|
Name | National Gallery |
www | http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Occupying the north side of Trafalgar Square, the National is one of the UK's leading art galleries - offering free admission to a stunning and world renowned art collection: from Da Vinci to Michelangelo; from Turner to Van Gogh.
A highly recommended attraction for the breadth of its collection and for its fantastic location right in the heart of London. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tate Britain |
www | http://www.tate.org.uk/britain |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | "The Tate galleries house the national collection of British art from the sixteenth century to the present day, including the Turner Bequest, and the national collection of international modern art." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tate Modern |
www | http://www.tate.org.uk/modern |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Situated on the south bank of the Thames, the Tate Modern (you can walk to it from St Paul's Cathedral across the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge) is the major gallery in London for modern and contemporary art.
It has a great skyline café, offering fantastic views of St Paul's Cathedral and the City of London. One of the best places to grab a coffee in London for the view alone - even if modern art itself does nothing for you at all. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tate Liverpool |
www | http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool |
City | Liverpool |
County | Merseyside |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | The Tate Liverpool is the largest modern art gallery outside of London. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tate St Ives |
www | http://www.tate.org.uk/stives |
City | St Ives |
County | Cornwall |
Region | South West England |
Country | England |
Comment | "Modern and contemporary art in a spectacular Cornish coastal setting" |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tate Collection |
www | http://www.tate.org.uk/collections |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | A fantastic online resource of over 50,000 works of art - the entire Tate collection at the click of a mouse. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Monster.co.uk |
www | http://www.monster.co.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Careers advice from Monster: CV / résumé writing, interview techniques, relocating, salary information and hundreds of online jobs. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Samaritans |
www | http://www.samaritans.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | The organisation for people in need of help, support, or a friendly and understanding ear.
Call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 if you need someone to talk to right now. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | DoH Advice for Travellers |
www | http://www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | The Department of Health - Advice for Travellers' site has everything you need in terms of health advice, if you're about to travel to or from the UK. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Trading Standards |
www | http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Welcome to Trading Standards Central - a one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. The site is supported and maintained by TSI, the Trading Standards Institute.
This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Bullying Online |
www | http://www.bullying.co.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Advice for teachers, parents and children about the effects of bullying. Lots of tips and associated links. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | ChildLine |
www | http://www.childline.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "ChildLine is a free confidential 24-hour helpline service for children and young people in the UK. Kids and teens can call the helpline on 0800 1111 about any problem, at any time - day or night. " |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | EIN |
www | http://www.ein.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "The Electronic Immigration Network (EIN) is a voluntary sector organisation specialising in the provision of information on immigration and refugee law via the Internet, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Dear Hillie |
www | http://www.hillie.com/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Dear Hillie is the official web site for Hillie Marshall, one of the World's first and most highly regarded cyber Agony Aunts." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | CAB |
www | http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "The Citizens Advice Bureau Service offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice. From its origins in 1939 as an emergency service during World War II, it has evolved into a professional national agency." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | RIS |
www | http://www.ris.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Established in 1986, Resource Information Service (RIS) is a specialist information charity. We are the leading provider in the UK of directories, websites and information systems about services for people in need." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Credit Card Watch |
www | http://www.cardwatch.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Advice from APACS relating to credit cards and how to avoid credit card fraud. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Adviceguide |
www | http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Published by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) this site provides information about your rights in the UK, including state benefits, employment laws, taxation, debt counselling, family issues, health, housing, education, civil rights, immigration and the legal system." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Britkid |
www | http://www.britkid.org/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | A site about race, racism and life for kids in the UK. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | London Stock Exchange |
www | http://www.londonstockexchange.com |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | "The London Stock Exchange is at the heart of global financial markets and is home to some of the best companies in the world.
At the apex of the three great financial centres of London, New York and Tokyo, the London Stock Exchange has built on more than 200 years of integrity, expertise and market knowledge to become the world's most global exchange business." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Companies House |
www | http://www.companies-house.gov.uk/ |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | "All limited companies in the UK are registered at Companies House, an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.
There are more than 1.8 million limited companies registered in Great Britain, and more than 300,000 new companies are incorporated each year." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | FT.com |
www | http://www.ft.com/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | The Financial Times is the UK's most important and influential daily publication for national and international business. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Business Week |
www | http://www.businessweek.com/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Online business magazine. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | FSB |
www | http://www.fsb.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "With over 185,000 members, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is recognised as the voice of small business by leading politicians of all major parties." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Hemscott |
www | http://www.hemscott.net/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Hemscott bring you a range of information services to cater for all your investment and company research needs." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Institute of Inventors |
www | http://members.aol.com/mikinvent/index.html |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "The Institute of Inventors is a voluntary, non-profit Inventors' Club, run by Professional Engineer Inventors, with help for all Private Inventors - evaluation of new ideas, gadgets and inventions, prototype drawings and development, patent specification, drawings and applications, licensing of intellectual property to maximise Inventors' chances of earning money on Inventions with merit." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Queen's Awards For Industry |
www | http://www.queensawards.org.uk/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "The Queen's Awards are the UK's top Awards for business performance and are awarded in three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | CBI |
www | http://www.cbi.org.uk/home.html |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | "Since 1965, the The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has been UK business' most powerful lobbying organisation.
But it doesn't stop there - the CBI is a vital source of expert advice and information, and a forum for the generation of ideas, best practice exchange and high-powered networking." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Warwick Castle |
www | http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk |
City | Warwick |
County | Warwickshire |
Region | Central England |
Country | England |
Comment | Warwick Castle is situated at the heart of the country's motorway network with easy access from London by road, rail and air. Shakespeare's Stratford is only eight miles away, and Birmingham is only 26 miles. Warwick is one of the country's best castles with lots to see and do.
