Britain Update #57
May 15 , 2001

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. Bed & Breakfast
2. F&M Update
3. Top Scottish Attractions
4. Wales Virtual Tour
5. UK Destinations: Greater Manchester
6. UK Travel news and notes

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Bed and Breakfast at Britain Express
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Here's a reminder that Britain Express has partnered with Bed and Breakfast UK to bring you information on hundreds of bed and breakfast properties across the UK and Ireland. Browse the attractive collection of B&B properties at http://www.bedandbreakfasts-uk.co.uk/britainexpress/index.htm . Each B&B listing has details of facilities, contact information, prices, and a location map.

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Yet another Foot & Mouth Update
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The Foot and Mouth outbreak has slowed, at least to the point where many countryside attractions and walking paths are now open or will be open soon. As always, let me caution travelers to contact local tourist info centres for the latest news on a particular area, or telephone the Government's 24 hour automated information line - +44 (0)8456 071 071.

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Top Visitor Attractions in Scotland
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Just for fun, let's play a little guessing game. What would you say is the most visited attraction in Scotland? You'd be forgiven for thinking it might be Edinburgh Castle (it finished second) or perhaps Balmoral Castle, or one of the famous Border Abbeys like Melrose of Jedburgh (none made the list). Alright, let's end the suspense; here are the latest official top ten visitor attractions in Scotland.

1. Strathclyde Country Park (nr. Motherwell) 4,891,287 visitors
2. Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh) 1,220,338 visitors
3. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (Glasgow) 1,051,020 visitors
4. Royal Museum & Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh) 759,579 visitors
5. Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh) 609,488 visitors
6. The Time Capsule (Coatbridge) 595,552 visitors
7. Royal Scots Regimental Museum (Edinburgh) 540,000 visitors
8. Edinburgh Zoo (Edinburgh) 526,000 visitors
9. The Former Royal Yacht Britannia (Edinburgh) 415,297 visitors
10.Waterfront Leisure Complex (Greenock) 430,343 visitors

If you'd like to plan a trip to one of the top ten, here's a list of the official web sites (where there is one) or a good web source of info when an official site doesn't exist.

Strathclyde Country Park
http://www.northlan.gov.uk/leisure/

Edinburgh Castle
http://www.edinburgh.org

Kelvingrove
http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/out/galleries/kelvingrove.html

Royal Museum & Museum of Scotland
http://www.museum.scotland.net/

Royal Botanic Garden
http://www.rbge.org.uk/

The Time Capsule
http://www.craigendmuir.co.uk/New%20Pages/wheretovisit6.html

Royal Scots Regimental Museum
http://www.army.mod.uk/army/organise/infan/royscots/

Edinburgh Zoo
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/

The Former Royal Yacht Britannia
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

Waterfront Leisure Complex
http://www.waterfront-leisure.co.uk/

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WALES VIRTUAL TOUR REMINDER
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We've had terrific feedback on our new Virtual Tour of Wales. If you have not yet had a chance to tour the land of the Red Dragon with us, visit http://www.britainexpress.com/wales/tour/ . A companion to our Virtual Tour of England, the Wales VT is a graphically rich region-by-region overview of where to go and what to see throughout Wales. You can follow the tour as we take you through Wales step by step, or jump ahead to any region that interests you. The Wales VT was written and edited by Barbara Ballard.

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UK Destinations: Greater Manchester
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We don't usually feature urban areas in our Updates, but I felt it was time we gave the Greater Manchester area its due as a burgeoning tourist destination area. Not too many years ago it would have seemed laughable to talk of this largely urban region as an attractive destination for travellers, but much has changed. A cultural rennaissance has taken place that has transformed this industrial city and its surrounding areas into a vibrant centre of culture and the arts.

The district of Greater Manchester takes in the city itself, but also the surrounding towns of Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Altrincham, and Oldham.

In the centre of Manchester a variety of public buildings and art centres attest to the revival. The Pumphouse People's History Museum recalls the social history of the area, while the City Art Gallery houses a wonderful collection of fine art. Within the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park was the site of the very first passenger train station in the world, as well as the first major canal, and the remains of an early Roman fort can be seen. Visitors can tour Granada Studios, home to the enduring TV soap opera Coronation Street, or visit the excellent Museum of Science and Industry.

Venturing further afield, the Gallery of English Costume in Rusholme traces the history of dress in England over the last 400 years through ever-changing exhibits, and Bramall Hall is a 14th century timber-framed manor set in over 70 acres of landscaped parkland. More opulent is Dunham Massey Hall, a classical Georgian country house with later Edwardian additions.

The Lancashire Mining Museum in Salford provides a fascinating glimpse of life in the pits, with two authentic reproduction mines and displays tracing the history of coal mining. The museum is housed in a listed building designed by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament.

In Bolton the intriguingly named Hall I' the Wood is a lovely half-timbered Tudor manor. In 1779 Samuel Compton perfected his spinning mule at the Hall and two panelled rooms are devoted to Compton and his discovery. A more ornate family home is Heaton Hall in North Manchester, a classical 18th century mansion set in over 600 acres of parkland.

From classical homes to Tudor manors, arts centres, and museums, Greater Manchester has much more to offer the modern visitor than can be mentioned in this brief profile. For more info, visit:

Virtual Manchester
http://www.manchester.com/
Manchester 2002
http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/

For a free 'Experience Greater Manchester' brochure contact:

Greater Manchester Districts Tourism Forum
c/o Bolton MBC Leisure Services
Tourism Unit
The Wellsprings Bolton
BL1 1US
Tel: 44 (0)1204 394645

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UK Travel Tips and News
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BEATRIX POTTER WORLD ANNIVERSARY
The World of Beatrix Potter in the Lake District celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Located in the Old Laundry at Bowness-on-Windermere, it is one of the top ten most popular visitor centres in Britain. The World includes detailed scenes from her stories, interactive features, a video presentation, a shop, and a tearoom. Open daily from 10-5:30pm until Sept. 30th, then closes at 4:30pm.

LIVING HISTORY AT CAERLAVEROCK
Caerlaverock Castle, near Dumfries, Scotland, is putting on a castle siege re-enactment on Aug. 25-26. Combat and weaponry displays, medieval encampments, falconry, music and other entertainments will take place.

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
It's not too soon to start planning your trip to the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival of the Arts. The Festival will present 161 performances of 112 productions including four world premieres and 20 British premieres from Aug 12-Sept 1. Website: http://www.eif.co.uk for venues, booking and details.

SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL
Southwark Cathedral, on the South Bank of the River Thames, now has a permanent exhibition with touch-screen computers for visitors to see artefacts uncovered from recent excavations. Website: http://www.dswark.org

STATELY HOMES CONCERTS
A series of twenty evening concerts will be held at English stately homes and castles over the coming months. Many of the concerts feature firework displays to cap the festivities. Venues range from mock-Gothic Eastnor Castle to opulent Blenheim Palace and medieval Lincoln Castle, For details of places and dates visit the series organisers at http://www.performingarts.co.uk

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That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.

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