Beautiful Guernsey countryside

Many people don’t even know that Guernsey exists, but the lucky ones who do know Guernsey, love it. Guernsey is an island; one of the Channel Islands, it is situated in the English Channel 50 km away from France’s Normandy Coast, but is a British Crown Dependency, self-governing and independent.

It really is a little bit of  heaven on Earth. The ancient name for Guernsey is Sarnia, “The Green Land”, and residents are still known as Sarnians today.

Surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches and high green cliffs, Guernsey possesses some of the most, scenic, varied and interesting countryside you can see in Europe. The island is only 78 square kilometres in area but the variety of the landscape is amazing.

Victor Hugo, known worldwide as author of Les Miserables, lived on the island in exile from France for fifteen years. He loved Guernsey and appropriately named it “a Swiss Canton” to celebrate the beauty of its countryside.

Walk through the hidden secrets of St Martin’s countryside

St Martins Church in Guernsey, Channel Islands

The parish of St Martin, in the South-Eastern corner of the island, is one of the most beautiful places in this “Swiss canton”. St Martin is where you’ll find some of the most expensive properties in the island: to buy a four bedroom house here would cost you at least 1.5 million US$.

Go to St Martin’s Church and have a look at the area around it; you will then understand why houses are so expensive there. Old cottages perfectly kept with large gardens literally bursting with blooming flowers surround the old church.

In spring, benefiting from the mild temperatures, crane flowers, hortensias, poppies, roses and irises invade the gardens and make a wonderful contrast with the white walls of the cottages.

A Woman from 4000 years ago

La Grand mere du Chimquiere in front of St. Martin’s Church

At the centre of this colourful circle, next to the entrance to St Martin’s church, stands a woman from 4000 years ago. Yes, it’s true! This is one of the many features that make the Guernsey countryside special. It’s not just cottages and gardens, in Guernsey there are many unexpected monuments dotting the landscape, making it unique.

The woman from 4000 years ago is “La Grand mere du Chimquiere” in the local Norman dialect, which translates as “The Grandmother of the Cemetery”. It is considered the finest carved menhir in Europe. Neolithic settlers sculpted this goddess of fertility, a beautiful woman with an enigmatic smile, marking the place as sacred.

Later on in the fifteen century the church of St Martin, the same one you can still admire today, was built but the tradition of the goddess of fertility remained. Newly married couples still place coins or flowers on the statue’s head and shoulders to bring them luck.

Down to Saint’s Bay and its inspiring beaches

From the church you can walk at leisure along the country lanes and  enjoy gazing at the many fantastic cottages overlooking the sea and the sister islands of Herm and Sark. But follow me down to Saint’s Bay and you will see the best of all.

The famous impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir stayed and painted in Guernsey. He particularly loved this corner of Guernsey for its colours and it is easy to understand why when you go down to the beach along the rues tranquilles. The rues tranquilles, literally “quiet streets”, but also called “green lanes“, are country lanes with limited traffic access that are spread throughout the countryside making it much more enjoyable to visit.

Walking along the country lanes…

Pay for your produce in the Honesty Boxes

If you walk through the green lanes to the Bella Luce Restaurant, you don’t just find a good restaurant. You will certainly notice another special feature of Guernsey landscape: the honesty boxes. Here agriculture is a big thing and everyone sells the products of his fields or even just of his garden in front of his own house.

A Guernsey roadside stall and its honesty box

The famous Guernsey tomatoes and the celebrated Jersey potatoes (originally from Jersey, the other major Channel Island, an hour trip by ferry), but also chicken eggs, duck eggs, home-made jams and chutneys are displayed unattended in the gardens of many cottages.

Every farmer has his honesty box in front of his house. You pick what you want, fresh and in season, and you leave the money in a little metal box. It is a fantastic way to do your shopping, believe me.

Guernsey Cows and Abreuvreurs

Some of the famous Guernsey cows

Keep walking down to Saint’s Bay, where a wonderful sandy beach is waiting for you. But don’t rush and do concentrate on the lush vegetation. You will see buttercup flowers adding a splash of colour to the tall grass at the side of the road and many different species of butterflies flying around.

One of the many abreuvreurs on the island

Follow the stream running at the side of the road – because whatever little lane in the area you are walking along, it will have its own stream – and soon you will discover another unusual feature: an abreuvreur, a trough for animals. After all, you are in the kingdom of the Guernsey Cow, a breed of cattle used in dairy farming particularly renowned for the rich flavour of its milk. Try some of the local mature cheddar cheese from the Guernsey Dairy to understand what I mean.

