Table of contents for Attractions Guide 2019 in Britain

HIGHLIGHTS BATH This beautiful Georgian town is famed for its spa waters, honey-stone houses and Jane Austen connections: Bath was home to the author from 1801 to 1806, when it was a fashionable spa resort. DARTMOOR Windswept and beautiful, this brooding granite expanse is dotted with tors and tumbling springs. Wild ponies trot freely across the moorland here, as they have done for centuries. THE COTSWOLDS Arguably Britain’s prettiest villages are clustered in this corner of England, including Bourton-on-the-Water, with its sweet bridges over the River Windrush; Burford, lined with antiques shops; and Bibury, described by William Morris as “ the most beautiful village in England ” . Photo opportunities abound. ST IVES Blessed with beautiful light and sparkling sea, this town has long had links with artists, and holds…

Perched dramatically on the cliffs of St Austell is one of Cornwall’s loveliest hotels, the Carlyon Bay. With beautiful rooms, an excellent restaurant and breathtaking sea views, it makes the perfect Cornish escape. One lucky winner and their guest will be treated to a 2-night stay here, including a four-course dinner on the first night and a delicious breakfast each morning, plus free entry to the nearby Eden Project, one of Britain’s greatest attractions, described as ‘the 8th Wonder of the World’. The Carlyon Bay, which has hosted famous guests including Winston Churchill and Edward VIII, excels in luxurious touches and impeccable service. A liveried doorman greets you as you arrive; welcome drinks ease you into relaxation mode; dinner at the Bay View Restaurant is a beautifully executed fine-dining experience;…

Famous for its wide, open skies and tranquil landscapes, the East of England encompasses Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The linear landscape of the Fens, a huge coastal plain stretching across much of the area, makes this an area rich in wildlife. The region has inspired many an artist and composer – most notably Romantic painter John Constable, who set his evocative pastoral scenes here, and Benjamin Britten, one-time resident of Suffolk, whose legacy is Snape Maltings, an internationally important concert hall and cultural hub. The area also boasts some stunning architecture. Two of the country's finest cathedrals – Ely and St Albans – are worth the visit alone, while you could easily while away a day admiring the colleges and churches of Cambridge. Cultural corners apart, this…

Slumbering contentedly beneath the vast, ever-changing East Anglian skies captured so vividly by Constable and Turner, sleepy Suffolk lies within striking distance of London’s perpetual thrust, yet seems to belong to another, simpler era. England’s Industrial Revolution never quite made it this far east, and with no big cities and few major roads, Suffolk remains, by and large, one of its most unspoiled counties – a serene, pastoral idyll, dotted with thriving market towns and pretty pastel-hued villages. Cut by estuaries that snake deep inland, with a subtle and varied landscape that ranges from windswept heath and swaying reed marshes to crumbling cliffs and lonely shingle spits, the Suffolk coast feels surprisingly wild and remote. Coastal roads keep their distance from the shore, and journeys require navigating a maze of…

HIGHLIGHTS MANCHESTER This vibrant city is not just home to the most famous football club in the world. It’s got stunning art and architecture, including the John Ryland Library, Manchester Cathedral and the award-winning Whitworth Art Gallery; great shops and nightlife; and beautiful countryside right on its doorstep. LAKE DISTRICT England’s largest national park is also the home of the tallest mountain in England, Scafell Pike, and the deepest lake, Wastwater. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has inspired writers and poets alike. Visit Beatrix Potter’s home at Hill Top or Wordsworth’s family home, Dove Cottage. HADRIAN’S WALL This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which stretches for 73 miles, was once the Northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. Walks across it offer magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. DURHAM CATHEDRAL This…

A land of craggy peaks, majestic lochs and glens ablaze with purple heather, Scotland’s wild and wonderful landscapes take some beating. For unparalleled scenery, head for the Highlands. Covering two-thirds of the country, the region's untarnished beauty is jaw-dropping. If this gives you a taste for wild Scotland, the islands – there are over 700 of them – offer more of the same, plus history (Orkney’s Neolithic remains, for example), fantastic cuisine (foodies love Skye) and whisky (Islay’s distilleries produce some of the world’s best single malts). The untamed beauty of the north may feel like the edge of the world, but you’re just a couple of hours from Scotland’s lively cities. Historic, beautiful Edinburgh, its fairytale castle perched on an ancient volcano, is a stunner – “My own Romantic…

