.
Summer is the time to get out of the confines of the house and enjoy the weather. While it may not be sunny all the time, this is the best period in the year to enjoy what nature has to offer. You don’t even need to go far or out of the country. Just take a look around you and you will find a lot of options.
One of these is a floating picnic at the River Thames. The best online resource for this kind of outing is Visit Thames, which compiles most anything that you can do related to the river. There are lots of restaurants by the river, from the outskirts of London to the Cotswolds. The Guardian recently had a feature on these floating picnic outings and suggests these:
The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse in Moulsford near Goring (beetleandwedge.co.uk) makes up hampers of cheese, salads, gravadlax, baguettes, melon and strawberries, then puts you in a wooden launch that seats up to 10 people (one hour boat hire £50, hampers from £15pp).
Or cruise the Thames in style from Marlow on the Compleat Angler’s Edwardian-style electric launch, while tucking into poached salmon, sandwiches, salads, scones, cheese and biscuits and strawberries and cream (macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleatangler, boat hire £75-£95 per hour, hampers £25-£36).
If you want to pack your own hamper the website also lists boat hire companies such as Cotswold Boat Hire (cotswoldboat.co.uk), based in Lechlade, which has open-top motor boats from £80 for four hours for up to five people, and rowing boats from £15 per hour.
Now that sounds pretty good to me. What about you?
Are you yearning to get away from your tedious daily life? If you cannot find the time to go on a week-long break (or longer), or you do not have the cash to spare for an exotic vacation this spring, why not keep within the boundaries of the country and spend some time in the local scene? You may not know it but there are so many places within the UK that you can visit without breaking the bank, while at the same time discovering something new.
One such place is Bodwin Moor in Cornwall. With its awe inspiring landscapes and natural beauty, Bodwin Moor is the perfect place to go to get away from it all. And another plus? This area is largely undeveloped. This means that you would not have to compete with too many tourists if you visit.
But just because it is not that developed, it does not mean that you will not find a good place to stay. There are a number of comfortable bed and breakfasts and farmstay opportunities in the area. If you like roughing it, you can opt to go camping as well. Let me tell you, camping is not exactly roughing it, though, as you get proper beds and wooden floors inside the tents at Belle Tents.
Some areas of interest that you should NOT miss if you go to Bodwin Moors include the Cheesewring (a natural formation of rocks) and the numerous mines in the area. For more detailed information on tourism in Bodwin Moor, read The Guardian’s feature.
Comment (0) 
Posted on Dec 27, 2008 by Jodie in English Cuisine, English Culture, English Places, English Traditions
With a history and culture as rich as it can be, there is no doubt that one can experience a myriad of festivities all throughout the country during the period of Christmas. As diverse as the activities are, one of the most popular is going around visiting various Christmas markets.
Year in and year out, visitors and locals alike look forward to Christmas markets all over the country. Here are some of the popular ones this year.
Bath Christmas Market
This has been a tradition in Bath since 2001. The town itself has a lot of other things to offer, especially the historic Abbey where the market is located. The traditional wooden stalls used as shops in the market add to the ambiance. More so, one can expect a lot of unique items.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
This is being held in Birmingham and is considered the largest Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria – definitely a unique experience!
Manchester Christmas Markets
Manchester is not to be outdone when it comes to markets this Christmas. It has more than one! There is a traditional German market, a European market, and an Arts and Crafts Market.
These are only a few of the on going Christmas markets in Britain today. More than the food, crafts, and other items on sale, visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere with the entertainment being offered everywhere. This is a good time to feel the English culture at its festive best – wherever in England you may want to go.
Stonehenge has proved to be a mystery for so long now that when I heard about experts finally unveiling some of that mysterious cover, I was not so sure that it was true. Still, what researchers have revealed to the world makes some sense.
According to some British researchers, they might have found a reason people transported those gigantic stones from Wales to Salisbury Plain – a good 250 miles. They think that the people of that time might have believed the stones to have possessed miraculous healing powers. Apparently, other archeologists who were not involved in the research think that the findings are very possible.
