Britain Update #26

Welcome friends, its time to put the kettle on, settle into a comfortable armchair, and enjoy the best of Britain with Britain Update. But before you do, please take the time to forward this newsletter to someone who loves Britain as much as you do.
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Contents
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1. Great British Sites
2. Destinations
3. Books on Britain
4. Travel news from Britain
5. Site Survey Contest
6. Recommended B&Bs

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Great British Sites
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The Scholar's Guide to Oxford - http://www.oxford-info.com is a delightful site covering one of England's most popular destinations. Don't be put off by the site title, this is not an academic guide, but a very thorough site covering information for the interested traveller. There are, in no particular order, a pub guide, restaurant guide, a searchable database of hotel and B&B accommodation, a walking tour itinerary of the city, a history of the university, an events and entertainment guide, even a quick quiz about Oxford. If you are planning to visit Oxford (and I highly recommend that you do!) this site is an essential stop.

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Destinations: Vale of the White Horse
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The Vale of the White Horse (Oxfordshire) - It looks like this issue of Britain Update is starting out as an all-Oxfordshire affair! Let's move down the road a little from the university city of Oxford to the magical Vale of the White Horse. The Vale, or valley, stretches about 18 miles from the outskirts of Abingdon to the urban centre of Swindon. Although there are cities at either end of the Vale, the heart is a broad, unspoilt stretch of farmland, spotted with peaceful villages and meandering streams.

The ancient Ridgeway track runs along the crest of the downs that form the southern edge of the vale. The Ridgeway has been called "the oldest road in the world", and although that claim may be disputable, it was one of the major cross-country Neolithic routes as long as 6000 years ago. Those ancient Britons left their mark on the land.

The most notable ancient site is the White Horse of Uffington that gives its name to the Vale. The White Horse is a mysterious figure carved into the chalk hillside above Uffington. It has recently been dated to about 2000 BCE.

Just above the White Horse is Uffington Castle, a striking Neolithic hill fort, and just a short stroll away is Wayland's Smithy, an ancient long barrow (and well worth a visit).

Lest you think that all the attractions are on the southern edge of the Vale, across the valley from Uffington is Great Coxwell, site of the best preserved medieval tithe barn in the country - although to call Great Coxwell a barn is deceiving. William Morris, influential Victorian designer, called Great Coxwell, "the finest piece of architecture in England."

Back on the southern edge of the Vale, take time to visit Wantage, birthplace of Alfred the Great. There is a statue of King Alfred, striking a suitably martial pose, in the market square. Quite apart from Alfred, Wantage is a pretty town, with half-timbered inns and a very enjoyable local museum. Take in also the stately Georgian house and park at Kingston Lisle.

The best place to view the Vale of the White Horse is from the Ridgeway path. When you see the patchwork of pale green and gold fields spread out below you, it is hard to imagine a more English scene.

For more on the area of the Vale of the White Horse, check out these web sites: National Trails Ridgeway guide
http://www.nationaltrails.gov.uk/ridgeway/rwayinto.htm
And on the same site - details on the White Horse http://www.nationaltrails.gov.uk/ridgeway/rw_facts/uffhorse.htm

This is Oxfordshire - click on "Town Guides" for info on what to see and do in Vale towns of Abingdon, Faringdon, and Wantage http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/

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Books on Britain
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The Autobiography of Henry VIII, by Margaret George. No, Bluff King Hal did not really write an autobiography. This book is a novel, blending a fictional autobiography as Henry might have written it, with comments from his court fool, a real historical figure named Will Somers. I picked up this book while visiting friends, and I was so taken with it that I accidentally packed it in my luggage when I left for home. I was terribly embarrassed, and sent it back by post - AFTER I finished reading it. The author has done a masterful job of bringing the not always sympathetic character of Henry VIII to life, from his lonely childhood to his bitter old age. Even when Henry's voice is self-serving, as it often is, you can imagine how he might have felt and spoken just that way. I finished this book with a sympathetic understanding of Henry, if not respect. For the author, Margaret George, I have overwhelming admiration. Although the book is perhaps overly long, she does a masterful job of recreating a special time and place, and bringing the people of that time very much alive. The Autobiography of Henry VIII is available here

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Walking Tours in the Yorkshire Dales
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Cold Keld Walking Holidays offer a variety of group and individual walking tours from their beautiful stone farmhouse on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Check out the details at http://www.britainexpress/Travel/uk-tours/cold-keld.htm

