From: ipfoot@ic.ac.uk (Ian Paul Foot)
Subject: Re: Probably ignorant UK questions
Date: 21 Jul 1994 12:48:34 GMT

sheri ellis (sellis@ciaran.ucr.edu) writes:
> Hi folks! I'm planning a visit to the U.K. sometime this millenium
> (I hope!) and I have some questions which will probably sound
> ignorant:

Don't worry about ignorance.  They're sensible questions to ask before
visiting the UK.  Ignorance is more like the (Australian?) tourist,
who upon visiting Stonehenge, commented, "It's very nice, but why did
they build it so close to the road?" Aaagh!

I'd suggest that you read up on the places you intend to visit.
Possibly one of the best books is "Mythology of the British Isles" by
Geoffrey Ashe.  Another *very* good book (if you can find a copy) is
"Albion - A guide to Legendary Britain" by Jennifer Westwood.

> - Can one see much of Glastonbury Tor, and/or other questionably
>   Arthurian sites?

Yes.  It is *definitely* worth a visit.  The best time to visit the
Tor is just before sunrise.  It means getting up *very* early in the
morning but it is certainly worth it.  Sunrise from the top of the Tor
is a wonderful sight that very few people get to see.  Also visit the
Chalice Well and gardens, as this is a most magical place.  If you're
into meditation, then this is the best place for it, as the sense of
peace there has to be experienced to be believed.

Hopefully, I may be visiting Glastonbury again next week.
 
> - Is Sherwood Forest still accessible? Are there exciting areas to
>   visit?  Unusual places of energy or psychic activity?

Yes, it's accessible.  I don't know of and particularly exciting
areas.  Maybe worth a visit if you have time.  'Albion' mentions the
Robin Hood visitor centre and Country Park at Edwinstowe (near
Mansfield in Nottinghamshire).  The park consists of 450 acres of
Sherwood Forest and includes the Major Oak, associated with Robin
Hood.  It is open all year from dawn to dusk.

> - Is Gardner's museum on the Isle of Man still open?

I don't know, though probably not.  There is the Witchcraft Museum in
Boscastle, Cornwall, which is run by Cecil Williamson - a contemporary
(and rival) of Gardner.

> - I'm interested in ley lines and some of these reports of shapes
>   drawn in wheat fields. Any cool places you could suggest?

Avebury.  There is an ancient stone circle there - the largest in
Britain, I believe.  Also Silbury Hill which is a mysterious
prehistoric man-made hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, a stone-age
burial mount.  It is the most popular area for crop-formations and I
saw *huge* formation there last week (in a field between West Kennet
and Silbury).  There was also a party of middle-aged people from
Yorkshire, trying to dowse for ley-lines, which I thought was
*extremely* funny.

> - Is it possible to join that Druidic group at Stonehenge on
>   Solstice?  Maybe by writing ahead?

Very unlikely at present.  You *may* be able to get there, but it's
very difficult.  You have to persuade the police cordons and patrols
that you aren't "processing" there.  If you look like a pagan or a
hippy, then you stand a good change of being stopped by police.  (You
*may* be OK if you persuade them you're only a tourist!).  Go to
Avebury instead, it's much nicer.

> - I'm hoping to hit some antique shops. Any suggestions?

Hit them?  In that case, I'd suggest a black balaclava and a sawn-off
shotgun.  Also a fast getaway car and gloves so you don't leave
fingerprints.

Seriously, I don't know anything about antique shops.  (Vanessa, if
you're reading this, can you help out here?).  It's easy to be
ripped-off though, so be careful.

> Enquiring American mind wants to know! Thanked Be!

bb

Ian
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