Located at the southern end of Tor Bay, the historic fishing town and resort of Brixham is popular with holidaymakers and artists alike. With a population of just under 18,000, Brixham is a small town with a pretty harbour and port, with a long fishing tradition. William of Orange landed in Brixham in 1688 and a statue commemorating this historic event can be seen on the quayside today. Brixham stands in a good position and is sheltered from south-westerly gales, enjoying mild weather conditions. Among Brixham’s attractions are a full sized reproduction of Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind, the St Mary’s parish church, with its buttressed tower, and the Brixham Heritage Museum in New Road, offering an insight into Brixham’s past history and maritime traditions.
June 13, 2010
March 28, 2010
Cornwall Villages Boscastle
The charming village of Boscastle lies north-east of Tintagel in the county of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. Part of the parish of Forrabury and Minster, Boscastle has a population of just 888 and developed mostly due to its small harbour, which though tricky for incoming vessels, is the only navigable harbour for at least 20 miles. Standing at the point where the River Jordan and River Valency meet the sea, Boscastle was the scene of a dreadful flood in 2004, which caused much damage to the village. Worth a look in Boscastle is the Museum of Witchcraft, which has the biggest collection of witchcraft artefacts in the world. Boscastle can be reached from the A39 via the B3263.
December 12, 2009
Maidenhead Berkshire
An ancient town standing on the banks of the River Thames in Berks, England, Maidenhead began life as a Saxon settlement in the centuries before the Norman conquest. The name probable derives from an early name ‘Maiden Hythe’ and it was mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Ellington’. An early ferry which ran across the Thames river was replaced by a bridge in 1280, the Great Western Road was rediverted to utilise this new bridge. As a result Maidenhead became a popular stopping off point for coaches on the busy route between Bath and London, and this led to the growth of the historic town centre where many inns and establishments were erected, some still remain today such as the Bear Inn. The present day bridge over the Thames dates from 1777 its construction cost just 19,000 pounds. Maidenhead took on something approaching its present look after the arrival of the railway line in the 19th century, it has continued to grow to this day. A nice way to approach the town is by boat along the river (weather permitting) and this stretch of the Thames is very attractive and popular with users of pleasure craft. When you have seen the best of Maidenhead, take a trip along the Thames to Cookham, a historic village, birthplace of English painter Sir Stanley Spencer, Cookham is a very attractive village which retains its old English village charm. Map of Maidenhead.
December 7, 2009
Hatfield House Hertfordshire
While the town of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, has much the look of a modern town, its most famous landmark dates back to some of town’s more interesting times. That landmark is Hatfield House, a Jacobean style house built for the First Earl of Salisbury, Robert Cecil in 1611, and home to the Cecil family ever since. Set in Hatfield’s Great Park, Hatfield House was built on the same site as an earlier Royal Palace (1497) which was a favourite haunt of Queen Elizabeth I. These days Hatfield House is a popular tourist attraction, many drawn by its associations with one of England’s best loved Queens, visitors can view a number of items owned by the queen including a pair of silk stockings, possibly the first to be seen in England at that time. Also popular are the gardens at Hatfield House, covering some 42 acres, the gardens were designed by John Tradescent the Elder during the early 17th century. Hatfield Map.
December 1, 2009
Hemel Hempstead
A bustling town within the English county of Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead was possibly settled as long ago as the Roman times, with remains of a Roman villa being found in nearby Boxmoor. The first records mentioning the town date from the 8th century and its name drived from the Anglo-Saxon Hean-Hempsted (or High Hempstead), in the Domesday Book it was named as Hamelamesede. The Norman conquest saw its land owned by Robert, Count of Mortain, it was later controlled by Thomas Becket, it was later granted a Royal Charter by Henry 8th. The town has mostly grown however since WW2 as it was developed as a ‘new town’, it now has a population of around 81,000. Map of Hemel Hempstead.
September 16, 2009
Broadstairs and Ramsgate Kent
Two popular seaside resorts located on the Kent coastline of south-eastern England, Ramsgate and Broadstairs are well worth a visit if you are travelling around this area. Once one of the major coastal resorts in England, Ramsgate still relies heavily on tourism though its heady days as a primary holiday destination are long gone. The 1970’s and 1980’s saw millions of the UK’s holidaymakers heading for the guaranteed sun of Spain, Portugal and Greece, leaving behind the damp, unpredictable climate of such previously popular resorts as Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate. Among places to visit in Ramsgate these days are the Maritime Museum, in Clock House Pier Yard, the Ramsgate Museum (Guildford Lawn), the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum (Manston), Minster Abbey (Minster) and Pugin’s Grange. Broadstairs, still very popular as a holiday resort and as a place to retire, is perhaps the most pleasant of the Isle of Thanet’s resorts, worth a look in Broadstairs is the Crampton Tower Museum, situated adjacent to the train station, it is dedicated mostly to the work of Thomas Russell Crampton, a famous designer of locomotives and railways, it also features a five inch guage miniature railway, great for the kids. Kent Map.
September 12, 2009
Hayle Cornwall
Located in the Penwith district of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, the small town and parish of Hayle was previously a significant cargo port, importing coal for the smelting of tin and exporting the resulting tin and ore. Lying close to the coastal towns of Carbis Bay and St Ives, Hayle today has a population of just over 8,000 and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors attracted to the fine scenery and the 3 miles of golden sand which is ideal for family holidays. Hayle is situated beside the A30 road between Penzance and Camborne. Hayle Map.
Fareham Hampshire
Lying between the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, the town of Fareham in Hampshire has for many years been renowned for the production of bricks, tiles and chimney pots, which were made using the clay soil of the area. Located on the north-western tip of Portsmouth harbour Fareham also has a long maritime tradition with strong ties with the Royal Navy. Probably settled by the Romans during their occupation of Britain, it was known as Ferneham during the Norman era. Fareham underwent much development during the 1960’s and was popular for those wishing to escape the urban sprawls of Southampton and Portsmouth. Fareham Map.