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My Trip to England March 2011 Part 3 York

 

Saltaire - A factory village

In 2001 Saltaire was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was recognised for its international influence on town planning and as one of the earliest, largest and best preserved nineteenth century ‘model villages’ anywhere in the world.

Sir Titus Salt built this amazing model Industrial Village between 1851 & 1876 and it is now a World Heritage Site. The village consisted of Salts Mill, which produced 17 miles of cloth every day, neat stone houses for the workers, alms houses for the poor and needy, a girls' and boys' school and an institute, shops, wash houses, a hospital, churches and a park - but no pub - there was no drunkenness in Saltaire! The Village still stands and most of the buildings have survived even if their function has changed. And now, it's possible to get an alcoholic beverage in Saltaire! The pub is called, appropriately enough - Don’t Tell Titus.

The walks are great fun. You'll become a character of someone who actually lived here. You may even meet other members of your "family" or even find yourself "married off"! Everyone is given a bookmark with a snippet about the character you may be called upon to play. I was Alice Wentworth, an unmarried hatmaker.

Mrs Ellin Dooley - (Maria Glot) was the most colorful guide - dressed as a factory worker’s wife. She painted a vivid picture of what life was like in Saltaire.

 

Mrs Caroline Hill - (Sally Clegg)

Sally's costumed character, Caroline Hill, lives in the second biggest house in the Village with the lookout tower. She is married to Col. Thomas Hill, who is in charge of security in the village, but she hankers after her former life in India. Sally, who plays Caroline Hill, is a former journalist and an experienced tour guide.

　

　

Middlethorpe Hall was built in 1699 for Thomas Barlow, a master culter from Sheffield. It was bought in the 1980s and re-opened as a luxury hotel restaurant and spa in 2008. It is now run by the National Trust and has hosted royals from prince Andrew to Princess Anne. It has period rooms and modern day luxury, too.

The York Marriott is located overlooking the Racecourse, a 20 minute walk from the center of town. It has a lovely pool area and spacious rooms.

York

Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa – only a select few luxury hotels in York feature such a host of elegantly appointed rooms, ranging from tastefully-designed luxury classics right through to the Penthouse, which affords breathtaking views of the city walls and York Minster. It houses the best in culinary splendor, friendly and helpful staff, and a quintessentially English standard of exemplary service. It is a 2 minute walk from the Railway Station - having been the headquarters for the railway line. The lobby area and hallways still retain much of the original character of the building. 

Catwalk York find the buildings with black cats on the buidling fronts. Some are quite creative, like the Black Swan Pub - an atmospheric English pub.

National Railway Museum-the largest of its kind in the world.

www.nrm.org.uk

Quilt Museum – The Quilt Museum and Gallery is Britain's first museum dedicated to quilt making and textile arts.

The Quilters' Guild was formed in 1979, and at the same time, The Guild began collecting patchwork and quilting, primarily as a teaching and research tool. Today the Guild's collection totals over 700 items. Items from the 18th century In addition to the well-known 1718 silk coverlet the collection contains some interesting examples of quilting from the 18th century, including two exquisite caps and a blue silk petticoat. A small white linen cot quilt is probably one of the earliest pieces in the collection. Possibly worked in a professional workshop it contains delightful quilting patterns of mermaids, castles, ships and exotic-looking animals. It may well date from around 1703 as it has key similarities with a linen quilt in the Victoria and Albert Museum which carries this date in the quilting. Items from the early 19th century The collection is also noted for its key examples of cotton patchwork made in fabrics from the late 18th to the early 19th century when the English market in hand block printed cottons, plate prints and roller printed fabrics was beginning to flourish. The frame coverlet known as 'Mrs Billings' is one of the finest in the collection. It was probably made around 1810 and has a central section surrounded by borders of different widths and pieced patterns. This arrangement is very typical of British patchwork and is known as a 'frame' layout. The workmanship of this coverlet is outstanding and over a hundred different fabrics have been used in its construction. Another key piece from this date is the 'Mary Prince' top. This pieced top echoes the frame layout in the choice of colours but it is pieced from just one geometric shape, the elongated hexagon. It has been pieced over paper templates using a traditional method sometimes known as 'English paper piecing'. Items from the later 19th century and early 20th century With the availability of cheaper printed cotton fabrics patchwork and quilted bedcovers gained a huge popularity amongst all classes in the 19th century and the collection reflects all aspects of the development of the craft during this period. This includes cotton frame quilts, wholecloth and strippy quilts, strip piecing, block patterns and applique. The fancy work quilts which were made in the second half of the 19th century are well represented with examples of diamond and hexagon patterns using silk and velvets, as well as crazy patchwork items. Wales and the North East of England developed a particularly strong quilting tradition during the 19th century and both geographic regions are well represented in the collection.

　

　

　

 Ellen Mc Nulty is President of Lynott Tours 

 

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Royal Wedding Walk in London

 
On the 16th of November 2010 Prince William and Kate Middleton gave a press conference at Clarence House. After a 9 year on-off relationship the couple announced their engagement to a breathless public. The wedding will be held on the 29th of April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. 

Visit the London locations and landmarks that helped define the next Royal golden couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Learn about Kate's fascinating life prior to joining 'the firm', and hear firsthand the whole story, from William's cherished mother Diana, to Kate's engagement ring, and all the gossip in between. 

Your tour itinerary includes;

• The birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II, 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair - Learn about the generations of royals that came before 
• Garrard’s Jewellers - The Royal Jewellers since 1843
• Mahiki – The young Royals’ favourite London nightclub
• The offices of Kate’s Father, Richard Middleton – gain an insight into Kate's family background
• Jigsaw Clothing Store - Kate has had trouble holding down a job, see where she worked 
• The Ritz Hotel - Favoured by Royalty, one of London's best hotels, the romantic comedy 'Notting Hill' the only film ever to be allowed to film here
• White’s Gentleman’s Club - Find out the Royal connection to one of London’s most famous Gentleman’s Clubs
• John Lobb Bootmakers - The Queen, Prince Charles, Princes William and Harry all have their shoes made here, as did Princess Diana
• St James’s Palace - The oldest palace in London.  The palace complex includes York House, the former home of the Prince of Wales and his sons, the Princes William and Harry.
• The Queen’s Chapel - Kate Middleton attended her second Royal wedding here
• Clarence House - The official residence of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
• Buckingham Palace - The Royal residence since 1836
• Westminster Abbey - Where the wedding will take place, and where Diana's funeral was heldNote:  I recently visted England and Kate's hometown. 

 
Lambing season is always rewarding in the British countryside. Nothing is more charming than rolling green hills dotted with mama sheep and their baby lambs - just in time for Easter. We traveling through the countryside on a royal tour, including Kate Middleton’s home village of Bucklebury, in Berkshire. It’s not much more than two pubs, a butcher shop, and a thatched house, but we had lunch n the pub, where they told us the story of the sheep races and duck races in Bucklebury. An annual tradition with a twist this year, the participant animals are named Charles, Camilla, and for other royals. Sounds like fun. A special race day will be held on the day of the royal wedding, April 29, 2011.

 

 Ellen Mc Nulty is President of Lynott Tours 

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My Trip to England March 2011 Part 2 Bucklebury - Bronte

The Royal Wedding

 

 Ellen Mc Nulty is President of Lynott Tours 

 

Australia Travel Master    Cruise Tour Planners

 
Lambing season is always rewarding in the British countryside. Nothing is more charming than rolling green hills dotted with mama sheep and their baby lambs - just in time for Easter. We traveling through the countryside on a royal tour, including Kate Middleton’s home village of Bucklebury, in Berkshire. It’s not much more than two pubs, a butcher shop, and a thatched house, but we had lunch n the pub, where they told us the story of the sheep races and duck races in Bucklebury. An annual tradition with a twist this year, the participant animals are named Charles, Camilla, and for other royals. Sounds like fun. A special race day will be held on the day of the royal wedding, April 29, 2011.

