Britain Update - St Albans Cathedral

Welcome to another issue of Britain Update,
Today we'll look at two places to visit, one a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, the other a historic cathedral in Hertfordshire. In addition, there's our brand new Country house Hotel guide - a bit late for Valentine's Day, perhaps, but ideal for planning a romantic break or special holiday! As well, there's a selection of travel news and notes which should prove useful in your travel planning. Enjoy!

David Ross, Publisher

English Gardens Tour - New dates have been announced for our Autumn English Gardens Tour. From September 3-10 you can visit some of the finest gardens and countryside of the West Country gardens in the company of a gardening expert. Full tour details are online at
http://www.britainexpress.com/tours/gardens.htm

Country House Hotels

I'm thrilled to announce that we've launched a new guide to Country House Hotels in the UK.

The term "country house hotel" conjures up images of luxurious comfort; a style of living common to the inhabitants of stately homes and country estates in days gone by. Though the great age of the country house in Britain has passed, that same sense of luxury and relaxed comfort can still be experienced by modern guests at many of the same houses that once welcomed lords and ladies, kings and courtiers!

In our new Country House Hotel Guide we bring together a selection of some of the finest hotels in England, Scotland, and Wales, from old rectories to stately homes. In many cases these houses are family owned and operated, providing you with unmatched personal attention, perfect for a relaxing holiday or romantic escape!

Country House Hotels in:
England
Scotland
Wales

Destinations

St. Albans Cathedral
St Albans, Hertfordshire, England

Named for the first British Christian martyr, this former abbey church is the second largest in England, after Winchester. The north transept stands on the traditional spot where Alban was executed in 305 for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. There wa a shrine to Alban on this spot from the 4th century, and a church certainly existed by the 8th century, when Bede commented on the beauty of the building, where miracles of healing were reputed to take place at the saint's shrine.

In 793 King Offa founded a Benedictine monastery here to atone for murdering Ethelbert. That early church was rebuilt in the late 11th century using tiles from the old Roman settlement of Verulamium. Of note in the interior is the stone roodscreen, perhaps the work of Henry Yevele, builder of Canterbury Cathedral, and wall paintings on the piers of the nave.

Major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott from 1856 - 1877. St. Albans became a cathedral in 1876, at which time restorations to the west front and the north transept were carried out by Lord Grimthorpe, an amateur architect who was given a free rein due to the fact that he was paying for the work out of his own pocket. Lord Grimthorpe was certainly enthusiastic, but opinions differ as to the results of his labours!

The shrine of St Alban was demolished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. However, some 2000 pieces of the Purbeck marble pedestal were later found scattered about the Abbey, and after a major restoration, the shrine was re-dedicated in the presence of HM The Queen Mother in 1993.

OPENING
The cathedral is open until 1745 all year round. The Information Desk is open from 10:30 - 16:30 Monday to Saturday. Telephone +44(0)1727 860780. Guided tours are offered by the Honorary guides.

ACCESSABILITY
There are facilities for disabled visitors who should enter by the east end Slype door. There is a Touch and Hearing centre and a braille guide plan.

Nearest Hotels
Hertfordshire Tourist Information Centres

Destinations

Mevagissey
Cornwall, England

Mevagissey is very much a traditional Cornish fishing village, the largest in St. Austell Bay. The name originates in the old Cornish dialect for "Meva-ag-issey", which means "the towns of Meva and Issey". Meva and Issey were two 6th century Irish missionaries who came to convert the area to Christianity.

The streets of this unspoilt town are a delightful twisting hodge-podge of whitewashed buildings lining narrow passageways.

Mevagissey is a working fishing port, though visitors can hire boats for trips around the bay. For a bit more active adventure, book a shark fishing outing or deep sea fishing trip at the pier. If you prefer to stay on dry land there is excellent walking on the clifftops above the town (and the views of town and sea are superb!).

ATTRACTIONS
World of Model Railways Exhibition boasts over 2000 model trains and 50 working locomotives, children's favourites display, and train shop.

Mevagissey Museum - displays of traditional Cornish customs and heritage, devoted mainly to the Victorian period in the town, with archival photographs and maritime models.

Sealife Aquarium - many species of local sealife are featured. Proceeds from the aquarium are used to clean up the harbour.

Lost Gardens of Heligan - Possibly the largest garden restoration project undertaken in Europe. The Lost Gardens were overgrown for 70 years, but now they are being meticulously rebuilt as they were in the Victorian period.

NEARBY:
Eden Project - two gigantic plant conservatories, the largest in the world, made up of 800 pieces of interlocking hexagons without any internal support.

