The Best Day-Trip Experiences

TTHEHE BBESTEST 1 DDAY-TRIPAY-TRIP EEXPERIENCESXPERIENCES

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 1 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM 1 hether it’s boating on a lazy river in Cam- bridge, listening to a choir sing in Canter- bury Cathedral, or walking along the pebbly beach in Whitstable, you can have memo- Wrable experiences within just a few hours of London’s hustle and bustle. The Best Churches Best The

You may be surprised to discover just how much of England you can explore using London as a base. We’ve rounded up our favorite day trip destinations, all of which can be reached by train, bus, or car from the city, allowing you to be back in time for dinner. Some of our trips are less than an hour from central Lon- don so could be enjoyed within an afternoon, whilst the farthest, York, is 195 miles (314km) to the north, but you can get there in 2 hours on a fast intercity train and still have plenty of time to discover the destination. Day Trips Made Easy For each day-trip destination, we provide you with all the useful information you need, including the practicalities of getting there, opening hours and admission fees. We also suggest a day’s itinerary featuring the top attractions, along with suggestions for walks, cycle routes or boat trips in the surrounding area. In addi- tion, we give you tips on dining and shopping and other places you can visit. We

THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST want to make sure that you don’t miss the Tiepolo painting in Leeds Castle, that you visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden at a time when you can enjoy it without a crowd, and that you follow the best walking route when exploring the ancient town of Rye. In “Planning Your Day Trips” (Chapter 10), you’ll fi nd general information on traveling in and out of London, including special passes that will bring down the cost of your trips. There are a lot of trips to choose from, and each one is intriguing in its own way. What are your interests? Would you like to visit Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s country retreat near the Sussex Downs? Walk down the time-hallowed nave of 800-year-old Canterbury Cathedral? Stroll along the medieval walls that still encircle York? Explore enormous Windsor Castle, the queen’s favorite royal residence? There are trips for every interest in this book. To help you narrow down your options, here are some of our favorites, organized by category. THE best CHURCHES W Church of St. Mary, East Bergholt This 16th-century church is packed with extraordinary curios, including carvings that were a secret code for Catholics during the Reformation. The walls are lined with memorial stones carved with poetic and exquisitely morbid sayings. The church bells are in a cage outside and ring at ground level. See p. 25.

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004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 2 11/19/12/19/12 3:173:17 PMPM 1 THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES

The Best for Book Lovers

Bells of the Church of St. Mary, East Bergholt. The ancient church in Bradford on Avon.

W King’s College Chapel, Cambridge This fi ne Gothic chapel dates back to the Middle Ages. Inside, Rubens’s Adoration of the Magi is nearly as striking as the stained-glass windows, paid for by Henry VIII. Carols are broadcast worldwide from the chapel every Christmas Eve and there are con- certs and organ recitals throughout the year. See p. 135. W St. Thomas Church, Salisbury Although it may be slightly overshad- owed by Salisbury’s famous cathedral, this 700-year-old church is quite extraordinary, particularly for the medieval murals inside. The terrifying wall painting Doom shows people rising from their graves and marching toward heaven or hell. See p. 66. W Saxon Church of St. Laurence, Bradford on Avon So old that nobody knows quite how old it really is, this church was considered ancient in 1120, and was converted into a cottage for hundreds of years until its origi- nal function was re-established in the 19th century. Tall and narrow in char- acteristic Anglo-Saxon style, it is still used for services. See p. 19. THE best FOR BOOK LOVERS W Lewes Both Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell lived in this small town outside Brighton, and other members of the Bloomsbury Group regu- larly stayed here. Charleston, Bell’s farmhouse, is an extraordinary place. Bell and her partner and friends painted the walls, fl oors, furniture—in fact anything that stood still—in fanciful designs. W Oxford So many famous writers lived in Oxford that we don’t have the space to list them all. The dreaming spires and ivory towers of this historic town were home to Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis, John Donne, and J. R. R. Tolk- ien, as well as many others. Today you can visit their colleges, drink in their pubs, and walk in their footsteps. See p. 139.

