Jetsettersblog

The National Brewery Centre

(www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk ), an interactive museum and visitor center showcasing the history of England’s brewing heritage, opened Sept. 21 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, in central England. The museum presents hundreds of exhibits and rare artifacts, plus a variety of multi-media presentations, brewing demonstrations and sample beers.

To celebrate the opening, VisitEngland, the official tourism body for England, is honoring the tradition of the English Pub by promoting some of the most noteworthy pubs, including ones that are known to be haunted, the smallest and oldest pub, as well as Michelin-star properties where the food is as much an attraction as the ale. Further information on great English pubs can be found at www.innengland.com

“The new National Brewery Centre has been created to appeal equally to both ale aficionados and families seeking a fun day out, comprising an impressive collection of steam trains and other modes of transport which have played an important part of the evolution of the brewing industry, as well as the family-friendly Brewery Tap Bar and Restaurant, serving a wonderful gastro-pub style menu,” said James Berresford, CEO of VisitEngland. “We are delighted to welcome England’s latest visitor attraction and encourage travelers to not only visit the National Brewery Centre, but to also take advantage of the spectacular pubs which are peppered throughout the country.”

One of England’s most remote pubs is the Pandora Inn near Truro, Cornwall. Although reachable by car, many visitors arrive by boat, either their own, or by taking the Aquacab water-taxi from nearby Falmouth, which offers a particularly picturesque journey to the pretty riverside pub.

With parts of the inn dating back to the 13th century, the historic building has retained many of its original features including its flagstone floors, low-beamed ceilings and thatched roof.

An attractive setting to sit outside on a warm summer’s day, the Pandora is just as inviting in the winter, featuring roaring log fires and fine quality food which is served all day, along with an extensive wine list and traditional real ales from St Austell Brewery.

Located in South East England, The Mermaid Inn in Rye, Sussex, is one of the country’s oldest inns. With Norman cellars dating from 1156, the Mermaid, rebuilt in 1420, offers tradition and charm. For many years the Mermaid has been frequented by celebrities including Charlie Chaplin, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia and Johnny Depp, along with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Prince Edward. Additionally, painters from around the world have spent hours trying to capturing the character of the inn, which offers a wide range of accommodation including rooms with four-poster beds and fascinating secret passages. The lounge bar boasts one of the largest open log fires in England.

The Nutshell in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in the east of England, holds the title of smallest pub in Britain in the Guinness Book of Records. The quaint and cozy 17th century pub, comprising a bar that measures just 15 feet by seven feet, has been serving customers since it first started serving beer in 1867. The Nutshell is now a major tourist attraction for local and international visitors, who visit as much for the interesting historical items, photos and memorabilia on display, as they do for some of the regions finest ales.

Claiming to be England’s oldest inn, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham is also quite possibly one of the country’s most unique pubs, carved into rock and connected with the labyrinth of sandstone caves at the foot of Nottingham Castle.

Several of the rambling rooms are burrowed into the sandstone rock below the castle, yet the Trip to Jerusalem is fully operational, serving a seasonal menu along with fine real ale and on occasion plays host to beer festivals and special events complimented with a range of guest ales from microbreweries throughout Britain.

According to legend, Robin Hood is said to have shared his adventures at the pub over a pint of beer.

Next to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Dirty Duck is world famous in theater circles.

A 15th century building full of history, the traditional pub features a separate restaurant, offering food from an extensive menu or specials to be eaten anywhere in the pub. Well-known for its lively atmosphere, as well as its food and beverage offerings, there are often famous faces and “after show” parties held for celebrities. A member of the Kennel Club of Great Britain, The Dirty Duck also welcomes dogs into its long bar.

The Star at Harome is a Michelin-Star restaurant and pub in North Yorkshire. Offering locally sourced food, relaxed yet efficient service, a place to stay and a place to shop, The Star Inn offer a home-like experience in one of England’s most beautiful rural settings.

Despite being recognized by Michelin, The Star Inn retains all its village friendliness, along with its ancient timbers steeped in 600 years of hospitality.

Built to serve herring fishermen in the area, The Olde Ship at Seahouses on the Northumbria coast in the northeast of England features a nautical theme and boasts a rich collection of antique maritime artifacts.

An ideal place to stay before or after booking a trip from the harbor to the Farne Islands, home to plentiful birdlife, The Olde Ship is a fully residential property.

A highlight in the winter, the main saloon bar, has tremendous character and is lit by stained glass windows and the welcoming glow of an open fire.

Perfect for al fresco drinking and dining during the warmer months, overlooking the harbor is a newly developed beer garden with unrivalled views of the surrounding boats and the Farne Islands.

The Philharmonic pub in Liverpool is a dazzling Art Nouveau pub where the men’s lavatory is so magnificent that women are invited in to view its ornate, marble urinals and toilets, as part of a guided tour.

The architectural gem, opened in 1898, was designed by Walter Thomas and stands opposite the Philharmonic Hall. Known by locals as “The Phil,” the Grade I listed building features an imposing exterior and highly decorative interior.

The Philharmonic has dark wood-paneled walls, musical scenes depicted in copper and Art Deco lights that shine onto the mosaic covered floor and bar.

The central, horseshoe-shaped bar is awash with intricate stained glass and is notable for its glass grapes and golden eagle watching over drinkers. The least elaborate bar at the front of the pub has a TV and glazed lamps in the windows resembling the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

Believed by many to be haunted, the Grenadier in London’s Mayfair is an atmospheric old pub filled with character and military history. On one of the walls of the tiny pub, which has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most haunted pubs in London, yellowed newspapers tell of the pubs haunted history, and a small crucifix hangs on a wall of the cellar to ward off harmful spirits. Unassumingly situated in a tucked away mews, the Grenadier has a decidedly country village air about it and despite its haunted reputation, it is one of London’s most enchanting pubs. For more information about visiting England, see England.com”>www.VisitEngland.com.

Palm Springs Modernism Week Announces 2011 Schedule
Published on: September 24, 2010
The Sixth Annual Palm Springs Modernism Week — a celebration of all things modern, defined by a cultural movement between 1940 and 1970 that redefined forms of art, architecture, and design — has announced its 2011 schedule. The event, which takes place Feb. 17 to 27, 2011, in various venues throughout the city, will include the Modernism Show, films, architecture tours, parties, art exhibitions, music and food. Many events will be available free to the public.

More than 50 events are scheduled for the 2011 Modernism Week. Among the new events for 2011 are a kick-off celebration in downtown Palm Springs on Feb. 17; the West Coast premiere exhibition of vintage Braniff Airlines uniforms by fashion designers Pucci and Halston; a design lecture series featuring Karim Rashid, Mayer Rus and other nationally acclaimed designers and tastemakers; an interior design tour of several area homes; and two days of lectures and panel discussions on Modernism Preservation in Chicago, Miami, Australia and Cuba by noted speakers.

Modernism Week also will bring back previously held events, including a celebrity home tour; a day-long Palm Springs Art Museum architecture symposium focusing on modernist architect Donald Wexler; the Architecture & Design Film Series; double-decker bus tours of mid-century architecture; a presentation by Charles Phoenix, master of nostalgic “histotainment”; and the Vintage Airstream Travel Trailer exhibit.

For more information, visit www.modernismweek.com