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Travel News from Britain
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Sea Henge Update
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English Heritage Commissioners have approved plans to rescue 'Sea' Henge, the timber structure at Holme Next the Sea, Norfolk. The Bronze Age site, which has been dated to 2050 BC, is like Stonehenge made from wood. The Timber Circle was discovered at Holme-next-the-Sea on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for birds in 1998 by a local nature warden. It was reported to Norfolk County Council Archaeology Unit, who in turn called in English Heritage for advice. Previously the timbers had been hidden under a layer of peat, but the erosion of the sea had exposed them to the damaging effects of the sea and air. Through close consultation with the Parish and District Councils, the landowner, English Nature and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust it was decided that English Heritage should fully record the site, then lift and analyse the timbers and save them from destruction by the sea. The timbers have been brought to the Flag Fen Laboratories near Peterborough, where they are being cleaned, studied and preserved. Flag Fen is a Bronze Age Site with specialist expertise in Bronze Age woodwork. Early studies have found that the damage done by marine life to the timbers is much worse than previously suspected. The timbers will be returned to Norfolk when a future for the Timber Circle has been decided.

Agatha Christie's home offered to the National Trust
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The beautiful Greenway estate, on the banks of the River Dart in South Devon, has been offered to the National Trust as a gift for local people and visitors to enjoy. This generous offer includes Greenway House, the garden, Lower Greenway Farm, woodland and river frontage, which offers spectacular walks and stunning views over the Dart estuary. The 278 acre estate (112.5 hectares) forms a crucial part of the Dart Estuary, with about a mile (1.4km) of river frontage, and the 32-acre (12.55 hectares) garden has a rich collection of plants such as magnolias, michelias and camellias, together with several listed buildings including a bathhouse and boathouse. Greenway dates from the 1790s and has an illustrious history. Its most famous recent owner was the author Agatha Christie, who bought it as a summer home in 1938, and who used Greenway and nearby locations in many of her books. Agatha Christie´s daughter and son-in-law, Mr and Mrs Hicks, and her grandson Mathew Prichard, have offered Greenway to the National Trust to safeguard its future. Mr Pritchard said "If all goes according to plan, Greenway will be changed as little as possible - the National Trust has a very good reputation for this - but more people will have the chance to experience a really magical part of the south coast of England. This acquisition would be an absolute flagship for the Neptune Coastline Campaign". The Trust needs to raise 1.1million GBP to make the transfer of ownership feasible, and has called for corporate and private donations. You can read more about Greenway and the Trust appeal at the NT web site at http://www.national-trust.org.uk/news.htm Just click on the "Stop Press" link.

A New Spa at Bath !
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Work has started in Bath on the creation of a state-of-the-art spa for the new millennium: it is due to open in autumn, 2001. Massive equipment to test the water treatment is now in place in the historic Cross Bath (where the wife of King James II bathed in 1687) and in January construction starts on a striking spa building of local Bath stone and glass, on the site of a 1920s swimming pool in Beau Street. Only 100 metres from the world-famous Roman Baths, this main complex will have a rooftop pool and terrace with extensive views over the city; other pools on different levels; and facilities including whirlpools, a solarium, steam room, exercise and rest areas, treatment rooms, a café and shop. It will have a capacity of about 675 people per day. So if your feet are sore from walking about sightseeing, you can treat yourself to a healing soak in an up to date spa.

Web site: http://www.bathspa.co.uk

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Site Survey Contest
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I mentioned our site survey contest in the last issue of Britain Update. If you haven't entered yet, please make the time to fill out our very brief survey and enter to win a funny, funky "Take Time for Tea" fridge magnet. It takes only a minute of your time, and your input can help make Britain Express a better site for everyone. To those of you who have entered, let me say a sincere thank you! If I haven't emailed you to say you are a winner, then you missed out on a prize, but be sure that your input is very much appreciated. Here's the contest URL: http://www.britainexpress.com/contest.htm

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Recommended Bed and Breakfasts
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There are thousands upon thousands of Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) in every corner of the UK. Which one is right for you? Which offers real value for money? Britain Express is putting together a list of recommended B&Bs - recommended by us, and recommended by YOU. We're asking for your input. Which B&Bs really stand out, and why? Which places provided exceptional hosts, outstanding location, or friendly, personalised service? We want your opinion. Enter the details of your favourite B&B in Britain by clicking on this URL: http://www.britainexpress.com/accommodation/bestbeds.htm or by emailing us at bestbeds@britainexpress.com

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Let me finish this issue of Britain Update by wishing each one of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous year 2000. Until next issue, let me remind you that it takes more energy to frown than it does to smile - so keep on smiling - its contagious!

David Ross Editor
Britain Express
http://www.britainexpress.com
The UK travel and heritage guide

Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express

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