14 Spooky Sarum
Oliver is reputed to be a very handsome ghost, in his scarlet velvet suit and flamboyant, plumed Cavalier hat. He’s also a considerate ghost. When he’s not making one of his infrequent appearances, he likes to move things around, but, unlike more common poltergeists, does so very carefully.
That’s fortunate, for he lives in the House of John A’Port, in Queen Street, Salisbury. It’s a shop, nowadays, called Watson’s … where they sell china, porcelain and glassware!
In Oliver’s day, he could have looked out of the windows across the street to the Market Place. Beyond that, there used to be two inns standing side-by-side, the Saracen’s Head and the Blue Boar. The street they stood in is still called Blue Boar Row, although the inns are now gone. In their place stands Debenham’s department store, which may be able to claim to be the only department store to be haunted by a 14th Century Duke.
A plaque on the wall outside the store tells most of the story. In the Market Place, near that spot, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham was beheaded for treason; some say he was involved in the murder of the ‘Princes in the Tower’. It’s said that the Duke protested his innocence until the end, claiming that, if he could speak to the King, Richard III, who was in nearby Wilton at the time, his name would be cleared. But, his message was ignored … .. if it ever reached the King.
When the deed had been done, it was said that the Duke’s head and right arm were shown to the King as proof. And, when the Blue Boar was extensively renovated in 1839, a skeleton, minus its head and right arm was discovered, buried under the kitchen floor. On several occasions, since, a figure, believed to be that of the Duke, has been sighted within the building.
Another old inn, dating from 1320, is the Haunch of Venison in nearby Minster Street. The back of the inn overlooks the graveyard outside the church of St. Thomas A’Becket. Sometimes, in one of the back rooms a smell of newly-dug earth has been detected. Very occasionally, a lady has been seen to pace the room, looking sadly over the graveyard.
The Haunch of Venison also made a macabre discovery during renovations. Embedded in a wall was a severed hand, holding two playing cards. It would seem, therefore, that when playing cards at the Haunch of Venison, you should always deal from the top of the deck!
At the far end of Blue Boar Row, on the corner of Endless Street, there’s a ghost called Matilda. She’s a young, blonde-haired girl, said to be friendly, but has been known to throw the odd carton down the stairs. Although, according to report, she seems to have the run of the upper floors of Blue Boar Row as far along as Debenham’s, she’s most often seen in the attic above what used to be Mr. T’s Café.
Like the Duke of Buckingham, Matilda had the disconcerting habit of walking through dividing wall walls to the building next door. Coincidentally, Debenham’s store is next door to the Pizza Hut … and Mr. T’s Cafe was next door to Pizza Express.
So, maybe ghosts like pizza?
Note: If you’re visiting Salisbury, and would like to ‘meet’ the Duke, Oliver, Matilda and many of their friends, the Salisbury Tourist Information Centre run frequent ‘Ghost Tours’ around the city throughout the Summer ……. and also during Hallowe’en. Sightings are, of course, never guaranteed!
Tours start from the TIC in Fish Row; further details can be obtained from the TIC, tel. no. (01722) 334956.
11 Bristol - From Wikipedia
In summer the grounds of Ashton Court to the west of the city play host to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, a major event for hot-air ballooning in Britain. The Fiesta draws a substantial crowd even for the early morning lift that typically begins at about 6.30 am. Events and a fairground entertain the crowds during the day. A second mass ascent is then made in the early evening, again taking advantage of lower wind speeds. Ashton Court also plays host to the Ashton Court festival each summer, an outdoors music festival which used to be known as the Bristol Community Festival.
The city’s principal theatre company, the Bristol Old Vic, was founded in 1946 as an offshoot of the Old Vic company in London. Its premises on King Street consist of the 1766 Theatre Royal (400 seats), a modern studio theatre called the New Vic (150 seats), and foyer and bar areas in the adjacent Coopers’ Hall (built 1743). The Theatre Royal is a grade I listed building and the oldest continuously-operating theatre in England. The Bristol Old Vic also runs a prominent Theatre School. The Bristol Hippodrome is a larger theatre (1981 seats) which hosts national touring productions, while the 2000-seat Colston Hall, named after Edward Colston, is the city’s main concert venue.
The music scene is thriving and significant. From the late 1970’s onwards it was home to a crop of cultish bands combining punk, funk, dub and political consciousness, the most celebrated being The Pop Group. Ten years later, Bristol was the birthplace of a type of English hip-hop music called trip hop or the Bristol Sound, epitomised in the work of artists such as Tricky, Portishead, Smith & Mighty and Massive Attack. It is also a stronghold of drum n bass with notable bands like the Mercury Prize winning Roni Size/Reprazent and Kosheen as well as the pioneering DJ Krust and More Rockers. This music is part of the wider Bristol Urban Culture scene which received international media attention in the 1990s and still thrives today.
10 From Wikipedia
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. London produces 17% of the UK’s GDP, and is one of the world’s major business, political and cultural centres. London is a leader in international finance, politics, communications, entertainment, fashion and the arts and has considerable influence worldwide. London is one of the world’s major global cities (along with New York City, Tokyo and Paris).
London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7.5 million and a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million. London’s population includes an extremely diverse range of peoples, cultures, and religions, making it one of the most cosmopolitan, vibrant and energetic cities on earth. A resident of London is referred to as a Londoner. Initially it was a Roman city known as Londinium. Over 300 languages are spoken in London, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world.
London’s status as the Capital has never been granted or confirmed officially - by statute or in written form. Nonetheless, it remains the de facto capital and, through common law, part of the UK’s unwritten constitution.
7 Moving to London
Moving is a harrowing experience in its own right but when it comes to moving to a new city in a new country the task stats to seem far more gargantuan than packing up your old kit bag and moving to a new suburb. Moving to London is no different but it doesn’t have to be as frightening and mammoth as it sounds.London Weather
If you’re immigrating to London there are a few things you should take into consideration when planning your move. If you’re from a sunny Southern Hemisphere country it will be a little difficult to adjust to the weather at first. London weather is not very predictable but it thankfully does get warmer than many other parts of Britain in summer. Between the winter months of November and February below zero temperatures are not uncommon and it is very wet and windy. The summer and spring months are relatively temperate but it does rain year round. When packing for your move it is important to take the weather and the time of year you will be arriving into consideration. Just because you’re coming from the sunny beaches of Australia doesn’t mean your not going to be stepping into snow, so make sure you have adequate warm clothing and protective gear before you go.
The Public Transportation System
London has one of the greatest public transport systems in the world; the system is so refined that owning a car is unnecessary. There are several forms of public transport to choose from but the most popular is the London Underground. Getting around London by tube allows fast and easy access to the heart of the city without worrying about the cities notorious traffic or getting lost. For someone who is new to London the tube is the perfect form of transport, it is also the cheapest, is very safe and highly reliable. London is famous for its big red buses which are very popular forms of transport especially once the tube shuts at night. You will be able to purchase a bus map at any travel centre or tourist office which will help you decipher the bus routes, which bus stops you need to be at and when. Cash is paid directly to the driver for single journeys and day passes are also available which come in especially handy when you wish to spend the day sightseeing. The traditional black taxi cabs can be pre-booked via phone or hailed on the street. They are the most expensive form of transport and most people only use them once the tube and busses have stopped running.
The cheapest way of getting around London is to buy a Travelcard which can be purchased for a day, 3 days, a week, a month or a year and are valid on buses, tubes and overland trains. If you are going top be living and working in London a Travelcard is highly recommended both for easy travelling as well as saving a few of your hard earned Pounds. If you do wish to drive a car in London you may normally use your valid drivers licence from your home country or an international driver’s licence. After a year you will be required to apply for a UK driving licence.
Places of Interest
Just because you are now living and working in the UK doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take time to do all the touristy things London has to offer. London is one of the greatest tourist cities in the world and because you’ll be staying there for quite a while you will have the amazing opportunity to see so much more than if you were visiting London for a two week holiday – so take the opportunity.
You can’t go to London without witnessing the 40 minute daily Changing of the Guard ceremony in which the Queen’s Guard, accompanied by a band, arrive at Buckingham palace for their shift. The London Dungeon and Madam Tussaud’s wax museum are favourites amongst locals and tourists alike. Filled with Gothic horrors, torture chambers and re-enactments of some of the most gruesome scenes the London Dungeon with its heart stopping atmosphere never fails to entertain visitors. The life size wax works of Madame Tussaud’s feature pop stars, actors, serial killers and political figures and a visit to this wax museum is not to be missed.
