Extensive travel and tourism guide for Britain
Britain Travel Articles
- Holidays
down on the farm
Farmhouse holidays in Britain are growing in popularity and there is a long-term trend of farms diversifying into tourism. - Steps
to good value Britain
On every step of a holiday in Britain it is possible to obtain excellent value-for-money. Whether it’s accommodation, visiting attractions, travelling around or going to the theatre, there are all sorts of deals available to those in the know. - Great
British walks
Britain’s National Trails are the grand-daddies of long distance paths. This year there is a new one, following a rugged frontier of the Roman Empire; while another – around the coastline of South West England – is marking its 25th anniversary. - On
the Dylan Thomas Trail
Guided walks, an arts festival and a sea cruise are among the events planned this year in Wales to mark the 50th anniversary of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s death. - Capital
savings: staying in London for less
London is one of the world’s most exciting cities – but is it possible to find reasonably priced accommodation there? Once you start delving you soon find that there are all sorts of good-value options, including bed and breakfasts, budget hotels, apartments, hostels and university residences. - Key
story ideas and events
A listing of key story ideas and events in Britain for 2003 and beyond - Johnny
English – Britain's craziest secret agent
Britain has always had something of a reputation as home to the world’s favourite secret agents and now their popularity in books and films is to be increased this year in the new action comedy from Universal Pictures - “Johnny English” - Six
of the best: which city for ‘Capital of Culture’?
Six UK cities have been short-listed for the most coveted prize in Europe: the title European Capital of Culture 2008. Though that year seems a long way off (the first European capital will be in Ireland in 2005 and the final UK nomination for 2008 announced by the British Prime Minister this May) the finalists are all surprisingly good destinations for culture vultures right now. - In
the footsteps of John Wesley, 300 years on
The thought of trekking 250,000 miles around Britain on horseback is something likely to deter even the most enthusiastic traveller. Add to this task the preaching of 40,000 sermons – mostly in the open-air – often confronting angry protesters as you go, and it’s not a job for the faint-hearted. - 2003
– A big year in Britain
From the opening of John Lennon’s home to an exhibition marking 400 years since Queen Elizabeth I; plus festivals and sporting tournaments galore. 2003 is an event-packed year in Britain, as our month by month round-up of highlights proves. - A
new era for spas in the UK
Britain’s most ambitious spa in nearly two hundred years opens in the historic city of Bath at the end of February. A combination of a new state-of-the-art spa designed by Nicholas Grimshaw and two restored 18th century buildings will contain thermal pools, steam, massage and treatment rooms and offer bathing in natural spring water flowing at a temperature of 47 degrees centigrade. - Drink
to 1000 years of beer and pubs
Cheers! England’s beer capital is marking 1,000 years of brewing tradition this year. Though no one can put an exact date on the opening of the country’s first pub, it is thought they have been around for just as long, starting when almost every household offered home-brewed ale to weary and thirsty pilgrims and other travellers. - Lazy
weekend on the Thames
With more than 2,000 miles of navigable rivers and canals, seeing Britain by boat is a viable alternative for visitors who want to do something a little unusual. Now is the time to go, as the waterways are enjoying a £2 billion rejuvenation and revival that includes new marinas, boat-lifts – even new routes. The canals (of which more later) are one option, but I decided on a lazy weekend on England’s ‘royal river’, the Thames. - Event
marks 400 years since Queen Elizabeth I
The Queen is dead……. A courtier bends over the still figure stretched out beneath rich coverlets. He takes from her finger a ring of mother of pearl, ruby and diamond that he must carry north: by this token only is James VI of Scotland confirmed to succeed to the throne of England. - Happy
Birthday James Bond
Forty years after the first James Bond film, Dr. No, the 20th 007 movie, Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan, is due for release in November. In March, 2003 it will be 50 years since the book that introduced us to Bond, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, was published. - Scotland:
New attractions in legendary landscapes
Visitors to Scotland will notice some changes this year. There are some new features in the landscape that are likely to become 'must see' attractions. They include the world's first rotating boat lift; Scotland's first national park; the UK's highest mountain railway; and a 73-mile footpath through the heart of the Highlands. - New
attractions in England's maritime South-West
A great seafaring tradition of adventurers, explorers, pirates and smugglers; Cornwall and Devon's maritime appeal continues to grow, with some major new attractions opening this year. A National Maritime Museum; a centre devoted to the Pilgrim Fathers and Europe's biggest marine aquarium are the latest additions to this region. - Great
Britain, Great Golf
Few sporting events are as keenly anticipated as the Ryder Cup. This year it is back in Britain (late September) near Birmingham in the Heart of England. The event's return to the UK will inspire golfers everywhere to come and play in the game's birthplace. - Walking
Britain
New trails to trek around Britain - Experience
Britain's cities
Experiences to be had in cities around Britain - Exploring
Hidden Britain
Getting off the beaten track around Britain - Bargain
Britain
'Affordable Britain' by Louise Wood - Pedalling
round the gardens of Kent
Article on recent cycling trip in Kent - Bristol
and Bath - a tale of two cities
More about two of the cities featured in our 'UK City Culture' Campaign