Category Archives: England

Coast to Coast Trail in Yorkshire, England

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The Coast to Coast Trail in Yorkshire, England

Stretching from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, the 300 km-long (190 miles) Coast to Coast trail is an iconic way to experience Northern England. Traversing counties such as Northumberland, Yorkshire, and Cumbria, you’ll hike through everything from heather-covered hills to the heights of the Lake District. For the most quintessential English countryside, hike through the landscapes of Yorkshire. Quaint stone barns dot the fields, surrounded by the shapes of fluffy sheep. Rolling hills, eerie bogs, patchwork fields and of course numerous postcard-perfect stone villages abound. Hike the entire way or choose to hike the Coast to Coast in sections. This section, from Muker to Keld along the River Swale through the devastatingly beautiful Swaledale, is a perfect bite-sized section for visitors hoping to hike a short section. It’s also along the Pennine Way, another notable long distance trail that winds through the Pennine Mountains, offering plenty of hiking options!

Tip: Stop for tea and scones in the wee village of Muker for refuelling after your hike.

Visit Northern England

Sunset at the Serpentine, London

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Sunset at the Serpentine, London, England

London is one of the best-known cities in England and the world. But somehow, no matter how many times one visits this epic metropolis, it seems there is always more to encounter. Though a massive city, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens at the heart of London offer a welcome nature respite to the hubbub of downtown streets. Sweeping alleys lined with trees, expansive grassy knolls and flower-carpeted corners adorned with statues make Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens the perfect place for a walk, jog, or bike ride. A focal point of both parks is the Serpentine, a curved artificial lake created in 1730 and bridging the two iconic parks. Once a central part of the Great Exhibition of 1851 – the incredible feat of artistry and engineering, the Crystal Palace (which is sadly no more) was erected nearby – the Serpentine more recently was integrated into the 2012 London Olympics where swimming events took place in the lake! In fact, there is a 100-metre-long lido (public open-air bathing area) sectioned off to the south for urban bathers. Whether you’re sipping coffee at the lakeside, paddling the waters in rented boats, swimming the lake’s placid shores or simply feeding the ducks and enjoying the classic view, the Serpentine lake is a perfect place to escape from the bustle of London. Visit at sunset for a particularly lovely experience.

Tip: Enjoy boating on the lake or perhaps rent bikes to pedal around the park. Want to head indoors? Both the Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are nearby – and free. Need a sugar rush? Head to the Franco-Armenian Jakobs bakery on Gloucester Road to taste a number of delectable treats garnishing their windows, just a short walk from the park entrance.

Love London

Streets of London, England

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Possibly the most cosmopolitan city of Europe – and definitely a contender for the world as well – London is a veritable mixing bowl of culture, language, food and history. How do you even go about writing a paragraph – just a few lines really – on Europe’s most epic and iconic city? Simple answer: you can’t. London’s streets are full of life, culture, food, taxis, buses, cafes, people of all kinds. High fashion is interspersed with pop-up markets, the Thames is crossed by a network of bridges big and small, traditional and modern, chippers and street food sits side-by-side with Michelin stars, and glassy skyscrapers are nestled next to Victorian brickwork. Iconic double-deckers buses zip through the streets of London above, while the Tube whizzes under the streets in London below (a Neil Gaiman reference, of course). Did you know that London contains the most 5-star hotels of any world city? That it houses four UNESCO sites (Kew Gardens, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey)? Or that it is the first city to host three Summer Olympic Games? Did you know that it is very likely home to the most languages spoken in a European city? Over 300 recorded languages can be heard on the streets of London! There are so many Londons; different Londons for different people, and no matter how many times you visit, how many pictures you snap of the iconic red double-deckers or phone-booths or other famous London landmarks, every time you walk the streets of London, you’re guaranteed to find something new.

Tip: Though street food is found across London, head to Camden Town (accessible by Tube on the Northern line) for a huge variety and quantity street food, as well as a massive network of covered market stalls.

Visit London:

St Sunday Crag, Lake District, England

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St Sunday Crag, Lake District, England

