Latest news with #DomesdayBook
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'England's prettiest village' is 'like North Korea' as drones snoop on homes
People living in 'England's prettiest village' say tourists are unleashing swarms of drones and 'spying' on their homes - leaving them feeling like they 'live in North Korea' Residents of a picturesque village described as England's 'most beautiful' say they are being terrorised by drones flying over their homes - and have compared it to living in North Korea. Castle Combe in the Cotswolds attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its charming rows of cottages and enchanting winding streets - but a new trend among some visitors has left many locals feeling "spied on" and worried for their own safety. An increasing number of day-trippers are said to be bringing drones with them to capture aerial footage of the Wiltshire village to share on social media, putting them at odds with villagers and even reportedly leading to the police being called on multiple occasions. One resident, Hilary Baker, told the MailOnline: "You feel like you're being spied on, like you're living in North Korea." It comes amid a rise in reports of other invasive and unwelcome behaviours from tourists, and Hilary said others had been spotted using using suction-cups to attach their phones to cottage windows to take photograph of themselves. On other occasions, nuisance visitors are said to have peeked through windows, used drones to observe villagers while they're in the bath, and even peeked through their letterboxes to have a look inside. Some residents have now taken to putting up 'no drones' signs in their windows, though this is not thought to have halted the trend. Villager Draven McConville said he had stepped in on multiple occasions in to ask people not to use the devices, including one man who had launched one from the bottom of his driveway. While many of these resulted in "reasonable conversations" which saw the drone users pack them away, other visitors have subjected him to "verbal abuse for no real reason", he told the BBC. A sign has also been put up in the village's car park asking visitors not to fly drones within 50 metres of people's property. Castle Combe is often hailed as one of Britain's most idyllic villages, and its rustic charm has seen it act as the setting for a number of popular blockbusters, including Stardust, The Wolf Man, and Steven Spielberg's War Horse. Its unique weavers' cottages are constructed from local stone, and stand largely unchanged from down the centuries as a result of strict building regulations. Modern fixtures like satellite dishes and external wiring on house exteriors are forbidden, and tight planning permissions restrictions apply to the size of extensions and garden buildings. The village, which was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, prospered the success of 'Castlecombe', a red and white cloth that was in high demand in markets across the south of England.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Newport country house Standen House up for sale
A Georgian Isle of Wight country house dating back to the 17th century and set within 19 acres of land is up for sale. Standen House, off Blackwater Road, is on the market through agents Inigo, and has a guide price of £2,950,000. The property is Grade II-listed and features an array of period details, including a symmetrical mid-18th-century façade. The house's internal area is listed as approximately 9,343 square feet, with 12 bedrooms and a series of living spaces. Read more: 'NHS has always ignored the dying' says Mountbatten boss amid shock funding cuts Island-first Thunderbird Fried Chicken takeaway opens at Shanklin holiday park The land has been home to a dwelling since before 1066, and the site was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The property's red-brick front was added in the 1740s, while a Victorian wing was constructed in the 1890s. (Image: Inigo) (Image: Inigo) The rear of the house retains Isle of Wight stone, reflecting its 17th century origins. Entry is through a central doorway framed by Doric columns and a period six-panelled door. The hallway features flagstone flooring, architraves, deep skirting boards, and cornicing. An archway leads to the back hall, while the ground floor contains several living spaces, including a dining room with a stone-surround fireplace and a drawing room with a fireplace believed to date to the 1740s. (Image: Inigo) (Image: Inigo) A former dining room at the front of the house now serves as a ballroom. The rustic kitchen has cream units, glass-fronted dressers, a yellow electric Aga, and twin shuttered windows. A pantry, an old kitchen now used as a workshop, an estate office, a store, boiler room, toilet, and a wine cellar are also situated on the ground floor. The main staircase features original panelling and leads to a first-floor landing. (Image: Inigo) (Image: Inigo) Nine bedrooms are located on this floor, some of which could be used as studies or snugs. The landing is divided internally, allowing the two wings to be kept separate if desired. Two shared bathrooms and two en suite bathrooms are present, including a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between two larger bedrooms. Three further bedrooms, a tank room, attic space, and a bathroom with views of the grounds are found upstairs. (Image: Inigo) (Image: Inigo) Outside, Elm Cottage is a detached two-bedroom house with its own driveway, kitchen, bathroom, and living space. The grounds include three grazing fields, four acres of formal gardens, an 18th Century walled kitchen garden, a barn, stables, coach house, groomsman's house, partly renovated gardener's cottage, and several storage and animal sheds. A three-vehicle garage and parking for several cars are also provided. In total, ancillary buildings add about 10,000 square feet of space.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to spend a weekend on the Isle of Wight
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Package all that's wonderful — and quite frankly quirky — about England, set it adrift in the English Channel, and you'll end up with the Isle of Wight. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it's the UK's largest island and a microcosm of its heritage — all thatched cottages, centuries-old pubs and undulating landscapes. Some of the Victorian era's most influential figures came here to relax and be inspired, and while remnants of their time here remain, the island is hardly preserved in aspic. Today, award-winning distilleries, cool hotels and Michelin-recommended restaurants abound, along with a thriving festival scene. The only way there is by boat, so you're forced to slow down immediately, setting your watch to 'island time'. Make the most of its sunny disposition in summer or come during shoulder season for the walking festivals in May and October, when the beaches are quieter, too. Known to the ancient Romans as 'Vectis', the island appears in the 11th-century Domesday Book as the 'Isle of Wit' — a splendid moniker for a place Queen Victoria would later make her home. Her royal residence, Osborne House, was built in the style of an Italianate palazzo, and is full of 19th-century whimsy. Pay a visit to the Indian-style Durbar Room, an extravagant banqueting hall decorated with intricate plasterwork and pendant lamps. Actors frequently appear in role here, so you may well spot Victoria or Albert gliding down a quiet corridor. You might also spot a member of the island's thriving red squirrel population in the groves leading to Osborne's private beach. To improve your chances, spend a few hours at Parkhurst Forest, an ancient wildlife haven near Newport. Further west lie Yarmouth and the neighbouring village of Freshwater, where Alfred Lord Tennyson once said the air was worth 'sixpence a pint'. The poet laureate (1853-1892) spent many years at nearby Farringford House, a gothic manor surrounded by ornamental gardens. A keen walker, he was known for cutting a dash in his distinctive black cloak over the westerly downs, where you'll find hiking trails and a grand monument named in his honour. Otherwise, explore the historical and contemporary exhibitions on show at Dimbola Museum and Galleries — once home to pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Along with Tennyson and Lewis Carroll, she was a member of 'The Freshwater Circle', a group of bohemian artists and writers who gathered in this coastal corner to discuss their work. West Wight, with its postcard-perfect Needles — a series of three soaring chalk stacks — is ideal for nature-lovers. Overlooking the pebble beach at Freshwater Bay, the newly renovated Albion Hotel has elegant rooms with sage-green interiors and Victorian-style furnishings. Call in for drinks at the nearby Travelling Tavern, a repurposed double-decker bus known for attracting a local crowd. Otherwise, stay in one of the three cosy rooms at family-run Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast, popping down for their fabulous full English come morning. The Isle of Wight has a balmy microclimate with more hours of sunshine than the UK average, perfect for the island's growers. At The Garlic Farm, you can pick up deli items and try unusual dishes like chocolate and black garlic ice cream (it isn't as pungent as it sounds), watching as red squirrels nibble hazelnuts from feeder boxes. And on the outskirts of Ryde, there's the award-winning Mermaid Gin distillery, the product of which can be sampled at the adjoining Mermaid Bar. The distillery gets its citrus zest from Ventnor Botanic Garden, whose sunny location on the Undercliff allows fruits, flowers and herbs from across the globe to grow outdoors. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
02-06-2025
- National Geographic
Queen Victoria loved this UK island—and so will you
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Package all that's wonderful — and quite frankly quirky — about England, set it adrift in the English Channel, and you'll end up with the Isle of Wight. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it's the UK's largest island and a microcosm of its heritage — all thatched cottages, centuries-old pubs and undulating landscapes. Some of the Victorian era's most influential figures came here to relax and be inspired, and while remnants of their time here remain, the island is hardly preserved in aspic. Today, award-winning distilleries, cool hotels and Michelin-recommended restaurants abound, along with a thriving festival scene. The only way there is by boat, so you're forced to slow down immediately, setting your watch to 'island time'. Make the most of its sunny disposition in summer or come during shoulder season for the walking festivals in May and October, when the beaches are quieter, too. Actors frequently appear in role at the Osborne House, so you may well spot Victoria or Albert gliding down a quiet corridor. Photograph by Alamy Images, Chris Howes Where are the best places to discover the island's quirks? Known to the ancient Romans as 'Vectis', the island appears in the 11th-century Domesday Book as the 'Isle of Wit' — a splendid moniker for a place Queen Victoria would later make her home. Her royal residence, Osborne House, was built in the style of an Italianate palazzo, and is full of 19th-century whimsy. Pay a visit to the Indian-style Durbar Room, an extravagant banqueting hall decorated with intricate plasterwork and pendant lamps. Actors frequently appear in