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 Saturday, 06 September 2008 |
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Britain Calling - April 2006 |
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Written by Visit Britain
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Friday, 14 April 2006 |
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Britain Calling April 2006
What's new in Britain this month
WIMBLEDON'S NEW TENNIS MUSEUM
Wimbledon, the British home of lawn tennis, opens a new museum this
month (April 12), featuring some exhibits and artefacts never seen
before. The outfit of 20-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova,
the rackets and other memorabilia of ‘greats' such as the Williams
sisters, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King and
Rod Laver are among the highlights of the purpose-built Wimbledon Lawn
Tennis Museum, in the grounds of the famous South London sporting venue.
As well as hundreds of artefacts, there are touch-screens which bring
to life historic archive film of exciting tournament matches, and other
interactive exhibits, telling the story of the game's evolution from
garden party pastime to multi-million dollar professional sport. The
museum gives visitors a chance to recapture great moments from the
sport's history. Other highlights include:
A ‘wrap-round', 200-degree cinema with special effects, capturing the science of tennis in the ‘front row of centre court'.
A life-size ‘ghost' of John McEnroe, speaking about the game in the reconstructed 1980s Gentlemen's dressing room.
Tennis memorabilia dating from 1555; from the world's first
championship (1877) and from the big names of the 1920s and 30s, who
were lauded like movie stars.
Video of the world's big tournaments, and an up-to-date Championship
trophy display illustrating the emotions felt by both winners and
losers.
Visitors can also take a tour of the grounds, including a visit to No.
1 Court, the Water Gardens, the press interview room and Centre Court
or the BBC television studio.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet
Club, London SW19 is open daily (tournament ticket holders only during
the Championships) and admission is £7.50 adult, £6.25 concession,
£4.75 child. An audio guide is available in eight languages including
Russian and Mandarin. If the tour is included the prices are £14.50,
£13, £11. There is a shop and café
Website: www.wimbledon.org/museum.
HORSERACING AND HOTEL LUXURY AT ASCOT
A day at one of the main events of the English summer season can be
completed with a night at a luxury four star hotel and spa this June.
The Macdonald Berystede Hotel in Ascot, Berkshire will be completing a
£9 million refurbishment to coincide with Royal Ascot (June 20-24)
which returns to its home following a £200 million redevelopment of
Ascot Racecourse. The hotel now has a roof terrace for drinks and al
fresco dining and in April a Vital Health and Beauty Spa opens,
offering guests a chance to enjoy the 18 metre swimming pool, thermal
suite with aroma steam room and Decleor treatments.
Ascot Racecourse will be officially re-opened on the first day of the
Royal Meeting (June 20) with a new grandstand and spectacular interiors
The Berystede Hotel is just moments from the racecourse and is offering
special packages for race-goers.
Websites:www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/berystede; www.royalascot.co.uk
EDINBURGH'S RAT RACE EVENT
Edinburgh stages its third Rat Race this summer, and everyone is
invited. The ‘urban adventure' Rat Race (July 15-16) embraces the city
in a sporting spectacular with 700 adventurers navigating the urban
jungle on mountain bike, kayak, on foot, down ropes and even using
space hoppers. A sports showground will be set up in Princes Street
Gardens and live bands will entertain the crowds - admission for
spectators is free but event entry costs £25-£80 per person.The first
Rat Race took place in the city in 2004 and two further races have
since been created - in Bristol (June 17-18) and Manchester (August
5-6).
WELSH MOTOR ‘TRIKE' TOURS HIT THE ROAD
There is a new way to see the valleys, coast and capital of Wales -
from the seat of a trike-style motorcycle. A company called Dragonride
has started running the tours using German-built Rewaco HS5 Trikes,
licensed to carry two passengers. Safety helmets, leather jackets and
gloves are provided and bandannas, caps and t-shirts are for sale if
required. Tours include the sights of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, and
the open road through the Vale of Glamorgan or the scenic Gower
Peninsular - but customers are encouraged to suggest their own routes
too.
