From writer’s cottage to stately castle to royal holiday home, this issue of BRITAIN takes us around the country to celebrate big anniversaries, UNESCO recognition and the new series of Netflix TV drama, The Crown
Which would you rather visit, Jane Austen’s humble Hampshire cottage with its rose-wreathed doorway, or stately Belvoir Castle, so regal that it stands in for Windsor Castle in The Crown? Well, luckily you don’t have to choose, as this issue we take you round both Austen’s home and the rather grander residence of Her Grace, The Duchess of Rutland. And if you’re planning a trip to visit, you’ll love our Heritage stays feature: a cherry-picked selection of places to stay with history, such as our cover star, Appleby Castle in Cumbria.
Elsewhere, we applaud the recent UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status awarded to the Isle of Wight and explore Queen Victoria’s home there. On the way back to the mainland, we encounter the Mayflower sailing into the unknown and follow its trail along England’s southwest coast. For art history lovers, we’ve also done a tour of British Baroque, from Blenheim to St Paul’s in the capital.
Treasured Island
Slip back in time on the Isle of Wight, whose villages have a vintage flavour and whose chalk downs and stunning coast were beloved of Queen Victoria. It takes less than an hour to reach the Isle of Wight from the English mainland, but as you emerge from the ferry you travel back half a century.
Capturing the Castle
One of the greatest stars of Netflix drama The Crown is Belvoir Castle. Her Grace, The Duchess of Rutland tells us about her custodianship of this stunning stately home and what it means to be a modern Duchess. No tiaras needed!
WIN a Great British holiday, including free international flights
It’s back. Our annual competition to win the ultimate prize of a once-in-a-lifetime holiday in Great Britain is officially open to entries. We’ve created a stellar tour this time – from London to the Cotswolds and up to Edinburgh, we think it’s the best yet. It includes:
- Free international flights (if applicable)
- Two-night London stay
- Tickets on Caledonian Sleeper to Edinburgh
- Two-night stay in Edinburgh
- A British food tour
- Tickets to Blenheim Palace
- A night in a Cotswolds hotel
- Afternoon tea
- West End tickets with dinner
Into the Unknown
In the second part of our series, we pick up the Mayflower and the ship that didn’t make it, the Speedwell, on their difficult voyage along England’s southwest coast. Through Southampton, Dartmouth and Plymouth, we discover the pilgrims’ final glimpses of England.
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