A town and parish located in the county of Hertfordshire, England, Hertford has a population of around 24,000 and a history going back to Anglo-Saxon times, when it acquired its name which no doubt refers to its position on a ford over the River Lea, where harts (or stags) would have crossed. First recorded as a town in 673, Hertford was a significant town by the time of the Norman conquest, having mills, churches and markets already established. The Normans built a castle in the town and there was also a priory erected, which remained until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Hertford grew prosperous over the centuries and especially after the arrival of a canal in 1767 and the railway in the mid-nineteenth century. Hertford has been the county town of Hertfordshire since Saxon times, and has retained its importance in the affairs of the county. Major landmarks in the town include Hertford Castle, with some original sections, the Robert Adam designed Shire Hall (1779), Wallace House, the Corn Exchange and the Hertford Museum. Hertford lies at the confluence of four rivers, them main one being the River Lea, and when the weather is fine there can be no better way to spend a few hours than to take a stroll along the river, or even hire a boat and cruise along the river itself.
November 11, 2010
November 10, 2010
Moraira Costa Blanca
Moraira Port and Marina
An attractive town on the northern Costa Blanca, Spain, Moraira is located just a few miles from Javea. Up to around forty years ago Moraira was little more than a few fishermens cottages, sitting along the sea front. Although a marina and a number of urbanizations have since been built, the town has still retained much of its original quaint charm, most of the property in the area comprises isolated detached villas set amongst trees and vegetation. The beaches of Moraira have decent sand and warm, clear water, and are the ideal place to enjoy the wonderful Moraira weather, which is mostly sunny and dry throughout the year. The main beach of Moraira, Playa de L’ Ampolla, is within easy walking distance of Moraira’s town centre but it can get very busy during the summer season. A little to the south is the excellent beach of the Platgetes which is lined by a promenade. There are several pretty bays along the coast around Moraira, some of which are very rocky, making them perfect for snorkeling or diving. One of the finest coves is the Cala Punta Estrella, which can be accessed via steps dug into the cliff face. The pretty marina which is located close to the town centre and has over six hundred berths. Moraira is a desirable location for the purchase of holiday property and has also seen many expats settle permanently in the resort over the last 30 years or so.
November 8, 2010
November 7, 2010
Southend on Sea Essex
A large seaside resort and working town located on the Thames Estuary in Essex, Southend-on-Sea has been a popular resort since the early 19th century. Originally just a group of fishermen’s cottages at the southern end (south end) of the ancient village of Prittlewell, the town now takes in some 7 miles of coastline, pretty much swallowing up the areas of Westcliff, Prittlewell and Leigh-on-Sea, and has a population of around 165,000. Famous for its pier, which at one and a third miles long, is the world’s longest, Southend reached its zenith in the 1960’s and 1970’s, when it was particularly popular as a day tripper resort. The beach which can get quite busy when the weather is fine, is a mixture of shingle and sand , with a good helping of mud thrown in, due to its estuary location. As well as the beach and pier, Southend also has plenty of green areas, with over 1,000 acres of parks and gardens.
November 3, 2010
Cambridgeshire Attractions
A county in eastern England, well known for its Fens and its University city, Cambridgeshire has plenty of attractions for anyone planning to visit the county. The Fens which were once unusable and inhospitable, have long since been drained and now provide large areas of productive arable land that produces vast quantities of vegetables and fruit. A good first choice of places to visit would be Cambridge itself, the beautiful University city with large numbers of historic buildings, its Peterhouse College was founded in 1284, attractions in the city are many and varied, but you could choose from the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Cambridge Museum of Technology, and Cambridge University Botanical Garden. From Cambridge you could head for Ely, where one of the most beautiful cathedrals in England resides, dating from the early 11th century this stunning cathedral is a must visit place in Cambridgeshire, while in Ely you could also take a look at the Bishop’s Palace and the King’s School. From Ely, you could next head for Wisbech, famous centre of the spring bulb industry, this charming riverside town has some fine Georgian architecture, which makes it well worth a visit. In Wisbech head for Peckover House, a National Trust run property, built in 1722, it has superb interiors and a beautiful Victorian walled garden. From Wisbech you could head west to the city of Peterborough, standing on the River Nene. This city which is the centre of England’s brickmaking industry has a long history and another beautiful cathedral, this one built in the 12th century, and the burial place of Catherine of Aragon. Peterborough Cathedral boasts a magnificent west façade in Early English Gothic style. From Peterborough you could go next to Huntingdon (to the south of Peterborough), a charming town on the River Great Ouse, here you could take a look at the Cromwell Museum, ensconced in a former school in which the former Lord Protector of England was educated. Oliver Cromwell was actually born in Huntingdon and there are many references to him in the town, other places to visit include Hinchingbrooke House, originally an 11th century nunnery which later became home of the Cromwell family, and Huntingdon Racecourse where you can watch some excellent horse racing. From Huntingdon an obvious next stop would be St Neots, named after a Cornish monk (St Neot), this pretty town on the River Great Ouse has some delightful old coaching inns and a cathedral like church dating back to the 12th century. This concludes our brief tour around Cambridgeshire, I shall be back soon to write about other places in the county.