Scotland is a country of vast contrasts, from the grandeur and elegance of Edinburgh to the grit and buzz of Glasgow, the gentle hills of the Lowlands to the dramatic munros of the Highlands. In this land of wide open spaces and few modern interferences, outside the main cities wildlife thrives. For a mix of beautiful landscapes, traditional communities, deep-rooted history and a good dose of that other Scottish favourite, whisky, you can’t beat the west coast and its isles. Though it can be daunting planning a trip to Scotland’s Inner Hebrides – a string of islands sprinkled down the west coast from Skye in the north to Islay in the south – for your efforts you’ll be rewarded with spectacular scenery and a way of life that you may…

From mighty medieval fortresses that have stood sentinel since the Norman invasion to baronial stately homes built to impress, Britain is peppered with fantastical castles. While some, like Windsor and Edinburgh, are among Britain’s best-loved attractions, and others still lie in private hands, a special few have been converted into sumptuous hotels and B&Bs: a delightfully decadent way to soak up Britain’s rich history. Surrounded by atmospherically ruined battlements and entered via a magnificent twin-tower gatehouse – popular with white doves that flitter in and out of its putlog holes – Sussex’s Amberley Castle is one of England’s most romantic places to stay, with a pedigree dating back over 900 years. Illustrious guests have included Henry VIII, Charles II and the current Queen. Within the five-foot-thick curtain walls, the ivy-clad,…

Welcome to the BRITAIN Guide 2019 directory. After enjoying the features in the rest of the guide, now is the time to start picking out your favourite destinations and planning your perfect trip! To make your preparations even easier, we have divided this advertisement directory into separate geographical areas, for an at-a-glance look at the best of what each region has to offer, from cultural days out to beautiful places to stay. Whether you want to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site, take a walking tour, wander the gardens of a beautiful stately home or catch the latest gallery or museum exhibitions, we've got just the thing for you. KEY TO SYMBOLS Information Shop Plant sales Corporate hospitality/functions Disabled access Refreshments/café/tearoom Restaurant Guided tours Audio tours Parking available Education/school visits…

Highclere Castle, Berkshire With the new Downton Abbey movie finally due to hit our screens in September, there’s never been a better time for a visit to ‘the Real Downton’, Highclere Castle. Not that we need an excuse: this beautiful ancestral home is one of Britain’s finest. It has been the family seat of the Earls of Carnarvon since 1679, though its history stretches back centuries further. In 749 an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester, who built a stately medieval palace on the parkland here. Various rebuildings and developments later (including the landscaping of the grounds by Capability Brown), in 1842 it was transformed by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament, into the Italianate gem you can admire today. The twists and…

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong Londoner, Britain’s vibrant capital is entrancing. ‘Tired of London, tired of life’ goes the old adage, and it’s true: beyond the top tier of world-class sights, from the Tower of London to the British Museum, there are numerous smaller museums, galleries and buildings to absorb you, each with stories to tell. And even if you don’t set foot in a single one, you’ll find endless (and free) entertainment browsing the capital’s markets, exploring tucked-away Georgian squares and City backstreets, or joining the throngs on the South Bank, home to Tate Modern, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. Then there’s the food. London has evolved into one of the world’s great culinary capitals, with an impressive 69 Michelin-star restaurants; take afternoon tea, join…

Yeoman Warders – nicknamed Beefeaters – are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London and still swear allegiance to the Queen. In addition to manning the Tower and all things within it, they have been historically responsible for the supervision of State Prisoners. In modern times, Beefeaters lead tours of the Tower, present lectures and are always on hand to answer visitors’ questions. Chief Yeoman Warder, Pete McGowran, gives us a glimpse of what life is like as a resident and guardian of the Tower of London. How did you become a Yeoman Warder? You have to have to have spent over 22 years in her Majesty’s Armed Forces. I spent over 25 years in the Royal Air Force. You must have reached the rank of Sergeant or equivalent…

