Where
to go and what to see in the UK,
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide
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Where
to go and what to see in the UK,
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide |
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Welcome to
Britain Update,
English
Gardens Tour -
New dates have been announced for our Autumn English Gardens Tour. From
September 3-10 you can visit
some of the finest gardens and countryside of the West Country gardens
in the company of a gardening expert. Full tour details are online at
See
also:
English
Gardens Summer Tour (May
25 - June 1)
Reading The town of Reading, halfway between London and Oxford, grew up at the confluence of the rivers Thames and Kennet, and the history of the town is closely linked to its position as a navigation hub for the Thames Valley area. The Kennet and Avon Canal has been reopened to passenger traffic, and once again connects Reading to the sea at Bristol. Visitors can hire narrow boats at Reading to travel the canal or the River Thames, and towpaths along both waterways provide pleasant walking. Reading is a popular gathering place for swans, which congregate at Thameside Prom near Caversham Bridge. (And just to point out what may not be obvious to visitors from abroad, the town's name is pronounced "redding" and not "reeding"). Selected attractions near ReadingBasildon Park Near Pangbourne Tel: (0118) 984 3040. Run by the National Trust. A classical Georgian house built for Sir Francis Sykes, standing in beautiful parkland above the Thames Valley. Web http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Mapledurham
House and Watermill Straffield
Saye House The
Museum of Reading Museum
of Berkshire Aviation
Resources
The Isle of Wight Located just four miles off the Hampshire coast, the Isle of Wight has been drawing visitors from the English mainland for centuries, but interest really picked up since Queen Victoria made it her "home away from home". Indeed, the major tourist draw is Victoria's own Osborne House, the fanciful Italianate mansion designed between 1845-1850 by Prince Albert as a retreat for the royal couple. A grieving Victoria had the house preserved exactly as it was when Albert died in 1861. While Osborne House can be quite crowded, especially on summer weekends, most areas of the island still maintain an air of calm, and provide ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as walking and cycling. A cycle path circles the entire island, and a network of walking trails combine to offer excellent recreational strolls. One popular path is Tennyson's Trail, which runs along a ridge that the poet himself walked regularly, on its way to the striking chalk towers of The Needles. Near The Needles is Alum Bay, famed for its unusual patterns of multi-coloured sand. Alum is now a popular seaside resort, but even more popular are the east coast towns of Ryde, Shanklin, and Ventnor. Outside Ryde is Quarr Abbey, a 12th century ruin, and at nearby Brading are the remains of a Roman villa. Newport is the capital and largest town on the Isle of Wight, and just outside Newport is Carrisbrook, with its striking Norman castle. Though the castle itself is fascinating - and the views superb - it is the history of the fortress that provides much of its interest. For it was here that Charles I was imprisoned in 1647 before his final journey to London and death. Charles attempted to escape from the castle, and visitors today can see the narrow window where the unfortunate king became stuck. If you come to the Isle of Wight for peace and quiet, don't come during Cowes Week! Every year in early August the attractive port of Cowes is filled with yachts from every corner of the globe. Cowes Week bills itself as the "World's Greatest Sailing Event", and there are probably more millionaires per square foot in Cowes than anywhere else on the planet; certainly the series of races attracts worldwide attention and the finest boats and sailors make it an essential part of their schedule. Getting to and from the Isle of Wight is simplicity itself; regular ferry services provide passage for cars and pedestrians to and from the island, arriving at Ryde, Cowes, Fishbourne, and Yarmouth. Travel
Resources:
Llangollen canal cruises Mazes
and Puzzles at Hampton Court Palace Over fifteen puzzles, themed around the palace’s fascinating 500-year history, will be scattered throughout the building and its beautiful gardens. Puzzles to pit your wits against include: the Archery Maze which will introduce visitors to Henry VIII’s passion for outdoor pursuits, the reason why his huge country retreat on the river at Hampton Court was ideal; the Knights Jumping Maze which reflects on the regular jousting games that were held in the tiltyard as well as King Henry’s love of hunting; and Prince and Princesses, a maze that should keep toddlers entertained. http://www.hrp.org.uk/ UK's
Longest Coastal Trail marks 25 years William
Morris House to Open Battle
of Shrewsbury Anniversary Events Chatsworth
Celebrates Paxton Anniversary
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier. David Ross,
Publisher, Britain Express |
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