CONTENT
1. Great British Web Sites
2. Books on Britain
3. Travel news from Britain
Welcome to Britain Update, Today we'll look at the stately splendour of Saltram House, Devon, and there's a useful selection of travel news and notes which should prove helpful in your travel planning. Enjoy!
David Ross, Publisher
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Great British Web Sites
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Window to the West of England
This site takes in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset) with a very thorough gazetteer of the major tourist destinations, lots of local links for more information, accommodation details, what to do in each area, local maps, and transportation. There's even a "shopping village" section where you can buy local Wessex crafts. If you feel inspired, you can submit an article on a west country destination after your visit is over. Although the site is a pr project of a local web site design firm, there is a lot of information here of value in planning a trip.
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Books on Britain
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Lonely Planet's "Walking in Britain" My pick from our bookstore this time around is this guide to walking in England, Wales, and Scotland by the popular Lonely Planet guidebook publishers. The first section of the book gives you plenty of information on walking in general - weather patterns, essential gear, accommodation options, and so on. The meat of the book is its description of long and short distance walking trails for each region. Each walk has an overview, route information, and the major sites along the trail. Of even more value are the accommodation suggestions for different budgets.
I found the maps too small to be of much use, though. In my opinion, this book covers so much territory that it loses value as an on-the-ground guide to each trail. It's major use would be as a tool to use for selecting a walk. Once you've chosen a walk, use the author's suggested reading list to select a map guide to take along. I recommend this book as a first step for someone planning a walking tour anywhere in the UK. Excellent research, voluminous information, and good value.
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Travel News from Britain
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EVENTS AT DOVER CASTLE
Sixty years on to the weekend, Dover Castle this May commemorates the evacuation of Dunkirk, masterminded by Sir Winston Churchill and Vice Admiral Ramsay from within its secret tunnels, with a programme of living history recreating the tension and anxiety for wartime personnel at the castle as they planned the rescue of over 300,000 stranded French and British troops.
On Sunday 28 May and Bank Holiday Monday 29 May, re-enactors in authentic World War II uniforms and "civvies" will give visitors a taste of life as it may have been for some of the 700 personnel based at the castle during the worst days of the war - ranging from Red Cross and ARP workers, to local defence volunteers ("Home Guard") and even NAAFI staff, who kept key military workers fed and watered as they worked round-the-clock on the dramatic rescue.
Also marking the anniversary this year is a new interpretation in Vice-Admiral Ramsay's Casemate, part of the secret network of tunnels in the famous white cliffs below the castle which acted as the command centre for "Operation Dynamo". The new display extends the unique experience of 1940's underground life as dramatic re-constructions, sounds and smells simulate the cramped conditions in the underground military hospital, telecommunications station, and barracks.
Moving a few hundred years back in time, visitors to Dover Castle can also enjoy a new exhibition setting the scene as preparations take place for a visit from King Henry VIII in 1539 to inspect the sea defences (and look for a new wife!). A bedroom and stateroom with accurate replica furnishings and decor, smells, and a state of the art sound system recreate the bustle and atmosphere as the King's huge array of trunks, furniture, and furnishings are unpacked and made ready for his stay.
Other attractions at the castle include a dramatic computer-programmed Siege of 1216 exhibition, royal chapel, former royal apartments, and the impressive Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Museum.
More on Dover castle at the official English Heritage web site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
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English Culture awarded "Best of the Net"
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In the last issue of Britain Update, I touted our new feature, "English Culture", an addition to our popular history section. Well, no sooner was the news out than About.com awarded "English Culture" their "Best of the Net" award for January. See why at /History/english-culture.htm
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