The 30 minute ride on the Millennium Wheel/ London Eye offers panoramic views of the city and is located close to attractions like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and the Thames River. The architectural splendour known as the London Zoo is another favourite amongst those living in London and its prime purpose is to save species under threat of extinction. It’s not too often that you see giraffes, penguins and lions roaming about the streets of London so take in a day at the zoo for sheer enjoyment. There are also a variety of botanical gardens, rivers and parks for those who long for a quite moment in nature in the middle of one of the most bustling cities in the world.
A visit to London’s own orient, Chinatown, is highly recommended for the bright colours, fabulous little shops and excellent Chinese cuisine. The Chinese New Year celebrations are not to be missed and feature, apart from a great party, huge papier-mâché lions dancing through the streets and awesome fireworks.
Apart from the montage of museums, galleries and theatres London is home to some of the greatest restaurants, pubs and nightclubs your evenings are guaranteed to be as exciting and eventful as your days. Don’t forget the shopping while you are in this cosmopolitan city, with venues like Harrods and all that Oxford Street holds you are sure to find treasures beyond you imagination.
Experience London
Just because you are going to be moving to London and will be living and working like the average Londoner don’t let the opportunity to explore this city to its full potential while you are there slip you by. When you first arrive in London you will no doubt be overwhelmed - but living in London is an experience in itself, so don’t let yourself get bogged down by the routine of daily life, take each and every opportunity to see and do as much as you can.
If you have made the decision to live and work in the UK the hassles of visas, applying for foreign bank accounts and job hunting arise many appear challenging to say the least. Whether you’re exploring the world, your career or your finances, 1st Contact offers a range of services to make living and working in London easier. 1st Contact’s services are open to candidates from all over the world who wish to live and work in the UK.
6 Traveling on the London Underground
You can take the Underground to nearly all parts of London, and can get you to your destination, without the delays of hailing cabs or waiting for buses. The London Underground consists of a Tube network made up of 275 stations on 12 rail lines. The different lines are marked with colours to help you keep track of where you are headed. Maps for the Tube have major tourist destinations clearly marked so you can find where you are going quickly. Any ticket station will have free maps. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the London Underground system.
The Tube is a very inexpensive way to get around London. The fares are based on a map of zones in the city, with the rates varying depending on your starting and ending zones. Tube fares start at only £1.30 for most travel in the central downtown areas.
If you plan on traveling extensively by Tube, you should think about getting an Oystercard. These plastic “smart cards” are durable and more convenient than carrying regular paper tickets. You can load your Oystercard with season passes or regular pre-pay fares. Using an Oystercard is simple. Just touch the card to one of the many card readers on the platform when you start your trip, and again when you reach your destination. The Oystercard isn’t just for the Tube either. This handy card can also be used on all other forms of public transit, such as buses or the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
The Tube runs frequently throughout the day, with trains running through each station every few minutes. There aren’t exact timetables available, except for the times of the first and last trains of the day. Each route is different, but travel begins as early as 5am and ends well after midnight.
If you are planning on getting around London via other transport as well as the tube, you should be aware that there are parking facilities at many stations though you will have to pay to park your car. Rates are low, starting at around £2.00 for a weekday. Some parking is free of charge on statutory holidays. Bicycles can be taken with you onboard the trains throughout most of the Tube network, but not everywhere. Some sections are off-limits to bicycles and they are also not to be brought onboard during peak travel periods (morning and evening rush hour). Check with the transit authorities before trying to board with your bike. There is no extra charge.
The etiquette involved with traveling by London Underground is the same for subway systems in any major city. Remove your backpack when boarding and keep it on the floor by your feet. Don’t stand in the doorway; allow passengers room to board and disembark the train. When riding the escalator, stand to the right so that quicker people can pass you. Overall, be courteous to other rides and transit staff.
Even if you don’t need to travel by Tube, you might still want to visit a local station, as the London Underground is a tourist destination in itself. The Poems on the Underground program brings poetry to the trains, alongside the advertisements. The poems are updated 3 times a year and can even be purchased as a collection at London’s Transport Museum Shop. Not a fan of poetry? You can also enjoy the numerous pieces of artwork that are on display throughout the Underground. Most of the art is in the form of wall-mounted posters, but there are displays of sculpture, photography and installation art as well.
Planning ahead can make using the London Underground system even easier. Visit their website (http://tube.tfl.gov.uk) and download maps of all routes along with timetables. Knowing your Tube routes will get you to your destinations faster, easier and with less time lost.
One more tip. If you are traveling during the summer, be aware that the Tube is not air-conditioned and gets quite hot. Bring a bottle of water with you if you plan on being on a train for a while.
Copyright 2006 S Wander
Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london.html offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.
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5 Visiting the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the oldest and most well preserved buildings in the world. Over time, the Tower of London has been used to protect England from its enemies, as well as palace for the royal family. Visiting the Tower of London is a must for any first time London visitor, as well as those who have traveled to London a few times.
The Tower of London has been watched over by yeoman warders since the very beginning of its existence in 1078. The warders take care of the buildings within the Tower of London making sure that all of the buildings are kept safe from intruders as well as watch to ensure that none of the prisoners of the Tower of London were able to escape. Since their inception yeoman warders have been required to take an oath to the Tower of London, and their servitude of the structure and the monarchy. In early years the yeoman warders would have preformed their duties in plain clothes, today the warders have much more stately attire.
Over time the Tower of London has become known for the great number of people that have been executed at the Tower of London. Some of the more famous executions include Anne Boleyn in 1530, which was Henry VIII second wife. She was beheaded and burned because Henry suspected her of committing adultery, and Sir Walter Raleigh an explorer to the Americas who fell out of favor with Elizabeth I. He spent twelve years in the tower to be released for only two short years before finding himself back there again being beheaded in 1618.
The Tower of London has been the setting for a great number of important historical moments in the history of London, and the history of England as a whole. The Tower of London is also where the crown jewels are kept. It is unknown what the actual value of all of the gold, silver, and gemstones in the royal collection. Kings and queens throughout the ages have worn items from the collection. Having just been worn so long ago, and during such key moments in history make the crown jewels priceless.
One of the oldest ceremonies at the Tower of London that still survives today is the ceremony of the keys. The ceremony of the keys is the ceremonial locking up of the tower on London each night. The ceremony has been completed in the exact same way, every single night for almost seven hundred years. Each night just before 10pm the chief warder comes from byward tower carrying the traditional lantern lit with a candle and precedes to a place a bloody tower. An exchange commences; as the doors are locked the chief warder and sentry perform the famous exchange:
“Halt” “Who comes there?” “The Keys” “Who’s Keys?” “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys” “Pass Queen Elizabeth’s Keys - All’s well”. The Tower of London is a structure filled with history. A visit to the tower can be a great learning experience for young children as well as adults. Each time you visit the tower you can learn something new about the tower, its content, and walk away with a new piece of knowledge about English history.
The Tower of London is open for guests almost every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Admission is charged and varies on the age of the guests, and number of people in a group. The hours the towers are open for visits vary depending on the time of the year, so if you aren’t familiar with London check before you plan your trip for the hours that the tower is open each day to ensure that you are able to see all that you would like of the towers before they close. They towers are easily assessable through the Tower hill Tube Station, as well as several bus stations.
Copyright 2006 S Wander
Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london-central.html offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.
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9 Vacation in Leeds - A City Guide
Vacation in Leeds - A City Guide
By Williams, Maria
Leeds is a city in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds in West Yorkshire in the north of England. The River Aire runs through the city. In 1974 the former county borough of Leeds was merged with the towns of Wetherby, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, and other surrounding areas
to form a metropolitan borough — the city status of the county borough being conferred on the new metropolitan borough.
History
Leeds was an agricultural market town in the middle ages, and received its first charter in 1207. In the Tudor period Leeds was mainly a merchant town manufacturing woollen cloths and trading with Europe via the Humber estuary. At one point nearly half of England’s total export passed through Leeds. The introduction of the Leeds and Leeds Canal in 1816 and the railway in 1848 catalysed the city’s industrial growth.
Places of interest
Despite its longtime reputation as a grimy northern industrial city, Leeds will surprise anyone with the beauty and diversity of its City Centre. Some places to visit except the museums and art galleries:
* Quarry Hill Cultural Quarter
* Millennium Square
* Leeds Arena
* Harewood / Eastgate shopping quarters (commence
Late 2006/Early 2007)
* Trinity Shopping Quarter (commence 2006)
* South Leeds Sport Centre
Museums and Art Galleries
Leeds has a large number of museums, being the home of the Royal Armouries Museum (opened in 1996), the Leeds City Museum which is dedicated to the history of Yorkshire, the Thackray’s Medical Museum and the Leeds City Art Gallery. Leeds also boasts the Grand Theatre,
the City Varieties music hall and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Shopping
While many cities can boast innumerable shopping centres and high street stores Leeds trademark is sophistication. It has become the shopping Mecca of the North - Gucci, Prada, D&G grace Harvey Nic’s rails. Excepts these, street shops like - Karen Millen, Jigsaw, Kookai, Lambretta, Vivienne Westwood, Joseph, Ted Baker and Mexx jostle, are waiting there to feast the shopping spree in Leeds. The heart of Leeds is The Headrow, the city’s main thoroughfare. Along its length one can find some of the city’s main attractions; the City Museum, City Art Gallery and The Henry Moore Institute which has the finest collection of 20th Century paintings outside of the Tate. Off The Headrow is Briggate with its ornate shopping centres. The Grand Theatre and Opera House are located here also. Major shows visit regularly so it’s worth checking out. Over all the City Center hosts a shopping center that fulfills every need of hopping.
Food & Drink
The city of Leeds offers an extensive choice of places to eat, drink and relax. Award winning restaurants, Victorian pubs, fashionable wine bars and venues offering every type of ethnic cuisine ensure that all tastes. Leeds has a very large student population and boasts a large number of bars and nightclubs, as well as venues for live bands such as the Cockpit, The New Roscoe, and Joseph’s Well, which combine to generate a vibrant nightlife. For American style restaurants TGI Fridays, Wellington Street, Frankie and Benny’s, Cardigan Fields, Kirkstall, Hard Rock Café are few to name. Babylon, 10 York Place, Browns, The Headrow, The Calls Grill are some of European style restaurants. From Chinese, French to Italian all type of food is available in Leeds. Listed are some famous among them: Cafe Rouge, Canton Flavour, Lucky Dragon, Little Tokyo, Cactus Lounge etc.
Education
Leeds has two universities, the University of Leeds, and Leeds Metropolitan University as well as various higher education colleges, including Trinity & All Saints’ College accredited by the University of Leeds, giving it one of the largest student populations in the country. The main campuses of both universities are near the city centre, as is that of the similarly revered College of Art. Leeds Grammar School, situated on the outskirts of the city at Alwoodley Gates and dating back to 1552, is the principal public school for boys. Leeds Girls’ High School is an independent, selective school for girls, located in Headingley and consistently ranked highly in education tables.
Sports
The town has a strong sporting heritage, with the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Leeds Rhinos (the Rugby League team) and Leeds Tykes (the
Rugby Union team) playing at Headingley Stadium, and Leeds United F.C. playing at Elland Road.
Tours and Sightseeing
An organized tour in Leeds consists of local sightseeing including museums and playhouses, shopping and Leeds Castle.
Hotels and accommodations
The dedicated team at SleepUK can assist and advise on all your Leeds hotel requirements. Online and offline access to Leeds’ accommodation
network ensures travelers will be offered the best possible deal at the time of your visit whether you require luxury hotels in Leeds or budget
hotels in Leeds.
Hotels in all categories are opening in Leeds all the time, reflecting the city’s renewed prosperity and popularity as a short-break destination.
Whether you are visiting Leeds on vacation or just on business trip, you may need to find accommodation in Leeds and stay overnight in a
B&B or a budget or luxury hotel.
Leeds has lots of budget and luxury hotels. They are very much convenient, friendly and comfortable. Among them - Ascot Grange Hotel,
Malmaison Hotel,Hotel Leeds Express by Holiday Inn Leeds,City Centre, The Butlers Hotel,Haley’s Hotel and Restaurant, Weetwood Hall Conference Centre & Hotel, 42 The Calls, Harewood Arms, Quebecs, The Leeds Boutique Hotel, Golden Lion Hotel, Comfort Inn Leeds, Merrion Hotel,Harman Suites 1 & 2, self-Catering Apartments, Nea Ramada, Leeds Parkway Hotel,Village Hotel & Leisure Club Leeds are few to name about.
Transport
It has in the past been served well by its canal, and today by its rail network at Leeds station, from where Metro Trains operate to all parts of West Yorkshire and other operators to the rest of the country. Leeds Station is the busiest in the UK, outside London. With two motorway (the A1 (M), M1 and M62) intersecting at Leeds, it is the principal northern hub of the motorway network. Leeds Bradford International Airportis located to the north-west of the city and has scheduled flights to destinations within the U.K and Europe.
Biography
Name: Maria Williams
Occupation: Traveller
Website: http://www.sleepuk.com
Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK - providers of discounted hotels to make your stay in the UK as comfortable as possible.
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