This docile fawn and white cow represents another important characteristic of this landscape, and a very  friendly one too.

But back to the trough for animals. There are more than forty in the island, each one with a different shape and perfectly kept.  You will spot them along your walks in the countryside. They are a unique relic of Guernsey’s past.

Finally, after walking through the lanes and hopefully after having had some rest and maybe a glass of the local apple cider (the Rocquette cider, a sweet cider locally made and very very tasty), you will arrive at Saint’s Bay.

Renoir’s inspiration and delicious crabs

Saints Bay, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Saint’s Bay is a wonderful inlet where birds nest along the steep green cliffs. No wonder Renoir felt inspired by this place! When the tide is out, the beach is large and the golden sand is dotted with many seashells; you will easily spot crabs walking along.

Crabs are another feature of the island. You can taste wonderful crab starters in many Guernsey restaurants or you can try out a crab sandwich at the popular cafe at the beach at Saint’s Bay next to the Martello tower.

The famous Martello Tower, the round tower overlooking the beach, is one of the more characteristic landmarks  of Guernsey. Throughout the island there are fifteen granite Martello Towers watching the sea. They were built during the XIX century to defend the shores of the British Empire. In this island, as with many other relics of the past, they remained untouched and preserved by time in perfect harmony with the landscape that surrounds them.

The Little Chapel, a work of love

The Little Chapel, a beautiful work of love

There are many more walks you can do in the Guernsey’s countryside. You will always find something interesting and new. There is another corner of this little island you should not miss.  It is the Little Chapel in the parish of St Andrew.

Not very far from picturesque St Peter Port, the main and only town of the island, on the road to the airport, you find a signpost pointing the way to the Little Chapel. If you follow the country lane, in the middle of a field where Guernsey cows are peacefully grazing there is a church that looks unreal.

The Little Chapel – The Altar

The church tower is scarcely taller than an average person, but you can still enter the church and visit it. From a distance, thanks to a clever trick of perspective, the church does not look as small as it is. In fact, it is a miniature of the shrine of Lourdes, made by a man of faith and imagination.

Brother Deodat built this church with only cement, seashells and fragments of china pottery.  It is a work of art. With broken china he decorated not only the outside of this little church but the inside too. The inside is magnificent. A beautiful mosaic decorates the altar and the little apse. It is another secret marvel full of little, beautiful things waiting for you to discover.

Visit Guernsey and discover this “wonderful garden” for yourself!

St Peter Port, Guernsey’s main town – The Harbour

So how do you get to Guernsey to experience these wonderful attractions for yourself ?

Guernsey has around eight flights a day from London and four from Southampton in England. Ferries run daily from Weymouth and Poole in England, and from France there is a summer service from and to St Malo.

You can visit the island just for a weekend, but I think you will want to stay longer after you discover this hidden pearl. You can walk along the coastal paths, visit the house of Victor Hugo, the medieval castle Cornet or just enjoy the sea and the wonderful restaurants of the island.

Plentiful accommodation and it’s easy to get around

It’s easy to find accommodation in St Peter Port, the main town, and from the St Peter Port bus station you can make use of a very efficient bus service running to every corner of Guernsey. From St Peter Port harbour you can also take a boat for a day trip to the little sandy beach of Herm or to Sark, the scenic island and “last feudal kingdom of Europe”.  And you’ll be glad to hear that Guernsey is safe and  a great place for walkers, and cyclists too.You will love Sarnia!

Read more about Guernsey here

© England Travel, 2013. Written by edurso

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East Midlands Designer Outlet

At East Midlands Designer Outlet there are 70 stores offering favourites like Gap, Levi’s, Ben Sherman, Calvin Klein Jeans, Superdry, LK Bennett, Kurt Geiger, Nike, Barbour and Marks & Spencer at discounts of up to 60%. Opened in October 1998, this is more a discount outlet for high street brands rather than high-end international designer labels.

Local attractions

East Midlands Designer Outlet is situated in the heart of Nottinghamshire, a county known worldwide as the legendary home of Robin Hood.  Here you can discover the historic houses, quiet market towns, old villages and rolling hills.

Practical Information

East Midlands Designer Outlet is conveniently located just off Junction 28 of the M1 motorway, 30 minutes from Nottingham and Derby. There are 1,400 car parking spaces at this outlet.

By Shuttle:

Trent Barton Bus Company operates the following daily services that stop at the East Midlands Designer Outlet.

•  No. 91 operates between Sutton and Derby
•  No. 92 operates between Mansfield and Derby

For timetables and route maps see Trent Barton Bus Company website or phone them on:

• +44 (0) 870 608 2608 or
• +44 (0) 1773 712 265

By Train:

•  Mansfield Railway Station is approximately 15 minutes’ drive away. There are regular trains operated by Central Trains running directly between Nottingham and Mansfield.
•  Derby train station is about 10 minutes’ drive away.

There’s a taxi rank in front of these stations. For times and fares see centraltrains.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries, Telephone +44 (0) 8457 48 49 50.

Address:
Mansfield Road
South Normanton
Derbyshire DE55 2JW, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1773 545000

Opening Hours:
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 18:00
Thur            10:00 – 20:00
Fri               10:00 – 18:00
Sat              09:30 – 18:30
Sun            10:00*- 17:00 (*larger shops will open at 11:00)

For more Designer Discount Outlets in other cities in the UK and Europe, see our Designer Outlet Directory.

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Pontefract's Liquorice Fair

Every year the English town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire celebrates its long-standing relationship with liquorice by holding an annual festival dedicated to this versatile plant.

The Pontefract Liquorice Festival is usually held in the second Sunday of July (2013: Sunday July 14th) and has been going for 17 years. Look out for lots of street entertainers – magicians, circus performers – not to mention plenty of liquorice food and drink, as well as talks on the history of liquorice and many food, craft and gift stalls from around the region.

Photo: Liquorice Fair (Foto43)

Crusaders First Imported Liquorice

Given that liquorice plants normally flourish in much warmer climes it is strange that Pontefract has had such a very long association with it.  It was the Crusaders who brought the plant – Glycyrrhiza glabra, a purple and white flowering perennial – from Turkey, Spain, Greece and Asia, and introduced it to the town in the 15th century.

In addition to requiring subtropical temperatures, it also needs good, rich soil and is difficult to grow.

Although the northern town of Pontefract could hardly be described as subtropical, its heavy clay soil provided the necessary nutrients for the root to thrive.  Dominican monks began to cultivate it in the priory gardens for use in herbal medicines, but monks in other English towns were unsuccessful in their attempts to grow it.

50x Sweeter Than Sugar Cane

Apart from its use as a sweet flavouring – it is 50 times sweeter than sugar cane – liquorice has long been recognised as having medicinal properties. There are records of it being used by many ancient civilisations, such as in Mesopotamia, Egypt (it was among the “luggage” plants found in the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1350BC), Rome and China.

During the 14th century Chaucer wrote of people using liquorice to sweeten their breath.  Since then, it has been used to soothe coughs and bronchitis.

It is still one of the ingredients often used in cough medicines and lozenges.  Described by the Encyclopaedia of Spices as “medicinal and highly aromatic,” its strong smell and taste mask other, less palatable, flavours.

A Medicinal Miracle – and a Kama Sutra Aphrodisiac

Liquorice has also been shown to alleviate the discomfort caused by some stomach ulcers, and its anti-inflammatory properties make it useful in easing the pain of arthritis.

In Japan it is used to help with problems of the liver such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Liquorice All Sorts

Photo: Liquorice Allsorts (clrcmck)

It can also act as a mild laxative and, as cigarettes are flavoured with liquorice, it can be used as an aid for people who are trying to give up smoking.

It is even reputed to be aphrodisiac – the Kama Sutra has a number of recipes containing liquorice to increase sexual vigour.

The plant is related to the pea family and stands about five feet tall.  The most common variety is the Spanish, with blue flowers; the less common Russian one has lilac blossoms. 

The bush needs to be grown in long trenches in order to accommodate its extensive roots.  These are harvested after three to five years, then dried, after which they can be kept indefinitely to be sliced or ground into powder or made into concentrated sticks of essence which can be dissolved in water.

Sambuca’s Flavour and Guinness’s Creamy Head

Any reader of Richmal Compton’s “Just William” stories will be familiar with “liquorice water.”  More familiar, and more palatable, drinks flavoured with liquorice root include sambuca and Guinness.  In the latter, liquorice is also used as an emulsifier to help create the creamy foam on top.

English-grown liquorice is harvested in late autumn and, rather than being dried, is sold fresh for making extract.  The fresh English variety is said to have a more delicate flavour than the imported and is perfect for making candy and confectionary.  Among its other culinary uses are flavouring ice cream and bread.  I even came across a recipe for “turbot with liquorice” recently.

Liquorice Wheels

Photo:  Liquorice Wheels (oskay)

The “cakes” made in Pontefract are actually small discs of liquorice sweetened with sugar.  They often come stamped with a picture of Pontefract’s castle to commemorate the fact that they were first made in 1760 at the Old Castle Inn, kept at the time by Richard Dunhill. 

After his death, in 1845, the Dunhill family went on to make Pontefract cakes, along with other, now famous, liquorice sweets. 

The Origin of Liquorice All Sorts

One day, or so the story goes, a travelling salesman had an accident in his van while delivering Dunhill’s liquorice sweets.  As a result, they became mixed up.  On being asked by the shopkeeper what he had to sell, he replied:  “All sorts by the look of it.”  That is how the name liquorice allsorts was born and the rest, as they say, is history.

So popular were the liquorice products that by the 1880s, Pontefract could not keep pace with the demand.  In spite of dedicating much of its land to the cultivation of this sweet root, and even growing liquorice inside the castle grounds, it became necessary to import it from Spain.  It is often referred to in Pontefract as “Spanish.” 

In 1994 Haribo (the German company that produced the liquorice wheels that some of us remember from our childhoods) bought the business in Pontefract, where today there are still two factories.

So the town’s long association with liquorice continues to flourish and is celebrated annually.

© England Travel, 2012. Written by nathanjames

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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

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Queen's Diamond Jubilee Logo - Courtesy VisitBritain

On 6 February 2012, Queen Elizabeth II will have been on the throne for 60 years. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is a historical occasion as Queen Elizabeth II is only the second British monarch to achieve 60 years on the throne.  Currently only Queen Victoria beats this record, having served 63 years and 216 days on the throne.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Britain’s culture, heritage and royal ceremonies are what most visitors find appealing and this year presents the greatest opportunities to see some of these royal ceremonies.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will be the greatest royal event in the world. During the whole of 2012, there will be celebrations throughout Britain to mark this momentous occasion. The Queen and members of the Royal Family will also be travelling extensively throughout the U.K. and a number of Commonwealth countries to mark her 60th anniversary as Queen.

Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle

A major event marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the Diamond Jubilee Pageant which takes place at Windsor Castle from May 10th – 13th.  Expect to see 500 horses and some 800 international dancers and musicians in performances that pay tribute to the Queen.  This is a ticketed event and you can purchase tickets from the Diamond Jubilee Pageant website www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com.

Other Major Diamond Jubilee Events

Diamond Jubilee celebrations will fall into three main categories:

1. The Official Celebrations will take place in June which is the month that the Queen’s coronation took place in 1953. Some of the main events include:
   • June 3rd, 2012 – A spectacular Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant involving 1,000 boats
   • June 4th, 2012 – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons with the lighting of thousands of beacons across the UK and around the world.  An example of this is Hadrian’s Wall where 60 beacons will be lit along the length of the Wall – each beacon representing a year in the life of the Queen’s reign.
   • June 4th, 2012 – A BBC Concert in front of Buckingham Palace
   • June 5th, 2012 – Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s and a formal Carriage Procession by the Queen.
2. Special Exhibitions and Projects will be part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Queen’s Diamonds will go on display at the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace in August and September. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London is celebrating both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and its own 75th anniversary with a major exhibition about royalty and London’s River Thames. Greenwich becomes a Royal Borough and some towns will be elevated to city status to give them more prominence on the British tourist map.
3. Community Celebrations – As occurred during the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees, hundreds of towns and villages across the UK will be holding their own Diamond Jubilee celebrations. A Big Jubilee Lunch is being coordinated on the 3rd of June to coincide with the official celebrations.

If you’re travelling in the U.K. during this Diamond Jubilee year, keep a lookout for some of these special events.

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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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:

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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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:

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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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.

© England Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: coronation of the queen, diamond jubilee, history of the monarchy, queen elizabeth 2, queen elizabeth ii, queen's diamond jubilee in Categories: Sightseeing

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Jaguar XKR Roadster - Photo Courtesy of VisitBritain

For fans of James Bond movies, the sleek and lethal James Bond cars with Gatling guns and missile launchers are very much a part of the thrill of 007 movies. And here’s some exciting news for those who love those Bond 007 cars – an exhibition of 50 iconic James Bond vehicles – the largest of its kind staged anywhere in the world – opens on January 17, 2012 at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

50 Years of James Bond Movies

2012 celebrates 50 years of James Bond movies and Bond in Motion features a range of vehicles that have appeared in James Bond films over the years including cars, boats, motorbikes, sleds and jets. This exhibition will run for the whole of 2012.

Some of the Bond movie vehicles on show include:

• the 400hp Jaguar XKR Roadster driven by Zao in Die Another Day
• the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 in Quantum of Solace
• Goldfinger’s 1937 Phantom lll Rolls-Royce
• the Lotus Esprit S1 nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from The Spy Who Loved Me
• the Bede Acrostar jet flown in Octopussy
• the BMW 750iL from Tomorrow Never Dies
• the original Parahawk (powered parachute) featured in The World is Not Enough, and
• the original SFX Cello Case Ski navigated by Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights.

National Motor Museum

Wet Nellie - Photo Courtesy VisitBritain

Opening Times: Daily
10am – 5pm (Oct – May)
10am – 6pm (Jun – Sep)

Admission Fee: £17 adults, £15.75 concessions, £10.50 children 13–17, £9 5–12s, £46.50 family ticket.
The admission price covers entrance to the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, World of Top Gear and James Bond Experience.

Where to Stay

For those who wish to make the most of their Beaulieu visit, there is a vast range of accommodation available within the New Forest National Park area and within the immediate surroundings of Beaulieu. The Master Builder’s House Hotel is just 10 minutes’ drive from Beaulieu Palace and The Montagu Arms is an outstanding country house with a Michelin Star restaurant in the New Forest National Park. For a 5-star experience, the Pilgrim Inn in Southampton is housed in two beautiful thatched buildings. It is about 7.6km north of Beaulieu. For the list of accommodation within the New Forest area, see HERE.

How to Get to the National Motor Museum

Beaulieu is situated in the south of England, in the New Forest area between Bournemouth and Southampton, with easy access from London and the Home Counties.

By Road – M27 exit junction 2, follow the brown and white tourist signs towards Beaulieu. The Sat nav postcode is SO42 7ZN, however follow brown signage when in vicinity.

By Rail – The nearest main line station is Brockenhurst. There is a taxi rank at the station, the cost of a journey to Beaulieu by taxi is approx £20. See National Rail Enquiries for fares and schedule.

By Bus – Wilts & Dorset buses have a route between Hythe and Lymington which drops visitors in the Beaulieu grounds.

By Ferry – Take the Hythe Ferry across Southampton Water to Hythe, then the 5 mile bus ride to Beaulieu. Alternatively take the Isle of Wight ferry to Lymington and take a bus to Beaulieu.

Address:

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZN
Tel: +44 1590 612345
Website: www.beaulieu.co.uk

Map of Beaulieu:

© England Travel, 2011. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: 007 movies, bond cars, james bond cars, james bond films, james bond movies, national motor museum in Categories: News & Events

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Durham Lumiere - Courtesy VisitBritain

The cathedral city of Durham, in the north-east of England, is to hold its second Lumiere Festival, a spectacular free festival of light and art in November.

Durham Lumiere Festival

Using artworks made from light, the four-day Lumiere Festival will transform Durham landmarks, streets, river and bridges into colourful masterpieces.  This year’s festival will include new works by internationally renowned artists as well as commissions from local artists and creative people.

Lumiere Festival is produced by Artichoke, the creative arts company who directed the Dining with Alice Victorian feast in Norfolk this year.  Their Sultan’s Elephant also stopped the traffic in central London in 2006.

This is the second Lumiere Festival in the cathedral city of Durham. The first festival held in 2009 offered more than 20 artworks, projections and performances, and an estimated 75,000 people came into the city over the four festival nights.

Durham’s Norman cathedral and 11th-century castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Event : Lumiere Festival
Date : November 17–20, 2011
Place : Durham city
Websits: www.lumieredurham.co.uk

© England Travel, 2011. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: arts festival, durham events, durham festival, lights festival, lumiere durham, lumiere festival in Categories: News & Events

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