Recently in England Category

Queen Elizabeth II is set to visit New York on July 6th and it is giving us all a little Royal fever. If her visit to the States doesn't quite satisfy your Royal cravings, fans of Her Majesty can now live like the Queen for a day on their next visit to Britain.

VisitBritain, the national tourist board, has composed a list of the Queen's favorite places to visit, eat and shop to help us all experience the Royal treatment. This summer is an especially good time to visit: it's 30% cheaper than summer 2008.  So, it's easy to zip across the pond and live like a Queen for a few days.

Dine like a queen

The Goring Hotel, London

In London, stop by The Goring for a dinner fit for the Queen. A favorite of the Queen Mother, who was partial to the Eggs Drumkilbo, The Goring has many Royal connections. The Archive Room played a part in Prince Charles' 60th Birthday celebrations and of course the hotel is situated around the corner from Buckingham Palace. Enjoy dinner as the Royals have, and there's always the chance the Queen may be sitting across the room. www.thegoring.com

Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly Circus, London

For a more casual dining experience, stop by Fortnum & Mason, official grocery suppliers to Her Majesty and enjoy a picnic in Green Park - one of London's Royal Gardens. Some Cadbury chocolate, another favorite of the Queen, would be the perfect finish to your Royal picnic. www.fortnumandmason.com

Dress like a queen

Best British brands, Britain-wide

To live like Her Majesty, your wardrobe would of course have to be fit for a Queen. Some of the queen's favorite - and widely available - British brands include Burberry, Pringle of Scotland, Hunter Boots and Austin Reed - all of which hold Royal Warrants as official suppliers to the Queen.

Rigby and Peller, London

For any woman, what you wear underneath is just as important as what you wear on top. At Rigby and Peller - one of Britain's most exclusive lingerie shops - you can be sure to receive service fit for a Queen. What else would you expect from a company who has held a Royal Warrant as official Corsetieres to H.M. Queen Elizabeth since 1960?

Live like a queen

Castle Hotels, Britain-wide

What could make you feel more regal than staying in a castle? Visitors to Britain will be spoilt for choice and can stay overnight in a variety of castles across the country. Check out www.visitbritain.com for more information.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Scotland

This magnificent ship helped make H.M. The Queen the most traveled monarch the world has ever known. Decommissioned in 1997 and now permanently moored in Edinburgh, Scotland, each room onboard Britannia is furnished to her own personal taste, filled with photographs of her children, treasured family heirlooms and gifts from across the globe. The Queen named Britannia as the one place where she could truly relax.  Britannia was also host to four royal honeymoons, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana as well as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Just a short jaunt by train from London, Windsor Castle is one of the Queen's official residences and where she spends most weekends. Open year-round, your chances for spotting the Queen go up around Easter time, when she takes up residence for a month. www.royalcollection.org.uk

Buckingham Palace, London, England

From the end of July until the beginning of October each year, you can cross the gates of Buckingham Palace and see one of Britain's most famous landmarks for yourself. This year, you won't want to miss the special exhibition, The Queen's Year, which recreates a year in the life of Her Majesty and also includes a collection of ceremonial dress with day and evening wear to reflect the range of events in the royal calendar.  Visits to the Royal Staterooms, garden and the Queen's Gallery are also possible at this time of year. http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/thequeensyear/

About VisitBritain

• Americans made three million visits to the UK in 2008 and spent US $3.3 billion (GBP 2.2 billion pounds Sterling) - placing them in the UK's top three most important markets for visitors. Britain remains Americans' favorite long-haul destination.
• VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, is responsible for inspiring the world to explore Britain and for developing the UK's visitor economy. With representatives in 35 countries around the world, we are the international tourism promotional arm for Britain and the nations and regions of Britain.
• Every year 17 million visits are made by international consumers to the 57 websites that make up VisitBritain's global family of websites, www.visitbritain.com, which together provide information in 21 different languages.
• Visitors traveling to Britain can purchase money and time saving local transport, sightseeing, attraction, theatre and tour tickets from www.visitbritainshop.us

SOURCE VisitBritain

VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, invites travelers to visit the British sites that set the stage for this year's epic action-adventure from director Ridley Scott, Robin Hood, starring Oscar-winners® Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, in theaters May 14, 2010.  VisitBritain has just launched a Robin Hood-themed microsite, www.visitbritain.us/robinhood, which offers in-depth itineraries, behind-the-scenes location information and travel ideas. 