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m d t n i t a s NOTTINGHAMSHIRE N W e s e k a S r l h C H y r d s n s s M N O r a o o E East Midlands I a r ﬁ e d e e B e t e y S t K a o a t l t o r - s B Y R Rotherham r r o A n E C Castleford M1 t v ﬁ r a

s y s E f t B a y R D e g Y York Minster e o e LEICESTERSHIRE L o g o e H n e l e n d F b H n l r R k E w r n O d P n i p k n n h s t a e i E k G Glenﬁeld h d n F a T a a t e r o - c n T u p o Y r i R n c v s C Chesterﬁeld O r d w s r t o R

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k n d e f a r / o W H w d H h o e t e r s o r Coventry C - O o e h t s N g H o e g G r d g X T E t n t t s m T d l h l

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Y h S e o n r b o r n r W n W o e l - m e i R ﬁ I f n n h m h s w C o w O C g u a t ffi n B o p I t u e A d L Leeds/Bradford s n a t u I l o k S o a e w k F n r t T a r SOUTH YORKSHIRE S r W l a o e B u Burton upon Trent b W t m m i

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s k I c t R h R e h e m M Macclesﬁeld b o I a a N D E n r t I e O n l E n r r u v g t r g W v H GREATER G h l a W e a d i T Telford o T l e o R e A o o n H e p R D B a L S - l S I i o y y e t h B I h d M Market Drayton o E e n r S r r w s h t w MANCHESTER M e L l L Leigh r s G M r S A H O d i h y s i o H S e c u

o u n i e y e D e n r t a r n r t v W Wolverhampton t p r T S S s r o s t l h d C l b S o R l K Kidderminster e u s t t a u r o l h R l s o u i n B S C Crewe i R W E n o s h S t P W Warrington s N n l E d e c I k b h s p e o e o m n e b r i i c o i r O Bolton B l l f t a s H i c o c e C Clitheroe e d n E t Y A k O R e w a h M s t t e e l F w W G C o s i n i h m o c CHESHIRE C w w c LANCASHIRE L l r s o L R r B n n M h l H m i a t O h E d a o C e l u e

e n t i M l a . B r o d n H r e r S e R e A t H G B Blackburn M Much W Whitchurch g H a h u S L P Preston o S SHROPSHIRE i W Widnes S St. Helens E M6 L Ludlow S Shrewsbury W Wenlock N Nantwich N Northwich M W H W Wigan

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r t h o e b n k y e a s t f l x o t e y s u r P Pevensey b s o s S t h f d e s e e b h n d r Tunbridge Wells T W u d r n i l s s a l g X s a h l r c a ’ a g B Bexhill y a a o i B Bury St. Edmunds ff o . a n l T t c E a E Eastbourne o m i t p d a a y d T Tonbridge M n l D Dartford f W M Maidstone i E e Stansted S l e S t n S d o P t Saffron Walden S W r i e

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s i l r i E EAST h t U Chelmsford C h k a r n m h e u M11 c c Bishop’s Stortford B S d S SUSSEX C Chiddingstone a W h a o r p T a Uckﬁeld U d s a s Harlow H d C Cambridge w S E n r e k M25 e n e t e M s o R a l h s o f l I w t Newhaven N t d t n l o t L London City n r s e e s r i u u l H n h y a r a n n L Lewes n a t e h o a e t h S H g t c e i s o o o

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l h a l - a e n N e B BEDFORDSHIRE e o a e A o m o A t G s h e w D k n E F w w d o P r m e d r a s Bognor Regis B R b B E n r L C

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r i d d s e e t e H U o d n e i a e a b M o E n e r a d o o h e i t B BERKSHIRE e t h n c d v a r r G t n i fi S h h t a D s e B BUCKINGHAMSHIRE y h f k t n c b E d g L r a R a a e N o s W B s t a i e W s t y r r g h e B Bicester I N c e TThame T Thame l R o u Ryde R y s e Sandown S e a R m e D Daventry I n k t e a n c h N r b H High Wycombe t d u o Shanklin S u c d I h o c H E y a R Reading f a r E i t n P Petersfield o s h e T t u g o H n r E d B Buckingham h w Z d t h x S T i H o c u o n E u R a L Ventnor V u M T b M - u d o r s f i o g a l I n S i S P D Didcot O Oxford K o o a p t e b i R d e R m g T Towcester T l w e O l l M d e I s E S Southsea H P i S - l h n l a R t n M4 e fi

m d t n i t a s N W Winchester e s e k a S r l h C H y r d s n s s M N Newbury O r a o o E I a r ﬁ e d e e B Banbury e t e y M40 S t K a o a t l t o r - s B Basildon Y R r r o A n E C t v ﬁ r a s y A3(M) s E Eastleigh f t B Basingstoke a y R D e g Y e o e L o g o e HAMPSHIRE H n e l e n d F Fareham b H n l r R k E w r n O d P Portsmouth n i p k n n h s t a e i E k G h d n F a T a a t e r o - c n T u p o Y r i R n c v s C O r d w s r t o R

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Y h S e o n r b o r n r W WIGHT n W Warwick o e l - m e i R ﬁ I ISLE OF f n n h m h s w C o w O C Cathedral g u a t ffi n B o p I t u e A Abingdon d L s n a t u I l o k S o Shipston- on-Stour a e w k F n r t T a r S r W Woodstock l a o e B u b W Winchester t m m i

u o H Hungerford R n c H D r l k m r h W Wantage c o e a g S u d a h s r g o i W t o p f t o o a a E S a w m d h l S d r o h i r r a n T E n S l S u Stratford- upon-Avon Romsey R r t i d i t u i R r i B P t t c e h i m e K l D d r e i r a a d M Marlborough t s l a o e y l o B r w g u A i New Forest New N o o W m a ﬁ R F Fairford e w a f Southampton S e M n e S S Swindon National Park National N n y h h H l

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P s e a a E Evesham Swanage S R d a h R u n i D p t d u e s C Cirencester a f S e b I l i e D Devizes T I r d r i e e r t n e W T b m w r s k b l e e l - d r k a W T N i H l h o e B g o r e H h a s E m S h l d e a L e r h o r L S S Salisbury n t l t M4 a p A p v d t e S a e h f I a ff a S c h E e i R e r H a a o e w s k m k n p t t r I L a d d S Salisbury o P l A Avebury D o D i - C Cheltenham o R l C Cathedral

t c r o s s M Malmesbury u e o n b W WILTSHIRE l o l w W h H D R e r E R t y e S e d e o w O B Broadway a s h d I a o e r l t w C Chippenham k o S e e c S Stonehenge h u a T i c n l O n T Tewkesbury Poole P r S n o v m Blandford Forum B F c

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE G h f n e y o E i E y e a t e l e C r r R o f O o R o A n f d e l M54 e - L Ledbury

s k I c t R h R e h e m M b o I Isle of Portland a a N Dorchester D E n r t I e O n l E n r r u v g t r g W WORCESTERSHIRE v H G h l a W Weymouth e a d i T o T l e o on Avon R e A o o n H e p M5 R D DORSET B Bradford a L Shaftesbury S - l S I i o y y e t h B Bath I h d M o E e n r S r r w s h t w M e L Lydney l L r s G Gloucester M r Sherborne S A H O d i h y s i o H S e c u

o u n i e y e D e n r t a r n r t v W t p r T S Shepton Mallet S s r o s t l h d C l b S o R l K e u s t t a u r o l h R l s o u i n Bristol B S C i R W Ross-on- Wye E n o s h S t P W s N n l E d e c I k b h s p e o e o m n e b r i i c o i r O B l l f t a s H i c o c e C e d n E t Yeovil Y A k O R e w a h M s t t e e l F w W Wells G Great Malvern Castle C o s i n i h m o c C w w c L l r s o L R r B BRISTOL n n Maiden M h l H m i a t O h E d a o C Chepstow e l u e e n t i M Monmouth l a . B Bristol r o d n H r e r S SOMERSET e R e A t H Hereford Glastonbury G B M W g H Hills a h u S Somerton L Leominster P o S i W S E L S W N N M Mendip W WALES HEREFORDSHIRE H W

