london travel
By admin | September 18, 2008
Top london travel Tips
I lived in london for six months and I now miss it dearly. The city is filled with wonderful people, fantastic sites and some of the best museums I’ve ever been to. It can be an expensive trip, but by using public transport, …
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london tourism
By admin | September 18, 2008
london’s 2012 Focus Benefits Business tourism - Focus on Travel News
london’s 2012 Focus Benefits Business tourismFocus on Travel News, Turkey - 2 hours agoVisit london is to focus on the business tourism benefits for 2012 at EIBTM 2009. Since the closing ceremony and the focus now on the City in 2012, …
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london hotels
By admin | September 18, 2008
Fairmont hotels %26 Resorts Expands in Boston - MarketWatch
Fairmont hotels %26 Resorts Expands in BostonMarketWatch - 7 hours ago… joining a collection of luxury hotels that includes The Plaza in New York, The Savoy (scheduled to reopen in 2009) in london, and the iconic Fairmont Le …
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Winchester
By admin | July 22, 2008
Winchester is an historic cathedral city in the English county of Hampshire, situated within the South East region.
Winchester has a long history: there has been continuous settlement at the site for over 2,000 years.
Winchester began as a Celtic hill fort, predating the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 CE. After the Roman conquest, the town grew and became known as Venta Belgarum. After prospering under Roman imperial rule for several centuries, Winchester discovered a new identity as an important Saxon city. Ultimately, King Alfred the Great named Winchester as the capital, first of his kingdom of Wessex and later all of England south of the Danelaw - despite the growing importance of London, it remained so until the Norman invasion of 1066. During the Middle Ages Winchester was renowned for its woollen goods, amongst other produce.
Presently, Winchester is an attractive and peaceful cathedral city deep in the southern English countryside, located conveniently close to both London and Southampton.
A visitor staying in London but with a day to spare and a desire to see more of England could do much worse than simply to hop on a train to Winchester (which gives good views of the southern English countryside) and spend the day wandering around Winchester.
Winchester Cathedral
a Norman cathedral begun in 1079, containing the Winchester Bible and featuring the longest Gothic nave in the world. An interesting fact is that the Cathedral was built on rafts floating on a peat marsh! For 800 years the raft was able to carry the weight but, by the 19th century, the Cathedral was in danger of collapse and the foundations were rebuilt by a diver working under water; look out for the statue and story of the Winchester Diver if you visit.
The Cathedral is the venue for regular recitals and concerts, and hosts a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Summer Series. The famous English novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester in 1817 and is buried in the cathedral. A statue by British artist Anthony Gormley is to be found, somewhat unexpectedly, in the Crypt of the cathedral, and is not to be missed.
Dean Garnier Garden
This garden lies on the site of the dormitory of the Benedictine Monastery and offers splendid views of the Cathedral. Pay special attention to the stonework, and how the medieval builders suffered from problems with subsidence.
City Centre
The old City Centre, with its narrow pedestrian streets and overhanging medieval buildings. Of especial interest are the Pentice, a group of old shops arcaded at the front, and the Butter Cross, dating back to the 15th century and built with a tax levied on people caught eating butter during Lent.
Winchester Great Hall and King Arthur’s Round Table
The only remaining part of Winchester Castle is the Great Hall, built in the thirteenth century by Henry III. This is the home of the world famous Arthur’s Round Table; although this is now thought to be a fake commissioned by Henry VIII.
River Itchen
The River Itchen, a crystal clear chalk-upland stream that flows through multiple channels in central Winchester, seemingly just to surprise visitors by its tinkling presence at every turn.
Winchester City Mill
This old water mill has been restored to working order and you can visit the working areas and a rather exciting walkway under the mill almost at river level. The building also houses a National Trust shop and the Winchester Youth Hostel.
Winchester College
One of England’s old public schools, founded in 1382 and believed to be the oldest continuously running school in the country. Guided tours are available, lasting approximately 1 hour and include Chamber Court; the Gothic Chapel with its 14th century vaulted roof; College Hall; the 17th century red brick schoolroom built in the style of Christopher Wren and the original Cloister.
Wolvesey Castle
This palace was the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester and its extensive ruins still reflect their importance and wealth.
St. Swithun’s upon Kingsgate
This tiny church is perched atop the arch of the Kingsgate, one of the two surviving city gates. This was once a not uncommon position for a place of worship, but St. Swithun’s is the only one remaining today. The interior is very plain, with whitewashed walls and an unadorned wooden ceiling. Sit for a moment in the simple wooden pews and it is hard not to feel a sense of peace. Open during daylight hours except for occasional services.
The Westgate
The other of the two surviving medieval gateways, positioned close to Winchester’s Great Hall. Interesting graffiti carved into the walls and floor from its use as a debtor’s prison from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Contains unique collection of the city’s weights and measures, including the Winchester bushel and the standard yard of Henry VII’s reign. Displays also include a fine ceiling from Winchester College painted to celebrate Queen Mary I and Phillip of Spain’s marriage in 1554. Also armour, gibbet, leg-irons. A rooftop viewing platform gives great views down the High Street.
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Southampton
By admin | July 22, 2008
Southampton is a port city on England’s South East coast.
Southampton has been a settlement since Roman and Saxon times, in Roman times the town was known as Clausentum. The Roman Ruins are situated in a suburb called Bitterne Manor. In Saxon times the town was known as Hamwic. Its privileged position on England’s south coast made it Britain’s premier trading post. The town became walled in the medieval era, and some remnants of these defences remain throughout the city, most notably the Bargate in the middle of the city centre. Southampton was devastated by bombing during the Second World War, meaning that much of the city and its heritage was destroyed. As such the town and its architecture has quite a modern feel to it.
Southampton has grown rapidly in the past 30 years, becoming one of the twenty largest cities in England. The two Universities (Solent University and University of Southampton) mean that there is a large student population (in term time).
The Bargate
A medieval gatehouse sat slap bang in the middle of the shopping centre. The top floor is now a Heritage Visitor Centre
The Central Parks
Established in the 19th century and listed Grade II on English Heritage’s Register of Historic Parks, they benefited in 2001 from a £4.5m Heritage Lottery grant
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Portsmouth
By admin | July 22, 2008
Portsmouth (pronounced “ports-muth”, and nick-named “Pompey”) is a city that is well worth a visit for those interested in British Naval history or British history in general. It is on the south coast of England, close to Southampton and The Isle of Wight. Population 188,500.
The majority of the city of Portsmouth lies on Portsea island (though it is separated from the mainland only by a roughly 30-metre-wide stretch of sea water so is perhaps more accurately thought of as a peninsula) on the southern coast of England.
Historically, Portsmouth has always been an important naval port and builds on its rich heritage with memorials, museums, trails and the fascinating Historic Dockyard. Portsmouth has four miles of seafront (including pebbled beaches) and the distinctive Spinnaker Tower.
Portsmouth is also a university city, and so has a large student population.
Portsmouth has an approximate population of 190,200 people and is the most densely populated city in the UK, outside of certain parts of London.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Located in the naval base, the Historic Dockyard has a number of historic ships including the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. In the Historic Dockyard there is also Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations - an interactive look at the navy of today. There is a great old pub outside of Dockyard called the Ship Anson, worth a try. Portsmouth Visitor Information Centre can be found adjacent to the visitor entrance of the Dockyard.
The Spinnaker Tower
This striking and highly-visible £21 million landmark tower rises some 170 m above the redeveloping harbour of Portsmouth, symbolising the wind filling a spinnaker sail… Visitors can use the tower to view from 3 levels: at 100m, 105m and 115m. A high speed internal lift takes you to the top.
Southsea Castle
Built in 1544, the Castle was part of a series of fortifications constructed by Henry VIII around England’s coasts to protect the country from invaders.
Royal Marines Museum
Discover the exciting story of the Royal Marines brought to life with dramatic and interactive displays. The Museum is in what was one of the most stately Officers’ Messes in England, built in the 1860s with beautiful ceilings, huge paintings and a grand staircase.
Portsmouth’s Cathedrals
Portsmouth is home to two cathedrals, St Thomas’ in Old Portsmouth (Anglican) and St John’s in the City Centre (Catholic).
D-Day Museum
A fitting tribute to the sacrifice of the men & women who took part in the D-Day landings.
Blue Reef Aquarium
Take an undersea safari at the aquarium on the seafront.
Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum
The famous writer Charles Dickens was born in this modest house in Portsmouth, England in 1812.
City Museum & Records Office
Home of the new Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes exhibition “A Study in Sherlock”.
Spitbank Fort
Located in the middle of the Solent is this man-made fort, built to defend Portsmouth in the 1800’s.
Royal Garrison Church
A roofless English Heritage property.
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Hampshire
By admin | July 22, 2008
Hampshire is a county on England’s South East coast.
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