Britain Update
newsletter archives
Home
> Update |
Britain Update
newsletter archives | | |
| |||
| Home
> Update | |||
|
| |
Britain Update #33 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. *******************
******************** ********************* ******************************
Visitors to Shropshire could be forgiven for rushing north through the county to medieval Shrewsbury, home to Brother Cadfael of literary fame. But if you think a mediaeval monk is all the county has to offer, think again! Beginning in the south of Shropshire, the town of Ludlow is a deservedly popular destination. Its primary claim to fame rests on two buildings - one in superb condition, the other falling into a state of ruin. The former is the magnificent Feathers Hotel, a frequently photographed half-timbered inn which has welcomed guests since 1521.It is arguably the finest example of half-timbering in England. The partial ruin is Ludlow Castle, the seat of the Lord President of the Marches until 1689. The castle was home to Princes Edward and Richard, sons of Edward IV. The princes lived here until taken to the Tower of London and (perhaps) murder in 1483. In the summer, a Shakespeare festival takes over the town for two weeks, and plays are performed in the castle. In the grounds of the 12th century church in Ludlow are the remains of poet A.E. Houseman, author of "A Shropshire Lad". Moving north from Ludlow, at Stanton Lacy the doorway of the little parish church contains one of the few recognisable examples of Saxon sculpture we can see today, and a little further on the small town of Aston Munslow is home to a country life museum covering eight centuries of Shropshire life. If you are driving, take the B4371, a minor road which runs along the crest of Wenlock Edge. This high ridge provides lovely views across the Shropshire countryside. At the north end of the road is Much Wenlock, whose narrow streets are ringed by half-timbered buildings. A highlight of Much Wenlock are the ruins of St. Milburga's Priory, originally founded in 680 by St. Milburga, grand-daughter of the pagan king Penda the Terrible. The priory was sacked by the Danes in the 9th century and later re-endowed by Lady Godiva (yes, THAT Lady Godiva). The buildings you can see today were built just after the Norman invasion in 1066. Much Wenlock also houses a 16th century guildhall, where you can see the whipping post and mobile stocks, last used in 1852. Swing south east from Much Wenlock and you will soon reach Bridgnorth. Bridgnorth is unique in that it is divided into a Low Town and a High Town. The old town centre is in High Town, atop a 120 foot bluff so steep that a cliff railway is needed to bring visitors up. In High Town are the ruins of Bridgnorth Castle, partly destroyed by Cromwell's troops in 1646. The castle keep now leans crazily to one side at an angle three times that of the more famous leaning tower at Pisa. The grounds of the castle are a public park once described by Charles I as "the fairest walk in my domain." Bridgnorth is also home to the Severn Valley Railway, which operates steam trains on a 12 mile run to Bewdly during the summer months. These are just a few of the highlights of the Shropshire countryside, and the locations listed should combine very nicely into a circular day drive. Web
Resources:
Accommodation ******************************
"Nine Ladies Stone Circle (grid reference SK 249635 ) is one of several prehistoric stone circles and dozens of cairns and mounds that make Stanton Moor in Derbyshire's Peak District an archaeologically important area, recognised as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).... The Nine Ladies is a well-known and much visited site. English Heritage have recently announced a scheme for an emergency excavation of parts of the site due to the damage being caused by thousands of boots and dozens of camp-fires. Each year around 40,000 people visit the circa 4000 year old Stone Circle which is causing a rapid increase in erosion of this fragile site. Recent soil erosion has revealed evidence of a tenth stone and today approximately 20cm is exposed. Damage has also been caused by visitors digging holes for campfires and even chipping off pieces of stone as souvenirs. Jon Humble, English Heritage's Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the East Midlands said: "Nine Ladies Stone Circle is a site of beauty and tranquillity for visitors, from near and far, and to many who believe the Stone Circle is of special spiritual significance. It is this popularity that has significantly accelerated the processes of decay. We must act quickly if we are to protect this mysterious and ancient site for future generations." ****************************** SOMERSET
HOUSE: Built between the Strand and the River Thames on the site of a royal palace, to accommodate government departments, including the Navy Office, and several learned societies, it was the masterpiece of Sir William Chambers, architectural advisor to King George III. In the South Building, with its 120-metre river frontage, a series of galleries will display the gold, silver and mosaic objects of the Gilbert Collection of decorative arts. The Courtauld Institute Galleries in the north block, with its great collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, will expand into the South Building, with a new department of digital and video art. In the autumn, another suite of rooms in the building become the home of rotating displays from the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg. The first will be "The Treasures of Catherine the Great", with jewellery, contemporary portraits and miniatures, and Russian, European and Chinese works of art.The 3,700 square metre courtyard becomes a new public space for London. In the evenings and weekends it will be a venue for theatre, opera, concerts, dance and open-air cinema, with a capacity for 3,500 people. A central fountain will have 55 vertical jets, illuminated by fibre-optic light. A new Somerset House Web site, www.somerset-house.org.uk includes an on-line tour: there are also Web sites for the Courtauld, www.courtauld.ac.uk and the Gilbert Collection, www.gilbert-collection.org.uk. Entrance to the courtyard, river terrace and Seaman's Waiting Hall (with warship models, and portraits of Nelson and other naval figures) is free. There are admission charges for the Courtauld and Gilbert Collection (joint ticket £7 adults, £5 senior citizens), and there will be for Hermitage displays. Tel: 0207 845 4600.
SLOW BOAT FROM NEWBURY SEE
SCOTLAND BY CANOE
****************************** David
Ross
Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express |
|