Ah, the famous English fells. A “fell” is just another word for hill or stretch of high and barren moorland in northern England. The rounded back of St Sunday is the high point on the Fairfield ridge, a fell near Ullswater, one of the Lake District‘s prettiest and most beloved lakes. There are 16 “main” lakes in the Lake District, though overall, there are more than 30 significant bodies of water here. There are plenty of mountains in the Lakes too, like Scafell Pike (978m), England‘s tallest mountain, and the nearby summit of Helvellyn (950m). St Sunday is a beast of a hill too, measuring in at 841m. For visitors who stay on the lake’s shore, St Sunday Crag makes for a lovely backdrop. But for adventurous souls, it presents an enticing challenge. Pull on your hiking boots and your waterproofs, find your walking stick and pack your picnic lunch because St Sunday is a fantastic moderately-challenging hike affording great views of Ullswater and stunning mountain-scapes and running alongside the wee Grisedale Tarn. On the way back, pass the Brother’s Parting Stone, where John and William Wordsworth last saw each other on 20th September 1800 (sadly, John’s ship sank in the English Channel with 300 lives lost). The poet William Wordsworth was a long-time resident of this area (you can still visit his former home, Dove Cottage), and he took great inspiration from the mountains, fells and lakes that make the Lake District one of Europe’s most incredible spots. Other writers like children’s storyteller Beatrix Potter and guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright, the driving force behind the famed Coast to Coast long distance trail, are also part of the fabric of the Lake District. And each of these writers were inspired by the region’s beautiful scenery, promoting it through their various types of writing. Eerie, wistful and hauntingly beautiful even in the wintery seasons, St Sunday Crag is the perfect introduction to hiking the fells of the Lake District.

Tip: On the way back down, stop by the Inn on the Lake in Glenridding for a celebratory pint. Not able to walk up the hill? There are lakeside strolls that might suit some hikers better (such as hiking to the waterfall Aira Force or the Ullswater Way, or even a boat tour that takes in the beauty of the lake Ullswater. Prefer St Sunday? Access the looped walk from Patterdale and follow the way-marked path for 14.6km/9.0 miles. Make it a challenging day by linking with a walk along the horseshoe combining St Sunday with Fairfield peak and Hart Crag – though only attempt if you have a guide or are an experienced hillwalker.

More of Beautiful Outdoor England

Lady Chapel, Glastonbury Abbey, England

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Lady Chapel, Glastonbury Abbey, England

Founded in the 8th century and then enlarged in the 10th century, Glastonbury Abbey has long been an important part of monastic England. Though destroyed by a fire in 1184, the abbey was rebuilt into a stunning gothic building of soaring towers, graceful arches and airy windows. By the 14th century, Glastonbury Abbey had reached fame and fortune, becoming one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. In fact, at one point, it was second in decoration only to Westminster Abbey in London! Though it would be beloved and famous regardless, Glastonbury has become famed for another reason: England’s most famous kingly legend, the tale of King Arthur. Back in the 12th century, pilgrimages had dropped and the abbey was in dire straits – desperately needing new funds. Luckily (and coincidentally) for the abbey, around this time the Glastonbury regions became associated with King Arthur, when the monks started to claim that this was the true site of Avalon. In 1191, during renovations of the abbey, the bodies of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were found on the abbey’s grounds inside a hollowed oak tree 16 meters down. Though the bodies were later “lost” (if they were ever found! More likely that the 12th-century monks did a very successful fake new marketing campaign…), the King Arthur connection still draws visitors to the abbey to this day. During the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1500s, associates of the evil Thomas Cromwell arrived, stripping the monastery of its valuables, evicting the monks and seizing the lands, and it suffered much decline until it was finally protected in 1882. Remains of several buildings still stand, including the Lady Chapel, barn, kitchens, and gatehouse. 

Pro tip: Glastonbury is an easy day trip from the popular spa town, Bath. Find out more about visiting the abbey here.

Visit in the Glastonbury Region

Inside the Palm House, Kew Gardens, London

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Inside the Palm House, Kew Gardens, London

Built in 1844 by Richard Turner, Kew Gardens’ Palm House might just be the biggest triumph of the Victorian glasshouse, and the closest we can get to imagining what the magnificently enormous Crystal Palace, built in 1851 for the World Fair and then moved, forgotten and later dismantled, might have been like. The Palm House is a feat of Victorian engineering. It also houses an important array of species in its warm interior. Rainforests only take up 2% of the planet, and yet they comprise over 50% of the world’s biodiversity. Many people here may not have the chance to travel across the world to experience and understand the rainforest – and yet, here at the heart of London, is a miniature rainforest, a place that has been amazing and educating visitors since it was first erected 170+ years ago. Ducking past the expansive palm leaves that lend the glasshouse their name, climb the stunning iron stairs to a narrow catwalk that overlooks the rest of the building and the species within. Here, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the lush forestry, flowers and other exotic plants – and an up-close look at the architecture of the incredible building itself. In some ways, Kew Gardens is a bit like time-travelling. Little has changed here in the Palm House – imagine yourself as a Victorian encountering such delights for the first time, from beautiful flowers to huge palms, bizarre plants and even the warm, humid climate maintained in the glasshouse to imitate that of a faraway rainforest. 

