Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for england
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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The Tunnel of Shells
By Linda Tancs
Call it Shellhenge, a mysterious shell-lined tunnel network in Margate, England. Discovered in 1835, The Shell Grotto is a pathway and chamber beneath a residential garden, comprising 4.6 million shells forming exquisite mosaics. Its origins are a mystery to this day. Unique work of art, pagan temple or secret meeting house? You decide.
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Summer Proms in Warwick
By Linda Tancs
Warwick Castle is celebrating its 1100th year with a birthday party this weekend to rival any queen’s jubilee. On 12 July a spectacular Summer Proms concert will feature popular classics and film themes along with an emotional sequence of music and songs commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings, marked by an aerial display by an original World War II Spitfire. A magnificent fireworks display will end this unforgettable evening. The castle will close to daytime guests at 4:00 p.m.
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A Bar for the Madding Crowd
By Linda Tancs
Thanks to the digital era, humans have an attention span of nine seconds–that’s eight seconds more than a squirrel. Our reliance on technology is not likely to change, so why not embrace it? That’s what the folks at London’s The Thirsty Bear have done. The city’s first total self-service pub, each table comes equipped with iPads for food orders and self-pour beer taps. You can even surf the Net and choose jukebox music. The lack of queues is bound to make the crowd, well, less madding.
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