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 2003 – A big year in Britain
From the opening of John Lennon’s home to an exhibition marking 400 years since Queen Elizabeth I; plus festivals and sporting tournaments galore. 2003 is an event-packed year in Britain, as our month by month round-up of highlights proves. |
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A new era for spas in the UK
Britain’s most ambitious spa in nearly two hundred years opens in the historic city of Bath at the end of February. A combination of a new state-of-the-art spa designed by Nicholas Grimshaw and two restored 18th century buildings will contain thermal pools, steam, massage and treatment rooms and offer bathing in natural spring water flowing at a temperature of 47 degrees centigrade. |
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Drink to 1000 years of beer and pubs
Cheers! England’s beer capital is marking 1,000 years of brewing tradition this year. Though no one can put an exact date on the opening of the country’s first pub, it is thought they have been around for just as long, starting when almost every household offered home-brewed ale to weary and thirsty pilgrims and other travellers. |
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Lazy weekend on the Thames
With more than 2,000 miles of navigable rivers and canals, seeing Britain by boat is a viable alternative for visitors who want to do something a little unusual. Now is the time to go, as the waterways are enjoying a £2 billion rejuvenation and revival that includes new marinas, boat-lifts – even new routes. The canals (of which more later) are one option, but I decided on a lazy weekend on England’s ‘royal river’, the Thames. |
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Event marks 400 years since Queen Elizabeth I
The Queen is dead……. A courtier bends over the still figure stretched out beneath rich coverlets. He takes from her finger a ring of mother of pearl, ruby and diamond that he must carry north: by this token only is James VI of Scotland confirmed to succeed to the throne of England. |
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Happy Birthday James Bond
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Forty years after the first James Bond film, Dr. No, the 20th 007 movie, Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan, is due for release in November. In March, 2003 it will be 50 years since the book that introduced us to Bond, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, was published. |
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Scotland: New attractions in legendary landscapes
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Visitors to Scotland will notice some changes this year. There are some new features in the landscape that are likely to become 'must see' attractions. They include the world's first rotating boat lift; Scotland's first national park; the UK's highest mountain railway; and a 73-mile footpath through the heart of the Highlands. |
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New attractions in England's maritime South-West
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A great seafaring tradition of adventurers, explorers, pirates and smugglers; Cornwall and Devon's maritime appeal continues to grow, with some major new attractions opening this year. A National Maritime Museum; a centre devoted to the Pilgrim Fathers and Europe's biggest marine aquarium are the latest additions to this region. |
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Great Britain, Great Golf
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Few sporting events are as keenly anticipated as the Ryder Cup. This year it is back in Britain (late September) near Birmingham in the Heart of England. The event's return to the UK will inspire golfers everywhere to come and play in the game's birthplace. |
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Walking Britain
New trails to trek around Britain |
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Experience Britain's cities
Experiences to be had in cities around Britain |
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Exploring Hidden Britain
Getting off the beaten track around Britain |
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Highlights of Britain's 2002 Calendar
A tour of some of the new attractions and events awaiting visitors to Britain in 2002. |
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Discovering the Magic of Britain
A feature about locations used in the Warner Bros. film and various exciting, legendary sites you can visit. |
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Bargain Britain
'Affordable Britain' by Louise Wood |
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Pedalling round the gardens of Kent
Article on recent cycling trip in Kent |
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Bristol and Bath - a tale of two cities
More about two of the cities featured in our 'UK City Culture' Campaign |
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Britain's Cathedrals of Sport
A look at many of Britain's sporting venues |
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On the Pilgrims' trail to Canterbury
Follow National Trail's through the beautiful countryside |
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