Britain Visitor Blog

Spinningfields Manchester

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 3 Feb 2018 04:37:00 GMT

Spinningfields in Manchester has been completely redeveloped into a major entertainment, financial, shopping and residential centre. 3 and 4 Hardman Square was designed by Norman Foster.

Located between Deansgate and the banks of the River Irwell the area contains Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Manchester Magistrate's Court, the Manchester Opera House, the People's History Museum and the The John Rylands Library.

The development took place after 2000 and resident institutions include a number of banks and insurance companies. For eating out there are branches of Ibérica, Itsu, Scene Indian Street Kitchen and Wagamama. The Oast House is a popular pub here with a beer garden.

Retail ranges from brand to high street with branches of Armani and Nicky Clarke to Mark's and Spencer's, Waitrose and WH Smith.

Accommodation options near Spinningfields include the 4 star Great John Street Hotel, once a former Victorian School, complete with roof garden and classic rooms, the Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel also 4 star and the luxury apartments in the 5 star The Bridge, just across the River Irwell.

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Participants on the tour came from all over the world and included foreign students studying in Manchester

Open the Metrolink Map in a new tab to enlarge; copyright www.metrolink.co.uk

The street during Gay Pride August 2022

The gallery started life in 1986 in Manchester's Chinatown

The iron gates are in the style of a Chinese sliding screen

The gallery occupies the Victorian former Smithfield Market Building.

Manchester's Northern Quarter

The church is Gothic Revival in style

The church dates from 1905

Boston Manor

On the Piccadilly Line, Boston Manor serves a largely residential area of west London

Train at the station

A Piccadilly Line service to Heathrow

Platforms at Boston Manor

The art deco tower is a local landmark

Stockport

Memorial to the 72 passengers and crew who lost their lives

Names of the passengers and crew who died

Memorial to people involved in the rescue

Information about the disaster

Leuchars

Leuchars Station

St Andrews is just 10 km away

Caledonian Sleeper Guest Lounge

Ticket Office at the station

Southport

Southport Pier

Axmister

The picturesque station building

Southgate

The mall in August 2022

South Ken

South Kensington Tube Station

Platform at the station

Ticket barriers

Entrance to the station on Thurloe Street

Thurloe Street, SW7, London

Bath

Morecombe

Midland Hotel Morecambe

West Ealing

Station sign

Information board at the station

Entrance to the station

The station is now on the new Elizabeth Line

Elizabeth Line train

GWR train for Greenford

West Ealing Station platforms

London

Mottram Hall

Watcombe Beach

Branscombe

The cakes are yummy, too!

Outdoor seating in a lovely garden

Enjoy a delicious Devon Cream Tea

Devon Cream Tea

Stockport Underbank in 2022

Signage for pedestrians

Cale Green

Branscombe

St Winifred's Church, Branscombe, Devon

Tomb of Joan Wadham, who passed away in 1583. She had 14 children with her first husband, John Kellaway, and six with her second, Sir John Wadham

Locks

The Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal has 16 locks

Lock gate

Oxford Road

The impressive entrance hall to the station and wooden roof

The Palace Theatre

Stairs up to the station

Salford Crescent

Home of the University of Salford

Peel Park

Northern train at the station

Peel Park

A view of Peel Park

Euston

Platforms

Early Sunday morning at the station

Boston Manor

Closed for renovation in August 2022

Sign at the house in 2022

The Butts

Buxton

Guy Fawkes Birthplace

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 5 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT

Guy Fawkes (aka Guido Fawkes) was born in Stonegate, York, close to York Minster in 1570. His subsequent capture underneath the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605, while attempting to blow up the building and assassinate King James I of England in the so-called "Gunpowder Plot," is celebrated each year on Guy Fawkes' Day.

Fawkes was actually the son of a Protestant, but his mother came from a family of recusant Catholics and later remarried a Catholic, after her first husband died while Guy was still a young boy.

York at the time was a center of Catholic militancy and it is believed that the young Guy moved towards that faith while at school and in the modern parlance became "radicalized" - leading to him leaving for the continent to join the Spanish army fighting Dutch Protestants in the Low Countries.

Guy Fawkes joined the plot led by the hapless Robert Catesby to blow up the Houses of Parliament but was discovered guarding the gunpowder under the building and after two days of relentless torture began to reveal details of the conspiracy.

Fawkes jumped to his death from his gallows in Westminster in January 1606, breaking his neck and thus avoiding the pain of being hung, drawn and quartered. A fate that befell his lifeless body.

In some ways, the story of Guy Fawkes - one of Britain's first terrorists - is somewhat prescient of modern terrorism. Radicalized in his home country, Fawkes left to fight in a foreign army, adopting a nom de guerre (Guido) and then bringing his knowledge of explosives back in an attempt to change the political status quo.

Nowadays Guy Fawkes' birthplace is a popular and fashionable four-star inn and restaurant, the Guy Fawkes Inn.

Guy Fawkes Inn
City Centre
High Petergate
York
YO1 7HP
Tel: 01904 623716

© Britain-Visitor.com

Noticeboard explaining the history of the site produced by Castlefield Forum

The reconstructed Roman Gate

Deansgate Station, Manchester

The Castlefield area is of historic importance as a nexus of canals and railways built at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution

View of modern Manchester from the Roman Gardens

Castlefield is an inner-city conservation area in Manchester

The oldest railway station in the world opened in 1830

The Castlefield district of Manchester

Many of the historic warehouses have been converted into trendy bars and restaurants

The railway and canal networks connected Manchester to the world

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Narrowboat moored at Castlefield Canal Basin

Historic and contemporary bridges

Rheidol Railway Wales

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 4 Nov 2017 09:09:00 GMT

The Rheidol Railway (Rheilffordd Cwm Rheidol) in Wales is known as one of the "Great Little Trains of Wales".

The Vale of Rheidol Railway travels 20 kilometres from the town of Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, climbing nearly 200 metres to reach Devil's Bridge Station, nestled deep within the Plynlimon Mountains.

The railway began in 1902 to carry timber to and lead ore from the mines of the Rheidol Valley. The railway has been in continuous operation as part of the nationalized railways from 1948, then the privatized railways since 1989 and now as a heritage railway.

The lead mining in the area went into decline soon after the opening of the railway and more so with the onset of World War I, so the railway switched to mostly passenger traffic serving tourists from the indudtrial cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

Rheidol Railway
Check the official website (above) for the timetable and fares on the railway.

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Timbrell's Yard

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 08:19:00 GMT

Timbrell's Yard is a relatively recent addition to the accommodation options in Bradford on Avon.

Timbrell's Yard is a rejuvenated 17th century coaching inn boasting a bar, fine dining and trendy, Nordic-styled rooms. The bar has a variety of local ales, cider and wine.

The extensive menu in the highly-recommended restaurant features a range of dishes prepared with fresh, West Country produce.

There are 14 rooms at Timbrell's Yard and can be booked with dinner inclusive.

Timbrell's Yard (Book a room)
49 St Margaret's Street
Bradford on Avon
BA15 1DE
timbrellsyard.com

Timbrell's Yard is very close to Bradford on Avon railway station with views of the river.

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Luccombe Hall Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 4 Oct 2017 08:14:00 +0100

The Luccombe Hall Hotel is a historic hotel and spa located in Shanklin on the South Coast of the Isle of Wight. It is known as 'The View with the Hotel'.

View of the hotel's gardens from one of the rooms

It is a quiet seaside hotel, surrounded by 4 acres of landscaped garden, including their pool, putting green, tea garden and giant chess set.
The rooms are simple but the views make all the difference.

The hotel was built in 1870 as a summer holiday home for the Bishop of Portsmouth.

Luccombe Hall Hotel
Luccombe Road
Shanklin
PO37 6RL

© Britain-Visitor.com

Blue John Cavern

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 1 Oct 2017 01:36:00 +0100

Blue John Cavern is one of several show caves in the Castleton area of Derbyshire's Peak District. The others are Speedwell Cavern, Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern.

The Blue John Cavern is home to Britain's rarest semi-precious stone (fluorite) and is only found in this location.

The stone has been mined since Roman times and examples have been found in what were previously parts of the Roman Empire.

Ornaments and jewelry are still produced and sold in the Blue John Cavern store as well as in jewelers and souvenir shops in Castleton and the wider area.

The Blue John Cavern offers guided tours of the mine by actual working and retired miners, who explain the history of the cave and the semi-precious stone found within.

The tours last around 45 minutes and are an informative guide to the long working history of the mines.

Blue John Cavern
Mam Tor
Castleton
Hope Valley
Derbyshire S33 8WA
Tel: 01433 620638

Hours: 9.30am to 5.00pm or 5.30pm in summer. Open daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day (weather permitting).

Access: The Blue John Cavern is close to Winnats Pass and Speedwell Cavern in the Hope Valley.

* Visitors should note there are a lot of steps and a narrow head room in the underground passageways. It is advisable to wear shoes with sufficient grip.

© Britain-Visitor.com Mam Tor

Path leading to Mam Tor from Lose Hill

Welcome to Mam Tor

The name Mam Tor is derived from Old English and translates as Mother Hill

Mam Tor, aka Shivering Mountain, is a prominent hill located in the Peak District National Park

View of Hope cement works

The summit of Mam Tor

The hill and its surroundings are managed by the Peak District National Park Authority

Plain English Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:54:00 +0100

The offices of the Plain English Campaign are based in the small Derbyshire town of New Mills.

The Plain English Campaign is part of the life's work of Chrissie Maher OBE, who has waged a long struggle for government departments and other organizations in Britain to produce clear and concise English that is easily understood by ordinary people.

Chrissie Maher began her campaign by shredding official documents in Parliament Square in 1979 and since that day has waged a constant struggle against bureaucratic jargon and gobbledygook.

Now a growing number of official bodies have their communications edited and approved by the Plain English Campaign including local councils, companies, and fire and police services.

Plain English Campaign
PO Box 3
New Mills
High Peak
SK22 4QP
Tel: 01663 744409

The Plain English Campaign is located in a late 19th century stone building on the main street in New Mills up from the Torrs Riverside Park.

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Torrs Riverside Park New Mills

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:37:00 +0100

The town of New Mills in Derbyshire, south east of the urban areas of Stockport and Manchester, has a long history of industry that is now preserved as part of the Torrs Riverside Park.

The River Goyt has created a gorge through the sandstone here and it was the waters of the Goyt and Sett that initially powered some of the first mills of Britain's Industrial Revolution.

At the foot of the gorge stand the ruins of the now derelict Torr Mill, which was destroyed by a blaze in 1912 and not rebuilt. The remains of Rock Mill also stand on the river bank. Torr Vale Mill was in operation until 2000 and was the longest operating mill in the country having started in the 1780's - over 200 years of continuous operation.

Torrs Hydro is an interesting project that has its roots in the early industrial history of the valley as water power is once again utilized.

Located on the weir at Torrs Mill, Torrs Hydro is the UK's first community owned and funded hydro-electric scheme and provides power when the water energy is enough to turn a huge Archimedes Screw. Profits generated from selling the power are used to fund local education and regeneration projects.

The low bridge seen in the photograph above is one of the original bridges that crossed the Goyt, which has been superseded by the Union Road Bridge, constructed in 1894.

The Millennium Walkway was built from 1999-2000 to join the hiking trails of the Goyt Way and the Sett Valley Trail. A memorial plaque commemorates Stan Brewster the civil engineer from Derbyshire County Council who was in charge of the project. He was sadly killed in the London terror attack of July 7, 2005.

The New Mills Heritage Centre just off the main street in New Mills has information on the history of the site and the abundant wildlife that inhabits the valley. There is also a cafe and shop providing refreshments for visitors and hikers.

New Mills Heritage & Information Centre
Rock Mill Lane
New Mills
High Peak
Derbyshire SK22 3BN
Tel: 01663 746904

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10.30am - 4pm; Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays 10.30am - 4pm (4.30pm BST)

© Britain-Visitor.com

Royal Pavilion Brighton

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:43:00 +0100

The Royal Pavilion, aka the Brighton Pavilion, was a former royal residence built for the Prince Regent, the future George IV. The palace was built in stages beginning in 1787.

The building seen today with its domes and minarets in an exotic Indian style is the work of architect John Nash, who started work on the residence in 1815, transforming it from a modest seaside villa in to what we can see today.

Nash is known for his work in London, which included parts of Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Regent's Street and Marble Arch.

The Royal Pavilion became a seaside pleasure palace and a luxurious setting for the extravagant lifestyle of drinking and gambling of the Prince Regent together with his long-time companion, Maria Fitzherbert. The sea air and dips in the sea were also thought to be good for the Prince's gout.

The Royal Pavilion and the presence of the spendthrift prince had a stimulating effect on the town of Brighton, which grew exponentially during this period.

However, after George's death future monarchs hardly visited the palace and eventually Queen Victoria sold the building to the city of Brighton in 1850. The civic authorities opened the building to the public as Brighton became a seaside resort for Londoners with the opening of the railway in 1841.

During World War I the Royal Pavilion served as a hospital for Indian troops wounded on the Western front. Since 1920 restoration on the Royal Pavilion has been ongoing to return the building to its Regency splendour complete with the Chinese furniture and wallpapers so beloved by the Prince.

Royal Pavilion
4/5 Pavilion Buildings
Brighton
BN1 1EE

Hours: October to March: 10am-5.15pm (last tickets at 4.30pm); April to September: 9.30am-5.45pm (last tickets at 5pm) Closed 24 December (from 2.30pm), 25 & 26 December

Admission:
Adults £13.00; Children (age 5-15) £7.50

Access: The Royal pavilion is a 15 minute walk from Brighton Railway Station and only 5 minutes from Pool Valley Coach Station.

© Britain-Visitor.com

Brighton Beach

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:21:00 +0100

Brighton Beach is the roughly 5 mile shingle beach within the city limits. Brighton's Palace Pier (Brighton Marine Palace and Pier) opened in 1899 and is an iconic structure on the beach.

The British Airways i360 is a newer arrival on Britain Beach near the site of the ruined West Pier.

The 160-metre tall observation tower opened in 2016, and as its name suggests, provides 360 degree views out over the sea as well as Brighton, the South Downs and the surrounding countryside inland. The same team behind the London Eye on the River Thames in London were behind the i360.

The Palace Pier (www.brightonpier.co.uk) has a number of rides and attractions from traditional fairground favourites like carousels and dodgems to more modern rides such as Galaxia and Turbo Coaster. There's a restaurant (the spiritual home of fish and chips) and a couple of bars on the pier.

Westgate Canterbury

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 23 May 2017 03:57:00 +0100

Westgate in Canterbury is the city's most famous gate and part of the original defensive wall that once surrounded the city. Westgate is the largest surviving medieval city gate in England and a Grade I listed building.

Westgate dates from around 1380 and throughout its long history has stood guard over the road to and from London. Hundreds of thousands of medieval pilgrims must have passed through this gateway into Canterbury, on their way to visit Thomas Becket's shrine at Canterbury Cathedral.

Westgate is the only one of Canterbury's seven medieval gates still standing. It is 18m high and built of local ragstone. Westgate replaced a previous Roman gate that had stood on the spot. The structure served as a jail from the 15th to the 19th century.

Westgates contain such defensive architecture on its three floors as battlements, machicolations (for pouring boiling oil), a parapet and gunloops.

The site is now part of the larger One Pound Lane development that includes The Pound Bar & Kitchen within the former city jail and police station, adjacent to Westgate, and Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint. See www.onepoundlane.co.uk for more details.

Westgate
1 Pound Lane
Canterbury
Kent CT12BZ

Guide Books on Britain

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Parrot Canterbury

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 21 May 2017 12:12:00 +0100

Medieval beams, oak floorboards and three open fires welcome you to The Parrot in Canterbury. The Parrot boasts well-cooked, flavoursome food & quality local cask ales.

The Parrot is the oldest pub in Canterbury. In fact, The Parrot, which was built in the 15th century, is located in one of the oldest buildings in Canterbury. The Parrot's construction was contemporaneous with the construction of the famous Cathedral towers a few hundred yards away. The Parrot pub was called Simple Simon's until 2008 but was originally called St Radigund's Hall. It was named after the monks of St Radigund at Bradsole near Dover.

The exterior of The Parrot can be viewed at any time, but only customers of the pub can view the interior.

Visitors to The Parrot should sample the food and ales but should also be sure not to miss the nearby cathedral and Westgate.

Parrot Canterbury
1-9 Church Lane
St Radigans
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2AG

Tel: 01227 454170
© Britain-Visitor.com

Books on Britain

Canterbury West Station

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 05:04:00 +0100

Canterbury West Station in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the two main stations in the city, the other being Canterbury East.

Canterbury West Station serves trains operated by Southeastern with high speed services to London St Pancras via Ashford International, Ebbsfleet International and Stratford International. There are also trains to London Victoria via Maidstone and Charing Cross via Sevenoaks. Other local services run to Ramsgate and Margate.

The station has two platforms: Platform 1 and Platform 2. With services to London from Platform 1.

The first station at Canterbury West was built way back in 1846. Nowadays the station's facilities include car parking for over 100 cars, an ATM, PlusBike bicycle hire and refreshments.

Local buses call at both Canterbury West and Canterbury East stations.

Canterbury East Station (to the south) is on the Dover branch of the Chatham Main Line. Canterbury East Station is also operated by Southeastern with local stopping trains and a fast train to Dover Priory and services to London Victoria via Faversham and Chatham.

Canterbury West Station
Station Road West
Canterbury
CT2 8AN, UK

Acton Park

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 19:41:00 GMT

Acton Park opened to the public in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. It is Acton's largest open space and contains many features that make it stand out from other parks, including the 'Twilight Tree', a fantastic playground, a children's centre, tennis courts, a pond, a basketball court and, most recently, a miniature golf course.

Acton Park - http://www.visitlondon.com

The 'Twilight Tree' is a Dutch Elm tree that was carved into a statue of a woman, with a squirrel and a pair of owls above her. The sculpture was originally about 28 feet tall, but has since been cut in half, so the woman and the wildlife and separate statues.

The Twilight Tree - http://www.geograph.org.uk

The South side of Acton Park is an important area for wildlife, as it contains a pond, an elaborate garden and an area that is fenced off purely for wildlife to thrive.

The playground is fantastic and has recently been redesigned to incorporate a huge wooden climbing frame. At the Southern end of the playground is the children's centre which offers a programme for babies and toddlers in the morning, and then an after school club for local schools in the afternoon. They also operate programmes during school holidays.

Putt in the Park is Acton Park's newest edition. It replaced the bowling green and has become a big hit since opening in 2016, as it is also attached to the Acton Park Cafe and they have their own fully licensed bar.

Putt in the Park - http://www.puttinthepark.com

Park Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9am-Dusk
Telephone for the Children's Centre: 020 8743 6133

Acton Park is easily accessible by bus and tube.
Buses: 207, 607, 266, 70 and E3
Tube Stations: Acton Central (Overground) - 2 min walk, Acton Town (Piccadilly Line) - 20 min walk, East Acton (Central Line) - 20 min walk

© Britain-Visitor.com

Books on Britain

The Needles Isle of Wight

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:00:00 GMT

The Needles are a row of tall, pointy chalk cliffs that are located off the coast of the Isle of Wight. They are the Isle of Wight's most iconic and popular tourist attraction.

The cliff which gave the Needles their name, being the only needle-shaped rock in the row, collapsed in a storm in 1764, but the name has stuck ever since.

The Needles

Due to the popularity of the Needles as a tourist attraction, a small amusement park was opened at Alum Bay, where the Needles are located, as well as a chairlift that allows a better view of the Needles than you can get from the headland.

The Needles chairlift - http://www.theneedles.co.uk

Also located on the headland are the Needles Old Battery, the Needles New Battery, and the High Down Rocket Testing Site. The Old Battery was built between 1861-63, designed to defend against enemy ships.

The New Battery was then built after there were concerns that the firing of the guns from the Old Battery was causing the cliffs below to crumble. The New Battery was built further up the cliffs, and was completed in 1985. Both of the buildings are Grade II listed buildings.

The remains of the Old Battery - http://www.geograph.org.uk

The High Down Rocket Testing Site was built in the 1950's and was operated in secret. The Black Knight rocket was tested at this site in the 1950's, prior to it's launch in Australia, as well as the Black Arrow rocket in the 1960's.

The High Down Rocket Testing Site played a very important part in Britain's Space Programme, but was neglected after the 1970's and the majority of the buildings were demolished. There is a small museum dedicated to it at the Needles New Battery.

The High Down Rocket Testing Site - http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk

Alum Bay New Road
Alum Bay
PO39 0JD

Read more on The Needles

Guide Books on Britain

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Chief Coffee Chiswick

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Chief Coffee is a new, independent coffee shop in Chiswick, London.

Inside Chief Coffee

It is located just off Turnham Green Terrace, on the site of a Victorian bottling factory. The decor matches it's history, with exposed brickwork, art deco hanging lamps and original wooden ceiling still in place, it has a slightly industrial feel, although it is very light and spacious.

The counter is covered in baked goods, varying from sausage rolls to cakes and cookies. The coffee is also excellent, along with the service.

Chief Coffee counter

The thing that distinguishes Chief Coffee from the next coffee shop, is their pinball lounge downstairs. A hand painted 'Pinball Lounge' sign leads you downstairs, to nine pinball machines which cost nothing to play on. Some of the machines are vintage, from the 90s, and some more recent.

Pinball Lounge at Chief Coffee

Pinball Lounge Sign

Opening Hours

Opening Hours Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5:30pm

Chief Coffee
Turnham Green Terrace
London W4 1QU

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Richmond Park

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 16:45:00 GMT

As well as being a London's second largest open space, after Lee Valley Park, and being a national nature reserve, Richmond Park is also the home to many historic buildings, including The White Lodge and Pembroke Lodge.

The White Lodge is a Grade I listed building, originally built as a hunting lodge for George II, which has been home to the Royal Ballet School since 1955. Pembroke Lodge is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion, which in 1847 became home to then British Prime Minister, Lord John Russell. It is now a very popular restaurant with amazing views of the Thames Valley.

The Ponds in Winter

A Winter walk in Richmond Park

Pembroke Lodge - https://www.royalparks.org.uk

Richmond Park continues to be a successful nature reserve, as the home to around 650 red and fallow deer, many birds, rabbits, snakes and rare beetles. There are also roughly 30 ponds throughout the park, the newest of which was opened by, and named after, Sir David Attenborough in July 2014.

Deer in Richmond Park

The Ponds

The Park has played an important part in many historic events.

For example, in World War I, it was used for cavalry training. In preparation for the 1948 London Summer Olympics an Olympic village was built in the park, and most recently, during the 2012 London Summer Olympics both the men's and women's cycling road races took a route through Richmond Park.

Richmond Park is not only an important piece of London's history, but also, with it's 2,360 acres of land, a beautiful place for a walk all year round.

Richmond Park is open from 7am in the Summer and 7:30am in the Winter, and it closes at Dusk.

The Ponds In Winter

Pierreponts Café

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:20:00 GMT

Pierreponts is a café and restaurant located in Goring-on-Thames, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, and dinner on Fridays.

Pierreponts - http://www.visitgoringandstreatley.co.uk

It is a small establishment with mismatched furniture and decor, making it feel homely and comfortable.

Pierreponts' Interior - https://www.facebook.com/pg/pierrepontscafe

There is a variety of food on offer, from quiches and tarts to salads and sandwiches, but all of it is equally as beautifully presented and tasty. There is also a very long list of teas available, as well as may other hot drinks and soft drinks. The chilli hot chocolate is certainly a favourite.

The counter is covered in cakes, slices and cookies, all of which are baked by local residents who bring in their baked goods in return for a small payment. The quality is outstanding, and of course it means that what's on offer varies all the time.

The cake counter at Pierreponts - https://www.facebook.com/pg/pierrepontscafe

The café is usually very busy, so they recommend booking a table, which you can do by phoning them on 01491874464.

Pierreponts is also located right next to a particularly scenic part of the River Thames, and there are plenty of great walks you can do from it's doorstep, including up Streatley Hill.

The Thames at Goring - http://www.annescountrygallery.co.uk

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5pm & Friday evenings 6-11pm

1 High Street,
Goring-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG8 9AB

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O'Meara London

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:00:00 GMT

O'Meara is a new venue in London that opened in 2016.

The venue was set up by Ben Lovett of the band Mumford & Sons and is based between Borough Market and London Bridge.
The idea of the venue is that 'music, food and culture come together in 7 railway arches'.

The Bar at O'Meara - https://www.facebook.com/omearalondon/

The venue's capacity is 320, making it the perfect place for club nights, talks and comedy nights, as well as being an ideal place for upcoming artists to play shows. The venue also has a gallery space, perfect for any sort of exhibition.

A live show at O'Meara - https://www.instagram.com/omearalondon/

O'Meara has gone for the slightly vintage, derelict aesthetic, with peeling paint and bare brick walls, but behind the facade is a state-of-the-art sound system fantastic stage area.

Upcoming shows at O'Meara include Maggie Rogers, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Wild Beasts. Tickets are available from their online site - http://www.omearalondon.com/events/

Benjamin Francis Leftwich O'Meara Promotion Poster - http://www.omearalondon.com/events/benjamin-francis-leftwich/

Knole House Kent

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:46:00 GMT

Knole House in Sevenoaks, Kent is an historic country house, set in the surrounding 1,000 acre Knowle Park. Knole House dates back to the late 15th century.

Knole House is one of the largest houses in Britain and is believed to have once been a so-called
"calendar house" - a residence having 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and seven courtyards.

Knole House was constructed during the Tudor and Stuart periods of English history from the 15th to 16th centuries. The house was begun as a palace by an Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Bourchier in 1456, on the site of an earlier residence. It passed briefly into the possession of Henry VIII until the Sackville family, cousins of Queen Elizabeth I, became the owners. Descendants of the Sackville family continue to live in parts of the house to the present day. Knowle House and its vast deer park is also supported by the National Trust, which restores and preserves the structure as well as organizes a variety of events, both cultural and sporting, to attract the paying public.

Knowle House is a treasure chest of historic paintings and furniture. Its walls are lined by portraits by such greats as Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and Van Dyck. The interior boats a superb Italian staircase, several Tudor and Stuart fireplaces and England's oldest organ.

The house has numerous literary connections. The writer Vita Sackville-West wrote on the house in her Knole and the Sackvilles (1922) and her lover Virginia Woolf draws on Knowle and its inhabitants as a source of inspiration for her novel Orlando (1928).

Knowle has also appeared as a backdrop for a Beatles video and in several films including A Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Access

Knowle (National Trust)
Sevenoaks,
Kent, TN15 0RP
(Sat Nav TN13 1HU)

The nearest station is Seveonoaks, one and a half miles away. Sevenoaks bus station is nearer. The Vintage Bus runs out to Knowle on select days between March and September.

Hours

Check the National Trust website for comprehensive opening times. The showrooms close over the winter until March but Knowle Park is open throughout the year.

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The Big Easy

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 13:00:00 GMT

The Big Easy is chain of Southern-American style restaurants, with three branches in London. The first Big Easy opened on the Kings Road, Chelsea, in 1995, and since two more have opened, in Covent Garden and Canary Wharf.

The Big Easy Canary Wharf - https://www.instagram.com/bigeasylondon

The Big Easy was inspired by the American Gulf Coast's crab shacks and BBQ joints. It successfully mimics the feel of these places, with an easy-going atmosphere, frequent live music and generous portions of fantastic food.

Lobster is one of their specialities, which they have flown in from Nova Scotia, where they are caught, three times a week. They also have specially designed tanks in their Covent Garden branch designed to house roughly 2000 live lobsters so they are as fresh as possible.

Lobster at the Big Easy - https://www.instagram.com/bigeasylondon

There is live music at all three London branches, seven days a week. The Big Easy has a list of musicians that frequently play at the restaurants, the majority of whom are blues artists, which includes Andy Walton, Neil Nicolas, James Cook and Clayton Moss, amongst several others.

Live music at the Big Easy - https://www.instagram.com/bigeasylondon

The Big Easy locations:

Covent Garden Branch
12 Maiden Lane,
London
WC2E 7NA

Phone: 0203 728 4888
Transport: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)

Canary Wharf Branch
Park Level,
Crossrail Place,
Canary Wharf
E14

Phone: 0207 532 4071
Transport: Canary Wharf (DLR)

Kings Road Branch
332-334 Kings Road,
London,
SW3 5UR

Tel: 0203 841 8844
Transport: Sloane Square (District and Circle Lines), Fulham Broadway (District Line)

© Britain-Visitor.com

The 100 Club

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:00:00 GMT

The 100 Club is a historic live music venue located at 100 Oxford Street, in Central London, that has hosted a long list of names including Jimi Hendrix, The Sex Pistols, Bob Dylan, Blur and Chuck Berry to name a few.

The venue opened on the 24th of October 1942 as the Feldman Swing Club and kept this name until 1964 when it was taken over by the father of it's current owner, who changed the name to the 100 Club.

The 100 Club sign - https://hardyamies.com/blog/100-club/

The 100 Club has been an integral part of London's music scene for decades. In the 1960s it championed the mod movement and played host to bands such as The Who and The Kinks, and then in 1976 the venue hosted the first ever international punk festival. This night helped push punk rock, which started as an underground movement, into the foreground of the British music scene.

Punk Night Promo Poster - https://uk.pinterest.com/fulgosus

The club held it's first Northern Soul All-Nighter in the 1980s and has continued to run them ever since.

Nowadays, the venue is still running and remains largely unchanged since the 1970s. Due to it's rich history, big-name artists and bands often use it for 'secret' or unadvertised shows, as well as warm-up shows in preparation for tours. Artists that have done this include Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age and The Rolling Stones.

A show at the 100 Club - http://www.the100club.co.uk.

In 2010 it was announced that the 100 Club would be closing due to a huge increase in rent and continuing losses. A campaign was shortly launched after this announcement to keep the venue open which gained a huge amount of support. It was then announced in February 2011 that the venue had arranged a partnership deal with Converse, enabling it to stay open.

Recently the 100 Club has played host to artists such as Dr Feelgood, Ed Harcourt, Crows and Slaves amongst many others.

The 100 Club - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Club

The 100 Club,
100 Oxford Street,
London,
W1D 1LL

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern Lines)

© Britain-Visitor.com

The Garlic Farm

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:06:00 GMT

The Garlic Farm is a farm, restaurant and shop based in Newchurch on the Isle of Wight.

Since starting as a family project over 50 years ago, the Garlic Farm has grown into a very successful business with a fantastic restaurant, a shop selling all things garlic, a Garlic Farmer's Blog, a Garlic Festival and a Garlic Farm Field Kitchen which is hireable for all sorts of events.

The Garlic Farm

The Garlic Farm restaurant was built in 2009 and has one of the most original and delicious menus on the Isle of Wight. It had both an indoor and outdoor area with great views of the surrounding valleys. The restaurant serves a wide range of snacks, main courses and light meals, including snacking garlic cloves and whole roasted garlic bulbs. The majority of the dishes, but not all, have a good hint of garlic and much of the produce is locally sourced. They also serve their own Garlic Farm reared highland beef. Some of the slightly more unusual things on offer include Black Garlic Beer and Black Garlic Ice Cream.

The Garlic Farm Restaurant -
https://www.foodanddrinkguides.co.uk

Next door to the restaurant is also The Allium Café which offers tea, coffee, cakes and homemade soups, among other snacks. The café also plays host to aspiring musicians and bands who come to busk at the farm.

The Garlic Farm Exhibition

The Garlic Farm Shop sells a huge variety of produce, including garlic vodka, chutneys, sauces and dressings, books, garlic for growing and an array of black garlic products. They also offer 20% off all of their products from Monday-Friday when you eat in the restaurant.

Garlic Farm Produce - https://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

The Garlic Festival started in 1983 and has since become one of the most popular events on the Isle of Wight and is attended by 25,000 people each year. The festival happens each Summer and hosts live music and entertainment, craft workshops, a beer tent, and special guests which last year included Great British Bake off Winner Nadiya Hussain.

The Garlic Festival - https://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

The Garlic Farm is also surrounded by the Mersley Cottages which are beautiful holiday cottages available to rent. They range from sleeping 2-10 people and are available to book online.

The Little Mersley Farmhouse
- https://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

Group Accommodation at the Garlic Farm
- https://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

The Finsbury Pub

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 16:16:00 GMT

The Finsbury is a live music venue in Manor House, North London that hosts regular comedy nights as well as gigs, and also serves fantastic food.

The Finsbury Pub, https://www.facebook.com/thefinsbury/

The list of acts that have played the Finsbury's stage is extensive, and most recently includes some of the most exciting new names in the London music scene, including The Amazons, Cupids and Anteros to name a few. The majority of the shows at the Finsbury are free entry, but tickets are often available to reserve online to avoid people missing out.

The Amazons at the Finsbury, https://www.facebook.com/thefinsbury/

The Finsbury boasts a great outdoor area at the front of the building, a cosy but spacious seating area indoors, and hidden at the back of the building is the main hall, equipped with a very considerable stage and West End-esque red curtains hanging over it.

The Main Hall at the Finsbury, https://www.facebook.com/thefinsbury/

The Finsbury has quickly become a highlight of North London, with people not only being attracted to it's gigs and comedy nights but also it's food. An array of freshly prepared pizzas, salads and other main courses are on offer, making it the perfect place for dinner and a drink as well as a night out.

Lunch at the Finsbury, https://www.facebook.com/thefinsbury/

The Finsbury
336 Green Lanes,
London,
N4 1BY

Nearest tube: Manor House (Piccadilly Line)

© Britain-Visitor.com

Books on Britain

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

noreply@blogger.com (DJ Stormer) — Tue, 7 Feb 2017 14:19:00 GMT

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden in Oxford, founded in 1621, is the oldest botanic garden in Britain ahead of the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, which dates from 1673.

It is situated between Magdalen and Merton colleges, a short walk from both the Bodleian Library and the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

The compact 1.8 hectare site near the banks of the River Cherwell began as a garden growing herbs for medicinal research. The initial funding of 5,000 pounds (a large sum at the time) was provided by Henry Danvers, the 1st Earl of Danby.

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden has two sections: the Walled Garden and the Lower Garden. The Walled Garden contains the historic and scientific collections of medicinal plants while the Lower Garden has more ornamental collections including the Rock Garden and Water Garden.

The garden also contains seven glasshouses ranging from tropical to alpine, the first of these glasshouses was constructed back in the 17th century as an orangery. They contain around 1200 species of plants from around the world, complemented by the flora in the Harcourt Arboretum, 6km south of the city.

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden features in a number of artistic works including Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, both classics of English literature. The garden can also be counted as a source of inspiration for Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.

The garden stages various events throughout the year. See the website below for further details.

University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Rose Lane
Oxford, OX1 4AZ

Tel: (+44) 1865 28 6690
Hours: The garden has differing opening hours depending on the month but opens at 9am. (See the official website for full details).
Admission: Adult day ticket 5 pounds; children under 16 accompanied by an adult enter free.