Tetbury, known not only as the home of Charles and Camilla, but it is also home to many antique shops and charity shops, too. Highgrove was not yet open for the season, but we visited the shop where they sell organic products from Highgrove farm.

I had not been to the theater in Stratford in at least 25 years, but the newly refurbished theater is magnificent. We had a pre-theatre dinner and walk about the Royal Shakespeare Theatre followed by Romeo and Juliet production, a contemporary twist on a classic, starring a British tv actor as Romeo. After a £112.8 million refurbishment, the 1000-seat auditorium is the largest thrust stage with a tiered auditorium in the world. The theatre opened in November, 2010. The first performances began in February. The Royal Shakespeare Company will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2011.

We had a walking tour of the village - The world of Wuthering Heights is brought to life in the famous village of Haworth, including a visit to Brontë Parsonage Museum which was once home to the literary great the Brontës. The town, too, seems known for its large sized cats, which appear in backyards, streets, and even the Apothecary Shop. The town would be charming, even without the Bronte Association.

The bulk of our time was spent in Yorkshire. We traveled through the bleak landscape of the Moors to Haworth. We enjoyed  

 

 lunch at the Weavers, a pub, decorated with old spindles from long ago. The food was just fabulous, including sticky toffee pudding.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Trip to England March 2011 (Part 1) London

Wellington Arch Did you know you can go inside the Wellington Arch? I didn’t. The view of the horse guards parade is particularly good from here and from Apsley House, across the road, Wellington Arch - Wellington Arch is topped by the largest bronze sculpture in England. Set in the heart of Royal London at Hyde Park Corner, Wellington Arch is a landmark for Londoners and visitors alike and a great addition to a memorable day out in London. It was originally commissioned as a grand outer entrance to Buckingham Palace and moved to its present site in 1882. For glorious panoramas over London’s Royal Parks and the Houses of Parliament, take the lift to the balconies just below the spectacular bronze sculpture surmounting the arch. The balconies also offer unique views of the Household Cavalry, passing beneath on their way to and from the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade. Inside the Arch, three floors of exhibits tell its fascinating history.     Apsley House Addresses don’t come much grander than 'Number One London', the popular name for Apsley House, one of the most interesting visitor attractions in London. Home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, the interior of the house has changed very little since the days of the Iron Duke.　 It boasts one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens as well as a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain. The collection is just magnificent! The collection of paintings at Apsley House contains about 200 of the finest works of art in London. It is a treasure house of pictures that originally belonged to the king of Spain, and which were removed from the Spanish royal palaces by Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Joseph. We went to the West End together to The London Palladium for pre-theatre dinner and Wizard of Oz! The music was good, but I fell asleep, since it was my second day in London. Now I wake up every morning with “a Fa la la “ in my head, and it is a few days later. This production is unique in that the lead cast member was selected from an “American Idol” type audition held nationwide in Britain.

 Ellen Mc Nulty is President of Lynott Tours 

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The Doctor Who Experience - Unique Experience -London

The Doctor Who Experience - Unique Experience And Awe-Inspiring Exhibition
Opening at Olympia Town in February 2011, the Doctor Who Experience is the ultimate Doctor Who adventure. Part immersive experience, part interactive exhibition, providing fun for all the family. You will be invited to step through a crack in time to become the Doctor's companion on a journey through time and space. The challenge will be to reunite the Doctor with the TARDIS whilst encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international television series.  For more info visit www.doctorwhoexperience.com 

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

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London Art Fairs 2011

London Art Fairs 2011

There's an art fair for everyone in London: you can browse and buy antiques, oil paintings, contemporary prints, ceramics and even robotic art.

Whether you're an experienced collector, or simply looking for an affordable piece of art for your home, you'll love these top London art fairs.

London Art Fairs in 2011

London Art Fair

Business Design Centre
19-23 Jan
Now in its 23rd year, the London Art Fair hosts more than 100 galleries selling work by leading 20th-century and contemporary artists and emerging talents.

Watercolours and Works on Paper Fair

Science Museum
3-6 Feb
At the Watercolours and Works on Paper Fair, you'll find everything from watercolours to copperplate engraving and photography, dating from the 15th century to the present day.

Kinetica Art Fair

Ambika P3
3-6 Feb
Light installations, flight simulators and an Internet-enabled ear are just some of the exhibits at Kinetica Art Fair, the UK's only art fair dedicated to kinetic, robotic, sound, light and time-based art.

20/21 International Art Fair

Royal College of Art
17-20 Feb
The 20/21 International Art Fair offers some of the best modern and contemporary art from around the world. Past shows have included work by Matisse, Miró, Picasso, Chagall, Moore and Hockney.

Ceramic Art London

Royal College of Art
25-27 Feb
Organised by The Craft Potters Association with Ceramic Review magazine, Ceramic Art London is the leading selling exhibition for contemporary studio ceramics, showcasing leading makers from the UK and overseas.

Affordable Art Fair

Battersea Park
10-13 Mar and 20-23 Oct
You can pick up a piece of original art from just £100 at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park, where 120 galleries present work by established and up-and-coming artists.

Pick Me Up

Somerset House
17-27 March
Pick Me Up, the first contemporary graphic art fair in the UK, returns for a second year. The exciting show is a platform for some of the world's most innovative graphic artists and designers.

BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair

Duke of York Square
23-29 Mar
Organised by the British Antique Dealers' Association, the BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair brings together 100 of the UK's leading art and antique experts, offering the best fine furniture, silver, jewellery and more.

Chelsea Antiques Fair

Chelsea Old Town Hall
23-27 Mar and 21-25 Sep
Chelsea Antiques Fair was established in 1950, making it the oldest antiques fair in Britain. With just 38 stalls, the boutique fair is the perfect place to meet antique experts and browse their wares.

London Original Print Fair

Royal Academy of Arts
19-21 Apr
The London Original Print Fair is the longest-running specialist print fair in the world, covering all periods of printmaking, from the early woodcuts of Dürer to contemporary masters such as Hockney and Hirst.

Collect

Saatchi Gallery
6-9 May
Now in its eighth year, Collect is one of Europe's most important contemporary craft fairs. You can buy ceramics, glass, jewellery, silver, fine metalwork, textiles, wood and furniture.

Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair

Olympia Exhibition Centre
9-19 Jun
The Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair celebrates its 39th anniversary in 2011. Among the items on sale are decorative arts, books, furniture, jewellery, paintings, sculpture, textiles and silver.

Art Antiques London

Kensington Gardens
9-15 Jun
Held in a marquee in Kensington Gardens, Art Antiques London includes furniture, paintings, jewellery, clocks, ceramics, rare books and more. The event incorporates the International Ceramics Fair and Seminar.

Masterpiece

South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea
30 Jun-5 Jul
Returning for a second year, Masterpiece London exhibits the "best of the best" from around the world, from fine art and antiques to contemporary design and vintage cars.

Ceramics in the City

Geffrye Museum
16-18 Sep
Whether you're after functional tableware, a funky lamp or a quirky one-off artwork, you'll find it all at Ceramics in the City, a free fair where you can buy ceramics by well-known and emerging artists.

LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair

Berkeley Square
21-26 Sep
The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair brings together members of the UK's largest association of antique dealers. If you're interested in medieval works of art, contemporary fine art, furniture or jewellery, don't miss this prestigious fair.

Tent London

Truman Brewery
22-25 Sep
Spot trends and buy the latest new designs at Tent London in East London. You'll find furniture, lighting and home accessories from British and overseas designers, as well as interesting mini exhibitions.

Origin

Old Spitalfields Market
22-28 Sep 
London craft fair Origin is the UK's principal selling event for individual makers. The work on show includes ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery and furniture.

Palace Art Fair

Fulham Palace
6-9 Oct
Returning to London for the second year running, Palace Art Fair is organised by the team behind Brighton Art Fair. You can purchase work by more than 100 contemporary artists at this friendly, informal fair.

Art London

Royal Hospital Chelsea
6-10 Oct
This friendly fair features work by modern British artists such as LS Lowry, Ruskin Spear, Graham Sutherland and Vanessa Bell; big names including Picasso and Pissarro; and art from China, India, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.

Frieze Art Fair

Regent's Park
13-16 Oct
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Regent's Park, Frieze Art Fair attracts more than 150 of the most exciting contemporary art galleries in the world. After browsing the stalls, you can explore the sculpture garden and enjoy guided tours and talks.

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

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London's Olympic History

London's Olympic History

London has a rich sporting and Olympic history. The 2012 Olympic Games will mark the third time this international event has been held in London.

History of the Olympic Games in London

The London 2012 Olympic Games (the games of the XXX Olympiad) will mark the third time London has hosted the Modern Olympics.

London hosted the Olympic Games previously in 1908 and 1948. The upcoming games will make London the only city in the world to have hosted the Games three times.

Olympic Games: London 1908

In 1908, the Olympic Games were originally due to be held in Rome. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 meant Italy had to pull out, and London stepped into the breach.

Olympic Games: London 1948

London was chosen to host the 1944 Games, which were postponed because of the Second World War and became the 1948 Olympics. The 1948 Games are notable for the fact they were the first to be broadcast on home television.

Building a Legacy for London's Sporting Future

Since London won its bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics in 2005, a flurry of planning and building activity has occurred.

Most of this is centred on East London site at Stratford that will house Olympic Park – where the bulk of Olympic sporting events will be held – and the Olympic Village, where athletes and officials will live for the duration of the Games.

Olympic Park will boast a range of new, purpose-built sporting venues, many of which will remain for use by the community long after the Games have finished.

Famous Names: Wimbledon, Wembley and Lord's

London has a proud sporting history and is renowned for its world-class stadiums, many of which will be used for the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic Tennis will be played at Wimbledon, Football will happen at the newly renovated Wembley Stadium (and other stadia around the UK), and Olympic Archery will be held at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.

In addition, a range of historic locations and buildings will be modified for various sporting events. For example, Horse Guards Parade area near Trafalgar Square will import a load of sand and be turned into a central-London "beach" for the Olympic Beach Volleyball.

It's just the sort of irreverent yet delightful twist you'd expect from an Olympic Games in London, and is an exciting hint of what's in store come 2012!

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Buying Tickets for the London Olympics

London 2012: Buying Tickets for the London Olympics

Whether you live in London or are planning to visit the capital, don't miss your chance to see the world's top athletes go for gold at London 2012.

Although London Olympic Games tickets are not yet available, it's important to know how the ticketing process works in advance. Here are some tips on booking Olympics tickets, what freebies to expect and how to avoid unauthorised tickets.

Tickets for London 2012

There are about eight million tickets available for the Olympic Games; 75% of those tickets (six million) will be available directly to the public via a public ballot. And there are two million set aside for the Paralympic Games. 

Register your interest in London 2012 Olympics tickets now at www.tickets.london2012.com.

Registering is the first stage of the ticket process. By registering, you provide the organisers with your details, which will be used in the first stage of the ticketing ballot system in 2011. The ticket request process will be open for an as yet undecided period of time and then there'll be a ballot for all of the oversubscribed sessions.  

Tickets go on sale in 2011, and you can buy them right up to the start of every sporting event – subject to availability, of course.

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

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The Oxford And Cambridge University Boat Race in March

The Oxford And Cambridge University Boat Race
This is definitely an event not to be missed on the London sports calendar. On 26th March 2011, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames is one of the world's longest running sports events and one of the most popular.  Can Oxford win back the title in 2011? Go and join the fun on the banks of the Thames between Mortlake and Putney and cheer on the rowers.  For more information visit www.theboatrace.org

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert