Transcript GREAT BRITAIN

GREAT BRITAIN
FAMOUS
PLACES
MENU
• ALDWORTH
GIANTS
• BRIGHTON
• CALLANAIS
• CAMBRIDGE
• CERNE ABBAS
• DUBLIN
• EDINBURGH
• KILMARTIN
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LOCH NESS
OXFORD
SNOWDONIA
STONEHENGE
STRATFORDUPON-AVON
• UFFINGTON
• INFO O AUTORZE
ALDWORTH GIANTS
The tiny atmospheric parish church at Aldworth, contains numerous huge effigies of the De
La Beche family. The figures are supposed to be life size representations, depicting knights
all over seven feet tall. The De La Beche family were powerful landowners and knights in the
14th century. Many of them were retainers to the king, warders to the Tower of London, and
Sheriffs of Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
The family were influential during the reign of Edward the II (deposed in 1327) and Edward
the III (died 1376), and were embroiled in the royal intrigue of the time. Sir Phillip was
imprisoned in Scarborough castle from 1322 to 1327, but later pardoned by Edward the III;
His father, also Sir Philip was jailed and later pardoned during the reign of Edward the II.
Unfortunately many of the effigies were vandalised by Cromwell's men during the Civil War
in the 17th century. Many of the knights are missing the lower part of their legs, noses and
arms, no doubt the easiest parts to break off. They were probably seen as a symbol of
royalty by the parliamentarians, although many churches were ransacked in the same period.
PARISH CHURCH AT ALDWORTH AND THE EFFIEGIES
BRIGHTON
REGENCY TOWN HOUSE
A Grade I listed terraced home
of the mid 1820s, currently in
the final phase of restoration as
a Heritage Centre.
See the House whilst
refurbishment work continues
during 1995, and obtain a
fascinating insight into the
development of Regency
Brighton and Hove and urban
lifestyle in this period. Fully
guided tours and talks explore
the building of the towns' large
terraced houses, the use and
decoration of their rooms - and
much more besides.
ROYAL PAVILION
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The Royal Pavilion grew over 35 years from a simple farmhouse to a spectacular palace. In
1787 Henry Holland extended the original farmhouse into a neo-classical building know as
the 'Marine Pavilion'.
From 1815-1823 John Nash used new technology to transform the Pavilion into the Indian
style building that exists today. He enlarged the building and added the domes and minarets
that characterise his design by superimposing a cast iron framework over Holland's Marine
Pavilion.
Other features of Nash's design were less successful: within 10 years the roof had started
to leak and concealed drainpipes were overflowing and causing dry rot.
The Royal Pavilion's lavish interiors combine Chinese-style decorations with magnificent
furniture and furnishings.
Adorned with gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases, the
Palace's unique style mixes Asian exoticism with English eccentricity.
PRESTON PARK & ROCK GARDEN
Preston Park is probably the most wellknown park in Brighton bring situated on
the London Road and an important
landmark for visitors travelling into
Brighton from the north.
There are 63 acres of parkland
incorporating beautiful bedding schemes
which can be seen from the main road.
There is also a formal rose garden, six
bowling greens and 12 tennis courts in the
park, plus a children's playground, a
croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a
small pond with stepping stones.
The Rotunda Cafe is open Easter-end of
October, 10am-6pm.
Opposite Preston Park, on the other side
of the London Road, is The Rockery, the
largest municipal rock garden in Britain,
containing wonderful plants and built with
1,350 tons of Cheddar stone. It is
reputed that the design of the garden is
similar to that of the popular Willow
Pattern.
CALLANAIS STONE CIRCLE
Situated near the village of Calanais
on a ridge of land above Loch Roag,
Calanais is one of the more remote
stone circles in the British Isles.
The circle consists of a central
stone just under five metres in
height, surrounded by a circle of
thirteen stones.
To the North a double avenue of
stones runs from the circle for
eighty metres, probably the original
entrance to the site. To the South,
East and West run three single rows
of stones forming the arms of a
cross, the Southern arm extending
slightly longer than the East and
West alignments.
The stones are known as 'Fir Bhreig'
meaning the false men in Gaelic, it is
possible they were looked upon as
petrified people in the distant past. A
legend suggest that the stones were
giants, turned to stone by St Kieran when
they would not convert to Christianity.
The stones were also said to have a
spectral visitation on the dawn of the
Midsummer Solstice. A shinning figure is
said to walk down Northern avenue
heralded by the call of a Cuckoo. This may
be a folk memory of astronomical
alignments or seasonal ritual at the site.
One tale that has a common variant in
other areas, is the tale of a white fairy
cow, that came out of the sea during a
year of harsh famine. The cow made its
way to the stones and allowed itself to be
milked by the people of the village. They
were each allowed 1 pail of milk. A local
witch came to the cow and tried to get 2
pails, she was refused and returned with a
sieve and proceded to milk the cow dry.
CAMBRIDGE
1. A visit to King's College Chapel is a truely inspirational experience. It is the
largest and most spectacular of the college chapel's in Cambridge.
2. The Fitzwilliam is known as the Art Museum of Cambridge University.
It has been described as “the finest small museum in Europe”
AUDLEY END HOUSE & GARDENS- AN ELEGANT JACOBEAN MANSION
(RIGHT)
BURGHLEY HOUSE & PARK – FINE EXAMPLE OF LATE ELIZABETHAN
ARCHITECTURE (LEFT)
DUBLIN
Dublinia at Christchurch brings
the turbulent history of medieval
Dublin vividly to life.
This award-winning exhibition allows
visitors to experience life in the
Middle Ages at first-hand.
Walk through the reconstructed
streets and laneways of the old city,
visit the Merchant's House and climb
aboard a ship at Wood Quay.
Dublinia recreates the sights and
sounds of the medieval city to offer
visitors a fascinating glimpse of Dublin
800 years ago.
Detailed reconstruction of the
streets, houses and even the citizens
of the time reveal how much life in
Dublin has changed... and how much
remains the same.
If for no other reason,
Kilmainham Gaol would be
remarkable for being the biggest
unoccupied gaol in these islands.
As such, it gives the visitor a
dramatic and realistic insight into
what is was like to have been
confined in one of these forbidding
bastions of punishment and
correction between 1796 when it
opened and 1924 when it closed and
offers a panoramic insight into some
of the most profound, disturbing and
inspirational themes of modern Irish
history.
Leaders of the rebellions of 1798,
1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were
detained here. Such names as
Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart
Parnell, leaders of the 1916 Rising
and DeValera are associated with
the gaol.
The visit includes a guided tour and
exhibition. Please note that this is a
very busy site and visitors may
experience a delay during the
summer months.
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EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is the breathtakingly beautiful capital of Scotland, an exciting place to visit at any time of year.
When the Picts built a fort on a volcanic crag in the 5th century, to protect Scotland from the invading Angles
of Northumberland, Edinburgh's history began. The present Castle, was built on the site by Michael Canmore
(1057-93); his wife St. Margaret, built the chapel which you can still visit today.
Edinburgh and the port of Leith were granted a charter by Robert the Bruce, and from this time its prosperity
and population grew. Building space was limited within the fortification wall, and so the town grew upwards. Tall
buildings (tenements), some up to fourteen stories high with narrow alleys (wynds) between were built, and
what is known as "old town" developed down the royal mile to Holyrood Abbey. People were crowded together,
noblemen, thieves, artisans and shopkeepers. This was the Edinburgh of Mary Queen of Scots, of the famous
preacher John Knox, whose house you can still see, and of Heroes such as the Marquis of Montrose. Edinburgh
had much to be proud of, it was home to the Scottish Parliament and the University of Edinburgh; the town had
survived everything from war, civil and religious strife, to overcrowding, severe shortage of water and outbreak
of the plague.
The Union of Parliaments in 1707 removed Scotland's independence, but by this time Edinburgh was established
as Scotland's capital with its fine University, its own legal system and growing foreign trade coming up the
Forth to the port of Leith.
Today Edinburgh is once again the home of Scottish Parliament for the first time in 300 years.
Free at last from the fear of invasion Edinburgh was able to grow beyond its medieval walls. In the mid 18th
century the loch surrounding the castle was drained, North Bridge was built, and what is known as "new town"
burgeoned forth. No longer confined for space, plans were drawn up by James Craig for wide streets and grand
squares. It was Craig's plans which we should thank for building on only one side of Princes Street and Queen
Street, allowing for the beautiful public gardens opposite.
