YOUR 6 PAGE GUIDE TO SHORT BREAKS AROUND BRITAIN BEYOND

Visit LONDON the Queen’s Windsor Castle

Day trips less than an hour away

Fun times await Leeds Castle is closer Snap up style bargains at Legoland than you think at Bicester Village

BEYOND LONDON

One of Windsor Castle’s By Jo Caird lavish bedrooms BIGGEST This is the world’s largest inhabited castle

The exterior of Windsor Castle

St. George’s Chapel

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is and troupe of drummers, is the world’s oldest inhabited a spectacle not to be missed. Event highlights castle and one of the offi cial Windsor Castle is also home To 5 May residences of Her Majesty the to a signifi cant number of Capturing The Castle: Queen – you’ll see the Royal important artworks. They make Watercolours Of Windsor Standard fl ying from the Round up part of the Royal Collection, By Paul And Thomas Tower when the monarch is at which comprises over a million Sandby. Depictions of the home. There’s lots to explore, pieces of fi ne and decorative art. castle during George III’s including the State Apartments, The State Apartments feature reign by Paul Sandby, the the magnifi cent St. George’s paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens ‘father of English watercolour’, Chapel (where you’ll fi nd the and Canaletto, and many works and his brother Thomas. CASTLE IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION © 2002 HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II/PETER PACKER; ST. GEORGE’S CHAPEL QUEENIMAGE HER MAJESTY 2002 © ELIZABETHII/PETER ST. COLLECTION PACKER; THEROYAL OF IMAGECOURTESY CASTLE

WINDSOR CASTLE BEDROOM IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION © 2002 HER MAJESTY QUEEN HER MAJESTY 2002 © ELIZABETHII/MARK COLLECTION FIENNES; WINDSOR BEDROOM THEROYAL OF WINDSORIMAGECOURTESY CASTLE tomb of Henry VIII) and the are still in the same place as COURTESY OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION © 2002 HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II/JOHN FREEMAN; STATUE IMAGE © VISIT BRITAIN/BRITAIN ON VIEW ON BRITAIN/BRITAIN VISIT © IMAGE STATUE II/JOHNFREEMAN; QUEEN ELIZABETH HERMAJESTY 2002 © COLLECTION ROYAL THE OF COURTESY Semi-State Rooms, the private they were centuries ago. There From 17 May apartments of George IV. are also regular temporary Treasures From The Royal A good way to begin your exhibitions to showcase Archives. An exhibition of visit is by joining a free paintings from the collection. rarely-seen objects relating 30-minute tour of the Remember to ask a Warden to the history of the British Castle Precincts, led by at Windsor Castle to stamp your Monarchy. Diaries and letters the Wardens. In spring ticket to turn it into a 1-Year offer insights into the private and summer, the Pass. For more information, lives of kings and queens. Changing the Guard visit royalcollection.org.uk. ceremony takes place within the How to get there castle grounds (Mon-Sat 11am). Windsor London Waterloo to Queen Victoria This 45-minute LONDON Windsor & Eton Riverside statue at ceremony, with its Windsor Castle in approximately 60 minutes. Regimental Band

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BEYOND LONDON

The Castle’s moat dates back eight centuries LEGACY The site has been home to a castle since 1119

There’s so much to see and do at Chessington (above and below)

All within one hour of London Eleanor of Castile, 800 years Leeds Castle ago, to the extensive Victorian Legoland This fairytale lakeside castle renovations that we see today. When Lego began producing its in 500 acres of beautiful Admire the beautiful interiors, now famous interlocking plastic Kentish parkland dates back then explore the grounds. bricks in Denmark in 1949, to Norman times and has been There’s punting on the moat, no one could have predicted the property of six royal queens. regular falconry displays, two that the construction toy would Much of the interior mazes and an underground one day be famous across the decoration was introduced by grotto to get to grips with, plus globe. Yet as well as selling the last private owner of the several picturesque gardens hundreds of billions of Lego castle, an Anglo-American and a nine-hole golf course that bricks, there are now six theme heiress who bought it in 1926. dates back to 1931. Segway parks to visit, one of which is just But there are signs of the tours of the grounds are also a short train ride from London. CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL IMAGE © CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL; building’s extraordinary history available. Don’t miss the most Of the nearly 55 million CLOISTERGREAT AND CEILING IMAGES © BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY all over the place, from the curious attraction: the country’s pieces of Lego at Legoland drawbridge over the moat, only dog collar museum Windsor, you’ll fi nd 40 million which dates from the time of (leeds-castle.com). of them in Miniland, where scenes from Europe and the USA have been recreated in impressive detail. There are a total of 55 rides, live shows, attractions, driving schools and workshops in the park. New this spring is Pirate OF CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES; LEGOLAND IMAGES © LEGOLAND Shores, which LEEDS IMAGE © LEEDS FOUNDATION; CASTLE CHESSINGTON CASTLE IMAGES COURTESY features an adventure play area, more than 100 new models and another restaurant Fun times at Legoland (legoland.co.uk).

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The Great Cloister and a vaulted ceiling (below)

Canterbury Cathedral is steeped in history

and Tiny Truckers. Between the a World Heritage Site. Dating Chessington zoo, aquarium and Zufari, the back to the 11th century, World Of Adventures new safari-truck expedition ride Canterbury Cathedral is famous It would be easy to spend that opened last year, there are for being the place where a whole day experiencing more than 1,000 animals at Archbishop Thomas Becket the thrilling rides, fun live Chessington, including rare was murdered in 1170 by shows and interactive animal white rhinos. Chessington Zoo the knights of King Henry II. experiences at Chessington boasts the most successful Look out for the martyr in the World Of Adventures, which condor breeding programme in cathedral’s stained-glass incorporates a theme park, Europe too (chessington.com). windows, and visit his shrine. zoo and aquarium. Guided tours take place From the treetop-skimming throughout the day (Mon-Sat) CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL IMAGE © CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL; to the Canterbury and audio guides are available. GREAT CLOISTERGREAT AND CEILING IMAGES © BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY relaxing observation wheel, Cathedral As well as being open to Peeking Heights, there’s As the seat of the Archbishop visitors, the cathedral is a something for everyone in of Canterbury, the leader of the working church, with Morning the park’s 10 themed lands. Church of England, Canterbury and Evening Prayers, and the Minimum heights for the rides Cathedral is one of the most Eucharist, being read each day. vary, but even the youngest important religious sites in Seven choral services a week visitors will be kept busy by the the country. It’s also a major are led by the famous choir likes of the Temple Of Mayhem pilgrimage destination and (canterbury-cathedral.org). How to get there 30 mins. Then take a shuttle bus to the park. Leeds Castle London Victoria to Chessington OF CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES; LEGOLAND IMAGES © LEGOLAND Bearsted in 60 mins. London (various termini) LEEDS IMAGE © LEEDS FOUNDATION; CASTLE CHESSINGTON CASTLE IMAGES COURTESY Then take a coach shuttle. to Chessington South in approximately 35 mins. Legoland LONDON London Waterloo or Canterbury Catherdral Paddington to Windsor & London St. Pancras to Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Canterbury West in Riverside in approximately approximately 60 mins.

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Enjoy a free tour of the State Rooms LISTED The magnifi cent exterior The Palace is of Blenheim Palace now a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Witness the Palace’s Long Library

Blenheim Palace meanwhile, is an engaging route from international heavyweights, This World Heritage Site is into the life of the palace over such as Hugo Boss, Versace one of England’s largest houses. the past three centuries. A stroll and Diane Von Fürstenberg. Built in the early 18th century, around the formal gardens and This is the place to buy luxury it’s now home to the 11th Duke Capability Brown landscape is for less. You’ll fi nd savings of up and Duchess of Marlborough, a rewarding way to complete to 60 per cent on past seasons’ but was the birthplace of your visit (blenheimpalace.com). collections, with delivery wartime Prime Minister Sir available to any address in the Winston Churchill. There’s a world via the air courier service. permanent exhibition devoted Bicester Village Enjoy a VIP shopping to him, in a room close to the Just an hour from London by experience by taking the one he was born in. train, this designer outlet ‘village’ Shopping Express, a luxury Blenheim is a beautiful is made up of 130 boutiques coach from central London. example of English Baroque from some of the world’s biggest Then tuck into a two-course architecture – free tours of the brands. Exquisite offerings from meal and enjoy a three-hour

imposing State Rooms run European icons like Yves Saint personal style consultation BLENHEIM IMAGES COURTESY PALACE OF BLENHEIM BICESTER PALACE; VILLAGE IMAGE © BICESTER VILLAGE throughout the day. Blenheim Laurent, Prada and Dior sit for as little as £188 Palace: The Untold Story, alongside stand-out designs (chicoutletshopping.com).

Shop in style at How to get there Bicester Village Blenheim Palace London Paddington to Oxford in approximately 60 mins. Then take the S3 bus. Bicester Village LONDON London Marylebone to Bicester North in 60 mins. Then take the shuttle bus.

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ACROSS THE UK STAR NAMES Hay-on-Wye Dame Judi Dench is among Each spring, this tiny town Hay’s guests on the border of England and Wales becomes the buzziest literary destination in the UK, courtesy of the Hay Festival (from 22 May). What began life as a niche event for the publishing industry is now a 10-day festival of literature and the arts, featuring talks, comedy, music, workshops, a children’s area Manchester and stalls. Among the Rugby fans rejoice as the Magic Weekend personalities taking returns to Manchester’s Etihad Stadium part this year are Toni (17-18 May). A complete round of rugby Morrison, Arianna league fi xtures takes place over two days, Huffi ngton and Dame with fans from 14 UK clubs coming together Judi Dench (hayfestival. to support their teams in seven exciting com). London matches. Off the pitch, a fan village, Paddington to house band and entertainment Hereford in programme keep spirits high two hours, (rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk). 40 mins. London Euston to Then Manchester Piccadilly take the in two hours, 10 mins. festival bus service.

LONDON Llandudno More great places It was during the 19th century ALRESFORD that this coastal town in North This picturesque medieval town Wales became known as a major is home to the pretty Watercress Line seaside resort. The impressive pier and much steam railway. New Alresford, Hampshire. of its architecture dates from this period, and alresford.org. London Waterloo to this glorious heritage is celebrated each May Alton in one hour, 15 mins. at the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza (3-5 May). On the bill are steam-engine STONEHENGE displays, performances by pipe and drum This prehistoric circle of standing stones bands, magic and variety acts, and a fun dates back to 3,500 BC. Daily fair. Look out for the QR codes that form 9.30am-7pm. Admission £14.90, a self-guided child £8.90. Off A344 Road, walking tour near Shrewton, Wiltshire, of fascinating SP3 4DX. 0870 333 1181. Victorian english-heritage.org.uk. RUGBY IMAGE © VISITBRITAIN/STEVE BARDENS; IMAGE © CROWN COPYRIGHT HAY-ON-WYE LLANDUDNO (2014) VISIT WALES; IMAGE © ALAN CUTHBERTSON locations Waterloo to Salisbury (victorian- in one hour, 20 mins. extravaganza. com). STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE London Horace Walpole’s 18th-century Euston to Gothic castle. 268 Waldegrave Llandudno Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST. in about 020 8744 1241. strawberryhill three hours. house.org.uk. Strawberry Hill.

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