Queen's Diamond Jubilee

2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and this Diamond Jubilee year is an opportune time to get to know The Queen.

Interesting Facts About the Queen

• Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926. She is the older of the two daughters (Princess Margaret is her younger sister) of The Duke and Duchess of York who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
• Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was not born in a castle, but at 17 Bruton Street in London’s Mayfair.
• When Princess Elizabeth was born, she stood third in line to the throne. Her uncle Edward, The Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) was first in line, followed by her father The Duke of York who later became King George VI.
•  As Edward was first in the line of succession to the throne, neither The Duke of York or Elizabeth were expected to accede to the throne. As fate would have it, King Edward VIII abdicated to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson and as such Princess Elizabeth’s father acceded to the throne on December 11, 1936 and became King George VI. This event propelled the young Princess Elizabeth to the next in line to the throne.
• On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey. On this Diamond Jubilee year, she would have been married an amazing 65 years.  They have four children, Charles, Ann, Andrew and Edward.
• On February 6, 1952, on the death of King George VI, Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne and became Queen Elizabeth II.  (She is Queen of Britain, but for practicality purpose, this post sits on our England Blog.)
• The Queen’s Coronation took place on June 2, 1953 at Westminster Abbey.  She chose to retain the name of the House of Windsor rather than bearing her husband’s name.
• As the British Monarch, the Queen is also the The Supreme Governor of The Church of England.
• She is also Head of the Commonwealth and regularly visits Commonwealth countries.
• Buckingham Palace is The Queen’s official residence in London, Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is her official residence in Scotland, Balmoral Castle is her summer retreat and Sandringham House is where the Royal Family spends their Christmas.
• Some of The Queen’s daily duties include official meetings, attending investitures, reading State papers and documents and letters sent to her by the public. As patron of some 600 charities, she is also kept very busy.
• The Queen is an animal lover and she has a keen interest in horses, being herself an owner and breeder of thoroughbreds. She attends the Derby at Epsom and her attendance at the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot continues a royal tradition that began in 1911.  The Queen also loves walking in the countryside and her love of her Pembroke Welsh Corgis is also well known.  Once interest that is perhaps not so well-known is her interest in Scottish country dancing.  During her annual stays at Balmoral Castle the Queen holds dances known as Gillies’ Balls for Balmoral estate and Castle staff, her neighbours and the local community.
• Queen Elizabeth is also keen on gardens and regularly attends the annual Chelsea Flower Show.
• The Queen’s eye-catching outfits are mostly tailored by British designers.  Her team of designers includes her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser.

How Do you Greet the Queen

If you ever get the opportunity to meet the Queen, there is no code of behaviour that you have to abide by except to be courteous. However, if you wish to follow the traditional forms of greeting, it is customary for men to do a neck bow and for women to do a small curtsy. When presented to the Queen, the correct formal address is ‘Your Majesty’ and then ‘Ma’am’.

And if you feel inclined to write to The Queen on her Diamond Jubilee, you can write to Her Majesty at the following address:

Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA

Other Diamond Jubilee Articles:

Diamond Jubilee – Celebrating 60 Years as Queen
Queen Elizabeth II – Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Sandringham House by RXUYDC/Wiki

Just as Balmoral Castle is the summer retreat of the Queen, Sandringham House is the favourite winter residence of the Queen and members of the British Royal Family.

Set amongst the stunning gardens of  Sandrinham Estate in Norfolk, Sandringham House has been the home of four generations of British monarchs.  Like her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, the Queen has a strong attachment to Sandringham.

Sandringham Estate

Sandringham House has been the private residence of the Royal Family since 1862 when it was purchased by Queen Victoria. Like Balmoral, Sandringham is a working Estate and the private property of the Royal Family. Over half of the Estate is let out for farming, with the balance being used for Sandringham House’s own farming and forestry. Over 100 full-time staff work here.

The Queen at Sandringham

Sandringham House is where the Queen and members of the Royal Family spend Christmas. The Royals can be seen walking to St Mary Magdalene Church for Christmas mass, although the Queen arrives by car.  After church, they can be seen greeting locals and visitors who come to see them.

Sandringham is the Queen’s winter base till about February.  It is a custom that she remembers the anniversary of her father’s death (February 6, 1952), and her own accession, privately with her family at the House.