Tours are chauffeur-driven but self-drive tours are planned in the
future. The adrenaline-boosting trips, designed to "find the rebel in
you," operate all year. The cost ranges from £15 per tour for a Bay
Blast around Cardiff Bay to £160 for a full-day (excluding
refreshments).
Website: www.dragonride.org.uk
WALKING HITCHCOCK'S LONDON
Some of the memorable sequences from Alfred Hitchcock's Hollywood
movies are brought to life on the streets of London by film historian
Sandra Shevey. Ms Shevey, who met the great director in 1972, leads
three-hour walking tours to locations used in three of his films:
Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much and The Paradine Case.
Held three times weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) all year, the
walks must be pre-booked and cost £25, plus a Travelcard is required
(£4.90). Shevey says there is a lot of 1930s London still to be seen:
while some of the sites visited are landmarks, others are more obscure
and are the result of a montage of location, matte effects and studio
interiors which she illustrates with set designs and old photographs.
BEATLES ON THE MAP IN LIVERPOOL
Liverpool in North-West England has honoured the most successful band
in the history of pop music by publishing a "Home of The Beatles" map.
The free guide features a street map showing 12 city sights linked to
The Beatles on one side, while the other gives details of each of the
attractions, some facts about members of the group, and suggested
itineraries for a day visit or a weekend in Liverpool. New for Beatles'
fans this year are:
Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney will be 64 - he composed the song "When I'm
64" at his home, 20 Forthlin Road, which is now open to the public.
Audio tours available in Russian, Italian and German (in addition to
French, Spanish, Japanese and English) at The Beatles Story, an award
winning permanent exhibition devoted to the group at the city's Albert
Dock.
The Empire Theatre becomes a major venue for the annual International
Beatle Week Festival (August 23-29), which features more than 200 live
bands and artists including Donovan, The Bootleg Beatles, The
Searchers, The Swinging Blue Jeans and many more.
The reconstructed Cavern Club - The Beatles performed at the original
292 times - now has a license to open 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. There is live music from Thursday to Sunday each week.
The world's first Beatles themed hotel - The Hard Day's Night Hotel -
will open in spring 2007, adjacent to The Cavern and containing 110
bedrooms and suites. Liverpool will be European Capital of Culture in
2008.
Website: www.visitbeatlesliverpool.com.
NATIONAL SPA WEEK IN SEPTEMBER
There will be a good excuse to come to Britain and pamper yourself at
one of the many spas this summer. Following the success of the UK's
first National Spa Week in 2005, when 60 venues offered two-for-one
treatments and other special deals, a second Spa Week will take place
later this year (September 17 - 23).In order that prospective guests
can judge the quality of spas before they visit, a pilot Quality
Standards project is being introduced in conjunction with national
tourist agency VisitBritain, with a full rating scheme expected to be
installed by spring 2007, says the Spa Business Association.
Website: www.spabusinessassociation.co.uk.
DERBY REMEMBERS HOT DOG INVENTOR
An English town is marking the 150th anniversary of the inventor of the
hot dog. Harry M. Stevens, born in Derby in 1856, was a humble caterer
who emigrated to the USA in the 1880s.
With his vendors at a baseball game at New York City's Polo Ground in
1901, he sold hot ‘dachshund' sausages in rolls - a snack later
abbreviated by newspaper cartoonist Tad Dorgan to "hot dog". The
drawing became famous, as did the hot dog's association with baseball.
In honour of Stevens, Derby, 132 miles north of London, will launch a
Sausage and Ale Trail, leading visitors to places selling some of the
best sausages and real ale - including butchers, farmers markets and
micro-breweries. The trail is planned to launch at the Derbyshire Food
and Drink Fair (May 20-21) and will feature at Derby Beer Festival
(July 5-9). Baseball legend Babe Ruth is said to have called Derby's
hot dog man "my second dad."
Website: www.visitderby.co.uk
BRITISH PUBS GO DOWN IN HISTORY
Fourteen British pubs have been given special plaques recording
historic events that took place within their walls. The Pubs in Time
plaques are expected to be the first of many, and follow extensive
research by consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Its
researchers found that some claims - often down to local mythology -
were false, but all the pubs selected for plaques have authenticated
stories. Each plaque records a synopsis of the event that took place.
The pubs include:
The favourite inn of Scottish poet Robert Burns, who inscribed a poem
on one of the bedroom windows - it still survives today. The Burns
Howff Club was founded here in 1889 and still meets every January 25.
The Globe Inn, 56 High Street, Dumfries
The Oxford hostelry where writers C.S. Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien, Charles
Williams and others - known as the Inklings -- met regularly until
1963. The Eagle & Child, 49 St Giles, Oxford..
The Cambridge pub where, in 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson made
the first public announcement of the discovery of DNA with the words
"We have discovered the secret of life". Throughout their early
partnership Watson and Crick dined in the pub six days a week. The
Eagle, 8 Benet Street, Cambridge
The Surrey inn where, in 1974, the founding members of The Stranglers,
then called the Guildford Stranglers, gave their first public
performance. They went on to become the most enduring band of the punk
and new wave era. The Star Inn, 2 Quarry Street, Guildford, Surrey.
The Merseyside pub where in 1960 the founding members of The Beatles
staged some of their earliest public performances. Jacaranda Club,
Liverpool, 21-23 Slater Street, Liverpool.
Website: www.camra.org.uk
NEW SPORTS BAR FOR NEWCASTLE
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne, famous for its vibrant nightlife, is
home to a new sports themed bar. Players is set over two floors with a
mezzanine overlooking the largest TV screen in the city for top
sporting events. With a capacity of 500 the bar is contemporary and
stylish and has a comprehensive drinks list with everything from
Cristal champagne to Newcastle Brown Ale.
Situated in The Gate entertainment centre, which also houses a casino
and cinema, Players is close to St. James' Park, home to Newcastle
United Football Club. Newcastle is in North-East England, 290 miles
north of London. Website: www.playerssportsbar.co.uk
HEAVENLY BODIES AT LINCOLNSHIRE HISTORIC HOUSE
Works of art by Edgar Degas, Damian Hirst and Henry Moore will be on
display at Burghley House in Lincolnshire this summer in an exhibition
exploring the human form. Heavenly Bodies: Sculptural Responses to the
Human Form (April 1-Oct. 29) examines how artists have treated the nude
from the Bronze Age to the present day. Thirty major works represent
the attitude of their time and include loans from The Victoria and
Albert Museum in London. Burghley House, home of the Cecil family for
over 400 years, is one of the largest and finest houses of the
Elizabethan age. It features in the movie version of The Da Vinci Code
(released May 2006) and houses impressive collections of art. The
exhibition is accompanied by an exhibition in the Sculpture Garden -
Heavenly Bodies: Astrological and Anatomical (May 17-Oct. 29). Burghley
is near Stamford, 90 miles north of London, open daily (except Friday)
April-Oct
Website. www.burghley.co.uk.
LAKE DISTRICT HOTEL RECALLS BEATRIX POTTER LINK
Miss Potter, a new film about the life of author and naturalist Beatrix
Potter, starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, is now filming in
England's beautiful Lake District. Something movie-goers may not know
is that a house, now a Lake District hotel, was formerly owned by the
author. Potter spent several summer holidays at Lindeth Howe before
buying the house for her mother. It was from here that she illustrated
her stories The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes and The Tale of Pigling Bland and
many Potter fans use the hotel as a base for exploring the area that
inspired her stories, visiting her nearby home, Hill Top Farm. Lindeth
Howe is near the village of Bowness-on-Windermere, adjacent to Lake
Windermere with stunning views over England's largest lake and the
surrounding countryside.
The hotel has 36 bedrooms, a swimming pool and reminders of the
connections with Beatrix Potter in the form of photographs and a small
library. Rates from £59 per person, for reservations tel: 015394 45759.
Website: www.lindeth-howe.co.uk.
EDINBURGH: CITY OF THE SEVEN FESTIVALS
Edinburgh is renowned for its International Festival but less
well-known is that Scotland's capital has not one but seven arts
festivals, each with a unique flavour. The Edinburgh International
Festival (Aug. 13-Sept. 3) and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Aug.6-28)
celebrate their 60th anniversary this year with talent in theatre,
music, dance and comedy from all over the world. The other city
festivals this summer are:
Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival (July 28-Aug. 6) - the
longest running jazz festival in the UK celebrates every kind of jazz,
from New Orleans to avant-garde.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Aug.4-26) - a spectacular show set against
the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this year performers include the
Swiss Top Secret Drum Corps.
Edinburgh International Book Festival (Aug.12-28) - book lovers can
come face to face with great writers in the city's Charlotte Square
Gardens.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (Aug.14-27) - showcasing new talent and celebrating cinematic greats.
Edinburgh Mela (Sept.2-3) - an intercultural event with music, dance, art, crafts, fashion and food.
Website: www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
DICKENS ATTRACTION PLANNED FOR KENT
Visitors to Kent will be able to step back in time and experience the
sights, sounds and smells of the world of novelist Charles Dickens when
a new attraction opens in April 2007.
Dickens World will be an indoor complex at Chatham, where Dickens spent
most of his childhood. The author's father worked at the Naval Dockyard
and his experiences in this area and nearby Rochester feature in many
of his books.
Dickens World will include Europe's largest ‘dark' boat ride,
transporting visitors "through the sewers, streets and markets of
Victorian London" which Dickens described in his novels. Visitors will
also encounter the ghosts from A Christmas Carol in the Haunted House
and children will play in ‘Fagin's Den'. The attraction promises to
tell the story of Dickens' life in an entertaining way, while giving an
understanding of the conditions people lived in in England in the early
19th century.
. Website: www.dickensworld.co.uk.
GUEST PASS OFFER FROM BRITRAIL
Visitors to Britain can enjoy the comfort of first class rail travel
with a British friend or relative if they take advantage of a new offer
from BritRail. The BritRail Guest Pass allows tourists to see the
country with their British hosts by allowing them to purchase a second
comparable pass for half price. BritRail passes are not normally
available to British residents and travellers must ‘buy before they
fly' (until December 31) as the passes are not for sale in the UK.
Relaxing first class travel in carriages with wider seats and extended
leg room is available with a selection of passes including the network
wide BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail England Pass or BritRail
London Plus pass for travel in South-East England. Travel must be
complete within the validity period of the pass and not later than 6
months after issue date. BritRail passes are available from travel
agents.
Website: www.BritRail.com.
SHAKESPEARE'S YEAR IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the full programme for its
year-long festival of all Shakespeare's plays, sonnets and long poems
in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Complete Works Festival starts on the
bard's birthday (April 23) and brings together 23 RSC shows, 17
international productions and 14 by UK based visiting companies as well
as a host of other events to celebrate the playwright including:
Shakespeare on Film - a free outdoor series of films on the banks of
the river Avon including Baz Lurhmann's Romeo and Juliet and Lawrence
Olivier's Henry V (August). Nothing Like the Sun - The Sonnet Project
featuring sonnets set to music by contemporary musicians such as
violinist Alexander Balanescu (Feb 2007).Broadside Brunches - one
Sunday each month (April-Oct.) speakers such as the Archbishop of
Canterbury discuss the issues raised in Shakespeare's plays.
Stratford-upon-Avon was the birthplace of William Shakespeare and
visitors can explore the house where he was born and the church where
he is buried. Eight venues, including temporary indoor and outdoor
theatres, will be used for performances.
Website: www.rsc.org.uk
LONDON EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Michelangelo, Holbein and Modernism are among the artists and subjects featured in London's cultural calendar this year.
The British Museum hosts an exhibition exploring Michelangelo's
brilliance as a draughtsman. ‘Michelangelo Drawings: Closer to the
Master' (on now - June 25) brings together works not seen together
since the artist's death including his Crucifixion scenes.
www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk.
An exhibition at the Museum of London makes fun of the rich and famous
with 350 social and political satires on display. ‘Satirical London'
(April 1-Sept. 3) explores three centuries of satire from etchings of
George III to Charles and Diana slippers.
Website: www.museumoflondon.org.uk.
For the first time since it opened in 2000, Tate Modern's permanent art
collection will be rehung around a new concept. ‘UBS Openings: Tate
Modern Collection' (opening May 23) will feature four wings focussing
on a key period of 20th century art history.
www.tate.org.uk.
