A Review by Patricia Pound on Extraordinary Places…Close to London
ISBN 0-8038-2031-3
Elizabeth Wallace has produced a very informative, valuable
and comprehensive book, a guide to some interest and historical places to visit
all within easy distance from London.
The book covers the Southeast of England and includes travels to the Counties
of Essex, Kent and East Sussex all steeped in
history with many a tale to tell. Elizabeth
has relayed much information of the places not to be missed, their fascinating,
historical past and the transport systems available to reach these
destinations. Included are tips and information on where to eat and where to
stay and what to see and look out for as you discover all that this region has
to offer.
The author in this case has a particular qualification,
enabling her to share her knowledge with the first time visitor to this area of
England, for the information
she offers is well known to her, as she was born and lived here before making
her home in America.
Taking with her a love of the history and the familiar countryside and
expressing that love in sharing her knowledge with others that they too might enjoy
to the full all that these places offer. A tourist with limited time to
investigate the possibilities will come prepared having read this guide which
will be a useful and valuable companion throughout your planned journeys. The
book will make the difference from negotiating a complicated maze into a gentle
and confident stroll around already familiar places. The book is a handy size to
maintain a functional reference whether kept in a sensible travelling bag or
stuffed into a copious coat pocket. There is an easy to find and follow index
of particular subject matter which includes, Castles, Churches, Gardens,
Historic Homes, Hotels, Inns, Museums, Pubs, Restaurants, Tea Rooms and much
more.
The tourist from whatever part of the world who wants to
visit little known villages and towns within easy distance from London and get to know a
great deal about the history and present day facilities will be well served by
this book. The English natives too, who wish to discover more about this part
of the country could not have a better start than to read what this book has to
offer and then to adventure out and find out a great deal more about what lies
on their doorstep in the home counties. The information offered here will
intrigue and surprise all who read the content and in the process learn much
more about themselves and the beautiful English countryside within close
proximity to London,
which some of us are fortunate enough to call home. The reader is led on a
journey by an author with a sure hand as it is clear she knows and loves her
subject and the places she helps you discover will remain with you both before
and after a visit. The visitor makes a journey which is both satisfying and an
educational experience as the hidden history is revealed and explanations
offered for the basis of country law and custom, tradition and folklore. Well
worth a read even if your planned journey remains a pipe dream for the time
being, it certainly will inspire many to turn those day dreams into reality and
to start packing for a voyage of discovery and a real adventure in the English
countryside.
