This month's edition of Britain Calling is packed with story ideas - from Princes to Paddington; 14 new Michelin stars & barista brews to savour; 1Y2G for Rugby World Cup; ghostly places to spend Halloween; the new Sherlock exhibition & Harry Potter's Dark Arts unveiled; 800 years since the Magna Carta was written & Bristol named European Green Capital 2015. Keep an eye out for our new Luxury is GREAT media guide soon to be released.

For full stories & images http://media.visitbritain.com Enjoy!

2015's Michelin Stars announced

The much anticipated Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015 was published this week, revealing who has been awarded new stars and granted gastronomy's highest accolade.

“The 14 new stars in our 2015 guide highlight the enormous richness and variety of the UK's restaurant scene. They range from country pubs to hipster hangouts, from counter-restaurants to classic dining rooms”, said Rebecca Burr, Editor of the Michelin guide. Read more: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Michelin-Stars-for-2015-announced-11ad9.aspx

Coffee…the new tea? Happy International Coffee Day

Britain is buzzing! Coffee culture continues to grow and the so-called 'Third Wave' movement – which focuses on producing high-quality coffee to be savoured, appreciated and taken as seriously as wine – has swept through the nation.

There are coffee shops throughout Britain that take coffee-drinking to a new level, many of which have their own in-house roasteries and where customers can try out 'cupping', tasting sessions that help you to get more depth from your brew. As we celebrate International Coffee Day this week, here's ten British suggestions for serious bean-lovers. Read more: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Coffee-It-s-the-new-tea-11b0d.aspx

Bristol named European Green Capital

Next year, Bristol will be named European Green Capital, thanks to its success in creating a green city with a high quality of life. Find out what makes it such a clean, green place to visit with five activities that show off its new status. Read more: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Bristol-crowned-European-Green-Capital-2015-five-green-activities-11a96.aspx  

British Library showcases four remaining copies of Magna Carta for 1st time

There are only four Magna Carta manuscripts from 1215 which survive and the British Library in London is launching a ballot in October, offering the chance to see them on 3 February 2015.  Read more: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/British-Library-to-show-the-four-original-surviving-copies-of-Magna-Carta-together-for-the-first-tim-11a11.aspx

10 ghostly places to stay, if you dare…..

With Hallowe'en around the corner, it's time to feel the fear in Britain. The nation has a rich and often grisly history, which means plenty of ghouls and plenty of ghost stories. From the most haunted inn to spine-tingling prison hotels, here are ten ghostly haunts to stay… http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/10-ghostly-places-to-stay-if-you-dare-11b0c.aspx

Adventures from Paddington

When Paddington was asked about his statue at the station, he was a little worried: “Yes, I have been to see the statue. I didn't get too close to it though because I noticed a pigeon nearby and I was worried it might get me confused with the statue and land on my head by mistake.”

If you've seen the trailers for the upcoming Paddington™ movie, you will have spied the small bear arriving in the eponymous station, at the start of a great adventure. The young hero was named Paddington after the station he landed up in – and anyone who visits London will soon discover it's the ideal place to start your own great adventure. It's easier than you think to travel to all corners of Britain, and Paddington is the starting point for many an exciting journey. Plan yours now! http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Adventures-from-Paddington-11a66.aspx

Prince Harry named as Honorary President for Rugby World Cup 2015

With One Year to Go to Rugby World Cup 2015, Prince Harry has been appointed as Honorary President of England Rugby 2015, the Organising Committee delivering Rugby World Cup 2015. Read more here: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Prince-Harry-announced-as-honorary-president-of-England-Rugby-2015-on-one-year-to-go-to-Rugby-World-119f1.aspx

Sherlock Holmes: explore the exhibitions, film locations and favourite haunts of the famous detective
 
As October welcomes the 'Sherlock Holmes: The man who has never lived and will never die' exhibition at the Museum of London (running between 17 October 2014 – 12 April 2015), now is an ideal time to dust off the magnifying glass to explore the atmospheric locations in Britain that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his stories of the great detective. Read on here: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Sherlock-Holmes-Explore-exhibitions-film-locations-and-favourite-haunts-of-the-great-fictional-de-11991.aspx

Harry Potter's Dark Arts unveiled

This October, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will unveil a new section devoted to the Dark Arts, encompassing Horcruxes and other sinister wizarding artefacts, in what is the Studio Tour's first permanent addition since opening. Read more: http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Warner-Bros-Studio-Tour-London-to-unveil-first-new-permanent-feature-devoted-to-the-dark-arts-1196c.aspx

Ryder Cup countdown - golf in Britain
 
Missed the Ryder Cup action? Never fear, we bring you 10 great golf courses in Britain and the lowdown on host region, Perthshire, where Gleneagles saw the great and good of golfing swing for glory. http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/10-Great-Golf-Courses-1137e.aspx