Cornwall Hotel Guide

NGS "Yellow Book" 2003 on sale
The National Gardens Scheme guide of gardens open for charity in 2003 is now available in bookshops priced £5.99, or through the website: http://www.ngs.org.uk for £7.75 including UK p&p.

Aside from the gardens gazetteer for which the Yellow Book is famous, the guide contains several interesting features, including: Celebrity garden writer Stephen Anderton reflects on the NGS, whilst garden writers and owners Erica Hunnigher and Katherine Swift share memories of their NGS open day last year. As well, Trudi Harrison lists her top ten tips for opening a seaside garden.

Jorvik Viking Festival
Vikings invade York this week and next for the annual Jorvik Viking Festival, which runs from 14 Feb - 23 Feb. This week long Festival reflects the traditional Viking celebration of the coming of Spring, 'Jolablot'. There is always a varied programme of events for all the family, including re-enactments of landmarks in Viking history, saga telling and traditional craft demonstrations. http://www.vikingjorvik.com/

London Museum News
The ‘Horniman Music Gallery’ at the Horniman Museum has opened, marking the completion of the museum’s £13m centenary development. The new gallery is home to 1,600 instruments, 200 of which were donated by Frederick Horniman in 1901 as part of his gift to the people of London. The gallery also has ‘listening tables’ for visitors to hear the sounds of the instruments displayed and an area where some of the instruments can be played. Further information at http://www.horniman.ac.uk

The Whitechapel Art Gallery is now open every Thursday until 9pm. This new late night opening will include special events, talks and tours of the exhibition, as well as films and late opening of the Whitechapel Café/Bar. Further information online at http://www.whitechapel.org/

Groups of between 10-25 people can now arrange to have private guided tours by Blue Badge Guides when they visit Somerset House. A ‘Somerset House Group Facilitator’ is part of the group booking service and will meet and greet groups on arrival before the tour. This service is free of charge. Further information at http://www.somerset-house.org.uk/

Kew Gardens Orchid Festival
From 15 Feb - 16 March The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens (Greater London) will be transformed into a tropical habitat for the ninth annual Orchid Festival. There will be waterfalls, streams and rocky shelves along with half a million flowers of different colours, shapes and sizes. In addition, a new exhibition will study the history of the orchid and look at aspects of orchid conservation today. Kew Gardens are located in Richmond, and can be reached by London Underground service (Kew Gardens station, District Line) Phone +44 20 8332 5614, Email :info@kew.org Website http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/

National Trust for Scotland North America Foundation
In a previous Update I mentioned that membership in the National Trust for Scotland offers travelers the chance to gain free entry into historic properties throughout the UK, as well as supporting the important preservation activities of the NTS throughout Scotland. What I neglected to mention is that North Americans can join a special branch of the NTS. Here's the contact information if you'd like to become involved - or if you just have an interest in Scottish heritage.

The National Trust for Scotland
28 State Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02109
Phone 617-619-3631
Fax 617-619-3924
Email nationaltrustforscotland@gurland.com

Quirky Shopping Guide to London
The new edition of the Quirky Shopping Guide for London Eastside has been published. The 44-page guide describes the myriad of small and independent shops, galleries and craft studios in this part of London. The guide is available by calling 020 7364 4458 or can be downloaded from http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/discover/data/quirky-shopping.cfm.

Thomas the Tank Engine Steams On
Two of England's steam heritage railways are preparing for their most popular events’ days starring Thomas the Tank Engine. Normally sell-out occasions run mainly by volunteers, they attract families from as far away as Japan, who come to see the colourful engines and meet characters such as the Fat Controller from the well-known children's books and TV programmes.

At the Watercress Line in Alresford, Hampshire, 50 miles south-west of London, which holds its Days Out with Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends on April 18-27 and August 9-17, highlights include: Races between steam engines Thomas and Douglas, Mischief from the Troublesome Trucks, and the return of Henry the Green Engine after a three-year overhaul. The railway can be reached by main-line train from London's Waterloo Station. Tel. 01962 733810. Website: http://www.watercressline.co.uk

At the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre near Aylesbury, an hour north-west of London, a wheelchair accessible footbridge will allow disabled people of all ages to access all parts of the 35 acre museum. The centre's Day Out With Thomas event takes place on June 13-15, July 12-13 and September 12-14.
Tel 01296 655720. Website: http://www.bucksrailcentre.org.uk

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

		Where to go and what to see in the UK, from Britain Express, your UK travel and heritage guide