Choice Days Out And Attractions Summer 09

YOUR No– 1 CHOICE

Days Out & Attractions

Published by: Travel & LeisureMagazines Ltd, 103 Cranbrook Road,Ilford, Essex IG1 4PUTel: 020 8477 1529Fax: 020 8514 4536Email: [email protected]

Printed by Wyndenham Heron©Travel & Leisure MagazinesLimited 2009

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London 28East of England 34Heart of England 42East Midlands 46Yorkshire 50Scotland 54Wales 58

Choice Essentials 8Reviews & giveaways

Out & About 10What’s on where you are?UK Summer Airshows

Choice Competition 12A theatre break toNorthampton

South-West England 14South-East England 20

Welcome to the Summer 2009 edition of ChoiceDays Out & Attractions. Our quick and easy-to-use

design allows you to locate your family day out even faster.Choice Essentials (p8) is full of new product reviews and

reader giveaways and Out & About (p10) features some greatSummer Airshows.

We also have a great competition to win a theatre break toNorthampton, page 12 has entry details. We’ve retained ourpopular regional format with local information and useful website-listings with suggestions for fun and interesting places to visit.

FOR GREAT DAYS OUT ANDTOP FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Full steamahead!The Steam Heritage Guide 2009 is theonly publication to cover heritagerailways, industrial archaeology,transport, ship, aircraft and militarymuseum sites and contains over £100of discount vouchers. This compactguide is ideal for carrying in your bagor pocket or leaving in your car glove box, giving youconstant inspiration for unique and exciting places to visitwhich are perfect for days out for families, friends andcouples. There are over 1000 events and hundreds oflocations listed and categorised by date, attractiontype, geographical location and alphabetically. The Steam Heritage Guide 2009 is available nowfrom Tee Publishing atwww.teepublishing.co.uk/steam_heritage.php or

to order call 01926 614101.

Choice Giveaway: FiveSteam Heritage Guides

Simple to use, light and easy tocarry, and no power adapter –your My Passport for Macwill become yourfavourite accessory.Store thousandsof songs,videos orphotos onthere and always havethem to hand.

• My Passport for Mac is aportable drive for the ever-growing Mac community

• Available as 320 GB and 500GB external hard drive

• Pre-formatted for Mac

• USB powered – no need forexternal power adapter

• Reliable and easy-to-use

• Compatible with Apple® TimeMachine™

• Sleek design

• Shock-resistant enclosure

• 3-year limited warranty

• Price for 500GB WD MyPassport: £104.99

www.westerndigital.com

Get Trollied – at the beach,picnic or festival!

The new Turtle Bag Trolley with its chunkywheels and eco Fair Trade credentials looksset to be the perfect accessory thissummer, whatever the weather.The Turtle Trolley comes in a choice oftwo designs – lime green, cotton canvasor red, recycled cement bag. Offering a30 litre capacity, the bags are attached tothe funky frame to get your gear acrosseven the most stubborn terrain.The original string Turtle Bag has alreadybecome one of the UK's leading,

sustainable shopping bags. Turtle Bag Trolleys cost £34.95 for the bag

and frame whilst additional bags cost £14.95and are available on-line at

www.turtlebags.co.uk

Choice giveaway: 2 Turtle Trolleys

Choice EssentialsNew Mac Formatted DrivesOffer Simplicity and Value

Don’t miss:The 2009 Cheltenham Music Festival

3–18 JulyMarking its 65th anniversary with a 16-day programme of music ranging from

a celebration of six decades of soundtracks from the Silver Screen toanniversary celebrations of Haydn, Handel and Mendelssohn.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com0844 576 8970

Don’t miss:The BugWorld

Experienceopening on 1 July

Albert Dock, LiverpoolThe BugWorld Experience is the firstof its kind in the UK. It will showvisitors the world through a bug’seyes, testing their bravery, wit andskill with interactive challengesand games along the way.Guided through simulatedenvironments from a rainforestto a savannah to the everydayBritish home, visitors will see,find out about and even interact withthe bugs that inhabit each.

www.bugworldexperience.co.uk

Reviews & Giveaways

Choice GiveawaysHow to enter:Entries can be made by going towww.choicetravelinfo.combefore Friday 24th July 2009 and entering your details under‘competitions and giveaways’. The winner will be announced and publishedon the website 2009. Terms and conditions on the website.

Choice Days Out & Attractions Summer 2009 9

New car fragrance from Yankee Candle® Say goodbye to over-powering fragrances when you open your car door!

The new Pump and Go™ allows you to control how much fragrance is released. Simplyclip onto your car’s vent, pump and go – the Yankee® fragrance is released into thecar only when air from the vent flowsthrough it, which means your car is

fragranced when you sit in it, not whenit's empty on the drive!

From the masculinity of Leather, to thefreshness of Sun & Sand™, each exclusive Yankee Candle®fragrance is blended with an odour eliminating agent, soinstead of simply masking bad car odours, Pump and Go™will eliminate and refresh. Price £6.99.www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Wash it, squashit, and go –

every parentshould have one!

The wonderful washable,squashable highchair is now

available with alfrescofasteners to fix to outdoorand pavement style chairs.The Totseat converts chairs

of all shapes and sizes(including camping chairs)into a safe haven for a tot

who can sit unaided, it’s theideal accessory for summer

days out and picnics –minimal luggage (folds up

into it’s own bag), andmaximum impact.

Totseat is the mostadaptable product of its type

in the UK, and is the onlyone to carry the logo of theChild Accident Prevention

Trust (CAPT) in recognitionof its safety credentials. The Totseat comes in a

range of funky colours andcosts £21.50 +postage from

www.totseat.com

Win awonderfuljourneythroughwonderland!The Cambridge Touring Theatre, is vibrant andbursting with energy and enthusiasm performingfun family theatre at some of the mostpicturesque spots in the country.

It takes to the road on 12 June for the seventhsuccessful year with its lively and often hilariousperformance of ‘Alice’s Adventures inWonderland’ – they’ll sing, dance, steal yoursandwiches and spray you with water!

Also launching this year is a programme ofdrama workshops aimed at 5–12 year olds whichrun alongside the performance.

For dates, venues and tickets go to:

www.cambridgetouringtheatre.co.uk

Choice giveaway: A family ticket (2adults and 2 children) to see Alice’s Adventures

in Wonderland at a venue of your choice* The closing

date for this giveaway is 26 June.*subject to availability

CoolCrocs!The new Captivaflip flops from Crocs are greatfor the summer months. Theyare ultra comfortable,lightweight and available in achoice of bright colours such asjade, citrus and berry – yourfeet will be smiling along withthe summer sun!With a soft toe stump and overthe foot straps, the Captivalooks equally stylish when wornon the beach or around townand keeps your feet happy inthe hot weather with itspillowed footbed and addedflexibility.Being made of Crocs traditionalCroslite material means theCaptiva will give your feetantibacterial protection whilealso being really easy to clean.RRP £25.95.To see Crocs full range ofsummer styles go towww.crocs.eu

www.choicetravelinfo.com

Visitors to the World’s Biggest FREE Seafront Airshow will have fourchances to see crowd favourite the Red Arrows as the famous fastjets with their red, white and blue smoke formations will display on

every day of Airbourne. This year the iconic red jets will zoom through Eastbourne skies over

the beautiful seafront setting on all four days of the seaside airshowentertaining crowds with their breathtaking loops and twists overhead. WithBournemouth only seeing three appearances from the Red Arrows, visitorsto Eastbourne will not only be treated to four incredible flying formations butwill also get a rare opportunity to greet the Reds arena-side on Saturday 15August as they touch down in Eastbourne for a special ground appearance.

Not to be outdone, Bournemouth is the regions premier event this yearfor the Fly Navy 100 Naval celebrations. The resort will be receiving RFAMounts Bay as well as the HMS Cattistock, Black Cats Helicopter DisplayTeam (featuring Lynx helicopters), beach assaults, demonstrations from theRoyal Marines Commando Display Team and music from The Band of HerMajesty’s Royal Marines will ‘beat retreat’ in the award-winning LowerGardens every evening.

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow 13–16 AugustDisplays include the F16, the US Fighting Falcon, plus the Eurofighter

Typhoon making it a truly international event. With rival resort Bournemouthseeing a lack in international flying displays, Eastbourne is keen to uphold itsreputation as the biggest international seafront airshow.

Visitors to Airbourne can also look forward to the welcome return of theGuinot Wingwalkers who amaze spectators with their daredevil displays,plus the Blades Aerobatic Formation Team, famous for flying at prestigiousevents including the Beckham’s pre-World Cup Party.

With plenty of entertainment on the ground too, including action-packed arena demonstrations, trade stands, children’s beachentertainment, full size replica aircraft and the chance to chat to the RAFCareers Team; Airbourne makes a packed day out for any visitor.

www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk

More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival 20–23 AugustAfter the incredible success of last year, visitors, holiday makers,

residents and aviation enthusiasts can expect another four days ofbreath-taking aviation entertainment at Britain’s largest free summerevent.

Recently confirmed are the The Matadors, one of the UK’s mostdynamic aerobatic teams; the Spitfire & Mustang will be displayingtogether and Sally B (also known as B-17 and Flying Fortress), the

last remaining airworthy B-17 in the UK willalso be taking to the skies.

’Night Air’, taking place in the LowerGardens, will include amongst other highlightsa hot air balloon show featuring more than 20hot air balloons, which will be accompanied bya laser show on Friday and Saturday night;displays by the Royal Marines Combat DisplayTeam, street entertainers and fireworks onSaturday night.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

As Bournemouth prepares to take onEastbourne to become the best of the southcoast, we take a look at the ever popularairshows taking place around the UK thissummer

Summer Airshows

Sunderland InternationalAirshow 25–26 July10am – 6pm FREE entry

Winner of the “BestTourism Experience”

at the North East EnglandTourism Awards 2008

Celebrating its 21st year theairshow programme consistsof four hours of flying featuringfront line jets, vintage aircraft,parachute display teams,aerobatic teams, the RedArrows, the Blades and theRAF Falcons.On the ground, there willfantastic displays from the RAF,Royal Navy and Army,children’s entertainment and ahuge range of exhibition andtraders offering a wide varietyof products.The Airshow first started in1989 as a one day event andattracted 250,000 visitors andin 2008 the show attractedover one million spectatorsover the two-day event!www.sunderlandevents.com

Bournemouth

Sunderland

Sunderland

Bournemouth

Out & AboutWales National Airshow: Swansea Bay 11–12 July10am–7pm, air displays between 12noon and 4pm. www.swanseabayfestival.com

The highlight of the Swansea Bay Festival with a displays from the Red Arrows, theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Royal Air Force Typhoon Eurofighter and theRoyal Navy’s crack helicopter team the Black Cats and much more on the ground.

RAF Leuchars Airshow: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland 12 September8am–6pm www.airshow.co.uk

The last official military airshow of its type in Scotland and one of only three in theUK, the RAF Leuchars Airshow will feature spectacular flying with displays includingThe Red Arrows, Typhoon, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a variety ofaircraft from around the world. The RAF will showcase many of its assets anddemonstrate operational capability by featuring a role demonstration.

Adult ticket prices start at £16 and concessionary charges start from £7. Groupand family tickets also available. Paid car parking. Tickets will be on sale from 13 July.

The Victory Show, Foxlands Farm, Leicestershire 5–6 September8am–6pm www.victoryshow.co.uk

Commemorating the end of hostilities during WW2 the two day event provideshistorical societies and re-enactments through various forces from several era's andtheatres during the period of 1939-45. From Airmen to Infantry, the Victory Showopens a window in time to the fabulous 1940's. For the first time ever at the VictoryShow the "Avro Vulcan" with be performing a “bombing run”. Our professionalpyrotechnic crew will be spectacularly choreographing all the explosions.

