WHAT WE'RE DISCOVERING
Gallos Statue
High on the Cornish cliffs at Tintagel Castle stands the regal bronze Gallos statue by Rubin Eynon. (Gallos meaning power in Cornish.) The tall hooded figure holding a sword is inspired by the royals associated with this medieval castle – notably King Arthur, one of Britain’s most famous figures, who, according to a 12th century writer, was conceived there.
The Box
Plymouth’s history merges at The Box. Redeveloped from the Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery and Central Library, the £40 million glass panelled space will house the city’s collections from natural to maritime history and the region’s archive. Across a new square, St Luke’s Church will display contemporary art.
Portmeirion Village
Once a backdrop for a cult 1960s sci-fi television series, The Prisoner, and the subject of this year’s ITV documentary series, The Village, colourful Portmeirion Village in North Wales is unique; it combines a man-made Italianate village, subtropical forest and sandy Welsh beaches. Top tips include staying at the Great Gatsby-style hotel and sampling local mussels in the neo-Gothic castle’s brasserie.
Wharram Percy Medieval Village
Of the 3000 deserted medieval villages in Britain, Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire is one of the largest and best preserved. With remains including watermills, a pond, church, barn as well as houses, the site evokes 600 years of life to 1517.
Based near Malton, the historic market town is also worth checking out with its popular monthly food market and horse racing stables, which have an open day on 13 September.
Jupiter Artland
For vibrant, thought-provoking art, wander through the 120 acre sculpture park outside Edinburgh. Anish Kapoor’s caged bottomless vortex and Marc Quinn’s tall vibrant orchid, known as Love Bomb, are among the stellar works. New for this year are reconstructions of works by performance art pioneer, Allan Kaprow including his melting ice sculpture; as well as the chance to stay overnight - in the house where artists live when working on projects.
The Dark Hedges
If you are suffering withdrawal symptoms from cult television hit, Game of Thrones, head to the fabled Dark Hedges in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland - one of the most photographed natural phenomena and a popular attraction for tourists from across the world.
For this avenue of gnarled trees was the setting for Westeros’s Kingsroad.
Planted in the 18th century, this avenue was dubbed one of the world’s most beautiful streets by Architectural Digest.
Hadrian’s Wall
Spanning England from east to west from South Shields near Newcastle to Cumbria’s Maryport is Hadrian’s Wall. Built by the Romans around 122 AD, the wall marked the northernmost point of its empire. Walk alongside it to discover ancient forts, turrets and more, with picturesque views including Northumberland National Park.
Hardy Monument
The Hardy Monument commemorates Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, renowned as the captain of HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar where they defeated Napoleon. Standing on the summit of the Black Down in Dorset since 1844, this 22 metre high monument was also built as a shipping landmark. Now the climb of 120 interior steps to the top serves as a spectacular viewing point across the Dorset countryside and coast -and The Isle of Wight Needles on a clear day.
Dorset County Museum
Dorset’s treasures re-emerge following a museum facelift. Highlights include its Thomas Hardy collection, archaeological finds relating to the county since prehistory and the fearsome long jaw of a pliosaur, an extinct marine reptile, dating back 155 million years, found on the shores near Weymouth. Nearby visit ruins of a 4th century Roman Town House – the only fully exposed one in Britain.
Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum
Step back to the 1800s at William Wordsworth’s home in the Lake
District. The cosy homestead, where the Romantic poet lived with his family from 1799 to 1808 has had a makeover for the 250th anniversary of his birth. Get a taste of how he lived from the kitchen, open fire living room, and study. Head next door to the newly expanded museum – for manuscripts, artworks and other artefacts.