Towns of Surrey UK

One of the south-east of England’s Home Counties, Surrey has borders with Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Berkshire, East Sussex and Greater London, it has just over 1 million inhabitants. Before the Roman invasion of Britain, the area which now forms Surrey was settled by a tribe called the Atrebates, who were allies of Rome, it later became part of the Brittania Prima region. The county town of Surrey is Guildford, a historic town which dates from a Saxon settlement on the River Wey, its name probably comes from the Saxon Gyldeford (“Gold Ford”). Guildford Castle dates from these ancient Saxon times and was renovated in 2003. Modern day Guildford is a busy English market town and has been voted among the top 10 best places to live in England. Not far from Guildford is another large town called Woking, a popular commuter town for those working in central London. Woking was made famous by HG Wells, as the place where the Martians first landed in his book “War of the Worlds”. Woking however has a long history and probably developed around an 8th century monastery, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Woking was named as Wochinges at that time. Modern day Woking mostly developed around the railway station built during the mid-nineteenth century. Another of Surrey’s larger towns, Camberley is a more recent development, growing up around Sandhurst’s Military Academy during the 19th century, the area was formerly part of Bagshot Heath, a favourite haunt of highwaymen. The first town was called Cambridge Town, but was later changed to Camberley as the Post Office often got the mail confused with that bound for Cambridge. A smaller Surrey town situated on the River Mole, Leatherhead has a history that goes back much further than that of Camberley, way back in fact, to Anglo-Saxon times, when a settlement was founded in around 880 AD. Named in the Domesday Book as Leret, Leatherhead had a parish church during the 11th century. One of the oldest surviving buildings is the Running Horse pub which was originally built in 1403. South of Leatherhead is the small but charming town of Dorking, well known for its large number of antique shops and dealers. Dorking’s history goes back even further as it originally developed along the Roman road Stane Street, which carried travellers from London to Chichester, it later became a coaching post for those heading to Brighton during the 18th century. To the north of Dorking and Leatherhead is another famous Surrey town – Epsom, renowned for its running of the English Derby horse race since 1780. Epsom is an affluent town which also has a long history and was formerly called Evesham at the time of the Domesday Book in the eleventh century.

Review of Bude Cornwall

A small but very popular seaside resort in the county of Cornwall, United Kingdom, Bude is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and some wonderful scenery. Dangerous waters off the coast of Bude have claimed many victims over the years, with shipwrecks common and smuggling rife. These days it is a renowned beach holiday destination with some of the best beaches in Cornwall to be found in the area, the main beaches that serve the town are Summerleaze and Crooklets beach, further south you will find Widemouth Bay, with miles of fine sandy beaches. With the beaches facing west towards the Atlantic Ocean, seas are high and attract surfers who enjoy the favourable conditions for their sport.

Hertfordshire – The Eastern Towns

The county of Hertfordshire lies to the north of Greater London and many of its towns serve as commuter towns for the great city itself. Among these towns are the county town Hertford, a historic town with a population of around 30,000 inhabitants. The name of the town derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a ford visited by harts (or stags). Remains of Hertford Castle date from 1463, when it was rebuilt by King Edward IV, later the English Parliament moved to the town temporarily when London was hit by the Great Plague. Another nearby town, Ware, has a history going back even further, as settlements in the area date back some 6,000 years. The Romans also established a settlement in Ware and it was situated on the important road Ermine Street. To the south-east of Hertford and Ware, the town of Hoddesdon grew around a coaching station, which was a popular stopping off point for travellers between Cambridge and London, the coaching trade reached its height in the 18th century. South of Hoddesdon lies the town of Cheshunt, mostly famous as the location of the death of Richard Cromwell (Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) in the year 1712. Cheshunt these days is a sizeable town with a population of over 50,000. Hertfordshire Map.

Hayle Penwith

Located in the Penwith district of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, the small town and parish of Hayle was previously a significant cargo port, importing coal for the smelting of tin and exporting the resulting tin and ore. Lying close to the coastal towns of Carbis Bay and St Ives, Hayle today has a population of just over 8,000 and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors attracted to the fine scenery and the 3 miles of golden sand which is ideal for family holidays. Hayle is situated beside the A30 road between Penzance and Camborne, it is about 6 miles from Penzance. Hayle Map.

