Why this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity


These are unquestionably the most interesting times in Great Britain in 30 years. All is quiet in the North Atlantic alliance, for now. The year 2017, however, will certainly bring changes to the “special relationship” that will continue to exist between Great Britain and America.
After the Brexit vote and its political aftermath in the UK, Theresa May has steadily replaced David Cameron’s leadership allies in Government with her own appointments, determined to put her own imprint on Westminster and the agenda to come. Front and center on that agenda, of course, is implementing the Brexit initiative and negotiating the myriad of treaties and agreements that are inevitably involved in separating themselves from the European Union.
While tremors will long shake the European tree, the fallout for Britain continues to be slight. Its economy remains among the healthiest in Europe, the job market is strong and the cost of living for the British people has remained unaffected. They’re still trying to get their borders closed.
Of course, there are bound to be some surprising outcomes from Brexit. Talks are being held, promoted by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, that the Royal Yacht Britannia be re-commissioned after 20 years of retirement (and now moored in Edinburgh’s Leith Harbour as a tourist attraction) to serve again as a “floating embassy” to promote British trade around the world. One does wonder what Her Majesty thinks of the idea.
“While tremors will long shake the European tree, the fallout for Britain continues to be slight. Its eceonomy remains among the healthiest in Europe”

On this side of the Atlantic, our own political scene remains in flux—but not for long. As 2017 emerges, however, a new British PM will be establishing a relationship with a new American president, a relationship that’s likely to have a completely different dynamic than the long association of David Cameron and Barack Obama. Either a President Clinton or a President Trump will have points of commonalty with PM May that the former leaders obviously seemed to lack. Let’s all certainly hope so. After all, among the items on our national agendas likely will be new bilateral agreements in trade, travel and diplomacy.

Despite the inevitable give-and-take between friends, our historic relationship with Britain has largely thrived since the 1800s. Over the decades since World War II, the UK has time and again proven America’s strongest European political and military ally. The shared political, social and personal values as well as rich exchange of both high and popular culture since the time of Queen Victoria have cemented our interests and our affection for each other.

PICTUREBANK/ALAMY

DANA HUNTLEY

Need some good suggestions for less-traveled, heartland destinations? British Heritage has been delighted to serve them up for years. I remember being in Penzance when I bought pints for three young soldiers just back from the Falklands and listened to their stories—and ponder where I might go now to feel the pulse of the times. In truth, the anthology of stories in this Secret Britain edition provides as good a short list of suggestions as I might devise—from the Exmoor coast of North Devon to the Aberdeenshire coast of Northeast Scotland. Or perhaps you have your own list of someday places from St. Davids to Whitby.
Once again, the historically low Great British pound will continue to make British travel an uncommon value for American visitors for some time to come, but not indefinitely. Meanwhile, it is certainly an encouragement to plan travel now—making hay while the sun doth shine.
It’s one of the classic themes of English poetry, carpe diem. Seize the day.

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying;. And this same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying.”
— Robert Herrick

DANA HUNTLEY