As castles go, Warwick is one of the best if you’re out and about on a family visit. It has lots of interest and attraction for kids of all ages and is an ever popular day out. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Beaulieu Motor Museum |
www | http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/ |
City | Beaulieu |
County | Hampshire |
Region | Central Southern England |
Country | England |
Comment | Formerly the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House is set in glorious grounds and gardens with immaculate spreading lawns and walkways overlooking the Beaulieu River.
The House has been in Lord Montagu's family ownership since 1538, when Sir Thomas Wriothesley, later 1st Earl of Southampton, bought the Estate after the Dissolution of the Monasteries."
Beaulieu, in the heart of the New Forest in Hampshire, is also home to the world famous National Motor Museum. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Blenheim Palace |
www | http://www.blenheimpalace.com/ |
City | Oxford |
County | Oxfordshire |
Region | Central England |
Country | England |
Comment | "Blenheim Palace is situated in the picturesque and historic town of Woodstock, 8 miles North West of Oxford on the A44 Evesham Road, and approximately an hour's drive from both London and Birmingham. Stratford-upon-Avon is only 45 minutes drive away."
The house is renowned for its links with the Churchill family and is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in the UK. It is also famous as a backdrop for the filming of the book Brideshead Revisited. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Castle Howard |
www | http://www.castlehoward.co.uk/ |
City | York |
County | North Yorkshire |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | Widely used in Brideshead Revisited, Castle Howard in Yorkshire (just 15 miles north of York) is a fantastic stately home and well worth a visit.
Highly recommended. Designed by Vanbrugh. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Chatsworth House |
www | http://www.chatsworth-house.co.UK |
City | Derby |
County | Derbyshire |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth House is one of Derbyshire's primary tourist attractions. It is also believed to be the inspiration for ‘Pemberley House’ which featured in Jane Autsen’s novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
There are far better country houses in England that are more worth visiting, such as Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, but if you haven't seen a English country-house before and you're in the area, then it is an okay place to visit.
Entrance fees are high and the tiered pricing system is very aggravating – it makes you feel that you have to pay several times over to see more of the estate. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Harewood House |
www | http://www.harewood.org |
City | Leeds |
County | North Yorkshire |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | Harewood is a great family day out. Visit the Adventure Playground, explore the gardens and bird gardens, take a boat trip across the lake or marvel at the collections in the House. With an extensive programme of events and exhibitions, Harewood offers something for all.
Harwoood House is in Yorksire: 7 miles from Leeds and 22 miles from York. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Tower of London |
www | http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/tower_home.asp |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses.
Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.
The Tower is always awash with tourists and today is more of a theme park than an historic building. The tours with the Beefeaters are usually quite a lot of fun, although the crowds can be vast, making it difficult to hear what the guide is saying.
The queues to see the crown jewels are usually very long, but they do move fairly quickly once you get inside the main building. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Leeds Castle |
www | http://www.leeds-castle.com/ |
City | Maidstone |
County | Kent |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and a retreat for the powerful and influential.
One of the loveliest and most idyllic castles in the UK, Leeds Castle is in the county of Kent, just 1 hour south-east of London. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Windsor Castle |
www | http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=34 |
City | Windsor |
County | Berkshire |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | The Queen's home on the Thames just outside London. Open to visitors - parts of it have been extensively restored since the big fire in 1992.
The castle is very popular with tourists, who arrive by the coachload throughout the day, and this can make it difficult when trying to view the castle inside or out.
The town of Windsor is very pleasant, but parking is limited and the throngs of people can be overwhelming at times. Take time to have a walk down by the river and cross the bridge to visit the village of Eton and its world famous eponymous school.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Royal Collection © 2005 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Windsor Castle - the Long Walk Photographer: Dennis Gilbert |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Wilton House |
www | http://www.wiltonhouse.co.uk/ |
City | Salisbury |
County | Wiltshire |
Region | South West England |
Country | England |
Comment | Wilton House, 3 miles west of Salisbury and about 10 miles from Stonehenge, offers over 450 years of history as one of the Treasure Houses of England. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Woburn Abbey |
www | http://www.woburnestates.com |
City | Milton Keynes |
County | Buckinghamshire |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Home of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford and their family, set in a 3000 acre Deer Park, Woburn Abbey houses an outstanding and important art collection. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Florence Nightingale Museum |
www | http://www.florence-nightingale.co.UK |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | "Florence Nightingale was a legend in her lifetime but the Crimean War years which made her famous were just two out of a life of ninety years." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Edinburgh Castle |
www | http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail?propertyID=PL_121 |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Famous for it's Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle is the must-see on every tourist's travel itinerary of Edinburgh. Set on a volcanic rock overlooking the city, Edinburgh Castle is famed for its views overlooking the North Sea. Come rain or shine, any visit to the Castle is likely to be windy and cool, if not blustery and ice cold. Entrance to the Castle allows you into its grounds and to some buildings. Being battlements, the grounds are quite Spartan and save for the views of the city they afford little of interest other than to those with a glint for military architecture.
Of the buildings you can enter, you can see the Scottish Crown Jewels (a tiny collection compared with that offered by the Tower of London) and the culturally as well as historically important Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone. This "Stone of Destiny" was the stone on which Scottish Kings were crowned and it is only fitting and right that it has been returned to Scotland (returned in 1996) having been forcibly removed to London in 1296. A potent though plain symbol of Scotland's unique identity.
Try to time your visit so that you are in the Castle at 1pm to witness the firing of the 1pm gun - a daily signal by which the city sets its watches. If you have any ear problems, cover them and stand well back - it's deafening. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Camera Obscura |
www | http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/ |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | The Camera Obscura is a real hoot. Set just outside the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, it offers a wonderful world of imagery and illusion. A small collection of image related exhibits with lots of hands-on activities for adults and kids alike to play with, laugh at, and enjoy. There are cameras over the city that visitors can direct to snoop on unsuspecting people below, lots of image based trickery that will have you going "corrrr, look at this", and from the roof some really great views over the city.
As the name suggests, the building is topped by a camera obscura - as you sit in a darkened room the light refracted from the mirrors above brings "live" images onto the simple white table that acts as a screen below you. The guide gives a short and informative speech about the city's landmarks and then plays games with the obscura by "picking people up" on pieces of white card, or by building cardboard bridges which the busses below appear to cross.
Lots of steps, but kids aged between five and one hundred will love it. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Princes Street |
www | http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=europe&=&overviewmap=ap&Submit=Find&addr1=&client=europe&addr2=&addr3=&pc=EH12ND&db=pc&cname=United+Kingdom&quicksearch=EH1+2ND&coordsys=gb |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | People always speak about two main streets in Edinburgh - Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Princes Street is a large street in the "new" part of the city looked over by the Castle. Virtually all the views from Edinburgh Castle take Princes Street in its sweep.
This is a fairly bland and unwelcoming street - functional shops and not a great deal else. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Royal Mile |
www | http://www.aboutscotland.com/edin/royal.html |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | The Royal Mile leads down from Edinburgh Castle to the city's other Royal building (hence the name the Royal Mile - a road that links the city's two Royal buildings) of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Royal Mile has far more charm than Princes Street and, at the time of the Edinburgh Festival is partially closed making pedestrian access all the more enjoyable.
A lively and bustling area (reminiscent in parts of London's Old Covent Garden) this is definitely the street to wander along in Edinburgh if you are pushed for time and can only fit in one of the city's two "great roads". |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | The Palace of Holyroodhouse |
www | http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=36 |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen's official residence in Scotland (and is next door to the home of the new Scottish Parliament).
Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, the palace is a beautiful building around which the people of Edinburgh live and play. The palace is open to visitors.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Royal Collection © 2005 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Palace of Holyroodhouse Photographer: John Freeman |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Arthur's Seat |
www | http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst249.html |
City | Edinburgh |
County | Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Whilst lots of tourists see Arthur's Seat (a volcanic outcrop bordering the city) from Edinburgh Castle, very few take the time to wander down the Royal Mile to actually go and see it close up, let alone walk up it to view the city, as it were, "from the other end". That's a great shame, as they miss out on one of Edinburgh's best views and most natural places.
A beautiful setting, overshadowing the Royal Palace, the walk up Arthur's Seat is well worth the effort. Some paths are gentle and easy going. Others offer muscle trembling hikes that kids will love and their parents will worry about.
The top of Arthur's Seat offers the best views of the entire city (much better than those offered by the Castle) but it also comes with a frightening sheer drop sans any warnings. Take care! |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Gretna Green |
www | http://www.gretnagreen.com/ |
City | Gretna |
County | Dumfriesshire |
Region | Southern Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Gretna Green is world renowned as a wedding venue with thousands of people over the last 250 years taking advantage of Scotland's easy-going marriage laws. Just over the border from England, more than 4,000 couples every year still choose Gretna as a place to get married.
It is used a lot in films and novels - English couples eloping at the dead of night nearly always seem to travel to Gretna to tie the knot. Even Soaps have their desperate at heart lovers escape to Gretna!
Today it is heavily trafficked by tourists and is a somewhat tacky and overly commercialised stopping-off point. Make sure you miss it! |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Hadrian's Wall - Vindolanda |
www | http://www.vindolanda.com/ |
City | Vindolanda |
County | Northumberland |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | When travelling from England up to Scotland, the first point of call for many people is the world renowned historic monument of Hadrian's Wall. Built on the orders of the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, around 122 AD to protect the northern boundary of the Roman Empire from the hostile tribes that then inhabited Scotland, Hadrian's Wall runs a total of 73 miles (nearly 120 km) from Solway Firth to the mouth of the River Tyne. At six metres high and nearly two and a half metres wide, it was built with a military road running on its southern edge along which troops of the Roman Empire could patrol. Throughout its entire length, regular sentry posts and forts were built around which small communities grew.
Today, sections of the wall are still visible and accessible. In places, there are ruined settlements which have been carefully studied and preserved by archeologists from around the world. One of the best areas of the wall to visit is the settlement of Vindolanda just off the B6318 to the west of Hexam. Here you (and your children!) can explore extensive ruins of a Roman fort together with the civilian settlement which grew up around it. The site is extensive, though it can be comfortably covered in a few hours. There is a steep walk down to the museum, but the walk is well worth the effort for young and old, enthusiast and casual observer alike.
Hadrian's Wall is a must on any tour in the north of England/south of Scotland and Vindolanda as a site and with its stimulating museum is well worth a visit. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Culross |
www | http://www.nts.org.uk |
City | Culross |
County | Fife |
Region | Southern Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Travelling north from Edinburgh to Inverness, crossing the Forth Road Bridge on your way, take a detour off to see the Royal Burgh of Culross. A small village, resting on the banks of the River Forth, Culross is a medieval Scottish gem. The old cobbled area of the town has changed little in hundreds of years and its principal building is Culross Palace.
This is a complete misnomer, as the Palace was never a Royal residence, but built between 1597 and 1611 for Sir George Bruce it is a remarkable example of a successful merchant's town house. Now owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS see http://www.nts.org.uk), visitors are welcomed to the property by a bevvy of highly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful guides. With painted walls - fading perceptibly with time, ceilings essentially in the shape of upturned boats, and a fantastic kitchen garden, Culross Palace is well worth a visit.
Whilst you're there, you can also visit the Town House, the Abbey, and a building called The Study. Also worth a visit for those of you who might be in need of refreshment is the NTS "cafe" next door to the Palace called Bessie's Bar. Bessie's offers simple food at very reasonable prices - popular with the day trippers who pass through.
