Other sights in England
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A
Syon House
Just across the Thames from Kew Gardens, Syon House was once a medieval abbey named after Mt Zion. In 1542 Henry VIII dissolved the order of Bridgettine nuns who were peacefully living here and had it rebuilt into a residence. (In 1547, they say, God got his revenge when Henry’s coffin was brought to Syon en route to Windsor for burial and burst open during the night, leaving his body to be set upon by the estate’s dogs.) The house from where Lady Jane Grey ascended the throne for her nine-day reign in 1553 was remodelled in the neoclassical style by Robert Adam in the 18th century and has plenty of Adam furniture and oak panelling. The interior was designed on…
reviewed
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B
London Bridge Experience & London Tombs
London’s latest attraction marrying history with hysteria – ‘edutainment’ as it’s (unfortunately) becoming known in these parts – is far and away its scariest. Located in the vaults beneath so-called New London Bridge (dating back to 1831), the history part takes you on a whistle-stop tour of London’s most famous span – from the Romans to the Vikings, from Peter de Colechurch’s ‘Old London Bridge’ (1209) with all the shops, to the American Robert McCulloch, who paid US$2.5 in 1967 for the privilege of transporting the dismantled bridge to Arizona. This is essentially a kids’ show so there’s much focus on such personalities as ‘the Keeper of the Heads’ whose job it was to…
reviewed
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South West Coast Path
reviewed
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C
Elm Hill
Elm Hill is an utterly charming medieval cobbled street of crooked timber beams and doors, intriguing shops and snug cafés, this street is also the centre of the local antique business. From here walk down Wensum St to Tombland, where the market was originally located. Despite its ominous overtones, 'tomb' is an old Norse word for empty, hence space for a market.
reviewed
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D
BBC Television Centre
If you’re interested in TV production, this is the perfect chance to visit the vast complex of studios and offices that bring the BBC’s TV programs to the world. Visit is by two-hour guided tour only and bookings two days in advance are essential (no children under nine years, nine tours Monday to Saturday). You’ll see the BBC News and Weather Centres as well as studios where shows are being made; keep your eyes peeled all the while as you’re very likely to spot a celebrity wandering around the corridors.
reviewed