The largest town in the Chiltern District of Buckinghamshire, lying in the south-east of the county, Chesham is a market town situated in a steep sided valley at the source of the River Chess. A progressive town with a population of around 20,000, Chesham is a popular commuter town which is on the London Underground line (Metropolitan), giving good access to the capital. Chesham holds a market twice a week, much as it has done for centuries, and a more recent addition, the Elgiva Theatre attracts thousands of visitors to the town, providing much needed entertainment for both its residents and those living nearby. Surrounded by wide expanses of beautiful countryside, Chesham offers plenty of opportunity for walking and cycling, while providing a relaxed and friendly shopping experience for those choosing to stay in the town centre. Places of interest nearby include the Hertfordshire village of Bovingdon, which holds a well known Saturday market on its disused airport, on the same airport you can try out paintballing or watch banger racing, should you wish, and also the pretty village of Ashley Green, a charming place to spend an hour or two.
December 8, 2010
December 6, 2010
Abbotsbury Dorset
A picturesque, and peaceful rural village located inland of Chesil Bank, in the county of Dorset, England, Abbotsbury attracts many thousands of visitors each year, who not only arrive to enjoy the charm of the place but also to see the famous Abbotsbury Swannery and also the nearby Subtropical Gardens. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks, hundreds of years ago, and now visitors can feed over 600 friendly mute swans and walk amongst these extraordinary birds. The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens were established by the Countess of Ilchester in 1765 and contain many rare and exotic plants over an area of 20 acres of Dorset countryside.
December 3, 2010
Gulliver’s Land Milton Keynes
To entertain the kids on a visit to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, pay a visit to Gulliver’s Land, a children’s theme park, located at Newlands, just outside the town. Perfect for a day out especially when the weather is fine, Gulliver’s land boasts 7 distinct sections, Toy Land, Lilliput Land, Junior Discovery Cove, Adventure Land, Discovery Bay, Lilliput Land Castle and Main Street, and offers lots to keep the kids amused for a few hours. Standard entry prices fro 2010 are £13.50 for both adults and children, and a daily passport is £49.99. To find Gulliver’s Land, head for the Willen Lake area of Milton Keynes, and follow the brown Gulliver’s Land signposts.
See a map of Milton Keynes here: http://www.milton-keynes-map.my-towns.co.uk/
November 25, 2010
Boroughbridge and Aldborough Yorkshire
For many centuries, an important river crossing over the River Ure in North Yorkshire, the small town of Boroughbridge is worth a visit if only to view the standing stones which are located on the edge of the town, and are known as the Devil’s Arrows. Dating from the Bronze Age, the Devil’s Arrows are 3 millstone grit menhirs reaching a height of 22 feet. The nearby village of Aldborough was previously more important than Boroughbridge, and has a Roman history, being the former settlement of Isurium Brigantum. The river crossing around which Boroughbridge grew, was moved from Aldborough by the Normans in the 11th century, reversing the importance of the two Yorkshire places.
See a map of Boroughbridge here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/boroughbridge-map.html
And a map of Aldborough here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/aldborough-map.html
November 23, 2010
Keswick Lake District Cumbria
A popular tourist destination standing beside Derwent Water in the Lake District, Cumbria, north-west England, Keswick is in an area of great natural beauty, and attracts thousands of visitors each year, as it has done for many decades. Formerly attractive to the Romantic poets of the Victorian era, Keswick attracted the likes of Wordsworth and Coleridge, who visited for the inspiration that the beautiful Lake District scenery provided. Close to Keswick, you can visit the Castlerigg Stone Circle, an ancient monument probably dating from the Bronze Age, and over one hundred feet in diameter, when the weather is pleasant head along to Derwent Water and maybe take a boat trip on the lake, or visit the Theatre on the Lake and watch one of their fine performances.
November 22, 2010
Appleby in Westmoreland Cumbria
Situated in the beautiful valley of the River Eden in Cumbria, the town of Appleby is the location of a famous Horse Fair, which is held in June every year, this colourful event attracts many thousands of visitors, especially gypsies, who descend on the town from all over Britain. Appleby Castle was formerly the home of Lady Anne Clifford, and was restored to its former glory by her, after being damaged during the English Civil War. The St Lawrence church in Appleby contains the tomb of Lady Anne Clifford who died in 1678. The River Eden flows through the town and when the weather is fine is a terrific place to do some walking. Appleby is located to the east of the Lake District and the areas around the town are peppered with tiny hamlets such as Reagill, Sleagill, Burrells and Murton.