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Posts from July 2007

July 18, 2007

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), was one of the foremost English landscape painters of his time. He received almost no general education, but his unique skills gained him a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts at the age of 14. In the following ten years he exhibited regularly at the Academy and was elected a member in 1802. With such recognition, he was able to devote himself to the visionary interpretations of landscape for which he became famous.

He sought inspiration for landscape painting by taking many trips around Britain and Europe. His walks along the river Thames, and trips to the Thames estuary provided him with the inspiration for several of his paintings. His friendship with the Earl of Egremont, who resided at Petworth House, and his many visits there, produced some of Turner's most idyllic landscapes. Almost unchanged to this day are the vistas from Petworth House which Turner captured so beautifully. The nearby towns of Brighton and Chichester proved to be fertile sources of inspiration, as can be seen in his paintings Brighton from the Sea and Chichester Canal, which hang in Petworth house, which is open to the public.

His love of landscape drew him to paint many of Britain's great castles, including Kenilworth, Barnard, Pevensey, Dartmouth and Battle Abbey. His Sunrise over Norham Castle is of particular note. As is his atmospheric Rain, Steam and Speed, a wonderful depiction of a steam train as it crosses Maidenhead railway bridge, which spans the Thames between Taplow and Maidenhead.

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com000_0708>

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July 03, 2007

Sports Pubs and Bars in London

Sports Pubs and Bars

Everyone knows that Londoners love their sport. Soak up the atmosphere with fellow fans at one of these sport-mad drinking holes.

Gone are the days when pub-goers had to cluster around a tiny screen hoping to catch a glimpse of the action. Today you can expect plasma or projector screens - and you need not rely on the commentators as you’ll be surrounded by experts!

When you fancy a break from watching sport, many of these pubs also offer games so you can challenge your mates.

A Feast of Sport

These pubs screen a wide range of sports including all the major events.

The JD Young Sports Bar has a specially designed games area for pool and darts. Ring ahead to request a sporting event and they will try to show it.

Playing poolThe Sports Café takes the sporting theme to the max with walls adorned with memorabilia. It is also equipped with pool tables, table football, console games and even a miniature basketball court!

If you like décor there, you’ll love the First Class Sports Bar. Located near Wembley Stadium it has an impressive collection of memorabilia, from a pair of Mohammed Ali’s shorts to a shirt signed by the 1966 England football team.

The Famous Three Kings – or F3K as it is affectionately known – is one of London’s most famous pubs for sport. It shows a wide range of events including Italian and Spanish football league matches. It has eight large screens plus booths with individual TVs.

Recently refurbished, Sirocco on Shaftesbury Avenue screens all the major sporting events. With 12 plasma screens you’re bound to catch all the action. And, with cocktails, party platters, dance floor and DJs, you can really make a night of it here.

Join the Fans

All of London’s sporting venues have one of more nearby pubs which attract a loyal crowd of locals, or visiting fans, to share the highs and lows of their chosen team.

Football

From The Gunners pub – spiritual home to Arsenal fans – to the pubs located in each of the four corners of Griffin Park, Brentford FC’s ground, there is no shortage of locals for locals!

Visiting Chelsea fans should pay a visit to the Shed Bar, part of Chelsea Village, a traditional sports bar celebrating the history of sport and Chelsea FC.

Rugby

Twickenham Stadium is the home of English Rugby and hosts an exciting programme of international and league games.

The Rugby Tavern and The White Swan are just two of the pubs frequented by fans before and after the game. Just what you need to get the party started.

Cricket

London has two major cricket grounds but the original and most famous is Lord’s. For more than a century, Lord's Tavern has provided cricket-lovers with a haven for celebration or commiseration.

Tennis

Wimbledon is synonymous with tennis and each summer the world’s attention focuses on SW19. The Fire Stables is the closest bar to the All England Club and it’s always packed during the tournament. If you want to mingle with the stars, try The Eclipse. Its cocktails and sushi snacks have proved popular with the players.

Challenge Your Mates

Get up off your bar stool and prove your own sporting prowess!

Bar Kick is the ultimate venue for table footie. Phone ahead to reserve a table and once you’ve honed your skills, enter one of the regular competitions.

Pool fans should take a trip to The Elbow Room, which has branches across London. These funky venues combine bar and pool hall. Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com000_0708

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July 02, 2007

Horse Racing Near London

A Day at the Races

If you have never experienced a day at the races, then you are in for a treat. There are very few things that make for a more exciting day out and the south east boasts some of the UK’s finest courses.

Newbury

Located between Oxford, Reading and Basingstoke in beautiful Berkshire, Newbury is home to the prestigious Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes. Considered one of the UK’s finest sporting venues, Newbury enjoys 33 race days a year.

Kempton Park 

For urban racing fanatics, Kempton Park is perfect as it’s the closest racecourse to London and even has its own train station. Kempton’s most famous meeting is the traditional Christmas Festival which takes place between Christmas and New Year.

Ascot 

Most people, even if they have no interest in racing will have heard of Royal Ascot. The four-day festival takes place in mid-June and attracts royals, celebrities and commoners alike. The pomp and ceremony, the outrageous dressy outfits and the excellent racing are all perfect excuses to visit.

Sandown Park Ascot

The course at Sandown is famous for its hill finishes and stunning location. A mere 15 miles from central London, Sandown hosts 26 race days a year; the top day is the Gold Cup meeting which is held every April.

Goodwood

Synonymous with racing, the first race at Goodwood was in 1801. Today the course hosts 20 days of racing a year, the highlight of which is Glorious Goodwood a five day festival celebrating thrilling racing and very flamboyant dressing up.

Brighton 

Brighton’s racecourse overlooks the sea and the city. Having recently had a £5 million face lift, the course has superb facilities. The main meeting here is the three day August Festival – the highlight of which is the John Smith’s Brighton Mile and the Brighton Challenge Cup.

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com000_0708

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