CONTENT
1. UK Destinations: Eden Valley
2. Competition - win a 9 day tour!
3. Louis London Walks - travel book review
4. New at Britain Express
5. Travel news and notes
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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UK Destinations: The Eden Valley
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The Eden River begins on the verges of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and runs north through Cumbria before looping west to the sea at Carlisle. On the way, the river passes through beautiful open countryside which has remained untrammelled by the throngs of tourists flocking to the Lake District further west. The valley is broad and the hills flanking it are low, giving a sense of wide open space. The countryside is given over to farmland, with open fields edged by hedgerows and drystone walls.
This is excellent walking country and there are a multitude of paths to choose from, including those that criss-cross the North Pennine AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to the east of the valley. For more vigorous walking, the Pennine Way National Trail touches on the Eden Valley at Appleby-in-Westmorland as it wends its way towards Scotland.
More about the Eden Valley
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UK Travel books: Louis London Walks
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Louis London Walks are a series of booklets, each with their own walking theme. They are a handy size to slip in your pocket, making them useful for a walk as well as easy to pack in a suitcase. Each booklet, printed on heavy stock, ranges in length from 14-18 pages and starts with an introduction to the walk, giving some historical facts about the subject. A clear, easy-to-read map is numbered with all the highlights on the walk. The map, however, does not provide a scale or actual distance for the walk or between the sites - information that would be helpful. Each walk is estimated at about two-three hours, but with stops for museums, refreshments, etc. along the way, these walks can be as long as you want to make them.
The booklets and the walks are extremely well organised to take in the sites in a logical manner. Underground stations, when needed, are named, and each walk ends at one, making it easy to grab a ride back to your hotel or to another walk. In addition to clear directions for the walk itself (turn here, stay on the left side of the street, etc.), attractions are detailed in different coloured boxes, making them stand out well. The opening times and some phone numbers for attractions are given. As you follow the walks, you know what you are looking at and why.
Titles in the series are: Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes Walk, William Shakespeare's London, A Walk through Princess Diana's London, and the Beatles in London Walk. Two titles to be published include Winston Churchill and Historic Pubs.
Let's have a look at one of the titles: William Shakespeare's London. The introduction gives a capsulated version of his life and the interesting curse written on his grave. There are 26 sites to see on the walk. Opening information and phone numbers are given for the New Globe Theatre, The Anchor Inn, the Clink Prison Museum (owned by Bishops who imprisoned their own prostitutes there), The Golden Hinde, Southwark Cathedral (a capsule information section on the Cathedral), The George Inn (the last remaining 14th-century galleried coaching inn in London), the Old Operating Theatre Museum (sounds gruesome), HMS Belfast, St Magnus the Martyr, and The Monument. As you stop at each of these and the other 16 sites on the walk, the booklet provides you with pertinent information, Shakespeare's connection with the site (he seems to have had a lot of drinking spots) and interesting sidelights. It even suggests places to grab some grub.
Even if you never plan to take any of the walks, the booklets are a great addition to your library. They are entertaining and informative. Each is extremely well researched, full of interesting facts, unusual information, and historical quotes (where appropriate for the title). These well-written booklets will entice you to find out more about the places in them and take the walks the next time you are in London.
The London Walks booklets may also be ordered on-line at http://www.llwalks.co.uk, for £2.99. Be sure to click on the flash at the website. It's a great way to get a feel for the walks and what's in the booklets. If you buy four walks, the fifth is free. The walks can also be ordered by emailing llw@cableinet.co.uk or writing direct to Louis London Walks, 54 Braeside Ave., Wimbledon, London, SW19 3PT, UK. Postage charges will vary depending on the country.
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New at Britain Express
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Here's a few articles added since the last Update
Romanesque architecture
Saxon architecture
Saxon towns
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UK Travel Tips and News
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LEEDS CASTLE EVENTS
Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent marks 25 years of being open to the public with a series of special events. Events planned include a gardener's weekend (March 31-April 1), Easter celebrations including an Easter Egg Hunt (April 14-16), a festival of English food and wine (May 12-13), Amazing Mazes Week - with 25 mazes designed to challenge all ages (May 26-June 3), open-air classical concerts on June 30 and July 7, a children's promenade concert on July 4, a festival of floral art (July 19-22), and a hot air balloon and vintage car weekend (September 8-9). Details at http://www.leeds-castle.co.uk
NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM OPENS
Aficionados of "The Beautiful Game", won't want to miss the new museum dedicated to England's favourite pastime (well, second favourite if you count drinking beer). The museum, to open in March, is housed at Deepdale Stadium in Preston, Lancashire, home of Preston North End FC, the oldest professional football club in England (1888). The museum is divided into the "First Half", with exhibitions covering the history of the game, and the "Second Half", with themed interactive displays. The FIFA exhibit at the museum showcases football memorabilia from around the world. Details at
http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com
THE WAPPING PROJECT
A large Victorian warehouse at Wapping, in London's Docklands, has been converted into a modern centre for the arts. The centre, to be called The Wapping Project, was recently opened at a cost of £4 million. The Project showcases work by contemporary European, American and British designers. The Wapping Project, Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall, London E1W 3ST. Open daily. Onsite car parking. Wapping tube station is quite close and the famous The Prospect of Whitby pub is just opposite.
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