Adults £10; Children 5–16 £5; Under 5’s and WWII Veterens Free.

London’s only airshowLondon CityAirport Fun Day &Airshow, Newham4 July • FREE entry2.30–6.30pmJust two miles from the site of the 2012Olympic Games, the London CityAirport Fun Day has a sporting themeto celebrate the Olympics andParalympics coming to London. Visitors can try sporting activitiesincluding basketball, football,taekwondo and rowing, javelin and shotput with elite coaches on the lookoutfor talented young sports people.British Airways pilots and crew will begiving once-in-a-lifetime tours of thecockpit of an Avro RJ100 or RJ85 andone of the main highlights of theafternoon is the jaw dropping airshow.The only airshow in London will haveeveryone looking up to skies to watch

an array of aircraftperforming breathtakingstunts. Fun Day is aspectacular day out for thecommunities surroundingthe airport and providesthe opportunity to raisemuch needed funds for

Richard House Children’s Hospice.www.londoncityairport.com/funday/

Airbourne, Eastbourne

Airbourne, Eastbourne


London City AirportFunday & Airshow

London City AirportFunday & Airshow

If you have never consideredNorthamptonshire as a holiday destination youmay want to think again. With more and more

people choosing to stay in the UK this summer,Northamptonshire has much to offer, whateveryou’re into.

Those who like to live at a more leisurely pacecan enjoy a picnic and a stroll through the manycountry parks including Fermyn Woods CountryPark, Irchester and Brixworth Country Park. For amore exhilarating way to experience the primeBritish countryside there are 15 cycle tours tochoose from including The Brampton Valley Way,The Nene Valley Way and The Bluebell Line. Ifyou fancy living the “high life” take the ‘Tree-topwalk’ in Salcey Forest, it’s 20 metres up in thetrees and 300 metres long with look out towersand a rope bridge.

For the culture vultures among you there isan array of cultural heritage events andmodern art galleries on offer. For something abit special take a trip out to FermynwoodsContemporary Art Gallery. This delightful,unusual and intriguing gallery has beendescribed as a “jewel in Northants and inEngland”. Set in beautiful countryside andwith fascinating exhibitions that changethroughout the year you will leave trulyinspired. Other cultural attractionsinclude the Northampton Museum andArt Gallery housing fascinatingfootwear throughout the ages, andthe beautiful Grade 1 listed AbingtonMuseum and Art Gallery. The

county is also home to the biggestconcentration of stately homes

and castles in England. Standing

on the edge of an escarpment giving stunning views over fivecounties and the Welland Valley below, Rockingham Castletakes you on a fascinating journey through history, fromWilliam the Conqueror right through to the SaundersWatson family who live there today. Enjoy 12 acres ofgardens including the rose garden, magnificent wild garden,and the curious “elephant” hedges. There are plenty ofevents lined up this year including open-air theatre, battle re-enactments and a Craft & Food Fair.

For those who choose to live life at a faster pace youwill find all you need in Northamptonshire foradventure and adrenalin. You could find yourself tank

driving at Tanks A Lot in Helmdon, Skydiving at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Skydiving Centre, White Water rafting at NeneWhite Water rafting centre or cycling off road at Get

Further information: www.britainonshow.co.uk

Whittlebury Hallwww.whittleburyhall.co.uk0845 400 0001Whittelbury Hall Say Spa0845 400 0002

Silverstone Racing Experiencewww.silverstone.co.uk08704 588270

Royal & Derngate Theatrewww.royalandderngate.co.ukBox office: 01604 624811

Fermynwoods Contemporary Art Gallerywww.fermynwoods.co.uk01536 373469

Rockingham Castlewww.rockinghamcastle.com01536 770240

Out & AboutMountain Biking. Those with a need for speedwill not be short of stimulation in the home ofBritish Motorsport. Four major racetracks canbe found here including the Silverstone Circuitwhere you can try your hand at Lotus Driving.

With award winning hotels andcountry houses, camping andcaravanning sites, self-catering and

B&B accommodation, you will find the digs tosuit your needs. For those seeking luxury and relaxation, indulge in a stay atWhittlebury Hall; an impressive four-star hotel with three restaurants and leisureand spa facilities. The hotel has 211 spacious double or twin bedrooms and 3 suitesand is located adjacent to the Silverstone Circuit. The award-winning spaincorporates a unique heat and ice experience and facilities include a sanarium, softsteam bath and ice cave. Other facilities include a Hydrotherapy Pool, Roman SaltSteam and a Hamman Steam Chamber. Check the website for more informationand for spa package offers.

Northamptonshire is only an hour from London and is within easy reach of allmajor UK rail/road networks. With stunning countryside, world class action andadventure, culture, history and events throughout the year, Northamptonshirewould be a great choice for your UK holiday.

Win a fantastic theatre break to Northampton

Prize includes a double room with bed & breakfast at HolidayInn Northampton, two tickets to see one of the plays in the

Ayckbourn at 70 season and transfers from the hotelto the Royal & Derngate theatre and back.

Alan Ayckbourn has made anunparalleled contribution to populartheatre, and as he reaches his 70th

birthday, Royal & Derngate celebrates his life andworks, in a season of events including threemajor productions of plays from different periodsin his writing career: Just Between Ourselves 22 May–13June; Private Fears in Public Places 22 June–11 July; andMan of the Moment 27 July to 15 August.

Holiday Inn Northampton is offering a fantastic hotel andtheatre package for the Ayckbourn at 70 festival. For just£99 guests can enjoy a room for two, bed and breakfast, two theatre ticketsand transfers from the hotel to the show.

To book for the hotel and theatre package, call Royal & Derngate on 01604 624811. www.royalandderngate.co.uk www.holidayinn.com/northamptonuk

Music, Comedy, Theatre,Cabaret, Literature, Art,

Film, Poetry, Dance,Children's Art Theatre

The pioneering, award-winningLatitude Festival returns toEngland’s Sunrise Coast foranother spectacular year. Takingplace on 16–19 July, near Suffolk’sstunning seaside town ofSouthwold, organisers FestivalRepublic are promising Latitudewill be the perfect Britishsummer destination.

The open-air Obelisk Arena hasbeen the stage of some epicperformances over the past threeyears and Latitude 2009 will beno different. Lay out your picnicblanket, bask in the sunshine andget down to some of the bestmusic around.

Pet Shop Boys, ReginaSpektor, Grace Jones, Doves,

Editors, Pretendersplus many more

Tickets: Weekend tickets £150plus booking fees • Day ticketsFri, Sat, Sun £60 plus booking fee.Weekend ticket prices include carparking and camping.Days include car parking only.Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821Online:www.festivalrepublic.comwww.seetickets.comwww.latitudefestival.co.uk

Images: © Jon Appleyard

How to enterTo be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize simply go to

www.choicetravelinfo.com before Friday 3rd July2009 and enter your details under ‘competitions and giveaways’.

Terms and conditions on the website.

Rockingham Castle

Just Between

Ourselves

Private Fears in Public Places

Man of the Moment

Royal & Derngate Theatre


It’s hard to imagine that one region couldhave so many contrasts and that in even themost hectic of cities, the sheer beauty of thewest-country can force you to relax. A placethat is real, where the countryside villagesresemble those on chocolate boxes andwhere beaches are so spectacular they takeyour breath away.

Cornwall offers more miles of unspoiltcoastline than anywhere else in Britain. It’svibrant image is the result of a rich history andculture that still lives and breathes through thesites and scenery scattered throughout thecounty such as stone circles, castles and remainsof iron-age villages. Cornwall’s fishing industrystill survives in harbours like Newlyn,Mevagissey, Padstow, Falmouth, Looe andPolperro, and many smaller boats still workout of coves such as Port Issac, Cadgwith andMullion.

Release the artist within you and fall inlove with the light and landscape that thefar end of England’s south-west peninsulahas to offer. Cornwall has a wealth ofsmall gallery’s and art cafes to pass thetime away – that’s if you’re not toobusy surfing, which is another ofCornwall’s pastimes, but that’s

another story!

Devon benefits from havingtwo very different coastlines, in

the north you will find dramatic, rugged headlands andsurf-washed sands whilst in the south, you can enjoygolden coasts, white pebbled beaches and sheltered bays.There are many reasons to visit Devon and one of the mostpopular is to sample the traditional Devon cream tea or toenjoy a fresh seafood platter – Devon is as famous for itsculinary delights as it is for its magnificent coastline.

Devon is perfect for family fun with miles of blue flagbeaches and the best sand in the UK for buildingsandcastles! Devon is England’s greenest county and hasbeen declared the number one organic county according tothe latest figures from Defra. The spectacular coastal path,rolling countryside, stone circles, historic market towns andliterary connections all add to the wealth of Devon’s richheritage.

Somerset is a land of contrasts, from the 40 miles ofcoastline and thepopular seasideresorts of Mineheadand Burnham-on-Sea, to the smallestcity in England,Wells and thelegends thatsurround Exmoorand Glastonbury.

Somerset is ahaven for explorers– for walkers, SouthSomerset has over1,100 miles of pathsand tracks to loseyourself in! For the

Newquay Beach, Cornwall©www.britainonview.com

Getting there• First Great Western

www.firstgreatwestern.co.ukTel: 08457 000 125

• South West Trainswww.swtrains.co.ukTel: 0845 6000 650

• National Expresswww.nationalexpress.comTel: 08705 808 080

• Flightswww.visitsouthwest.co.uk/main/flights

• Route Plannerwww.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner


perfect rural retreat,visit the Heart ofSomerset, home tothe Blackdown,Brendon andQuantock Hills,Somerset Levers andMoors and the historictowns of Taunton,Wellington,Wiveliscombe – allwith their own uniquecharacter and style.

Somerset is alivewith history andlegend – walk in thefootsteps of KingArthur and KingAlfred, exploreExmoor – home ofLorna Doone and visitthe mysteriousGlastonbury Tor, risingout of the SomersetLevels (ancientwetlands) like abeacon.

Dorset is home to the World Heritage Site of the JurassicCoast and its fossils dating back more than 190 million years.With seven miles of golden beaches, parks and gardens,Bournemouth is Dorset’s little gem, combining traditionalsplendour with modern facilities. Poole Harbour is Europe’slargest natural harbour and is a stunning location for all typesof watersports. Amongst the scenery, attractions andpicturesque villages, the spectacular and muchphotographed geological features of Durdle Door, LulworthCove and Old Harry Rocks are worth seeing.

From historic market towns such as the County town ofDorchester, to seaside fun, dramatic cliffs and sweepingbeaches, West Dorset truly offers something for everyone!Walkers can choose the magnificent Heritage Coast or themany way-marked routes inland.

Bristol is famous for Brunel who designed the CliftonSuspension Bridge, Actor Cary Grant and Sir HumphreyDavy who discovered laughing gas and invented the miners’safety lamp. In the 18th century, Bristol was the secondlargest port in the country and it was here that Brunel’s ssGreat Britain was built. Launched in 1843, this was the firstiron, propellant-driven ship to cross the Atlantic. Today,much of the character and charm of Bristol’s maritime paststill remains and is used mainly for leisure and recreation.Bristol will cater for your every need with an array of newand old shopping areas, arts and museums, green spaces andparklife and for the adventurous, you can go rock climbing inthe Avon Gorge, paddle through the harbour or mountainbike through Ashton Court Estate.

Bath is home to the Thermae Bath Spa, the only place inthe UK where you can bathe in natural hot waters. TheWorld Heritage Site of Bath is one the most stunning placesin Britain with some of the most famous architecturalmasterpieces in Europe such as the Roman Baths & PumpRoom, Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge.Apart from being the perfect base in which to explore thenorth-east of Somerset and the Cotswolds, Bath itself offersits visitors a wealth of quality attractions, shoppingexperiences, theatre and restaurants in traditional yetmodern surroundings.

Wiltshire unites the districts of Kennet, West Wilts,North Wilts, Salisbury and South Wilts with the Borough ofSwindon. With a population of nearly 430,000, much of thecounty is designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty’.

The mystical force that surrounds the world-famousStonehenge can sometimes overshadow the sheer beauty ofthis area. It’s breathtaking countryside, the open downlandwhere uninterrupted views stretch for miles, ancient forests,picture postcard villages and the sparkling clear waters of theriver valleys are perfect for outdoor activities all year round.Explore Europe’s largest man-made prehistoric mound,Silbury Hill and the White Horse Trail where you can searchfor the eight white horses that are carved into the hillside,some of which can be seen for miles.

Wiltshire has over 7,500 walking paths and cyclists willlove the traffic free country lanes with a series of routes rangefrom family friendly off-road routes to the 160 mile, longdistance, Wiltshire Cycleway route.

Gloucestershire is the ideal place to visit at any timeof the year. Covering most of the Cotswolds, the ancientForest of Dean and the Vale of the River Severn, longsummer days can be enjoyed kayaking or 4x4 racing, ordrinking in one of the many lively pubs. Stroll amongst theBluebells in Spring on your way to an antique shop or castleand in Autumn, watch the sleepy villages come to life as thetrees change colour. In Winter, cosy restaurants withlog fires and magnificent cathedrals aremore than welcoming.

Many historic towns,villages and splendidmanor houses can befound in the county,including the homes ofmany celebrities. Inaddition to thespectacular countryside,Gloucestershire hassome outstandinghistorical buildings,including GloucesterCathedral,Tewkesbury Abbeyand the stunningRegency buildingsof Cheltenham Spa.

Whether you go in seek of theJurassic coastline and dramatic cliffs of Devon andDorset, the magnificent cathedrals of Salisbury andGloucester, the famous spa in Bath or the maritimehistory in Plymouth, the south-west of England has adelight around every corner.

Further info 1 Cornwall

www.visitcornwall.co.uk

Tel: 01872 322900

2 Devonwww.discoverdevon.com

Tel: 0870 608 5531

3 Somersetwww.celebratingsomerset.com

Tel: 01934 750833

4 Dorsetwww.dorsetforyou.com

Tel: 01305 251000

5 Bristol & Bathwww.visitbristol.co.uk

Tel: 0906 711 2191 (Bristol: 50p/min)

www.visitbath.co.uk

Tel: 0906 711 2000 (50p/min)

6 Wiltshirewww.visitwiltshire.co.uk

Tel: 0870 240 5599 (charged at standard rate)

7 Gloucestershirewww.gloucestershire.gov.uk

Tel: 01452 505345

Dorset – Corfe Castle

Wiltshire – Stonehenge

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Choice Days Out & Attractions Summer 2009 17P l e a s e q u o t e C D O w h e n r e p l y i n g t o a d s

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TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS’ MUSEUMTolpuddle nr Dorchester

One dawn, in the bitter February of 1834, six Tolpuddle farm labourers were arrested after forming a trade union.A frightened squire’s trumped up charge triggered one of the most celebrated stories in the history of humanrights. That dawn arrest created the Tolpuddle Martyrs who were punished with transportation as convicts to

Australia. Packed with illustrative displays this interactive exhibition tells their story.Admission free; Open Summer Tue–Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays (except Christmas and New Year). Winter Thu–Sun.

Free Annual Family Festival held third Sunday in July.

Call 01305 848 237 for a free colour brochure www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk


Somerset

Dorset

The South-east of England has been aninspiration for many storytellers and writersover the years. Idea’s for the children’sclassics Alice in Wonderland, Charlie andthe Chocolate Factory and the Chronicles ofNarnia all arose from this region whichincludes the counties of Berkshire,Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Isleof Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Sussex.

Kent is divided into three main areas –Medway and Maritime Kent; The Heart of Kentand Canterbury and Coastal Kent and togetherthey create a unique combination of coast,countryside and historic attractions.

Medway is the historical capital of MaritimeKent and is the ideal destination for a relaxingshort break. Step back in time with a visit toThe Historic Dockyard at Chatham whereover 400 years of naval history are broughtback to life. Canterbury and Coastal Kenthas the famous White Cliffs of Dover, thetraditional Victorian seaside resorts ofRamsgate and Folkestone and a blend ofculture, heritage and tradition. TheCathedral city of Canterbury is now aUNESCO World Heritage Site and sitson the River Stour in one of the mostattractive corners of rural Kent. The

Heart of Kent offers more castles,stately homes and gardens open

to the public than any otherregion in Britain.

Sussex is home to miles of dramatic coastline, fromthe golden sands of Camber in the east to the inlets ofChichester Harbour in the west. Family-friendly beachescan be found at Worthing, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton,Eastbourne and Brighton – England’s city by the sea.

Within the Sussex countryside, the beautiful SouthDowns has over 2000 miles of well-managed trails idealfor walking, cycling and horse-riding. The 160km SouthDowns Way takes you from the coast at Eastbourne to thecity of Winchester in Hampshire, passing across the SevenSisters chalk cliffs and the Devil’s Dyke.

Delve into Sussex’s towns for even more treasures. Thetown of Battle is the site of the most famous battle inEnglish Heritage, The Battle of Hastings. Amberley is abeautiful town onthe River Arun withmany flint walled,thatched cottagesand a medieval castle(now a hotel) and themedieval town ofRye, now a thrivingmarket townoverlooks RomneyMarshes and wasonce surrounded bysea!

Surrey is themost wooded countyin the country andhas the highest pointin the south-east ofEngland with

Oxford, Dreaming Spires

Getting there• Chiltern Railways

www.chilternrailways.co.ukTel: 08456 005 165

• National Rail Enquirieswww.nationalrail.co.uk0845 48 49 50

• Green Line Buseswww.greenline.co.ukTel: 0870 608 7261

• Metrobuswww.metrobus.co.ukTel: 01293 449195

• London Gatwick Airportwww.baa.comTel: 0870 000 2468


breathtaking views of theSurrey Hills andsurrounding countryside.The Surrey Hills is atreasured landscape, richin wildlife and woodlandand was one of the firstareas in England to bedesignated an Area ofOutstanding NaturalBeauty back in 1958.

Surrey is also home tomany towns and villagesall with their ownambience – Richmond isa lively cosmopolitantown full of boutiques,cafes and fine restaurantsand Kingston is the placewhere kings of Englandwere crowned. With theThames on its doorstep,Kingston gives you theideal opportunity to strollalong the Thames path atone of its most beautifulparts. The towns of Esherand Epsom are home to

two of the country’s finest racecourses.Hampshire is a haven for nature-lovers. Escape to the

woods and heaths of the New Forest where ponies andcattle roam freely and wild deer hide deep within the forest.The city of Winchester is the ancient capital of England andhome to a fine Norman Cathedral, King Arthur’s round tableand one of the oldest schools in Britain.

Hampshire’s famous royal and military connections haveprovided a feast of places to visit like Portsmouth’s HistoricDockyard, one of the top ten heritage attractions in the UKand home to the World’s most famous ships – Mary Rose,HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. Havant, Emsworthand the Blue Flag beaches at Hayling Island lie between thecities of Chichester and Portsmouth and are perfect forrelaxation and tranquillity and the pretty villages ofLangstone and Emsworth have great views of the harbour.

Holiday-makers have been flocking to the Isle of Wightfor years to enjoy their traditional seaside holidays. The 60miles of coastline, hidden coves and golden sandy beachesare spectacular, whilst inland the countryside is fantastic withlots of colourful paths and trails to explore. The Isle of Wightis renowned for sailing but also offers all kinds of sports fromgolf and fishing to windsurfing and flying.

Cowes and East Cowes are the Island’s most northerlytowns and a mecca for yachtsmen, hosting manyinternational sailing events – during the sailing season youcan see a blanket of colourful sails covering the water. Thehistoric town of Newport in the centre of the Island is itsprinciple town and most popular shopping centre. Here youwill find fine Georgian and Victorian houses, the Museum ofIsland History, markets, arts centres and much more.

From lazy days spent in the Royal Borough of Windsor, tothe hectic nightlife of Reading, Berkshire is a delightfulcounty that can adapt to anybody’s pace of life. With partsof the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns, both Areas ofOutstanding Natural Beauty, this county is ideal for walking,cycling and horse-riding with many excellent routes alongThe Thames Path, the Ridgeway and The Jubilee Path.

West Berkshire is a delight waiting to be discovered fromthe Kennet and Avon Canal to the arts, history and heritage.

Donnington Castle was once the Stronghold of Charles I andsaw action during the civil war battles of 1643 and 1644. Allthat is left now is the Gatehouse but visitors are attracted bythe views and children love to play amongst the ruins.

Whether you choose to cruise along the River Thames,take a tour of Eton College or have some family fun atLegoland, Berkshire is perfect for a relaxing break.

Oxfordshire is full of natural beauty and charmingvillages and the city of Oxford is architecturally stunning withits famous colleges and riverside setting. Oxford has manyliterary links and has been used for numerous film locations. Itwas here that Lewis Carroll met Alice Liddell, the inspirationfor Alice in Wonderland and Christ Church College was thesetting for ‘Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter films.

In the south of Oxfordshire you will find the towns ofDidcot, Wallingford, Thame, and Henley on Thames and tothe North of the county are the historic market towns ofBanbury and Bicester. Enjoy a cruise on the Oxford Canal orshop until you drop at Bicester’s famous shopping village –there is plenty on offer.

Escape to Buckinghamshire for the day or a weekendand walk in the gentle rolling Chiltern Hills, stroll along theThames Path at gorgeous Marlow or explore the famousbeech woods at Burnham Beeches. There are plenty of funattractions in Buckinghamshire for all the family to enjoysuch as the oldest model village in the world – Bekonscotand the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery in Aylesbury. Forthe sporting type, Milton Keyne’s Xscapeis Europe’s largest skiingand leisure complexand Waddesdon Manoris also a delight to see –now a National Trustproperty, it houses one ofthe finest collections ofFrench 18th Centurydecorative arts.

Buckinghamshirehas four beautifulcountry parks, BlackPark, Langley Park,Denham andThorney Parkcountry parks withhundreds of acresof woodland,heathland, parkland, lakes andrivers that are open every day of the year forvisitors to enjoy.

You can enjoy the best of both worlds in thesouth-east of England with gorgeous beaches andbreathtaking countryside – you can even cross theChannel, but that’s another story!

Further info 1 Buckinghamshire

www.visitbuckinghamshire.orgTel: 01296 382157

2 Oxfordshirewww.oxfordshire.gov.ukTel: 01865 792422

3 Berkshirewww.visitwestberkshire.org.ukTel: 01635 30267

4 Hampshirewww.visit-hampshire.org.uk Tel: 01962 841841

5 Isle of Wightwww.islandbreaks.co.uk Tel: 01983 813 813

6 East & West Sussexwww.visitsussex.orgTel: 01243 382244

7 Surreywww.surreycc.gov.ukTel: 08456 009 009

8 Kentwww.kenttourism.co.uk Tel: 01271 336020

Chatham, Kent ©britainonview/Kent TourismAlliance/Daniel Bosworth

Brighton Seafront ©britainonview

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HINTON AMPNER GARDEN BRAMDEAN, Nr ALRESFORD SO24 0LA

Enjoy this magnificent 20th C. garden which unites formal design with varied and informal plantingsin pastel shades. Scented plants, unexpected vistas and fine topiary combine to provide enduring interest.The house contains a fine collection of English furniture, hardstones and Italian paintings. Tea Room.

Open Mid March–End October. 11.00am–5.00pm closed Thursday & Friday.

Tel. 01962 771305 or email [email protected] for details.

Summer at the MillIt’s a cool place to be

Quiz Trails, Hands-On Activities and artycrafty events, regular inner city otter

watch updates, milling demonstrations.Every Saturday and Sunday

between 2pm & 4pm

Open until Christmas and onNew Year’s Day

Experience a Millennium of Milling History

The National Trust

WINCHESTER CITY MILLBridge Street (near King Alfred’s statue)

Tel: 01962 870057Visit our historic 18C mill in the heart of Winchester with itswaterwheel and machinery turning daily. Learn about milling

through the ages with our displays, models and video presentation.Be amazed by the awe-inspriring millraces. Relax in the delightful

island garden. Browse in the National Trust Gift Shop.

Fun for all the family!Children can hand-mill flour, follow our quiz trail, draw and colour

mill animals and see where the otters pass through the mill.

Admission to Mill:Admission prices apply

National Trust members Free

Mill open11am to 4:30pm

Wednesdays to SundaysAnd daily in School Holidays

Open daily in School Holidays


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WINKWORTH ARBORETUMHascombe Road, Godalming, Surrey GU8 4AD

A hillside woodland created in the 20th century, now contains over 1,000 different shrubs andtrees, many of them rare. Spring bulbs and magnolias, bluebells, azaleas and stunning autumn leaf colour.

Ideal for family picnics in the summer months.Open all year round, dawn to dusk. Tearoom open Wed to Sun, 1 Mar–21 Nov, and Bank Holidays.

Weekends during winter months. Tel: 01483 208477For admission prices and further information see our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk. NT members free.

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRErecreating the golden age of the Great Western RailwayOpen weekends all year – daily during school holidays & 20 June–6 SeptemberWrite, ‘phone or visit our website for a programme of Steamdays,Days Out with Thomas and other special events.Entrance at Didcot Parkway rail station – signed from M4 (junc 13) & A34DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE : DIDCOT : OXFORDSHIRE : OX11 7NJTel 01235 817200 www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk


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London is a place where the historic pastand the vibrant present come alive. A blendof history, ground-breaking architecture andculture has created an amazing andconstantly evolving city.

London is one of the world’s most remarkableand exciting cities and has something to offer everytype of traveller. Split into five distinctive areas,London’s east, west, north, south and central areasall offer a very different perspective on this vibrantmetropolis that embraces the diverse cultures ofits population, reflected through cuisine, shops,music and colourful festivals.

West London attracts millions of visitorseach year with its live music venues, parks andriverside villages. It’s renowned for its plush andexpensive areas such as Kensington andBelgravia and is the home of many majorattractions, from the Royal Albert Hall to Kewgardens, and has excellent shopping groundsand beautiful architecture. Some of thecountry’s top chefs have opened finerestaurants and bars in Hammersmith,Chiswick and Ealing, and whether yourpreference is Caribbean, Indian orOriental – try Edgware Road’s OrientalCity foodhall – you’ll find somethingto tease your taste buds. Famous for

Chelsea and Fulham football clubsand the new National Stadium,

built to replace Wembley

Stadium, West London is also home to Wembley Arena, theHammersmith Apollo and the BBC’s headquarters in WhiteCity. London’s reputation as a destination for fine foodcontinues to grow and has been rated as “the world’s bestplace to eat”, underlining the fact that it has become one ofthe gourmet capitals of the world.

At the heart of Central London, you will findeverything usually associated with a trip to London from thelively streets of the West End and Theatreland, to thehistoric sites of the Houses of Parliament and BuckinghamPalace. Most places within this area are in walking distanceof each other so with a basic city map, you’ll be able findyour way around easily and take in some sights on the way.A more recent landmark is the world’s largest observationwheel, the BA London Eye, standing 135m high beside theRiver Thames and the country’s most popular paid-forattraction, welcoming 3.7 million visitors annually. Alsohome to the National Gallery, the delightful South Bank,Chinatown and theunique atmosphere ofSoho. The RiverThames divides thecity into northern andsouthern halves, withCentral Londonloosely described asbeing within the loopof the Underground’sCircle Line to thenorth bank of theriver. Haute cuisinenow comes from India

Chinese New Year ©Visit London

Getting there• Transport for London

www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl



• London City Airportwww.londoncityairport.com020 7646 0000/88


and the Orient (tryYauatcha, the capital’s firstdim sum restaurant) aswell as from Europe andBritain (head to LindsayHouse for modern British,or Rules for traditionalEnglish). There’severything from top-end,five star restaurants tocafé-style options andplenty in between. Whatcould be more Englishthan afternoon tea? The

Art Deco Palm Court at London’s Park Lane Hotel hasbecome a member of Britain’s Tea Guild, which promoteshigh standards in the art of afternoon tea. Renowned for itselegant teas since the 1930s, it is the perfect escape from thebustle of the capital’s streets. The hotel has also featured inwell-known movies, from James Bond’s Golden Eye to ThePoseidon Adventure. Like all great cities, London never standsstill. Approaching the magnificent National Gallery, you nolonger dodge London’s traffic, for the north side of TrafalgarSquare is pedestrianised - and site of an open-air café andregular entertainment. (And there is less traffic in the cityaltogether, since a charge, now £8, has been levied to drive inthe centre).

Shoppers can find all the best high-street names in NorthLondon with a visit to Brent Cross, plus boutiques andrestaurants in the villages of Islington, Crouch End,Walthamstow, Hampstead and Muswell Hill. Those in searchof international flavours should head to the Turkish enclave ofGreen Lanes – if you time it right you might catch a musicfestival in Finsbury Park. And further to the north is the 19thcentury Alexandra Palace, set in 196 acres of parkland andoffering ice-skating in the winter and open-air events in thesummer. Not far away is Epping Forest, a 10,000-year-oldwoodland that was once a hunting ground of Henry VIII, theRAF Museum in Hendon, which boasts more than 100planes, and a museum dedicated to William Morris, founderof the British Arts and Crafts movement.

From Richmond upon Thames in the west to Bromley inthe east, South London is packed full of history, cultureand charming neighbourhoods. Picturesque riverside settingsprovide the perfect opportunity to roll out the picnic blanket.Outdoor attractions include the Royal Botanic Gardens atKew, the London Wetland Centre – 100 acres of wetlands inBarnes – and Richmond Park, London’s largest open space,where deer roam free. Historical buildings such as DownHouse – where Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of Speciesand Hampton Court Palace are brimming with colourful tales.Shoppers will marvel at the choice of shopping in places likeClapham, Barnes, Kingston upon Thames and Croydon.Children find the capital especially exciting and there’s somuch for families to do, from a ride on one of the RiverThames cruise boats, to a visit to a museum or a trip to atheme park.

Nowhere does the old sit more comfortably beside thenew than in East London, where diverse cultures andmaritime heritage make for great exploring. This is London’sfastest growing area as it prepares for the 2012 Olympic andParalympic Games. Head to the Bangladeshi and Indianrestaurants on Brick Lane for a delicious and authentic tasteof the Asian sub-continent or visit the once rundown areas ofHoxton and Hackney, now transformed into buzzing scenes

boasting great nightlife and eclectic markets like Spitalfieldsand Columbia Road. London has a new Sunday market in theheart of the trendy and ethnic Brick Lane area of the EastEnd. The Sunday (Up) Market is within the 11-acre site of theOld Truman Brewery, within walking distance of LiverpoolStreet station. Products on sale, from a wide range of traders,include vintage clothes and shoes, hand-made handbags,jewellery, art, lighting, home-wares, accessories, food anddrink. The market aims to be a platform for designer-makersand is set to join the capital’s other markets, including OldSpitalfields, E1; Camden Lock, NW1; Greenwich, SE10 andPortobello Road, W10, as ‘must see’ attractions for shoppers.

Despite a population of over seven million, more than 30%of London is made up of parks and green space, greater thanany other city of its size in the world. This space provides theperfect opportunity for walks, relaxation or sporting activities.London also offers some of the best shopping opportunities inthe world. From major department stores to designerboutiques and street markets – the choice is immense. As ifthat wasn’t enough, London is hard to beat when it comes tonightlife. There are huge numbers of restaurants, pubs,cinemas, theatres and nightclubs plus live music and comedyvenues. So, at any time of day, whatever the weather, you’llalways find something extra special in London.

For those on a budget, in the last few years severaleconomy hotel chains have moved into the city. There’splenty of choice from names such asTravelogde and HolidayInn Express. Attractiveweekend rates areavailable at some ofLondon’s best hotels, toattract leisure businessonce the corporateclients have gone home.

London is a veryaccessible city; it has fiveinternational airports, anefficient road network andextensive Underground, train, bus,and taxi services. The city isfamous for a wealth of history andculture. Home to Britain’snational art collections, the Royalfamily and a host of majorattractions, London’s rich history,striking architecture and over200 museums offer a uniquecultural experience.

Not surprisingly the capital has become amecca for visitors and a great place to live. There issomething to appeal to everyone and whatever yourinterests may be, the city has it covered.

Further info 1 Central London

2 West London

3 North London

4 East London

5 South London

• Visit Londonwww.visitlondon.com

London Eye ©Visit London

Richmond Park ©Visit London

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Situated in the heart of ‘Royal’ London this marvellous museum is astone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and houses a superb collectionof artefacts tracing the 350 year history of The Sovereign’s FootGuards. A visit to this hidden gem is a must for anyone who enjoysBritish ceremonial at its best and who wants to learn more about theproud traditions within the five regiments who protect Her Majesty atBuckingham Palace. The collection has many royal artefacts and keyexhibits from the turning points in our nation’s history. There is alsoThe Guards Toy Soldier Centre where kids of all ages can marvel at thestunning displays of these collectable model soldiers. Great DVDs andvideos are also available on various aspects of The Foot Guards.

The museum is also available for private hire and can accommodatelunches and dinners for up to 80 guests and receptions for up to 200.

Open 10am–4pm daily, Feb–Dec.Please contact The Curator on 020 7414 3271 for availability.Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk SW1E 6HQ

www.theguardsmuseum.com

THE GUARDS MUSEUM

The East of England is based around theancient Kingdom of East Anglia, which wasoriginally made up of Norfolk and Suffolk;these are now joined by Bedfordshire,Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.Fabulous historic cities and towns, greatcountry houses and gardens, bustlingseaside resorts, picturesque villages, andmiles and miles of beautiful countrysideand coastline await your discovery.

Hertfordshire is home to Borehamwood,‘Britain’s very own Hollywood’, the wonderfulopen-space of Lee Valley Park and the GrandUnion Canal. St Albans is a popular townsurrounded by countryside and was Britain’sthird largest Roman city, called Verulamium.It’s Cathedral is particularly impressive.

North of St Albans is Welwyn Garden City,taking its name from Welwyn, a separatevillage situated several miles north of thetown. Perfect for modern shopping at theHoward Centre and a visit to the RomanBaths which are preserved in a steel vaultunderneath junction six of the A1(M)!

To the east of the county, the lakesand open spaces of Lee ValleyCountry Park will provide more thanjust a day out whether your interests

involve sport, wildlife or familyactivities. You can also visit the

county town of Hereford withits castle and antiques shops,

Hatfield House (Queen Elizabeth I’s childhood home) andBishop’s Stortford, birthplace of Cecil Rhodes.

Bedfordshire has a rich and varied rural landscape,fine towns and villages and is home to the highest point inthe East of England, the Dunstable Downs. The countytown of Bedford is noted for its fine river setting andconnections to author/preacher John Bunyan and hisfamous book ‘The Pilgrims Progress’.

