A NEW book has been released highlighting Empress Elisabeth of Austria's tour of England and Ireland, including her stay at Combermere Abbey.

'Sisi In England', published by Lindsay and Richard Offer, is the first book to celebrate all of the Austrian Empress' extensive travels.

Elisabeth, or Sisi as she was known, is a cult figure in Europe, and found true happiness and a doomed love during her hunting trips to the English midlands and then Ireland before being forced to switch back to Cheshire.

The empress made two successful but controversial trips to Ireland in 1879 and 1880 for the challenging hunting, but the nation was in uproar because of the return of the famine and the anti-British land agitation.

Politics forced Sisi to return to England and that is when she chose Combermere Abbey near Whitchurch as her spot for hunting.

Later Empress Elisabeth did return for holidays in London, Bournemouth, Cromer and for short trips on the South Coast.

Co-author, Lindsay Offer, said Sisi left behind a large legacy from her extensive travels.

"Our interest in Empress Elisabeth's visits stemmed from an exhibition in Vienna about her fascination with Greece, where she had a villa for some years," said Lindsay. "Had she visited Britain we asked?

"When we found Sisi had come to England and Ireland we set out to produce a short brochure. Instead this full-length book materialised.

"Elisabeth is still remembered here.

"We found mementoes of Elisabeth both in England and Ireland. She gave Earl Spencer her portrait at Althorp and Mary Throckmorton amassed a collection of memorabilia, which is now at her family home Coughton Court.

"In Ireland, the University at Maynooth has treasures donated by Sisi and another portrait is in Dublin."

For more information on the book, visit www.sisi-in-england.com