Country Life has asked 22 renowned experts for their top five recommendations, to compile a unique list of 110 of the best to see and do – along with some of the most special places – in Britain.
* Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman recommends his top five views, including Westminster Bridge and The Kyle of Tongue
* Simon Jenkins, chairman of the National Trust, chooses five of the greatest churches and cathedrals, including King’s College Chapel and North Yorkshire’s Lastingham
* Chief executive of English Heritage Simon Thurley selects five of Britain’s greatest treasures, including the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey and the Enigma machine at Bletchley Park
* TV and radio broadcaster Clare Balding nominates five of the greatest sporting events, including Derby Day and a premiership football match at Old Trafford
Other recommendations include: paintings by author and art critic John McEwen; music by cellist and president of the Elgar Society Julian Lloyd Webber; food by cookery writer Mark Hix, and gardens by garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd. These and many more make up the Grand Tour of Britain 2009.
The issue also features beautiful specially commissioned illustrations of some of the best sights along The Grand Tour, with a map highlighting where each of the 110 recommendations can be found.
Editor of Country Life Mark Hedges says: “As our experts highlight, we have such a wonderfully rich heritage in this country that spending the summer here would be no hardship at all. We promise to take you on the cultural journey of a life time.”
About Country Life
Country Life says: “Country Life, the weekly quintessential English magazine, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and instantly recognisable brands in the UK today. It has a unique core mix of contemporary country-related editorial and top end property advertising. Editorially, the magazine comments in-depth on a wide variety of subjects, such as architecture, the arts, gardens and gardening, the countryside, field-sports and wildlife.”
