FOR THE VISITOR TO THE U.K.

ABOUT THIS PAGE

Although this web site/page is aimed at those interested in the 35th regiment of Foot/French and Indian War, where the entry may be worth a visit, on its own it may not fulfil a full days outing, from, for instance London. In this case a few ideas/gems have been suggested.

A CAUTIONARY TALE.

It is also worth pointing out to overseas visitors especially first time visitor friends from the U.S.A. that while the U.K. may only be a fraction of the size of the U.S.A. some places may take far longer to reach than you would think. This is especially true when "getting off the beaten track" where you will encounter those wonderful winding roads (as seen in postcards) with a "real gem" worth visiting around every corner.

LONDON
  

GREENWICH TOMB OF JAMES WOLFE

St Alfege's Church http://www.st-alfege.org/, Greenwich, London---The tomb itself is in the Crypt under "Canadian Corner" where an inscription marks the location of the actual tomb, the church also has a number of paintings and rather fine stained glass window (see below) of General Wolfe

Above- the plate below which rests the body of Major general James Wolfe.

We would like to thank the custodians of St Alfege's Church for their help in obtaining these photographs.

A large statue to this Great British General (Which was unveiled by the family of Montcalm) stands on Observatory Hill, while Wolfe's London home is nearby (not open to the public). Greenwich on its own has a vast amount of interest for the visitor, including the recently opened to the public Royal Naval college (where Nelson rested in state before his funeral) with its magnificent painted ceilings,the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark (Clipper ship),  to Britains great white elephant the Millennium Dome (now the 02 arena).

WESTMINSTER

Monument to JAMES WOLFE (by Joseph Wilton)WestminsterAbbey. A whole day could be spent exploring this magnificent building and its surroundings, however please remember it is not a museum but is principally a place of worship.

THE SOUTH EAST

The South East--Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire like other parts of the U.K. probably deserves an "Historically based" holiday all on its own. Not only does it house many French and Indian War connections but a vast array of historic sites and picture postcard towns and villages, liberally dotted with real ale and good food establishments. Gatwick airport lies almost central to the area and I cannot think of a better entry/exit point for a holiday based upon London and/or the South East.

KENT

Westerham
Quebec House, home of General JAMES WOLFE. Now owned by the National Trust, is situated at the east End of Westerham on the North Side of the A25 facing the Junction with the B2026. Wolfe's home houses many pieces of memorabilia (including Wolfe's own journal of the siege of Louisbourg). It also houses many fine paintings depicting the death of the General. The annex houses a small exhibition on the campaigns against New France.

Squerryes Court home of George Wade a close friend of James Wolfe. A cenotaph marks the spot in Squerrys park, where James Wolfe received notice of his first commission while visiting his friends.

Two other Monuments to James Wolfe in Westerham are---
Westerham Church where a simple marble tablet, erected by some of Wolfe's friends carries the following inscription----

While George in sorrow bows his laurell'd head
And bids the artist grace the soldier dead,
 We raise no sculptur'd trophy to thy name,
  Brave youth! the fairest in the list of fame.
            Proud of thy birth, we boast th' auspiscious year,
   Struck with thy fall, we shed a general tear,
     With humble grief inscribe one artless stone,
          And from thy matchless honours date our own.

Another and most predominant is the statue of James Wolfe on the village Green. The village green is perhaps an ideal place to begin and finish a visit to Westerham as it has a couple of traditional "Olde English" tea shops plus pubs with reasonably good food.
NEARBY or certainly within easy reach are Chartwell House--Home of Sir Winston Churchill and a real gem of a castle both in history and beauty--- Hever Castle (http://www.hevercastle.co.uk).

SUSSEX

EastbourneTheRedoubt Fortress, a Napoleonic bastion built during the threat of a french invasion. Now home to a number of Regimental museums including that of The 35th Regiment of Foot/Royal Sussex Regiment. Eastbourne is one of the more Genteel English seaside resorts and has more than a good few superb restaurants and eating places both inside the town and in the surrounding countryside.
The surrounding area has a wealth of history from the pre history "long man of Wilmington" (a giant chalk carving on the hillside), Castles such as Pevensey (with fortifications from Roman to 1940) and within easy reach of the SENLAC battlefield of Hastings (BATTLE), and something of a gem-BODIAM. Eastbourne like much of the corner of England is blessed with the wonderful countryside of "THE SOUTH DOWNS"--rolling hills which terminate with in a spectacular sea scape at BEACHY HEAD within easy reach of the town.

FIRLE HOUSE,  and Firle Church, near Lewes (also close to EASTBOURNE) Home and Resting place of General Thomas Gage.
    Thomas Gage is of course more well know as the British Commander during the early days of the American Revolution (Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill 1775) Less well known is that he was an able and inventive leader of light infantry during the French and Indian Wars. In 1751 became lieutenant colonel of the 44th Regiment, one of two regiments of regulars sent to America under General Braddock late in 1754.  Gage led the advanced detachment on Braddock's march toward Fort Duquesne and was wounded in the rout of that expedition. Subsequently he was employed at Oswego.
In 1758 he raised a regiment of light infantry, designated the 80th.He served under Abercromby in the attack on Fort Ticonderoga and later was stationed at Crown Point as a brigadier general. After the capture of Fort Niagara in 1759, Gage succeeded Sir William Johnson as commander in that region and led the rear guard of the army under Amherst which moved on Montreal and forced the capitulation of Canada in 1760.he was also one of the British Army officers to bring back to the U.K. a New England bride.
Although most of the papers concerning this General are no longer at the house, it still has a number of artefacts linking the man to his home. The house is set in the pleasant countryside of East Sussex and houses a particularly fine Restaurant. Nearby is Lewes which has a wealth of both history and fine eating establishments. If a visit is planned for the Autumn then try to fix the dates for visiting Lewes around the 5th of November as this is the date of the World renowned spectacular Lewes bonfire celebrations (book your Hotel early).