Sunday, December 14, 2008

MORECAMBE BAY, LANCASHIRE



Morecambe is located on the north coast of Lancashire (north west), just after Blackpool and before the English Lake District. Morecambe has become a new seaside venue for millions of visitors each year. It is also a major migratory stopover for many species of birds.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

FRESHWATER, ISLE OF WIGHT


Freshwater Bay golf course is one of the most spectacular golf courses in the UK. Set on the ISLE OF WIGHT overlooking the English Channel, this course is 5,725 yards long, par 68 which provides a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

This is a beautiful part of the Isle of Wight and an excellent base for a holiday. Landmarks include Freshwater Bay, The Needles, Tennyson Down, Fort Victoria, Alum Bay Cliffs and Yarmouth Castle but there are other places like Newtown Creek - an unspoilt haven for wildlife, Hannover Point with it's dinosaur footprints on the rocks, the ancient standing stones at Mottistone and Hulverstone and beaches ranging from safe and sandy to wild and rocky!

Monday, November 17, 2008

KEW GARDENS, LONDON

The Royal Botanic Gardens, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are extensive gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London. It is an internationally important botanical research and education institution with 700 staff and an income of £44 million a year, as well as a visitor attraction. This is a picture of The Palm House built between 1844 and 1848. A tropical rainforest habitat is created in this massive greenhouse.

Friday, October 31, 2008

HAMPSTEAD HEATH, LONDON

Hampstead Heath (locally known as "the Heath") is London's largest ancient parkland covering 320 ha. The Heath is hilly, there are ponds, recent and ancient woodlands, a lido, playgrounds, a training track. South of the Heath is Parliament Hill, a focal point and one of the highest points in London with the view protected by law.

The Heath has long been a popular place for Londoners to walk and take the air. Running along its eastern perimeter lies a chain of ponds - including three open-air public swimming pools - which were originally reservoirs for drinking water from the River Fleet. It's a fantastic place if you like walking. I love the peace and quiet of this place.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

HADRIAN'S WALL GREENHEAD LOUGH

Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.

It stretches seventy-three miles from Wallsend near Newcastle, across the neck of England to Bowness-on-Solway in North West Cumbria, and stands today as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest empires.

It was built in the 120's AD and because it was not an impenetrable barrier, forts were built at seven mile intervals, milecastles (small guard posts) were built at one mile intervals, and two turrets (towers) were placed between each pair of milecastles, for observation. In front of the wall lay a ditch, except where the crags made it unneccessary. The wall crossed three rivers, and bridges were built.


Sunday, October 05, 2008

DAWLISH, DEVON


Dawlish is a pretty resort, on the south Devon coastline, between Torquay and the city of Exeter. Dawlish has excellent rail links, with a mainline station situated right on the sea front.

The town itself has a quiet, relaxing feel to it - full of charm and loaded with atmosphere. Dawlish, was once the haunt of such literary giants as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Charles Dickens used the town as the birthplace of Nicholas Nickleby...

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

ABBEY GARDENS, BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK



Abbey Gardens stand in the heart of Bury St Edmunds on the site of a great Benedictine abbey. The gardens contain magnificent floral displays and impressive ruins of the abbey. They stand adjacent to St Edmundsbury cathedral that is only now in the final stages of completion after nearly 500 years with the addition of a central tower.

Monday, September 08, 2008

BIBURY, THE COTSWOLDS


This is a picture from Bibury. It was once described as 'the most beautiful village in England'. The River Coln, teeming with trout and inhabited by ducks, runs through what is effectively two villages, Bibury and Arlington. The river is sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of boggy water meadow known as Rack Isle, owned and managed by the National Trust.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CLIFTON, SOMERSET

Brunel's Suspension Bridge, Clifton Tower and the Observatory behind, from Greville Smyth Park.
This photo was Taken in Bristol not very long ago... It's a wonderful bridge and on top of the Hill the view is incredible, just awesome!! I could spend ages watching the Avon below and the countryside in the distance. So get a cheap ticket and spend some time in Bristol!!!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

WESTON SUPER MARE, SOMERSET

Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier is a pier in Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset. It is situated on the Bristol Channel approximately 18 miles (29 km) south west of Bristol. The privately-owned Grand Pier is one of three piers in the town together with Birnbeck Pier, which now stands derelict awaiting possible restoration and the much shorter SeaQuarium aquarium built towards the south end of the seafront. The Pavilion at the end of the Grand Pier has been destroyed by fire on two occasions, 13 January 1930 and 28 July 2008.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

RYE, SUSSEX


When you're in need of a treat or want to escape the pressures of modern life, come to Rye in the East Sussex countryside, in the south east of England.
Perched on a hill, overlooking the River Rother and Romney Marsh, this ancient town is the sort of place you thought existed only in your imagination.
With enchanting cobbled streets, medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times, Rye is almost suspended in time and has a uniquely unhurried atmosphere. Compact enough to discover the key places of interest over a week-end but with plenty of secret treasures to entice you to stay much longer and to return again.

Monday, June 02, 2008

BRIGHTON PIER

With filigree arches and a few kiosks, Brighton Pier was opened in grand ceremony on May 20th 1899. By 1901, the pier consisted of a building with minaret corner towers housing dining, smoking and reading rooms and its first concert hall. By 1911, the concert hall had become a theatre attraction. 21 years elapsed before the next major phase saw the addition of a big wheel, heralding an extension to the piers' length and a widening of the promenade. The wars interfered with development and, as with most seaside piers, a section of the middle was removed to discourage enemy landings. Post war euphoria saw business booming and by the Summer of 1946 day sea trips from the pier along the coast prospered until 1960.

In 1984, the pier was destined to be revitalised under new ownership. New innovative features were introduced such as free admission, free deck chairs, new food outlets on the forecourt and a traditional fish & chips restaurant. At 1,722 feet long, Brighton Pier is acknowledged as the finest pier ever built.

Friday, May 16, 2008

EMBANKMENT, LONDON


This is a picture of Embankment in London at night. It is taken from the South Bank of the river Thames not too far from the London Eye.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

RIVER CHERWELL, OXFORD

Here is a photo of punts moored near the Magdalen Bridge in Oxford. You can go cruising the tranquil river Cherwell in Oxford. It offers a taste of a slower life, where cares drift away with the gentle flow of the water and life’s pleasures can be enjoyed to their utmost.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

DONEGAL, IRELAND

The County Donegal presents an ever-changing spectacle of landscapes and seascapes set against a backdrop of mountains and moors. Traditional Irish culture is everywhere. Donegal boasts a vast rugged coastline softened regularly by a succession of beautiful beaches with golden sand and clear fresh waters. Inland, Donegal is wild and unspoilt with winding roads. So get your plane ticket and have a dream holiday....

Saturday, March 08, 2008

THE CROSS KEYS, LONDON


Here's the picture of a pub in the centre of LONDON called the Cross Keys. It's a pleasant pub, lovely interior which takes you back to ye olde days when pubs were low-lit, musty, but also enjoyable venues. According to some friends of mine who love Beer, the beer selection is actually poor but those they do stock are reasonable enough. There are superb sandwiches, though. There is some interesting pop memorabilia on the walls. An attractive painted façade is almost hidden behind baskets and pots of tumbling foliage. The unusual pub sign shows cherubs holding the crossed keys of Saint Peter, keeper of the gates to Heaven. Pub names often have religious connections. This architecturally unusual pub was built in the mid 19th. Century and is grade II listed.

You can go there for just a nice calm surrounding away from the madness of Covent Garden. Now the address: 31 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9BA. If you go there don't forget to post a comment on this Blog.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

BURNSALL, YORKSHIRE



Burnsall is a small riverside village near Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales and a popular destination for weekend tourists enjoying a sunny afternoon by the river. The delightful bridge which spans the river Wharfe is one of the most photographed of all bridges within the Dales National Park. Burnsall is surrounded by some lovely walks. A short walk along the river Wharfe takes you to the Hebden suspension bridge from where you can divert in several directions, making Burnsall an ideal location from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

BODIAM CASTLE, SUSSEX

Bodiam castle is a National Trust property located in Sussex (not far from Hastings). It was built in the late 13th century as a “fortified home” for an English adventurer returning from France. It could well be argued that it isn’t really a castle, as it was more of a “manor house” with a moat and crenelations… This picture shows the front entrance of the castle - This is the very first castle I visited in England I was only 11 at the time !!!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

KENWOOD HOUSE GARDENS, HAMPSTEAD HEATH, LONDON

I'm going to show you a part of one of my favourite walk in London. It is in somewhere in Hampstead Heath. It is set in tranquil parkland with panoramic views over London. Brewing magnate, Edward Cecil Guinness, first Earl of Iveagh, bought Kenwood House in 1925. Thanks to him, you can admire masterpieces by Rembrandt, Turner, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Vermeer. Admire the Suffolk Collection, with its magnificent full-length Elizabethan portraits and stunning costume details. Or take a turn outside, in parkland influenced by the great English landscape gardener, Humphry Repton. There are also lakeside walks and meandering woodland paths to explore and enjoy. This is where that false bridge is.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

CLARE BRIDGE, CAMBRIDGE


Clare college in Cambridge has a much-photographed bridge over the river which has fourteen stone balls decorating it. One of the balls has a missing section. A number of apocryphal stories circulate concerning this - the one most commonly cited by members of college is that the original builder of the bridge was not paid the full amount for his work and so removed the segment to balance the difference in payment. This bridge is the oldest of Cambridge's current bridges. You should go there and rent a small boat and don't forget to bring your picnic....

Friday, January 11, 2008

PEEL, THE ISLE OF MAN

Peel is often called the only 'city' in the Isle of Man because it is the home of the Island's cathedral; but it is the fourth largest town on the island after Douglas, Onchan and Ramsey. Peel was never capital of the Island, but Peel Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Sodor and Man. It is the Island's main fishing port.Peel is often referred to as the rose red city or sunset city due to the red sandstone used to build the castle and other important buildings. It also faces west and enjoys beautiful sunsets over the Irish Sea. Peel is a popular seaside destination for Manx citizens and visitors in summer and is noted for its narrow streets of fishermen's cottages and a sizeable promenade and sandy beach. Usually, at least one seal can be seen in the harbour or just outside it.