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 5 11/19/12/19/12 3:173:17 PMPM 1 W Rye With its ancient cobbled streets and 900-year-old church, Rye has long been a popular getaway for writers including the Anglo-American novelist Henry James, humorist E. F. Benson, and novelist Radclyffe Hall. See p. 36. W Stratford-upon-Avon England’s greatest playwright was born, lived much of his life, and died in this Warwickshire town. William Shakespeare is a hot commodity in Stratford, but even the commercialization doesn’t diminish the awe of visiting the places where he and his family lived. See p. 188. W Winchester The ever-popular author Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral. Her home, in the nearby village of Chawton, 17 miles (27km) from Winchester, is perfectly maintained and fi lled with Austen memorabilia. The Best for Families for Best The See p. 72.

THE best FOR FAMILIES W Brighton What’s more fun for kids than a day at the seaside? Brighton can be as laid-back as you want it to be, a place where you can stroll along the beach, swim (if you dare) in the chilly English Channel, and visit the carnival attractions of Palace Pier. There’s plenty for everyone to see and do. See p. 154. W Dover Castle This fortress has just about anything a connoisseur of castles can dream of—a ring of walkable walls, a huge keep (complete with multime- dia shows), dank dungeons, miles of secret tunnels, even a Roman lighthouse to climb. See p. 99. W Hampton Court Hampton Court is huge, and the littlest visitors won’t be much interested, but older children (ages 10 and up) may get a kick out of the THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST costumed guides who lead tours of the staterooms. They’ll also love running through the maze, trying to fi nd the way out. See p. 80.

Brighton’s popular fairground rides. The maze at Hampton Court Palace.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 6 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM W Leeds Castle An incredible maze of 2,400 yew trees, a creepy grotto, a 1 well-stocked aviary, beautiful grounds and gardens, and, oh yes, a castle to

tour will make Leeds a big hit with all members of the family. Plus there’s an THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES adventure playground. See p. 111. W York There’s something magical about York, with its medieval walls and ancient streets and tiny lanes. The Jorvik Viking Centre is a must-see expe- rience for families, where you sit in “time capsules” and ride back to the Viking age, strange smells and all. Another hit with children is the National Railway Museum , fi lled with working historic trains and climb-aboard old locomotives. See p. 196. THE best PUBS W Haunch of Venison, Salisbury Salisbury’s oldest pub, this lovely old hostelry has been an inn since at least 1320. It’s believed to have once held a brothel popular with clergy from the Cathedral, with tunnels below

providing secret ways in and out. Today, good pub food and real ale are served in a warren of rooms and snugs. See p. 72. The Best Pubs W The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on- Sea In an 18th-century building on the waterfront in Old Leigh, this comfortable pub is cozy, with fi res burning in the win- ter, and with doors and windows open in the summer to let in the sea breeze. Try some of the local seafood, fresh from the boats, with a pint of ale. See p. 165. W The Dirty Duck, Stratford-upon- Avon The wood-paneled rooms in this historic pub have long been popular with actors from the nearby Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It was originally called The Black Swan, but was dubbed The Dirty Duck by US soldiers stationed nearby during WWII. See p. 196. W The Marlborough Head, Ded- The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on-Sea. ham This friendly, low- beamed real-ale-serving pub dates to the 17th century, and has all the warming fi replaces and creaky fl oors your heart could desire. See p. 27. W The Old White Swan, York A much-loved York institution, the Old White Swan has been an inn since the 16th century, and is actually made up of nine interconnected buildings, with those at the rear being the oldest. The maze of rooms is believed to be extraordinarily haunted. See p. 204.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 7 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM 1 The Best Beaches Best The

Brighton seafront and pier. THE best BEACHES W Brighton Beach A lively, busy pebble beach smack-dab in the middle of bohemian Brighton, this beach reaches the length of the town and has walk- ways above and below, with seafood venders, colorful stalls renting beach equipment, busking musicians, and a laid-back holiday feel. See p. 154. THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST W Camber Sands, near Rye This beach is a sprawling, uncrowded expanse of pebble and sand beach backed by high dunes. It stretches for 7 miles (11km) and is ideal for kite fl ying, surfi ng, or just lounging. See p. 40. W Holkham Beach, near Sandringham You walk down a path through a forest and across tumbling dunes to reach this picturesque, fl at, sandy beach: A vast, uncrowded coastline, stretching as far as the eye can see. See p. 93. W Isle of Wight, near Portsmouth Just a few miles offshore from Ports- mouth, this little island is loved for its sandy, family-friendly beaches and marinas favored by the yachting set. Lovely old Victorian streets make it a wonderfully old-fashioned place to explore when you get tired of the sea and sand. See p. 172. W Orford Ness, Woodbridge This extraordinary coastal reserve contains marked walking trails that lead you across a wild and beautiful 5-mile (8km) shingle spit, home only to seabirds and abandoned buildings once used by the military—tremen- dously isolated and gorgeous. See Camber Sands. p. 47. 8

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 8 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM THE best MUSEUMS 1 W Ashmolean Museum, Oxford An extraordinary collection fi lls this historic building with casts of ancient Greek art—including the Parthenon THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES frieze—Eastern antiquities, and ancient coins and jewelry. Its art collection includes such masterpieces as Paolo Uccello’s Hunt in the Forest. See p. 144. W Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge This important art collection includes stunning antiquities, medieval illuminated manuscripts, medieval armor, and masterworks by artists including Van Dyck and Picasso. See p. 136. W Pallant House Gallery, Chichester This small but vital gallery has an outstanding collection of modern art, with works by artists including Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, and Peter Blake. It also holds the studio and archive of the German artist Hans Feibusch. See p. 60. W Roman Baths Museum, Bath In a.d. 75, Romans channeled the

thermal waters bubbling under-

ground into a luxurious bathing com- plex. The Victorians built the classical The Best Museums museum that now surrounds it. A ter- race overlooks the pool where legion- naires once soaked in the steaming waters, and elaborate stonework and Roman saunas still remain. See p. 127. W Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich Esteemed architect Norman Foster designed this modern structure fi lled with paintings by artists including Francis Bacon, Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti,

RIGHT: Roman Baths Museum, Bath; BOTTOM: Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 9 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM 1 and others. There’s a strong collection of Art Nouveau paintings, as well as pottery and other artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean. See p. 186. THE best RESTAURANTS W Ale & Porter, Bradford on Avon This unassuming cafe in a grand, stone building, punches above its weight. Everything is freshly made in the sunny dining room—the coffee is roasted in-house, the chocolate is handmade, as are the pastries, cakes, and quiches. See p. 22. W Old Brewery Tavern, Canterbury Respected chef Michael Caines

The Best Restaurants Best The runs the kitchen in this gastro-pub, where the white-washed walls and pol- ished wood fl oors let you know that this is no ordinary boozer. The menu is fi lled with beautifully made pub standards: Crisp fi sh, smoky grilled steaks, and thick burgers. See p. 57. W Simply Seafood, Leigh-on-Sea Literally housed inside a cockle- shed on the seafront in Leigh-on-Sea, this casual restaurant sells seafood so fresh that if it were any fresher it would fl op on your plate. The food is simply prepared here—it’s all about fresh, briny goodness. See p. 165. W The Real Eating Company, Lewes In a laid-back restaurant with big windows overlooking the busy street, this place pumps out astonishingly good food: For breakfast, the poached eggs with hollandaise are creamy and perfectly cooked; for lunch, hearty grilled steaks, juicy burgers, and freshly made soups lead the way. See p. 36. W Woods Restaurant, Bar and Produce Store, Tunbridge Wells In the historic Pantiles, this warm, bright eatery with wood fl oors and big win- THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST dows uses seasonal, sustainable, local meats and produce to make stellar meals. Its brunches are legendary—try the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. You can also buy local jams and honey in its shop. See p. 152. THE best MARKETS W Charter Market, Salisbury This historic market has been running virtually without interruption since the 13th century—although the wares on offer have undoubt- edly changed over the years. Now- adays venders sell everything from locally raised meats and produce to jewelry, clothing, and art. See p. 70. W Green Park Arts and Crafts Mar- ket, Bath This busy market runs Tuesdays through Sundays every week with experienced venders selling everything from antiques and art to handmade crafts and locally produced honey. See p. 131. Market Square, Cambridge.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 1010 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM W Lavenham Market, Lavenham In the tiny town of Lavenham, this mar- 1 ket on the fourth Sunday of every month at the village hall is a proper local

market with home-baked pies and cakes, locally raised meats and produce, THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES and plants and fl owers from local gardens. See p. 30. W Market Square, Cambridge In the center of Cambridge, this lively open-air market runs every day of the week—Monday to Saturday it’s a general market with local farm produce, clothes, and books, while Sundays its emphasis switches to arts and crafts, along with homemade cakes, fresh- baked bread, and organic foods. See p. 134. THE best PICNIC SPOTS W By the River Cam, Cambridge The river is bounded by banks covered in soft green grass that lead off into nearby meadows and are overlooked by the jagged rooftops of the colleges. Watch novice punters splash into the water while you nibble a sandwich. See p. 136. W Christ Church Meadow, Oxford This green, wildfl ower- strewn meadow is

traversed by walking paths. After making your way through the tall grass, fi nd a The Best Picnic Spots smooth spot to spread out a blanket and relax with a view of Oxford’s spires. See p. 146. W Hever Castle Hever’s grounds, with acres of smooth green grass dotted with whimsical topiary and ancient trees, is ideal for a picnic. In the summer you can watch jousters fi ght it out as you dine. See p. 105. W Leeds Castle The grounds at Leeds Castle go on for miles: You can choose to sit on a bench in the formal gardens or in the shade of a tree where the grounds become wilder. If you’re lucky you’ll witness hot-air balloons taking off into the blue. See p. 111. W Stonehenge Miles of land around this ancient stone site are part of the property of the conservation group English Heritage, and visitors are welcome to spread out a blanket and picnic while taking in the extraordinary view of Stonehenge’s sturdy pillars and tables. See p. 63.

LEFT: Hever Castle's gardens; RIGHT: Choose a good spot for a picnic beside the River Cam.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 1111 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM 1 THE best FOR A SUNNY DAY W Brighton With its long pebble beach lined with ice-cream sellers and mini carousels, bars, and shellfi sh stalls, Brighton was made for bright and breezy days. The elaborate, Victorian pier, with carnival rides and games, will keep you amused for hours. See p. 154. W Cambridge Although you can come here any time, in summer the students are away and so you can explore all the colleges. And half the fun in Cam- bridge is renting a boat to punt down the river, followed by a leisurely lunch on the shore—a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. See p. 132. W Hever Castle It would be a shame not to spend time in the beautiful grounds here—the formal Italian garden and yew maze, not to mention all the outdoor activities, are such a pleasure. Come on a sunny day and bring a pic- The Best for a Sunny Day a Sunny for Best The

nic. See p. 105. W Leeds Castle The grounds at this historic castle are at least half the reason to come. On a rainy day you might miss out on hot-air balloon fl ights, falconry, treetop climbing, and the adventure play land, not to mention the lovely gardens. See p. 111. W Whitstable This charming seafront town is fi ne in the rain, when everything takes on delicate watercolor shades, but on a sunny day you can spend an afternoon strolling its frozen-in-time streets, exploring the shops on Har- bour Street, and wandering down the beach to nearby villages. See p. 172. THE best FOR A RAINY DAY W Bath Packed with enough museums and galleries to keep you inside and dry no matter how long the rain lashes down, Bath is a perfect refuge on one of those days when it just won’t stop pouring. See p. 124. THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST

The harbor at Whitstable.

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The Best for Shopping

W Hampton Court This royal palace is so vast that exploring it can take hours. On a day when the rain pounds outside, its sturdy, 16th-century walls make you feel snug and protected. See p. 80. W Windsor Castle The queen’s favorite castle has enough to see inside to keep you warm and dry for the better part of a day. Make your way to the tea shop and watch the rain pelt down while you sip a hot cup of tea and munch on a scone. See p. 118. W York Like Bath, this historic cathedral city is fi lled with shops to duck into, tea shops in which you can seek cover from a storm, and then there’s the enormous and extraordinary York Minster , TOP: The breathtaking interior of York Minster; where you can while away hours. RIGHT: Guided tour at Hampton Court. See p. 196. THE best FOR SHOPPING W Brighton This town offers one of the most unique and varied shopping experiences outside of London—explore the narrow winding Lanes , fi lled with small creative shops, jewelry stores, and boutiques. The North Laine is similarly charming and jam-packed with funky shops, and all with a view of the sea. See p. 154.

004_9781119970569-ch01.indd4_9781119970569-ch01.indd 1313 11/19/12/19/12 33:17:17 PMPM 1 The Best for Art Lovers for Best The

The North Laine in Brighton. Peruse the many antique shops in Lewes.

W Leigh-on-Sea This unassuming small seaside town isn’t a fl ashy shopping mecca like Brighton, but its streets are lined with creative, locally owned, small boutiques, pottery shops, and art galleries fi lled with works by local artists. See p. 161. THE BEST DAY-TRIP EXPERIENCES DAY-TRIP THE BEST W Lewes With its hilly, historic streets fi lled with antiques stores, art galleries, and craft shops, Lewes is ideal for an afternoon of browsing, coffee drinking, and relaxing. See p. 31. W Oxford The streets of Oxford are fi lled with creative independent shops selling art, books, and clothing, as well as a covered market with an eclectic array of jewelry, handmade crafts, and music—so everybody will fi nd something to buy here. See p. 139. W York This historic city’s narrow winding lanes make shopping an act of dis- covery. From Stonegate, with its jewelry stores and clothing shops, to The Shambles , with its collectibles, crafts, and souvenirs, and down to Lendel Lane with antiques and art, shopping is a joy here. See p. 196. THE best FOR ART LOVERS W Cambridge Many of Cambridge’s beautiful colleges are packed with museum-quality art. The chapel at King’s College holds Rubens’s Ado- ration of the Magi. Similarly, the chapel at Jesus College is enlivened with stained-glass windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and a ceiling by Wil- liam Morris. See p. 132.

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The Best for Art Lovers

Ruben's Adoration of the Magi, King's College, Old Leigh Studios, Leigh-on-Sea. Cambridge.

W Dedham Vale In the heart of Constable Country on the border of Essex and Suffolk, this area inspired the English landscape painter John Constable (1776–1837), who was born in Flatford. You can visit the scene of his most famous works. See p. 23. W Lavenham This crooked little medieval town has inspired artists for centu- ries, and today its streets are lined with art galleries. Painters can often be found working in the street, trying to capture Lavenham’s unusual light. See p. 27. W Leigh-on-Sea This busy fi shing village and commuter town has become an artists’ enclave with dozens of galleries scattered around the town and in Old Leigh by the seafront. You can buy works by talented, contemporary artists at reasonable prices. See p. 161. W Windsor Castle Not only is the building itself a work of art, but the mag- nifi cent State Apartments are furnished with classical art from the Royal Collection, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Gainsbor- ough. See p. 118.

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