Ebook: The Pleasures and Treasures of Britain. A Discerning Travellers Companion

Книга на английском языке, адресованная путешественникам, собирающимся посетить Великобританию. В издании представлена информация о графствах и крупных городах страны, их истории и достопримечательностях, театрах и магазинах, антикварных лавках и художественных галереях, пабах и ресторанах и т.п.This book does give an extremely broad and informative overview of what you can do in a British town - a lot of the information cannot be found in the local newspaper or tourist information centre, good as some of them are. If you have any interest in culture or the arts, this book should be a valuable travelling companion.The book is divided into ten geographic areas - the South West, the South, London, the East, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland, the North and Scotland. Each town section begins with a brief and accessible historical introduction with mention made of the main places of interest. This is followed by a guided walk around the town, beginning and ending at a central parking place. The walk describes in detail how to get to most of the places mentioned previously. This is followed by a listing, with pertinent details, of museums, art galleries and public buildings.The book also gives full details of the local professional theatre scene, while the section on cinema focuses on alternative programming as well as commercial films. Music is also well covered, with concert halls and festivals mentioned, as well as details of opera, ballet and dance. Every really good bookshop is mentioned, including secondhand and antiquarian establishments. Commerical art galleries are listed, together with their specialization, as are antique shops and markets. The restaurants listed cover a wide range of good cooking, from a budget lunch or supper to that special occasion meal; public houses are chosen for their ambiance and culinary value. Areas that have connections with particular writers and artists are mentioned, and a special section explores legends, fables, ghosts, characters, tall tales and unusual events of an area.