Page 30 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

28  INTRODUCING ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST

ENGLAND’S SOUTH COAST
THROUGH THE YEAR

Every British season has its particular charm. to enjoy the rich variety of flora and fauna
Southern England is more temperate than across the seasons, from the stunning
the rest of the country, but the weather is springtime bluebells of Cornish woodland
always variable and visitors are almost as to the vivid blaze of autumnal colours in
likely to experience a crisp, sunny February the New Forest. A number of annual events
day as to be caught in a heavy shower in and ceremonies, such as the summer and
July. With four national parks along the winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge,
South Coast, there is plenty of opportunity help to mark the passage of the year.

St George’s Day (23 Apr), Glyndebourne Festival Opera
nationwide. Celebrations are Season (mid-May–end Aug), near
held in honour of England’s Lewes, Sussex. The renowned
patron saint and William Glyndebourne opera house
Shakespeare’s birthday. stages world-class productions
throughout the summer.
May Ageas Salisbury International
Beltain (1 May), Butser Ancient Arts Festival (late May–early
Farm, near Waterlooville, Jun), various venues. Performing
Hampshire. This festival arts and family programmes.
marks the start of summer Bath Festival (late May),
with the burning of a various venues, Somerset.
9-m- (30-ft-) high Wicker A ten-day multiarts festival
Man at sunset. featuring classical, jazz, and
Obby Oss Festival folk musicians, as well as
Vibrant bluebells during spring in a (1 May), Padstow, contemporary writers.
woodland near Redruth, Cornwall Cornwall. Crowds Chelsea Flower Show (late
follow a Hobby Horse May), Royal Hospital, London.
in a May Day One of the world’s most
Spring celebration (see p157). prestigious flower shows.
As the days get longer and Furry Dance (8 May), Chippenham Folk Festival
warmer, the countryside starts Helston, Cornwall. (last week), Wiltshire.
to come alive. At Easter, many A celebration with Performances of
stately homes and gardens dancing and a Straw Wicker Man at traditional folk music
open their gates to visitors for mummers’ play, a the Beltain festival and dances.
the first time. The season is the traditional English folk English Wine Week
focal point of the gardening production (see p165). (week beginning Spring Bank
year, with bright, colourful Brighton Festival (last 3 weeks), Holiday), all over southern
blooms inspiring gardeners to Sussex. One of England’s largest England. A celebration of wine
start working on their summer annual performing arts festivals. at vineyards and restaurants.
displays. The first of the music
and arts festivals of the year
begin during springtime.
March
St Piran’s Day (5 Mar), various
venues, Cornwall. Parades in
honour of a local Cornish saint.
Bristol International Jazz &
Blues Festival (mid-Mar),
various venues in the city. Top
acts celebrate Bristol’s long
association with jazz music.
April
Cornwall Spring Flower Show
(first weekend), Boconnoc House,
Lostwithiel. A showcase for the
best of Cornish horticulture. A performance of George Frideric Handel's Saul directed by Barrie Kosky at Glyndebourne

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