| Southern England | |
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Beauty and the beach Rich in history and culture, Southern England is a fascinating corner of the UK. Justine Vaisutis visits four of the most diverse cities and discovers an area of magnificent contrasts |
| England’s southern pocket has attracted domestic tourists
with its moderate climate and picturesque beaches for
centuries. The vast patches of rolling hills and alluring coastline
belie the fact that this is England’s most populated region.
Sharing the landscape with human inhabitants is a healthy
spread of historical ruins, the most famous and mystical of them
all being Stonehenge. This ring of standing stones has presided
over the surrounding plains for some 5,000 years, and their
purpose still arouses strong debate. The ancient Roman ruins that litter the landscape provide a more concise insight into England’s history, and some of the area’s main highways follow the original journeys of these invaders from the south. Famed castles include the formidable Dover Castle and the romantic and historic Leeds Castle, whose gorgeous walls have stood since the 9th century. Anglo Saxon kings who reigned for half a century during the Middle Ages based themselves in Sussex. Southern England is also home to many of the country’s non-historical, must-see attractions. Trekking the remarkable and imposing white cliffs of Dover on the southwest coast is an unforgettable experience,whilst on the southern tip of Hampshire lies the magnificent New Forest, England’s largest, unenclosed forest and soon-to-be newest National Park. Its 150 square mile frame is home to local inhabitants, red deer, wild ponies, walkers and cyclists. The milieu of ancient oaks and natural flora give way in the south to the Isle of Wight. Back on the mainland, the interior is carpeted by the rolling hills of Kent and the Cotswolds, and the rural plains of Hampshire, where quaint villages emerge and antique stores sidle up to boutiques and beer gardens. Old-fashioned charm aside, this region of England has maintained a steady pace of change to accompany its rich history, and in the seaside towns that circle the coast parasols and high teas have long since moved over for beach parties and trendy cafes. Today, designer fashion treads the cobblestone streets of resorts like Brighton and the Georgian town of Rye, and inside the Tudor facades lie boutique hotels, organic outlets and all the fixes technology has to offer. By the beach the air is filled with the scent of sunscreen and perfume, and style bars and clubs treat young crowds to chill-out atmospheres and international DJs. West of London lies Oxfordshire.With a long academic tradition, the spires of Oxford and its historic colleges have been attracting students and tourists for centuries. Among the literary greats to study in the city are T.S. Eliot, Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll,whose expertise at the time was maths rather than the misadventures of a young lady in Wonderland called Alice. Other Oxford students to have made an impact of a different sort on the world include Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking and no less than 25 British Prime Ministers. Outside of the graceful city, the River Thames snakes its way throughout the shire, tendering clusters of riverside villages. Just northwest of Oxford is the splendid Blenheim Palace,where Winston Churchill was born, and to the south is Reading where a burgeoning arts scene has given rise to the celebrated Reading Festival. This three-day music bonanza draws the elite of the globe’s musical talent in rock, pop and dance. In fact the festival schedule of southern England is hectic. Also held in Reading is the World of Music Arts and Dance Festival (WOMAD), when the global village lands on the city’s doorstep with a palate of world music, cuisine, arts and culture. The Brighton Festival, held over three weeks in May, is England’s principle arts festival where cutting-edge music, theatre, dance, literature and arts from around the world are showcased. Every June, the Isle of Wight sheds its ordinarily quiet skin to host two weeks of music with such diverse performers as David Bowie, Groove Armada and Susan Vega. Contemporary culture has also had an impact on the cuisine of southern England. The region boasts many restaurants and cafés all competing for a place in your affections with inventive menus and international fusions. Best of all, the area is easily exploited via an efficient public transport system, and regardless of your base, it’s only ever an hour or two to the coast, another fascinating town, or the buzzing diversity of London. |