The Southeast, with its scenic coastline and bucolic scenes of apple orchards and country lanes, exerts a nostalgic pull on many Londoners, as it’s traditionally a region where city-dwellers took their summer holiday. Easily accessible by train from the Big Smoke, the area covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and East and West Sussex. Many of the Southeast’s prettiest spots have an appealingly old-fashioned feel. Charming seaside towns such as Whitstable, renowned for its oysters, and cheerful Brighton line the coast, with many a castle bearing witness to the days when this coastline saw off waves of seaborne invasions. The breathtaking White Cliffs of Dover are a high point – literally – while the rolling South Downs and the High Weald hold stunning scenery, sleepy…

Set in the glorious county of Buckinghamshire within the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wycombe District’s combination of quintessential English villages, exciting historic towns and beautiful rural landscapes make an ideal destination for a day trip or break, all year round. Just a short ride from London the undiscovered Chiltern Hills provide an idyllic and picturesque retreat. Strolling the Thames Path at Marlow and hiking the Ridgeway National Trail from Princes Risborough being just a few of the District’s pleasures. Wycombe is proud to host some of the finest accommodation in the Buckinghamshire and with Michelin-star restaurants, cosy countryside pubs, elegant afternoon tea venues and a selection of micro-breweries dotted throughout, you won’t need to search far to enjoy the unique luxuries on offer. To find…

Birthplace of William Shakespeare and of the Industrial Revolution, this earthy region encompasses Birmingham, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Coventry and Worcestershire. Stratford-upon-Avon is the obvious honeypot: Shakespeare's home town with its quaint streets, historic houses and world-class theatre never loses its appeal. Scattered around the region are plenty of Tudor traces: chocolate-box cottages, stately homes such as Hardwick Hall, and dramatic Ludlow Castle. The Iron Bridge spanning the River Severn is one of the world's most famous industrial landmarks, and rightly so – a turning point in design and engineering, it paved the way for the use of cast iron in structures all over the world. This part of England, once known as the 'workshop of the world', prospered on iron and coal, and later became known for its potteries…

The word ‘Avon’ derives from the old Brythonic ‘abona’, meaning ‘river’, which accounts for why you will find numerous British waterways bearing the name. But there is nothing prosaic about the river known as Shakespeare’s Avon that flows for nearly 100 miles from Naseby in Northamptonshire, via Stratfordupon-Avon in Warwickshire, to Tewkesbury on the edge of the Cotswolds. This Avon segues through idyllic villages to market towns crowned by castle or abbey. Sheer liquid history and poetry, it’s a wonderful route for a tour. So pull on your walking boots and shadow the river along the Shakespeare’s Avon Way long-distance footpath. Or hire a narrowboat (in season) and drift the 46-mile navigable section of the river from Alveston Weir above Stratford to Tewkesbury. Alternatively, simply take to the road and…

HIGHLIGHTS ELY CATHEDRAL Considered one of the marvels of the medieval world, Ely Cathedral is magnificent to behold. Admire the Octagon – a gravity-defying 14th-century oak, lead and stone tower – and take in the 13th-century Quire and 14th-century Lady Chapel, the largest of its kind in the UK. NORFOLK BROADS Britain’s largest area of wetland, the man-made Norfolk Broads are a network of 125 miles of navigable waterways amidst peaceful countryside. FISH AND CHIPS IN ALDEBURGH Where better to enjoy this traditional staple than in a quintessential British seaside town? Aldeburgh Fish & Chips is considered by many to be the best chippy in the country. LAVENHAM The picturesque medieval wool village of Lavenham in Suffolk, famed for its colourful and crooked timber-framed houses, hasn't changed much since the…

BUTLERS WHARF CHOP HOUSE Tower Bridge turns 125 this year. To celebrate you can enjoy a spectacular picture-postcard view of this iconic London landmark from the sun-trap terrace of Butlers Wharf Chop House. The restaurant’s menu is a celebration of meaty British cuisine, with five cuts of Aberdeen Angus beef steak and a choice of six different sauces to accompany it. Crispy triple-cooked chips are an obligatory accompaniment, and the desserts are equally tempting: sticky toffee pudding, maybe, or banana cheesecake. Come hungry. chophouse-restaurant.co.uk AQUA SHARD The Shard, the glittering glass spike that towers over Southwark, has a whole host of eating and drinking options within its sleek confines. Aqua Shard is an elegant, dimly lit space where a smart crowd tucks into contemporary British cuisine as they gaze out…

