London - Notting Hill the ultra-trendy West London area maded famous by the film of the same name starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Or counter this with the remains of some of the working class neighbourhoods thats so concerned Charles Dickens.

South of England - Jane Austen country including places she lived as well as where she set her novels between Brighton to Bath. Persuasion was also shot here. Additionally, in this vacinity are the moors near Exeter where Thomas Hardy situated many of his characters.

North West England - The tranquil and beautiful area of the Lake District was the source of inspiration for many of the Romantic poets most prominently Wordsworth.

North East England - Yorkshire was home to three of the Bronte sisters and famously the isolated moors were the setting for Wuthering Heights Emily's masterpiece. Farther south is Nottinghamshire which is was the land of D.H Lawrence.

Central England - Stratford-upon-Avon, of course famous as the birthplace to probably the countries most famous literary export, William Shakespeare. The area has provides many opportunities to find out more about the Bard and his times.

Scotland - Home to the poet Robert Burns. The scenery will be familiar to anyone familiar with the films Rob Roy and Braveheart, both Scottish national heroes.

Statue of William Wallace, the Borders,
Scotland

Wales - The south coast of Wales is where Dylan Thomas lived and worked and his influence is still strongly felt in the region. Additionally fans of the cult 1960s series The Prisoner may want to visit Portmeirion to the north.

Nr Ireland - Brought up on a farm near Bellaghy, County Derry the poet Seamus Heaney's was inspired by and evoked the surrounding landscape and way of life in the classic Death of a Naturalist .

Ireland - This country is of course replete with literary associations. Taking Dublin alone this is reflected by the opening of the Dublin Writers Museum in 1991. It is possible to wander the streets rendered so familiar by perhaps Irelands most famous literary son, James Joyce.

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WILDLIFE
This is a country known for its natural beauty reflected in the sheer number of organisations that seek to preserve and celebrate it. There are manmade attractions like the wealth of mazes often in stately homes throughout the country, centres such as the Eden center (as recently featured in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day) or the plenitude of Botanical Gardens as well as regular flower shows. There is also a concerted and highly successful effort to show nature off in untrammelled surroundings such as the guided expeditions with the various stunning National Trust Parks dotted throughout the country.

SOME EVENTS:

Chelsea Flower Show - 20 - 23 May 2003
Located in London this famous celebration of all things horticultural includes plants and flowers from all seasons as well as garden tools, furniture greenhouses. The display aslo includes themed gardens.

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - Beginning July
Just over 20 miles west of London the series of marquees include the British Rose Festival as part of the floral displays as well as landscaped gardens.

Jersey Battle of Flowers - second week of August
This celebration includes a parade on the second Thursday of the month it featuring many floats festooned with a wide variety of blooms.

International Rose Week - July
Held in Belfast at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park annually this is one of the worlds greatest floral spectacles. The celebrations include various bands and floral art activities.

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SPORTS

Whether you want to be a participant or more of a spectator the history of this region is liettered with a variety of sporting activities. cricket, rugby and soccer are in some ways quintessentially British and they constitiute a longheld tradition that still inspires ferverent loyalty. Both rugby and football come from medieval games where groups of people, pushed or kicked a ball around the village green.

SOME EVENTS:

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships - late June to early July
Arguably the most prestiguous of the four 'major' tennis championships in the world. Wimbledon is in the suburbs of London and the event is held from . For more information on Wimbledon visit www.wimbledon.com

British Open Golf Championship - mid-July
Again one of the four 'major' professional golf championships in the world. The tournament takes place at different sites each year. Further information on this years Open can be found at www.opengolf.com

Royal Ascot - late June
A famous horse racing event held in Windsor and easily accessible from London members of the royal family including the Queen are in attendance at this event which includes a royal procession each of the days when royalty enters the course. Ascot is also famous for its high fashion, especially on Ladies Day when ladies wear spectacular and highly ornate hats.

London Marathon - mid-April
Attracting runners from around the world this 26-mile race through the streets of London can be viewed from any number of sceneic vantage points along the route. Check www.london-marathon.co.uk for routing information.

Henley Royal Regatta, - beginning of July
Undoubtedly the world's premier rowing event with crews participating from all over the world. It was started in 1839 and except during the World Wars it has run every year since. It is held in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Visit www.hrr.co.uk for information.

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FESTIVALS
With a region as diverse as the UK and Ireland it is inevitable that this is reflected in the range of festivals held every year. Whether your interest is in tradition or more cutting edge entertainment, whether it extends to science, the arts, history or street parades and for both those that like their festivals urban or rurally based, there is trully something for everyone.

SOME EVENTS:

Bath International Music Festival - The last two weeks of May and the beginning of June
Set in Britain's finest Roman city from classical to jazz this is perhaps the country's most prestigious music festival featuring the best the world has to offer. The festival also includes parades, art shows, and other ad hoc entertainment.

Edinburgh International Festival - Mid-August to early September
The world's biggest arts festival, which includes the Fringe Festival at the same time with with over 1000 performances, including theater, dance, comedy and music. Additionally the Military Tattoo takes place at the same time with
displays of military pageantry set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
See www.eif.co.uk, www.edfringe.com and www.edintattoo.co.uk for further information.

Notting Hill Carnival - End of August
Europe's largest street festival of music, dance, drama, food, street trading and parades of costumes and steel bands.
The carnival is free of charge.

Galway Arts Festival - 2 weeks in July
An international celebration of the performing and visual arts - but with a distinctive West of Ireland flavour.
Check www.galwayartsfestival.ie for more details.

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HERITAGE

Of course one of the major attractions to the UK is its royal heritage deeply and proudly interwoven into its history and culture. The Queen maitains five residences which are open to the public at one time or another during the year.
Buckingham Palace's State Rooms are open to the public in August and September, the only months the palace is not in constant use. The Queen often spends her weekends at Windsor Castle to the West of London. Again the State Apartments of this 900 year old compound can be visited. It is the largest inhabited castle in the world. Due to its location in the Highlands of Scotland Balmoral Castle is viewed as something of a retreat for the Royal family affording them both increased privavcy and the opportunity for outdoor activities. The castle can be visited from May to July. Edinburgh contains the Palace of Holyroodhouse which has been the scene of many dramatic events in Scottish history including housing the court of Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Palace is open to the public whenever the Queen is not in residence. Lastly, Sandringham in Norfolk open from Easter to October is perhaps the most surprising of the Queen's homes as it contains many personal items such as family photographs.

SOME EVENTS

Trooping the Colour - June
An unforgettable London pageant to celebrate the Queen's Birthday. It is possible to watch the parade from anywhere along the route from Buckingham Palace to Horseguards.

Lord Mayors Procession - early-November
Harking back to 1215 when London's citizens were given the right to elect their own Mayor, the procession commemorates the fact that the new Mayor must be presented to the Sovereign for approval and to swear loyalty to the Crown.This spectacular procession includes bands, floats, a military parade topped off with a fireworks display on the River Thames. The Lord Mayor is then inaugurated.

To get more information on events taking place in the UK and Ireland and how these can be incorporated into your group itinerary, please contact one of our representatives.

Email: mail@maranatha.co.uk
Tel: ++44(0)1753689568

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