surrounded

THERE aren’t many moments in your life where you are surrounded by heaps of gold and mummified cats – but in a new experience, Egypt has been brought to the UK.

Ancient Egypt is probably something we all learnt about in school focusing on the Pyramids and Tutankhamun.

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But The Ramses & the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition at NEON at Battersea Power Station in London allows visitors to explore the life and death of the Pharaoh Ramses II (also known as Ramses the Great).

While you might not know who he is, he was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty but is often thought to be one of the most powerful rulers of the Egyptian Empire.

Upon entering the experience, a short film presentation sprawled across giant screens revealing details of Ramses the Great and how he reigned for 67 years.

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He built more monuments and statues than any other pharaoh including Abu Simbel, a 20-metre-tall statue of himself carved into a sandstone cliff.

He lived to about 90 years old, which was pretty impressive for someone of the Bronze Age.

But perhaps even more surprising is that he had over 200 wives and more than 100 children…

As the video ended, a set of doors swung open to reveal a statue at the entrance of the exhibition – I was about to step into ancient Egypt myself.

The room was dark with statues and objects subtly lit, allowing them to glimmer.

For the first half of the exhibition, I wove through stone statues, monoliths and intricate ornaments.

In fact, across the whole experience there are more than 180 Egyptian artifacts estimated to be worth over £100million and for many of them, it is their first time out of Egypt.

Though, one issue I found was that it is rather like seeing the Crown Jewels at points, where long lines of people steadily move past exhibits to get a glimpse of the artifacts.

At the mid-point, there is a clever 3D projection that recreates the Battle of Kadesh – where Ramses II used propaganda to achieve victory.

The second part of the experience turns to the Gold of the Pharaohs where it really does feel like you are entering the depths of a tomb, with the walls becoming sandy stone and the lighting lowering to feel like a dimly lit cave.

Throughout this part, I explored more artifacts from the era and since Ramses’ own tomb was looted, many of the gold items on display come from the Royal Tombs of Tanis.

My favourite part was definitely seeing the delicately mummified animals including several cats, a lion cub and even crocodiles.

Intricate jewellery glimmers and silver coffins stand tall, all before you reach the showstopper of the experience – Ramses II’s coffin.

Even though his gold was stolen, his wooden sarcophagus which protected his mummy for thousands of years, is considered to be one of the most significant artifacts in Egyptian history.

While Ramses II himself is not at the exhibition (to see his body you’ll have to head to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo) a large screen recreates what he would have looked like at different stages of his life and shows his body as it was discovered.

Fun fact – in 1976, Ramses II’s mummy was actually issued a modern Egyptian passport to travel to Paris, France, for fungal treatment and this meant his passport photo was of course, his deceased self with his occupation listed as ‘King (deceased)’.

Leaving the experience, you’ll enter a large shop where you can pick up souvenirs, such as your own Egyptian papyrus with your name written on it in hieroglyphs by a robot, for £10.

If you have worked up an appetite, there is also a cafe, as well as a VR Experience you’ll also find that at the end of the experience.

Popping on a headset, I flew through the temples of Abu Simbel and the tomb of Queen Nefertari.

In total, it lasts about 10 minutes and you sit on a golden-egg motion chain.

Though, it is definitely not one for those who easily get motion sick…

The exhibition is running until the end of August and tickets cost from around £24.55 per adult and £19.55 per child.

The VR experience costs an additional £14 per person.

The exhibition is recommended for children aged five and older, though I would say children under the age of 10 may get bored as there is a lot of reading involved in the exhibit and little interaction.

Also, as someone who knows a bit about Ancient Egypt already, at times the historical descriptions are complicated as they have a lot of information to take in.

The VR experience is great for children though and recommended for those aged eight-years-old and above.

If going as just adults, I would definitely recommend the audio guide which is narrated by celebrity historian Dan Snow.

It costs £5 per person.

In other attraction news, London’s ‘best family attraction’ is about to get even better – with huge new outdoor play area and cafe next month.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular free attractions reveals £350million expansion – its biggest in 200 years.

I dropped in on a bustling village that fringes a busy roundabout – and every corner leads you to beautiful green spaces

While I thoroughly enjoy residing in the city of Plymouth, I equally relish the opportunity to regularly escape the hustle and bustle to find somewhere I’m enveloped by woodland and birdsong. I recently discovered a destination offering respite from urban life – and it’s an ideal “traditional” location with several thriving independent retailers alongside excellent walks and scenery.

Being based in Plymouth means I’m generally spoilt for choice when it comes to escaping the concrete and cobbles of city life. Within easy reach is the South West Coast Path, stunning beaches or coves, plus numerous other small towns and villages to discover in the rest of Devon or neighbouring Cornwall.

I recently paid a visit to a village situated right on Plymouth’s edge, and it’s an underrated treasure of a destination. Yelverton, particularly the Yelverton Roundabout area, is straightforward to reach (I travelled there by bus) and it boasts a flourishing collection of shops plus beautiful countryside in every direction.

This well-loved village sits on the outskirts of the city. I appreciated the journey, travelling through Plymouth, then, abruptly, the urban landscape was left behind, giving way to Roborough Down.

