Where the old world meets the new: southwest England offers romance, nostalgia, and some little-known black history.Usually, London is the focal point focal point n. See focus. for all news out of England. But if you want to know where transatlantic slavery began--or to experience the English countryside of romantic, historical novels--you'll have to fly 120 miles to the southwest, starting at Bristol. Situated on the rivers Frome and Avon, this English port city is known as the "birthplace of America." In 1497, Italian explorer John Cabot sailed from Bristol's shores in search of a westerly route to the West Indies West Indies, archipelago, between North and South America, curving c.2,500 mi (4,020 km) from Florida to the coast of Venezuela and separating the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. only to "discover" North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . The founders of Maine, Pennsylvania, and North and South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. were also from Bristol. In the late 1600s, Bristol--a wealthy trading port--found there was money to be made outside of tobacco and wool. The result was a massive slave industry, often referred to as the "triangular trade Triangular trade is a historical term indicating trade between three ports or regions. The trade evolved where a region had an export commodity that was not required in the region from which its major imports came. ," based on the route taken by merchants from Europe to West Africa West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. to the Caribbean. Today, Bristol is a buzzing, multicultural university city of 400,000 with approximately 16,000 blacks--some descended from enslaved Enslaved may refer to:
The controversial British Empire and Commonwealth Museum Coordinates: The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum (grid reference ST597725) is a museum in Bristol, United Kingdom which explores the history of the British Empire and the effect that British colonial rule had on the rest of the world. , which highlights the history of this once imperialistic nation, is worth a visit. Chic restaurants such as the Severnshed (housed in a 19th century boathouse), shopping in elegant Clifton Village Clifton Village may refer to several places in England:
To explore further, you'll want to rent a car: a 12-mile drive through some of Britain's most bucolic countryside leads to the famed Roman city of Bath, noted for its hot springs and the Roman Baths Museum. The new Thermae Bath Spa Thermae Bath Spa is a modern spa in the city of Bath in England, opened in 2006. It is owned by the local Bath and North East Somerset council, and operated by the Thermae Development Company. (home of Britain's only natural thermal waters J offers head-to-toe treatments. Author Jane Austen lived in Bath, and it has been a favorite shopping center since the 1700s. Stay at The Royal Crescent Hotel. centering a row of curved, honey-colored Georgian buildings overlooking the city, and enjoy fine dining at its award-winning restaurant, Pimpernel's. In neighboring Wiltshire, the village of Malmesbury is the epitome of English charm. Start with a visit to the eclectic Abby House Gardens. which is filled with heirloom trees and flowers and Gothic architecture. Enjoy a traditional Sunday roast beef at the Sign of the Angelis a must. And nobody does afternoon tea like Margaret Vaughan at the 13th-century King John's Hunting Lodge. Take a stroll through the picturesque village of Castle Combe and stop for a visit to Lacock Abbey, where many scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot. You'll barely have strength left to flop on your four-poster bed at the utterly luxurious Lucknam Park, which also offers horseback riding. Originally owned by an 18th century trader from Bristol and set in 500 acres of parkland, it boasts 41 rooms and suites, huge fireplaces, and delicious cuisine. GETTING THERE * For tourist information, go to www. visitsouthwest.co.uk. * A good site about black Bristol: www.discoveringbristol.org.uk. * The Hotel Du Vin, www.hotel duvin.com, 011-44-117-925-5577 * Pirate Walks, www.pirate walks.com, 011-44-795-056-6483 * Blue Badge Guides, www.blue -badge-guides.com, 011-44-207-403-1115 * The Royal Crescent Hotel, www.royalcrescentco.uk, 011-441-225 823-333 * Lucknam Park, www.lucknam park.co.uk, 011-44-122-574-2777 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion