InsiderTOTALLYBRITAIN

EDINBURGH THE LAKE DISTRICT DEVON THE COTSWOLDS CORNWALL THE SCILLY ISLES

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TOTALLYBRITAIN Contents

2 Edinburgh

4 The Lake District

5 Cornwall/The Scilly Isles

6 The Cotswolds

8 Devon

13 Prince ofWalesTerrace, LondonW8 5GP Telephone 020 7937 7799office@focus-info.org, helpline@focus-info.org, editor@focus-info.orgResource Centre hours: Monday–Thursday 10am–4pm

Edinburgh

WhyEdinburgh’s main attraction is itsvibe; you only need to strolldown the streets, enjoy a pint atthe local pub or a meal at one ofits many restaurants to feel it.The city’s top attraction is un-doubtably the castle thatdominates the skyline, but it isalso home to the RoyalYachtBritannia and the amazingsurrounding coastline andcountryside.

Stay

BalmoralThis luxurious hotel is a landmarkin itself, centrally located on themain shopping street.The Michelinstarred restaurant Number One islocated within the hotel.1 Princes Street,Edinburgh, EH2 2EQTel: 0131 556 2414www.balmoralhotel.com

Ardmor HouseA lovely boutique B&B andcentrally located.74 Pilrig Street,Edinburgh, EH6 5ASTel: 0131 554 4944www.ardmorhouse.com

Radisson BluThis hotel is very centrally locatedand offers many family rooms.80 High Street,Edinburgh, EH1 1THTel: 0131 557 9797www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh

EatTheWitchery by the Castle enjoys awonderful gothic setting.Royal Mile, 126 High St,Edinburgh, EH1 1THTel: 0131 225 5613www.thewitchery.com

Restaurant MartinWishartThe was the first restaurant inEdinburgh to be awarded aMichelin star.The food is delicious,but expensive.54The Shore, Leith,Edinburgh, EH6 6RATel: 0131 553 3557www.martin-wishart.co.uk

Fishers BistroThis is a relaxed and good fishrestaurant with affordable prices.1 Shore, Leith,Edinburgh, EH6 7QW58Thistle Street,Edinburgh, EH2 1EN3 Shore, Leith,Edinburgh, EH6 6QWTel: 0131 554 5666www.fishersbistros.co.uk

AvoidIf you do not have a strongstomach, you should avoid theScottish dish Haggis. It is a sort ofsausage, or savoury pudding tra-ditionally prepared with mincedsheep's lungs, heart and liver,mixed with onions, oatmeal andspices and simmered in the ani-mal's stomach. If you are adven-turous go for it, as gourmets sayit is delicious!

One of a kindGolf in Scotland is very special.It boasts famous championships,amazing scenery, spectacularcourses and the finest parklands.A must for beginners andprofessionals alike.

Websiteswww.visitscotland.comwww.edinburgh.org

2 3

TopTipFind the Scottish HeathGarden in the Royal BotanicGardens and pretend you’re inthe Highlands!

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FOCUS Travel Britain 4 5

The Lake District

The Lake District is England'slargest National Park and it offerssome of the country's most stun-ning scenery. It has inspiredamong others,Turner, the famousartist, and writer Beatrix Potter.

WhyThis is the perfect destination forthose with a passion for the out-doors. There are countless op-portunities for cycling, trekking,sailing, swimming, fishing, campingor just relaxing.You can cycle orwalk following one of the verywell signposted routes, or join aguided walking tour, learn how tosail or take a boat ride.The mostfamous lakes here areWindermere, Ulswater,Grasmere, ConistonWater andDerwentWater.

Stay

Holbeck Ghyll CountryHouse HotelThis is a luxurious hotel with aMichelin starred restaurant. Itboasts spectacular views of LakeWindermere.Holbeck Lane,Windermere, LA23 1LUTel: 01539 432 375www.holbeckghyll.com

AvoidIf you plan to visit during thesummer holidays, then avoid allareas around LakeWindermereas they are extremely crowded.Go for one of the lesser knownwestern lakes.

