Home » 2013 (Page 3)
Yearly Archives: 2013
Visit Salisbury and Wiltshire
Salisbury: mystical city Ancient landmarks, idyllic vistas and a thriving culture scene give this vibrant city a romantic atmosphere. There are plenty of reasons to visit … (Article extracted from the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk)
Historical high points The only city in Wiltshire has an incredible heritage. In 1069, William the Conqueror built a wooden castle at Salisbury Hill, overlooking a small settlement with a mint and a market. In 1220, building work started on Salisbury Cathedral, a key part of our country’s history too. Its construction was masterminded by William Elias of Dereham, one of the key negotiators of the Magna Carta. You can find one of the finest preserved copies of the 1215 charter inside the gothic cathedral, as well as 332 steps up Britain’s tallest spire. After your tour of the building, take a trip to Salisbury Museum. The atmospheric Grade I-listed, 13th-century building houses a fine collection of prehistoric and medieval artefacts.
The construction of Salisbury Cathedral was masterminded by William Elias of Dereham, one of the key negotiators of the Magna Carta. Photograph: Greg Funnell for the Guardian
Ancient and mystical monuments Just beyond the compact city lies a magical prehistoric landscape. Explore it with the experts, Spire Travel, who offer luxury one-day tours. You’ll take in the Unesco world heritage site Avebury and Stonehenge, which was completed 3,500 years ago and is thought to have been a temple for worshipping the sun and the moon. The megalithic henge and stone circles, looked after by English Heritage, are considered to be the most important prehistoric earthworks in Europe. For an unforgettable experience, snap up limited camping places for the summer or winter solstice.
Green and pleasant land The ancient sites are surrounded by glorious Wiltshire countryside. Hudson’s Field, situated below the remains of the iron age hillfort Old Sarum, is ideal for walkers and kite-flyers. Further into the city, you can cycle or walk around the water meadows and river banks that captivated English Romantic painter John Constable from his first visit in 1811. There are three main parks to stroll through, as well as several open spaces. Alternatively, go on a romantic adventure through the area by VW campervan: Stonehenge Campervans have three to hire.
Cultural corners There’s a thriving arts scene in Salisbury and a strong theatre tradition that helped to launch the careers of household names such as Prunella Scales and Kenneth Williams. The Salisbury Playhouse is the south-west’s leading producing theatre, while one of this year’s cultural highlights will be the Salisbury international arts festival (24 May to 8 June). One high point is King Lear, which will be performed at 14th-century Old Wardour Castle in Tisbury, a historic village 13 miles from the city and the site of a bronze age settlement. Refresh en route in the local tearooms and bookshop, Beatons; they have 25 varieties of loose tea.
Shop, drink, then drop Thanks to its annual fair, Salisbury has been a shopping destination since 1075. Two current gems are the art and design studios at Fisherton Mill and the Cambridge Wine Merchants. As the city has been awarded a Purple Flag for the quality of its nightlife, head to The Chapel or The Cathedral Hotel for a cocktail before checking into your hotel. Luxury city-centre accommodation includes the Grade II-listed Milford Hall. Or try a more rural experience at Shepherds Hut at Marshwood Farm, Dinton, close to the city (pictured left).
Getting there
Salisbury is well connected to the majority of the UK, by road via the A30 and M3, and by the city’s train station.
From London: 90 minutes by road, and one hour and 20 minutes on the train from Waterloo. Prices from £34.70 From Bristol: one hour and 10 minutes. Prices from £4 From Birmingham: two hours and 50 minutes. Prices from £28.50
We operate daily small group guided tours from London visit Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and Avebury. Please visit our website for full details
Welcome2Britain
The Small Group Tour Experts
London enjoys new year firework display
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the banks of the Thames in London to watch a spectacular firework display mark the new year.
About 250,000 people were expected for the event
Rockets flared from the London Eye and the capital’s riverside landmarks were lit up in a display which lasted 11 minutes and featured 12,500 fireworks.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “What an amazing end to an incredible year.”
About 250,000 were in the city to watch the show, which also involved clips from the 2012 Olympic Games.
The firework display lasted for 11 minutesMr Johnson added: “Watched by hundreds of thousands in the capital and millions around the globe, London has proved, yet again, that it can pull off spectacular world-class events in style.”
Many of the revellers had waited hours to secure the best vantage points and fortunately it was a dry and mild night.
Rob Haine, 30, a computer game programmer from Wakefield, said: “The display was mesmerising, it was a joy to witness.
“I got here at 5pm and have been standing the whole time but it was worth it. It was cool that they got the Olympics into the fireworks.”
Sandro Benvenuti, 46, travelled from Italy with his wife and two daughters to see the display.
“We were waiting for six hours but it was fantastic,” he said.
“We have fireworks in Italy but those were much better. They went on for longer and the design and special effects were superior.”
Lynn Shepherd, 53, from North Newbald, East Yorkshire, praised the “electric atmosphere”.
She said: “There’s no trouble here. Everyone is having a good time and it’s the perfect way to finish 2012.”
The Metropolitan Police said as of 3:45 GMT, officers had made 96 arrests across the capital relating to the New Year’s Eve celebrations, mainly for being drunk, public order offences and assault.
More than 3,500 police supported the organisers and stewards of the event in central London, working alongside colleagues from the British Transport Police and other emergency services to keep revellers safe.
‘No major issues’
Chief Inspector John Williams said: “This year has really been one to remember and what better way to top off the success of team GB at the Olympics and Paralympics and the pageantry of the Queens Diamond Jubilee than with a world-class firework display.
“This year saw the viewing areas fill up earlier than ever before with thousands of revellers coming to see in the new year London-style.
“There were no major issues reported to police and the crowds were good natured.
“Officers continue to work through the night to facilitate the clean-up operation, ensure roads are reopened and the area returns to normality in time for the New Year’s Day parade.”
The Tube, DLR, tram and selected National Rail services in Greater London ran all night.
Following their work during the London 2012 Games, more than 150 Team London Ambassadors volunteered during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
They gave out maps, directed people to the viewing areas and gave guidance and advice on getting home safely.
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20874115
Welcome2Britain
The Small Group Tour Experts
Welcome2Britain 