To the north-west are pretty limestone villages such asHarrold and Stevington and in the east, the gigantic airshiphangers at Cardington are a reminder of the area’s richaviation heritage, more recently used as the set for theblockbuster movie “Batman Begins”. Britain’s first hot airballoon landed there too! As you head south of Bedfordyou will come across the lakes and wildlife of the MarstonVale and antique lovers will appreciate the fine Georgiantown of Ampthill, set on the wooded slopes of TheGreensand Ridge.Leighton Buzzard, seton the Grand UnionCanal has always beenfamous for its sand,and Woburn for itswonderful abbey(home to the Dukes ofBedford), and WoburnSafari Park.

Cambridgeshireis the only county inthe East of England toborder all five othercounties in this region

Hertfordshire – Much Hadham©www.britainonview.com / Rod Edwards

Getting there• National Rail Enquiries

www.nationalrail.co.ukTel: 08457 48 49 50

• National Expresswww.nationalexpress.comTel: 08705 808080


• One Railwaywww.onerailway.comTel: 0845 600 7245


so is the ideal base fortouring the area that somestill refer to as ‘EastAnglia’. One of the bestways to exploreCambridgeshire is by boat– you can hire a punt, atraditional flat-bottomedboat, from the famousuniversity city ofCambridge, renowned forits historic churches andancient colleges – the firstwas founded in 1284.Explore some of the finestbuildings in Europe as youglide past the colleges onroute to the willow-shaped waterfront atGrantchester, inspirationfor the poets Byron,Tennyson and RupertBrook.

Cambridgeshire’s history spans back over 3000 years andat Flag Fen, near Peterborough, you can see how BronzeAge people lived. Oliver Cromwell was born and educatedin Huntingdon and his former grammar school is now TheCromwell Museum. In Ely, Oliver Cromwell’s Houserecreates 17th Century life as he would have known it.

Norfolk is a refreshing place to visit with a pretty villagearound every corner and miles of unspoilt beaches andcountryside. One of the most popular holiday areas is theNorfolk Broads with 200 kilometres (125 miles) ofwaterways to enjoy. Explore the Broads by boat – hire onefor a week or for a day and you will soon learn to appreciatethe nature that surrounds you.

At the centre of this county is the vibrant city of Norwich,voted one of Britain’s top ten shopping destinations.Norwich is the most complete medieval city in Britain withfascinating museums, a magnificent cathedral, a Normancastle, half-timbered houses, a jumble of medieval lanes anda delightful old watergate down by the riverside.

Norfolk’s coastline is An Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty, consisting of pleasant beaches, salt-marshes, cliffs,flint villages and nature reserves. Cliff-top Cromer is world-famous for its crabs, and Yarmouth for its herrings andkippers. At Sheringham you can ride on a steam train to theantiques centre of Holt or visit the port of Wells-next-the-Sea, the pilgrimage centre of Little Walsingham and LordNelson´s birthplace at The Burnhams. For seaside fun, headto the sandy beaches at Hunstanton and Great Yarmouth.

Directly south of Norfolk is Suffolk – the 8th largestcounty in England and one of the most attractive andinteresting, much loved by writers and painters. Hills are notin abundance but the soft landscape holds hidden treasuresfor all visitors to explore. The choice of destinations withinSuffolk offers the visitor options for all occasions frompeaceful countryside, ideal for walking and cycling to busycoastal resorts and bustling market towns.

Many of Suffolk’s meadows, heathlands and woodlandsare nationally important wildlife reserves, making the countyextremely popular with nature lovers. With opencountryside and 45 miles of stunning coastline, Suffolk offersplenty of opportunities for picnics and other countrysiderecreation activities. Suffolk’s dry and sunny climate isideally suited to the development of vineyards and orchardsand there are a number of highly respected producers

within the county that supply very fine quality wines andfruit juices. Numerous independent breweries such asAdnams and St Peter's still exist and ensure that the historictradition of brewing within the county continues to thrive.The production of fine ales and good wine takes placealongside a thriving food retailing market and there aremany reputable restaurants that serve food and drinkprepared using locally sourced ingredients.

The ancient Saxon county of Essex, is situated betweenSuffolk and Hertfordshire. Essex offers a wealthy mix ofhistoric woodlands, pretty fishing villages, old towns,sweeping skylines and rolling fields. From the outskirts ofEast London to the borders of Suffolk, Essex has so much tooffer and a good place to start exploring is Britain’s oldesttown of Colchester. Discover the largest Norman Castlekeep in Europe, now an award-winning museum and thenearby narrow streets of the Dutch Quarter, where the clothindustry once flourished.

The Essex coastline is diverse and mainly unspoilt – fromthe traditional seaside resorts of Clacton-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze to the yachting centre ofBrightlingsea and Burnham-on-Crouch and not forgettingthe hidden gems in between such as Mersey Island andMaldon. Whether you are looking for family fun, goodnightlife, shopping, a quite retreat, freshfish or the ideal place tolaunch your speedboator jet-ski, there is apiece of Essex’s coastlinefor everybody.

Almost borderingCambridgeshire, SaffronWalden is an ancient townwith lovely timber-framedbuildings, many decoratedwith pargeting (ornamentalplasterwork) and the parishchurch is one of the largest inEssex.

The Stour Valley is situatedon the borders of both Essexand Suffolk and is one of theprettiest parts of the region.It was home to the artistJohn Constable (1776–1837) and is enriched withpicturesque medievalvillages.

From historic houses,gardens and miles of coastline to food,culture and entertainment, Essex aims to please witha special air of romance and mystery.

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Further info 1 Bedfordshire

www.visitbeds-luton.comTel: 01234 408063

2 Cambridgeshirewww.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Tel: 0845 045 5200

3 Norfolkwww.visitnorfolk.co.uk Tel: 01603 222222

4 Suffolkwww.visit-suffolk.org.ukTel: 01473 583000

5 Essexwww.realessex.co.uk Tel: 0845 600 7373

6 Hertfordshirewww.enjoyhertfordshire.com Tel: 01438 737333

Essex – Layer Marney Tower©www.britainonview.com /Rod Edwards

Suffolk – Thorpeness

©www.britainonview.com / Rod Edwards


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Welcome to Stondon Museum, seeing bygone vehicles from the beginning of the century up to modern day classics, most ofwhich originate from the largest private collection in the country plus more recent aquisitions making a total of more than400 exhibits. There are 8 halls to view, each with their own individual and interesting collections. Vintage & classic cars,military vehicles and more! Plus life-size replica of Captain Cook’s ship the Endeavour!Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, Beds SG16 6JN T: 01462 850339 F: 01462 850824 [email protected] www.transportmuseum.co.ukOpen 6 days, closed Friday. 10am–4pm. Adults £6, Children £3, Seniors £5,Family ticket 2 adults+2 children £16.

STONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

� WINNERS OF 4 AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM �


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THE SIR ALFRED MUNNINGS ART MUSEUMVisit the home, studious and grounds where Sir Alfred Munnings, KCVO, PRA lived and painted for 40 years.Castle House and its collection is a fitting memorial to Sir Alfred Munnings who lived at Castle House for over 40 years,calling it “the house of my dreams”. See his original studios where he painted some of his most famous paintings and wheremany of his original work materials are displayed. The museum prides itself on the diversity of its collection

of paintings and sculptures on view – so why not come and make your own mind up?

Open 2–5pm every Sunday, Wednesday and Bank Holiday Mon from 1st April to 30th September.Also 2–5pm Thursdays and Saturdays in July and September. Light refreshments available.Admission: Adults £4, Children £1 Concessions £3 (Organised parties by arrangment). Free car parking.

Castle House, Dedham, Essex Telephone: 01206 322127 www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk

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WARNER TEXTILE ARCHIVEArchive location: Warners Mill, Silks Way, Braintree.Please telephone 01376 557741 for the Gallery’s opening hours. Admission: small charge. Parking: close by.Email: [email protected] www.enjoybraintreedistrict.gov.uk

Recently described as ‘interesting & inspiring’ by a visitor, the Warner Textile Archive is a unique recordof the history of textile manufacture and design since 1800. Visit the Archive’s Gallery to explore thisstunning nationally important collection of textiles. Combine your trip to the Archive with a visit toBraintree District Museum just 5-minutes away.

ST ALBANS ORGAN THEATRE320 Camp Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire Tel: 01727 869693/ 768652

A permanent working exhibition of musical instruments.Organs by Decap, Bursens and Mortier; Mills Violano-Virtuoso; reproducing pianos by Marshall & Wendell,

Steinway and Weber; Musical boxes; Wurlitzer and Rutt Theatre Pipe Organs.

For information on current opening times please call the theatre answerphone on 01727 869 693.Adult £4.50; child £2.50; family ticket £10; concessions £3.50. Organised groups by arrangement Registered Charitable Trust No. 276072


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The Heart of England is at the centre ofEngland’s road network making it easilyaccessible from wherever you are.

Well known as a walking destination,Herefordshire has four long-distance trailspassing through the county as well as its very ownHerefordshire Trail, totalling 154 miles altogether.

Herefordshire is ideal for garden lovers, withover 26 National Collections there are old andnew gardens to suit all tastes plus numerousspecialist nurseries.

Away from the rolling hills, black and whitetimbered houses are present all around, as arehistoric castles and the famous NormanCathedral in the city of Hereford where you cansee the oldest map of the World, the MappaMundi and the Chained Library.

Artists, musicians and creative minds havebeen encouraged to settle in Herefordshireover the years by the natural beauty andcalm pace of life. As a result, there are awealth of galleries and exhibitions for bothlocals and visitors to enjoy.

Before you leave Herefordshire, besure to sample some of the well-knownlocal produce of cider andHerefordshire beef – this county is alsoproud of having the first Michelin starpub in the UK.

Despite being one of England’squiet counties, Shropshire

has over 90 places to visit,

including the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge and thebirthplace of Charles Darwin. Shropshire is situated on theEnglish Welsh border, gets more hours of daylight thananywhere else in the country and has over 32 castles withLudlow, Stokesay and Clun claiming to be the finest.

The historic town of Shrewsbury has over 660 listedbuildings and black and white ‘magpie’ half-timberedhouses that are so typical of the Welsh Marches. The oldmedieval street plan can be explored through Shrewsbury’sShut and Passages – a unique maze of narrow alleys thatcriss-cross the town centre. Or, make the most of the RiverSevern which almost completely surrounds Shrewsbury byhiring a canoe or rowing boat or by doing a bit of fishing.

Charles I once said that Bridgnorth has the finest view inEngland and indeed, the view remains as stunning today asit was 350 years ago, with the High Town perching ahundred feet above the Low Town and the River Severn.

Also, Shropshire’s gastronomic capital of Ludlow boaststwo Michelin starred restaurants, more than anywhere elseoutside London and is also home to a terrific food festival.

The historic inland waterways of Staffordshireprovide a playgroundfor narrow boats.There are plenty ofattractions to visit andplaces to see along theway from majortheme parks like AltonTowers and DraytonManor to delightfultowns such as Tutbury,a centre for crystaland glass blowing or





Warwickshire – Warwick©www.britainonview.com


Lichfield where the threespires of the Cathedraltower over the SamuelJohnson Birthplacemuseum and theErasmus Darwin Centre.

Stoke-on-Trent isknown throughout theworld for its fine chinaand ceramics andotherwise known as ‘ThePotteries’. Since the 18thcentury, visitors toStaffordshire haveadmired the skills of thecraftspeople whoproduce quality goodsfor renowned namessuch as Wedgewood,Spode and RoyalDoulton. There aremuseums, factory tours,

visitor centres and over 30 factory shops for you to enjoy.The uplands and dales of the Peak District are perfect for

leisure and activity holidays, with opportunities for walking,hang-gliding, rock climbing and caving.

Staffordshire is perfect for short breaks – how about aLandrover safari through Cannock Chase or a movie maptour, taking in some stunning sceneries and historic housesused for film locations – the most recent being Jane Eyre.

Situated at the heart of the Heart of England you will findthe West Midlands, providing easy access to the historyand heritage of the region.

Birmingham is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city brimmingwith culture and nestled in the middle of lush rollingcountryside and beautiful quaint villages. Known as the'workplace of the world', Birmingham began as a small ruralmanor and was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book asbeing worth 20 shillings; the town was established in 1166.Apart from the village where the market, church and castleof the Lord of the Manor were located, there was just a largeexpanse of park and heath land to the west and north. Now,it’s one of Europe’s biggest cities, with an area of 80 squaremiles and a million people benefiting from the diversity andvibrancy of the communities that make Birmingham what itis today. Famous for being the home of the NEC arena,Birmingham is also superb for shopping, with pedestrianfriendly squares and streets. You can book a specialisedshopping break in conjunction with Harvey Nichols andSelfridges including a personal shopper experience, lunchand a hair or beauty treatment or wander around somefantastic shops and museums at the Jewellery Quarter or theBalti Triangle – Birmingham has a big Asian culture and allaspects of this can be experienced here.

Combining the best of town and country,Warwickshire’s array of attractions range from tworenowned motor museums, a living Roman fort and Britain’snational organic garden situated between country churches,canals and battlefields.

The medieval Warwick Castle is one of the finest inEngland and was home to generations of the powerful Earlsof Warwick, including the 13th Earl, executioner of Joan ofArc. The fortress towers over the banks of the River Avon, ona site first fortified by William the Conqueror in 1068.

The fashionable town of Royal Leamington Spa is worthyof a visit, even if only to visit the Royal Pump Rooms to tastethe spa water which made the town famous and of course

there is beautiful Stratford, otherwise known as ShakespeareCountry, named after its most famous resident. WilliamShakespeare was born and grew up in Stratford and as youcan probably imagine, there are a wealth of attractionsassociated with him including his final resting place at HolyTrinity Church.

Six hundred years ago, the city of Coventry was rankedfourth among England’s cities and it still possesses themonuments of that glorious past – one of the finest medievalguildhalls in the country, almshouses and monasticfoundations – it’s also the birthplace of the motor industry inBritain and famous locals include St George the dragonslayer, Lady Godiva and jet pioneer Frank Whittle.

The county of Worcestershire offers a mixture ofstunning countryside with acres of fruit orchards, riversidetowns and picturesque villages with the cathedral city ofWorcester in the centre of the county.

Worcestershire is home to Malvern Water and Malvern isfamous for its hills, some of the oldest in the World at around650 million years old. Walking in Malvern can be as gentle orstrenuous as you wish and the views are spectacular – it hasbeen claimed that you can see 15 counties from the summitof Worcestershire Beacon – this beautiful place is also whereSir Edward Elgar got his inspiration to compose ‘Pomp andCircumstance’.

The Wyre Forest is England’ssecond largest forest after theNew Forest and from here,The Severn Valley SteamRailway will take you on ajourney through the some ofthe best riverside scenery in thecountry.

Worcestershire also boastsnumerous waterwayswhere you can hire anarrow boat on one ofthe canals or set saildown the River Stour,River Avon, RiverTeme or Britain'slongest river, theRiver Severn.

Whichevercounty you choseto visit, they are allequally stunning and have theirown individual treasures waiting to be explored– you just have to decide where to go first!

Home of Shakespeare, the potteries, the BlackCountry and Alton Towers, the Heart of England is acharming region to visit with a feast of things to seeand do.

Further info 1 Herefordshire

www.visitherefordshire.co.uk

Tel: 01432 260621

2 Shropshirewww.shropshiretourism.infoTel: 01743 462462

3 Staffordshirewww.enjoystaffordshire.co.ukTel: 01785 277397

4 West Midlandswww.birminghamuk.com

5 Warwickshirewww.warwickshire.gov.uk/tourismTel: 0870 160 7930

6 Worcestershirewww.worcestershire-tourism.org Tel: 01905 728787

Staffordshire – Alton Towers©www.britainonview.com

Staffordshire – Sadlers Potteries

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The East Midlands consists ofNorthamptonshire, Rutland, Leicestershire,Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire andLincolnshire and can be found in the centreof the UK, just east of the Heart of England.

Northamptonshire is scenically beautiful,rich in tradition, heritage and charming stonevillages. Walk knee deep in blue bells, alongserene waterways, through winding country lanesand footpaths, and around charming villages.There are plenty of things to do in every season,immerse yourself in the history of the region byvisiting one of the majestic stately homes,gardens or castles. Tread where warriors battledat Naseby, meander along historical waterwaysor feast your eyes on the renowned boot andshoe collection in Northampton – just one ofmany fascinating museums.

Little of Northamptonshire’s countrysidehas changed over the years and surprising fora county surrounded by land, you are neverfar from water with an abundance ofcanals, rivers and lakes. An extensivenetwork of bridleways, byways, towpaths,reservoirs, country parks, forests, cycleroutes and canal systems provide everyopportunity for visitors to enjoy thegreat outdoors. A gourmet loversdelight – most ofNorthamptonshire's towns hold

monthly farmer's markets, whereyou'll find tables laden with

home-made jams, meats,

cheeses, cakes and organically grown fruit and vegetables.

Rutland is England’s smallest county and a little pieceof old England, hidden away in the heart of the country. Aplace where Kings once hunted deer in the valleys, wheretiny villages were bequeathed to Mercian queens andwhere charming thatched cottages and fine Georgianarchitecture are reminiscent of a bygone age.

Rutland's county town of Oakham was mentioned inthe Domesday Book of 1086 and lays claim to England'ssmallest man, Jeffrey Hudson. Its castle, a fortified Normanmanor house, has a collection of horse shoes gatheredfrom visiting nobility including members of the Royalfamily. Both Oakham and Uppingham are historic markettowns and full of pretty honey-coloured buildings,medieval churches, interesting shops and galleries.

Rutland Water is Europe’s largest man-made lake andoffers many outdoor watersports and activities, includingsailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing.

Throughout Rutland you'll find a host of villages toexplore, each with its own unique character and localcharm, like Exton with its thatched cottages or Clipsham,with its topiary walkfeaturing dozens oftrees shaped tocommemorate local,national andinternational events.

Leicestershire isadiverse county with alively and vibrant cityteamed with traditionalBritish countryside andstunning waterways.

Derbyshire – Ladybower Rsvr






Leicester itself is anenergetic city withgreat shops,restaurants, bars,museums andentertainment. Fromaward-winningattractions to some ofthe best curry housesin the UK, Leicesteroffers a great mix ofculture and style.

Ashby de la Zouchlies at the heart of theflourishing NationalForest, an area thatembraces ancientbuildings, interestingvisitor attractions andmiles of hiddennature trails. The

market towns of Hinckley and Market Bosworth lie in thewest of Leicestershire, surrounded by rolling countrysideand pretty villages. Hinckley itself is a thriving market townand evidence suggests that it dates back to the Roman era.Picturesque Market Bosworth is certainly worth a visit for itsthatched cottages, Georgian architecture and interestingspecialist shops.

The Melton area is a delightful and traditionally Englishplace where quality produce, real heritage and countrypursuits are not the exception, but the norm – offering a realtaste of the countryside. Soak up the atmosphere of thebustling market town of Melton Mowbray, home of theauthentic pork pie – and snap up a few bargains too!

The diverse scenery of Derbyshire and the Peak Districtis a paradise for walkers, cyclists, extreme sports enthusiastsand the more relaxed lovers of the great outdoors. The PeakDistrict is Britain’s first national park and has plenty todiscover. The High Peak is home to the elegant spa town ofBuxton, the wild moorlands of Kinder Scout, the depths ofCastleton’s show-caverns, the Pennine Way and DerwentValley’s historic dams.

Belper is a small but lively market town that has its originsas a former Georgian Mill Town and lies in the DerwentValley district, eight miles north of Derby. Originally therewere five water powered cotton mills, of which now only oneremains, the North Mill. This now houses the Derwent ValleyVisitor Centre that exhibits the various developments of theMills and the community that developed around them.

In the Derbyshire Dales you will find craggy gritstoneedges, attracting some of the world’s best climbers, as well aslimestone valleys vibrant with rare flowers. Visit the historicmarket towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne and discover therich industrial heritage of Matlock Bath, Cromford andWirksworth. To the south west, the Staffordshire Moorlandsoffer spectacular vistas just a few miles from bustling townssuch as Leek, or you can find peace and solitude in Dovedaleor the Manifold Valley.

Visit the lively Cathedral City of Derby and enjoy the city’sbustling shops, cafes, free museums and Derby Arboretum,England’s first public park. The city is also considered to beone of the most haunted places in the UK!

Nottinghamshire is home to the world’s most famousout-law, Robin Hood and the legendary Sherwood Forest. Ithas also turned out many creative greats including the poetLord Byron and the designer Paul Smith, and is well knownfor its vibrant nightlife. Those who were born to shop arespoilt for choice in the city of Nottingham with all the big

retailers you would expect to find, alongside individualboutiques and exclusive designers. Nottingham Castle is amagnificent 17th Century ducal mansion built on the site ofthe original medieval castle and at the Tales of Robin Hood,you can re-live the days when good was good and evil wasmost foul!

Kids will love getting lost in their imaginations inNottinghamshire, from swinging through trees in SherwoodForest, feeding the lambs in the beautiful Trent Valley orsearching for wildlife in Bestwood Country Park with MillLakes teeming with water birds, ancient oak woodland andmeadows full of wild flowers.

The largest county in the East Midlands, Lincolnshire,is holder to many interesting facts – did you know thatScampton is home to the Red Arrows, the famous RAFAerobatic Team; Newport Arch in Lincoln is the only Romanarch in the country still used by traffic; Grimsby was namedafter a Danish fisherman called Grim; the first military tankwas designed and built in Lincoln and Belvoir Castle andHarlaxton Manor were used as film locations in the film TheHaunting in 1999?

Lincolnshire has a wealth of qualities for you to enjoyfrom some of England’s cleanest beaches at Skegness andMablethorpe to the tranquillity of the Wolds, from thevibrant city of Lincolnshire to the elegant stately homes andcastles in the Vales.

The past and present is all around in the city ofLincoln from the cobbled streets andantiques to the modernart scattered throughoutthe city. From anydirection, as you approachLincoln you will be drawnto the magnificent silhouetteof the Cathedral stretchinginto the skies, brooding over2000 years of history.

For 30 years, theLincolnshire Wolds has beendesignated an Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty withcurvaceous landscapes, prettyvillages and the market towns ofAlford, Horncastle, Louth,Spilsby, Tattershall andConingsby.

There is so much to explorein Lincolnshire that a weekendmay not be long enough!

From the unspoiltLincolnshire Vales and the magical Fensto the well-kept secret that is Rutland, there is apiece of unspoilt East Midlands for everyone!

Further info 1 Northamptonshire

www.explorenorthamptonshire.co.ukTel: 0845 658 6696

2 Leicestershire & 3 Rutlandwww.goleicestershire.comTel: 0906 294 1113 (25p per minute)

4 Derbyshirewww.derbyshire-thepeakdistrict.co.ukTel: 08456 058 058

5 Nottinghamshirewww.nottinghamshiretourism.co.ukTel: 08444 77 5678

6 Lincolnshirewww.visitlincolnshire.comTel: 01522 526450

Leicestershire – Foxton Locks

Rutland – Ketton

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Yorkshire is as diverse as they come.Situated in the north of England between thenorth-east of England and the East Midlands,this region offers a unique mix of stunninglandscapes, breathtaking coastlines, vibrantcities, traditional villages and fantastic greencountryside.

