ANTIQUES FROM PHARAOHS TO FRINK
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THE GROSVENOR HOUSE ART & ANTIQUES FAIR EXHIBIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Artworks and antiques representing 5,000 years of global history and culture will go on sale at The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair from 11th to 17th June. Le Méridien Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane will host the event-one of the top four antiques fairs in the world. The fair enjoys the patronage of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother-the only event of its kind to have been extended this privilege-and also showcases works from the Royal Collection. Another exhibition will display rare artefacts of “The Great Twelve” livery companies, including the goldsmiths, salters, and vintners. A full-colour, case-bound handbook describes the works offered for sale and features essays on the accompanying exhibitions. It will be available in mid-May (r£34 for those ordering it from outside Europe). Tickets are r£16 and include a copy of the handbook, which guests can pi k up at the fair. Contact Grosvenor House for advance tickets and information. Tel: 020 7399 81 00; mail: The Fair Office, Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London W1K 7TN; email: info@ grosvenor-antiquesfair.co.uk; web: www.grosvenor-antiquesfair.co.uk.
new BATH SPA
THE WATERS OF BRITAIN’S ONLY natural hot spring have attracted people to Bath for thousands of years, but it’s been a quarter century since anyone has been able to bathe in them. Thermae Bath Spa, slated for a May opening, is changing all that. A Millennium Commission grant got the project going in 1997. Its centerpiece is a new building of Bath stone with a rooftop thermal pool, an indoor thermal pool, steam and massage rooms, an exercise area, and a classroom for yoga and meditation. No membership is needed; spa facilities are available to all. The project also encompasses restoration of five historic buildings, including the Cross Bath. Tel: 01225 336789; email: [email protected]; web: www.bath spa.co.uk.
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the “kilted cockney’s” custom scotland
Steve Rogers will take you and your small group (up to 16 or so) on a tour of Scotland to fit your interests-history, clans, photography, film locations, golf, gardens, distilleries, islands, you name it. He’ll also stray beyond Scotland to pick you up, drop you off, and show you sites in England or Wales you can’t bear to miss. We met Steve on a BRITISH HERITAGE/Lord Addison tour, and he impressed us with his knowledge, dependable good cheer, and steady hand on the wheel of his comfortable mini motor coach. See his website at www.trinity-travel.com; email: [email protected]; tel/fax: 0131 654 1051.
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SHAKESPEARE IN ART
London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery looks at 70 portrayals of the Bard’s plays from the 18th and 19th centuries, when artists such as Hogarth, Delacroix, Romney, and Blake painted scenes—both acted and imagined—from Shakespeare’s plays. The works of art also depict such renowned Shakespearean actors as Garrick, Kemble, and Siddon. Tel: 020 8693 5254; web: www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk.
QUEEN ELIZABETH I: STATESIDE EXHIBITIONS
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., features “Celebrating Elizabeth I” until 2nd August. The Library owns North America’s largest collection of objects relating to the Virgin Queen. The 85 treasures on exhibit include Elizabeth’s Bible, correspondence, and the “Sieve” portrait. Address: 201 E. Capitol St., S.E., 20003; tel: (202) 544-4600; web: www.folger.edu.
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THE COLCHESTER MUSEUM
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THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
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READING MUSEUM SERVICE
The International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park offers a visitors a rare glimpse of Elizabeth’s saddle; the equine armour of her father, Henry VIII; and other items relating to the Queen in its exhibition, “All the Queen’s Horses: The Role of the Horse in British History,” from 26th April to 24th August. The scope of the 450-item exhibition ranges from a horse engraving on a 10,000-year-old bone to items on loan from Britain’s Royal Family. The Kentucky Horse Park is north of Lexington (I-75 Exit 120); tel: 800-678-8813; web: www.kyhorsepark.com.
QUEEN MUM’S CASTLE
The late Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey in Caithness in the North of Scotland opens to the public for a full season this year, in accordance with her wishes. Built in the 16th century, the castle stands near the shore and overlooks Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands. The Queen Mother purchased it in 1952 and oversaw its restoration and that of its gardens. She made it a custom to spend the last three weeks of August here and another several days each October. Dates of opening are 24th May-12th October except Mondays; on Sundays the castle opens only in the afternoon; closed 2nd-13th August. Tel: 01847 851227; web: www.castleofmey.org.uk. Seaview Cottage on the grounds is available to let, though it’s usually booked far in advance. It can sleep up to six people. To book: tel. 01463 716723.
NEW FOUR-DAY GREAT BRITISH HERITAGE PASS
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For people on short visits to the U.K., the British Tourist Authority now offers a four-day Heritage Pass (r£22) as well as seven-day (r£35), 15-day (r£46), and one-month (r£60) passes. All allow unlimited admission to nearly 600 historic houses, castles, and gardens belonging to or in membership of the National Trust, The National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, CADW (Welsh Historic Monuments), The Treasure Houses of England, The Historic Houses Association, Historic Scotland, and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency. A gazetteer detailing the properties comes with the pass. Heritage Passes are sold only to visitors from overseas. In the U.S. they are available from Britrail (tel: 877-677-1066; web: www.britrail.net), Tickets To (tel: 800-869-8184; web: www.ticketsto.com), and Rail Europe Group (tel: 800-274-8724; web: www.raileurope.com). In the U.K. travelers can purchase a pass at the British Visitor Centre, Lower Regent St., London, and from Tourist Information Centres at airports, ports, and major cities throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Purchasers must show a passport. For more information, see www.visitbritain.com/heritagepass or call one of the organizations selling them.
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