St Pancras International Train Station

admin May 22, 2010
[0] comments

St Pancras international railway station is located at the heart of central London and is one of the best-known train stations in the world. The Victorian architecture and specially commissioned pieces of public art (such as the sculptures called Meeting Place and Sir John Betjeman, as well as the famous St Pancras clock) make the St. Pancras station a beautiful place to see.

St. Pancras Station

Architecture is one reason why the St. Pancras station is worth seeing.

Obviously,  St Pancras train station  also plays a major role in the transportation system. East Midlands trains, Eurostar, and First Capital Connect are the three main services from this station which has more underground connections than any other station in London. Britain’s first high speed train service called Southeastern has 200 trains every weekday and operates between St Pancras and 21 stations.

St Pancras station

St Pancras international train station has more underground connections than any other station in London.

Standing on the Euston Road in St Pancras, the station is situated between other noteworthy places, namely, the British Librrary, King’s Cross station, and the Regent’s Canal.

See also: London City Guide

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cottage Vacations in South Devon

admin May 6, 2010
[0] comments

Devon is the 3rd largest county in England with a population of over 1.1 million. Coast & Country Cottages offers accommodation for every taste and budget in the southernmost tip of Devon. If you are interested in this type of accommodation, you might want to check their website at coastandcountry.co.uk

Coast & Country Cottages offers a variety of accommodation opportunities. Some are quite luxurious.

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Windsor Castle – World’s Largest Inhabited Castle

admin May 2, 2010
[0] comments

Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England dates back to the time of William the Conqueror. British monarchy use it along with Buckingham Palace (London) and Holyrood Palace (Edinburgh) as their official residence. The Queen uses the Windsor Castle as a place to spend weekends, and also as a setting for some formal duties and visits from foreign monarchs and presidents. With a floor area of almost 45 thousand square meters, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of the Queen of England.

Easter Court is a month over Easter (March-April) when the Queen occasionally hosts ‘dine and sleep’ events for politicians, public figures, and other guests. In June, the Queen attends the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race meeting.

Visitors can access many parts of the castle such as the precincts, state apartments, Queen Mary’s dolls’ house, St George’s Chapel, and Albert Memorial Chapel.

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Museums Liverpool

admin March 28, 2010
[1] comment

Of all the cities in the United Kingdom, only London has more museums than Liverpool. National Museums Liverpool (previously known as National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside) currently consists of seven venues, with one more to be opened soon. All of the museums are open 10am-5pm every day except 24 December (close at 2pm), 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Lady Lever Art Gallery
Founded in 1922 by Sunlight Soap magnate, William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme. He dedicated the gallery to the memory of his wife. This gallery is famous for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Also has noteworthy collections of Wedgwood, Chinece porcelain and 18th century furniture.

Merseyside Maritime Museum
Liverpool’s seafaring heritage is brought to life within the historic Albert Dock. The international importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world is reflected in the museum’s collections.

National Conservation Centre
The National Conservation Centre mixes science and art. It is the conservation department of National Museums Liverpool. Holds displays of conserved objects and demonstrations of the techniques used.

Sudley House
This art gallery features the collection of George Holt in its original setting. Works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Edwin Landseer, John Everett Millais and J. M. W. Turner are included.

Walker Art Gallery
This gallery has British and European art from the 1300s to the present. Considered by many to have one of the best collections of Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art in England.

World Museum Liverpool
Formerly known as Liverpool Museum. An exciting combination of historic treasures and latest interactive technology. Has large collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences.

International Slavery Museum
Explores historical and contemporary aspects of slavery and assesses the many legacies of the slave trade. Tells the largely untold stories of bravery and rebellion amongst the enslaved people.

Museum of Liverpool
This museum is expected to open in 2011 and to be one of the world’s leading city history museums.

National Conservation Centre in Liverpool

National Conservation Centre in Liverpool

Online Resources
National Museums Liverpool

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Legendary Tower Bridge in London

admin March 16, 2010
[0] comments

The Tower Bridge crossing over the Thames river it is one of the famous symbols of London. It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge. Its two towers of the bridge are connected by two horizontal walkways. This 244 meter long bridge carries motor vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Due to the proximity of the harbor, the bridge was made moveable so that it can be opened for allowing larger ships and boats to move through. The building of the bridge was completed in 1894. Almost 450 workers and 5 contractors were needed to complete this project.

Tower Bridge by night

The Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly called the London Bridge, which in actual fact is a different bridge.

The Tower Bridge is currently going through a “facelift” process, which will cost around 4 million pounds. It has been planned so as to minimize disruptions, but it is unavoidable that some road closures will occurs. The bridge is expected to be closed for several months starting at the end of the year 2011.

Online Resources
Tower Bridge Exhibition
London Tourist Information – How to Save Money on London Attractions

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Durham Castle in England

admin March 6, 2010
[1] comment

Durham Castle is among England’s most notable buildings in terms of long history of continuous occupation. Together with the Durham Cathedral, it was jointly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The construction of the castle began after the Norman Conquest in 1072. The Bishop of Durham was appointed by the King and would exercise royal authority on the king’s behalf. The castle would be his seat of power in this remote area in northern England.

In 1837, the castle was donated to the University of Durham, and the University College still uses it, housing over 100 students. Though the use of the castle in University activities entails certain limitations to free access by the general public, it is available for tourists to visit through guided tours most of the time. The castle is also used as a setting for wedding receptions, banquets, conferences, and bed & breakfast accommodation.

Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle viewed from the Millburngate Bridge on the River Wear

Online Resources
Durham Castle (University College)

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London

admin March 4, 2010
[1] comment

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was the playing company for which the famous playwright William Shakespeare worked for most of his career. It is known as the place where Shakespeare performed many of his plays.

The theatre was built in a style that is similar to the Colosseum, but the scale was smaller. This style of theatres (called amphitheatres) was followed by other Elizabethan Theatres. The theare was destroyed by fire on 29th of June 1613, and rebuilt by June 1614, but was closed in 1642.

Exterior view of the modern reproduction of the Globe Theatre

The modern reconstruction of the theatre is known as “Shakespeare’s Globe” and it was opened in 1997. The location is not exactly the same. The place of the original theatre was about 230 metres from the location of the current theatre.

A visitor can get an introduction to all of the aspects (both historical and contemporary) of the Globe Theatre from the resident storytellers.

The Globe is a tourist attraction that is covered by the London Pass which gives free entry to the tourist’s choice of over 55 attractions.

Online Resources
Traveling To London? Check How to Save Money on London Sightseeing

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Buckingham Palace in London

admin February 27, 2010
[1] comment

The Buckingham Palace is is located in Westminster, London. The palace is only a short distance away from many other interesting places in London, such as Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, The Thames, etc. Therefore, it is a good place to start from when one wants to do some sightseeing in London while moving by foot. The Buckingham Palace is the resicency of the Queen of England, as well as the administrative headquarter of the British Monarchy, and a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. The core of the current building was originally known as Buckingham House.

Buckingham Palace is a popular tourist attraction that draws many visitors every year

The Annual Summer Opening that lasts from late July to September. At this time, the State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors. These rooms contain some of the greatest paintings by Rembrandt, Rubnes, Poussin, Vermeer, and others, as well as sculpture, porcelain and fine furniture. Another spot that may be of interest is the Buckingham Palace Garden which is the largest private Garden in London.

Doors of Buckingham Palace garden

Online Resources
Buckingham Palace (the official website of the British Monarchy)
Interactive Panorama of Buckingham Palace

Posted in England Travel Info | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment