| BRITAIN TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARDS Welcome to BRITAIN'S TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARDS, a selection of Britain's 'Best' from "British Heritage" magazine. Ask our Britain Specialist to assist you to include interesting and abundant opportunities to explore many interesting venues with your next visit to Britain! Best Specialty Shop
Best Historic Inn Best Tea Rooms Top Choice: Charles Harrod opened his first food shop in 1835, then began working with a retailer in Knightsbridge in 1849. Non-food departments were added over the years, but the Food Halls always remained the central attraction and today still bring in half of Harrods' sales. Sumptuous displays of foods from the far corners of the earth continue to attract the discriminating and the curious. Runner-Up: Since 1949 when Moffat Woolen Mill employed one weaver and 12 darners, it has grown to offer one of the widest selections of tweeds, tartans and knitwear to be found in Scotland. Visitors can watch weavers working on traditional Hattersley looms while they shop for woolens. Top Choice: Draughtsmen working on Salisbury Cathedral were the first guests of The Red Lion. Construction began in 1220, and it opened as the White Bear Inn. The hotel's been enlarged several times over the centuries, and today's guests will find expected modern amenities along with many antiques and some especially fine clocks. The Red Lion has been in the same family since 1913. Runner-Up: On the bank of the River Thames, the Trout Inn attracts visitors to the favorite watering hole of the fictional Inspector Morse. A short walk from Oxford, the inn was originally constructed in the 17th century with stones from the ruined Godstow Abbey and nearby nunnery. Trout swim in the waters by the pub and peacocks strut about the grounds. Top Choice: Sally Lunn's House calls itself "the quintessential English tea house." It is quartered in the oldest house in Bath, where more than 300 years ago, French refugee Sally Lunn baked a popular round bread known as the Sally Lunn Bun. Sally Lunn's is open daily and has a museum in the cellar. Runner-Up: A young Swiss confectioner, Frederick Belmont, founded Betty's in 1919. It is still a family business and continues to adhere to Frederick's principle that everything should be "fresh and dainty." The 600-plus cakes, breads and chocolates are made fresh daily, by hand, and an extensive menu of teas and coffees are specially imported by a sister company. Top Choice: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo was conceived and first performed in 1950, as the Army in Scotland's contribution to the Edinburgh International Festival. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, it is a blend of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre. The highlight of the Tattoo is the stirring sight of the massed pipes and drums of the Scottish Regiments. Runner-Up: In the days of Charles II, a regiment's Colours were trooped in front of soldiers daily to make sure every man could recognize those of his own. Since 1855 it's been performed on the Sovereign's official birthday, and in June of 2002, it celebrated Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee with more than 1,400 officers and men, 200 horses and 400 musicians. The parade follows the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back. Top Choice: Changing at every turn, dramatic scenery ranges from hills and moors bright with purple heather in springtime to the rust and gold of autumn. Britain's highest mountain is here, and tumbling waterfalls gush from the hillsides after a rain. In this sparsely populated land you'll also find romantic castles and lonely cottages, ancient battlefields, hairy cows and many a sheep. Runner-Up: Yorkshire Dales National Park has nearly 700 square miles of unspoiled countryside, rivers, caves, castles and unforgettable views. It's the landscape made famous by books, films and television programs featuring Dales veterinarian, James Herriot. Top Choice: Roman Emperor Hadrian built the wall south of the current Scotland/England border in AD 122 in an effort "to separate the Romans from the Barbarians." A World Heritage Site, its spectacular scenery includes forts and museums that bring Roman heritage to life. The Hadrian's Wall Path opened in summer 2002, the first walking path to totally avoid busy roads. Buses and train lines also follow the wall. Runner-Up: Gentle hills, towering rocks, forest glades, windswept moors, streams, waterfalls and, of course, lakes make up the wealth of landscape variety in this compact and accessible area with many trails. Walkers with different strengths will find much to choose from in terrain and vistas, from well-traveled to solitary. |