Yorkshire has more square miles, 1000 in fact,of national parkland than any other region inBritain – visit the wildflower meadows in theYorkshire Dales National Park, feel the presenceof the substantial landscapes of the Peak DistrictNational Park or explore the blanket of purpleheather uplands of the North York MoorsNational Park.

If a change of lifestyle is what you require,then Yorkshire is your ideal place, a real pickand mix of not only landscape and sea butatmospheres and history too. It’s a rarepleasure to escape to one of those incrediblypretty villages, complete with traditionalpub and tea-rooms, that remainunchanged from the days of the MorrisMinor. Or, if a faster pace of life excitesyou, there’s a decidedly 21st-centuryYorkshire out there waiting to entertainin cosmopolitan centres like Sheffield,Leeds, Bradford and Hull. The onecommon factor you’ll come across

in this dynamic, diverse region isan engaging, welcoming

atmosphere. Yorkshire folk are

inviting and involving. They’re down to earth,approachable and friendly.

Yorkshire’s coastline also has something to suit all tastesfrom popular seaside resorts and traditional fishing ports tomiles of unspoilt sandy beaches to explore. Seasideholidays were invented in Scarborough, a resort which haslong been a popular holiday resort ever since its gloriousVictorian days – stroll along the esplanade and elegantgardens, build sandcastles on the fine beach and reveal inthe amusements and entertainment that so many peoplelove about Scarborough. To get away from the masses, visitthe ancient fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay, a shortdistance from maritime Whitby. Extremely picturesque, itsnarrow cobbled streets, rock pools and cliffs make thisvillage a treasure to visit. Also worth a visit are the safe,sandy beaches of Cleethorpes, the quieter resorts ofHornsea and Withernsea and the award-winning beachesat buzzing Bridlington.

Yorkshire has an array of attractions to offer like wildlifeparks, steamrailways, museumsand some fantasticMillenniumattractions such asThe Deep at Hull,Magna atRotherham, TheEarth Centre nearDoncaster and ofcourse, the biggestGothic Cathedral inEurope – themagnificent York

York Minster South Front ©www.britainonview.com

Getting there• National Express:

www.nationalexpress.comTel: 08705 808 080



• Leeds Bradford Airportwww.lbia.co.uk


Minster. The YorkMinster overlooks theCity of York and isrenowned worldwideas an artistic andarchitecturalmasterpiece offeringa wealth of historyfor you to discoverand plenty of thingsto see and do for allages.

Yorkshire has twoWorld Heritage Sitesand both portray verydifferent eras in theregion’s history.

Fountains Abbey is a golden-stoned 12th Century Abbeyperfected by an immaculate Georgian water garden and oneof Europe’s most amazing places. Saltaire near Bradfordpresents an alternative picture of perfection – a perfectlypreserved model village built for industrial workers in the19th century. Salts Mill has been reopened as a gallery andarts and crafts centre where you can see works by DavidHockney, a famous son of Bradford.

Walkers are drawn to Yorkshire for its gentle, scenic coastpaths and its sheltered dales, rolling chalk wolds, wildflowermeadows and heather moors. In contrast, Yorkshire also hasits share of testing long-distance hikes, the craggy tours of thePeak District and the refreshing open spaces of the NorthYork Moors. Yorkshire has three National Trails and lots ofother long-distance walks for you to enjoy at your own pace.There are plenty of family friendly routes too withwaymarked trails and easy paths. Choose one which takesyou through towns and villages and stop for lunch at a cosypub or tea shop.

Walking is just one part of an activity-packed scene. Liftoff on a hot-air balloon or spend lazy days on a canal boat.Go riding at Rocky’s Western Trail Adventures nearHolmfirth, birdwatching at the RSPB’s Bempton Cliffs reservenear Flamborough Head, or cycling in the peaceful YorkshireWolds. Try sailing and fishing at Hatfield Water Park,Doncaster, and off Yorkshire’s spectacular Heritage Coast.Play great golf on almost 200 courses. Go diving at Redcar, orsurf some of the best waves in the country, at Saltburn.

In addition to those grand country houses, world-famousheritage sites, big-name attractions, hills, dales and moorsthere’s another side to the region. The quirky yetentertaining side – seek out Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate,York’s shortest street – just 100ft/30m from top to bottom –yet has the longest name!

There’s more than meets the eye at Aldborough nearBoroughbridge. This picture-perfect village (there’s even amaypole on its village green) has hidden depths – it’s built onthe foundations of a major Roman city. Wharram Percy inthe wolds near Malton is a lost medieval village. Abandonedin 1500, it’s England’s ‘best preserved uninhabited village’.Tiny Thorpe Salvin, an idyllic oasis between Sheffield andWorksop, enjoys a big reputation for its floral displays (it’s aregular winner of the ‘Britain in Bloom’ best small villageaward). You can’t miss the village of South Dalton nearBeverley. It’s visible for miles around thanks to the spire of StMary’s Church, which reaches 200ft/60m into the sky.

Yorkshire’s attractions keep everyone entertained. Themeand farm parks, mazes and amusements offer traditionalfamily fun. Then there’s the new breed of state-of-the-arthigh-tech attractions where you play your part as an active,not passive visitor at places like the National Coal Mining

Museum for England, Wakefield, which takes you to thedarkness of deep underground or Eureka! The Museum forChildren in Halifax, where you can touch, listen, feel, smell,as well as look.

Shopping in Yorkshire really is special. It’s funky andfunctional, trendy and traditional, a unique mix of time-honoured family emporiums ultra modern designershopping. You sometimes have to rub your eyes whentravelling around the region. It’s full of those smallish villageand town shops that seem to have disappeared from HighStreets elsewhere. It still has the butchers and bakers whereyou’ll receive good, old-fashioned service and have the pickof beautifully presented local food and produce.

Fashion junkies will head for Leeds. The city’s VictoriaQuarter and Corn Exchange are spectacular on at least twocounts – for their stunning Victorian architecture and theirdazzling choice of designer shops and boutiques, whichincludes the supernova superstore Harvey Nichols.

Leeds is just one of the stars of Yorkshire’s sophisticatedshopping scene. Sheffield’s intriguing mix of shops includesthe trendy, upbeat Devonshire Quarter, home to the funkyForum. Barnsley’s Pollyanna is at the cutting edge of styleand lifestyle as one of the North’s best designer shops. And inYork, you can go boutique and antique shopping, wanderthe Shambles, possibly Europe’s best-preserved medievalstreet, for specialities or bag something classical or chic atplaces like Sarah Coggles.

It’s a delight to wander the streetsof places like Hawes,Richmond, Helmsleyand Beverley. Theseand many othercharacterful old markettowns have been servingtheir local communitiesfor centuries and they stilltake a pride in continuingto offer a personal,friendly service. This isshopping true Yorkshire style,where you’re likely to see afamily hardware storepacked full of galvanisedbuckets and otherhousehold paraphernaliaside by side with a galleryselling exquisite antiquesand art.

There’s lots going on inYorkshire from January right through toChristmas markets and festivities. Events, festivals andfairs give an expression of the true flavour of Yorkshire sosample the local atmosphere by joining in with thecelebrations, historic and comical moments, music andsport, country shows and city spectaculars.

Further info 1 Sheffield, South Yorkshire

& The Peak District

2 Leeds, Bradford & PennineWest Yorkshire

3 North Yorkshire

4 Hull, East Yorkshire & TheYorkshire Wolds

• Yorkshire Tourist Boardwww.yorkshire.comE-mail: [email protected]

Bridlington Beach©Yorkshire Tourist Board

People in Egton

©Yorkshire Tourist Board

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Scotland’s lingering spirit ofindependence hits the traveller early; itsown law, education, newspapers, banknotesand parliament leave you in no doubt ofyour location. But break through the shelland the country’s stern beauty is matchedby a refreshing warmth of spirit.

The Scottish Highlands have so much tooffer – spectacular mountains, majestic glens andmirror-like lochs form the perfect backdrop topicturesque towns, isolated crofts, toweringcastles and pagoda-topped distilleries. A startlingvariety of wildlife also makes its home in the sea-lochs and glens where an unbroken thread ofhuman history reaches back into the mists oftime.

History, legend, romance and the greatoutdoors combine seamlessly here toguarantee visitors a warm Highland welcomeand a truly memorable holiday. Whetheryou are looking for an action-packedadventure, a taste of the local culture andhistory, or just complete peace and quiet,the Highlands of Scotland is the place tocome.

The Aberdeen & Grampianregion of Scotland – Scotland'sCastle and Whisky Country – is

blessed with outstanding scenery –the majestic Grampian

Mountains dominate the

skyline to the West whilst miles of unspoiled and oftendramatic coastline frame the area in the East.

With its sparkling granite buildings, Aberdeen has one ofScotland's most enchanting skylines, while the old town hasa magical air of time gone by. A fantastic range of first classrestaurants and a vibrant nightlife combined with a thrivingcultural calendar and shops galore, all help make Scotland'sthird largest city a modern destination well worth the trip.

The capital of the Grampian Highlands is even moreunique thanks to the treasures on its doorstep. Sample the"water of life" and visit the eight distilleries and cooperageon the world's only Malt Whisky trail or follow the CastleTrail taking in 11 of the finest gems the region has to offer.

Perthshire, Angus and Dundee and theKingdom of Fife are areas with an astonishingly diverseterrain, with plenty to attract and entertain visitors.

The area boastssome of Scotland'smost attractive townsand cities: Perth,with its upbeat air,busy shops andrelaxing pubs andwine bars; Dundee,dynamic and idealfor a cultural fix;Pitlochry andAberfeldy, friendly,small-scale andwelcoming, whilenot forgetting thepantile houses and

Castle and Loch, Eilean Donan, Highlands ©www.britainonview.com

Getting there• National Express:

www.nationalexpress.comTel: 08705 808 080

• National Rail Enquirieswww.nationalrail.co.ukTel: 0845 48 49 50

• Edinburgh Airportwww.baa.comTel: 0870 040 0007

• Aberdeen Airportwww.baa.comTel: 0870 040 0006


colourful harboursof Fife's East Neuk –a photographer'sparadise.

Away fromhabitation, theregion offers plentyof activeopportunities, fromfabulous golf onsome of the world'smost famouscourses to moreadventurousalternatives, all setagainst countrysideand coastlines richwith abundantwildlife.

Argyll, theIsles, LochLomond,Stirling and theTrossachs – thebirthplace ofScotland, the cradleof its Christianityand nationhoodand the focal pointof much of itsdramatic history.Here you can

savour the atmosphere of Hebridean islands, the charm ofrural villages and the natural frontier which separates therugged grandeur of the West Highlands from the gentlerbeauty of the Lowlands.

These are lands where you can glimpse an eagle, anosprey, a wildcat, a fine antlered stag or even whales anddolphins. And if the fancy takes you, you can enjoy thespectacle of a Highland Games, the warmth of a traditionalfolk night or the flavour of a local food festival.

Scotland's first great travel writer, Sir Walter Scott, wascaptivated by the beauty of this fascinating area. In his best-selling poem, the Lady of the Lake, he wrote of thelandscapes around Loch Katrine: ‘From Kintyre to Killin andTobermory to Tillicoultry, an open invitation awaits you inthese heartlands of Scotland.’

'Edinburgh,' said the writer Robert Louis Stevenson, 'iswhat Paris ought to be'. Its magnificent architecture shiftsfrom the lofty tenements and narrow closes of its medievalOld Town as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile,to the grace and geometric precision of the Georgian NewTown. Above it all, in its towering splendour, stands theCastle. Within this sweeping elegance is a compact city, abustling city, above all a city which rewards every visitor.

Beyond the city, the Lothian countryside provides abeautiful setting for the rich gems of the capital. This is anarea steeped in history, filled with castles, great houses andbattle sites. It's also the ancient home of the game of golf andyou can find some of the great links and parkland courses ofthe world here. In fact, the trails and parkland and miles ofglorious coastline in the Lothians open up the countryside foreveryone - from picnickers on the fine golden beaches, towalkers high in the Pentland Hills.

Vibrant and energetic, Glasgow enjoys a year-round

buzz that visitors just love. This is particularly true of the city'sarts scene. Over 200 arts organisations, including ScottishBallet and Scottish Opera, are based there, creating thecutting-edge productions and attracting high-profileexhibitions that led to the city being crowned as a EuropeanCity of Culture.

Central Glasgow's Manhattan-style town planning affordsmany sweeping vistas of the city's impressive Victorianbuildings, dotted with little gems from the medieval to thepresent day. But it’s the Art Nouveau 'Glasgow Style' forwhich the city has become famous, and no one should missthe work of Glasgow's most celebrated sons, architect anddesigner Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Surrounding the city is some of the best of Scotland'sscenery, from the rolling hills of the Clyde Valley to thebeautiful walking country of East Dunbartonshire thatborders the south-west Highlands. Exploring further, you'llfind that many of the towns and villages in the area such asPaisley, Hamilton, Biggar, Greenock, Gourock and of coursethe breathtaking New Lanark World HeritageSite make great day excursionsfrom the city.

Rich, rollingfarmland, rugged seacoasts and Clyde coastislands characterise theSouth of Scotland. It'sa land of ancient abbeys,castles and historic housesand also boasts strong literaryconnections, with both RobertBurns and Sir Walter Scotthaving lived here.

The real Scotland startsright at the border. Differentaccents in the shops anddifferent names for beer in pubsare just two of the ways in which Scotland stampsits own personality straight away. Even the scenery changesand the hazy blue peaks of the Cheviot and Eildon Hillsrunning out to a wide horizon have lifted the hearts ofgenerations of travellers at Carter Bar on the A68.

Then there are the forests and wild moors of uplandGalloway and the vivid greens of Ayrshire's rich pastures,with the steep mountainous profile of the island of Arran as abackdrop. Where ever you travel here, you can be sure of areal Scottish experience.

When the weather clears, the midges relentand all becomes still, the tranquillity isunforgettable.

Further info 1 The Highlands

www.highlandfreedom.comTel: 0845 22 55 121

2 Aberdeen & Grampian www.aberdeen-grampian.comTel: 01224 288828

3 Perthshire, Angus & Dundeeand Kingdom of Fifewww.perthshire.co.ukwww.angusanddundee.co.ukwww.standrews.com/fife

4 Argyll, The Isles, LochLomond, Stirling andTrossachswww.visitscottishheartlands.comTel: 01369 701000

5 Greater Glasgow & ClydeValleywww.seeglasgow.comTel: 0141 204 4400

6 Edinburgh & Lothianswww.edinburgh.orgTel: 0845 22 55 121

7 Ayrshire & Arran, Dumfries& Galloway and ScottishBorderswww.ayrshire-arran.comwww.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.ukwww.visitscottishborders.com

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Wales has such a variety of terrain in acomparatively small area that you canpractise almost any outdoor pursuit, fromwalking to white water rafting, includingpony trekking, wind surfing, hang gliding,quad biking, mountain biking, climbing,canoeing and kayaking. It also has almost750 miles of coastline with some of theloveliest beaches in Europe - 44 of themflying Blue flags - so it is ideal for thetraditional family bucket-and-spadeseaside holiday too.

Wales offers much more than the greatoutdoors. It has hundreds of castles and a hugeindustrial heritage. The town of Blaenavon is aWorld Heritage Site, its ironworks now tellingmany stories associated with the developmentof iron and steel. Big Pit, which lies justoutside the town, offers insights into themining experience by kitting out visitors withhelmets and lamps for a tour of its workings300 feet underground conducted byformer miners. The attraction won the£100,000 Gulbenkian prize for Museumof the Year in 2005. The NationalWaterfront Museum in Swansea wasshortlisted for the Gulbenkian Prize inits first year of operation.

North Wales has some of themost dramatic and beautiful

scenery in the UK. This area of

great contrasts ranges from the mountains of Snowdoniaand the tumbling meadows of Ll n, to the flatland ofAnglesey with its stunning coastline and the plump hills andlush valleys of the Borderlands.

The Cheshire Plain runs into the Borderlands, whichcontain five of the Seven Wonders of Wales - Wrexhamsteeple, Overton’s yew trees, St Winefride’s Well,Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells - and lie within anhour’s drive of the other two, mount Snowdon and the240-ft waterfall, Pistyll Rhaeadr.

One of the jewels of this area is the Dee valley nearLlangollen with its steep green sides and the powerful riverflowing through its floor.It can be bestappreciated from thedramatic PontcysyllteAqueduct, which canbe crossed on foot or bycanal barge!

The North Walescoastal resorts thatextend from Llandudnoto Prestatyn can boastsome of the best seasidefun in the UK.

Llandudno sits on itsown peninsula, nestlingbetween the GreatOrme and Little Ormeheadlands. This stylish,elegant resort, with itsmajestic promenade,has retained all of its

Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales©www.britainonview.com

Getting there• First Great Western:

www.firstgreatwestern.co.ukTel: 08457 000 125

• Virgin Trains:www.virgintrains.co.ukTel: 08457 222 333

• National Express:www.nationalexpress.comTel: 08705 808 080

• National Rail Enquirieswww.nationalrail.co.ukTel: 0845 48 49 50

• Cardiff InternationalAirportwww.cwlfly.comTel: 01446 711111


Victorian splendourand grace. It is atown which isproud of its literarylinks with LewisCarroll, being theplace where AlicePleasance Liddellspent her holidaysas a child.

The neighbouringresort of ColwynBay has three milesof golden sandybeaches and abustling town centrewith stunningmountain scenery inthe background. It isan extremelypopular holidayfavourite withpeople of all ages.

The resort’ssuperb three-milelong promenaderuns intoneighbouring Rhoson Sea, apicturesque harbourtown with a relaxedatmosphere. Allalong the seafrontyou can watch, ortake part in a varietyof watersports,including jet skiing,

windsurfing, water skiing and sailing.

West Wales stretches from the western regions of theBrecon Beacons National Park to the offshore islands ofPembrokeshire, from the golden shores of Carmarthen Bay inthe south to the wide sweep of Cardigan Bay in the north.The southern arm of Wales which juts out into the Irish Seaprovides the prefect getaway destination, offering a wealth ofsights, activities and amenities to suit every palate.

Pembrokeshire is hailed as ‘gwlad hud a lledrith’ (land ofmagic and enchantment). Its many prehistoric remains, richhistory, legends and folklore all combine to give it an uniqueidentity. The county can be split into two by the imaginaryLandsker line. South of this ancient dividing line lies an areaaffectionately known as Little England beyond Wales. To thenorth is the Welsh speaking Cymru – its wilder terrainpossibly explains why it was never conquered by theNormans.

The area’s steep rugged cliffs are home to hundreds ofseabirds and other wildlife, as are the off-shore islands ofSkomer, Skokholm, Grassholm and Ramsey which are world-famous sea bird sanctuaries.

If your idea of a holiday is an all-action, adrenaline-pumping adventure break, then Pembrokeshire offers it all!An Utopia for adventurers, the county attracted Lord Nelsonlong before it became synonymous with outdoor pursuits.

Locked on three sides by water, it is natural that many ofthe outdoor activities for which it is famed are stronglyaquatic - the area even dreamed up one of the most originaloutdoor crazes, coasteering - which, by the way, has nothingto do with table mats!

Coasteering involves traversing the coastline in any waypossible, be it swimming, climbing, scrambling or biting thebullet and jumping those cliffs. Acolytes are decked out inwetsuits and trainers and receive expert tuition frominstructors who keep them under close surveillance for everyminute. Fans of the sport are growing fast.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is responsible forsafeguarding this beautiful tract of countryside, andmaintaining the balance of interests between, outdoor leisureactivities and the communities that live and work in the Park.

Tenby perfectly combines a rich history with unspoiltbeauty and all the fun of the seaside. The town dates frommedieval times. Most of the old town, with its maze ofcobbled streets and narrow passageways, lies within theextensive remains of the 13th century walls. Parts of the wallsstill stand to their full height, particularly along the SouthParade, and the towers which protected them can be seen atthe famous Five Arches, of which there are actually six.

Wales' capital, Cardiff, is Europe's youngest, and one of itsfastest growing, capital cities. As well as rapidly growing intoa financial and communications centre in recent years,Cardiff has transformed itself into a vibrant, cosmopolitan,modern city, worthy of its title - the youngest capital city inEurope. Many exciting projects are giving the city an air ofdynamism and new found confidence.

Cardiff has the BreconBeacons NationalPark within easyreach - a 45-minutedrive at most. It hason its doorstep thelovely Vale ofGlamorgan withpicturesque villages,market towns andbeaches too.

The city can offeraccommodation tosuit any taste andpocket. It hasrestaurantsproviding fine farefrom all over theworld, reflectingthe cosmopolitan nature ofthis former port and the tastes of its people.

A different world awaits - Make it your world.

From the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains ofthe South, where the SAS test the best, to Snowdoniain the North, where the first conquerors of Everesttrained, you have a land that makes the body tingleand delights the senses.

Further info 1 Anglesey

www.islandofchoice.com

2 Llandudno & Colwyn Baywww.visitconwy.org.uk

3 Rhyl & Prestatynwww.rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk

4 Snowdoniawww.visitsnowdonia.info

5 North Wales Borderlandswww.borderlands.co.uk

6 Mid Wales & Brecon Beaconswww.visitmidwales.co.uk

7 Ceredigionwww.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk

8 Pembrokeshirewww.visitpembrokeshire.com

9 Carmarthenshirewww.visit-carmarthenshire.co.uk

10 Swanseawww.visitswanseabay.com

11 South Wales Valleyswww.wisdomandwalks.co.uk

12 Wye Valley & Vale of Uskwww.visitwyevalley.com

13 Glamorgan Heritage Coastwww.visitsouthwales.com

14 Cardiffwww.visitcardiff.com

Snowdonia

Wales Dolmen

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THE HUMBER BRIDGE

This masterpiece of engineering, which took nine years to build, was officially opened by HM theQueen on 17 July 1981 and provided the link between two areas which had previously been separateand distinct parts of the country. Come and experience for yourself the magnificence of the HumberBridge, either on foot via the bridge walkways, or by driving across. The views you get both on and offthe bridge will stay with you for many years.Why not extend your stay by visiting other attractions in the vicinity before exploring the manyattractions in the region?

For information on tolls and amenities, please contactThe Humber Bridge, Ferriby Road, Hessle, East YorkshireTel: 01482 647161 www.humberbridge.co.uk

THE HUMBER BRIDGE

This masterpiece of engineering, which took nine years to build, was officially opened by HM theQueen on 17 July 1981 and provided the link between two areas which had previously been separateand distinct parts of the country. Come and experience for yourself the magnificence of the HumberBridge, either on foot via the bridge walkways, or by driving across. The views you get both on and offthe bridge will stay with you for many years.Why not extend your stay by visiting other attractions in the vicinity before exploring the manyattractions in the region?

For information on tolls and amenities, please contactThe Humber Bridge, Ferriby Road, Hessle, East YorkshireTel: 01482 647161 www.humberbridge.co.uk

Choice Days Out And Attractions Summer 09

Travel

Transcript of Choice Days Out And Attractions Summer 09