Stonehenge has “multiple meanings and multiple uses” that may have changed over the centuries, said archaeologist Mary Ann Owoc of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., who was not involved in the new research. “To limit it to one is an error.”
The idea that the stones are not just building materials but have efficacy “is tremendously appealing as an idea,” said archaeologist Julian Thomas of Manchester University, who also was not involved in the research. “The idea that they were brought there because they have some kind of power seems to me entirely plausible. But whether it is just about healing is another question.”
I do not know much about archeology and am definitely not an authority on this matter but the idea that Stonehenge served like a Lourdes in the ancient times sounds realistic. I also think that it is a fitting explanation for a structure that has been so shrouded in mystery for as long as anyone can remember.
For those of you who grew up in the country, you would probably love to relive that experience. For those who are purebred city people, then you might want to have a taste of what growing up in the country is like. That is, being surrounded by animals and fields, being out in the open air.
If you like animals and you want to experience something like a county fair, then I suggest that you head on over to the Rare and Traditional Breeds Show at Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex. What should you expect? About Britain announces the event:
Our biggest show of the year! Over 500 cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry of numerous rare breeds will be taking part in the show, the largest in south east England. Bring the family to see orange bristled Tamworth pigs; the Pygmy goats, not much more than one foot high; Gloucester Old Spot pigs with their dramatic black blotches, Longhorn cattle with majestic curly horns and Southdown Sheep with their teddy bear faces and dumpling shape and many many more. Other attractions include country craft and trade stands with farm and animal themes and the Museum’s own team of working Shire horses.
The exact venue of the show is the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, which is worthy enough of a visit on its own. The highlights of the Museum include historic homes, farms, and workplaces. These have been restored and all efforts have been made to keep them as close to the original as possible.
The show runs on the 20th of July from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. Ticket costs:
Adults £8.50, over 60s £7.50, children £4.50, family ticket £23.30 includes a full day’s entry to all Museum buildings and outdoor exhibits.
Photo courtesy of Dunechaser
Long rambling walks in the countryside, the unmistakable scent of fresh air, the peacefulness that one finds only outside of the city – these things and more are what you can expect from a visit to Cumbria. Cumbria is a shire county in Northwest England and is predominantly rural. It is actually considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the whole country.
Being predominantly rural, the Cumbria area is one of the best places – if not the best – to go walking in England. If going on leisurely walks is your idea of relaxation, then Cumbria should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
The two main footpaths in this area are the Cumbrian Way and the Dales Way. If you take the former route, you will start by the sea side and head on northward to experience some of the most spectacular sceneries. The latter route will take you west into Yorkshire. Either way, you will have a one of a kind walking experience.
Of course, there are other options for those who are not “heavy duty walkers.” There are countless other footpaths wherein you can take more leisurely and shorter walks. Cumbria Calling lists down some of them:
• Buttermere – a two hour walk takes you all the way round this lovely lake
• Derwent Water Ferry – take the Derwent ferry from Keswick to Hawes End. Walk to Lodore Falls and take the ferry back to Keswick
• Stiffer than a stroll, but possible without being a mountaineer is to climb Skiddaw from Keswick.
• Ullswater ferry and walk. Take ferry from Glenridding pier to Howtown. It is then a three hour walk back along the lake shore to Howtown
• Take the ferry from Bowness to Sawrey, walk along the lake shore to Bass Rock, return through the National Trust woods
• Grizedale forest. There are a number of waymarked walks. Details from Forestry Commission
• Round Grasmere. A pleasant walk all the way round the lake at Grasmere will take about two hours
So put on your walking shoes and head on over to Cumbria!
Photo courtesy of Pikaluk
I wrote something about visiting Bath, one of the most popular tourist spots in the UK, some time ago. If you remember, Bath is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO and this is one reason that Bath is as popular as it is today.
Recent developments, however, might be putting this charming British town at risk. Apparently, there are some building developments in the city which might lead to the stripping of the designation by the UNESCO. The said developments are actually plans to construct homes – thousands of them – in the Western Riverside area, and this is only part of the whole picture.
