CONTENT
- Buckland Abbey
- Discount Passes and memberships
- Christmas Gifts
- UK Travel tips and news
Dear Friends,
Instead of my usual rundown of what this newsletter contains, I want to use this space to wish each and every one of you a very joyous Christmas season. When I was a boy (not THAT long ago) it was a Christmas tradition in our house to read aloud from Charles Dickens' classic story, A Christmas Carol. While your literary tastes may differ from mine, I want to take this opportunity to echo the timeless wish of Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one." From my family to yours, have a joyous holiday season, a very, very happy new year.
There will be no Jan 1 edition of Britain Update. The next edition will be published on Jan 15.
David Ross, Publisher
UK Destinations
Buckland Abbey
Yelverton, Devon, England
Buckland Abbey was founded in 1278 by the Cistercian order of monks, the last Cistercian foundation in England. As with most Cistercian foundations, the abbey is located in a secluded location, making it one of the more enjoyable historic houses to visit in Devon.
After the monastery was disbanded by Henry VIII in the English Reformation, Buckland was purchased by Sir Richard Grenville, former Marshal of Calais. Sir Richard intended Buckland as a prestigious country estate for his son Roger. Roger, however, did not live long enough to enjoy his new property; he died a few years later while commanding the warship Mary Rose.
The estate passed to Sir Richard's grandson, also named Richard. At that time it was common among gentry who acquired former monastic buildings to create their new homes from the domestic ranges of the property.
More about Buckland Abbey ...
Related: Devon Hotel Guide | Devon Travel Guide
Discount Travel Passes & Memberships
It can be an expensive proposition travelling about the UK, especially if you intend to visit popular visitor attractions, where the entry fees can sometimes be quite staggeringly high. There is a way to cut down on the cost of entry fees, however. There are a number of discount entry passes which allow unlimited free entry into popular attractions. Some of these passes are quite well-known, but an often-overlooked alternative is to enrol as a member in organizations which administer attractions. By buying a membership, you not only gain entry to properties that belong to the organization, but your membership fees also help you support ongoing heritage preservation.
The following list, which makes no claims to be definitive, lists a few of my own favourite passes and memberships which may be useful to travellers in the UK. Some are available only to foreign visitors to the UK, while others are open to all.
Memberships
National Trust - A registered charity which cares for over 612,000 acres of countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. Membership includes free entry to most NT properties. Membership Information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Maintains a North American branch:
National Trust for Scotland - carries out a similar role to the National Trust. Membership permits free admission to NTS properties throughout Scotland, National Trust properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Details https://www.nts.org.uk/
CADW - Government agency responsible for preserving Welsh heritage, including mainly historic buildings and sites of archaeological importance. Several membership options are offered, including free admission to CADW sites in Wales, half-price admission to hundreds of sites in England and Scotland, from Stonehenge to Edinburgh Castle. or admission to the historic sites in all three countries for free. http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/
Historic Houses Association - The HHA is an association of Britain's historic houses, castles and gardens that remain in private ownership (i.e. not administered by a charity like the National Trust or any government agency). The Association represents over 1500 such properties, the majority of which provide some form of public access. Around 350 open regularly to the public, while many more open on an occasional basis. Membership permits free access to properties. Website https://www.historichouses.org/
English Heritage - the primary government agency concerned with preserving historic sites. Membership in EH allows free entry to more than 400 English Heritage properties, plus free, or reduced-price admission to special events at EH properties, priority booking and discounts on tickets for the summer season of outdoor concerts at our sites, and, half-price admission to historic properties in Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man (completely free after your first year of membership) and reduced-price entry to many other historic sites in England http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
Discount Entry Passes
Great British Heritage Pass - allows unlimited admission to nearly 600 historic houses, castles and gardens.
London Pass - Free entry to over 60 top London attractions, includes an optional (and very useful) transit pass, and a free 132-page guidebook. http://www.londonpass.com/
York Pass - By the same company that produces the London Pass, with entry to more than 30 York attractions, and a free 80-page guidebook http://www.yorkpass.com/
Travel Tips and News
Take your pet to the UK
North Americans will be pleased to learn that the UK’s tough animal quarantine regulations are being relaxed. From December 11, 2002 dogs and cats which meet requirements will be able to enter Britain without going into quarantine for six months. These requirements include having the animals microchipped and vaccinated by a veterinarian, together with a blood test, at least six months before travelling.
Details of these conditions can be found on the British Information Services web site: www.britainusa.com and the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) web site: http://www.defra.gov.uk.
Low-cost London
A new booklet from the London Tourist Board gives suggestions on making your holiday budget go further and exploring the capital off the main tourist trail. “Go Further in London” is available free from British Tourist Authority offices overseas (in English, French, German and Italian), or look on the website: www.visitlondon.com.
Celtic Festival In Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland will play host to the world’s largest festival of Celtic music this winter. Last year 12,000 people attended “Celtic Connections” and the 2003 event (January 15 – February 2) is expected to be even bigger, with traditional and contemporary performances from both established and new talent. The city will also host its first International Comedy Festival a few weeks later (March 20 – April 5). Websites: http://www.celticconnections.co.uk; http://www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
Save money with a new 4 Day Heritage Pass
A new four-day version of a popular pass to heritage attractions in the UK will save visitors money in 2003. The Great British Heritage Pass, which allows unlimited admission to nearly 600 historic houses, castles and gardens, has previously only been available in seven-day, 15-day and one-month versions. The four-day option costs £22 (or local currency equivalent). Holders visiting five attractions can save between £13 and £16 on normal admission prices.
The other passes cost £35 for seven days, £46 - 15 days and £60, one month. Properties accepting the pass – which is only available to overseas residents – for the first time include London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral (where Princess Diana was married), Ironbridge Gorge Museums, the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley and the Anglo-Saxon ship burial site at Sutton Hoo. Details are available from British Tourist Authority offices. Website: http://www.visitbritain.com
Anniversary Event at Gilbert & Sullivan Hotel
The 125th anniversary of the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera “HMS Pinafore” is to be marked with a special performance at W.S. Gilbert’s home. His residence is now a hotel, situated ten miles from London, and the only place in the world holding year-round Gilbert and Sullivan events.
The Grim’s Dyke Hotel at Harrow Weald – also noted for its murder mystery dinners and summer operas in the garden – plans a series of G&S operettas during the winter and spring. “HMS Pinafore” will be staged on February 23 and May 26 (the actual anniversary of the operetta is May 25) and other performances include “The Mikado” (Jan. 26); “The Pirates of Penzance” (March 9) and “Yeomen of the Guard” (Mar. 30). The hotel’s recently opened Gilbert’s Restaurant has received two awards and an Automobile Association Rosette.
Website: http://www.grimsdyke.com
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