After crossing the heath, golden with gorse and scattered with Dartmoor ponies, you encounter the Yelverton Roundabout – and this spot even has its own Facebook page with more than 7,000 followers, reports Plymouth Live.

Now, having spent several hours there, I can understand why it’s so beloved. Yelverton village has preserved its village character despite housing developments emerging around it over the years.

The locals were welcoming, and the independent shops and businesses offer something truly special, including a proper butcher’s, a deli, a cafe, a gift shop, and plenty more. Even the Post Office is packed with useful and intriguing items.

There’s also a classic red telephone box still standing at Yelverton Roundabout, directly across from the picturesque church on the green.

My first stop was the Dartmoor Bakery, a brief stroll from the roundabout over at Leg O Mutton Corner on Roborough Down.

I sampled a savoury swirl with honey-garlic roasted tomatoes and brie, and it was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed it while sitting on a bench that was “erected in 1968” by the Yelverton District Residents Association, in “memory of Winston Churchill”.

Afterwards, I wandered across to the shops and green space beside the roundabout, where I chatted with three residents, Belinda Gardiner and husband-and-wife duo Ian and Liz Marshall.

Ian revealed there’s a “thriving set of shops” around the Yelverton Roundabout, and while they’ve “changed over the years” they remain all “really well used”.

The three residents reflected that overall, though, since the 1980s, the area has altered “very little” despite there being “more cars” and a “few more surrounding houses”.

“We’ve also lost two pubs”, Ian noted, “the Leg O Mutton pub and the Devon Tors hotel are gone, but we still have The Rock Inn, which is great and well used”. The three residents described it as a marvellous place to call home, boasting abundant wildlife, including owls and bats, excellent walking and cycling trails, alongside “a reliable bus route” connecting passengers to Plymouth or Tavistock every 20 minutes.

I then ventured into Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery and Meatbox, a sizeable independent establishment offering an impressive selection of locally-sourced meats.

Behind the counter, a staff member was preparing some particularly appetising-looking pasties, and I was also delighted to discover a vegetable stall within the premises.

I chatted with proprietor Richard Hearn, aged 40, who has practised butchery for over two decades. He’s also a devoted local and “sixth-generation” farmer’s son.

Richard shared: “I love it, the customers, the trade, I wouldn’t do anything else, it’s what I know. We push the local side of things, purchasing a lot of the meat from a farm in Meavy.

“I first worked here aged 22, then eventually started it up as my own business, the customers are fab, friendly and smiley – and it’s a slower pace of life here than Plymouth.”

Equally flourishing enterprises neighbour Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery, including the highly-rated gift shop, Cards and Moor, characterised as a “beautiful shop full of treasures” by patrons.

I stopped by for a browse, and it’s certainly brimming with charming gifts, cards and some delightful-looking Easter goodies. I’ll undoubtedly remember these Yelverton retailers when I need to purchase a birthday present or another gift.

Residents informed me that this thriving cluster of shops is “getting busier”, and everyone I encountered was courteous and welcoming, with the area buzzing with activity.

Another outstanding shop, The Larder Yelverton, is an absolute must-visit if you find yourself in the area, offering a selection of unique cheeses, Cornwall-made pottery, and much more. I can’t wait to return.

Henry Smith, aged 46, is one of the proprietors of The Larder Yelverton, the deli which opened its doors in September 2020. Since then, the distinctive store has proved a hit, with its cheese selection proving particularly popular amongst locals and visitors alike.

Henry told me: “It’s a nice area to live and work in, it’s the people, and it’s so great to see the community supporting all the shops here.

“We have a lot of regulars along with walkers, cyclists, visitors and people on holiday – we even had a celebrity visit the shop yesterday.

“The only slight issue is parking and traffic flow in the area at times, but it’s great that it’s free to park for up to 2 hours at the Yelverton Roundabout.”

Debra Dewinne was enjoying lunch at another flourishing establishment in the same location, Scarlet’s Kitchen. Having relocated to the area a few years ago, Debra spoke highly of the local bus service, while acknowledging that traffic congestion can occasionally pose a problem in Yelverton.

“The car park is always full”, she said, “but it’s a sign that the shops are well supported here”.

Nearby, you’ll also find Ochre Hair Lounge, The Rock Inn and a host of other independent businesses at The Rock Complex on Dousland Road, just a short stroll from the other shops.

Despite being a modest cluster of shops and businesses, it’s undeniably a flourishing area; Yelverton Roundabout has almost everything you could need, it’s fair to say.

Also speaking to us was parish councillor and local resident Alastair Cunningham, an Independent Councillor on West Devon Borough Council representing Buckland Monachorum Ward.

On the subjects of parking, planning notices and traffic concerns, he said: “Our parish council meetings are open to anyone local; if people have any issues or problems they’d like to discuss, they can come along.”

Cllr Alastair noted that notices of these meetings are displayed on the noticeboard next to the red telephone box.

He went on to say: “It’s a good area to live in, there’s a lot of community, and the village halls and businesses are thriving here. The people and the shops are great; people tend to pick up their litter here, but we also have volunteer litter pickers.

“The butchers transformed the area, and we’re really lucky to have the community we’ve got in Yelverton. It’s a unique and traditional area.”