Britains Great Cultural Venues

  • Published
  • By Natalie Benge
  • Community Relations Adviser
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles, has been nominated as European Capital of Culture in 2008, it seems appropriate to start a round-up of these venues in the North of England.

A landmark convention centre is being built on Liverpool's King's Waterfront, opening in January 2008 to coincide with the start of the city's role as culture capital.

The city's top heritage attraction, Albert Dock, is home to the evocative Merseyside Maritime Museum. Within the converted redbrick warehouse, you can soak up the colourful history of what was once the focal point of one of the world's greatest ports.

Manchester is just one of several U.K. regional cities that boast an airport with international status. Within an hour of runway touchdown, people can admire the capacity state-of-the-art auditorium of The Bridgewater Hall, the city's world-class site for orchestral music. They can also see the Lowry, which houses the world's largest public collection of the local 'matchstick men' artist LS Lowry's work.

Staying in the North, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford lies just seven miles from Leeds Bradford International airport.

The National Railway Museum in York is 45 minutes drive from Leeds Bradford airport, or just a few minutes walk from York railway station two hours from London. Two of its three exhibition halls house the world's pre-eminent railway collection. The Great Hall, a former engine shed. It shoulders Station Hall, resembles a goods depot. Sandwiched between the two spaces is the Norwhich Union Yorkshire Wheel, a giant observation wheel. At 55m high, it commands splendid views of York, the Minster, and the River Ouse during a 13-minute ride. It was erected in April 2006 and will remain a fixture until January 2009.

From York, seize the opportunity to explore some fine North Country scenery behind a giant of steam. A new programme of steam train excursions takes passengers on rolling routes through the Yorkshire Dales to Carlisle, or north-east to Newcastle.

Moving to Southern England, one of the country's most iconic stately homes is close to the university city of Oxford. The importance of Blenheim Palace is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Set in acres of beautiful parkland and renowned for its hand-painted ceilings, porcelain collections and tapestries in each room, it is the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

In central Oxford itself, an hour outside London, The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaelogy is the oldest museum in the U.K.

Moored at Leith near Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is one of the most unique venues anywhere -- the former Royal Yacht, Britannia. Still in Scotland, few backdrops rival the drama of a castle and one of the most impressive is Stirling Castle. Located between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the midst of Braveheart country, the castle is linked to Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce.

Or why not head to Bath, one of the UK's top tourism destinations with outstanding Georgian architecture? Thermae Bath Spa opened in August 2006, allowing bathing in the thermal waters for the first time since 1978.