CONTENT
- Hotel Special
- Destinations: North Anglesey Heritage Coast
- Destinations: Merton College, Oxford
- UK Travel tips and news
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
UK Destinations
North Anglesey Heritage Coast
Anglesey, Wales
The North Anglesey Heritage Coast runs for 18 miles along the northern shore of the Isle of Anglesey from Church Bay in the west to Dulas Bay in the east.
The coast is rugged and rocky, but there are oases of calm in the sandy beaches at Cemaes Bay, Church Bay, and Bull Bay. Near Cemaes a long spit of land has created an inland lagoon, which harbours a large colony of terns. The area is now a nature reserve, and there is a footpath along the cliffs and through the reserve.
The largest centre along the coast is the port of Amlwch, once home to the largest copper mine in the world.
More about the North Anglesey Heritage Coast ...
Destinations
Merton College
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Merton College is one of the smaller Oxford colleges, and also one of the oldest. It is always problematic trying to pin down the exact age of Oxford colleges, but Merton can point with some certainty to 1264 as its founding date. University College and Balliol College may dispute Merton's place as the oldest college, but Merton can claim the oldest purpose-built college buildings.
Merton Hall dates to 1277, and "Mob Quad" is the oldest Oxford quadrangle, built between 1304 and 1378.
Merton owes its existence to Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester. In 1262 Bishop Merton made money from his estates in Surrey available for the maintenance of a new college. He must have been uncertain whether to establish his new college at Oxford or Cambridge, for he bought land in both places! But in 1270, students were accepted in Oxford.
Travel Tips and News
South East Wales Travel Discounts
Visitors to South East Wales can save money by checking out a new website launched by a group of over 40 leading Welsh attractions. The site, http://www.outandaboutclub.com has downloadable vouchers for visitors who sign up for membership of the Out and About Club and will be kept up to date with monthly offers.
Floating Hotel at London's Docklands
London's Docklands is home to the world's first custom-built luxury yacht hotel, the Sunborn. The Sunborn, which opened its doors on April 20, is berthed at the Royal Victoria Dock alongside the new international conference centre, ExCel. There are excellent transport links from Sunborn to Canary Wharf, The City and the West End and a mere five-minute taxi ride to London City Airport. Visit http://www.sunbornhotels.com
Pubs of the Year named
The AA has announced their first Pub of the Year awards. The winning pubs are among 2000 establishments featured in the AA's new book, "AA Pub Guide 2002".
Named as winners are:
- The Drunken Duck, a 17th-century inn with its own micro-brewery at Ambleside, Cumbria.
- The Wheatsheaf at Swinton in the Scottish Borders; locally caught salmon and game is often on the menu.
- The Bear at Crickhowell in Powys, Wales; "genuine hospitality and boundless enthusiasm".
The "AA Pub Guide" is available at bookstores across Britain for £14.99, or online through Amazon.co.uk (affiliate link). The AA website is: http://www.theaa.com
Penshurst Place Anniversary
The Sidney family is marking the 450th anniversary of Penshurst Place, Kent, becoming their ancestral home. To mark the anniversary the present owner, Philip Sidney, Lord De L'isle, is staging an exhibition "A Family Home for 450 Years", celebrating the continuity and tracing the Sidney ancestry.
In 1552, King Edward VI gifted the house to Sir William Sidney - grandfather of the Elizabethan poet, soldier and courtier Sir Philip Sidney, who was born there. It has remained the family's home ever since. Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge, 32 miles south-east of London, dates from the 14th century.
Highlights include:
- The Barons Hall, with its 60 ft high chestnut roof, and various architectural styles from at least eight periods up to Victorian times.
- Portraits, tapestries, furniture, and armour acquired by successive generations.
- One of Englands oldest private gardens, with records dating back to 1346; and an 11-acre garden created by Sir Henry Sidney in the 16th century.
Penshurst Place is open to the public until November 3 (the exhibition opened on April 23). Admission £6.50 adults, £4.50 children. Website: http://www.penshurstplace.com
Stonehenge Daytrips from London
Southwest Trains and English Heritage have come up with a new all-inclusive "Stonehenge Package" daytrip from London to the famous stone circle near Salisbury. The Stonehenge Package includes return rail travel with South West Trains from London Waterloo station, guided bus tour of Salisbury, and a visit to Stonehenge. Tickets may be purchased or pre-booked by calling (44) 0 845 600 650 or online at http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk
Farmers Markets Go Digital
Markets have been around for centuries but true Farmers Markets, that only allow local producers to sell their own produce, are a new growth industry in Britain. A new website provides details of all the Farmers' Markets across Britain.
Market day is a great occasion in towns and villages, and creates a wonderful atmosphere; some markets also offer entertainment. The idea of encouraging local people to sell at local markets is unremarkable in many countries, but the British have rediscovered the idea with enthusiasm.
Details of where and when the markets take place are shown on a regularly updated website http://www.farmersmarkets.net.
Interactive Seating Exhibition, 'Sitting Pretty'
Belsay Hall, Northumberland 30th May - 28th August 2002
Touch me, feel me, sit on me... an eclectic collection of seating including gigantic sofas, butterfly chairs and stools that glow in the dark, will feature in the interactive exhibition "Sitting Pretty". Some of the world's most innovative designers Karim Rashid, Eley Kishimoto, Claudio Silvestrin and David Linley will be taking part in the exhibition at Belsay Hall which is open from 30th May until 28th August 2002. The 30-acre glorious gardens of Belsay Hall feature terraces, a winter and meadow gardens, magnificent quarry gardens and rare bulb meadows.
Admission to 'Sitting Pretty' is included in the entrance price to Belsay Hall, which is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Adults £4.00 concessions £3.00 children £2.00. Catalogues are priced at £2. Belsay Hall is 14 miles Northwest of Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the A696. By train: Morpeth station, 10 miles away By Bus: Snaith's 808 from Newcastle.
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