The Guardian reports:
The development has been described by the Bath Heritage Watchdog as ’something akin to a massive Soviet-era housing project’.
Deborah Aplin, managing director of Crest Nicholson Regeneration, which is behind the Western Riverside development, said that it had written support from the government and English Heritage. ‘This land has been derelict for more than 25 years and our scheme will help regenerate this part of an otherwise beautiful city,’ she added.
I think that it is understandable that some citizens of the city would want to push Bath forward by opening the city to development and progress. However, it is also understandable that the city’s stature as a World Heritage Site could be affected. After all, certain criteria must be met in order for a place to be designated as such.
The issue will be discussed during UNESCO’s annual conference. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens.
Photo courtesy of Ian Muttoo
Want to have children? Have you been trying for years to no avail? Then I suggest that you head on over to Dorset in southern England. Just outside the village of Cerne Abbas, you will find a legendary chalk figure – The Cerne Abbas Giant. It is also called the Rude Man or the Rude Giant due to its exposed phallus.
So why should you visit the Giant if you want to have children? Legend has it that if a childless couple made love (on a certain part of the giant), they would soon have children. Another legend says that if a woman walked around the figure three times, she would keep her lover faithful to her. Oh, just make sure you’re fit enough to do three rounds – this giant is not called a giant for nothing!
The Cerne Abbas Giant’s is thought to be created way back in Ancient times. However, its history has only been traced to the late 17th century. Wikipedia presents one version of its origins:
Some believe that the giant was carved during the English Civil War by servants of the Lord of the Manor, Denzil Holles, and was intended as a parody of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was sometimes mockingly referred to as “England’s Hercules” by his enemies. The Hercules connection is strengthened by the recent discovery of an obliterated line perhaps representing an animal skin (see below). The suggestion that the figure is Hercules was first made in 1764 by William Stukeley.
Whoever the Giant may really be, the fact remains that it is one of the more popular sights in that part of England.
There are countless places to visit if you decide to travel in the UK. One of the most beautiful places to go is the city of Bath. This city is located in the southwestern part of England and is famous for a lot of things. To say the least, it has been designated as a World Heritage Site.
This year, the annual Taste of Bath Festival is going to be held from the 3rd of July till the 6th of July. Visitors are in for a treat of the senses as the best chefs of the area congregate to present a wonderful culinary experience. Many local restaurants will be participating in the festival – you only have to take your pick. More than this, you can also participate in hands on cookery classes, in which you can learn how to make delectable dishes using the freshest local produce.
There are four different types of tickets which you can choose from:
Standard-£12
Entry only. (Children aged 6-14yrs – £8, Children under 5 – Free)
Premium-£25
Entry plus £15 worth of Crowns.
VIP-£40
Entry plus £15 worth of Crowns, entry to VIP area and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
Connoisseur-£65
Entry plus £15 worth of Crowns and exclusive entry into the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Masterclass and Connoisseur’s Lounge.
In case you are wondering, Crowns are the official currency for the festival and each Crown is worth 50p. I’d say that the entry fees are not such a bad deal, don’t you think?
Photo courtesy of Randy Son of Robert
We all hear these terms a lot but which means which? Can we interchange the names or do they refer to something specific? The truth is, they each refer to something specific although even the British may not all be aware of that.
Great Britain refers to the largest island in the whole of Europe. When you say Great Britain you use it to mean three countries. That is, England, Scotland, and Wales. Other small adjacent islands are included except for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. When did this term come into being? It was actually during the reign of King James VI of Scotland (also known as King James I of England), when England and Scotland became one kingdom. This union didn’t mean that only one government managed the two countries. It was basically having one crown recognized as the head of two separate states.
When you say United Kingdom, you are referring to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In fact, British passports now say “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” This term came into use in 1922.
The third term, the British Isles, is quite different from the other two in that is of a geographical nature and not political. When you hear someone talk about the British Isles, he probably means this group of islands:
Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, the Orkney and Shetland Islands, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Islands, Lundy Island, the Channel Islands and many other smaller islands
Powered by WordPress | Custom theme by Randa Clay | Copyright © English Blog | Top
