Steve's World Blog » britain

Bucklebury Berkshire

needahand — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:34:19 +0000

A civil parish and small village situated between Reading and Newbury in Berkshire, Bucklebury is the home village of Kate Middleton’s family. Bucklebury has a population of 2,066 and a parish church which dates from the 11^th century (St Mary the Virgin). Mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), Bucklebury was one of King Edward the Confessor’s royal manors, before the Norman invasion of Britain. The Berkshire village was originally located right beside the River Pang, an area of woodland and heather close to the village is called Bucklebury Common.

Great Yarmouth Norfolk

needahand — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:39:15 +0000

For over two centuries one of the United Kingdom’s most popular seaside resorts, Great Yarmouth is situated on the coast of Norfolk in East Anglia about 20 miles from Norwich. Located at the mouth of the River Yare, present day Great Yarmouth lies near the site of a Roman fort, constructed during their invasion of Britain. For hundreds of years a significant fishing town, renowned for its catches of herring, Great Yarmouth developed as a holiday destination during the mid-18^th century. Great Yarmouth seafront, known as “The Golden Mile” has 2 piers, the Wellington Pier and the Brittania Pier, both major attractions for the town, the seafront is lined with amusement arcades, restaurants and gift shops and it runs along the resorts fine sandy beaches. Attractions in and around Great Yarmouth include the Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Joyland, the Sealife Centre, Karting 2000 and the Marina Leisure and Fitness Centre. Great Yarmouth Map.

Chelmsford and Colchester

needahand — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:30:24 +0000

Two of the most ancient towns in the county of Essex, Colchester and Chelmsford are also amongst the oldest in Britain. Colchester, in fact, is claimed to be the oldest Roman Town in the British Isles and was actually the capital of Roman Britain until sacked by the great Boudica in 61AD. The Romans called the town Camulodunum and built a fortress of considerable importance, a later Anglo-Saxon settlement was overrun by Viking forces during the 9^th century, and the Vikings remained in control until the area was re-taken by Edward the Elder in 920. Colchester Castle dates from the Norman occupation and was built upon earlier Roman ruins. Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and has a population of over 120,000, Chelmsford was also a significant Roman town, though it has been the site of human settlement since the Neolithic Era. The Romans called the town Caesaromagus and it developed around the fort which was constructed there. Chelmsford later became the seat of the local assize (13^th century) and has been recognised as the county town since then. Chelmsford saw some decline in the late 20^th century, though the town is now undergoing some rejuvenation. Essex Map.

Clevedon Chard Glastonbury and Burnham on Sea

needahand — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:37:47 +0000

If you are travelling to the county of Somerset in England this year be sure to visit some of its coastal resorts such as Clevedon and Burnham on Sea, and also some of its historic inland towns such as Glastonbury and Chard. Clevedon and Burnham on Sea both have fine sandy beaches and good facilities, they also both have piers but in contrasting ways, with Clevedon having a charismatic Victorian pier and Burnham on Sea, what is said to be the shortest pier in Britain. Head inland for Glastonbury a small town with a long history which you will find very interesting, perhaps visit during the famous music festival when the town becomes alive, also take time to visit Chard which was settled in Saxon times, but rebuilt after a fire in 1577.