Britain Update #47
December 1 , 2000

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. UK Destinations
2. Historic Houses
3. Virtual Tour of England
4. London For Free
5. UK Travel news

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UK Destinations : Maidenhead, Berkshire
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Maidenhead is a pretty town spread out along the banks of the Thames close to Windsor and Eton. Though the river itself is reason for visiting Maidenhead, the town has many historic connections. Unlike many English towns, the origins of Maidenhead can be traced with some certainty. In the early 13th century a village called South Aylington grew up near the Thames midway between Cookham and Bray. The village was not ON the Thames itself due to the threat of flooding.

Then a wooden bridge across the Thames was built, and the sleepy village found itself on the main road between London and Bristol - now the A4. A new wharf, or "Maiden Hythe" was built beside the bridge, and settlement built up around it. In 1582 Elizabeth I granted Maidenhead its town charter. Part of Maidenhead's prosperity stemmed from the fact that it was precisely one day's journey from London, so it became a major stopping place for travellers. Brunel's Great Western Railway brought a further influx of settlers who could now live in the pretty Thames-side setting of Maidenhead and use the railway to go to work in London.

Maidenhead has been the scene of several dramatic moments in English history. In 1400 the Earl of Salisbury tried unsuccessfully to assassinate Henry IV at Windsor. When the attempt failed Salisbury fled to Reading, while his supporters tried to hold the bridge at Maidenhead against royal troops. The battle lasted 3 days before the Earl's forces were overcome, and the Earl was captured and executed.

In the Civil War Maidenhead was the scene of a touching reunion between the captured King Charles I and his young children. Charles, who was being held at Caversham Castle, was allowed to visit his children at the Greyhound Inn (now the Natwest bank), where a plaque commemorates the king's visit.

More drama occurred at Maidenhead during the struggle for the throne between James II and William III in 1688. Supporters of James fortified the town, but they were undone by trickery when William's men sent drummers into the town under cover of darkness. The drummers sounded a retreat, and the confused supporters of James withdrew in a panic to London, leaving the town and its vital bridge to William's men.

Attractions near Maidenhead include:

Cliveden
A fanciful estate designed in 1881 by Sir Charles Berry, Cliveden was bought in 1893 by William Waldorf Astor. In the 1930's it was the home of "the Cliveden Set" of powerful political figures. The Thames below Cliveden is magnificent in summer, when the hanging beechwoods are reflected in colourful profusion in the river below.

Brunel's railroad bridge
When Isambard Brunel's Great Western Railway needed a bridge to span the Thames and its towpath in 1839 he was faced with what most pundits considered an impossible task. He responded with a masterpiece of Victorian engineering - a bridge that spans 128 feet with a rise of only 24 feet. Brunel's work is still supported by the widest, flattest brick arches in the world.

Tourist Information Centre
The Library, St Ives Road, SL6 1QU, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 - 781110

Maidenhead resources online: http://www.maidenhead.net/ http://www.maidenhead.co.uk/

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Historic Houses Online
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Whether you call them stately homes, country houses, or historic houses, the British Isles are blessed with a huge number of lovely and historically interesting houses built by the aristocracy of the land over the past millennium. If you enjoy country houses you will also enjoy The DiCamillo Companion at http://www.dicamillocompanion.com/ .

The Companion is an attractively designed database of information on over 6000 country houses in Great Britain and Ireland. Entries include photographs, history, architectural notes, movie tie-ins, ownership, visitor details, and more. The site is a useful resource whether you're planning a trip or simply interested in finding out more about a favourite house.

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New : Virtual Tour of England
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There's a new feature at Britain Express aimed at giving first time visitors to England a helping hand with their travel planning. The Virtual Tour of England is online at www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/tour

The Virtual Tour provides a quick overview of each region of England, highlighting major attractions and little-known gems, with links to more in-depth information elsewhere on Britain Express. Tour England today, without leaving home!

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UK Online
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If you're a traveller on a budget you owe it to yourself to check out the London Free List at http://www.londonfreelist.com/ . The London Free List is a no-frills listing of free and inexpensive events in the Greater London area. Events are updated daily, and include categories as diverse as Galleries, New Age, Sports, Theatre, and Kids. Each listing includes the nearest underground stations and contact details for more information. The London Free List is a very useful resource.

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UK Travel Tips and News
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FREE AND JUST OPENED
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture, located at Middlesex University Cat Hill campus in London, contains collections of late 19th and 20th century design for the home.

NOSTELL PRIORY TO REOPEN
On 31 March, 2001, Nostell Priory near Wakefield, Yorkshire, will reopen its doors after major repairs had forced closure for over a year. The contents and parts of the internal fabric of the building have been cleaned and restored, and new displays created. Some fragile Chippendale pelmets (a wooden valance used to conceal curtain fittings) can now be seen at close range, and the library ceiling, originally to a design by master architect Robert Adam, has been restored.

New for the 2001 season is a "Cabinet of Curiosities", containing an amazing array of objects collected over the centuries by the Winn family, owners of Nostell Priory.

The 18th century house was first built on the site of a medieval priory by James Paine for Sir Rowland Winn, 4th Baronet in 1733. It housed one of England's finest collections of Chippendale furniture, designed specially for the house by the great cabinet maker, Thomas Chippendale. Nostell Priory's other treasures include an outstanding art collection and a remarkable 18th century dolls house, complete with its original fittings and Chippendale-style furniture.

OPENING TIMES 2001:
31 March to 4 November, daily except Mondays and Tuesdays (open Bank Holiday Mondays) 1 - 5.30pm. 10 November to 9 December: Saturday and Sunday 12 - 4.30 pm. Grounds open same day as house 11am - 6 pm
ADMISSION CHARGES: House & Garden: Adult £4.50, Child £2.20, Family £11. Grounds :Adult £2.50, Child £1.20, (no family ticket) For further information, contact Roy Boardman, Property Manager, Tel: 01924 863892

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That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Spread some around.

David Ross
Editor
Britain Express
http://www.britainexpress.com
The UK travel and heritage guide
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Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express