CLARIDGE’S, LONDON With its sumptuous Art Deco interiors and impeccable service, Claridge’s is the place to go for a chic afternoon tea. The spread includes a seasonal savoury dish alongside the sandwiches, and the hotel changes its delectable menu of pastries frequently. The tea menu is extensive and includes some genuinely rare blends; the Malawi Antler tea, for instance, is only served in two places in the world. www.claridges.co.uk THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL, BATH Step back in time as you relish three tiers of sweet and savoury treats in the Georgian splendour of this iconic hotel. The restaurant is at the centre of architect John Wood’s masterpiece, The Royal Crescent: a stunning location for tea, cake and local delicacies such as the Bath bun. Alternatively, on fine days you can…

Modern trains might be convenient, but where’s their charm? They neither send out billows of smoke, nor whistle as they pull into stations. Meanwhile, Agatha Christie – or her characters – wouldn’t be seen dead on the carriages, as clean and functional as they might be. Where’s the crystal in the buffet car? Where is the buffet car? Fortunately, several hundred steam locomotives and, even better, their carriages, still run in Britain – and on historic routes, too. Many are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most came out of regular service in the Sixties, and are now run by volunteers. Here, we chuff through some of the best of Britain’s heritage railway lines. BELMOND ROYAL SCOTSMAN Fancy a Highland fling? The sumptuous carriages of the Belmond Royal…

HIGHLIGHTS TOWER OF LONDON From the Crown Jewels to the legendary beefeaters, explore 1,000 years of history at this fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. NATIONAL GALLERY This beautiful gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, and also offers stunning views over Trafalgar Square. Discover over 2,300 paintings, including masterpieces such as Constable’s The Hay Wain. TATE MODERN The home of contemporary art in London, this iconic museum puts on thought-provoking exhibitions and was the city's most-visited attraction in 2018. ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece is full of wonder. Walk across the floor where Prince Charles and Diana were married in 1981, take a pew for Choral Evensong or climb 528 steps to the Dome for breathtaking views. BRITISH MUSEUM One of the…

The so-called 'West Country' is full of wonder: the mystical land of King Arthur and Stonehenge; the awe-inspiring Jurassic Coast, embedded with the fossils of dinosaurs; moorland dotted with ancient monuments and traversed by wild ponies; and a spectacular coastline tapering out at Lizard Point, Cornwall's southernmost point. The area, covering Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, holds an impressive four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two national parks. If the coast, with its quaint fishing towns and cheerful seaside resorts, leaves the most lasting impression, the interior is pretty spectacular too. With cities like Bath, a harmonious cityscape in creamy limestone, and Salisbury with its elegant cathedral, there's much to explore. The region is also prized for its food and drink: Gloucester Old…

Hot Bath Street. Quiet Street. Comfortable Place. Perfect View. The quaint street names in Bath are redolent of a place of ease and relaxation. The ancient Romans certainly thought so: they chose Bath as the site of an incredible spa complex, built around a sacred spring believed to have healing properties. More than a million litres of spring water gushes out of the ground here every day at a warm 46°C, which must have seemed like a miracle to the Romans. They built their lavish spa in around 70 AD, unique in the Roman Empire in its complexity and scale. They dedicated the on-site temple to Sulis Minerva, incorporating the name of the Celtic goddess worshipped by the local tribe with that of their own goddess of war and wisdom.…

In 1077, a monk named Gundulf travelled from Normandy to a small English city on the River Medway, to assume the bishopric of its derelict 400-year-old cathedral. He quickly set to work building a new cathedral, which still stands today, but he also established something else: a vineyard. During Gundulf’s time as Bishop of Rochester, the order of Benedictine monks that he founded grew grapes alongside their other duties. In fact, Gundulf became so associated with his vineyards that a wine festival was held every year on the anniversary of his death. Eventually, of course, this tradition faded away – that is, until now. In 2018, the Wine Garden of England Festival was held for the first time in 900 years, and there’s never been a better time to celebrate…

HIGHLIGHTS LINCOLN CATHEDRAL Once described by a smitten John Ruskin as "out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles”, 11th-century Lincoln Cathedral is a sight to behold. CHATSWORTH HOUSE Home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, this elegant Elizabethan stately pile sits in a 35,000-acre estate in Derbyshire. As well as 30 beautifully decorated rooms to explore, it also houses the Devonshire Collection, one of Europe’s most significant art collections. PEAK DISTRICT The first national park in England, the Peak District covers 550 miles of rolling hills, farmland and moorland: perfect terrainfor hiking, cycling and wildlife-watching. LUDLOW This medieval market town on a cliff overlooking the River Teme is known for its beautiful architecture, including the stunning 11th-century Ludlow Castle and an array of…

