CONTENT
1. UK Destinations: Sherborne Castle
2. Autumn Walking Festivals
3. New on Britain Express
3. UK Travel tips and news
5. Accommodation Corner
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
A special thanks to those who entered our recent English History Challenge! Congratulations to Sarah Thomas of Bridgend, Wales, our Grand Prize winner.
For those who somehow missed it (!) Britain Express was featured on ITV's "The Web Review" http://www.thewebreview.com last week. Reviewer Katherine Harvey called us "better than most official tourist board sites". We're off to the nearest pub, I mean ... tea shop ... to celebrate!
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UK Destinations: Sherborne Castle
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More stately home than fortified castle, Sherborne was built by Sir Walter Raleigh beginning in 1594. The story goes that Raleigh was journeying to Plymouth when he saw the Sherborne estate, which was then only a 12th century hunting lodge in a deer park owned by the church.
He admired Sherborne so much that Queen Elizabeth I "persuaded" the church to grant the estate to the crown on a 99 year lease, which she promptly made over to her favourite, Raleigh.
Raleigh built a new house around the core of the old hunting lodge (now the "Old Castle"). He called the four-story rectangular house Sherborne Lodge.
Read more about Sherborne Castle ...
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WALKING FESTIVALS
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There's plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation ahead; four walking festivals, three of them on islands, take place in September. The walks are aimed at walkers of all ages and fitness levels and range from leisurely half-mile strolls to more challenging 14-mile walks. Some are guided, some can be taken independently, and others have a theme. Each festival has a variety of events and entertainments.
The first festival is on the Isle of Anglesey (Sept.7-17) off the coast of North Wales. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the island has 600 miles of footpaths, many quiet bays and beaches, and sites of historical interest. There are also superb views to the mountains of Snowdonia on the mainland.
The other island walking festivals are on the Channel Island of Jersey (Sept. 15-23) and the Isle of Wight (Sept. 15-30). The Jersey event has over 30 free walks, the chance to try the 45-mile around the island walk over five days, and themed walks on topics such as social history, culture and the environment. Web site: http://www.jersey.com
The Isle of Wight, often described as 'England in miniature', claims to have the UK's biggest walking festival, with more than 80 walks including themes such as ghosts and fossil hunting. Website: http://www.islandbreaks.co.uk.
The mainland event is the first North Devon Walking Festival (Sept.21- 24), with an official information point at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe. There are walks along the spectacular coast where Exmoor plunges steeply to the sea and inland in the national park, including the Doone Valley, the setting of R.D. Blackmore's novel Lorna Doone.
Walkers can combine a 12-mile boat trip with a walk around Lundy Island. Details on the Website: http://www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk.
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NEW ON BRITAIN EXPRESS
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We're constantly busy expanding our information on where to go in the UK. Here are the latest in our County Guide series:
Dorset
Worcestershire (with a special Worcester City Guide)
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UK Travel Tips and News
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CELTIC OFFERINGS IN MID WALES
Modern Celtic stitchcraft and tapestry skills are to be demonstrated at a Welsh attraction dedicated to the Celts. Eleri Mills will run a series of art and craft workshops (October 23-25) at Celtica in Machynlleth, a Mid Wales market town near Snowdonia National Park.
The centre has opened a new permanent exhibition on the ancient beliefs of the Celts. It includes a sacred grove of the sort where Druids would give sacrificial offerings and a model of a 'bog body' similar to ones found in peat bogs in Britain and Ireland. A real-life sacred site that includes buried weapons and a bronze shield was discovered at nearby Lake Talyllyn.
Celtica is open daily. Tel. 01654 702702. Web site: http://www.celtica.wales.com
TRAIL ACROSS THE PENNINES
The 213-mile Transpennine Trail, from Liverpool in the west to Hull on the east coast, opens on September 13. It is the first long-distance multi-user trail in the UK. The entire route across northern England is open to walkers and cyclists, and there are sections suitable for horses and wheelchair users.
The trail forms the English part of the European Long Distance Footpath No.8, a walking route from the west of Ireland across Europe to Istanbul. The trail across the Pennine Hills (the 'backbone of England') encompasses a wide variety of landscapes from riverside and woodland to high moors, and follows canal towpaths, country lanes and ancient bridleways. It links remote villages with major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Hull.
Map-guides and an accommodation and visitor guide are available from local tourist information centres. Web site: http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk
YORKSHIRE'S MONASTIC MILL OPENS
Reputedly the finest surviving medieval monastic water mill in Europe, Fountains Mill has opened to the public. Dating mainly from the 12th century, it is in the grounds of Fountains Abbey near Ripon, Yorkshire, a World Heritage Site.
The opening follows eight years of research, archaeological investigation and conservation to restore the building, its mill pond, wheel race and interior.
The mill ground corn for the great estate for eight centuries before being converted to a saw mill and used for generating electricity. In the last century, it operated as a dairy, a home for World War II refugees, and a stonemason's workshop.
Water power is again turning the 15-foot diameter wheel, which drives a turbine providing electricity to light the mill. Visitors can explore all three floors, and learn how the Cistercian monks used the mill to make flour.
Among items on display are artefacts never before seen in public including the 16th-century ringseal of Marmaduke Huby, most significant of the later abbots at the abbey, a holy water container in local marble, pilgrims' badges, and fish hooks and weights used by the monks to catch fish.
Other attractions include the romantic abbey ruins, a deer park, gardens, and an Elizabethan mansion. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is open daily. Web site: http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
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ACCOMMODATION CORNER
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PEMBROKESHIRE
The Court Wales, Pembrokeshire - Luxury holiday cottage http://www.thecourtwales.co.uk
WARKWORTH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Southmede Cottage, Warkworth in the border county of Northumberland. Luxury 4 star accommodation in lovely surroundings. http://www.southmede.co.uk
WORTHING, WEST SUSSEX
Manor Guest House, Worthing, West Sussex - Redefining Bed & Breakfast. Email stay@manorworthing.com Web Site http://www.manorworthing.com
CENTRAL LONDON
Kensington Guest House Twin rooms £60 - £75 pn Close to Central London excellent for public transport. website: http://www.HoteLondon.co.uk
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Shallowdale House, Ampleforth, North Yorkshire: AA 5 Diamonds, stunning views, delicious food and caring service. http://www.shallowdalehouse.demon.co.uk
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
