by Stephen Andrews (単語・表現リスト by Shigeri Nishide)
Summer is almost here, the weather’s hotting up and people in Britain are looking forward to getting away for a well-deserved break.
But with Covid still with us, instead of heading abroad, lots of people are deciding to spend their holiday here in the UK.
And I think there’s no better place for your summer holiday adventure.
Whether you want to go sightseeing, laze about on the beach, or fancy something more energetic, you’ll find it here in the British Isles.
Sailing in Norfolk
I’ve always wanted to visit the Norfolk Broads, an area of beautiful waterways in the county of Norfolk, only a couple of hours by train from London. This gorgeous area is a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable waterways set in beautiful countryside with picturesque towns and villages. The best way to explore is by boat. You can hire a boat of your own, but if, like me, you’re not much of a sailor, it’s probably better to book a passenger cruise!
Explore the Lake District
Or why not head north to the Lake District in Cumbria and explore Windermere, Coniston Water and Ullswater lakes? It’s one of the most picturesque areas in the whole of Britain, perfect for walking, sightseeing and sailing. I took English Literature at university and studied the famous 18th Century Romantic poets, three of whom, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, all lived in the Lake District. You can still visit their houses near the lakes, so if you would like to learn more about English poetry while enjoying some really amazing scenery, the Lake District is well worth a trip.
Visit Peter Rabbit’s house
One of the most famous British children’s books, and a favourite of mine, is the Peter Rabbit stories by Beatrix Potter. Some of these have now been made into films, which you may have seen. So, if you’re a fan, while you’re in the Lake District, you could take a trip to see the historic house where Beatrix Potter once lived. It’s called Monk Coniston and is a charming, romantic, gothic-style National Trust house, set amongst the lakes.
Surf in Devon & Cornwall
Now, I can’t swim, but I once tried surfing and spent more time falling off the surfboard than actually riding the waves! But it’s lots of fun and you don’t have to go to Australia or California to have a go. There are lots of places in the UK, especially Perranporth in Devon and St. Ives in Cornwall. For those after something a little slower paced, these are also hot spots for stand-up paddleboarding. Slightly closer to London, Westcliff-on-Sea on the Essex coast is also a great place to visit for windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddleboarding. There’s nothing quite like the British seaside in summer!
Stay in Grayson Perry’s house
One of my favourite contemporary artists is Grayson Perry. He’s made lots of striking works of art, and you can actually go and stay in one for the weekend. The Grayson Perry house is located in Wrabness in Essex and is a ‘shrine’ to an imaginary Essex woman called Julie, created by Perry. Through works of art inside the house, Perry tells the fictional story of Julie's life; her birth during the 1953 flood on Canvey Island, her unsuccessful first marriage and life in Basildon, before ultimately finding happiness in Colchester with a second marriage and returning to education. Julie's death – she was killed in an accident with a curry delivery moped – is also revealed in the house. Definitely a weekend away with a difference for art lovers.
Stay on Prince Charles’ farm
Do you fancy the idea of staying next door to Prince Charles? Well, you can! Charles and Camilla often escape the pomp of their royal duties to their little-known home among beautiful rolling hills near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire in Wales. Surprisingly, half of their Llwynywermod Farm holiday retreat is available to rent to ordinary commoners when the heir to the throne isn’t there. So here’s your chance to go and get cosy with a famous Royal!
Scottish island hopping
Ever been to Scotland? It’s not to be missed. The north of the country, known as the Highlands is especially beautiful – and I should know, since I’m Scottish! Situated off the North West coast of the country is an amazing group of islands known as the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides. The islands are called Barra, Benbecula, Harris, Lewis and North and South Uist and, together, they stretch for over 100 miles. They’re steeped in history and culture and are where the famous Scottish tweed cloth is made. A great way to see them is by taking a converted traditional wooden fishing boat for a luxury small-ship tour. It’s a chance to spot wildlife – including whales and dolphins – learn some history and roam some truly wild Highland places.
Visit a Roman Bath
The historical city of Bath, located in Somerset, is a wonderful place to visit if you fancy a change from London. It’s only 100 miles away and is the largest city in the county of Somerset, best known for its Roman-built baths, dating back 2000 years to 70AD when the Romans occupied Britain. The baths, built around natural hot springs, give a real insight into how the Roman lived. So take a guided tour and find out what the Romans got up to a bath-time!
Stay in a historic Oxford College
Now you can attend Oxford University without actually studying for a degree! Many of Oxford University’s colleges offer B&B in their rooms when students are away. The best of these can be in medieval buildings overlooking ancient quads or alongside Oxford’s water meadows and riverside walks. Beds are typically singles but cheap enough for a couple to take adjoining en suite rooms each, and are always in close proximity to the college gardens. Don’t miss the highlight of breakfast in the Hogwarts-style grandeur of the college’s dining hall.
I hope that gives you a flavour of the more unusual kind of holiday you might enjoy in Britain. There are so many to choose from – and you can be sure I’ll be packing my bags soon!
Whatever you decide to do, wherever you go – enjoy.
単語・表現リスト:
本文に説明がないもの（太字になっている）
laze about : laze aroundとも言う。to relax and enjoy yourself in a lazy way
（怠けてのんびりする）
fancy : to like or want something/want to do something（欲しい、したい）fancyをwantに置き換えるとわかりやすいかも？イギリスではよく使う表現ですが、アメリカではあまり使いません。
waterways: ボートが通る川や運河など
now: 「今」という意味以外に、話題を変える時などにも使います。
have a go: tryと同じ意味（試してみる、やってみる）goが名詞として使われる場合、an attempt to do something という意味があります。このhave a goは、他にも「人を非難する」など他の意味もありますので気をつけて下さい。
for those after: for those who are afterのwho areが省略されている。be afterは、探している、欲しいという意味で、those はこのブログを読んでいる人たちの事。本文の‘For those after something a little slower paced’は、「もう少しスローなペースの事を探している（したい）人たちの為には」のような意味。
striking: attractive in an unusual way that is easy to notice
（人にも物にも使える）
pomp: 王室、皇室、大統領などが行うセレモニーなどの、伝統的な華やかで豪華な服装、デコレーション、音楽など
retreat: a place you can go to that is quiet or safe
commoners: （貴族や王族などにたいし）庶民
heir to the throne: 将来king かqueenになる人
cosy: ここでは、comfortable and friendlyの意味。アメリカはcozyと書く。
degree: 学位
medieval: /ˌmediˈi:vᵊl/ 中世の（the period between 1100 and 1500 AD頃)
quad: 学校や大学にある中庭
meadow: a field with wild grass and flowers
adjoining: 部屋などが、隣どうし
en suite: bathroom付きの部屋
proximity: 近さ
grandeur: impressive beauty, power or size
イギリス英語の発音とリスニング力アップに特化したレッスンが好評。
Zoomレッスンなので、世界中どこからでも受講可能です。
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