Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for england
The Sage of Chelsea
By Linda Tancs
Moving in the finest of literary circles, Victorian writer Thomas Carlyle earned the nickname “Sage of Chelsea.” Indeed, his home in London’s Chelsea district is where much of his writing took place (such as his Complete Works and Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches) amidst multiple gatherings with heavyweights like Dickens and Tennyson together with his equally gifted wife, Jane. Near the house is a bronze statue of the literary giant, unveiled in 1882 (a year after his death) and funded by such luminaries as Charles Darwin, Robert Browning and William Morris. Preserved by the National Trust, Carlyle’s House is accessible via a 15-minute walk from the tube at Sloane Square or South Kensington.
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London’s Larder
By Linda Tancs
London’s Borough Market turns 1000 years old this year. You’ve come a long way, baby–from grain, fish, vegetables and livestock trading in the 11th century to a premier market source for foodies like chefs, restaurateurs and amateur cooks. Its original location is marked by The Triangle, a patch of land purchased by local residents when Parliament closed the market in the 1700s. Now over 100 stalls strong, the facility is home to renowned producers like Northfield Farm and Furness Fish and Game. The City’s oldest fruit and vegetable market, it’s located next to London Bridge station. The full market is open Wednesday through Saturday.
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Birthplace of English Landscape
By Linda Tancs
The English Landscape Movement was inspired by Dutch landscape paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Launched by landscape designers like William Kent, the movement’s birthplace is widely recognized to be the gardens at Chiswick House in west London. The property was restored a few years ago to enhance its lake views and serpentine pathways. This 65-acre oasis has inspired other great landscapes around the world like New York’s Central Park. Admission is free year round. Take the District Line to Turnham Green station.
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England’s Oldest Hotel
By Linda Tancs
Reputedly England’s oldest hotel, The Old Bell in Malmesbury is a luxurious oasis in the Cotswolds that opened in 1220. Recently refurbished, the property boasts 33 individually decorated bedrooms as well as locally sourced fare for hardened foodies. Until the end of October you can enjoy a special two-night Garden Lover’s Break, including a visit to nearby Abbey House Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum.
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A Wash in Norfolk
By Linda Tancs
In Snettisham, England, a nature reserve is bordered by The Wash, one of the most important bird estuaries in the United Kingdom. Two of the most spectacular wildlife spectacles in the nation occur here. One is a winter event when thousands of pinkfooted geese fly from their overnight roosts inland to feed. The other event can occur anytime upon a particularly high tide, forcing tens of thousands of knot, oystercatchers, sanderlings, godwit and plover to flee their feeding grounds. The reserve is clearly signposted; just twelve miles from Kings Lynn, you can pick up regular bus service from there.
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Sand and Shingles
By Linda Tancs
Heather and gorse, shingles and sand. That’s what you’ll find at Dunwich Heath, Britain’s gem on the Suffolk coast. The scenery is bursting with color this time of year, not to mention enviable bird watching for the likes of the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark and others. During school holidays the ranger team provides child friendly activities such as pond dipping and bug hunting. Geocaching is one of many new activities; you can borrow a free tracker pack at the information hut.
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Oxford’s Cathedral to Science
By Linda Tancs
Founded in 1860, Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History was created in the neo-Gothic style to evoke a cathedral–in this case, a cathedral to science. Its insect collection, five million specimens strong, rivals that of the Natural History Museum in London. It’s probably better known, though, for the dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower. Visitors are greeted by “Stan,” a complete replica of a T-rex skeleton found in South Dakota. Even more fascinating are the most complete remains of a dodo anywhere in the world, one of the museum’s greatest treasures. The museum recently reopened after a 14-month restoration of its glass roof.
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Queen of the Yorkshire Coast
By Linda Tancs
Scarborough, dubbed Queen of the Yorkshire Coast, was immortalized in the Simon and Garfunkel song, Scarborough Fair. Indeed, a fair did take place there for 500 years between the 13th and 18th centuries. It may be better known for the fair than for the fact that it’s Britain’s first seaside resort. Its beaches, like North Bay and South Bay, overlook the ruins of Scarborough Castle and are some of the cleanest and most beautiful in the country. Many of the hotels offer unrivaled sea views, like Red Lea, Weston, Clifton and Villa Esplanade. For a Caribbean feel, consider a daily or weekly hire of one of those explosively colorful pastel beach huts.
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England Observes WWI Centenary
By Linda Tancs
One hundred years ago today, Great Britain gave Austria-Hungary an ultimatum to stand down from hostilities. When Austria-Hungary didn’t comply, Great Britain entered World War I. To mark the event, a candlelight vigil will take place today from sundown until 11:00 p.m. at Westminster Abbey. That’s just one of several events taking place nationally as part of a global commemoration of the centenary of World War I. Together with the Imperial War Museums, a months-long cultural and events program (including a nationwide tour by the BBC) will connect contemporary generations with the pivotal battles, milestones and personal histories surrounding the Great War.
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London’s Oldest Riverside Pub
By Linda Tancs
The Prospect of Whitby, London’s oldest riverside pub in Wapping, was once known as the Devil’s Tavern, a nod to its once-upon-a-time popularity with thieves, smugglers and pirates. More polished clientele included Charles Dickens, Samuel Pepys and artists Whistler and Turner. Originating in 1520, this traditional British pub boasts an original flagstone floor, a rare pewter-topped bar and old barrels and ship masts. And what good would a storied pub be without a haunting or two? Reputedly a favored watering hole of “hanging judge” Jeffreys, his spirit allegedly still presides over the hangings and drownings at high tide visible from his bar stool.
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