Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Coast or Sea to Sea) Cycle Route
runs 140 miles linking the Irish Sea with the
North Sea across the Pennines, Dales, and Lake District. The
Essex Cycle Route
covers 250 miles of countryside, through some of England's most charming villages.
The
Devon Coast to Coast Route
runs 90 miles across the southwest peninsula,
skirting Dartmoor. The
West Country Way
links the Cornish coast to Bath and
Bristol for 248 miles. And the
Severn & Thames Cycle Route
runs 100 miles link-
ing two of Britain's major rivers.
Sustrans (
&
0845/113-0065;
www.sustrans.org.uk) has full information and free
online maps of the Network. The
Cyclists Touring Club
(
&
0844/736-8450;
www.ctc.org.uk) can suggest routes and provide information and maps for tours.
Membership in the U.K. costs £37 a year and includes a bi-monthly magazine, maps,
and cycle shop discounts.
For a free copy of
Britain for Cyclists,
with information on these routes, call the
British Tourist Authority
(
&
800/462-2748
in the U.S., or 888/847-4885 in
Canada), or contact U.S. operator
Euro-Bike & Walking Tours
(
&
800/575-
1540
in the U.S. and Canada; www.eurobike.com).
Fishing
Fly-fishing was born here, and it's an art form. Local fishing guides are available to
lead you to waters that are well stocked with trout, perch, grayling, sea bream, Atlan-
tic salmon, and such lesser-known species as rudd and roach. The
Salmon & Trout
Association,
Fishmonger's Hall, London Bridge, London EC4R 9EL (
&
020/7283-
5838;
www.salmon-trout.org), has information about British fishing regulations.
Golf
Golf has been around in Britain since Edward VII first began stamping over the
greens of such courses as Royal Lytham & St. Annes, in the Northwest, and Royal St.
Georges, near London. Yet, despite its huge popularity, golf in Britain remains a
clubby sport where some of the most prestigious courses are reserved for members.
Rules at most British golf courses tend to be stricter in matters of dress code and
protocol than their equivalents in the United States.
Golf International,
14 E. 38th St., New York, NY 10016 (
&
800/833-1389
or
212/986-9176; www.golfinternational.com), can open doors with packages from 7 to
14 days, including as much or as little golf, on as many different courses, as a par-
ticipant wants.
Adventures in Golf,
22 Greeley St., Ste. 7, Merrimack, NH 03054 (
&
877/424-
7320
or 603/424-7320; www.adventures-in-golf.com); and
Jerry Quinlan's Celtic
Golf,
1129 Rte. 9 South, Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210 (
&
800/535-6148
or
609/465-0600; www.celticgolf.com), also arrange tours, during which you can stay
anywhere from guesthouses to deluxe manors.
Sailing
Britain has a rich maritime heritage and there are plenty of opportunities to get afloat.
There are sailing schools and charter operations all round the coast, as well as on
inland lakes and rivers.
The Royal Yachting Association,
RYA House, Ensign Way,
Hamble, Hants, SO31 4YA (
&
023 8060 4100;
www.rya.org.uk) can provide a list
of suitable companies. There is also a wealth of advice and instruction among the
topics published by Wiley Nautical (www.wileynautical.com).
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