Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for england
Flower Show Wows at Hampton Court
By Linda Tancs
Featuring more than 100 nurseries and growers, the Floral Marquee at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is big enough to fit an FA football pitch. Now that’s some flower power, marking the 25th anniversary of the floral extravaganza. Themed events to mark the milestone will prevail throughout the show, continuing through July 5. As always, prepare to be wowed by the roses.
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The Birthplace of Modern Democracy
By Linda Tancs
At a riverside site near Windsor Castle, Britain’s King John signed the Magna Carta 800 years ago today. Lauded as one of the greatest constitutional documents of all time, it derived from a meeting between the King and a clutch of angry barons at Runnymede. It was a peace treaty of sorts, designed to quell the growing rebellion among barons against arbitrary and capricious policies of a tyrannical king seeking to line his own pockets. There are four remaining original copies of Magna Carta–two copies belong to the British Library, one copy is at Lincoln Cathedral and one is at Salisbury Cathedral. Today Queen Elizabeth II will attend commemoration events at Runnymede.
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Most Beautiful Village in England
By Linda Tancs
William Morris, a leader of the Arts & Crafts movement, referred to Bibury as the most beautiful village in England. With the River Coln flowing alongside the main thoroughfare, it certainly is very charming, and the row of 17th century stone cottages along what is known as Arlington Row is a big draw. Little did Morris know how popular indeed his pick would become. The iconic image of Arlington Row is featured on the front inside cover of United Kingdom passports in an effort to deter forgery. Everyone has their favorite Cotswold hamlet, of course. What’s yours?
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A Place Apart
By Linda Tancs
It’s a place apart, an unspoiled and uncluttered island where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel. Situated off the coast of Britain’s North Devon, it’s Lundy Island. The views, needless to say, are amazing–even more so from the helicopter that runs this time of year (November to March) from Hartland Point on Mondays and Fridays. It’s the only way in until the MS Oldenburg starts running from April to October. A favorite of day trippers, you can also rent a self-catering property for a longer break; the options range from a 13th century castle to a fisherman’s chalet.
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Cocktails and Creatures
By Linda Tancs
Talk about creature comforts. For one week beginning on 19 March some lucky pub goers will be able to get up close and personal to one of Nature’s most fascinating raptors: the owl. Annie the Owl and her posse will be the nocturnal guests of honor at a pop-up bar in Soho, London. A ticket lottery will determine who gets dibs at a two-hour, two-drinks encounter. Fashioned after the wildly (no pun intended) popular owl cafes in Tokyo, proceeds from the event will benefit an owl conservation group. Don’t worry–the owls will be handled by professional falconers to ensure their comfort and safety. What a hoot!
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The Hawk Walk
By Linda Tancs
Established in 1967, the International Centre for Birds of Prey is the world’s oldest and largest center dedicated to birds of prey–owls, hawks, eagles, kites and vultures. Now shared across two locations in the U.K. (Newent and Duncombe), this epicenter for raptor breeding and conservation offers three different flying displays daily. Most of the trained birds are located at the Hawk Walk. Head for the flying fields at the end of the walk. Awash in daffodils this time of year, the flying demonstrations and natural surroundings are a photographer’s delight.
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The Crown Jewel of Jump Racing
By Linda Tancs
The focus of jumping season in England is The Festival at Cheltenham. Taking place today through 13 March at Prestbury Park, it’s the place where dreams are made, where the best horses, jockeys and trainers forge their reputation for excellence amidst a crowd of 235,000 people. The environment isn’t too shabby, either. Located at the edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham is a Regency spa town with a flair for culture and style.
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A Tale of Two Monuments
By Linda Tancs
London’s oldest monument is Cleopatra’s Needle at Victoria Embankment. And no, it has nothing to do with Cleopatra and, aside from its shape, has nothing to do with a needle. Erected in London in 1878, it’s younger than Monument, constructed in the 1670s to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666. The Needle, however, was erected in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis on the orders of Thutmose III around 1450 B.C. In that respect, at least, it is the oldest monument. But, alas, there’s no view from the top. For that, head over to the other Monument (via Monument Underground), where a 311-step trek to the balcony will net you amazing views and a certificate to boot.
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A Bit of Swiss in Bedfordshire
By Linda Tancs
A nine-acre garden with a hint of Swiss graces the heart of England’s Bedfordshire. Located in Old Warden just outside Biggleswade beside an aviation museum, the 200-year-old garden is a recently restored gem of the Regency era. Known as the Swiss Garden, it is, as the name implies, an alpine-inspired haven hailing a bygone era when the cognoscenti vacationed in the Swiss Alps. The centerpiece is the thatched Swiss Cottage, complemented by other listed buildings as well as bridges, urns and arches. A high terrace walk provides ample views of the renewed landscaping. Enhance your visit with new interpretation and activity programs. The garden is open daily.
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A Sailor’s Life in London
By Linda Tancs
England’s long history as a port is revealed at the Museum of London in Docklands. In this thriving business hub, there’s little evidence of its 18th century roots–a place where dockers, merchants and sailors mixed with smugglers and thieves as countless vessels unloaded rum, sugar and coffee from the Caribbean. The area’s maritime character comes to life, though, at Sailortown, a permanent exhibit recreating an alehouse, sailors’ lodging house and chandlery, among other things. Just two minutes away from West India Quay, the museum is easily reached by tube via Canary Wharf or West India Quay on the DLR.
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