Latest news with #QueenElizabethI
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
England's 'Oldest' Primary School Marks 350 Years
A primary school in Britain's Kent thought to be the oldest in England is celebrating 350 years since it opened, BBC reported. Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for 'the 15 poorest children in the parish' in 1675. Now it is a school of 437 pupils, who led tours, showcased artifacts and enjoyed a picnic last Friday to celebrate the school's history, BBC said. Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell's, said: 'Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country.' Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected. Her husband, Sir William Boswell, was an important diplomat and she lived at Bradbourne House, a place frequently visited by Queen Elizabeth I, who was said to be fond of the Boswell family. But in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the area. State education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of England. Even today, the school still receives roughly £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's 'oldest' primary school celebrates 350 years in Sevenoaks
A primary school in Kent thought to be the oldest in the UK is celebrating 350 years since it Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for "the 15 poorest children in the parish" in it is a school of 437 pupils, who will be leading tours, showcasing artefacts and enjoying a picnic on Friday to celebrate the school's history.A spokesperson for Lady Boswell's said: "We are all very proud of this amazing school and the part that we are playing at this point in its history, as guardians of such a thriving institution." Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected, with Queen Elizabeth I often coming to stay at her home, Bradbourne House, and her husband, Sir William Boswell, an important in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of week, pupils have been digging into the school's rich history and will be sharing their research and findings with parents and former pupils and staff on spokesperson said: "In its inception, the school was just one master and 15 'poor scholars' from across the town, and it has flourished across the years, providing an education for generations of Sevenoaks people."
The Sun
21-05-2025
- The Sun
Off-the-radar day trips for May bank holiday and half term
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Published: Invalid Date, AS the May Bank Holiday weekend and half-term quickly approaches, you might be at a loss for things to do. Luckily, we have got you covered with 10 off-the-radar historic gems from around the UK. 11 HeritageXplore has partnered with Trainline to suggest a bunch of day trips that can be reached by train - although some will need a bike ride at the other end too. Read on to find out more... Hatfield House, Hertfordshire Nearest station: Hatfield – six minute cycle (0.7 miles) or a 10 minute walk. Just 25 minutes from London, Hatfield House is where Queen Elizabeth I spent her childhood. A place of pageantry, political intrigue and spectacular Jacobean architecture — today, you can tour the ornate rooms, wander sculptural gardens, and grab a flat white in the stable yard. Cycle tips: If you take the fast train (25 minutes) from London King's Cross, bike reservations are not required. However, it is important to avoid peak travel times, as you may be asked to remove your bike if the train is too busy. There's also a bike shed in the visitor's car park at the site to park up and take a look around the house. Pretty English town an hour from London is trending day trip destination 11 Doddington Hall & Gardens, Lincolnshire Nearest Station: Lincoln - 31 minute cycle (six miles). This Elizabethan mansion, built in 1600, is buzzing with creativity. Still family-owned and full of personality, it blends heritage with art, seasonal sculpture trails, wild gardens, and perhaps one of the best farm shops you'll ever visit. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Nottingham, you don't need to reserve a space for your bike. If you have a folding bike, you can store it in the same way you would store luggage. There are secure bike stands on-site, and a whole guide to cycling for when you arrive with lots of lovely trails, including the Georgie Twigg Track and a mountain bike trail. Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire Nearest Station: Cheltenham Spa – 54 minute cycle (8.9 miles) or take the bus from the station via the Stagecoach W or Pulhams 606 services. Upon arrival at Winchcombe, it's approximately 15-minute walk to the castle or you can take the seasonal shuttle service from the station. Tucked into the Cotswold hills, Sudeley offers a deeply romantic mix of Tudor history and sprawling horticultural magic. Queen Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's final wife, rests here — the only English queen buried on private land. Roam the ruins, visit the 15th-century chapel, or picnic in the rose garden, surrounded by peacocks. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Birmingham New Street, most trains have two reservable cycle spaces and one further space for unreserved cycles. Cycles without a reservation are accepted on a first come, first served basis. There's also bike storage facilities on site for when you arrive. Haddon Hall, Derbyshire Nearest Station: Matlock – 35 minute cycle (6.5 miles) or take the bus from the Matlock Bus Station via the TransPeak (TP) or the 6.1 from Platform 1 towards Buxton or Bakewell. One of England's best-preserved medieval manor houses — and a film star, too, having appeared in Pride & Prejudice and The Other Boleyn Girl amongst many others. Explore its storybook courtyards, stroll by the riverside, and stop by the restaurant for their renowned afternoon tea. 11 Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Derby, bike reservations are not required but are generally allowed on a first-come, first-served basis. There's also space to lock up your bikes at the site behind the Ticket Office, and electric bike charging is provided. Beaulieu, Hampshire Nearest Station: Brockenhurst – 31 minute cycle (six miles) or, during the summer months, the New Forest Tour's Green Route connects the station directly to the house via open-top bus. Alongside the gothic-style Palace House and romantic abbey ruins, you'll find the National Motor Museum — with classic cars, F1 icons and even Bond vehicles. And the destination is all set within the New Forest National Park - so bring your walking shoes as you'll most likely want to stay a while. Cycle tips: If travelling from Southampton, reservations for bikes are not required. The New Forest has a number of beautiful cycle paths for you to explore in the local area, and Beaulieu has bike parking facilities on-site. Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire Nearest Station: Stamford – one-hour-and-six-minutes (11.7 miles) or take the bus directly from Peterborough via the 101 to Drummond Road, then swap to the 404 to The Black Horse Inn, a short walk from the castle. With its grand façade and sweeping grounds, Grimsthorpe was made for the screen — and starred in Bridgerton, no less. In real life, it's even better - expect royal stories, rambling summer walks, and a brilliant adventure playground for younger explorers. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Peterborough, reserving a space is recommended - most trains have two reservable cycle spaces and one further space for unreserved cycles. Cycles without a reservation are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also bike facilities are available at Grimsthorpe, but you will need to bring a lock. Also nearby is Lord Willoughby's Railway - a line that was in operation between July 1856 and July 1873. It runs from the village of Edenham to the main London line at Little Bytham – there's a cycle path along its historical site. Newby Hall & Gardens, North Yorkshire Nearest Station: Knaresborough – 59 minute cycle (11.8 miles) or take the bus directly from York via the 22 service towards Ripon and alight at Skelton on Ure, a four-minute walk from the hall. 11 Inside, you'll find Robert Adam's stunning neoclassical interiors and one of the UK's best private collections of sculpture. Then outside, there is one of the country's longest double herbaceous borders and a Teddy Bear House housing over 1,000 bears — from Paddington to Fozzie. Cycle tips: If you are taking the train from York, reservations are not available and there's a limit of two bikes per train. Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire Nearest Station: Northampton – one hour cycle (11.1 miles) or take the Stagecoach X7 bus from the Northampton Bus Interchange towards Market Harborough and alight at The Swan, a five-minute walk away from the hall. Once home to Sir Charles Isham — who introduced garden gnomes to Britain — Lamport is a peaceful spot for art lovers and slow-day-out seekers alike. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Birmingham New Street, no bike reservations are required – it's a maximum of two bikes allowed on each train. Cyclists are welcome at the Hall, with bike parking available in the stable yard – just bring a lock. Stonor Park, Oxfordshire Nearest Station: Henley-on-Thames – 31 minute cycle (5.5 miles). Still lived in by the same family after 850 years, Stonor is full of heart and history. Wander the meadow paths, sip tea on the terrace, and dip into the medieval chapel — it's the kind of place that makes you want to stay for the weekend. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Reading, it's a short trip but you'll need to change at Twyford. Bike reservations are not required on either train but it's best to avoid peak hours. You can find lots of fab routes for cycling around the site and there's a Cyclepod repair station, an air pump and dedicated bike parking on-site. Elveden Hall, Suffolk Nearest Station: Thetford – 36 minute cycle (4.1 miles) or take the 82 bus towards Bury St Edmunds and alight at Elveden Post Office, which is a seven-minute walk from the hall. One of the most intriguing houses in the country, Elveden was once home to Maharajah Duleep Singh — the exiled last ruler of the Sikh Empire — who made this quiet corner of Suffolk his sanctuary. 11 A rare blend of Indian heritage and English country life, the house is usually closed to the public, but you can now book exclusive guided access via HeritageXplore. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and cake in the courtyard before perusing the shops or take a spin on the off-road 4x4 trail. Cycle tips: If you are travelling from Cambridge, you don't need to reserve a bike space. There are lots of interesting and varied cycle routes when you get there too. A Brit also discovered the best day trip to see the Northern Lights from London. Plus, nine of our top winter day trips that are great even in rain and snow… from kid-friendly museums to seafront shows. 11