Visiting Sandringham

Since 1977, Sandringham House has been open to the public and you can visit the Museum and walk through the beautiful gardens during the summer when the Royals are not in residence.  There is plenty to see and do around the Estate and it is recommended that you allow at least four hours, if not the whole day, to see as much as possible.

Since 1968, 243 hectares of Sandringham Estate have been designated as a country park.  The  Park is open all year round and entry is free. The Park is made up of managed woodland and heath and it has two nature trails and camping and caravan club sites.  If you don’t fancy a big walk, the tractor and trailer tour of the Country Park operates from April to October.

Sandringham Estate hosts craft fairs and country shows throughout the year.

Opening Times: For 2012, Sandringham House, Gardens and Museum are open daily from Sunday 1st April until and including Sunday 4th November.

Where is Sandringham

Sandringham is in the county of Norfolk in the East of England.

How to Get to Sandringham:

By Car:

Sandringham Estate is about 6 miles north-east of King’s Lynn. Follow the signposts from the A148 Fakenham Road or the A149 Hunstanton Road.

By Bus from King’s Lynn:

• Take Bus number 11 from King’s Lynn Bus Station. The bus stop for Sandringham is at the Sandringham Visitor Centre.
• During the peak season, the CoastHopper provides a very regular service between King’s Lynn (railway station & bus station) and Cromer (Cadogen Road).

See the Norfolk Green website for fares and timetables www.norfolkgreen.co.uk

National Express run coach services to King’s Lynn Bus Station. Website www.nationalexpress.com/coach/

By Train:
The nearest train station is King’s Lynn, where you can connect to the CoastHopper bus service. London Kings Cross, Peterborough and Norwich have hourly services to and from King’s Lynn. Website: www.nationalrail.co.uk

Address:
The Sandringham Estate
Sandringham
Norfolk
PE35 6EN
Website: www.sandringhamestate.co.uk

Map of Sandringham:

National Football Museum - Courtesy VisitBritain

Mention Manchester and its famous football team Manchester United comes to mind. Manchester is where Football League was founded, so it seems appropriate that this city with a long football tradition and the world-famous football team should become the new home of the National Football Museum.

National Football Museum

When the National Football Museum (NFM) opened in February 2001, it was the first of its kind in the world.  Previously located in Preston, Lancashire, the Museum is moving to the iconic Urbis building  in Manchester city centre and is set to become one of the must-see Manchester attractions for football fans and non-fans alike.  The NFM plans to show visitors the ‘greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled’. 
The Museum is due to open in Manchester in late spring/early summer 2012.

NFM at the Urbis

Spread over three floors of the Urbis exhibition centre, visitors will be able to see more than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs bringing the history of football to life. These include a rare shirt from the world’s first international match, played in 1872, the ball used in the 1966 World Cup Final and the shirt that Maradona wore during the 1986 ‘Hand of God’ quarter-final match between England and Argentina.  The Museum also explores the cultural and social impact of football on society.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, there will also be changing temporary exhibitions showing the part played by fashion, art and photography in English football.

Football’s Hall of Fame

The Museum will provide a permanent home for football’s Hall of Fame. There will be an awards ceremony every year for the new ‘legends’ added to the Hall of Fame. Football fans will be able to attend these dinner evenings and get up-close with the football legends.

The National Football Museum is a registered charity overseen by a board of trustees, all former international players. The museum’s President is Sir Bobby Charlton, is well known to football fans.

Entrance will be free with some paid-for interactive activities. Check their website for the latest on their opening date.

Address:

National Football Museum
Urbis Building
Cathedral Gardens
Manchester M4 3BG
Website:  www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Map of Manchester:

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - 1953

Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne took place on 6 February 1952 and 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Diamond Jubilee celebrations are planned for many cities throughout Britain and royal watchers and anyone interested in the history of the monarchy will have much to look forward to in this Diamond Jubilee year.

As the British Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen is one of the most public figures in the world. Yet not many Londoners can claim to have seen her close-up or met her. Perhaps this is the year for spotting the Queen or having a royal encounter. Walk in the footsteps of the Queen and, who knows, you could get lucky.

The Queen in London

Walk around the streets of London and you’ll see traces of the Queen’s early life everywhere:

• At 17 Bruton Street Mayfair there is a plaque on the wall. This used to be the London townhouse of the Queen’s maternal grandfather and this was where she was born on April 21st, 1926. Although she was not born in a palace, Mayfair is London’s most exclusive district.
• Just opposite at 10 Bruton Street was the atelier of Norman Hartnell, couturier to the establishment and “Royal dressmaker”. He made the Queen’s 1953 Coronation Dress.
• Not far from Bruton Street, at 145 Piccadilly, was where the Queen spent her early childhood.
• From Piccadilly you can take a bus ride, or walk, west to the former Hyde Park Hotel (now the Mandarin Oriental).  This was where the young Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret had dancing lessons.
• Stroll out of the hotel into Hyde Park at around 10.40 am, or 9.40 am on a Sunday, and you should see the smart sight of Her Majesty’s Life Guard trotting past on their way to Whitehall.  The magnificent horses that they ride are called the “Cavalry Blacks”.
• Until relatively recently, the Queen attended the annual Trooping the Colour on horseback. Now you can see her taking the Royal salute from her carriage.
• Keep your eyes peeled in the roads around St James’s Palace and the Mall and you might just see a small figure through the tinted glass as a gleaming limousine glides past – sometimes, she waves.

The Queen on her Royal Visits

The Queen at the Races

The Queen is never far from horses and racing is in her blood.  One of the best – and most relaxing – places to spot her is at one of the big horse shows (Badminton, Gatcombe Park or the Royal Windsor), where she may well be strolling around, talking to other horse lovers.

If you enjoy the races and dressing up, a more formal occasion is Royal Ascot in June. Here you will experience tradition, pageantry, fashion and get to see more than the Queen.  At 2 pm, after lunch at Windsor Castle, the entire Royal Party make their way to the Royal Enclosure via the Golden Gates on all five days of the meeting. They pass in front of all the stands and the entire crowd will doff their top hats and glare at anyone who fails to do so. Like all punters, the Queen will be scanning her race card and then she awards prizes in the Parade Ring.

All The Queen’s Homes

Windsor Castle – The Queen loves Windsor, where she lived during the War, put on Christmas pantomimes with other children in the castle and made her famous BBC Children’s Hour wartime broadcast.  Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world.  It is open year round and there is the possibility of the odd glimpse of a car flying the royal standard zooming into the Upper Ward where the Royal Apartments are. You can book a tour to Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace Here.

Buckingham Palace – This has been the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 and today it is the official London residence of the Queen.  The State Apartments at Buckingham Palace open to the public every August and September. Book a visit to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Here.

Sandringham House – If you happen to be in Norfolk at Christmas, Sandringham House is where the Royal Family spends their Christmas.  On Christmas Day you can see the Royals walking from the House to St Mary Magdalene Church where they traditionally attend Christmas mass.  The Queen however arrives at the church by car. Sandringham Estate is the private property of the British Royal Family.  The house is closed to visitors during the winter season but in spring it re-opens to the public.

Balmoral Castle – Along with Sandringham, Balmoral Castle is also owned by the Royal Family.  This is the Queen’s summer retreat in Scotland and so it is open for house visits and Land Rover Safaris on the estate earlier in the year.

Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh is open year round. The Queen, being patron, is often at the annual Braemar Gathering on the first weekend in September.

Wakehurst Place - Water Garden

Wakehurst Place is a National Trust property in Ardingly in West Sussex.  Managed and funded by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place Gardens is one of the most visited National Trust properties.  At this country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, visitors can see formal gardens, natural woodlands, nature reserves and Wakehurst’s 16th-century mansion.

Gardens in Sussex

Wakehurst is a delight for garden enthusiasts, nature lovers and anyone looking for a garden visit in Sussex.  Its Himalayan Glade showcases Wakehurst’s collection of Asian plants, in the Bloomer’s Valley are trees from South America and the Mediterranean, the Southern Hemisphere Garden has plants from Australia (including a Wollemi Pine), New Zealand and South Africa.  In all, there are 465 acres of ornamental gardens and temperate woodlands to explore, as well as the Elizabethan Mansion which is one of the popular Sussex wedding venues . Wakehurst is also a place of learning for children and there are plenty of activities to keep the young ones entertained.

Millenium Seed Bank

Wakehurst Place is no ordinary botanic garden.  This beautiful country estate is also home to the  Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed collection in the world. The Seed Bank already holds seeds from 10% of the world’s wild flowering plant species (around 30,000) and its target is to increase this to 25% by 2020, quite impressive. At the Millenium Seed Bank you can see scientists at work and learn about how Kew is helping to preserve the world’s most endangered plants.

