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| Bristol, Plymouth and the South-West
Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x It is the coast which comes to mind first when considering this area and probably deservedly so. However we should not forget the wonderful cathedrals at Exeter, Wells, Plymouth and the South-West, Salisbury and Gloucester. There are two national parks in the area, Dartmoor and Exmoor, and a new one, the New Forest, is about to be created. There are splendid gardens open to the public and prehistoric remains of Bronze [Dartmoor] and Iron [Dorset] Ages and there are the Scilly Isles. The further South Westerly you go, the more expansive the landscape gets. It's understandable why many people buy second homes here; somewhere so charming and traditional yet so far from the hustle and bustle associated with city life. |
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| The cuisine is varied in the South West, with fresh seafood, traditional
pasties and strong farmhouse cider. Many celebrity chefs have come to the
South West, namely that of Rick Stein. ::::::::::Avebury Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Avebury stone circle Avebury stone circle wojsyl Avebury is a village in Wiltshire, England, famous for its neolithic stone circles. ::::::::Bath Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Computers For Internet Use Computers For Internet Use Bath is a beautiful Roman city which nestles in the heart of the county of Avon and Somerset. Its characterisitic rolling hills and limestone facades have been attracting visitors for many years. The city of Bath takes its peculiar name from the Roman Baths that were built here between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, the remains of which can still be seen today. Since its earliest days as a Celtic settlement, the history of Bath is inextricably linked to the natural waters that rise up here. The heyday of Bath came in the 18th century when it became a fashionable spa town, and was a focus for English high society. Much of the architecture of Bath dates from this time, and the city is famous for its elegant Georgian townhouses and sweeping crescents. Today Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With plenty to see and do, it is an absolute must for any visitor to the UK. _________Museums Edit This [Add Museum] Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 6-18, Queen Square, Bath Avon BA1 2HN tel: 01225 312084 Building of Bath Museum The Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Countess Of Huntingdon Chapel The Vineyards, Bath Avon BA1 5NA The Museum Of East Asian Art Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 12, Bennett St, Bath Avon BA1 2QJ tel: 01225 464640 Bath Industrial Heritage Centre Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Camden Works, Julian Rd, Bath Avon BA1 2RH tel: 01225 318348 Bath Postal Museum Edit This The Bath Postal Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving historical records and artefacts concerning the development of all types of written communications within the UK and throughout the world, from the very beginning to the present day. The museum will ensure that all sections of the community have the opportunity to learn about their heritage and to understand how communications played such an important role in the history of human progress. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 27 Northgate Street, Bath, BA1 1AJ tel: (+44) 01225 460 333 openingHours: Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm url: www.bathpostalmuseum,org email: info@bathpostalmuseum.org The Beckford's Tower & Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Lansdown Rd Lansdown, Bath Avon BA1 5 tel: 01225 422212 Holburne Museum of Art Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Great Pulteney St, Bath Avon BA2 4DB tel: 01225 466669 No.1 Royal Crescent Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 1, Royal Crescent, Bath Avon BA1 2LR tel: 01225 428126 John Judkyn Memorial The Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Garden Thorpe Freshford, Bath Avon BA3 6BX tel: 01225 723312 The American Museum in Britain Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Claverton Manor, Bath Avon BA2 7BD tel: 01225 460503 William Herschel Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 19, New King St, Bath Avon BA1 2BL tel: 01225 311342 Museum of Costume Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Bennett St, Bath Avon BA1 2 tel: 01225 477789 Radstock Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Market Hall, Waterloo Rd Radstock, Bath Avon BA3 3ER tel: 01761 437722 The Jane Austen Centre Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 40, Gay St, Bath Avon BA1 2NT tel: 01225 443000 ::::::::Blandford Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The town of Blandford is a blissfully sleepy market town set in the glorious countryside of Dorset. Although there is little of real value to the tourist in the town itself, Blandford makes a great base for exploration of the area, from Salisbury to Poole Harbour and from the Jarassic Coast to the quaint villages of the Tarrant Valley. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: the interior of my mind ::::::::::.Bournemouth Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Bournemouth is one of Britain's most popular destinations for leisure and business travellers. Set on the coast in the centre of Southern England its 10kms of sandy beach flies two blue flags for bathing water quality. The resort attracts visitors throughout the year to its 25,000 beds available in hotels, guesthouses and self-catering apartments. There are over 150 restaurants around the town offering full range of international cusines. Nightclubs abound offering disco, jazz, comedy and dance. Bournemouth is the major centre in the UK for learning English, attracting tens of thousands of students from around the world each year adding to the cosmopolitan feel of the town __________Beaches Edit This Bournemouth has exceptional clear blue sea (made purely from Evian) and purple sandy beaches. Water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing are popular all year round depending on wave and wind conditions. Soon to be built is the artificial surf reef which will make Bournemouth the UK's premier surfing spot. ::::::::Bristol Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million. Historically a county in its own right, it lies between Somerset and Gloucestershire and is properly entitled the City and County of Bristol. It also has a great history as a major trading port in the 19th century, wine/spirits, shipping,(Isambard Kingdom Brunel) and John Cabot who 'discovered' the 'new continent' (Canada/U.S.A.) in the Matthew in 1497. There are plenty of historical areas to visit including the suspension bridge, designed by Brunel as was also the SS Great Britain which is displayed now in the docks after being reclaimed from the Falklands in the 70's, and is still being repaired but looks great. Well worth a visit. Bristol has a variety of Victorian & Georgian period buildings highlights include the Cresent in Clifton village and Queen Square near the waterfront which is the second largest perfect square in Europe and includes the first American Consulate. Famous Bristolians include Cary Grant and Wallace & Gromit. Bristol also has a superb zoo and just north of Bristol is Filton. It was there that the British Concordes were manufactured and one of them is presently on display at a museum on Airbus territory. Rolls Royce also make engines there. Bristol is also home to some great nightlife. ___________Sights Edit This Famous sites to be found in and around Bristol: Cabot Tower - Brandon Hill. [Add Sight] Cabot Tower Edit This Cabot Tower A Bristol landmark. Visible from many parts of the city, and at night its beacon flashes a message in Morse code B-R-I-S-T-O-L. 100 feet high tower commemorates John Cabot's voyage to America in 1497 (he discovered Newfoundland). The Cabot Tower is one of Bristol's best-known landmarks, set amidst beautiful landscaping atop Brandon Hill. Designed by the architect, William Venn Gough, He produced a red sandstone tower 105 feet high, with dressings of cream coloured Bath stone. A spiral staircase leads up inside to a balcony more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Clifton Suspension Bridge Edit This Designed by Brunel, though completed after his death, it is an awe-inspiring structure that spans the Avon Gorge, a natural geological feature. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] __________-Getting Around Edit This [Add Local transport mode] By bus Edit This Bristol and the outlying area is served by an excellent bus system. For any local bus enquiries, contact Traveline by telephone on +44 117 955 5111. The buses within Bristol are run by First City Line. Buses from Bristol for other local towns and villages are run by First Badgerline. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _________Getting Around Edit This [Add Local transport mode] By bus Edit This Bristol and the outlying area is served by an excellent bus system. For any local bus enquiries, contact Traveline by telephone on +44 117 955 5111. The buses within Bristol are run by First City Line. Buses from Bristol for other local towns and villages are run by First Badgerline. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] ___________Museums Edit This Bristol Museum and Art Gallery - Park st. [Add Museum] Bristol Industrial Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd City Docks Bristol Avon BS1 4RN tel: 0117 925 1470 Bristol Aero Collection Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: P.O Box 77, Filton,Bristol BS99 7AR, Bristol Avon BS99 7AR tel: 0117 962 0820 email: JRYAN300@HOTMAIL.COM Harveys Wine Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 12, Denmark St, Bristol Avon BS1 5DQ tel: 0117 927 5036 Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Bridge House, Sion Place Bristol Avon BS8 4AP tel: 0117 974 4664 Ashton Court Visitor Centre Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Ashton Court, Long Ashton Bristol Avon BS41 8JN tel: 0117 963 9174 Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Queens Rd Clifton, Bristol Avon BS8 1RL tel: 0117 922 3571 Blaise Castle House Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Henbury Rd Henbury, Bristol Avon BS10 7QS tel: 0117 950 6789 British Empire & Commonwealth Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Clock Tower Yard Temple Meads, Bristol Avon BS1 6QH tel: 0117 925 4980 Georgian House Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 7, Great George St, Bristol Avon BS1 5RR tel: 0117 921 1362 Red Lodge Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Park Row, Bristol Avon BS1 5LJ tel: 0117 921 1360 Thornbury & District Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 4, Chapel St Thornbury, Bristol Avon BS35 2BJ tel: 01454 857774 ___________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Bristol's young culture is spread across many different locations in the city. Whiteladies Road is an historic bar-crawl, since student halls are at the top and the road itself leads down along a steep hill packed with many things to do. At one time it held the prize for having the most bars, clubs, restaurants and fast-food places packed onto one stretch of road, which should give some idea of the area. The city centre is naturally rife with clubs and restaurants as well as shops, and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway houses over a hundred stores inside it's tropical-esque shelter. [Add Entertainment place] Yia Mass Edit This Yia Mass is a great restaurant - bar on Park Street. Popular among Bristol youth and international students. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: Park Street ::::::::..Chippenham Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see We currently have no information about Chippenham. :::::::Cornwall Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Zennor church Zennor church davidx Cornwall is the westernmost part of England. It is a beautiful peninsula where you will find dramatic countryside dotted with ancient stone walls and granite-built farmhouses framed against a colourful canvas of gorse and verdant countryside dropping sharply down rugged cliffs to the sea below. Sea is all around and there are many beach resort in Cornwall. Derelict mine engine houses can be seen throughout the Cornish landscape from Land's End to Gunnislake. These are witnesses to a time when the hills echoed to the din of an industry which drove the industrial revolution, and once dominated the tin and copper markets of the world. Innovators Richard Trevithick, Humphrey Davy, Goldworthy Gurney and numerous others gave the world everything from the railway engine to the safety lamp at this glorious point in Cornish history. :::::::::::East Brent Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see From the Directory of Somersetshire 1875 BRENT (EAST) is a village and parish in the Axbridge union, containing, by the census of 1861: 797 and in 1871: 772 inhabitants, and 3037 acres; in the deanery of Axbridge, Archdeaconry of Wells diocese of Bath and Wells, hundred of Brent-cum-Wrington, mid Somerset; 4 miles north from Highbridge Station on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, 7 south-east from; Weston-super-Mare, and 150 from London The Manor was originally given by Ina, King of the West Saxons, to Glastonbury Abbey and held by them until the dissolution. The vicarage, in the incumbency of the Ven. George Anthony Denison M. A. archdeacon of Taunton and Prebendary of Wells, had the tithes commuted at £690 per annum with residence and 80 acres of the land and is in the dedicated to the Virgin Mary, consisting of nave, chancel, north and south aisle, porch and tower containing five bells and surmounted by a spire. In the church are two cedilla and the whole of the windows are of stained glass two in the north aisle and the remainder modern. The altar is very highly embellished. The pulpit and seats are of oak, with some curious specimens of carved ends. The Church 514 feet long and 50 feet wide; the height of the tower 80 feet and the spire 60 feet. On the exterior of the tower are three niches; the upper one contains an effigy King Ina, with sceptre and mound, embracing a monk; the middle niche, Queen Frithegrand and in the lowest, her husband, King Ethelard, who succeeded Ina on his retirement from Rome. ::::::::Exmoor Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Yarn Market, Dunstar Yarn Market, Dunstar Martin Ludford Unlike Dartmoor, which is exclusively in Devon, Exmmor National park lies mostly in Somerset but partly in Devon. It is not much like Dartmoor as there are no tors [granite outcrops on hill tops]. It enjoys some of England's loveliest coastline as well as splendid old woodlands and of course moorland. The walk along the cliffs from Porlock Weir with its pebble beach, through the woods to the tiny church a Culbone is absolutely idyllic. The Valley of Rocks, stretching from Lynton westwards is superb. These are just two bits. There are fascinating towns inland such as Dulverton and Selworthy, on the coast near Minehead contains delightful thatched cottages. The moor is the only place in England other than part of the Lake District where herds of red deer are found and there are feral goats in hte valley of Rocks. Porlock Hill, the main road connection between Devon and Somerset, was much dreaded in the time of older cars and many a clutch hs gone to where ex-clutches go. Now, although it's not particularly adventurous, you may still prefer one of the toll road bypasses for the beauty of its scenery. http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/About_Exmoor/Exmoorlearning.htm http://www.visit-exmoor.info/towns_main.htm ::::::::::.:::::::::Gloucestershire Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see the priory of Gloucester Cathedral the priory of Gloucester Cathedral Anna K Located in the west of England, straddling the river Severn, Gloucestershire is a popular destination - albeit a bit touristy. But if you put on your hiking boots and are willing to go a bit further than the average tourist, there are some treasures to be discovered. The best of "rustic rosy-cheeked England" is to be found in the pretty, gilded stone villages in the Cotswolds. The Severn Vale with the towns of Gloucester, the capital, Cheltenham, Britain's best preserved Regency town and Tewkesbury is the most inhabited part of the county. The beautiful Valley of the roses is in the west of and on the border with Wales you find the enchanting Wye Valley. ::::::::Salisbury Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Fields near Odstock, just outside Salisbury Fields near Odstock, just outside Salisbury Isabel Magnificent cathedral. Jumping off point to Stonehenge, but don't overlook the stone circle at Avebury, which is near by. Salisbury is one the most beautiful cathedral cities in Britain, built in the 13th century. The Cathedral with its famous spire, the tallest spire in England @ 404ft, stands at the heart of the city. The surrounding countryside has inspired the paintings of Constable and the writings of Thomas Hardy and Izaak Walton. ::::::::::Stonehenge Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see the typical cloudy day in stonehenge the typical cloudy day in stonehenge Stonehenge is a well-known Neolithic period stone monument located on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It is administered by English Heritage and forms a World Heritage Monument. Another more extensive stone circle is located at Avebury. ::::::::Swindon Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Fine Georgian house in Swindon Fine Georgian house in Swindon Hans Hoffbauer Swindon really does not have anything out of the ordinary for any tourist other than the relief you feel when leaving. So it has a railway museum...must be a great town then. Any place whose main tourist attraction is a museum centred around a bygone rail era is showing how little it really has to offer. Want to visit a french, lebanese or greek restaurant for a sit down after a trip to Swindon's premier attraction? Sorry, the Swindonian culture precludes any culinary delights that do not include Italian or Indian cuisine. You'll have to go to Bath or Bristol for that. Swindon has grown immensely in recent times. Sadly this has only resulted in congested roads and substandard shopping facilities. You'll also find the town has no architecture of note, unless you consider the link centre or the Renault building (as featured in a James Bond flick) the pinnacle of architectural achievements. The night life in Swindon is great if you are into the pubs with music pumping. It's like a flashback to summer holiday in Spain or Greece, without the lovely weather and quaint sea surroundings. It's not all negative. The Cotswolds are mighty fine and the countryside around Swindon is very relaxing. All around are small villages complete with duck ponds and country pub serving simple meals. In summary, if you love Indian and Italian cuisine, no architecture, poor shopping and a one dimensional night life, Swindon is perfect. Me, I would rather go to Bath, Bristol or Oxford, all within one hour away. Just take a look at the picture. Yes, that is Swindon. Welcome. Whilst the above is largely factually correct, it is quite one-sided. As for museums, Swindon has the best collection of modern British art outside London. It has an Arts Centre, a thriving film society and several music venues to just name a few centres of 'excellence'. As with many places it takes more than an afternoon to explore them. _____________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This View of the tables at Jesters View of the tables at Jesters Jesters Snooker Hall Snooker [Add Entertainment place] Jesters Snooker Hall Edit This View of the tables at Jesters View of the tables at Jesters photo by: Jesters Snooker Hall Jesters Snooker Hall offer 22 full sixe snooker table, they also host regular competitions and a childrens section in promote the game to the younger generation, visit the website for more information and membership details. type: Pool and billiards World66 rating: [rate it] zipcode: SN3 3JD address: Jesters Snooker Hall, greenbridge road, swindon email: mail@jesterssnooker.co.uk url: www.jesterssnooker.co.uk tel: +44(01793) 420660 ClosingTime: 11.30pm ::::::::::Taunton Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Taunton is the county town of Somerset. The town lies in the spectacular Vale of Taunton Deane between the Quantock and Blackdown Hills, which are areas of outstanding natural beauty. The stunning countryside of the Somerset Levels and Moors, Brendon Hills, and the North Somerset and South Devon/Dorset coastlines are also in easy reach. ::::::::::::Museums Edit This [Add Museum] Torquay Museum Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 529, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay Devon TQ1 1HG tel: 01803 293975 Torre Abbey Historic House & Gallery Edit This type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: The Kings Drive, Torquay Devon TQ2 5JE tel: 01803 293593 ::::::::Wells Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral dogmadic Wells actually is a city, England's smallest. Like the village city of St David's in Wales, its claim to fame is its cathedral and what a cathedral at that. It rivals the totally different cathedrals of Exeter, Worcester and Durham to provide the best external view of a cathedral in England. It provides a wonderful illustration of Early English [Early Gothic] architecture at its very best. Near the cathedral, outside the Bishop's Palace, the swans have been trained to pull a rope and ring a bell at appropriate times for food. http://www.britannia.com/travel/magical/magic6.html ::::::::::::Weymouth Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Weymouth is a town in Dorset, England, situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. The town is eight miles (13km) south of Dorchester, and five miles (8 km) north of the Isle of Portland. Weymouth had a population of 51,760 in 2004, and is part of the borough of Weymouth and Portland. Weymouth and Portland have a history stretching back to the 12th century, with the area playing a part in the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the Georgian Era, and World War II. Whilst fishing and trading in the port has declined in importance since its peak in earlier centuries, tourism has had a strong presence in the town since the 18th century. Weymouth continues to be a popular tourist resort, and the town's successful economy depends on its harbour and the beaches of Weymouth Bay. Weymouth is a gateway town situated approximately half-way along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, a 95 mile (150km) long stretch of the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its varied geology and landforms. History Weymouth Bay, by John Constable Weymouth originated as a settlement on a constricted site to the south and west of Weymouth Harbour, an outlying part of the village of Wyke Regis. A settlement here is not noted until the 13th century, the likelihood being that the town developed from the mid 12th century onwards. By 1252 it was sufficiently established as a seaport to become a chartered borough. [2] Melcombe Regis developed quite separately on the peninsula of land to the north of the harbour, being mentioned as a licensed 'wool port' in 1310. [2] Melcombe Regis is thought to be the first port at which the Black Death came into England, aboard a visiting spice ship in June 1348. [2] In their early history Weymouth and Melcombe Regis were rivals for trade and industry, but the towns were united in an Act of Parliament in 1571 to form the double borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. Since then both towns have become known simply as Weymouth, despite Melcombe Regis being the part of town in which the main beach and tourist attractions are. [3] The town now also encompasses the outlying suburbs of Upwey, Broadwey, Preston, Wyke Regis, Chickerell, Southill, Radipole and Littlemoor. During the English Civil War (1642-51) more than 500 people were killed in the Battle of Weymouth on February 27, 1645. [2] Later, in the 18th century, on board the ship "Charity", emigrants from the town crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts. More townspeople emigrated to the Americas to bolster the population of Weymouth, Nova Scotia. The first settlers of Salem (then called Naumking), Massachusetts, later infamous for its "Witch Trials", came from Weymouth, Dorset. There is now a monument to that effect on the side of Weymouth Harbour. Weymouth promenade displays Georgian architecture and Victoria's Jubilee Clock The notable architect Sir Christopher Wren was the Member of Parliament for Weymouth for 1702, and also held control of nearby Portland's quarries from 1675 to 1717. Interestingly, when he designed St Paul's Cathedral, Wren had it built out of Portland Stone, the famous stone originating from Portland's quarries. [4] Sir James Thornhill was born in the 'White Hart' public house in Weymouth and in 1722 became MP for Melcome Regis. In later life he became a famous artist, and coincidentally, decorated the interior of St Paul's Cathedral. [5] The town is amongst the first modern tourist destinations, after King George III made Weymouth his summer holiday residence on fourteen occasions between 1789 and 1805. A statue of the King still stands on the seafront, and a mounted white horse representing King George is carved into the chalk hills of Osmington to the east of the town. A myth developed that, because the horse faces away from the town, the King took offence, believing it was a sign that the townspeople did not welcome him, and that the designer subsequently killed himself. [6] This myth has been disproved as King George died before its completion. U.S. soldiers march through Weymouth to board landing ships for the 1944 invasion of France. The seafront of Weymouth's Esplanade is composed almost entirely of Georgian terraces, which have been converted into apartments, shops, hotels and guest houses. The buildings were constructed in the Georgian and Regency periods between 1770 and 1855, designed by prominent architects such as James Hamilton, and were mostly commissioned by wealthy businessmen, many of whom had already been involved in the growth of the city of Bath. [7] Almost all of these terraces still survive, and form a long, continuous arc of buildings which face Weymouth Bay, along most of the length of the Esplanade. The Esplanade also features the colourful Jubilee Clock, erected in 1887 to mark the 50th year of Queen Victoria's reign, and statues of Victoria, George III and Sir Henry Edwards, MP for the borough from 1867 to 1885. Weymouth harbour is situated in the centre of the town, and although it was the reason for its foundation, the harbour effectively separates the two areas of Melcombe Regis (the main town centre) and Weymouth (the southern harbourside) from each other. Since the 18th century this barrier has been overcome with the construction of successive bridges over the narrowest portion of the harbour. The present Town bridge, built in 1930, is a lifting bascule bridge to let boats access the Inner Harbour, one of less than ten in the United Kingdom. Weymouth and Portland played an important role in World War II, and were subjected to bombings by German planes, as were many locations along the South Coast. [8] Portland harbour was home to a large naval base, and Weymouth was home to Nothe Fort, together an important part of the D-Day preparations and Bouncing bomb development. The Bouncing bomb was tested in the Fleet lagoon to the west of the town. [9] Weymouth's history is documented at the Brewers Quay Timewalk museum, a tourist attraction and former brewery on the southern shore of Weymouth Harbour. Politics and demographics Weymouth and Portland shown within Dorset The district of Weymouth and Portland was formed on April 1, 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and was a merger between the borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and the nearby Portland urban district. The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland is Howard Legg, with David Harris as Deputy Mayor; both are members of the Liberal Democrats. [10] Weymouth and Portland and Purbeck districts are in the Dorset South parliamentary constituency, created in 1885. The constituency elects one Member of Parliament. The current MP for Dorset South is Jim Knight, a member of the Labour Party, who currently holds the post of Minister of State for Schools. Dorset South was the second most marginal seat in the 2001 elections, being only won by 153 votes. At the 2001 general election, Jim Knight was elected the member of Parliament for Dorset South, which was the only constituency in which Labour gained votes from the Conservative party in that year. This may have been due to a high-profile anti-Conservative tactical voting campaign which was conducted in Dorset by musician Billy Bragg. Whilst Jim Knight was expecting to have a difficult 2005 election, he won with a margin of 1,812 votes. This was in contrast to many other areas, where Labour suffered a noticeable decline in the popular vote. [11] Age Percentage [1] 0-15 18.3 16+17 2.3 18-44 32.4 45-59 20.8 60-84 23.2 85+ 3.1 Year Population [1] 1971 42,370 1981 45,090 1991 48.350 2001 50,920 2004 51,760 In 2004 Weymouth's population was 51,760, in an estimated built up area of 1850 hectares (18.5 km²). [1] This gives an approximate population density of 28 residents per hectare. In 2005 there were 23,405 dwellings in Weymouth. The population of the town has grown steadily over the past 35 years, mainly as a result of migration. As is the case with many seaside towns, there is an above average number of older residents (60 - 84), however the largest proportion of the population is between the ages of 18 to 44. The population is largely of native English origin, with 96.62% of residents being of White British background. [12] The area's crime rates are below average compared to the UK, with Weymouth's rate of 13.4 crimes per 1000 households lower than that of England and Wales (14.4/1000). However, Weymouth's crime rates are above those of the South West England average of 10.7 per 1000. [1] The town's house prices are relatively high by UK standards, yet around average for most of the south of England. The average price of a detached house in 2005 was £278,284, with an average apartment or maisonette costing £134,812. [1] Weymouth has been twinned with the town of Holzwickede in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany since 1986, and the French town of Louviers, in the department of Eure in Normandy. Geology, geography and ecology Weymouth lies on weak sand and clay rock (dark green) Weymouth is situated on weak sand and clay rock which in most places along the Dorset coast, except for narrow bands at Lulworth Cove, Swanage and Durdle Door, has been eroded and transported away. At Weymouth the weak rock has been protected by Chesil Beach and the strong limestone Isle of Portland that lies just offshore. Chesil Beach is sometimes known as Chesil Bank. The Isle of Portland also affects the tides of the area, producing an unusual double low tide in Weymouth bay. The borough has two lakes which are both RSPB Nature Reserves, Radipole Lake in the town centre, and Lodmoor near Preston. Radipole lake, the largest Nature Reserve, and mouth of the River Wey before it flows into the harbour, is a large important habitat for many species of birds and fish. Radipole is an important tourist attraction, as along with Weymouth Beach, it is situated very close to the main town centre and shops. Weymouth is the largest town in the area, larger than the county town of Dorchester, which lies just to the north, and hence is a centre of activity for many of the nearby population. Weymouth is separated from Dorchester by the South Dorset Downs, a steep ridge of chalk. The countryside surrounding Weymouth, which lies on the South Dorset Downs, is less agricultural than the valleys in the centre and north of Dorset, but has some dairy and arable farms. This area contains numerous small villages, including Wyke Regis, Chickerell, and Osmington Mills. Many of the nearest villages have become the outskirts of the main town. The weak sand and clay on which Weymouth is built is very low lying - large areas are below sea level, which allowed the eastern areas of the town to become flooded on several occasions by the sea during extreme low pressure storms. In the 1980s and 1990s a high sea wall was constructed around the harbour and at Preston, whilst beach nourishment and a stone groyne in Greenhill ensure that the sand beach, important both for tourism and as a natural defence against the sea, is wide and has a shallow incline. [13] Another effect of Weymouth's low lying nature, and the ameliorating effect of the lakes and the warm seas which surround the town, is that winter frost is rare: on average 8 times a year. [14] Days with snow lying are equally rare: on average 0 to 6 days a year. [15] Almost all winters have one day or less with snow lying; it may snow or sleet a couple of times in a winter, yet it almost never settles on the ground. The town, along with other low lying and coastal areas in the south west, experiences the mildest winters in the UK, and is in Hardiness zone 9. [16] The borough's growing season lasts from 9 to 12 months a year. Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average max. temperature ° C (° F) 9 (48) 9 (48) 11 (52) 13 (56) 16 (61) 19 (66) 21 (70) 21 (70) 19 (66) 15 (59) 11 (52) 10 (50) 15 (59) Average min. temperature °C (°F) 4 (39) 4 (39) 5 (41) 6 (43) 8 (46) 11 (52) 14 (57) 13 (55) 12 (54) 9 (48) 7 (45) 5 (41) 8 (46) Rainfall mm ( inches) 76 (3.0) 64 (2.5) 62 (2.4) 47 (1.9) 45 (1.8) 47 (1.9) 35 (1.4) 52 (2.0) 65 (2.6) 77 (3.0) 84 (3.3) 90 (3.5) 743 (29.3) Source: Met Office Due to its location in the south west of England, Weymouth has a temperate climate ( Cfb) with a small variation in daily and annual temperatures. The average annual mean temperature in Weymouth from years 1971 to 2000 was 10.2 to 12 °C. The warmest month is July, with a maximum average temperature range of 12 °C to 21.7 °C, whilst the coolest month is February, with a maximum average temperature range of 1.9 °C to 9.9 °C. [17] Weymouth, and most of the UK, is in AHS Heat zone 2. The borough, along with the rest of the South Coast, often has the sunniest weather in Britain. [18] The resort averaged 1768.4 hours of sunshine annually between the years 1971 and 2000, which is just under 40% of the maximum possible. Between 1990 and 2005 there were five years in which the town had over 2000 hours of sun, a very rare event anywhere in the UK. [19] Weymouth's average annual rainfall is below UK average at 743 mm (see rainfall in the United Kingdom for comparisons). Tourism and industry Nothe Fort is one of several maritime-related museums in the town. Tourism has for a long time been the largest industry in Weymouth, though this has declined slightly since its peak in the late 1990s. [20] Weymouth's wide and shallow sandy beach is used for swimming and sunbathing during the tourist season, and for beach motocross, volleyball and handball at several events throughout the year, including the International Handball Championships [21] and the Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic. [22] The borough also hosts nearly a hundred other events throughout the course of the year, including firework Festivals, Dragon boat racing, and the annual carnival in mid August. [23] In addition to the beaches, Weymouth has two lakes ( Radipole and Lodmoor), which are both RSPB nature reserves, as well as several museums, an aquarium, a skate park and two shopping centres. There are several caravan and camping sites, mainly just out of town, as well as many hotels on the seafront, and hundreds of small guesthouses near the town centre. The town is also a gateway town situated approximately half-way along the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, a 95 mile (150km) long stretch of coast, important for its varied geology and many unique landforms. The town's theatre is built on a peninsula of reclaimed land between the harbour and the Esplanade. The Pavilion theatre was built in 1960, after the old Ritz theatre was destroyed by fire in 1954. The Pavilion is owned and operated by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council. It was announced in 2006 that the Pavilion complex and surroundings will be entirely redeveloped from 2007 to 2011, in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The 10 acre site will include a new theatre, a World Heritage Site visitor centre, a new ferry terminal, a 4-star hotel, an undercover car park, a shopping arcade, offices, luxury and low cost apartments, houses, public squares, promenades, and a marina. [24] Weymouth Outer Harbour Weymouth harbour is long and narrow, and formed the estuary of the River Wey, until the building of a bridge which separated the harbour's backwaters from Radipole Lake. The harbour was historically home to a large fishing fleet, and for many centuries was an important passenger, trade and cargo port. Goods handled in the harbour included wool and spices, and in the 20th century, Weymouth was a bulk importer of fertiliser. [2] The Inner Harbour is a recently refurbished marina with hundreds of berths for pleasure boats, cruisers and sailing boats. The old harbourside, which is near the seaward end of the harbour, still hosts a fishing fleet with docks and unloading areas, and a ferry terminal. There are also boats offering pleasure trips along the Jurassic Coast and to the Isle of Portland, and there is still a small passenger ferry service across the harbour, linking the Brewer's Quay shopping centre to the main town centre. Weymouth's main shopping centre is in Melcombe Regis, consisting of two pedestrianised streets (St. Thomas's and St. Mary's Street) with additional shops along the Esplanade, and in the 1990s a new precinct was built stretching from St. Thomas's Street to the harbourside. In 2005 the town centre had 292 shops, 404,000 square feet of floorspace, and the area had almost 40 hectares of industrial estate. [1] Fashion company New Look has its national head office in Weymouth, and until 2005 the company's regional distribution centre was based at the same site. Transport The Weymouth Harbour Tramway (or 'Quay Branch') in 2005 Weymouth railway station is the terminus of the route from London Waterloo and the route from Westbury and Bristol. Although its size had been fully appropriate for the intense rail traffic that came into and out of Weymouth on busy summer Saturdays, it was oversized by the time it was demolished in 1986. A smaller, modern station took up part of the site, while the rest of the old station site was given over to commercial development. Parts of the South West Main Line west of Poole have been reduced from dual to single track, reducing the capacity. As part of 2012 Olympic preparations, local councils have lobbied the Department for Transport to relay the track and increase services to London and Bristol, as well as introducing new direct services to Exeter. [25] An unusual feature of railways in Weymouth was that until 1987 scheduled trains ran through the public streets along the Weymouth Harbour Tramway to the Quay Station at the eastern entrance to the harbour, for trains to travel to the European mainland by sea. Due to declining business, goods traffic ceased in 1972, whilst passenger services continued until 1987, when these services ceased from lack of use as well. The Quay Station now houses the Condor Ferries Terminal. Condor Ferries' main UK port is Weymouth, and the HSC Condor Express runs from Weymouth Harbour to the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and to the French port of St Malo. The town is on the A354 road, which connects the town to the A35 trunk road in Dorchester, and which terminates at Easton on the Isle of Portland. The A353 road runs east from the town to the south of Warmwell, where it connects with the A352 road to the Isle of Purbeck and Wareham. Contracts for local bus services are held by First Group, which bought the local Southern National company. In the 1980s the town centre was bypassed by the route to Portland, but the government's road building policy changed before the proposed relief road could be completed. Currently, the busy A354 follows its original route through the suburbs of Upwey and Broadwey, where traffic problems are common at peak tourist times, and particularly on the regular event days such as the town's annual carnival. In addition to issues with central government, the project has been held up by opposition from residents and environmental groups, who object to the proposed route's partial destruction of a local nature reserve, which is an AONB and SSSI. With Weymouth scheduled to host 2012 Olympic sailing events the project has reopened with the local authorities favouring a more environmentally friendly proposal than in the 1990s. [26] Sport and recreation Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The local football team, Weymouth F.C. or 'the Terras', have remained outside the Football League but, in common with many other non-League clubs, they became professional in 2005. The team have enjoyed erratic success at their level over the years; on at least two occasions reaching the third round of the FA Cup, the highest club competition level. At the end of the 2005-06 season the team became Champions of the Conference South (the sixth level of English football) meaning that they now compete in the Conference National (the fifth level) for the first time since 1989. Weymouth's record attendance for the Wessex Stadium is 6,000 against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in the 2005-2006 Season. The Terras' current home is the out-of-town Wessex Stadium, but until 1987 the team played at a ground near the town centre, now the site of an Asda supermarket. The club's move predated the move to new out-of-town grounds by professional league clubs, and came at a time when there had been no new league football stadia opened in England for 32 years. The Wessex stadium could now be rebuilt once more; occupying a former pitch-and-putt golf course, coincidentally with Asda again building on the previous stadium site. [27] Just south of Weymouth in Portland Harbour is the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events at the 2012 Olympics will take place. The main reason that the resort was chosen to host these events was the fact that the Sailing Academy had only recently been built, so no new venue would need to be provided. However, as part of the South West of England Regional Development Agency's plans to redevelop Osprey Quay, in which the Academy is built, a new 600 berth marina and an extension with more on-site facilities will be built by around 2008. [28] Weymouth and Portland's waters have also been credited by the Royal Yachting Association as amongst the best in Northern Europe. [29] The town regularly hosts local, national and international sailing events in its waters. These events include the J/24 World Championships in 2005, staging trials for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the ISAF World Championship 2006, the BUSA Fleet Racing Championships, and the RYA Youth National Championships. [30] In addition to sailing, the waters of Weymouth Bay are frequently a venue for other water sports. The reliable sailing wind is also very useful for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The sheltered waters in Portland Harbour and near Weymouth are used regularly for angling, diving to several shipwrecks, snorkelling, canoeing, jet skiing, water skiing, and swimming. [31] Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: wikipedia |