Covering a huge swathe of the country, the North holds an enormous variety of attractions, with historic castles and cathedrals, magnificently craggy landscapes, sandy beaches and dynamic cities. Encompassing Cheshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, Tyne & Wear, Manchester and Liverpool, this is a traditional region, once known for its manufacturing prowess. Former mines, docks and factories are still, in many cases, the spiritual heart of the towns. Visitors flock to Northumberland, drawn by the medieval castles that scatter the county. Nearby Durham is home to a historic university and a magnificent cathedral. York, further south, is a wonderful heritage city established by the Vikings and encircled by medieval walls. The northeast coast harbours beguiling towns including Whitby, whose ruined abbey provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Staithes, once…

Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world, thanks in part to Edward I, whose 'Iron Ring' of magnificent fortresses represent Europe’s most ambitious military building project. There’s plenty of scope for a castle-topping tour of Wales – there are 600 to choose from – but it would be a shame to miss Wales’s humbler charms. Dip in anywhere along the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, the first in the world to follow a country’s coastline in its entirety, for scenery to swoon over. The picturesque villages of Pembrokeshire and the vast beaches of the Gower peninsula are highlights. For romance, head to Snowdonia National Park, whose rugged beauty inspired JMW Turner, among many other artists. The panoramic train ride to the top of Snowdon is…

For many, Glamorgan in South Wales conjures images of its mighty 19th-century coal and steel industry when, still encapsulating its county town of Cardiff, it was the ‘engine of the empire’. One of the 13 historic Welsh counties, Glamorgan was formed by the 1536 Act of Union. Today, the name only officially lives on in the Vale of Glamorgan, a dramatic coastal county divorced from major urban centres and largely rural in nature, which stretches from elegant Penarth, Cardiff’s Victorian seaside sister town in the east, to Ogmore Vale in the west. The Vale is Wales’ wealthiest and most sophisticated region – home to the country homes of high-flying city workers – but largely overlooked by visitors as they zip by en route from the bright lights of the capital,…

Traditional stories and legends have always shaped Northern Ireland and are an integral part of its cultural identity. Travel around, stop for a pint in a pub and you’ll soon be regaled with fantastical tales of the local area. Take the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s number one attraction, attracting a million visitors each year. This fabled landscape of interlocking basalt columns is, according to legend, the remains of a causeway built by giant Finn McCool. Along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, one of the world’s great drives, you’ll find legends around every twist and turn of the road. Other natural wonders include the Glens of Antrim, with emerald forests and tumbling waterfalls; the Mourne Mountains, a dramatic range offering heart-stopping views; and craggy…

Names can be misleading at Hillsborough. Surrounded by a ‘Small Park’ (actually 100 acres of delightful pleasure grounds), the building hasn’t been a ‘castle’ for centuries. Instead, this typical Irish Big House has gradually evolved: fortified dwelling to family home to national power-house. As the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and official residence of HM Queen Elizabeth II, it has played host to presidents, royalty and peacemakers. Moyses Hill bought the territory of Kilwarlin, County Down in 1611. Mainly woods, bogs and a small village, it was strategically important, on the road between Carrickfergus and Dublin. Colonel Arthur Hill built a fort here and, in 1662, Charles II granted the family a hereditary role: Constable of Hillsborough Fort, authorised to impose tolls and hold a…

ANCHOR INN, DORSET If you’re exploring the South West Coastal Path you’ll want to stop off at the Anchor Inn, just west of the market town of Bridport. The white stone-walled pub is tucked away between sea cliffs and green fields, offering stunning views from every angle. Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast, is just 30-40 minutes away – perfect hiking distance. The pub’s tempting menu, full of farm (and sea) to table delights, will reward your efforts. www.theanchorinnseatown.co.uk THE BELL AT SKENFRITH, WALES This 17th-century former coaching inn in Skenfrith, near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, is a wonderful countryside retreat. Its riverside location and backdrop of rolling green hills make it the perfect stop-off on a country walk – which the pub has already mapped out for…