The Largest Growing Christmas Tree in England

Millenium Seed Bank - Courtesy VisitBritain

Wakehurst Place is open to the public all year round so visitors get to see the thousands of plants and trees in all their seasonal variation. Highlights in the winter garden include dogwoods, witch hazels and rhododendrons. During January and February drifts of 100,000 snowdrops are in flower, together with many cyclamen.

The gardens are open daily 10:00 – 18:00 in summer and 10:00 – 16:30 in winter (except 24–25 December).  Admission is £11.50 and children under 17 accompanied by an adult enter free.

How to Get to Wakehurst Place:

By Train

Haywards Heath, the closest railway station to Wakehurst Place, is approximately six miles away. From the station you can take a bus, the nearest stop is Perrymount Road (as you come out of the station and turn right). For details of trainlines and timetables see www.thetrainline.com.

By Bus

Bus 81 (Monday – Saturday) serves Haywards Heath
Bus 82 (Monday – Saturday) serves Crawley, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath.  Please note there are no buses on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  For further information about bus timetables see www.metrobus.co.uk.

By Car

Wakehurst Place is on the B2028 just south of Turners Hill and north of the village of Ardingly. The South of England Agricultural Showground is just a little further south.

Address:
Wakehurst Place
Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN
Tel: +44 1444 894067
Website: www.kew.org

Map of Sussex:

Cliveden Maze - Image by Claire Primett/VisitBritain

Over 100 years since it was first created, the ‘lost’ Cliveden maze in the grounds of Cliveden House has been re-created using more than 1,100 two-metre-high yew trees.

The Original Cliveden Maze

The Cliveden maze was built for Lord Astor in 1894.  Located beside the River Thames on estate of the Cliveden National Trust, the maze was last plotted on an Ordnance Survey map in 1923 but by the late 1930s it had virtually disappeared, apart from a few surviving yew trees.  Amazingly, Lord Astor’s Cliveden maze designs were discovered in the archives of the National Trust in 2005.

The Recreation of the Cliveden Maze

Led by Cliveden’s head gardener, the new Cliveden maze has been built as close as possible to the original site. Using over 1,000 metres of steel edging and 60 tonnes of gravel to produce over 500 metres of path, the new Cliveden maze has has taken two years to create. The most challenging part of the project was finding enough fully-grown yew trees to complete it, but once a supplier was found, all 1,100 12-year-old trees were planted in 20 days.

Yew trees create great mazes as they readily form dense hedges and are easily clipped into shape. Although the maze will take a little while to really establish itself and fill out, visitors can enjoy it straight away. And a word of warning – don’t think you can cheat by pushing through the hedges because they are all enclosed by metal railings. And because the maze has yet to appear on Google earth, there’s no cheating using mobile phones either – not that anyone would want to cheat anyway!

Cliveden House

Cliveden House is an Italianate mansion built in 1851 and is now a very luxurious five-star hotel. It is 40 minutes from London and 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport, so if you ever want to treat yourself for that special occasion, this grand stately home is the place for that special break.  Past guests have included British monarchs, presidents, British prime ministers and ministers, including one John Profumo.  Many will remember the Profumo-Christine Keeler affair which scandalized Cliveden House and British politics during the 1960s.

If the room rates are a touch too stiff, you can still view the interior of Cliveden House.  Tours of part of the interior are available on certain days and the maze, gardens and woodland are open daily.  For opening times and admission costs see the National Trust website on: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-cliveden

Address:

Cliveden Gardens
Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JA
Tel: +44 1628 605069 / +44 1494 755562 (Infoline)

Blenheim Palace - Courtesy VisitBritain

Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, has been the stately home of the Dukes of Marlborough since it was built in the early 1700s. It is also well-known and the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill.

A Gift from Queen Anne

Blenheim Palace was a reward from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, for leading the defeat of the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. In gratitute for the military triumph, the Queen gave the Marlboroughs the Manor of Woodstock together with the promise of funds to build the house. The Duke in turn ensured that the palace was built as a monument to Queen Anne. The palace construction had its share of issues, including the Royal funds drying up and the Duke subsequently having to fund the completion of the palace at his own expense.

Blenheim Palace – a World Heritage Site

Blenheim Palace has been the home of the Churchill family for over 300 years. The present incumbent of Blenheim Palace, John George Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill, is the 11th Duke of Marlborough.  The Palace’s original design was a unique example of English Baroque architecture, however over the years various family members have made changes to the palace and gardens. Surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and the great Lake, the magnificent Palace was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

What to See and Do

For the visitor, there is much to see and do at Blenheim Palace, including regular events and activities to keep children entertained.

Blenheim State Room - Courtesy VisitBritain

• Inside the palace, you can take a guided tour of the exquisite State Rooms filled with intricate carvings, amazing porcelain collections, tapestries and paintings.

• On the first floor ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’ brings to life enticing tales from the last 300 years.

• The Churchill Exhibition is set near the room where he was born. Amongst some of the interesting exhibits are several of Churchill’s lively letters, a superb collection of first day covers commemorating Sir Winston Churchill and many fascinating photographs of Britain’s greatest parliamentarian at Blenheim Palace.

• Enjoy the award-winning Formal Gardens, park walks and Pleasure Gardens

• On weekend afternoons you can enjoy the music series in the palace

It is recommended that you allow approximately one hour for the Palace Tour and Churchill Exhibition, 40 minutes for ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’, 40 minutes for the optional tour of the Private Apartments, one hour for lunch if required in the Water Terrace Café and anything from two to four hours to enjoy the extensive parkland, Formal Gardens and Pleasure Gardens. Guided tours of the State Rooms are available daily (except Sundays and Bank Holidays when a free-flow system is in place).

Winston Churchill’s grave is located in the nearby village of Bladon which is approximately a 30 minute walk, through the grounds from the Palace.  It is worth a visit if you have time.  To drive there, follow the signs for the exit from the Palace car park then turn right in to the Village of Bladon as you exit the park. The church is on the left hand side as you go through the village.

Getting to Blenheim Palace by public transport:

Situated in Woodstock Blenheim Palace is just 8 miles from Oxford.

• By Train – Trains to Oxford run regularly from London Paddington and Birmingham New Street. Trains to Bicester run from London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street. There are taxi connections from Oxford to Blenheim Palace as well as from Bicester.
• By Bus – The S3 bus runs from Oxford train station to the Palace.
• By Coach – Services run directly to Oxford from London and Birmingham throughout the day.

See here for Blenheim Palace opening times and admission fees >

Where to Stay

For visitors who wish to make the most of their time at Blenheim Palace, there is a range of accommodation in Woodstock.  See here for the list of Woodstock hotels > .  Alternatively you may prefer to be based at Oxford.  Search for Oxford hotels and read Oxford hotel reviews here >

Map of Oxfordshire:

White Water Centre - Courtesy VisitBritain

The Lee Valley White Water Centre is a brand new white water rafting centre on the north-east edge of London. This custom-built rafting centre will be the scene of the London 2012 Olympic canoe slalom competition.

When the White Water Centre opens on April 22, 2011, the public will be able to use the facilities before the Games begin.  This is the only brand new London 2012 venue that the general public will be able to use before the start of the 2012 Olympics.  So, for anyone who fancies the thrills and spills of riding the rapids, here’s your chance to beat the Olympians to this venue!

White Water Centre Features

As an Olympic venue, the Lee Valley White Water Centre was built to be the best of its type anywhere in the world. It has two separate courses, apparently a unique feature: a 160-metre Legacy Loop with grade 3 rapids and a 300-metre Olympic Standard Competition Course with grade 4 rapids and with a 5.5-metre drop from the start to the finish of the pool. The Competition Course has 300 metres of obstacles, drops and waves, and enough fast-flowing white water to fill a 25-metre swimming pool in less than half a minute.

Almost anyone, it seems, can have a go at rafting – I exclude myself from the ‘anyone’. So, if you’re looking for some challenging sporting activities during your London holidays, this is a chance to test your skills on this demanding Olympic course – just bring your swimmers and a towel.

And just in case anyone needs assistance, the centre’s raft guides are being trained by Paskell Blackwell, who is captain of the Great Britain Senior Men’s White Water Rafting Team and assistant manager at the centre.

Getting there:

By Car - The centre is on the north-east edge of London, five minutes from the M25, near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.
By Train – The train journey to the centre takes about 40 minutes from London Liverpool Street Station, which includes a 20 minute walk through River Lee Country Park. You can also reach the centre via Waltham Cross station where buses will take you to the main entrance.

The centre will be open to the public Wed–Sun from 22 April to 30 September, 2011. Rafting tickets are priced from £49.

Address:
Lee Valley White Water Centre
Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN9 1AB
Tel: +44 8456 770 606
Website: www.gowhitewater.co.uk

English Tram - Travel Signposts

Crich (pronounced Cry-ch) is a small Derbyshire village with a population of 2,242.  Crich may well have been just another small English village except that it has one of the most comprehensive collections of trams and tramway history in the world. The Crich Tramway Village is a re-created historic village which is the setting for the National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire.

Crich Tramway Village

Trams were popular in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, until the arrival of the motor bus and then cars.  The 1950s saw the beginning of the dismantling of the tramway system and by 1962 only the Blackpool tramway remained. The Crich Tramway Village is a re-creation around a period street, along with restored buildings that have been gathered from all over the country. Crich Village also includes a pub, cafe, a vintage sweetshop and the tram depots. Many signs, ornaments, street names and the like add to the authenticity of the period village.

National Tramway Museum

The National Tramway Museum is located within Crich Tramway Village. The Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of trams and tramway history in the world. From the 1899 Douglas Head Marine Drive 1, the oldest trolley-equipped tram at Crich and which ran on the Isle of Man, to the 1899 Chesterfield 8, the last horse trams built for normal passenger service, visitors will be amazed by the Museum’s fleet. And the best part is that visitors are able to ride on the collection of vintage Crich trams. Every few minutes the trams take passengers along the period street, past the historic buildings, and for a ride one mile out into the countryside and back.

Apart from the world-renowned vintage tram fleet, the Tramway Postcard Library has a postcard collection of 11,405 images and the Tramway Photo Library has 19,738 photo images. The Museum runs a range of educational sessions and events for school groups and families. Visitors can enjoy the fascinating exhibitions charting the development of the tram from the early horse-drawn vehicles, through steam powered trams to more modern electric vehicles.

Whether you’re a tram enthusiast, someone keen on transport history or looking for a unique place to visit, there are lots to see and enjoy at the Crich Tramway village.   There are several hotels close to Crich for those who wish to spend a weekend near the Tramway village.

Crich Tramway Village is open 10.30 – 16:00 at weekends until 21 March, then daily 10:00 – 17:30 until the end of October.

Address:
Crich Tramway Village
nr Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP

Map of Crich, Matlock:

Windsor Castle

Set in the county of Berkshire, about 32 km from London is Windsor Castle, one of the oldest and largest occupied castles in the world.   Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen and has been a royal home and fortress for over 925 years.

After the Norman invasion, William the Conqueror established Windsor Castle in 1070–86 as one of a chain of fortifications around London.  Since the time of Henry I, Windsor Castle has been used as a royal residence by a succession of monarchs, who either re-modelled or added to the castle structure. In 1170 Henry II replaced the Norman keep with the Round Tower. It was re-modelled by George IV in the 1820s.

Every year the Queen takes up official residence in Windsor Castle for a month over Easter when she hosts occasional events for guests, including politicians and public figures. The Queen is also in residence for a week in June, when she attends the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race meeting. The castle is also used by the Queen to host state visits from overseas monarchs and presidents.

What to see in Windsor Castle

• The lavishly decorated State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough.

• From October to March an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route. Visitors can enjoy George IV’s private apartments, among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle.

Round Tower © Royal Collection 2011/VisitBritain

• St George’s Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, Britain’s senior chivalric order established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George’s Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.

Windsor Castle is a working royal palace and as such opening arrangements may change at short notice. If you’re planning a visit, it’s advisable to check if there are any official events taking place.

Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the most famous dolls’ house in the world.

Changing the Guard takes place at 11:00 daily from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting. Changing of the Guard does not take place on Sunday.

Windsor Castle Opening times (daily):

9.45 am–5.15 pm Mar–Oct
9.45 am–4.15 pm Nov–Feb

The train journey from London to Windsor Castle is about 30 minutes (from Paddington Station).  Alternatively, you can join one of the many half or full-day tours to Windsor Castle from London.

If you’re looking to make Windsor your base, there are several hotels that are just metres away from Windsor Castle.  Search for hotels, read hotel reviews and book your Windsor Castle hotel here >

Address:
Windsor Castle
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk

Map of Windsor: