English Manor Houses From a Golden Age
Elizabethan manor houses from England's Golden Age reflect that era of confidence and abundance with the exhuberant ornamentation of the blatantly nouveau riche. Powerful people had plenty of money and plenty of self-confidence in the age of Elizabeth I and they weren't afraid to show it off.
The four houses built by Robert Smythson, Master Builder to the Queen, were among the most advanced and spectacular. One of them, Wollaton Hall, is now Nottingham's Natural History Museum, but three others have been kept as true to their Elizabethan origins as possible and you can visit them, in Wiltshire, Derbyshire and East Yorkshire.
One of them, Longleat House, is home to our all time favorite safari park - where we hear you can now run with cheetahs (well drive with them, actually). But if you visit the safari park, do also make time for the house and its many treasures.
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Take a Walk Along Some City Walls
From Roman times through the Middle Ages, England's important cities were almost always ringed with sturdy walls. Today with a few exceptions, only fragments remain in London, Lincoln, Newcastle, Oxford, Bath and others. Chester has the most complete city walls left in the UK. And the walls and gates, known as "bars" of York are justifiably famous and well worth an afternoon's stroll.
Lois Friedland, About.com's Adventure Travel Guide has put together a must-read list for fans of scenic city walls. Have a ramble through her City Wall Walks for a fascinating glimpse of these fortifications from around the world.
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A Meaty Review From Yorkshire
I can't work out why so many am- bitious chefs around East York- shire this spring seemed to need to plonk a large poached egg on everything. Navigating my way around menus that weren't too deep fried, too black-puddinged, too goat-cheesed and beet-rooted for my palate was a real challenge last March without having to figure out why every other dish had turned into Eggs Benedict. It's clear that self-taught chef Jason Rowe of Dine on the Rowe in Beverley is aiming for cheffy recognition. The flavors are there but what about finesse.
Worried that I might be too jaded, or that I simply lacked heart for the trencherman's portions dished up in this part of Yorkshire, I passed the task of reviewing this newish restaurant onto my dining companion, local lass Nicola Markham. Read her review and see what she thought.
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Eurostar Looks at Record Breaking Jubilee Weekend
Brits taking advantage of the Diamond Jubilee double bank holiday for a quick Continental getaway and Europeans heading to the UK to join the celebrations are set to make the first weekend in June a record breaker for Eurostar for travel in both directions.
The company is reporting a 30% increase in bookings for the Diamond Jubilee weekend, compared with the same period last year. The Royal Fever spreading across Europe has even seen bookings up 18% over the Royal Wedding weekend in 2011.
Eurostar predicts Friday, June 1 will be its busiest day, with more than 30,000 passengers anticipated. Ten extra services will be added, but they are already selling out - so if you're planning a cross-Channel hop, now is the moment to book it.
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Whatcha Doin' This Summer?
Here in the UK, we've got a really super sum- mer plan- ned, what with the Queen's Jubilee, the London 2012 Olympics and loads more festival events, arty parties and fun. But, just in case a summer in the UK is not on your agenda this year, don't worry. Mark Kahler of About.com Budget Travel and the rest of our travel team have pulled together a world of inspiration for your summer vacation. Looking for family-friendly, budget-friendly, adventurous or exotic vacations and holidays. We've got it covered, whatever you'd like to do.
Find the perfect summer vacation with our Summer Vacation Travel Guide.
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Elizabethan Home Hosts Jubilee Party
You don't have to be in London to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. During the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend, events will take place all over the UK.
At Burton Agnes Hall in East Yorkshire Jubilee Sunday, June 3, will be an occasion to join in the celebration at a Big Lunch on long trestle tables, followed by music and other festivities. Children in royal-themed fancy dress will be admitted to the grounds free and there will be a fancy dress competition.
What better place to spend the modern Elizabethan age than at a house built during the reign of England's Virgin Queen, the first Queen Elizabeth, in the late 16th century. Burton Agnes Hall is one of England's finest Elizabethan houses - on an estate that Read More...
Keep Your Cool with These Olympic Travel Tips for London 2012
With a bit of careful planning - and some careful packing - you can sail through Britain's Super Summer of 2012 with a smile on your face and brilliant memories for years to come. The key is to stay warm, dry, well-fed and watered, comfortable - and patient. Check out my half-dozen summer 2012 traveler's tips to find out how to keep your cool.
And don't forget, comfortable tootsies make a big difference too:
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Find Fun Science for Kids This Bank Holiday Weekend
Science museums just keep getting better and better. They've had to. Imagine trying to drag today's child, well versed in all kinds of online and mobile media, through a dusty old fashioned collection of exhibits that are just there to look at. Interactive is the name of the game - and space travel is one of the most popular topics if this collection of science attractions is anything to go by.
If you're stumped for something to do with the family this Bank Holiday weekend, these museums and attractions around the country, offering fun science for kids, may be just the ticket.
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Rain or Shine Brighton's Arty Party Starts Saturday
The Brighton Festival and the Brighton Festival Fringe take over this seaside town, less than an hour from London, from Saturday through most of May. This year, the guest artistic director of the international festival is Vanessa Redgrave and, as is customary, the theme of this year's festival reflects her interests - themes developed in Seamus Heaney's tribute to Vaclav Havel - "From the Republic of Conscience."
The Fringe looks to be as much of a free-for-all as ever. Let's hope the rain we've been having lets up long enough for all the free outdoor events, parades and fireworks that add the "festive" to this festival to take place as planned.
- Find out more about this year's Brighton Festival highlights
- Learn the best way to get to Brighton
- Check out Fringe Festival highlights.
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May the Fourth Be With You
Friday is Intergalactic Star Wars Day. Thirty five years ago, the first of the Star Wars films - Episode IV - A New Hope, burst into our consciousness and for cinema and Sci-Fi fans, the world has never been the same. Why celebrate this Friday? Well, it's May 4 and the headline of this blog is a pretty strong hint.
To mark the occasion, why not head up to Leeds for the Star Wars: May the 4th be With You exhibit at the FullCircle Gallery.
The exhibition will include a huge display of vintage Star War toys, live music, Star Wars screenings and Star Wars food and drink from the "Wookie Cookies" cookbook. Dress up if you like, between 10am and 6pm with additional screenings at 6pm both days.
Can't make it to Leeds - wait a week and try Peterborough where they are staging The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, May 12 and 13 at the East of England Showground. It's a two day extravaganza for fans of Sci-Fi cult films and TV. Cast members from Torchwood, including John Barrowman, will be there as will Philip Glenister from Ashes to Ashes, along with dozens more costumed characters. Plenty of opportunities for autographs and group photos too.
And, if you're quick, there's still time to catch up with Sci-Fi London 11: The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantasy Film, on until Monday May 7 at the Apollo Picadilly Circus.
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