Globe Trekker - Ultimate UK

• published: 28 Apr 2010
• views: 2925

Globe Trekker travelers Ian Wright, Megan McCormick, Jonathan Atherton, and Justine Shapiro travel the length and breadth of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to experience the best of the countries' heritage, history, nature, festivals, food and drink and eccentric traditions! Our team start off by looking at the monarchy in different periods of England's history; Ian visits Windsor Castle whilst Jonathan learns about the bloody and gory past of the Tower of London. Next Ian learns about aristocratic schooling at Eton - England's poshest school and Princes William and Harry's alma mater - while Justine meets the eccentric Marquis of Bath at his grand residence, Longleat House. Justine then travels to one of the oldest and most remarkable landmarks in England, Stonehenge. Dating back 5,000 years no-one knows how or why this giant stone formation was created. What is indisputable is that it is awe inspiring! She also visits a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, one of the most defining moments of English history when the French were victorious over the English. Meanwhile, Ian takes part in a re-enactment of a different sort - medieval jousting - before checking out Canterbury Cathedral, the site of the bloody murder of Thomas Beckett. Megan and Justine catch one of England's most celebrated festivals, Bonfire Night, when Guy Fawkes' unsuccessful gunpowder plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament is remembered. Ian witnesses spectacular fireworks and a flotilla of ships in Portsmouth on England's south coast as a celebration of Nelson's victory over the French at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. England's expansion of the Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century opened the way for a Multicultural Britain. Our travelers explore the diverse ethnicity of Britain today - Jonathan visits the East End of London known for its Bengali community and Brixton's bustling Caribbean-influenced streets whilst Megan checks out a Hindu temple in the North of the capital and joins in the fun at the world famous Notting Hill Carnival in London before heading up to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival. Meanwhile Ian parties in the mud at the biggest music festival in England - Glastonbury. Ian thinks he has stumbled across the perfect picture-postcard village when he arrives in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. He takes part in one of the oldest and strangest sporting events in the English calendar, the Cotswolds Olympics, and discovers that he's never going to be a champion 'shin kicker'! Ian dresses up in 15th century garb when he attends a jousting festival at Berkeley Castle. Donning chain mail, helmet, lance and shield, he gingerly mounts his horse to pitch battle against the Black Knight. Our travelers give tips on the best ways of getting around; from London's black cabs and underground tube to cycling in Northern Ireland and riding aboard an historic steam train in Scotland. Although the United Kingdom doesn't hold the best reputation for food, our travellers tuck in to all manner of delightful and doubtful food, from the cooked English breakfast to deep fried chocolate bars, jellied eels and Cornish pasties. Strange sports are sampled, from dog racing in East London to grand horse racing at Ascot, bizarre road bowling in Northern Ireland and the Highland Games in Scotland. Our travelers complete their journeys by taking in some of the UK's most stunning vistas, from atop the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland's Giants Causeway and Wales' Snowdonia.