200 years of Charles Darwin
It was at Down House that Charles Darwin worked on his scientific theories and wrote ‘On the Origin of Species Through Natural Selection’, the book that scandalized and revolutionized the Victorian world. Today the house is still very much like when Darwin lived here.
On February 13, 2009, Down House will reopen after a few months of conservation work with a new exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of ‘The Origin of Species’. During a visit, you will enter the study where ‘On the Origins of Species’ was written, get a glimpse of family life in the ground floor rooms, take an audio tour narrated by Sir David Attenborough and relax with a cup of tea or coffee in the cozy tea room.
English Heritage has also restored the gardens to their Darwinian appearance, where you will see bees working in the fascinating Hive Observatory, just as Darwin did nearly 150 years ago. You will also follow in Darwin’s footsteps on his famous path ‘The Sandwalk’ and marvel at the carnivorous plants in Darwin’s garden ‘laboratory’ and the unusual varieties of vegetables that grow in the garden.
Kennet’s 5000 Year Scavenger Hunt
Since you may not know where this area is, find Bath on your map and then head east to Chippenham, Devizes, and Marlborough. It is a place where you can delve into centuries past, visit ceremonial landscapes and hills that are steeped in mysteries, myths and legends. Here you will find Avebury, a World Heritage Site, which was built around 3000 BC. Unlike Stonehenge, you can touch and feel the stones that surround this Neolithic site. If you allow enough time, you can also receive instruction in the ancient art of dowsing, before or after a traditional Labrador’s lunch at the Red Lion pub, which is located INSIDE the ancient stone circle. It is also reputed to be one of the most haunted pubs in the Southwest with Florrie being its best known ghost. The well that was supposed to have been knocked down after he was killed can be seen inside the lounge bar, so don’t misbehave while you’re there! Proof that humanity has always had the urge to make an impression can be seen in the white horses that have been cut out of the chalk at Wiltshire Downs. The story behind each one is fascinating. Another site of mystery and legend is West Kennet Longbarrow which is one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain and the nearby Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes houses the world renowned Bronze Age collection of the surrounding burial mounds. Stonehenge and Avebury. The black swan in Devizes market dates back to the 16th century and has an interesting past and was featured on Living TV’s “Most Haunted”. With advance notice, you can roam cellars and search for orbs in the dark, detect energy and electromagnetic fields. If you are looking for thrills of a different kind, there is a lot of paranormal activity in the area. After a visit to the Back Swan, take a ghost walk through the city. This is NOT for the faint of heart and you will need that drink at the end of the night …
Hastings Old Town
Just around the corner from the caves and the shoreline is Hastings Old Town, home to many famous smuggling gangs such as Ruxley’s Crew and Hastings Outlaws. They were a violent group and in 1768, 13 members of Ruxley’s gang were hanged for their part in the gruesome murder of the captain of a Dutch ship, off Beachy Head, near Eastbourne.
The old town is full of narrow streets, shops and unusual buildings. Their smuggling legacy lives on with the annual bonfire celebrations during Hastings Week, where members of the bonfire society don the costumes of smugglers or tax officers tasked with catching them.
Explore the England gardens of England
Whether you’re an avid gardener looking for inspiration or simply appreciating the beauty of English gardens, be sure to take the time to explore Shakespeare Country gardens.
From early spring to late fall, discover a profusion of scents, color and creation as Shakespeare Country gardens flourish with trees, shrubs and flowers. Even the winter months are exciting and you will often come across gardeners working hard to prepare their gardens for the seasons to come.
Shakespeare Country and the neighboring Cotswolds are home to some of the most enchanting gardens in England from almost every period in English garden history. From gardens to cabins, exotic to herbal, gardens are a delight to explore as they grow and change throughout the seasons and years.
Explore the gardens of the England of England, enjoy the color and tranquility, and remember where they are as you will almost certainly want to return.
On the border of Wales with England
A lesser known area of England is the county of Herefordshire, where England meets Wales. It has been the backdrop for several well-known films, including Shadowlands with Anthony Hopkins, which was filmed in the Wye Valley; visitors can follow the Shadowlands trail. More recently, the new film “Unconditional Love” starring Julie Andrews, Cathy Bates and Rupert Everett has been filmed in the black and white villages of North Herefordshire. The film was released in the fall of 2000. Literature has always been key to the county, Elizabeth Berrett Browning grew up in Ledbury and John Masefield was also born in this beautiful market town. Poetry fans can visit Ledbury in July for the annual poetry festival.
Hatfield House – where Elizabethan history began
Henry VIII sent his children to live and be educated in Hatfield when Elizabeth was only three months old. Elizabeth spent most of her childhood in Hatfield, and is said to have heard the news that she would become queen while sitting under an oak tree in the park. Elizabeth: The Golden Age starring Kate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen was filmed at Hatfield House. Mary, the home of the Queen of Scots, Chartley Hall, was recreated in the Armory and other state rooms were used for the home of Sir Francis Walsingham. As Geoffrey Rush commented: “The first day of filming, for me, it was the death scene and we had recreated Walsingham’s room at Hatfield House and we knew that she had walked there some 450 years before. You just improve your game because you play in him with a greater sense of pleasure. ” Visitors can see the Banquet Hall of the Old Hatfield Palace, where in November 1558, Elizabeth held her first Council of State and also see the site of the famous oak tree.
2008 marks the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, and as part of the celebrations, there will be exciting new events for the whole family to enjoy. Experts on the period will discuss life in Elizabethan times in a new series of lectures. Documents from the collection will be on display, along with the famous portraits of Isabel. For younger visitors, there is the opportunity to try on period armor and learn about life as a combat knight. Banquets are held at the Old Palace on Friday nights. A sumptuous four-course dinner and excellent entertainment in a wonderful setting. During the evening, players will be entertained by period music, songs and theater from King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I and their courtiers, followed by dancing.
