowed institutions, The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), founded in 1830, has opened to the public for the first time. As well as the opening of a new study centre, there is a free permanent exhibition of photographs relating to some of the world’s most famous explorers.
National Railway Museum Tours for Children
‘Who smelled the aniseed bomb?’, ‘Why were Eccles cakes frowned upon on station platforms?’ and ‘Who wished Rocket had breaks?’. Children can now find out the answers to these questions and much more during the National Railway Museum's brand new Fascinating Facts Tours.
Alastair Sawday's Special Places - Pubs and Inns of England and Wales
The latest book in Alastair Sawday’s acclaimed “Special Places” series is “Pubs and Inns of England and Wales”, edited by David Hancock. It features 544 pubs inspected and chosen because they are unspoilt, well-kept and well-run examples of the genre.
Three Choirs Festival 2004
The city of Gloucester hosts the 227th Three Choirs Music Festival from August 7-14. The annual festival, which alternates between Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, gives visitors the opportunity to hear world famous orchestras and artists in the setting of historic Gloucester cathedral.
London Guildhall Roman Amphitheatre
Museum of London conservators and technicians are reinstating the original wooden Roman drains in London's long-lost Roman Amphitheatre beneath the London Guildhall. The drain timbers are visible under a glass floor, set as they were under the surface of the entranceway into the amphitheatre.
Ashmolean Museum showcases Oxford treasures
A priceless collection of ‘living silver’ has gone on display in Oxford for the first time in 75 years. “A Treasured Inheritance: 600 Years of Oxford College Silver” is at the Ashmolean Museum (June 16 - September 19).
Castle Howard Archaeology Experience for Children
'Hands on’, is certainly one way to describe the archaeological activities at Castle Howard, near York, this summer. From 22nd July until 1st September, as part of the 'More 4 Kids' event, children can follow in the footsteps of Channel 4's ‘Time Team’ and undertake real archaeological tasks to become archaeologists themselves.
Historic UK Lighthouses Open
Discover Britain’s maritime history in some of the most remote locations in the country by visiting one of 11 lighthouses open to the public. A new website offers information needed to plan a visit, including opening times and admission prices, and details of lighthouse cottages available for holiday accommodation.
Hampton Court Palace Gardens Special Events
With 2004 the Year of the Garden, Hampton Court Palace on London’s south-western edge is celebrating its historic gardens with a series of events and projects, including a new permanent exhibition explains the evolution of the gardens from their Tudor beginnings in the early 16th century through to the present day.
Waddesdon Manor Recreates Rothschild Era
The 130th anniversary of Baron Ferdinand Rothschild’s purchase of the sumptuous Waddesdon Estate is being marked at the Buckinghamshire stately home. The Baron’s private sitting room has been recreated, full of Victorian clutter around his favourite armchair, using original photographs and documents.
Isle of Skye Passenger Ferry Launched
A new passenger ferry in the Scottish Highlands offers a way to visit Skye, one of the most scenic and romantic of the Hebridean islands. The Gairloch to Portree sailing of a new boat, MV Spirit of Skye, gives passengers the chance to take in some spectacular mountain and seascapes.
Tewkesbury West Window Restored
After more than a year – Tewkesbury Abbey’s medieval West Window is back in place, and will be dedicated by the Bishop of Tewkesbury, The Right Reverend John Went at 6.00 pm on Sunday 4th July 2004 | 
