Probably originating from a Saxon wharf on the River Thames, called Maiden Hythe, Maidenhead developed in its early days as the hamlet of Elentone (located about a mile away from present day Maidenhead), it had just 50 inhabitants when the Domesday Book was compiled, it was built some distance from the river as in rainy weather flooding is common in this area, and it did not begin to grow until the first bridge was built over the River Thames in 1255 by order of Henry III. The present day bridge was constructed in 1777 and cost nineteen thousand pounds at the time. The current spelling of the name was first used in 1724 and by this time Maidenhead was an important watering town for visitors passing through from London to Bath and many coaching inns sprang up in and around the town, other trades such as blacksmiths also flourished and at one time it had 4 breweries. The railway arrived in 1838 and this caused further growth for the town and established it as a commuter town for those working in London, it is still a popular commuter town to this day. Modern day Maidenhead has a population of just under 60,000 and is a busy town well known for its football club Maidenhead United, other sporting facilities include the Maidenhead Golf Club. Interestin places to visit near to Maidenhead include the village of Cookham which is a pretty village also on the River Thames and famous as the birthplace of artist Sir Stanley Spencer. Maidenhead is situated on the A4 and can also be easily accessed from the M4 motorway.
Archive for the ‘United Kingdom’ Category
Maidenhead Berkshire
Thursday, March 11th, 2010Surfing in Perranporth Cornwall
Monday, March 8th, 2010Situated along north Cornwall’s wave battered coast lie a number of popular surfing hot spots, one of these, the village of Perranporth is not quite so well known as nearby Newquay but warrants a visit if only for the fact that it’s beach is generally less crowded that that of Newquay. Perranporth in fact has a splendid beach, which can reach a length of almost 3 miles at low tide, the slight downside is that the beach disappears almost completely at high tide, making it a little dangerous. During the months May to September there are usually lifeguards on duty at the beach giving a feeling of extra security when surfing. Perranporth beach is regarded as a good place for beginners, or to actually learn to surf, with a wide range of waves experienced there. The bigger breakers are produced by hundreds of miles of uniterrupted ‘fetch’ and provide a challenge even for experienced surfers. Those wishing to try their hand at this popular sport can get lessons and learn more from the Perranporth Surf School (tel: 07974 550 823). Perranporth is situated on the B3285 around 6 miles south-west of Newquay and can be easily reached from the main A30 road. Perranporth Map.
Waddesdon Manor Buckinghamshire
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010One of Buckinghamshire’s most visited tourist attractions Waddesdon Manor is situated in the village of Waddesdon, to the west of the county town of Aylesbury. Constructed in the Renaissance style for the Rothschild family, Waddesdon Manor receives over 300,000 visitors each year, and the house hold numerous functions and events including weddings, shows ie The Antiques Roadshow, and it has been the location of a number of film shoots. Open all year round, perhaps the best time to visit is during the spring and summer when the wonderful gardens are at their best and the weather is most reliable. Waddesdon Manor was designed by Frenchman Destailleur and was completed in 1874, having the appearance of a French Renaissance chateux, it was the brainchild of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, part of the wealthy family who own much of the land surrounding the villages of Waddesdon and Eythrope. Waddesdon Map.
Newquay Cornwall
Saturday, February 20th, 2010The premier coastal resort of north Cornwall, Newquay is noted for its wonderful beaches, spectacular scenery and superb choice of facilities. While there are a number of fine surfing beaches and resorts along this stretch of Cornwall’s coast, Newquay remains the prime spot for this increasingly popular sport. Tourism began in Newquay with the arrival of the railway back in 1875, the town has grown in popularity ever since, its size and population increasing with it. Originally an Iron Age settlement, Newquay relied for many centuries on pilchard fishing for its economic survival, later of course tin mining became important, as for much of Cornwall, along with the export of china clay from the pits of St Austell. Modern day Newquay attracts both surfers and holidaymakers, who all enjoy the golden sandy beaches, the splendid Newquay weather and the excellent facilities of the town. Nearby places to visit include Perranporth, with its 3 mile long beach and attractive coastline (Perranporth also attracts its fair share of surfers), Padstow, with its ancient harbour, 12 miles to the north of Newquay, and St Agnes, and St Agnes, a charming little village to the south of Perranporth and Newquay (look out for Stippy-Stappy, a steep row of slate-roofed cottages at Town Hill). Newquay can be reached via the A3058 from St Austell. Newquay Map.
St Agnes Cornwall
Thursday, February 18th, 2010A small village on Cornwall’s northern coast, St Agnes has a population of around 2,000 and a history stretching back to Roman times and beyond. Traditionally relying on fishing and agriculture for its economic survival, it was also heavily reliant on the mining of tin up to the beginning of the twentieth century. Modern day St Agnes is a renowned Cornwall holiday destination, popular for cottage style holidays, and a great area for hiking and walking, with miles of beautiful coastline surrounding the village. Places of interest in and around St Agnes include St Agnes Beacon (623 foot high landmark owned by the National Trust), St Agnes Parish Museum, Bolster and Chapel Porth (earthen bulwark), and the Wheal Coates ancient mining buildings. Other places worth a visit are Porthtowan which has an excellent beach popular with surfers, Mounte Hawke with its fabulous skateboard park, Newquay, the biggest resort in the region and again renowned for its surfing beaches, and Redruth, a historic market town to the south of St Agnes. St Agnes can be reached via the B3277. St Agnes Map.
Barnsole Vineyard Canterbury Kent
Friday, January 22nd, 2010If you are visiting Canterbury in Kent, United Kingdom this year, and are looking for something a little different to do, why not try a visit to the Barnsole Vineyard, a family run vineyard which produces high quality wines and welcomes visitors for free wine tastings and a guided tour of the vineyard which covers an area of just 3 acres. Open from April to October when the Canterbury weather is at its best, a charge of just £1.50 per person is asked for a guided tour of the vineyard, you can also purchase wine on the premises. The Barnsole Vineyard is located on Fleming Road, Staple, Canterbury and the telephone number is 01304 812 530. Why not take out an hour or two to visit this interesting and different Kent attraction. Canterbury Map.
Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Aston Clinton Parish Church
A small village located to the east of Aylesbury in the county of Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom, Aston Clinton has a population of 3,000 and has been a settlement since at least Saxon times and possibly earlier (a Roman cemetery has been found nearby). It was important enough to be mentioned in the Domesday Book, where it was names as Estone. The construction of it’s parish church begun during the twelfth century and later work was done subsequently with a full restoration in 1867. It became the home of Sir Anthony de Rothschild during the 19th century and it was Sir Anthony who gave the Aston Hall to the village for use as a school. Aston Clinton is notable as having given it’s name to the Aston Martin car after one of the founders of the company entered a hill climbing trial on Aston Hill. Modern day Aston Clinton is a charming little village and a desirable location to live with easy access to the busy town of Aylesbury. Aston Clinton Map.