[Note: in answer to many reader requests, back issues of Britain Update are now available online.]
CONTENT
1. Foot and Mouth update
2. UK Destinations
3. Bed and Breakfast bookings
4. UK Online
5. New English Architecture Guide
6. UK 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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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Foot and Mouth Update
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As many of you know, the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the UK has severely hampered access to many popular tourist attractions, including major countryside areas such as Exmoor, Dartmoor, and the Peak District National Parks. Restrictions on access to rural areas remain in force, and there is no clear indication of when these restrictions will be lifted. As a rule of thumb, you can expect attractions in rural areas to be closed, or at least subject to restricted access, while attractions in urban areas remain unaffected.
A good source of news on the outbreak is a special BBC section of their news web site here.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAFF) is the government body charged with controlling the outbreak:
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm
The Countryside Agency has general information on which areas of rural England are affected by closures
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/
Historic Scotland:
For a list of properties affected by closures click on "Newsroom"
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
National Trust for Scotland
Click on "Stop Press" for current news
http://www.nts.org.uk
CADW (Welsh Heritage)
For a current list of closed properties
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
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UK Destinations: Leamington, Warwickshire
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Leamington (or, more properly, Royal Leamington Spa) is a medium-sized Warwickshire town located in attractive countryside on the River Leam, south-east of the urban sprawl of Birmingham and approximately mid-way between Stratford- upon-Avon and Coventry.
Royal Leamington Spa was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, when the spelling was "Lamintone". The manor was owned by the Earls of Warwick, but later passed to the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and still later to the powerful baron Godfrey de Clinton, who built nearby Kenilworth Castle and Abbey. Godfrey's son presented Leamington to the Abbot of Kenilworth, and the manor remained the property of the abbey for over 300 years. It was not until 1838 that Queen Victoria granted the town permission to use the prefix "Royal".
Leamington would have remained a sleepy backwater if not for the discovery of mineral springs in the area. In the late 18th-century spa towns like Bath and Cheltenham were becoming popular gathering places for both health-seekers and fashionable society. Although a mineral spring was known in Leamington as early as 1480, it was not until a second spring was discovered in 1784 that any attempt was made to lure visitors to the area. In the early 1800s a series of wells were drilled near the river and a succession of bath houses and fashionable gathering places sprouted up to accommodate visitors who came to bathe, drink the water, or simply to be seen.
Development to the north of the river became New Town, and it was there in 1814 that the New Pump Room and Baths opened. This lovely Georgian building remained in operation until the popularity of "taking the waters" began to wane in the 1850s, when it was taken over by the local council. It now houses the Library, Tourist Office and Art Gallery. New Town is the core of fashionable Royal Leamington Spa, with a variety of lovely Regency and late Georgian buildings surviving. Fine Georgian terraces like Clarendon Square are augmented by the early Victorian Jephson Gardens, originally a pleasure garden planted in 1834, now a delightful mix of waterside walks amid formal gardens reached by an iron suspension bridge.
Royal Leamington Spa is generally categorised as a "Georgian town" and certainly the early and mid-19th century buildings are the major attractions, but there are earlier buildings of note. All Saints church has roots going back to the 15th century, though it has been much altered. One mile south east of the town is the village of Radford Semele, once the manor home of Henry I. Just west of Royal Leamington Spa is Warwick, home to Warwick Castle, while the historic houses of Stoneleigh Abbey, Baddesley Clinton, and Packwood House are all within a short drive. At Kenilworth is the castle of the same name, and a short jaunt southwest takes you to Stratford-upon-Avon, home of, well, you know who...
Web Resources:
http://www.leamingtonspa-index.co.uk/
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Bed and Breakfast at Britain Express
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Britain Express has partnered with Bed and Breakfast UK to bring you information on hundreds of bed and breakfast properties across the UK and Ireland. Browse the attractive collection of B&B properties at http://www.bedandbreakfasts-uk.co.uk/britainexpress/index.htm . Each B&B listing has details of facilities, contact information, prices, and a location map.
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UK Online: Ancient Scotland
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Ancient Scotland at http://www.ehabitat.demon.co.uk/scotland/ is a pictorial guide to, well, ancient Scotland! Martin McCarthy has brought together photographs of historic sites ranging from prehistoric settlements to Roman forts, Pictish sites, megaliths and standing stones, castles, ancient art, and a wide variety of regional information. Photos are available as thumbnails that can be clicked to see a larger image (and Martin very nicely tells you just how large the large picture will be, so you know how long you'll be waiting for it to load in your browser). My only quibble with the Ancient Scotland site is that the yellow type on red background is hard on the eyes, but beyond that, the site is a useful tool for anyone interested in planning a trip to investigate Scotland's ancient past.
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New at Britain Express: English Architecture Guide
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From Tudor manors to Palladian mansions, Saxon simplicity to elaborate Gothic Revival, England's proud architectural heritage is revealed in our new guide to English Architecture.
The guide is non-technical in nature, and is aimed at travellers who want to know more about the historic buildings they're seeing - or anyone with an interest in English history. Investigate major historical periods, the different stages of medieval Gothic, famous architects, and more. Each article points out major examples of that architectural style which can be visited today.
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Also new at Britain Express:
In our Medieval History section
The Black Death
Learn about the terrible plague that struck 14th century Britain with such far-reaching consequences.
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UK Travel Tips and News
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PRIVATE GARDEN TOURS
Visits to private gardens in London will be on offer during the Chelsea Flower Show (May 22-25). Tours are a day long and include lunch. For details call the National Gardens Scheme at 01483 211535 or visit their website at http://www.ngs.org.uk
WELSH CELTIC TRAIL
A new 220-mile cycle route goes through beautiful scenery in south and west Wales, using disused railway lines, canal towpaths, bridges and country lanes. The trail starts at Chepstow and ends at Fishguard. Enroute are castles, valleys, wetlands and coastal scenery. A free Celtic Trail Guide is available from local tourist offices.
HORSERACING MUSEUM
Lovers of horse racing will enjoy Newmarket's National Horseracing Museum, the National Stud, British Racing School, and the racecourse itself. Guided tours are available through the tourist information centre. Website: http://www.newmarketexperience.co.uk
HISTORIC SELF-CATERING
The Vivat Trust, a 20 year old charity, rescues neglected buildings of architectural, historical or industrial interest, and rents out eight for self-catering. Email: enquiries@vivat.org.uk.
Website: http://www.vivat.org.uk
CHILDREN'S LONDON GUIDE
The first children's Internet guide to London, produced by London's children, is available on the official London tourism web site at http://www.LondonTown.com/kids
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Many thanks to Barbara Ballard for her contributions to this issue of Britain Update.