One of a kindThe whole area is a walker’sdream come true. If you are anexperienced walker or even justa beginner, you will be amazedwith the stunning lakes and fells(hills), especially during the au-tumn months.

Websiteswww.golakes.co.ukwww.lakedistrict.gov.uk

TopTipSummer is high season so ifyou want to wander lonely as acloud plan your visit foranother time of year.Wintercan be bitterly cold and snowy,but prices are cheaper, touristsare fewer and pubs withroaring fires are easy to find.Spring is a great time, especiallyif you just have to see someWordsworthian daffodils, plusattractions and ferries are allgenerally operating

Cornwall / The Scilly Isles

Located at the country’s extremesouth-western tip, Cornwall’scoastline is breathtaking, withhigh cliffs, pretty inlets and littlefishing villages.Twenty milessouth-west of Cornwall lie theIsles of Scilly, a group of rocky is-lands with a surprisingly mild cli-mate.

WhyCornwall’s beaches are England’smain surfing destination.Thereare also plenty of otherattractions:The Eden Project (adramatic global garden housed intropical biomes), Land’s End, StIves, St Michael’s Mount, theNational Maritime Museum,TateSt Ives and many more.

Websiteswww.visitcornwall.co.ukwww.surfing-cornwall.com

Stay

Hell Bay Hotel. This is the bestrated hotel in the Isles of Scilly.Bryher, Isles Of ScillyTR23 0PRTel: 01720 422 947www.hellbay.co.uk

St Moritz HotelA sweet, family-friendly hotel offer-ing apartments and villas withbeautiful views and a cowshed spa.Trebetherick,Wadebridge,Cornwall, PL27 6SDTel: 01208862242www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk

Landewednack HouseThis is a luxurious coastal B&B atthe Lizard Peninsula.A Michelinstarred chef prepares gourmet din-ners for guests. Church Cove,TheLizard, Cornwall TR12 7PQTel: 01326 290877www.landewednackhouse.com

EatNewYard Restaurant atTrelowarrenThis award winningrestaurant is located in a historic1,000-acre estate on the Lizardpeninsula.Mawgan, Helston,Cornwall TR12 6AFTel: 01326 221595www.newyardrestaurant.co.uk

Garrack RestaurantA restaurant that boasts stunningviews over the Atlantic and St Ives.Burthallan Lane,St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 3AA.Tel: 01736 796199.www.garrack.com

The ViewA modern restaurant set high onthe cliffs ofWhitsand BayTreninnow Cliff Road,WhitsandBay,Torpoint, PL10 1JY -Tel: 0871 5287770www.theview-restaurant.co.uk

AvoidIt is easy to travel to/from big citiesby train, but the local transport sys-tem in Cornwall will let you downif you want to visit little villages andhidden beaches.There is also veryheavy traffic on the motorways onbusy bank holidays and half-terms.

One of a kindCornwall is famous for the bestsurfing in the UK, it also hostsone of the biggest pro-surf com-petitions in Europe.There aresurfing schools for complete be-ginners, and very challengingbeaches for the experiencedsurfers.

Macdonald Old EnglandHotel & SpaThis is a large, centrally locatedfamily-friendly hotel.Bowness-on-Windermere,Cumbria, LA23 3DFTel: 0844 879 9144www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/oldengland

The SamlingA small, luxurious hotel set inbeautiful grounds with an excellentrestaurant.Ambleside Rd,Windermere, LA23 1LRTel: 01539 431 922www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk

Eat

The Britannia InnA traditional English Inn and pubserving homemade food, fine wine& real ales.Elterwater,Ambleside,Cumbria, LA22 9HPTel: 015394 37210www.britinn.co.uk

Gilpin Lodge CountryHouse HotelThis forms part of the Relais andChateaux hotels, and has a opulentrestaurant.Crook Road,Windermere, LA23 3NETel: 015394 88818www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

JerichosThis is a small but well ratedrestaurant.College Rd,Windermere, LA23 1BXTel: 015394 42522

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The Cotswolds

The historyThe Cotswolds are known fortheir beautiful green rolling hillsand sand coloured limestone vil-lages. Tourists come to see therarefied beauty of this region,with its solid history in the farm-ing industry. Cotswolds is derivedfrom the word given to thestone sheep shelters or cots,combined with wold meaningrolling hills. From the ruins ofRoman villas in Cirencester tothe Saxon churches built in timesof great prosperity, theCotswolds have picturesquescenery mixed with enough ac-tivities to satisfy the most fastidi-ous traveller.

WhyA delightfully stunning landscapewith charming villages is the mainreason most people go! Themust-sees of this region aretowns such as Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold, which epitomisethe essence of the region’s archi-tecture, churches, pubs and nov-elty stores. Blenheim Castle, thebirthplace of SirWinstonChurchill, sits on an18th Centuryestate full of fine art, gardens andhistory.William Shakespeare’shometown, Stratford-Upon-Avonoffers the literary enthusiastplenty to explore. Bath, on thesouthern tip of the Cotswolds,captures the imagination with itancient Roman Baths.

Stay

Cottage rentals:www.discoverthecotswolds.netwww.bruern-holiday-cottages.co.ukwww.simonescapes.com

Innswww.burford-house.co.ukwww.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk

Hotelswww.calcotmanor.co.uk(for families)www.washbournecourt.co.ukwww.cotswolds88hotel.com

EatThe Swan at Southrop,The TollgateInn, Daylesford Organic Farm,TheKingham Plough and TheMarlborough Tavern are allfavourites.

AvoidThe weekend crowds onBourton-on-the-Water.It would be advisable to visitduring the week.

One of a kindFor a truly unique English experi-ence, rent a vintage Aston Martinto tour the countryside(www.vintage-classics.co.uk).Try trout fishing in Bibury with aself-contained trout farm that isfun for the whole family(www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk).If you are a bit more adventur-ous, check out hot air ballooningwithVirgin Balloon flights(www.virginballoonflights.co.uk),or sky-diving with Skydive SouthCerney in Cirencester(skydivesouthcerney.co.uk).

TopTipWhen planning to see beautifulvillages such as Burford,Bourton-on-the-Water orBidbury, park on the edge oftown, and enjoy the walk backto the centre through thepretty streets and lanes

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FOCUS Totally Britain 8 9

Devon

The historyDevon’s history is rich with his-torical evidence of occupationdating back to the Stone Age.The county remained a separatekingdom for nearly 300 years.The name Devon derives fromthe tribe of Celtic people whoinhabited the South-westernpeninsula of Britain at the time ofthe Roman invasion in43 AD. Tourists are drawn toDevon for its stunning coastallandscape and unspoilt beaches;however, agriculture, fishing andprimary industry were once thedrivers of the economy.

WhyDevon is a unique county offer-ing breathtaking coastal views,narrow hedgerow lanes, picturepostcard thatched cottages andto die for cream teas. It offerssome first rate surfing on thenorthern coast, as well as sailingand a whole host of other watersports, just remember to pack awetsuit. If you are not inclined totake to the water, delve into his-tory by visiting Plymouth, whichplayed an important role as anaval port in bothWorldWar IandWorldWar II. Or, get lost inthe desolate romantic beauty ofthe moors; Exmoor andDartmoor.

Stay

Cottage rentals:www.toadhallcotages.co.ukwww.coastandcountryhotels.com

Innswww.caryarms.co.uk

HotelsThurleston, Bovey

EatThe Angel, DartmouthDickWills, SalcombeThe Tuckers Arms,Axminsterare all favourites.

AvoidTravelling to Devon on aSaturday, as many of the housechangeovers take place andtraffic can be very heavy.

One of a kindTo fully experience a special areaof Devon, rent a SalcombeYawland explore the estuary.Thenbrowse through the local shopswith a caffine boost fromSalcombe Coffee Company.Finally, chill out at DickWills en-joying the great food and superbviews of the harbour.

TopTipTorbay has no fewer than20 beaches – locals opt forthe sand and shingle belowthe 240ft red-clay cliffs atBabbacombe.These canbe accessed by a 1920sfunicular railway

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