Cornish Smuggler's Inn Transformed
A former 17th century inn, once the haunt of smugglers, has reopened as the elegant Lugger Hotel in the Cornish fishing village of Portloe. Positioned at the very water's edge, this unique inn is reputed to have been the haunt of local smugglers for many years, and indeed one of the hotel's landlords, Black Dunstan, was hanged for smuggling in the 1890's. The liquor licence was withdrawn and the inn ceased trading.

Museum of London Prehistory Gallery
A new prehistoric gallery opens at the Museum of London on October 18. "London Before London" takes visitors back over half a million years, and looks at the times when the area was tundra and the site of Heathrow Airport was an Iron Age settlement.

Herefordshire's 'Black and White Village Trail'
The black and white half-timbered buildings of Herefordshire are one of the major attractions of this pastoral county bordering Wales. A new guide, “Black and White Village Trail”, offers visitors a 40-mile route, starting and ending at the ancient market town of Leominster.

Royal Brierley Crystal Reopens
Royal Brierley, one of the world’s most famous names in hand-made crystal, has started manufacturing again, two years after going into receivership. The revival of the 225-year-old company, which has supplied generations of the Royal Family with exquisite glass products, means that interested visitors can tour the new factory, adjacent to the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley near Wolverhampton, West Midlands.

Trafalgar Square "people friendly" development
Work has started on transforming London’s Trafalgar Square into a bigger pedestrian area with regular open-air entertainment. In the World Squares for All project, the north side of the square will be closed to traffic and a terrace built in front of the National Gallery, with a grand staircase linking it to the square below. Completion is expected in late summer 2003.

Discovery Supports "Real" Robin Hood
Archaelogists working on the Galleries of Justice in Nottingham have discovered a long-hidden tunnel which may support the theory that the romantic tales of Robin Hood's adventures may be based on truth.

Scottish Information and Booking Line
As of 16th August 2002, Scotland has a new National Information and Booking Line, providing a one-stop shop for potential visitors both nationally and internationally.

Llangollen home of King Arthur?
The town of Llangollen, in north-east Wales, is claiming it is the true home of the legendary King Arthur, boasting that some of the earliest references to the Dark Age warrior place him in the area. The claims, made on a new website, are based on the work of local historians Steve Blake and Scott Lloyd who published a book called “The Keys to Avalon”.

Isaac Newton Remembered on Apple Day
Apple Day has become a core autumn event in England. On and around October 21 many historic properties looked after by conservation charity the National Trust will stage activities. The Trust plays a key role in conserving and restoring traditional orchards, propagating local varieties, and preserving the character and flavour of regional apples.

Haunted York Weekend
'Most Haunted City in Europe' - that's York and now the title is official! President of the Ghost Research Foundation International (GRFI), Jason Karl, has this week officially recognised the city of York as having more ghosts than any other European city. To mark the occasion, a special 'Haunted York' weekend is planned for September 6-7.

Walking Tour of Historic St Andrews
During the summer, the University of St Andrews (Scotland) arranges historical tours of the university and the town for visitors. The tours depart daily from St Salvator’s Chapel, at 11.00am and 2.30pm from Monday to Friday. Visits are made to the main sites of historical interest within the town including St Salvator’s Quadrangle and Chapel, the castle, the cathedral, Dean’s Court—a haunted university residence—and St Mary’s Quadrangle—the site of the 1645-6 Scottish Parliament.

Only in Britain. Only in 2002’ UK Travel Specials
This year the British tourism industry is making a visit to Britain best value for money, with its ‘Only in Britain. Only in 2002’ campaign especially for overseas visitors. You’ll find thousands of special offers on everything from hotels, car hire, visitor attractions, entertainment and air and ferry fares. Full details of these deals and over 3000 fantastic special offers can be found on www.onlyinbritain.com

London Eye River Cruise Experience
Visitors can now combine a ‘flight’ on British Airways London Eye with a 45-minute cruise on the Thames. The boat departs from a pier next to the Eye and takes in the Tower of London and Houses of Parliament.

Elgar Steam Train Excursion
Steam trains are once again a stylish way to reach Oxford or Worcester, the home of Royal Worcester porcelain and composer Edward Elgar's birthplace. The "Elgar Explorer" express will leave London on Aug. 24, Sept. 21 and Nov. 30 (for Worcester's Christmas market) as part of this year's Past Time Rail's excursion programme.