The only downside to Culross is the view - much of which is industrial along the banks for the river. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Isle of Skye |
www | http://www.isleofskye.com |
City | Skye |
County | Skye |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | There is a famous song that sings the virtues of Skye and its part in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie after his defeat at Culloden.
"Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward, the sailors cry Carry the lad that's born to be king Over the sea to Skye"
For years Skye has had a somewhat mystical image as an island of great beauty. Today, it has lost its pure island status, 'thanks' to the unremarkable and bland bridge that now links it to the mainland.
If you're off in search of an island idyll, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But if you keep away from the main tourist drags, you can still find an island that has its own sense of beauty. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | John O'Groats |
www | http://www.visitjohnogroats.com/ |
City | John O'Groats |
County | Caithness |
Region | Northern Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Reputation has it that John O'Groats is the northern most part of the UK (with Land's End in Cornwall being the southern most part).
This isn't as such true, as the most northern part of the UK is at Dunnet Head just to the west of John O'Groats. Still, the great end-to-end walks and charity events all run from Land's End to John O'Groats and so for many tourists is has become a must-see stop on their tour of the UK.
If you reach John O'Groats, you’ll probably wish you hadn’t. It is essentially just a car park with an assortment of gift shops. It has little to do with a true Scottish experience and it is certainly a place you can happily miss (by as wide a margin as possible) on any tour of Scotland! |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Dunnet Head |
www | http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=338500&y=972500&z=5&sv=338500,972500&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=~&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf |
City | John O'Groats |
County | Caithness |
Region | Northern Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | Repute has it that John O'Groats is the northern most part of the UK (with Land's End in Cornwall being the southern most part).
This isn't as such true, as the most northern part of the UK is at Dunnet Head just to the west of John O'Groats. Still, the great end-to-end walks and charity events all run from Land's End to John O'Groats and so for many tourists is has become a must-see stop on their tour of the UK.
If you're in the area, you can trot up the road to Dunnet Head - complete with light house and a small car-park! |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Wester Ross |
www | http://www.ullapool.com/ |
City | Wester Ross |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Loch Eriboll |
www | http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/durness/locheriboll/ |
City | Wester Ross |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Inverewe Gardens |
www | http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10103&NavPage=10103&NavId=5122 |
City | Wester Ross |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Balnakeil Beach |
www | http://www.geograph.co.uk/photo/28271 |
City | Wester Ross |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Plockton |
www | http://www.plockton.com/ |
City | Plockton |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Loch Glendhu |
www | http://www.ullapool.com/ |
City | Plockton |
County | Ross-shire |
Region | Western Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | This area of Scotland, the Wester Ross, is incredibly beautiful.
On the roads they need to put warning signs for drivers: "Caution - as you turn the next corner you will see a view that is so lovely that it will take your breath away".
Here are lochs and rivers and mountains that are the Scotland that people dream about. Here you just have to run up and down like Mel Gibson in Braveheart believing for half a moment that you are William Wallace leading a band of fighters and all the time crying "freeeeeeeedom".
Loch Eriboll is wonderful. The Inverewe Gardens are well worth a visit whether you like flowers or not.
The little village of Ploctkon is a jewel.
Balnakeil Beach is perfect - sandy, halcyon and quiet.
Loch Glendhu, with its highly entertaining boat trip to see seals and the UK's highest waterfall is a must-see. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | St Paul's Cathedral |
www | http://www.stpauls.co.uk |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) rests in a tomb in St Paul's Cathedral and near it is a simple tablet inscribed in Latin with the words: Si monumentum requiris, circumspice - If you seek his monument, look about you.
Wren is the architect who built St Paul's as we see it today. Completed in 1710, replacing an earlier building that was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666, St Paul's stands out as Wren's finest architectural work - an imposing grand building in the heart of the City of London.
For many people in the UK, St Paul's stands as a testament to all that is British: our history, our independence, our pageantry, our willingness to accept others, and our sense of nationhood. As a structure that survived the very worst ravages of the blitz, while many of the buildings around it were destroyed, St Paul's has an affectionate place in the hearts of many of the UK's citizens, who see it more as a national monument than an ecclesiastical building. It may be a beautiful and bold structure, it may be an architectural masterpiece, it may be one of the UK's most important religious sites, but for many, its innate charm lies in its symbolism for survival.
Along with Westminster Abbey (which sits side by side with the Houses of Parliament a couple of kilometres down the River Thames), St Paul's is a building of national focus. Its great dome, rising to a height of 108.7 m, witnessed Nelson's funeral in 1806, Wellington's funeral in 1853, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, Churchill's funeral in 1965, and the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
As a building of religious significance, it is a must on anybody's travel itinerary. Built in the Gothic style with features based on classical Greek forms prevalent at the time in the Italian Renaissance, its main entrance is flanked by two Baroque towers. Inside, the immense proportions of the building dwarf visitors. They wander in and out of the pews, few really stopping to take in all the clues to British life that surround them: A roll of honour detailing the 33,000 members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives serving in the Second World War. A monument to the Duke of Wellington - 20 years of work and still incomplete. A tribute to Captain Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912), who died on an ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. A memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) whose famous last words, as he lay dying on the deck of his ship at the end of the Battle of Trafalgar, were "Kiss me, Hardy". The huge organ once played by both Handel and Mendelssohn. The high alter, made from a four ton slab of Italian marble and topped with a 3 metre high cross. The American Memorial Chapel founded as a British tribute to the 28,000 Americans based in Britain who lost their lives in the Second World War. The Dean's Aisle with fragments from the Holy Land including a carved piece of marble from Herod's Temple. Here, if you stop to look, you can find so much that is the UK.