role here, so you may well spot Victoria or Albert gliding down a quiet corridor. You might also spot a member of the island's thriving red squirrel population in the groves leading to Osborne's private beach. To improve your chances, spend a few hours at Parkhurst Forest, an ancient wildlife haven near Newport. Further west lie Yarmouth and the neighbouring village of Freshwater, where Alfred Lord Tennyson once said the air was worth 'sixpence a pint'. The poet laureate (1853-1892) spent many years at nearby Farringford House, a gothic manor surrounded by ornamental gardens. A keen walker, he was known for cutting a dash in his distinctive black cloak over the westerly downs, where you'll find hiking trails and a grand monument named in his honour. Otherwise, explore the historical and contemporary exhibitions on show at Dimbola Museum and Galleries — once home to pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Along with Tennyson and Lewis Carroll, she was a member of 'The Freshwater Circle', a group of bohemian artists and writers who gathered in this coastal corner to discuss their work. A selection of homemade chutneys and sauces stand on display at The Garlic Farm, where you can pick up groceries or try unusual dishes like chocolate and black garlic ice cream. Photograph by Alamy Images, Steven Hawkins Photography The Isle of Wight is home to around 3,000 red squirrels. Where should I stay on the island? West Wight, with its postcard-perfect Needles — a series of three soaring chalk stacks — is ideal for nature-lovers. Overlooking the pebble beach at Freshwater Bay, the newly renovated Albion Hotel has elegant rooms with sage-green interiors and Victorian-style furnishings. Call in for drinks at the nearby Travelling Tavern, a repurposed double-decker bus known for attracting a local crowd. Otherwise, stay in one of the three cosy rooms at family-run Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast, popping down for their fabulous full English come morning. What about local produce? The Isle of Wight has a balmy microclimate with more hours of sunshine than the UK average, perfect for the island's growers. At The Garlic Farm, you can pick up deli items and try unusual dishes like chocolate and black garlic ice cream (it isn't as pungent as it sounds), watching as red squirrels nibble hazelnuts from feeder boxes. And on the outskirts of Ryde, there's the award-winning Mermaid Gin distillery, the product of which can be sampled at the adjoining Mermaid Bar. The distillery gets its citrus zest from Ventnor Botanic Garden, whose sunny location on the Undercliff allows fruits, flowers and herbs from across the globe to grow outdoors. Trains from London Waterloo run to Lymington in Hampshire, where you can catch the Wightlink ferry to Yarmouth. The rest of the island is easily accessed via Newport bus station. Alternatively, ferries depart from Portsmouth and Southampton to other ports. Stay at the Albion Hotel from £160 or The Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast from £130, both B&B. This story was created with the help of Visit Isle of Wight and Wightlink. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic south Essex landmark gets facelift thanks to passionate volunteers
WORK to upgrade a much-loved and historic Rayleigh landmark has been completed thanks to fresh funding and the efforts of passionate volunteers. Rayleigh Mount, the site of a medieval motte and bailey castle close to Rayleigh Windmill, is owned by the National Trust and in recent months has seen extensive upgrades to improve accessibility for visitors. On Saturday, stakeholders and funders will gather at the mount for a celebration of the community effort to rejuvenate the 11th century site. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Celebratory - Julie Gooding has been involved in the upgrade project (Image: Julie Gooding) 'I am honoured to have been invited to attend the event as a valued member of the National Trust Local Committee, joining fellow supporters, volunteers, and residents in recognising the collective effort that has brought renewed vitality to Rayleigh Mount,' said Julie Gooding, Non-Aligned councillor for Hawkwell West. 'This celebration is not just about a site—it's about a shared commitment to heritage, sustainability, and community. 'Whether you contributed your time at a task day, shared your vision for the future, or simply supported from afar, this is your achievement too.' Education - New displays provide historical information around the 11th century site (Image: Julie Gooding)Since February, residents have been gathering for volunteer task days at Rayleigh Mount, at which much of the now completed works were carried out. The action has been made possible by a UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant from Rochford District Council. 'The recent funding has already made a visible impact at Rayleigh Mount,' said Mrs Gooding. 'Footpath accessibility has been significantly improved, with new handrails installed on the steps leading up to the castle site, making the site safer and more accessible to visitors who may have some access disabilities. Improved - New accessible footpaths have been installed at the mount (Image: Julie Gooding) 'In addition, new signage and information boards now help guide and educate visitors about the site's rich history and ecological significance, enhancing the overall visitor experience.' The castle at Rayleigh Mount is one of 48 mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the only one in Essex. A spokesperson for the National Trust has described the project as 'an ambitious initiative focused on improving access, enhancing environmental sustainability, and fostering nature-based solutions within our local communities.'
