Marie Marsh,
Production Editor
Miles walked this month: 41
I feel fortunate to have visited a handful of the 28 World Heritage Sites we’ve dedicated this issue to, with many more still to discover, but this month I’ve learned there’s even more to know about those I’ve already seen. So maybe I should just start again… I’ve missed key parts of
Edinburgh, Durham and even London, but it’s Ironbridge (page 85) that surprised me the most. I remember the sharp twist of the River Severn as it wound through the gorge, and the sign that states: ‘Every officer or soldier whether on duty or not, is liable to pay toll for passing over as well as any baggage wagon, mail coach or the Royal Family.’ Get your purse out, Liz. But here’s what I didn’t know: an elephant crossed the bridge in 1932 in a circus publicity stunt. That, and there was talk of selling the bridge to the scrap man in the ’60s before English Heritage came along!
Note to self: Be a better tourist… unless you want to visit everywhere twice.