Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

October 28, 2010

Amersham Buckinghamshire

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , , — needahand @ 9:53 am

A civil parish and small market town located in the county of Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom, Amersham has a population of 17,700 and is divided into 2 areas, Amersham on the Hill and Old Amersham. The main residential areas are in the area of Amersham on the Hill, while the older buildings and inns are located in the charming old town, which is mostly unspoilt and very attractive. The St Mary’s parish church dates from the 13th century, and the Market Hall (in the High Street Old Amersham), dates from 1682. In the time of the Saxons the settlement was already established and known as Egmondesham, in the Domesday Book, it was recorded as Elmodesham, when it was held by Geoffrey de Mandeville. The old town of Amersham lies in the valley of the River Misbourne. Present day Amersham is a popular commuter town, with excellent road and rail links with Central London, being on both the main line and underground systems (Metropolitan Line). Old Amersham attracts many visitors, with the old town being a delightful place to visit. When the weather is fine, a walk along the River Misbourne, or a stroll along some of the many public footpaths, is a pleasant way to spend an hour of two. Other nearby places to visit include Great Missenden, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and Wendover.

October 27, 2010

Lincolnshire Attractions

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 3:26 pm

The 2nd largest county in England, Lincolnshire is perhaps also one of the least well known and least visited, though it has an attractive city in Lincoln, and there is plenty to see and do in the county, so today we will feature just 5 of its major attractions.

Belton House – Grantham, Lincolnshire: 17th century country house, built for Sir John Brownlow. Apart from the house, which is magnificent, the estate has beautiful gardens and extensive parkland.

Tattershall Castle – Tattershall, Lincolnshire: Medieval brick built castle built by Ralph Cromwell.

Woolsthorpe Manor – Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire: 17th century manor house, and former home of scientist Sir Isaac Newton.

Grantham House – Grantham, Lincolnshire: Handsome townhouse in the Castlegate area of Grantham.

Gunby Hall – Gunby, Lincolnshire: 18th century, red brick house with Victorian walled garden, beautiful when the weather is fine.

If you would visit just one town in the county, then you would probably pick Lincoln, the county town, here you can visit the stunning Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, or any number of other interesting places.

There also plenty of sports and entertainment facilities in the county, one of the best known is Market Rasen racecourse which holds National Hunt meetings throughout the year.

Lincolnshire Map.

October 26, 2010

Boston Lincolnshire

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , — needahand @ 3:31 pm

Formerly a significant port for the county of Lincolnshire, Boston gave its name to the famous city in Massachusetts, as it was the starting point for a group of pilgrims following in the wake of the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower. The town’s renowned church of St Botolph was built by the town’s rich merchants during the 14th and 15th centuries, and is one of the landmarks of Lincolnshire, earning itself the nickname the “Boston Stump”. Also worth a look in Boston are the St Mary’s Guildhall, Fydell House (18th century), and the five sailed mill, Maud Foster Windmill, named in honour of a wealthy local landowner from Elizabethan times.

Sleaford Lincolnshire

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:23 pm

A market town located in the county of Lincolnshire, Sleaford owes much of its prosperity to its excellent rail and road communications. Well known for its cathedral like St Denys church, which is well worth a visit if you are in the town, Sleaford is also close to a couple of National Trust properties, Tattershall Castle and Belton House. If the weather is kind, you could play a round of golf at the delightful Sleaford Golf Club, located in Willoughby Road. Sleaford is located to the north-east of Grantham.

Grantham Lincolnshire

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:40 pm

Once acting as a staging point between London and Lincoln, the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire is an ancient and historical town, perhaps best known for its St Wulfrum’s church, with its 281 foot spire. One of its best known buildings is the Angel Inn, dating from the 14th century, and said to be the place where Richard III signed the Duke of Buckingham’s death warrant in 1483. Grantham Museum is worth a visit, and contains some interesting exhibits relating to Sir Isaac Newton who was born nearby and attended Grantham’s King’s Grammar School. When the weather is nice, you could take a walk along the charming Grantham Canal, which opened in 1797.

Skegness Lincolnshire

Filed under: England,Holidays,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:03 pm

One of the east coast of England’s most popular seaside resorts, Skegness in Lincolnshire was for many centuries just a small fishing village. The arrival of the railway in 1863, linking it to the thriving industrial towns of the English Midlands, transformed Skegness into a bustling holiday resort, attracting thousands of summer time visitors. The fine beach and bathing facilities meant that it continues to be popular right up to the present day. Fine weather is of course an advantage when visiting Skegness, as England’s east coast is notoriously unreliable when it comes to the climate, with wind and rain coming off the North Sea, on a fine day there can be few finer places to be. Even nature lovers can enjoy a trip to Skegness, as at the nearby Gibraltar Point, there is a bird observatory and nature reserve. Skegness Map.

Blakeney National Nature Reserve

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 12:02 pm

Located on the north coast of Norfolk in England, the Blakeney National Nature Reserve, takes in the areas of Blakeney Point, Morston Marshes, Blakeney Marshes, Morston Quay, Stiffkey Marshes and Blakeney Freshes. It is a renowned area for birdlife, with many species of waders, seabirds and wildfowl taking refuge there. The sandbanks are also a favourite spot for numerous Grey and Common seals, which can be spotted basking there. The Blakeney National Nature Reserve is close to the villages of Blakeney, Wiveton, Cley-Next-the-Sea and Morston, it is open all year round and has some facilities for visitors.

Weybourne Norfolk

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , — needahand @ 11:48 am

A small fishing village located on the north coast of Norfolk, United Kingdom, Weybourne has a population of just over 500, and is a pretty village surrounded by heaths woodland and agricultural land. Recorded in William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book, Weybourne was later the site of an Augustinian abbey, which stood until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.

Felbrigg Hall Norfolk

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 11:37 am

Situated about 3 miles inland from Cromer you will find the National Trust run Felbrigg Hall, a 17th century Jacobean House with some attractive gardens and a park. Former home of the Windham family, it passed to the Ketton-Cremer family in the early 20th century and finally to the National Trust. Inside the house look for the Gothic style library and the Georgian Drawing Room, outside you will find beautiful gardens, woodland and a lake. Felbrigg Hall house is open to the public from April to November, the gardens late February to early January, and the estate walks are open all year round.

Cromer Norfolk

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 10:25 am

Perhaps most famous for the quality of its edible crabs, caught by local fishermen for many centuries, Cromer, located on the north coast of Norfolk is also renowned for the bravery of its lifeboatmen, and one in particular, Henry Blogg, to whom a museum is dedicated. One of Norfolk’s most charming seaside resorts, Cromer attracts a good number of holidaymakers during the summer time, and has a good beach, a pier and plenty to do, even when the weather is not so good (which it often isn’t!). Worth a look in Cromer, is the parish church (St Peter and St Paul), the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer Lighthouse and Cromer Pier, close by you will find several attractive villages such as Overstrand and East Runton, just a short drive away is the village of Felbrigg, where the National Trust run Felbrigg Hall can be visited, here you can enjoy the stunning house, walk around the beautiful gardens, or stroll around the park and estate, with woodlands and lake.

Cromer Street Map

Perran Sands Holiday Park Perranporth

Filed under: England,Holidays,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 9:16 am

Lying in an area of great natural beauty on the north coast of Cornwall, the Perran Sands Holiday Park is situated in the village of Perranporth, beside over three miles of fabulous sandy beaches, sand dunes, and attractive Cornish coastline. An ideal spot for a family holiday, Perran Sands will also prove handy for walking enthusiasts, as there are miles of wonderful and spectacular walks in this outstandingly beautiful area, perfect when the weather is fine. Currently run by the Haven Holiday group, Perran Sands boasts a wealth of activities for both adults and children, with swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), children’s clubs etc, for the evenings, there is lots of entertainment, which again will appeal to both adults and children (even the toddlers). For a break from the park, you can take a 40 minute drive to the Eden Project, which is located close to the town of St Austell, and is one of Cornwall’s most famous tourist destinations, or you can simply head into the attractive village of Perranporth itself, where you will find several pubs, shops, and the usual facilities. Golfers can enjoy a round or two at the Perranporth Golf Club, an excellent links course, which is rated at par 72.

Perranporth Road Map.

Icod de los Vinos Tenerife

Filed under: Canary Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 8:00 am

A good sized town in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province of Tenerife, Icod de los Vinos is also the capital of a municipality of the same name, it is in the northern area of Tenerife and has a population of 24,179. Not especially noteworthy as a tourist destination, it is however famous for its Dragon Tree, said to be over 1,000 years old, and whether this is true or not it is a fine example, and makes the town worth a look if you are passing nearby. The municipality which also takes in an area of coastline, comprises mostly fertile agricultural land, which has made the town prosperous through its orchards, banana plantations, and particularly its vineyards, for winemaking is the towns main enterprise. The town of Icod de los Vinos is 57 km drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Los Realejos Tenerife

Filed under: Canary Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 7:34 am

Located on the northern coast of Tenerife, to the west of Puerto de la Cruz, the town of Los Realejos is in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province of the island. Divided into two areas, Los Realejos comprises Realejo Alto and Realejo Bajo, meaning roughly the high town and the low town. Historically the town is significant as the place where the ultimate surrender of Tenerife took place, as the indigenous Guanches gave way to the superior forces of the Spanish invaders. Today it has a population of 37,559, and also gives its name to a municipality, Realejo de Arriba, which runs from the Orotava Valley to Teide, it includes some areas of coast with some popular beaches. Los Realejos is approximately 42 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

October 25, 2010

Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife

The biggest and most popular tourist resort on the north coast of Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz has a population of just under 32,000, and a history going back to the 17th century, when it was founded as Puerto de la Orotava, a port serving the town of La Orotava, and for a time significant for the export of wines produced in the area. The decline of the port due both to a drop in wine production and to the severe weather conditions experienced along this stretch of Tenerife’s coast, meant much of its activity was moved to santa Cruz de Tenerife. Renamed Puerto de la Cruz in 1831, the town began to attract tourists by the end of the 19th century, and towards the end of the 20th century, saw something of a tourist boom, as thousands visited Tenerife, to enjoy some winter sunshine and escape the dreary weather of their native countries. Having the disadvantage of rough seas and less than perfect beaches, Puerto de la Cruz, saw the construction of man made beaches, lidos and seawater pools to enable holidaymakers to get the most from their visit.

Alcaniz Aragon

Filed under: History,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 9:35 am

The capital of the Bajo Aragon district of eastern Aragon, the town of Alcaniz stands on the banks of the Guadalope river, some 430 kilometres from the countries capital Madrid. Overlooked by its castle which was formerly the HQ of the Order of Calatrava, Alcaniz has a population of 16,392, and a history going back to the Moorish occupation. It suffered various conflicts before finally being taken from muslim control in 1179, by Alfonso II of Aragon. Places to visit in Alcaniz include the Santa Maria la Mayor church, the town hall, the Lonja and the castle which has now been turned into a parador (hotel). Alcaniz can be reached from the N-232, between Hijar and Monroyo, 120 km from Zaragoza, the regional capital.

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