Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is unquestionably England’s most spectacular
seaside resort town. Made popular in the 18th century, when the
Prince Regent (later King George IV) chose it as the site for his
holiday palace, the bizarre and fantastic onion-shaped Brighton
Pavilion, it is still famous for its frivolous entertainment venues
and enviable nightlife. An eclectic combination of Regency and
Victorian architecture gives Brighton a unique air, with winding
village lanes crammed with antique and jewellery shops and its
flamboyant East Pier stretching out over the sea sparkling with
thousands of lights from its funfair and amusement arcades.
Website: www.brighton.co.uk;
Transport: Train from London Waterloo (one hour)
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury
The historical cathedral city of Canterbury, with its narrow
streets and walkways, is best explored on foot. It is the home of
Christianity in England, and has been the ultimate destination for
pilgrimages in England for centuries, as described in
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The famous Canterbury Cathedral
is one of the most impressive and evocative in England, it was here
of course that Thomas à Becket was martyred in 1170. Visitors
can explore the ruins of the original abbey of St Augustine, who
brought Christianity to England more than 1,400 years ago, or visit
the Canterbury Tales Pageant and meet some of Chaucer’s
famous characters. For an insight into the cities of medieval
England climb the original West Gate Tower, which is still intact,
for breathtaking views across the city.
Telephone: (0)1227 378 100;
E-mail: canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.uk;
Website: www.canterbury.co.uk;
Transport: Train from London Waterloo (90 minutes)
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle
Set atop a lake in a picturesque valley in Kent, with imposing
battlements and a 500-hectare Tudor garden, Leeds Castle has been
described as ‘the most beautiful castle in all the
world’. Once a residence of British Queens and a playground
for King Henry VIII, it has been open to the public for 25 years,
revealing the majesty of a bygone age. With so much to explore,
Leeds Castle requires a full day for visitors to tour the castle,
get lost in the maze and picnic in the gardens or dine in one of
the restaurants and tea rooms.
Address: Maidstone, Kent;
Telephone: (0)1622 765 400;
E-mail: enquiries@leeds-castle.co.uk;
Website: www.leeds-castle.com;
Transport: Coach, bus or train from London;
Opening time: Grounds: Daily 10am (last ticket sold at 3pm, gates close at 5pm). Castle: 10.30am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm). From 21 March to 30 September opening hours are extended by two hours in the afternoon;
Admission: £14 (adults), £8.50 (children 4-15). Concessions available
Eton College © Eton College
Windsor
The charming town of Windsor sits on the River Thames, 20 miles
(32km) west of London, and is dominated by the magnificent Windsor
Castle, the world's largest and oldest occupied castle. The castle
was built by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago and
has been lived in by English monarchs ever since; although
Buckingham Palace is the Queen's best known residence, Windsor is
her favourite and is where the Royal Family spend their weekends.
Highlights in the castle include the wonderful State Apartments,
and the Waterloo Chamber, built to commemorate the British victory
over Napoleon at Waterloo. St George's Chapel is one of the finest
examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the world and
contains the tombs of numerous English sovereigns including King
Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Charles I and King George V. Many of the
castle's rooms contain priceless works of art, including works by
Rubens, Holbein, Van Dyke, Rembrandt and Lawrence, as well as fine
tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour. The 500-acre (200
ha.) Home Park, sits at the back of the castle and includes the
site of Frogmore, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were laid
to rest. Beyond is the vast expanse of Windsor Great Park, a
popular place for walkers. Over the river from Windsor is Eton
College, the world famous school founded by Henry VI in 1440, and
today you can still see students walking around in their tails.
Telephone: (020) 7766 7304 (ticket sales and Information office);
E-mail: bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk;
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk;
Transport: Train from London Waterloo or London Paddington;
Opening time: Open from 9.45am to 5.15pm, last admission at 4pm (March to October) and from 9.45am to 4:15pm, last admission at 3pm (November to February). Closed on 21 and 26 March, 23 April, 17 May, 16 June and 25 and 26 December. Check website for last minute changes;
Admission: Castle: £14.20 (adults), £8 (children under 17). Concessions available
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Situated on the banks of the Thames, 14 miles (23km) southwest
of London, Hampton Court is perhaps the most spectacular royal
palace in England and makes a great day-trip from London. The
palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 1500s, it later
became King Henry VIII's principal residence and remained the
centre of royal and political life in England until 1737 where many
important events took place. Visitors can see King Henry VIII's
Great Hall, King William III's State Apartments, designed by Wren
and completed in 1700, and the unmissable Tudor Kitchens, which
remain largely unchanged since the 16th century and no doubt used
to cater for raucous banquets. The palace is probably most famous
for its grounds and the famous maze, which has entertained children
since it was planted in 1705.
Address: East Molesey, Surrey;
Post code: KT8 9AU;
Telephone: (0)870 752 7777;
Website: www.hrp.org.uk;
Transport: Train from Waterloo (35 minutes), or by the underground; for a more scenic ride take a boat along the Thames from Westminster, Richmond or Kingston;
Opening time: Daily 10am to 6pm (30 March to 25 October); 10am to 4.30pm (28 October to 29 March). Closed 24-26 December. Gardens open daily from 7am till dusk;
Admission: £13 (adults), £6.50 (children). Concessions available
