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Traveling from UK to France

 Destinations  1 Response »
Nov 082010
 

We are all aware that Great Britain is an island. But many holidaymakers every year take a journey across the Channel to get to the Continenet. Presently you can find a number of ways of making this kind of trip, with your car or as a foot passenger, like the Chunnel or , cross Channel , the passenger from Eurostar and the coach.

The Channel Tunnel, which is sometimes called the “Chunnel”, goes from the south of , direct to Calais,northern . The Channel Tunnel is about 31.4miles in total, and these days delivers a swift method to cross from Britain to the Continent. Nevertheless, if you’re traveling by car or motorbike to , it is not possible to actually drive through the Chunnel. Actually instead you must drive onto a “car train” at the Channel Tunnel terminal, which can then take you through the tunnel in about half an hour. These kind of trains are managed by the firm Eurotunnel. But there are also passenger trains that operate through the same tunnel. These trains are controlled by Eurostar. The main service goes from central to the centre of Paris. But there are other routes, such as trains between Brussels and .

Ferries also offer a good option for crossing the Channel. You’ll find plenty of ferries going from the south coast of England. The ferry routes run by P and O Ferries or Sea France are almost certainly the best option. All these ferries operate between Dover and Calais and journey times are around 2 hours. Other ferry routes include Dover to Dunkirk and between Dover and Boulogne.

Taking the coach from England to France is a cheaper alternative, but it is also handy for anyone going without a car. Euro Lines are perhaps the most widely used coach operators, and they have routes from a great deal of cities across England, Wales and Scotland, which then across the English Channel by ferry, drving onward to a number of countries around Europe. One great benefit of taking the coach is that ferry journies aren’t extra as ferries are included in the price.

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London – A Look At What It Offers History Lovers

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Oct 022010
 

has a history dating back over 2000 years. Anybody visiting Britain must take in the historical sights of the capital to learn more about Britain as a country and the British as a people.

The Romans turned Londinium into a civilized town. Few Roman sights remain, but the ancient Roman Wall built around the City of London and now known as the London Wall is still in evidence near Moorgate. The ruins of The Temple of Mithras are on Queen Victoria Street and there is an exhibit of the Temple at the Museum of London. The curious London Stone in Cannon Street sits behind iron grating and is said to have been the marker from which all distances were measured in London.

After the Romans left, London faced turbulent times, but Edward the Confessor managed to take Westminster Abbey and turn it into a grand Romanesque building. Later on, Henry III would alter the Abbey and leave London with the stunning building that can be seen today.

The Tower of London was established in Mediaeval London and was first used a royal residence. It is one of London’s most famous buildings and has housed an armoury and even a zoo before it became synonymous with torture and death. It is a must see on any London tour. St. Bartholomew’s Priory in West Smithfield was built in 1123 and is London’s oldest church. Westminster Hall was under construction and formed the basis of the Houses of Parliament.

The Tudors built the Globe Theatre and established the many London Parks as royal hunting grounds. Although the Globe perished in the Great Fire, a modern replica was erected near the original site and brings back memories of Shakespearean London.

Inigo Jones changed the landscape of London. Covent Garden Piazza and Queen’s Chapel in central London show the city in the 17th century. The plague and the fire ravaged London including St. Paul’s cathedral. Christopher Wren set to rebuilding the cathedral and many more of London’s churches.

Georgian London is still in evidence thanks to beautiful houses such as Chiswick House and Syon House. They are well worth a visit. Buckingham Palace took on its role as royal residence for the first time.

John Nash created Regent’s Street and Piccadilly Circus and the clock tower known as Big Ben rose as Georgian gave way to Victorian.

The Victorians gave London the Victoria and Albert Museum and when the city bustle gets too much it’s a good idea to take in London’s various museums to learn more about the history of this amazing place.

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Things For Kids To Do Whilst Visiting Brighton, England

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Oct 012010
 

Londoners flock to whenever they get the chance, making this south coast city a very popular place. And thanks to this influx, has a wealth of activities and facilities for the young and old. Families looking for a weekend break or a longer holiday can find plenty to keep them entertained in this lovely beach side location.

Brighton’s vast shingle beach is much more than a sunbather’s paradise. Traditional amusement arcades line the sea front and restaurants and cafes are never far away. Brighton Pier is a must see with its up to the minute arcade games, fun park with rides for the young and old and Family Entertainment Centre. Overlooking the sea front is an enclosed area for younger to play in safety. Parents can sit in deckchairs and watch their little ones play in the paddling pool and sand-pits.

Brighton’s Sea Life Centre is very popular with children. A recent addition is a glass-bottomed boat offering views of the centre’s ocean tank where all manner of aquatic life can be seen going about their day. The displays are amazing and include a shark wreck and tropical reefs. Sea turtles, sharks and piranhas captivate visitors and the feeding times are not to be missed.

Brighton has its fair share of museums and if the weather is not beach friendly, one of the best is the Toy and Model Museum. This impressive building houses over 10,000 different types of toys dating back as far as a hundred years. It’s a chance for parents to indulge in little nostalgia and for children to see what life was like before the Nintendo DS.

Running along the coast from the Pier to the Marina is Volk’s Railway, the ‘world’s oldest operating electric railway’. Children love to ride in the vintage rail cars and learn a few facts about the line and how it operates. It’s a novel and relaxing way to .

One of Brighton’s major attractions, Hove Lagoon is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. There are speedboats, water skiing and boat rides. can enroll on courses and learn how to windsurf or sail a dinghy with enthusiastic professionals. There are even activity weeks for true water lovers. Younger children have a boating lake with rowing boats, a paddling pool and a playground. Cafes and restaurants are within easy reach. With the Hove Park Miniature Railway not far away, there is plenty to keep any generation occupied.

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Free Things To See And Do In London

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Sep 302010
 

Every capital city is expensive, and is no exception. For the wise tourist, however, there are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a dime.

London has a lot of museums and many of them are free. The British Museum on Great Russell Street is open every day and doesn’t charge an entrance fee. The National Gallery is a wonderful place to learn about art for free. The Tate Modern, The Tate Britain, The Victoria and Albert, The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum are cost nothing to enter.

London’s main attractions can be seen on foot. The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, The London Eye and Tower Bridge are all within walking distance and it costs nothing to look and take photographs.

Among the most popular sights in London is the Changing of the Guard. Every day in summer and every second day in winter the guards line up at 11.30 for a thirty minute ceremony. The views of Buckingham Palace are lovely and the best thing is that it doesn’t cost a thing.

In close proximity to Buckingham Palace is St. James’s Park and along with all the other London parks, it is free to enter. There are even free guided walks where visitors get to see behind the scenes of the upkeep of the park. Hyde Park has the Diana Fountain, free band concerts in summer and Speakers Corner.

Covent Garden is famous for its eclectic markets and street performers. All the performers are licensed and have to undergo auditions before putting on shows. Spectators are guaranteed a good show, whether it is comedy, acrobatics or dance and all performances are free.

The National Theatre is near Waterloo Bridge on Southbank and while tickets for the performances in the theatre come with a charge, the music and exhibitions held in the foyer do not. This free entertainment is put on before a show, so a quick check of the timetable reveals when to go.

Westminster Abbey may charge for tours, but worship is free. Evensong is held every day at 5.00pm and visitors can take the opportunity to marvel at the beautiful interior and listen to the choir.

The BBC films a lot of its TV shows in London and are always on the lookout for audiences to fill up their studios. A quick visit to www.tvrecordings.com or www.bbc.co./showsandtours/tickets reveals a whole host of free tickets to the latest recordings.

There are plenty of opportunities to get the most out of London for free, all it takes is a little imagination.

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England’s Lake District : Attractions Not To Miss Out On

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Sep 302010
 

The in Cumbria in the north west of is one of the most popular of the fifteen United Kingdom National Parks. It is the largest and most visited and attracts all kinds of visitors from all kinds of places.

It’s not difficult to see why the Lake District attracts so many visitors each year. Huge stretches of water span the National Park making up the famous lakes, with the best known being Lake Windermere. There is an abundance of local wildlife and the lakes also support the local inhabitants. The lakes are a source of various water based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, boating and sailing. Coniston Water is home to The Royal Yachting Association Training Centre which offers various sailing courses to qualify for internationally recognized RYA certificates.

The activities on the lakes are not the only way to enjoy the outdoors in the Lake District. The National Park has the highest number of outdoor activity centers in the United Kingdom. There are a whole host of pursuits to cater to all ages in these centers including horse riding, caving, climbing and abseiling. The Lake District has a tradition of unrestricted access to its fells and a network of public rights of way. Whether holiday makers choose to go it alone or take up one of the courses on offer, boredom is never an option and the scope of possibility is almost endless.

The Lake District is unique thanks to its ancient woodlands and the highest peaks and deepest lakes in England. Visitors can’t help but be impressed by the evidence of life dating back thousands of years to the Ice Age. Native animals and plants thrive in the wooded areas and thrill nature lovers and walkers alike. The National Park has a rich history uncovered by archaeologists of life throughout the ages and more recent living is reflected in the houses and bridges built with local materials.

It goes without saying that the Lake District is popular and it isn’t just the lakes, outdoor activities and scenic beauty. The quaint, bustling towns are an attraction in themselves and they cater well to the visitors’ needs. Specialist shops sell local art, crafts and food, including the famous Kendall Mint Cake. Gardeners have plenty of nurseries and garden centers to visit and walkers and hikers can browse round the many outdoor equipment retailers. There are galleries and exhibitions for everyone and accommodation to cater to all tastes. Those ignorant of the Lakes District’s charms have to come and see it for themselves.

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Brighton (England) – A Fun And Interesting Destination

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Sep 272010
 

has always been popular with the crowd. It was the Prince Regent who raised the city’s profile for he set up a royal court here second only to . Thanks to his influence, is one of Britain’s top cultural .

Brighton has a deep Regency heritage thanks to its architecture. Although each generation left its mark, the patronage of Prince Regent later George IV gave inspiration for the beautiful Royal Pavilion and the towns of Kemp and Brunswick. Regency streets and terraces are dotted around the city and bring back memories of grander times. As Queen Victoria took the throne, so the architecture changed. Many of Brighton’s churches are Victorian as are the finest sea front hotels and bandstands.

More than fifty festivals take place each year in Brighton, including May’s Brighton Festival which is the largest arts festival in . For 44 years, Brighton has led the way with amazing line-ups and productions. 2010 saw Brian Eno at the helm as Guest Artistic Director and his 77 Million Paintings exhibition broke all previous attendance records. Also in May is the Brighton Festival Fringe with art, cabaret, music, comedy and film events. Artists’ work is showcased in The Great Escape and Artist’s Open Houses.

Art, nature and photography are housed all over Brighton thanks to its many museums. The Booth Museum of Natural History has hundreds of fascinating exhibits, and literature and data spanning three centuries. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is the biggest and most modern museum and houses 20th century works. Photography is put firmly on the map thanks to the Sydney Street Gallery and North Laine Photography Gallery.

Entertainment is never hard to come by in Brighton and there are three major venues to choose from. Top bands play regularly at the Brighton Centre. The Theatre Royal Brighton invites stellar casts from top West End productions and produces its own shows too. Lastly, for everything from Shakespeare to one-man shows, visitors should look no further than Brighton Dome.

Film buffs visiting Brighton shouldn’t miss a chance to see an independent film at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse, the oldest working cinema in the country. The Cine-City festival is held in Brighton annually and bears testament to the city’s long association with film making. Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia both filmed segments here and film makers once set up studios in the city.

Brighton’s cultural scene is far reaching and all encompassing. Culture fans can’t fail to be delighted at what the city has to offer.

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