Great Estates
The making of the British Countryside over the last 1000 years can be seen in the many castles and stately homes that sit upon the land that they controlled and managed; from the grand and magnificent Georgian homes graced with landscaped gardens, to the imposing fortress like castles of the Normans.
Today a good many are accessible to see and explore through organisations like the National Trust or English Heritage. Others are still under private family ownership and continue to thrive, offering people the chance to see how some of these great estates run today.
Country Roads
Until recent times the ‘back roads’ of Britain were the main routes across the land that had been travelled by horse and cart for generations since the Roman era. Modern road networks can hide much of the landscape, wildlife and local stories that are still there to be discovered.
Many of the backroads roads are small and narrow, often not suitable for coaches and minibuses when there is a vehicle coming the other way! Our Land Rover allows us to delve down lanes into the villages and off the beaten track.
Culture
What does British culture mean to you?
It could be music, fashion, art, shopping, festivals, television and film, local quirky customs, pubs, even London buses. All of these things and many more are here for you to enjoy.
Local Life
Over the centuries much of Britains local ‘life’ in the countryside has centred around the small towns and villages. This typically involved a parish church, a village green, a Manor House, a pub and a small market. Today some of the rural customs and traditions surrounding these settlements still take place, in the form of fetes. markets, events and gatherings throughout the year. They can be great fun and quite enlightening! We hope to be able to put you in the right place at the right time, to make your trip unique.
Heritage
The rich and varied heritage across Britain can be seen in much of its architecture. Most small buildings and homes were built in the vernacular with local stone, cob and timber, with a thatched, slated or tiled roof. Examples of this type of building can be seen throughout Britain and are now protected by planning laws. These buildings are still lived in and are often described as ‘chocolate box’ villages and found in places like the Cotswolds today.
Going back further in time, our heritage can be discovered at sights like Stonehenge and seen at various ancient archeological sites. Evidence of Roman or Viking settlements can still be explored in our older towns today.
Sporting and Social Calendar
From the Oxford and Cambridge boat race in March to the Burghley horse trials in September, famous social and sporting events are happening across the country. The Chelsea Flower Show in May, Wimbledon Tennis Championships in June, Gold Cup Polo in July and Edinburgh Festival in August are just some of the annual occasions that mark a year.
Landmark Sites
These are the places you’ve probably already heard about and may be on your list to visit. From Stonehenge and Bath, to Windsor and Downton Abbey (Highclere), from Big Ben and the London Eye, to the Scottish Highlands and Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon.
These are just for starters. There are hundreds of famous places to visit; from the homes of famous writers, poets, historian figures and battlegrounds, to film locations and places with Royal connections.
Food and drink
Whilst Britain is well known for its traditional fish and chips, Cornish pasties, Scottish haggis and English cream teas, there is so much more to savour!
Vineyards on the South Downs producing sparkling wines, breweries using local hops, single malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, or local ‘scrumpy’ ciders in the West Country- you can visit them on site, or enjoy their produce at the local pub. Whether street stalls, gastro-pubs or Michelin starred restaurants are your thing, there is a great choice of quality artisan food sourced from local farms and fishermen.
Flora and Fauna
From historic formal gardens to the exciting contemporary Eden Project, Britain has a passion for gardening. A good place to start looking is the Royal Horticultural Society,(www.rhs.org.uk).
Although not immediately obvious, Britains abundant wildlife is cherished and best seen at one of the many wildlife reserves (www.rspb.org.uk) (www.wildlifetrusts.org)
Coastal Britain
Surrounded on all sides by sea, Britain has evolved an amazing heritage along its coast.
The South West offers smugglers coves and quaint fishing villages set in the cliffs and bays of Devon and Cornwall, whilst the larger industrial cities such as Bristol, Liverpool and Portsmouth have historic dockyard attractions exhibiting Britains seafaring traditions. The west coast of Scotland, the Highlands and Islands offer expansive views and local interest, where the mountains and glens meet the North Atlantic.
If you love fish and chips, this is a good place to start!