However, the two greatest parts of St Paul's are high above you and they are two things which every visitor to London should seek out: the dome and the Whispering Gallery.
The vast area under the dome is decorated to look like a compass, pointing to the corners of the earth. From here, when the dome was being built, Wren was hauled up in a basket two or three times a week to see how work was progressing. The arches which support the dome are topped by an area known as the Whispering Gallery, a narrow circular strip running 84 metres around the bottom rim of the dome. It is called the Whispering Gallery because a whisper against the circular wall can be heard on the opposite side, some 42 metres away! The only great difficulty in hearing a whisper today is that the Gallery is usually full of tourists all trying to whisper at the same time, so you invariably end up listening to someone else's proclamation of love! But if you wait for a while until the Gallery is quiet, you really can hear a whisper spoken against the wall on the opposite side of the rim. Incredible. From the Gallery, you also get a unique view of the inside of St Paul's as you tower above the marbled setting below. You also get a great view of the fresco paintings. One last thing about the Gallery, you are always closely watched by nervous curators. Why are they nervous? Because, sadly, over the years, the Whispering Gallery has been a place for would-be suicides, desperate people hoping to make one last dramatic gesture. Do not lean out too far!
Above the Whispering Gallery you start to climb to one of London's best kept tourist secrets - the galleries on the roof of the dome. This is not a trek for the unfit. As you climb the steps, you hear others losing breath and wishing that they had not started the journey at all. At the first gallery, I met a woman in tears of fear - this is not a place for anyone with acrophobia. But if you climb to the very top of the dome, to the part where the stone steps stop and the "ladders" can only reach, then you will be treated to a truly spectacular view of London. This is the one thing that you really must see - and do not forget to bring your camera and, if you have them, a pair of binoculars. On a clear day, the view is stunning. Beneath you so many of the landmarks that make the great city so famous: the Tower of London, the River Thames, the Bank of England (known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street), The City (which is the financial centre of the UK and Europe), the Houses of Parliament, Lloyds of London, the Millenium Bridge, Tate Modern, and the suburbs stretching out over the horizon. There is no finer view in all of London.
When you have feasted your eyes on London and taken lots of pictures to show your family back home, then the last part of the Cathedral that you must visit is the Crypt, a quiet sombre area that many people miss. If the main part of St Paul's is the heart and body of the UK, then the Crypt really is its innermost soul. People wander around the tombs in near silence, whispering names to each other as they read the inscriptions of the great and the good, at rest at last. Take time to amble round the Crypt (which is not in the least unnerving as some might imagine it to be) and you will learn a great deal about the people who forged the UK and about how the people of the UK today understand their own national psyche.
Look for Wren's tomb and decide for yourself how fitting are the words: Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.
Sightseeing details The Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 0830, with last admission at 1600. Allow 2 to 3 hours for your visit. The Cathedral Shop and the Crypt Cafe are open from 0900 to 1700 and from 1030 to 1700 on Sundays. Special services or events may close all or part of the Cathedral sometimes at short notice.
Some people might find it 'offensive' to have to pay to enter a house of worship. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Buckingham Palace |
www | http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=30 |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | Buckingham Palace has been used as the official London residence of Britain's Kings and Queens since 1837.
Originally, it was a town house, owned by the Dukes of Buckingham (now, can you guess how it got its name?) but it has undergone numerous changes and additions since it was acquired by the monarchy.
It is used to host many official events and receptions, but parts of the Palace are open to visitors on a regular basis.
Buckingham Palace is a 'must see' on any tourist's visit to the UK, even if they only stand outside to have their picture taken or to watch the guards parading up and down.
Pictures of the house before it was remodelled show it to be a far more handsome house than the rather bland and pragmatic façade that we see today - the official Buckingham Palace website has some great pictures and some brief historical notes for those who are itching to learn more.
You'll have seen 'Buck House' as a backdrop in countless films, news repots, and TV programmes, so it may well look familiar - but there is no substitute for seeing it for yourself in the flesh.
Sadly, the Palace sits in an island surrounded by traffic, which makes access somewhat treacherous and the whole ambience and view somewhat ugly. The powers that be really should ban traffic completely and make the whole area into a pedestrianised park.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Royal Collection © 2005 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Buckingham Palace Photographer: Andrew Holt |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Clive's Prints |
www | http://www.clivesprints.com |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online Resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Website showing some stunning and original prints from the artist Clive Dillistone.
PHOTO CREDIT: © Clive Dillistone - with kind persmission |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | V&A Museum |
www | http://www.vam.ac.uk/ |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | The V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum in South Kensington is one of the UK's most visited museums. It has an eclectic collection centred around art and design, spanning more than 3000 years. Artefacts from around the world include ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Offa's Dyke |
www | http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/ |
City | Countryside |
County | More than one |
Region | Wales |
Country | Wales |
Comment | "Offa's Dyke is a great frontier earthwork built by Offa, King of Mercia from 757 to 796 A.D. It gives its name to a long distance footpath, one of Britain's National Trails, which runs from Sedbury, near Chepstow, to Prestatyn through the varied and little-frequented landscapes of the Welsh Marches." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Roman Baths |
www | http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/ |
City | Bath |
County | Somerset / Banes |
Region | South West England |
Country | England |
Comment | World famous, and rightly so, the Roman Baths at Bath (yes, they gave the place its name) should be high up on any visitor's list when coming to the UK.
A superb complex of Roman remains and a chance to taste the water in the Pump Room at the end of your visit: only for those with a strong stomach or no taste buds. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Durham Cathederal |
www | http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/ |
City | Durham |
County | Durham |
Region | Northern England |
Country | England |
Comment | "The present Cathedral has stood on this spot as a place of prayer and pilgrimage for over 900 years. It contains the remains of Cuthbert, the saintly seventh-century bishop of Lindisfarne; it also holds the tomb of Bede, the chronicler of Cuthbert's life and the first English historian. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in England (Bill Bryson called it 'the best Cathedral on planet earth'), and part of a World Heritage Site." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Falkirk Wheel |
www | http://www.falkirk-wheel.com/ |
City | Falkirk |
County | Falkirk |
Region | Central Scotland |
Country | Scotland |
Comment | "The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering and is already being recognised as an inspirational sculpture for the 21st Century.
Designed to reconnect the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals and sited in a natural open amphitheatre at Rough Castle near Falkirk, this remarkable and elegant mechanical marvel is the only rotating boat lift in the world and truly one of a kind." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Minack Theatre |
www | http://www.minack.com/dayvisitors/home.htm |
City | Penzance |
County | Cornwall |
Region | South West England |
Country | England |
Comment | An incredible theatre, perched on the edge of the cliffs in Cornwall. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Great Western Railway - GWR |
www | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0750932198/gouktheezinefo07 |
City | Bristol |
County | Somerset / Banes |
Region | South West England |
Country | England |
Comment | "The Great Western Railway (GWR) was created by an Act of Parliament on the 31st August 1835 to provide a double tracked line from Bristol to London." |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Picture of Britain |
www | http://www.enjoyengland.com/campaign/maps/pictureofbritain/index.htm?url=pictureofbritaincom |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online Resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Intersting site with pictures of Britain painted by a range of artists in a variety of styles. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | England’s Genius Map |
www | http://www.visitengland.com/campaign/maps/genius/?url=/maps |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online Resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Interesting idea from VisitEngland, an interactive map showing where some of the great and the good of England have come from. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Picture of Britain BBC |
www | http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/apictureofbritain/ |
City | Online resource |
County | Online resource |
Region | Online Resource |
Country | Online resource |
Comment | Great site with pictures of Britain from contributors around the UK. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | Snowdon Mountain Railway |
www | http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk |
City | Llanberis |
County | Gwynedd |
Region | Wales |
Country | Wales |
Comment | Animals in transport for slaughter houses get better treatment than the tourists who are unfortunate enough to buy an extortionate ticket for the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
This has to be one of the worst attractions of any sort in the UK. The carriages are horrifically cramped and uncomfortable; the tickets are ridiculously expensive; the staff are singularly inattentive to the point of rudeness; and the guided tour that is piped through the trains’ loud speaker systems is poorly produced and edited. The cafes at the top and the bottom of the mountain are awful both in terms of service and food.
Walking up and down Snowdon itself might be a highlight on a trip to Wales, but riding on the Snowdon Mountain Railway is an experience well worth avoiding at any cost. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749542624/gouktheezinefo07 |
Name | London Eye |
www | http://goukblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/london-eye-to-fly-or-not-to-fly.html |
City | London |
County | Greater London |
Region | South East England |
Country | England |
Comment | The London Eye is a huge 135 metre high "observation wheel" which looks like a big blonde fairground Ferris Wheel on steroids.
It stands on the south side of the river Thames, squashed in between the hideous pile that is the South Bank and the former home of the London County Council at County Hall, and more or less opposite the Houses of Parliament which stand on the more prestigious and upmarket north bank of the Thames.
The London Eye is London's riposte to the Eiffel Tower in Paris - nothing more and nothing less than a functionless honey-pot designed to attract tourists and to separate them from their tourist pounds. For being little more than a heavyweight Meccano set, it fits - with all its quaint fairground antiquity and familiarity - fairly well into the London skyline and the pure simplicity of its design lines is aesthetically pleasing even if it feels somewhat absurd to have a "ride" in the middle of London's political establishment. Originally created to commemorate the millennium, the Eye is now sponsored by British Airways and passengers are welcomed not to their "ride" but to their "flight" - a fairly naff and truculent bit of marketing which makes you want to squirm at the sheer banality of it all.
The queues last longer than the ride itself, and the air stewards and stewardesses appear to do their level best to be as impolite, incoherent, and disorganised as they possibly can be. Indolence and apathy on this scale takes real effort. Poor planning and execution is taken - with zeal - to new heights. The aim seems to be to treat the passengers as cattle and to make them as angry as possible at all times. What logic is there in running a queue across a busy walkway so that it splits in two and then has people arguing with each other as to where the end of the queue actually is? Some people push the queue deliberately. Some push it accidentally. Either way it creates a lot of friction and is just down to bad, bad, bad and very bad planning and management. Splitting the queue is one problem. Having staff who have no idea how to interact with people is another. No member of staff should ever physically "usher" (to be euphemistic) a member of the public and yet we saw this happen several times whilst waiting for our flight. Not good. Not at all good.
And then there is the question of the ticketing itself which is nonsensical. You can book a slot online or on the phone days in advance, but when you get to the Eye you still have to wait in a long queue where your carefully booked timeslot is completely meaningless.
You can, if you want, pay extra for a Fast Track ticket (the marketing team missed a trick in not labelling it a Fast Flight ticket), but this just means that you join a slightly shorter but equally chaotic queue and are still treated to the same unintelligible and monosyllabic mumblings of the staff. Buying a Fast Track ticket will cut your waiting time down by about half, but it is money wasted for anyone who has more sense than money.
So eventually, you get into your capsule with about 25 other people and your journey begins. We can't vouch for what it is like in winter or summer, but in mild spring weather - 17 degrees - the capsule was oppressively hot and stuffy, even with the inadequate air conditioning buzzing away at full volume.
On a clearish day - when the smog is not too heavy (there is no such thing as a clear day over London) - you can see hazily for miles and the fun of the journey is to be had in spotting landmarks (such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Nelson's Column, Wembley Stadium, and the truly awful Canary Wharf) and to snap away with your digital camera so that you can capture yourself juxtaposed against all these familiar London sights. A tip: if you are first into the capsule, work your way to the end furthest from the doors so that you can overlook the northern bank of the Thames and get the best views of the main London skyline.
The views are different. They give you a high perspective of London and are pleasant enough to see. Beyond that, they are unremarkable and aren't likely to figure prominently in your memories of London. There are other places where you can get good skyline views of London. St Paul's Cathedral, for example, offers not only a great and memorable viewing point from its dome, but you also get to see inside the cathedral as well.
As you near the end of your flight, you are asked to stand facing in towards the wheel so that the Eye can take a picture of you: a picture which you can - of course - buy from the kiosk at the bottom of the Eye. Because the pictures are taken through the capsule window, they tend to look glassy and reflective and not that good.
A standard flight on the Eye currently costs £14.50. A Fast Track flight costs £25. A trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower costs about £7.50. A visit to St Paul's costs £9.50 and is a lot more entertaining, educational, spiritual, and interesting.
So is it worth going on the London Eye?
No, in truth it really is not.
The queues are long, the management poor, the capsules hot, the views okay, the experience instantly forgettable, and the value for money non existent. Of course, the truth never stopped anything happening and people will still flock in their thousands and in their ignorance to pay for what is little more than a dull fairground ride with a smoggy but famous backdrop.
If you have limited time in London, forget about going on the Eye completely.
If you've got lots of time and just have to go on the Eye so you can tick it off on your list of things to do, then by all means go. You might enjoy it, but you'll probably enjoy other things in London far, far more.
Rating: 1 out of 10. |
Link | http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/2067109456/gouktheezinefo07 |
City | Bath |
County | Somerset / Banes |
Region | South West England |
Population | 80,000 |
Travel | 90 minutes by train to London.
Good road links to London. |
Description | Bath is an elegant and historical city situated on the River Avon. The Romans built the first settlement in Bath and the famous Roman Baths can still be seen in the centre of the city. During the 18th century Bath became popular as a spa town with its many fine Georgian buildings. Bath is a small, pleasant university city with much culture. |
Entertainment | Bath has 3 small cinemas, galleries, museums, restaurants, traditional tearooms, pubs and nightclubs. The Theatre Royal presents opera, ballet and shows. Bath University offers much sporting activity. |
Surrounding | Bath is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Mendip Hills, the Cotswolds and the Severn Estuary are nearby. |
Link | http://www.visitbath.co.uk/ |
City | Bournemouth |
County | Dorset |
Region | Central Southern England |
Population | 154,400. Bournemouth, together with Poole and Christchurch has a population of 350,000 |
Travel | 90 minutes by train or 2 hours by bus to central London. Direct bus service to Heathrow Airport.
Bournemouth International Airport has daily flights to many European destinations.
There are also daily ferries to France and Spain from Poole. |
Description | Bournemouth is one of the major centres for ELT in the UK (it has the highest concentration of ELT schools per square kilometre in the UK) and one of the south coast's most lively and popular destinations. The town runs from cliff top to seashore with 11 kilometres of clean beaches and large areas of parks. It is a lively modern university town situated between the ancient towns of Poole and Christchurch. The climate in Bournemouth is dry, warm and sunny. |
Entertainment | Bournemouth has a good range of entertainment, including cinemas, theatres, discos, night clubs, restaurants and a wide range of shops. There are good sports and leisure facilities and swimming centres. Bournemouth has a local football club, Bournemouth FC and speedway tracks. Poole Harbour offers watersports including windsurfing, paragliding and sailing. |
Surrounding | Bournemouth is surrounded by beautiful countryside which includes the New Forest, known as the Emerald Jewel of Hampshire, the Purbeck Hills and Dorset coastline. |
Link | http://www.bournemouth.co.uk/ |
City | Brighton |
County | Sussex |
Region | South East England |
Population | 250,000 |
Travel | 1 hour by road or rail to London. Gatwick Airport is close by. 2 hours by road or rail to Portsmouth and Dover. |
Description | Brighton is a famous English seaside resort with easy access to London. It is a lively, cosmopolitan town, popular with young people.
Brighton is famous for the Brighton Pavilion, which is modelled on the Taj Mahal, fine white Georgian terraces of houses, beach and pier with funfair. |
Entertainment | As well as the big stores, Brighton has a pedestrianised area called The Lanes, which is very popular with tourists who haunt its boutiques, antique shops and stalls.
There are 3 cinemas including a multiplex, the Brighton Theatre Royal, good restaurants and many cafes. Brighton is popular for its clubs.
Brighton hosts the Brighton Festival in May, which is one of the country’s biggest arts and entertainment festival.
Brighton has good sports facilities. Watersports are available including windsurfing and sailing. |
Surrounding | The South Downs with its chalk hills are nearby and provide lovely walks. |
Link | http://www.brighton.co.uk/ |
City | Bristol |
County | Somerset / Banes |
Region | South West England |
Population | 500,000 Bristol is a medium sized city |
Travel | 90 minutes by train or 2 hours by bus from London. There is a direct bus service from London Heathrow airport.
There are now many direct flights from around Europe into Bristol International airport. |
Description | Bristol is a lively and exciting city that offers a true taste of England to the visitor. The city is not overcrowded with tourists at any time of the year, it is a place to get to know England and the English.
At the same time it is a beautiful city with excellent modern facilities and elegant historic parts of town. The city is based around its historic harbour area, now completely modernised and offering a new entertainment area. Bristol University is one of the very best in the country.
The Clifton district is well known for its Georgian houses and for the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. |
Entertainment | Bristol offers everything you would expect to find in a modern city. The city centre offers all you could want in terms of bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and cafes, with chic modern venues alongside the more traditionally English ones.
The city has football and rugby teams, and facilities for most types of sport. In summer there are many open air events such as the Harbour Festival, the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Ashton Court Music Festival and many more.
There is a city centre cinema and several large cinema complexes in the suburbs with nearby modern shopping centres. |
Surrounding | Bristol lies in some of the most beautiful countryside in England. It is very close to the Cotswold Hills, and the area of North Somerset, both with some of the prettiest English villages you can find anywhere.
Not far away is the Bristol Channel (the broad estuary of the river Severn) and the beautiful area of South Wales. |
Link | http://www.visitbristol.co.uk/ |
City | Cambridge |
County | Cambridgeshire |
Region | Central England |
Population | 110,000 |
Travel | Cambridge is one hour by train and 2 hours by bus to central London. One hour by bus to Luton and Cambridge airports.
The ferry ports of Felixstowe and Harwich are within easy reach by train. |
Description | There can be no doubt that Cambridge is a brilliant place to live, work and study. A small city, with a big town atmosphere, it has a great deal to offer. Bathed in history, an abundance of amenities, plenty of activities, and a buzzing lively atmosphere, Cambridge is one of the top UK destinations.
Cambridge University is not a single institution, but a collection of faculties, departments, and 31 independent colleges. However, Cambridge is not just a university city. It has a population of 110,000, of which only 17,000 are students. Cambridge attracts 3.5 million visitors every year. Today, Cambridge thrives as a market centre for the surrounding agricultural region and as a focal point for research industries, particularly in electronics and precision instruments.
When in Cambridge, there are some things that you just have to see and experience: The Backs. The Saxon Church of Saint Benet. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of only four round churches in the UK - all others are built in the shape of the cross. Punting on the Cam. The Fitzwilliam Museum. The open-air market. Cream teas on Sunday afternoons. Warm beer served in English pubs. The University Library which, with the British Library in London and the Bodleian Library in Oxford, ranks as one of the greatest book collections in the world. The Botanical Gardens. And, of course, you must visit the beautiful Chapel at King's College. |
Entertainment | Cambridge has good shops, pubs, tearooms, restaurants and nightclubs. There are museums, theatres and cultural events. Cambridge has 2 cinemas including a 10 screen muliplex cinema. Cambridge has sports centres and swimming pools.
Punting on the River Cam is very popular in the summer.
Horse racing can be seen at the nearby Newmarket Racecourse. |
Surrounding | Nearby are the beautiful wool towns and villages such as Lavenham and Long Melford, preserved from the Middle Ages. |
Link | http://www.visitcambridge.org/ |
City | Canterbury |
County | Kent |
Region | South East England |
Population | 55,000 |
Travel | Canterbury has good rail and road links to London. The port of Dover, the Channel Tunnel car terminal at Folkestone and the Eurostar service at Ashford are 30 minutes away. |
Description | Canterbury is a beautiful historical city, popular with tourists. Medieval walls surround the city centre, enclosing its narrow streets and ancient buildings. At the centre lies the famous and impressive medieval Cathedral.
The University of Kent lies on the outskirts of the city with a population of over 20,000 students. |
Entertainment | Canterbury has a good shopping centre with big chain stores. There is a cinema and theatre in the city. There is also a good live music scene. Canterbury has friendly pubs and range of restaurants.
Canterbury has a swimming pool, golf course and greyhound-racing track. Watersports are popular on the nearby coast.
A popular visitor attraction in the town is the The Canterbury Tales in St Margaret's Street, a medieval adventure based around the work of one of England's finest poets, Geoffrey Chaucer. |
Surrounding | Canterbury is surrounded by the beautiful Kent countryside which is known as 'the garden of England' with pretty villages and rolling countryside.
There are many historic castles and buildings to visit close by. |
Link | http://www.canterbury.co.uk/ |
City | Cheltenham |
County | Gloucestershire |
Region | South West England |
Population | 107,000 |
Travel | Cheltenham has good road links to London, Bristol and Birmingham.
There are direct trains to London, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Plymouth. Trains to London take about 2 hours. |
Description | Cheltenham is a Regency spa town with elegant nineteenth century buildings and wide tree lined avenues. The spa waters can still be taken at the Pittville Pump room.
Cheltenham is known as the ‘Garden town of England’ and has many parks with floral displays. |
Entertainment | Cheltenham has many stylish shops and high street stores. It has a 7-screen Odeon cinema, 2 theatres and a bowling alley. There is a good mix of pubs and bars.
Cheltenham hosts three annual music festivals - a Jazz Festival, Folk Festival and Classical Music Festival. It hosts a Literature Festival in the summer where famous authors can be heard reading.
The Gold Cup is held in March at Cheltenham Racecourse and attracts many visitors. Cheltenham College hosts the County Cricket Festival for first class and international teams. |
Surrounding | Cheltenham is surrounded by the Cotswolds countryside, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with rolling hills and charming villages. Cheltenham is close to the tourist destinations of Stratford, Oxford and Bath. |
Link | http://www.visitcheltenham.gov.uk/ |
City | Eastbourne |
County | Sussex |
Region | South East England |
Population | 85,000 |
Travel | Direct rail link to Gatwick airport and London. 75 minutes by train to London. |
Description | Eastbourne is an elegant seaside resort on the South Coast, situated at the foot of the South Downs. Eastbourne is famous for its Victorian architecture.
There are 5 miles of Victorian promenade with many large and impressive hotels and a Victorian pier. The Marina at Sovereign Harbour provides a beautiful setting with a number of restaurants and cafes. |
Entertainment | Eastbourne has a large indoor shopping centre with many high street stores. Eastbourne has three theatres, multiplex cinema, and art gallery. There are many restaurants, bars and discos.
Eastbourne has a swimming complex, golf courses and sports centres. Water sports are popular and include windsurfing and sailing.
The ladies professional tennis championships are held in Devonshire Park in June. |