Where
to go and what to see in the UK,
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide
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Where
to go and what to see in the UK,
from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide |
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Dear Friends,
PS - special
thanks go to Barbara Ballard for contributing much of the travel tips
and news for this issue.
Cookham
Dean, Maidenhead, Berkshire,
England An idyllic family owned country house hotel and restaurant with individually decorated and furnished accommodation. Within easy reach of London, Oxford, Windsor, Eton, Henley, Marlow, Ascot, Reading, Maidenhead, Slough & Heathrow. The Inn is situated in the heart of Cookham Dean village, about 10 minutes drive from Maidenhead and the beautiful River Thames. The local woods provide excellent walks around the area. Specials
Lanercost Priory Brampton, Cumbria, England Augustinian canons founded this priory in 1166 under the patronage of Robert de Vaux, lord of Gilsland. The chancel and transepts are in ruins, but the 13th century nave lives on as the parish church. When the priory was disbanded in the Dissolution of the Monasteries the north aisle became the parish church, but in 1740 the entire nave was roofed and became part of the church. In the 19th century Rosalind, Countess of Carlisle, donated the pews, organ case, and the current roof. The site of the monastic buildings lies to the south of the parish church. Particularly notable is the cellarium, used to store the priory's foodstuff. The cellarium now houses a collection of Roman altars and enjoyable medieval carvings. The west range of the priory was rebuilt as a private house in the 16th century, complete with a pele tower for protection. Lanercost is situated on a lovely site beside the River Irthing in a peaceful, wooded valley. But the valley was not always so peaceful; the priory was sacked by the Scots on no less than 3 occasions, in 1296, 1297, and 1346. In 1307 Edward I stayed at Lanercost during his last abortive journey to battle the Scots. It seems likely that the king and his retinue would have been accommodated in the guesthouse of the priory, which now serves as the vicarage. The elderly king was too ill to continue the fight and eventually died at Burgh by Sands, and a monument to Edward stands near the priory. LOCATION Lanercost
Priory is administered by English
Heritage
Kimbolton Kimbolton is a large village with an attractive High Street, but most people visit to see Kimbolton Castle. The site was settled at least as far back as the Roman era, and at the time of the Norman invasion the manor was held by King Harold himself. After the Conquest a castle was built at Kimbolton, under the control of the powerful de Bohun family. The De Bohuns were also responsible for funding the rebuilding of the parish church in the 13th century. Kimbolton is most famous for its associations with Katherine of Aragon. In 1536 the unhappy former queen died in Kimbolton Castle after 4 years of imprisonment. The room where Katherine died is fittingly called "the Queen's Room". The castle was greatly remodelled during the 17th century, when it was in the posession of the Dukes of Manchester. A series of the most prominent architects of the day had a hand in remaking Kimbolton into a luxurious residence; Vanbrugh, Hawksmoor, and Robert Adam all took part in redesigning Kimbolton. Kimbolton Castle is now a school, but may be visited during the summer months and when the school is not in session. For details phone 01480 860505
World's
Largest Online British History Resource
Birmingham's
Jewellery Event New
Look for Historic London Market When complete in May 2003 it will contain market stalls and a restaurant. The whole of Borough Market - one of the capital's oldest, on its present site since 1756 - is being refurbished to create a combination of wholesale and retail food markets. It is full of history: the market has existed for 20 centuries and became known as 'London's larder'. Most imported food arrived by ship at wharves alongside in Victorian times. Earlier this year, the retail farmers' market reopened and is attracting large crowds each weekend. It has been described as one of London's top three locations to buy good quality gourmet produce. There are 50 stands selling produce including fresh fish, meats, pies, cheeses, organic vegetables, freshly baked bread and wines. In the surrounding streets are speciality food shops, pubs, and restaurants. Open on Fridays (noon until 6.00 pm) and Saturdays (9.00 am until 4.00 pm) The nearest Underground is London Bridge. Website: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk. Autumn
Fire Festivals in Somerset Websites:
Queen's
Gallery at Holyroodhouse opens Dorset's
Jurassic Coastline Guide Visitors
can see not only superb Jurassic, but older Triassic and younger Cretaceous
rocks as well. Parts of the coast, particularly near Lyme Regis, are world-famous
for fossils. The Jurassic Coast is England's first natural World Heritage
Site: the country has a variety of man-made sites, from Stonehenge to
Durham Cathedral. The beautiful and often dramatic coastline is dotted
with attractive, mainly small resorts, and much of the inland scenery
was the setting for Thomas Hardy's novels. For geological information,
visit the websites http://www.dorsetrigs.com
and http://www.devon-cc.gov.uk/geology.
For Tourist Information Centres in the region, visit http://www.britainexpress.com/TIC/dorset.htm Glasgow's
Rennie Mackintosh Weekends Both include
full-day coach tours, with an expert guide, to places linked with Mackintosh,
including Glasgow School of Art, the Mackintosh House, House for an Art
Lover, and the Hill House . For reservations, contact the Charles Rennie
Mackintosh Society (tel. 0141 946 6600). For information on the Carlton
George, call 0141 353 6373. Website: http://www.carltonhotels.co.uk.
Historic
Welsh Stronghold is Unearthed Artefacts found included catapult balls from the siege, part of a bone crucifix, harp pegs, pottery from France, Spain and England and lead pay tokens used by the English for workers. A string of beads of polished shale, amber and elephant ivory from an ornament were also uncovered. Archaeologists also found extensive evidence of animals, which had been killed and eaten, including oysters from Essex and mussels from the Conwy estuary. The cannon balls and missile shells have been retained at the site. Other artefacts will go on display later at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier. David Ross,
Publisher, Britain Express |
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