Hotel Burlington Margate Kent

You can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you at friendly family run Burlington Hotel in Margate. Established in 1977 the Burlington Hotel is handily situated close to Margate town centre, near to the beach and within easy walking distance of the railway station. The hotel has 12 rooms available all having a high standard of cleanliness. Freshly cooked home breakfasts await you as you arise to enjoy a day in one of England’s finest seaside resorts, hoping for some fine Margate weather and maybe an hour or two on the beach, you are sure to enjoy your stay in this super little hotel. Located at 8 Buenos Ayres, Margate, Kent, England. Margate Map

Harpenden Hertfordshire – A Short History

A small town in the county of Hertfordshire, Harpenden is within the district of St Albans and has an interesting history. Roman remains discovered in areas around Harpenden suggest of settlements in the centuries BC, however the original village of Harpenden developed as woodland was cleared under Edward the Confessor during the eleventh century, to make room for farming around Wheathamstead Manor, the first church to be built was the St Nicholas church (1217). Somewhat later during the Wars of the Roses, a common close to Harpenden was the site of the Second Battle of St Albans. During the early 19th century, Harpenden was the location of the 1st annually run steeplechase race, and was a popular location for horse racing throughout the century. The face of Harpenden changed forever with the arrival of the railway, as farms were replaced with residential development. During WW2 the town was used for the evacuation of children from bomb torn London. Harpenden today is mostly a commuter town, which enjoys excellent road and rail links with London. Harpenden Map.

Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire

A bustling town within the UK county of Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead was possibly settled as long ago as the Roman times, with remains of a Roman villa being found in nearby Boxmoor. The first records mentioning the town date from the 8th century and its name drived from the Anglo-Saxon Hean-Hempsted (or High Hempstead), in the Domesday Book it was named as Hamelamesede. The Norman conquest saw its land owned by Robert, Count of Mortain, it was later controlled by Thomas Becket, it was later granted a Royal Charter by Henry 8th. The town has mostly grown however since WW2 as it was developed as a ‘new town’, it now has a population of around 81,000. Map of Hemel Hempstead.

Attractions in Ashford

If you are visiting the town of Ashford in Kent this year, you may be looking for some interesting places to visit, so here is a brief overview of what you can find in the area. The Rare Breeds Centre is located about 5 miles south of Ashford at the Highlands Farm, Woodchurch and is set amongst 120 acres of beautiful countryside. Godlington House and Gardens is situated just 1 mile west of Ashford and is set in extensive parklands. Leeds Castle is just 12 miles north-west of Ashford and is well worth a visit with an aviary, yew maze and hawk centre amongst other attractions, it is set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside. Finally take a trip to Chilham Park and Castle, situated about 8 miles north of Ashford, featuring extensive parklands, a 12th century castle and a 17th century manor house.

A Short History of Luton Bedfordshire

A large town located in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, Luton dates from a Saxon settlement established on the River Lea during the 6th century. Listed as Loitone in the Domesday Book, Luton developed as a mostly agricultural town. In 1240 the town was called Leueton, though most of the town was later destroyed by a great fire (1336). The arrival of a brick-making industry in the 16th century, led to most of its houses being rebuilt in brick rather than the traditional wood. Luton has for a long time been associated with hat-making and this industry in fact started during the 17th century, but had declined by the early 20th century, being largely replaced by an emerging car manufacturing industry, as Vauxhall Motors opened a new plant in 1905, at the time the largest car manufacturing factory in the UK. Map of Luton.

A Brief History of Helston Cornwall

A small town in the county of Cornwall, England, UK, Helston has a history which stretches back into the mists of time, it was settled by the Saxons as far back as the 6th century and was listed in the Domesday Book as ‘Henliston’. The name of the town is derived from the ancient Cornish Hen Lis (“Old Court”), the ‘ton’ added because it was a Saxon manor. Standing on the banks of the River Cober, Helston was at one time tidal and was in fact an inland port, which received coal and exported tin, the river access was however cut off by a sand bar and the port fell into disuse. Helston has always been connected with mining, with tin and copper mines in the areas around the town. These days Helston is more of a tourist destination, being just a couple of miles from the coast, and an ideal base for touring the western areas of Cornwall. Helston Map.

English Villages - Marhamchurch Cornwall

Located just off the A39 to the south of Bude, in north Cornwall, England, the delightful little village of Marhamchurch is well worth a visit if you are in the area. Boasting some charming thatched cottages, a 14th century church and some other interesting buildings, Marhamchurch Cornwall developed in the 5th century around a hermitage built in honour of Saint Marwenne, one of the offspring of the Celtic King Brychan. During the summer the village celebrates its Marhamchurch Revel, a traditional festival which in which the Revel Queen is chosen from schoolgirls of the village.

Property for Sale in Southampton

Property for Sale in Southampton - A fine 3 bedroom link-detached house currently offered for sale in the West End area of Southampton in the county of Hampshire, England, UK. Nicely located for local schools, shops and amenities this excellent property comprises 3 bedrooms, family bathroom, fitted kitchen, living / dining room, hallway, conservatory, gas central heating, double glazing, garden. Southampton is the largest city in Hampshire, it is a dynamic city and port with plenty of Southampton jobs for those seeking to relocated in the area, the city has excellent transport links, with good road links with London and the rest of the UK, rail links, ferry links and its own airport. The region enjoys a pleasant climate with Southampton weather as affable as almost anywhere in the United Kingdom. This property in Southampton has no chain and the current asking price is just 175,000 pounds sterling. Southampton Map.