Archive for February, 2012

More castles to add to your UK itinerary!
Caerphilly Castle in South Wales is thought to be the second largest castle in Britain, after Windsor. It is unusual in that it is not built on a pre-existing defensive site. Gilbert de Clare, Lord of Glamorgan, one of Henry III’s most powerful and ambitious barons, built this castle to prevent south Wales from falling into the hands of the Welsh leader Llywelyn the Last, who controlled most of mid and north Wales. Llywelyn tried his best to halt the building of the castle and attacked it in 1270 but work started again the year later and he gave up!

Stirling Castle, in the Scottish Lowland, has a unique place in Scottish history. It looks down on the battlefields of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn where William Wallace and Robert the Bruce triumphed over the English in the 13th and 14th centuries. Like many castles associted with Kings it had a turbulent past. Between 1296 and 1342 it changed hands no less than 8 times. This period is known as the Wars of Independence. It began when Edward I of England invaded Scotland and ended when his grandson Edward III was finally driven out.

Tell us about your favourite castle. Do you have any pictures we can share?

We seem to have an increasing number of people who want help with where to go and what to see but want to book their own accommodation. Maybe it is a sign of the economic climate! Please see How We Work for more details.

Although the official celebrations are not until June, it is actually today, 6th February, 60 years ago that Princess Elizabeth became “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her Other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith” when her father died. She is the still only the second longest living monarch. Victoria reigned for 63 years, However she looks good for another three! (Fingers crossed…)

If you are travelling to the UK during this time there will be an added frisson of bonhomie and goodwill, for however much we play it cool us Brits like a good old knees up! It will be a particularly good time to visit London (unless you want to avoid the crowds then of course come some other time!)

The special events to mark her Diamond Jubilee will include:

The Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 10th, 11th and 13th May 2012 in Windsor. Horses and other acts will travel from all around the world to perform in celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

A special bank holiday. The 2012 late May bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4 June 2012 and an additional Jubilee bank holiday will be on Tuesday 5 June 2012, so a long weekend! Over that weekend the nation is being encouraged to hold street parties or picnics for the Big Jubilee Lunch. If you are visiting the UK at this time then I am sure people will be more than happy to welcome you to the party!

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place on Sunday 3rd June. This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla.

A BBC Concert will be held at Buckingham Palace on Monday 4th June. Tickets will be available (to UK residents only by public ballot I’m afraid). The musical programme for the concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians.

Also on Sunday the Queen will light the National Beacon followed by a network of 2,012 Beacons throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth.

On Tuesday 5th June a service of Thanksgiving will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral and a formal carriage Procession by The Queen.

Charles Dickens was born 200 years ago today. He was born in Portsmouth and, to mark the occasion, the Charles Dickens Birthplace museum has been opened earlier in the year. There is also a special exhibition at the City Museum called ‘A Tale of One City’ which will show what life was like in Portsmouth during 1812 – 1870. This exhibition will run until Sunday 4th November 2012. On Sunday 5th and Tuesday 7th February there will be free admission to the museum. Both days will have a range of activities plus celebrations in the street including street performers, musicians, food, craft activities, readings.