CONTENT
1. Oxford Guide
2. Books on Britain
3. Great British Web Sites
4. UK Travel news and tips
Welcome friends, its time to put the kettle on, settle into a comfortable armchair, and enjoy the best of Britain with Britain Update. But before you do, please take the time to forward this newsletter to someone who loves Britain as much as you do.
David Ross, Publisher
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Is there a tartan in your family tree? Beautiful pictures of Scotland from Photogold http://www.photogold.co.uk .Our castles collection includes Eilean Donan Castle and Edinburgh Castle. Braveheart posters and photos . Our scenery collection includes Skye, the Trossachs and many more. Free poster offer - buy an 18 by 12 inch photo and get a free poster.
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UK Destinations : Oxford
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"...that sweet city with her dreaming spires..."
We're beginning a new series of in-depth city guides at Britain Express, and first up is the Oxford Guide at /cities/oxford
In the Oxford Guide you'll find information on attractions, museums, Oxford Colleges, history, tourism, river boating (try your hand at punting - its harder than it looks!), and a host of other details to help you get the most out of your stay in this loveliest of cities.
For a taste of the Oxford Guide, here's part of our profile of one of Oxford's oldest colleges, Balliol.
"John Balliol was one of Henry III's most powerful supporters during the Baron's War of 1258-1265. Balliol married Devorguilla, a Scottish princess, and their son, also named John, briefly became King of Scotland in 1296. Sometime around 1260 Balliol, under the guidance of the Bishop of Durham, decided on an act of charity. He established a building in outer Oxford for housing needy students.
.... more at www.britainexpress.com/cities/oxford/balliol.htm
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Books on Britain
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I've recently had the pleasure of reading two new guidebooks which should prove useful if you are planning a European vacation of the more active sort. "Walk Europe" and "National Parks Europe" are the first publications of the Activity Series, a Scottish publishing house.
As the names indicate, both titles cover the whole of Europe, not just the British Isles. The books are profusely illustrated with colour photographs and clear, coloured maps.
The "National Parks" book covers recognised parks in each country, with engaging descriptions of the scenery, history, geology, and what to see and do in each park. Contact information is given for each park, including email and web site URL.
The "Walk Europe" book is similar in format, covering both waymarked walking trails (such as the National Trails in England) and popular walking regions, such as La Vanoise in the French Alps. Not every National Trail is covered, unfortunately, but the selected trails are given thorough treatment with interesting commentary.
The Activity Series Guides are intended as planning tools, not as on-the-ground guides. They won't tell you which pub to turn left at, or which bed and breakfast to stay in. But the combination of colour photos and interesting details make these books useful tools, and a good buy, in my opinion.
[Here's my official disclaimer: Britain Express has no business interest in selling these books - I just liked them.]
You can find out more about the Activity Series at http://www.activityseries.com
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Great British Web Sites
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No one should visit Wales without at least one trip on a mountain railway! The Talyllyn Railway is a historic narrow-gauge steam railway (opened in 1865) running from Tywyn, on the mid Wales coast, to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol in the Snowdonia National Park. The official web site for the railway at http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ . You can read about the history of the train, plan a trip, and find out about countryside walks in the area. There's a photo gallery, information for model railroaders, and links to other steam railways in the UK.
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UK Travel Tips
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Scottish National Park
Scotland is getting its first national park--the banks of Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine and the Trossachs. It's a 30-minute drive from Glasgow and it's happening in April 2001 when Lomond Shores, a £60 million visitor experience now under construction at Balloch on the southern edge of Loch Lomond, opens. The stone and glass four-storey building will have superb views of the loch and Ben Lomond, a giant screen cinema showing a film on the history and myths of the area; a simulated "underwater experience"; and a rooftop viewing platform. Next to it will be a complex of shops and restaurants and a national park orientation and tourist information centre. Ancient woodlands are being restored throughout the area. Five public piers around the loch are being renovated to give better access to ferry and cruise operators.
Stately home pioneer saluted in Sussex
Parham Park, a beautiful Elizabethan house in West Sussex, has a new exhibition devoted to Clive Pearson, younger son of Lord Cowdray, who bought the house in 1922 and, with his family, renovated it and filled it with fine furniture, paintings and textiles. Mr and Mrs Pearson were also responsible for the present form of the superb gardens, and in 1948 opened the house to the public - one of the first stately homes to do so on a regular basis.
During World War Two, Parham became a home for Canadian soldiers. Near Pulborough, 49 miles south of London, Parham is open until October 29 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, admission to house and gardens £5.25 adults, £4.50 senior citizens, £1 children, family tickets £11. Events this year include an outdoor performance of Sheridan's "The Rivals" (Aug.12), Live Crafts in the Park (Aug.18-20), and a country show (Sept.18-20).
Web Site: http://www.parhaminsussex.co.uk
Rum story in Cumbria
The first permanent exhibition telling the story of the British rum trade has opened five miles west of the Lake District, in the coastal town of Whitehaven, which was the country's premier rum port. "The Rum Story - the Dark Spirit of Whitehaven" is set in the original shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of Jefferson's Wine Merchants, a centuries-old business in Lowther Street.
The exhibition starts in a Caribbean rain forest, and covers many aspects of the story, including the slave trade, American prohibition, rum and the Royal Navy, and the processing of the drink. It also explains how Cumberland Rum Butter became a famous local product, and how to create rum-based cocktails. The courtyards have a café and gift shop, and a five-metre high Kinetic Rum Clock depicting how the spirit is made.
The Rum Story is open daily until the end of September, then on Wednesdays to Sundays until Easter, and admission is £4.50 adults, £3.50 concessions. The Rum Story, Lowther Street, Whitehaven CA28 7DN. Web site: http://www.rumstory.co.uk. Whitehaven is 330 miles north-west of London.
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