Visitors can follow in the legend's footsteps while walking Nottinghamshire's Robin Hood trail, stopping at 12 thematic locations along the way that explore the legend of Robin Hood.  Nottingham Castle has an exciting Robin Hood - The Movie exhibition of costumes, props and behind-the-scenes memorabilia from the new film, which was created by the movie's set designer, Sonja Klaus, and will be on display through October 2010.  May is Robin Hood month in Nottingham, with activities planned including, jousting, archery and medieval festivals (www.mynottingham.gov.uk/robinhood).  Travelers can also explore the stunning locations that provide the backdrop for the film, which was shot on location in England and Wales.

Nottinghamshire - Home of Robin Hood

In Nottinghamshire, travelers can embark on the Robin Hood trail using a simple and fun map that highlights 12 locations throughout Nottinghamshire.  Each location is relevant to the legend and includes places he lived, fought, hunted and preyed upon rich folk.  "In the Footsteps of Robin Hood," a free audio trail podcast is available for free download on the website.

(http://www.robinhoodbreaks.visitnottingham.com)  

Visitors to Nottingham Castle can tour the magnificent 17th century mansion built on the site of the original medieval palace, once the seat of power for the Sheriff of Nottingham.  Just a short distance away from the Old Market Square, this ducal mansion, which is in use as a museum and art gallery, houses most of Nottinghamshire's finest and decorative art collections.  Also at the foot of the castle is the seven-foot Robin Hood statue.

Travel back in time at the Galleries of Justice Museum and discover the days when Nottingham Shire Hall was the only place in the UK where a person could be tried, incarcerated and hanged on the front steps, all in the name of justice.  Travelers can see England's shocking history of crime and punishments come to life through actors, audio guides and more.  An underground dungeon has recently been identified as being the cell thought to be where Robin Hood was imprisoned by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.  (http://www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk)

City of Caves plays an integral part in Nottingham's history, as well as the time of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham.  Visitors can travel back in time at this popular attraction and explore the labyrinth of unique hand-carved limestone caves underneath the city, which once led to the Nottingham Castle. (www.cityofcaves.com)

Travelers can end their day in Nottingham by relaxing over a pint at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, thought to be the oldest pub in England and certainly one of the most fascinating.  Carved out of castle rock, it is thought that tales of Robin Hood were told here, helping to spread the word about the legend and his antics.  (http://www.triptojerusalem.com)  

Nearby, visitors should travel to Sherwood Forest and stop along the way in the village of Edwinstone.  Here, travelers can find the Church of St. Mary, where Robin Hood and Maid Marion were wed.  There is a statue of Robin and Marion in the town centre.  

Legends say Robin Hood lived in many parts of Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.  Here, visitors can find the famous Major Oak--the oldest living tree in the forest that some say was Robin Hood's hideout.  Visitors can also travel along exciting walking and cycling trails and stop by the new "Robin Hood-The Movie" exhibition, which appears like a medieval encampment deep in the forest.  A large wooden cart that was used in the film provides rustic seating to view behind-the-scenes footage.  In August, visitors can enjoy the annual Robin Hood Festival, which dramatically re-creates the Robin Hood legend with sword fighting, story telling and archery demonstrations.  http://www.sherwoodforest.org.uk

(www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/countryparks)    

British Film Locations used in Robin Hood

Freshwater West, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, served as the setting for the thrilling and brutal French invasion scene in Robin Hood.  This gorgeous, golden expanse of beach in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is ornamented by pools of rocks and bordered by enchanting low cliffs. You'll usually find surfers--rather than soldiers--here as this location has some of the best waves in Wales.  (www.visitwales.com)

It's no surprise the beautiful Virginia Water, also in Surrey, was one of the settings chosen for Robin Hood.  Located only a few miles outside London, it is part of The Great Park, which comprises thousands of acres of lush gardens, lakes and woodland.  The Great Park is recorded in Saxon documents as a hunting forest used by monarchs and nobles.  Adjoining the royal residence of Windsor, it has evolved over the centuries under the patronage of Kings and Queens.  Relax in the ornamental Savill Garden, explore the northern shore of Virginia Water with its flowering forest and exotic shrubs and see the award-winning Savill Building with its excellent art gallery.  (http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/)

A thundering battle scene featuring mounted warriors was filmed in the glens of Thorpe Pastures in Dovedale.  Visitors can discover this dramatic limestone ravine famous for its stepping stones that cross the River Dove.  This part of the Peak District is superb for walking, riding, cycling and climbing.  (http://www.derbyshireuk.net/dovedale.html)

In the film, the vividly realistic Tower of London was recreated via an elaborate set and digital effects, but visitors to London can visit the real Tower of London and get an authentic flavour of this brutal period in Britain's history.  This mighty fortress on the banks of the River Thames has been a royal palace, a prison, an execution site, an arsenal, a mint, a keep for wild animals and a jewel house.  You can see artifacts from every part of this extraordinary history on a visit.  See the crown jewels, awesome architecture, and fearsome arms and armour. (www.hrp.org.uk)