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Britain Update #30 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. *******************
******************** ********************* But it was not until King George III visited the "pump room" at Cheltenham in 1788 that the fortunes of the town really took a turn for the better. The prestige of royal patronage made Cheltenham one of the places to see and be seen by the prosperous members of Georgian society, and Cheltenham was forever transformed. Be aware, however, that Cheltenham is not a town lost in time. There are modern developments side by side with the older buildings, and the effect is not always pleasing. The Promenade is the heart of Regency Cheltenham, a refined main street filled with beautiful architecture. In the summer months baskets of flowers are hung from the buildings that verge on The Promenade. Further out of the town centre is the Pittville Pump Room, perhaps the finest remnant of the Regency boom. It was built between 1825-30, and now houses a museum including historical costumes. There are concerts in the ballroom and in the park that surrounds Pittville. One of Cheltenham's most famous native sons was composer Gustav Holst, born here in 1874. His birthplace in Clarence Street is now a museum housing memorabilia and an exhibit of life "below stairs". Cheltenham is home to the Cheltenham Race Course, which hosts the Gold Cup, one of the highlights of the British sporting season. Even if racing is not your cup of tea, you need to be aware of the Cheltenham races, particularly the National Hunt Meeting in March, because at that time it is VERY difficult to find places to stay in the area. Nearby attractions include Leckhampton Hill, where an Iron Age hill fort tops the promontory. Also at Leckhampton is the Devil's Chimney, a 50 ft. high column of limestone. Local legend says that it rises staright from Hell, but the shaft is actually caused by centuries of quarrying for building stone. Cheltenham
on the web: Accommodation
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Inside you'll find nuggets of information-listings of properties to visit from the National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, Historic Houses Association, CADW and Historic Scotland. Opening hours, directions to the homes, telephone numbers and names for contact are just part of the information available. Each entry gives a description of the property and its highlights and several properties are featured in longer articles. Also helpful are the listing of the homes' web sites, those that are open all year, wedding and corporate venues, those that provide accommodation, and even a list of places where movies were filmed. There is a listing of special events held at the sites if you want to schedule visits around them. The detailed index and colored side-of-book index make entries easy to find. Hudson's is the official reference guide used in the Tourist Information Centres in Britain, and it is easy to see why. This superlative book is the essential guide for independent travelers. Don't leave home without it. Review by Barbara Ballard More on ordering Hudson's Historic Houses and Gardens here ******************************
Destination
profile: In our
popular History and culture section, some of our new articles include:
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Many people have heard of the National Trust and know about the value of an NT membership. Some have heard of the English Heritage and their membership card, which allows free entry to hundreds of historic properties around the UK. But there's another organisation that travelers to Britain need to consider. Its the Historic Houses Association (HHA). The HHA is an association of over 1300 privately owned historic houses (stately homes), parks and gardens throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Included in the HHA are such national treasures as Althorp, Glamis Castle, and Castle Howard. Beyond these "big names" there are hundreds of wonderful historic manors and lesser known houses such as Great Dixter (East Sussex) and gardens like West Dean, near Chichester. A membership in the HHA carries with it free entry to about 300 HHA properties, a quarterly magazine called "Historic House", and optional discount tours especially arranged for members. Membership is valid for 12 months from purchase. Most historic houses have entry fees in the range of £6 - £9 or more per adult, and the amounts can eat into a traveller's budget quickly. Current membership fees in the HHA are £28 single, £40 double. If you plan to visit more than a few historic houses in Britain, an HHA membership will quickly pay for itself. For full details on the HHA see their web site at: http://www.historic-houses-assn.org
********************** Restoration by English Heritage has begun on a monumental history painting "The Battle of Hastings", painted around 1825 by Frank W. Wilkin (c. 1800-1842) once discovered rolled up under the floorboards of an exhibition gallery in Hastings. The major project is expected to take two years to complete, after which the painting, originally commissioned for the Great Hall at Battle Abbey, will be returned to Battle Abbey School for public display. The vast and dramatic canvas measures 27 by 17 feet and is one of the largest paintings on canvas in Britain. Beneath layers of dirt and grime, the vibrant colours of the battered and torn painting continue to give this rare survivor of the genre of early 19th century history painting an immediate appeal. Through an imaginary scene painted with meticulous detail, Wilkin depicts the crucial battle of 1066, with William the Conqueror and Bishop Oddo discovering the body of the Saxon King Harold. As the battle rages around them an attendant offers William Harold's crown. To the right a soldier shows William the fateful arrow thought to have caused Harold's death. ******************************
A large number of guided walks form the centrepiece of this festival, now in its third year. Walks start from various locations within Calderdale, which is situated in the Yorkshire Pennines, and are suitable for all ages, ability, and level of fitness. Calderdale's high moors, gritstone outcrops and wooded valleys with the almost hidden remains of long-gone textile mills have long captivated artists and lovers of the great outdoors. The uniqueness of this area is best explored and savoured on foot, and what better way than in the company of others. Possible walks include: Pennine Way in Calderdale, Britain's first National Trail; Todmorden Centenary Way, on the tops above a fascinating mill town; Calderdale Way, Britain's first Recreational footpath; Special interest walks looking at wildlife, conservation, and local history; Ted Hughes walk, looking at at the locations which inspired his poetry; Other activities include exhibition and displays on landscape and walking, while accommodation packages should also be available. Organisers:
****************************** David
Ross
Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express |
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