Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for england
French Inspiration in Bedfordshire
By Linda Tancs
Wrest Park is a country estate located in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, England. It comprises a Grade I-listed country house as well as formal gardens. Wrest Park’s significance lies in its unique architecture, a rare example of a 19th-century mansion built in the style of an 18th-century French chateau. This time of year it hosts the biggest, most action-packed St. George’s Day celebration in the country. Enjoy a weekend of shows, battles, games, performances and activities culminating in England’s most legendary battle between George and the dragon.
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A Medieval Gateway in Cornwall
By Linda Tancs
Of Arthurian legend, Tintagel Castle is a medieval fortification located on the peninsula of Tintagel Island adjacent to the village of Tintagel, North Cornwall, in England. Cross the footbridge to the island, where you’ll delight in amazing views of the Cornish coast and the sea. Key highlights include the remains of the Great Hall with its spectacular coastal views and the medieval chapel ruins. You can also visit Merlin’s Cave via a steep path down to the beach below the castle. At low tide, you can walk directly into the cave, so sturdy footwear is recommended as the rocks can be slippery. Be mindful of the tide schedule to ensure a safe visit, as the cave is completely submerged at high tide. You’ll need a timed ticket to access the castle and explore the area. Visit this time of year for clearer views and fewer crowds.
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Seahenge
By Linda Tancs
Norfolk’s hidden gem of a beach, Holme Beach, came into the spotlight in 1998 with the historical discovery of Seahenge, a 4000-year-old Bronze Age timber circle so named for its resemblance to Stonehenge in Wiltshire. The structure comprised a large tree stump surrounded by 55 timber posts. Its exact purpose remains unknown although many theorize it was part of a funerary ritual representing a mortuary enclosure for excarnation. The site was eventually excavated and restored and can now be seen at Lynn Museum in Kings Lynn, England.
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The Ornament of Bristol
By Linda Tancs
Britain’s Sir Abraham Elton referred to Clifton Suspension Bridge as “the ornament of Bristol and the wonder of the age.” Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (a key figure in Victorian engineering), it was completed in 1864, standing majestically 245 feet above the Avon Gorge. The city’s icon boasts Egyptian-inspired towers and sweeping suspension cables, its original chains still intact. On the Leigh Woods (North Somerset) side of the bridge, a museum is open daily with free admission. It features displays and artifacts on the bridge’s construction and ongoing maintenance.
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The Traveling Show Chronicles
By Linda Tancs
Based at the University of Sheffield in Yorkshire, England, the National Fairground and Circus Archive chronicles every aspect of the fair, circus and allied entertainments, and the culture, business and life of traveling show people in Britain. The collection includes photographic, printed, manuscript and audiovisual materials on entertainment related to fairground, circus, variety and music hall, magic, sideshows, boxing booths, traveling cinematograph shows, pleasure and zoological gardens, amusement and theme parks, menageries, performing animals, optical illusion, traveling exhibitions, seaside entertainment and world’s fairs and expositions. Among the highlighted collections you’ll find one of the most important collections of early British cinema ephemera in the U.K. curated by leading film historian, author and collector Bill Barnes as well as the largest public collection of circus history in the country. A reading room is available during opening hours for exploration of the archives.
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The Potteries
By Linda Tancs
Often called “The Potteries,” Stoke-on-Trent is the heart of British pottery. Since the industry’s start there over 300 years ago, brands like Wedgwood, Spode, Royal Doulton, Burleigh, Emma Bridgewater and many others have shaped the city’s identity. That’s why no visit to the area would be complete without touring the many factories and museums. In addition to the outlets and opportunities at the potter’s wheel, don’t miss Dudson Museum, housed in an atmospheric, original Grade II-listed bottle oven about a mile from the Dudson factory outlet. When you step through the “oven” door you will experience the company’s heritage from 1800 until the present day and discover the history of the oldest surviving family business in the ceramic tableware industry.
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Wordsworth House
By Linda Tancs
Wordsworth House in Cockermouth is a Georgian townhouse where William Wordsworth, England’s great nature poet, first discovered his twin loves of literature and the landscape. His childhood home features a walled, riverside garden presented as it may have been when William and his sister Dorothy played games along the flower beds. Winter blooms of snowdrops and crocuses prevail this time of year. You may still see them when the season opens in March. Take a guided tour of the house or explore at your own pace. Located on Main Street, the closest rail station is Maryport.
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Five Centuries of British Art
By Linda Tancs
The Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut, houses the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom, comprising paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, rare books and manuscripts. Imagine experiencing five centuries of British artistic achievement without crossing the Atlantic! More than just a hub for academic research and learning, the center offers programs for children and families as well. Admission is free.
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Steaming Through the Staffordshire Moorlands
By Linda Tancs
Just a stone’s throw from the outskirts of the Peak District, the Churnet Valley Railway is a preserved standard gauge heritage railway in the Staffordshire Moorlands of Staffordshire, England. It operates along part of the former Churnet Valley Line which was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849, passing through beautiful countryside with riverside views including Caldon Canal, known as Staffordshire’s “Little Switzerland.” Rail enthusiasts will enjoy viewing both steam and diesel locomotives at Cheddleton Station. This time of year, it’s all aboard the Polar Express. Fashioned after the movie, the hour-long ride departs from Froghall Station.
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Christmas Market Celebrates 25 Years
By Linda Tancs
Situated in the picturesque World Heritage City of Bath in southwest England, Bath Christmas Market is celebrating its 25th year. The event features nearly 200 chalets showcasing artisan jewelers, cheesemongers, homeware and more. The stalls span a majority of the city’s main shopping areas, including around Bath Abbey, Union Street and Milsom Street. Weekends are quite busy; for a calmer experience, try lunchtime or Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. This year’s market runs until December 14.
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