English attractions



1. Abbey House Gardens, Wiltshire


The River Avon runs through Abbey House Gardens










2. Adventure Island, Southend-on-sea, Essex



3. Prince Albert Memorial, opposite The Royal Albert Hall










4. Alfred's Tower, Stourton, Wiltshire



5. Alton Castle, Staffordshire









6. Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire


















7. A picture of Albion House

Albion House in Liverpool. Formerly the White Star Line building T.H.Ismay founded the shipping line in 1869 & all the ships names ended in "ic" as in "Majastic", "Olympic" etc the most famous being the "Titanic" which sank in 1912 with a loss of nearly 1500 people. The building was surrounded by an anxious crowd seeking information and the White Star Line officials had to shout down the news from the balconies above.




8. Angel Statue near A1 in Gateshead.

Britain's largest sculpture, The Angel of the North weighs in at 208 tonnes and stands 20 metres high. It was based on artist Antony Gormley's own body and has wings spanning 54 metres.
This huge sculpture overlooks the A1 at Gateshead and at least 90,000 motorists a day will pass it by. It can also be seen on the train journey from London to Edinburgh.







9. Anne Hathaway's cottage.

This is the most charming of all the Birthplace Trust's properties, not only is it tinged with romance as the place where William Shakespeare courted the young girl who was to become his wife, but it nestles in the most idyllic of English surroundings.

The cottage is located in the village of Shottery, and although referred to as a cottage in reality it is a substantial house. The fact that the Hathaway's were a prosperous family is reflected by the size and style of the house.

When the trust purchased the property in 1892, it had many trappings from the Victorian era. These were removed and the house underwent renovation and restoration to bring it back to its former glory. Therefore, despite being carved up, there are still many 16th century features to be seen, included in these are 16th century fireplaces and the remains of what in Anne's day, would have been the great hall. Upstairs visitors can see the Elizabethan bed that Anne Hathaway was reputedly born upon, and in one room is a charming old settle beside the fireplace, believed to be where the couple sat when William came to visit.

The cottage is surrounded by a typically English cottage garden full of sweet scented flowers and plants. Part of the garden landscape has been laid out as a tree garden in honour of William Shakespeare, and there is also an adjoining orchard.

Anne Hathaway's cottage makes a delightful visit for everyone, it fully lives up to the "Picture Post-card and Chocolate Box" image flooded all over the world. Apart from the birthplace itself, this lovely thatched cottage, in it's perfect English setting, is quite probably the best loved of all Stratford's historic properties.










10. Arlington Court.
Owned by the National Trust, containing their largest collection of horse-drawn carriages.









11. Arundel Castle.
The distant view of massive Arundel Castle shrouded by beech woods against a pale Sussex sky gives visitors some hint of the glories of this impressive fortress, home of the Fitzalan-Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk, Earl Marshals of England, for centuries. The castle, begun in the reign of Edward the Confessor, occupies a superb location overlooking the valley of the River Arun. The crenellated keep on top of the motte, barbican and drawbridge, all date from Norman times.

























12. The Ashton Memorial.
The Ashton Memorial with its green dome, overlooks the City from Williamson Park. It forms a famous Classical landmark and was given to the town by Lord Ashton in memory of his wife.

Lord Ashton was a millionaire whose wealth came from the production of oil cloth and linoleum which was exported world-wide. The memorial was begun in 1908 to a design by John Belcher. Lord Ashton was a great patron of his home town, other gifts include the town hall and the Queen Victoria monument in Dalton Square.

The memorial stands serenely on a picturesque mound, opening up from its higher galleries is the most wonderful panorama of Blackpool, Morcambe Bay, the Lake District hills and the magnificent Lune Valley.

Following a period of neglect, the memorial was restored to its former glory in 1986-87. It now provides a magnificent venue for concerts, exhibitions and can even be hired for wedding ceremonies.

The Williamson Gallery (Williamson was Lord Ashton's family name) is housed on the second floor. This is a superb light and airy gallery with well displayed works of art, some of which may be bought.

The building never ceases to amaze and inspire, at times it reflects the warmth of the sun with tones ranging from a vibrant orange to a subtle primrose, at times it can even be seen as a whiter shade of pale. The Ashton Memorial's elegance and outstanding beauty has a timeless quality which will remain in your memory long after your visit here is ended.




View from top of Williamson Gallery (Ashton Memorial) Lancaster.




13. The At-Bristol planetarium. Bristol




14. Attingham Park.
An elegant 18th century mansion with regancy interiors and deer park, Attingham Park is of the great houses of the midlands.
















15. Audley End
Once, centuries ago in the days of Henry VIII a Benedictine Abbey stood here. A casualty of King's Dissolution caused by his desire to marry Anne Boleyn, the land was given by the King to Lord Audley who built himself a house in the grounds.

The house passed to Lord Howard of Walden, created Earl of Suffolk by James I. He began the stunning Jacobean house, that was to become the largest and most impressive Jacobean house in England. Having two courts built around the ruins of the Benedictine monastery, it was twice the size of the house we see today. Interestingly, after the Restoration Charles II acquired the property, but it was returned to the Howards in 1701, when the 5th Earl instructed noted architect Sir John Vanbrugh. At this time the outer court was demolished and the interior was greatly altered. The delightful exterior of the earlier house, complete with its roof surrounded by balustrading and topped by turrets remains. So too, does the magnificent great hall. This very special room is entered through two ornate porches built in the 17th-century-it is a handsome hall with a flat ceiling decorated with ornate carved wood and plaster panels, there is a screen with carved decoration and flights of stairs lead off. The hall is enhanced by a decorative fireplace surrounded by fine paintings.

On the ground floor there are reception rooms ascribed to Robert Adam. The Great Drawing Room is a room of overwhelming grandeur, here Adam's skilfully scaled down the size of the furniture to allow for the undesirable low ceiling, not fitting for the formal style of 18th-century design. His design of the Little Drawing Room for the Ladies was based on the use of roman columns-gracious in appearance but problematic for Lady Griffin and her companions who had difficulty moving around the room clothed in grand evening attire!

Audley End is full of interest. It has the ambience of a comfortable Victorian mansion with fascinating collections ranging from stuffed birds, shells and fossils to rare antiquities and priceless works of art. Not least, is the atmospheric richly decorated Gothic chapel and the glorious flower filled gardens. The kitchen garden is of particular interest, full of herbs, fruit and vegetables, it looks just as it did in Victorian times, when all the fresh produce was used to feed the household.

Of great interest for children is Lord Braybrooke's miniature railway running through 1.5 miles of delightful estate woodland. A shop on site sells memorablelia of the romantic age of steam and items from Thomas the Tank range.

This glorious house provides an interesting and entertaining time for everyone. It is cared for by English Heritage and is situated close to Saffron Walden, Essex.