The city of Manchester hosts a celebration of European
Culture throughout the city with an array of live performances over
two massive days. DJs from all over Europe descend on the city to
entertain the tens of thousands gathered all night long while a
variety of other live music performances, including cabaret and
dance, captivate during the day.
Venue: Manchester city centre Date: May 2010 TBA Website: www.eurocultured.com
For over 1,000 years, York Minster has been a
principal place of worship for the York area. The largest Gothic
cathedral in Europe, this impressive building is open to the public
and visitors can enjoy the peace and beauty of the church,
including its many stained glass windows, the well-known Rose
window, fascinating ancient remains beneath the church in the
Undercroft, and spectacular views from the top of the tower, 275
steps up. Audio tours are available. York Minster also boasts its
own gift shop, as well as a restaurant/café.
Excursion: No Address: Deangate Street Telephone: (0)1904 557200 Email: info@yorkminster.org Website: www.yorkminster.org Transport: Accessible by train, coach or car Opening Time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm (9.30am November to
March) and Sunday 12pm to 3.45pm. No admission for sightseeing on
Good Friday, Easter Sunday, or Sundays before 12pm. Early services
start at 7am daily Admission: £6 (adult); children under 16 free. Concessions
available
Showcasing the finest selection of Christmas gifts,
fabulously-festive home decorations and a delicious range of food
and drink from luxury Christmas puddings to Cornish Cheese and fine
wines, the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is the ultimate
Christmas bazaar. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the
annual fair where a multitude of products will be on offer at over
400 exhibitor stands. From local and national crafts, bespoke
fashion and jewellery to handmade products including rocking
chairs, kitchenware, tree swings and soaps, there are gift ideas to
suit all the family. All the ingredients, and the trimmings, needed
for a simply scrumptious Christmas dinner, can also be
found.
Venue: Business Design Centre, Islington Date: November 2009 TBA Website: www.countrylivingfair.com
This is one of the oldest and most familiar of all
royal ceremonies. Every other day a throng of tourists gather
outside Buckingham Palace to watch the exchange of duty between the
Old Guard and the New Guard. The Foot Guards wear their traditional
uniforms, complete with bearskins, but carry modern weapons as
their role is practical as well as ceremonial. The handover is
accompanied by a band from one of the five Foot Guard regiments who
play anything from traditional military marches to pop tunes. Guard
Mounting also takes place daily at the same time at Windsor Castle
and the Tower of London. The Changing of the Queens Life Guards
involves the handover of duty between the two mounted regiments,
the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards. When the Queen is in
residence (most weekdays) it is more flamboyant as the Captain of
the Guard and trumpeter lead the procession.
Venue: Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade Date: Daily 11.30am (Buckingham Palace); 11am Monday to
Saturday and 10am Sunday (Horse Guards Parade) Website: www.changing-the-guard.com
The Carling Cup is gaining a larger following each
year, and although not as prestigious as many of the other major
European football festivals it nonetheless showcases some of the
best in football talent.
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: 1 March 2010 Website: www.carlingcup.premiumtv.co.uk
The city of Salisbury is dominated by the spire of its
famous cathedral, the tallest in England at 404ft (123m). Started
in 1220 the cathedral was completed by 1258, the Spire added a few
years later. Built to reflect the glory of God in stone and glass,
this majestic and awe-inspiring church has been a setting for many
great occasions over 775 years. The grounds of the cathedral
contain many notable houses open to the public. Mompesson House is
a perfectly preserved 18th century home and Malmesbury House was
once the sanctuary for King Charles II, fleeing the Battle of
Worcester in the 17th century.
Excursion: No Website: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk Opening Time: Daily from 7.15am to 6.15pm. From 11 June to 24
August open till 7.15pm, except Sundays Admission: Cathedral: entry by donation
A row of stables along the River Wear close to the
historic heart of Durham has been converted into a set of creative
workspaces, where local artists can be seen at work. Visitors can
watch crafts like woodcarving, glasswork, painting and textile arts
in progress.
Excursion: No Address: Backsilver Street Telephone: (0)191 301 8245 Website: www.fowlersyarddurham.co.uk Admission: Free
Boasting the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite
paintings and drawings in the world, the breathtaking works of
Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne Jones can be found at the
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The spectacular Waterhall
gallery of modern art is littered with impressionist masterpieces
and is not to be missed on any trip to Birmingham and the same can
be said of the Greek, Roman and Ancient Near East gallery, which
never ceases to please. With fine art from the 14th century onwards
and an impressive collection of archaeological finds, documenting
400,000 years of history visitors will be suitably satisfied. The
Edwardian Tea Room provides a cosy space to discuss what you saw
and serves warm beverages, light snacks and scrumptious
cakes.
Excursion: No Address: Chamberlain Square Telephone: (0)121 303 2834 Website: www.bmag.org.uk Opening Time: Various, see website for details. Admission: Free
Nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford is home
to one of the premier English football clubs, Manchester United and
since 1878, has been the heart and soul of the club. More than
200,000 visitors come each year to marvel at the home of the likes
of Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, and share in some of the Man U
magic. Guided tours of the stadium run every 10 minutes and the
award-winning museum is chock-full of fascinating trivia,
memorabilia and interactive exhibits, guaranteed to delight fans
and perhaps even win over a few new ones. The Red Café, in the
North Stand of the stadium, is open daily and serves up delicious
food for those needing replenishment, while the Megastore in the
East Stand sells every conceivable type of Man U branded
item.
Excursion: No Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford Telephone: (0)870 442 1994 Email: tours@manutd.co.uk Website: www.manutd.com Opening Time: Guided stadium tours daily 9.40am to 4.30pm; Museum
daily 9.30am to 5pm Admission: Museum and tour: £11.74 (adults); £7.83 (children).
Concession available. Advanced booking is advised
In roughly 1140, the Abbey of St Augustine was founded
by Robert Fitzhardinge. Over the years, the Abbey was altered,
eventually becoming the model of the Hall Church style in England.
When the Abbey was finally dissolved in 1539, the Nave was
demolished and rebuilt, and became what is now the landmark Bristol
Cathedral. The original Abbey Gatehouse and the Chapter House,
which dates back to 1165, remain and visitors can enjoy the beauty
and peace of this ancient holy site and its surrounds. The
Cathedral also hosts free music recitals at certain times of year.
Public guided tours of the Cathedral are available every Saturday
at 11am.
Excursion: No Address: College Green Telephone: (0)117 926 4879 Website: www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk Transport: Accessible by car, train or ferry Opening Time: Daily from 8am until after Evensong. Admission: Free
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