A rare opportunity for a free behind-the-scenes tour at the Library and
Museum of Freemasonry in Covent Garden will form part of a new
exhibition. ‘The Hall in the Garden' (July 13-Oct. 20) examines the
history of this building, the centre of English Freemasonry for 230
years. www.freemasonry.london.museum.
‘Modernism: Designing a New World 1914-1939' at the Victoria and Albert
Museum (April 6- July 23) will be the first exhibition to explore
Modernism from an international perspective encompassing all of the
arts. On display will be paintings, furniture, photography and fashion.
. www.vam.ac.uk.
The first great painter to work in England will be celebrated in a
major exhibition at Tate Britain. ‘Holbein in England' (Sept. 28-Jan.
7) examines the periods when Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543)
worked in London and how his arrival brought the Renaissance painting
from continental Europe to Britain
www.tate.org.uk.
Dirty Dancing the musical comes to London this autumn (opening Oct. 24)
in a new stage show at the Aldwych Theatre. Fans of the movie starring
Patrick Swayze can sing along to hits such as Hungry Eyes and Do You
Love Me? in this dynamic production. www.aldwychtheatre.com.
IN BRIEF...
Welsh art studios open: Twenty-one artists in West Wales will open
their studios this summer for a rare chance to see work being created.
The Cardigan Open Studios weekend (August 26-30) is a free event, and
there is a preview exhibition in the town (Aug. 1-30). The
Cardiganshire coast and countryside is growing in popularity among
artists working in many disciplines.
Website: www.westwalesartists.co.uk.
Edinburgh cows: A hundred life-size cows will be grazing on the streets
of Edinburgh this summer. The glass fibre bovines will be decorated by
local artists, celebrities and community groups and displayed in
prominent positions as part of CowParade (May 15 - July 23). It is the
first time the event has come to Scotland. Website:
www.cowparade-edinburgh.co.uk.
Russian art in Dorset: The first known permanent collection of Russian
artist Maria Marevna Vorobieff's work is going on display at a historic
house in Southern England. Marevna (1892-1984) spent eight years at
Athelhampton House near Dorchester, where the gallery will open in the
west wing, previously unseen by the public.
Website: www.athelhampton.co.uk.
Scottish Xscape: An indoor snow slope, complete with 1,700 tonnes of
real snow, has opened (April 6) for skiers in Glasgow, Scotland.
Xscape, a new leisure destination at Braehead beside the River Clyde,
also includes a bowling alley, climbing wall, aerial adventure course
and the world's first passenger-carrying robot. Website:
http://www.xscape.co.uk/snow/braehead/
Grosvenor antiques: Master cabinet maker Viscount David Linley, Queen
Elizabeth II's nephew, will be taking part in the Grosvenor House Art
and Antiques fair for the first time. A highlight of the social season
among collectors, curators and celebrities alike, the London fair (June
15-21) is a showcase for 90 art and antiques specialists. Website:
www.grosvenor-antiquesfair.co.uk.
London Open House: Five hundred architecturally significant--and often
private--London buildings will open their doors for the 2006 Open House
event (September 16-17). They include government buildings, historic
houses, arts spaces, banks, medical centres and schools: all entry will
be free of charge. Details available in August. Website:
www.openhouse.org.uk.
NOTE ABOUT ACCOMMODATION POLICY
VisitBritain has introduced a policy of only promoting accommodation
that has been quality assessed by the Automobile Association (AA),
Royal Automobile Club (RAC), VisitScotland, Wales Tourist Board or
VisitBritain. The rating symbol for all accommodation types assessed
from January 2006 is a star, widely recognised as a mark of quality.
Here is a basic guide to what the star ratings mean:
One Star: Simple, practical, no frills; Two Star: Well presented and
well run; Three Star: Good level of quality and comfort; Four Star:
Excellent standard throughout; Five Star: Exceptional with a degree of
luxury. You can search for accommodation on the website
www.visitbritain.com.
ENDS.
For further information on touring Britain log onto www.visitbritain.com.au or phone 1300 85 85 89
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 April 2006 )
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