Georgian Edinburgh grew throughout the remainder of the 18th and 19th centuries. The first public building,
Register House, was designed by Robert Adam; he also designed the University and the north side of Charlotte
Square. Many classical buildings such as the National Gallery of Scotland inspired by ancient Greece grace the
city centre and from these, Edinburgh became known as the "Athens of the North". Edinburgh blossomed into
one of Europe's cultural centres. This was the Edinburgh of James Boswell, Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott;
of the philosopher David Hume and the political economist Adam Smith; and of the painter Sir Henry Raeburn
and the engineer Thomas Telford.
Upholding its tradition for culture Edinburgh hosts the annual International Festival, three weeks of the very
best of music, opera, drama and ballet. Although the Festival only lasts for three weeks, you will find top class
entertainment of every sort, all year in Edinburgh.
Apart from its varied and stunning Architecture, Edinburgh is a visually beautiful place, with many parks and
gardens, to take a leisurely stroll through, or simply sit and watch the world go by. For those who enjoy gardens
you are in for a treat! Edinburgh is the home of the world famous Royal Botanic Garden, which you will not want
to miss.
KILMARTIN LINEAR CEMETERY
The Kilmartin Valley is home to one of the most varied collections of
prehistoric sites in the whole of Scotland. Bronze Age cairns, Neolithic
chambered tombs, and enigmatic rock carvings, can all be found within a
two-mile radius from Kilmartin village. Further South is Dunadd, the Dark
Age fortress once home to the people after whom Scotland was named. The
most easily accessible group of sites form the Kilmartin Linear Cemetery, a
collection of Bronze Age cairns, all of which can be reached on foot from
the museum at Kilmartin House.
The linear cemetery consists of five cairns dating from the Bronze Age,
some of which overlay older sites. Intermingled with these are Temple Wood
Stone circle, and Nether Largie standing stones.
LOCH NESS
Loch Ness is the largest of
three lochs located in the Great
Glen which divides the North of
Scotland along a line from Fort
William to Inverness. The loch is
large by British standards, being
23 miles long and a mile in width,
and averaging 600ft in depth.
Its catchment is hilly and wet,
and is drained by 6 major rivers
which flow into the loch. It
contains over 2 cubic miles of
fresh water, and the River Ness
outlet, although only 5 miles
long, is one of the greatest in
Britain for average flow.
A new Loch Ness mystery has unfolded
with the discovery of a huge underwater
cavern which sections of the media have
dubbed 'Nessie's Lair'. Auxiliary
coastguard and Drumnadrochit
businessman George Edwards made this
spectacular find when he was on a
coastguard training exercise on the Loch.
He picked up an abnormal signal on his
sonar. The depth of the Loch is around
750 ft, and as he made a circular
manoeuvre with his boat he got a reading
of 812 ft on his sonar equipment. George,
who over the years has seen many strange
shapes on the Loch, has been a tour boat
operator for 12 years. His findings have
been quoted by experts as 'the most
significant in years', but it has only come
to light now as he was fearful of being
accused of promoting self-interest. Being
a firm Nessie believer, George says there
must be more than one creature in the
Loch and this cavern could lead to a
network of caves. He feels the time has
come to investigate the underwater caves
and has been contacted by a North Sea oil
company offering equipment and experts
to seek out 'Nessie's Lair'.
These are sonar readings George took on
his travels in his boat showing the
contours of the Loch.
OXFORD
Oxford University
Museum of Natural
History
Ashmolean Museum –
Museum of Art and
Archeology – Britain’s
Oldest Public Museum
OXFORD BODLEIAN LIBRARY
SNOWDONIA
Where is Snowdonia in
Wales?
MOUNT SNOWDON
VIEWS IN SNOWDONIA
STONEHENGE
Stonehenge is probably the
most recognisable and
enigmatic stone circle in
Britain. The structure has
fascinated people for
centuries, and there are many
theories as to what purpose it
was put to by ancient man.
Stonehenge has suffered over
the years from trophy hunters,
and the wear and tear of many
visitors. The structure is now
surrounded by a fence, which
although not aesthetically
pleasing is helping to preserve
the monument from erosion.
