CHARM OF ENGLISH COUNTIES DESCRIBED TO E.S.U.

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 4

CHARM OF ENGLISH COUNTIES DESCRIBED TO E.S.U.

Continuous beauty of landscape and countryside and the opportunity to delve into the past among ruins 'of antiquity, made the countries of the south-west among the most fascinating in England, said Mr. W. H. Denton, at a meeting of the English Speaking Union travel circle last night. The charm of age was preserved, and in many spots life went on as it had done for many years past. In Dorset, Devon and Cornwall there was much to interest the traveller, especially in early spring or summer. From Southampton one could travel in all directions to many places of interest including the New Forest, Christchurch, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Brixham' and Torquay. At Brockenhurst there was a memorial to 99 New Zealand soldiers who died there during the Great War. An old lady tended the memorial and placed flowers there each week, a thing which was remembered with gratitude by tourists from the Dominion.

In Dorset there were neolithic Saxon and Roman ruins. One of the main Roman roads led through Dorchester, where there were wonderful antiques to be seen. Nearby, an ancient fortification had been discovered in recent years which was planned in a similar style to that in which Maori forts were made.

Villages were often built at odd intervals on hill slopes and one was built in this position on the old pilgrim track leading to Canterbury. In some Devon villages traffic was not allowed and bicycles and motor-cars had to be left on the outskirts and the remainder of the journey done on foot. The speaker also described the Warren Inn, on the moors near Dartmoor, which held the double distinction of being the second highest in altitude in England and of boasting a peat fire which had been burning in one of the rooms for more than 100 years.