The stones have inspired many legends and folklore over the centuries. Much of the
folklore seems to try and explain the origin of the circle structure as the work of
giants, gods or wizards. It was probably easier to accept this than to believe that a
past culture could have better technology.
The heel stone is said to have been thrown by the Devil at a monk who was spying on
him between the stones. The stone pinned the unfortunate clergyman to the ground
by his heel.
Other folklore suggests that the stones are uncountable, a baker tried to count
them by placing a loaf of bread on each stone. He came up with a number but then
made the mistake of going through the whole process again, and could never get the
sets of numbers to tally.
Ancient Astronomy. Stonehenge has stimulated a great deal of debate
over the years, from experts and laymen alike. The first account that the
stones may have been aligned to key dates was by William Stukeley, who
noted that the axis of the earthen avenue aligns to where the sun rises on
the longest day.
In the 1960's an astrophysicist called Gerald Hawkins studied Stonehenge
alignments by computer, and concluded that the Trilithons framed key
dates in the megalithic calendar. Although the alignments are not razor
sharp in accuracy, they are accurate enough to have been used by
megalithic man for ceremonial and astronomical purposes. The cycle of the
moon is over a 18.61 year cycle, and the observation of the sky must have
been over a prolonged period of time to incorporate the corrects
alignments.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
The half-timbered house where
William Shakespeare was born in
1564 is Stratford's most
cherished historic place. It is the
most frequently visited of all the
tourist places. Descendants of the
dramatist lived there until the
nineteenth century, and it has
been a place of pilgrimage for over
250 years.
Open daily, tours start in The
Birthplace which contains an
acclaimed exhibition of the poet's
life, William Shakespeare: His
Life and Background They then
carry on through the house, which
is furnished in period style with
many historic manuscripts and
books.
New Place, Shakespeare's home
from 1597 until his death in
1616,was pulled down in the
eighteenth century but its
foundations and grounds can be
seen, including a beautiful
Elizabethan-style knott garden
created eighty years ago. The
site is approached through
Nash's House adjoining, which
contains exceptional furnishings
of Shakespeare's period. The
rooms on the lower level include
some early seventeenth century
oak furniture. Upstairs, there is
an exhibition dealing with the
history of Stratford-upon-Avon
before and after Shakespeare.
Anne Hathaway's
Cottage
Exquisitely picturesque - the
second favourite
Shakespearian property.
Before marrying William
Shakespeare in 1582, Anne
Hathaway lived in what is
justifiably described as one of
England's most famous
buildings. Part of the building
dates from the mid-fifteenth
century, and some of the
furniture belonged to the
Hathaways and their
descendants. The garden is
outstanding.
UFFINGTON
The White Horse of Uffington, with its elegant lines of white chalk
bedrock, is thought to be the oldest hill figure in Britain. The image is a
stylised representation of a horse (some would say dragon) some 374
feet in length, and is thought to date back as far as 1000BC in the late
Bronze Age. Similar images have been found depicted on coins from that
period, and it is thought that the figure represents a horse goddess
connected with the local Belgae tribe. The goddess is generally believed
to be one form of Epona, worshiped throughout the Celtic world.
Dragon Hill is a low flat-topped mound situated in the
valley below the White Horse. In legend it is the place
where St George slew the dragon, its blood spilling on
the hilltop and leaving forever a bare white patch
where no grass can grow. Some suggest that the horse
is a representation of St George's steed or even of the
slain dragon itself.
INFO O AUTORZE
• AUTOR: MGR BEATA
KOZŁOWSKA
• SZKOŁA PODSTAWOWA
• W TRZYGŁOWIE
• BIBLIOGRAFIA:
WWW.BRIGHTON.CO.UK
WWW.OXFORDCITY.CO.UK
WWW.CAMBRIDGE.GOV.UK
WWW.STRATFORD-UPON-AVON.CO.UK
WWW.EDINBURGH.ORG
WWW.EDINBURGHGUIDE.COM
WWW.VISITDUBLIN.COM
WWW.LOCHNESS.CO.UK
WWW.MYSTERIOUSBRITAIN.CO.UK
WWW.PLACES-TO-VISIT.CO.UK
WWW.ABOUTBRITAIN.COM