Pro tip:  Check Kew Gardens’ programme ahead of time. While the admission price is a bit hefty, there are often events, workshops and more that you can combine with your visit to the gardens and glasshouses. Plan to visit more than once a year? They have annual family membership options too. View their site.

Other Gardens of Interest: 

Colourful Bristol, England

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Colourful Bristol, England 

Bristol might not be the first place you think of in England. A stone’s throw from the popular ancient spa town of Bath, Bristol is a quirky student’s city, a vibrant, exciting place that is full of cool buildings, lively bars and restaurants, great shopping and also some pretty interesting history too – not to mention some vividly-painted streets. Located at the edge of the upscale but cool Clifton village, this colourful patchwork quilt of painted facades adds a spice of colour to this brick-heavy city. Even a hanging grey sky can’t stamp out this parade of colour along the River Avon (the same one that runs through Bath). These brightly-painted houses trace upwards along the slopes on the north side of the river along places like Church Lane, Ambrose Street, Southernhay Crescent and Argyle Street but you can see the the panorama viewed here from the Marina, just past the Great Western Dockyard on Spike Island (western end of the city). Bristol is a serious university city with a working class past. Today it is a a quirky place where you can find great bookshops, hip new galleries, small but fascinating museums, some great Victorian/industrial revolution architecture, riverside promenades and exciting new restaurants across the city (even some in old storage containers!). Bristol is a city overlooked by most but well worth a visit.

Pro tip: Not too far away from the Marina is Whapping Wharf district (eastern side of Spike Island) where there are a number of quirky restaurants in old shipping containers, such as Gambas Tapas, Box-E and Salt and Malt, a Curry shack as well as our personal favourite, Cargo Cantina, which does organic artesian tacos, nachos and margaritas. Get a patio table if the weather is nice! 

Find Other Quirky European Corners

Ullswater, Lake District, England

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Ullswater in the Lake District, England

The Lake District is one of England’s most iconic destinations. Tourists mob towards the best-known lakes, such as Lake Windermere. Our favourite, though, is Ullswater Lake. The second-largest – and third-deepest – lake in England, Ullswater is set on a beautiful canvas of mountains and hills framed by lush forests. So exceptional a place, the Lake District is actually one of England’s 15 UNESCO world heritage sites. Perhaps hike the Ullswater Way, a 20-circuit of the lake (walk it all or explore it in bitesize chunks – there are bus and boat stops along the way), or take a boat trip around the lake. But if you really want to get the best views of Ullswater, you’ll need to pull on your hardy hiking boots and get out your walking stick. There are a few hikes. For the very fit, you can tackle Helvellyn, which is England’s 3rd-highest peak (950m). If you’re a keen hiker but not up for that challenge, a better option is St Sunday crag. It’s still a sizeable peak at 840m high, and though it isn’t a walk in the park, it has stunning views over Ullswater and the surrounding mountains. Plus, you can easily get there on foot from the town. The hike will take you most of the day, but believe us, it’s definitely worth it. 

Pro tip: The Lake District in general can get busy. A great time to go is spring – March & April – before the tourist season kicks off. Finish up at the Inn of the Lake in Glenridding for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink. 

More Lakes to Hike in Europe: 

Painswick, England

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Pickwick hills

View from Painswick Rococo Gardens, England.

At the heart of the wonderful and beloved English Cotswolds are the Painswick Rococo Gardens, tucked into a lovely valley, and home to one of the largest plantings of snowdrops in England. The large number of snowdrops here give the appearance that the whole world has a light dusting of snow blanketing the green grass at certain times of the year. Painswick Rococo Gardens are the sole local survivor of the Rococo trend that briefly erupted in England in the early 18th century. Rococo is the name given to a style of art that was trendy in the 1700s and tends to be extremely ornamental, very showy, with use of light pastel colours, asymmetry and extravagance. During this era, the rich landowners of England loved nothing more than showing off their wealth, and one way to do that was through extravagant gardens, showcased during grand and frivolous parties. Think Jane Austen’s novels and you should get the idea (though she was early 1800s). Surrounding Painswick Gardens, the neighbouring green fields and rolling hills dotted with quaint thatched cottages surrounding the gardens make the English countryside seem even more magical. Visit the gardens for enchanted follies, beautiful views, interesting sculptures and art, lovely flowers, woodland walks, and even a maze.

Pro tip: Plan your visit here – keep an eye on their seasonal events. Snowdrops bloom in January, February and into March, though there are always flowers of some kind at Painswick. During the pandemic, advance booking required. There are also a nice café and kids play areas. Painswick Gardens are about 1 hour north of Bath and Bristol, and very close to Glouchester. There are also some Roman ruins nearby at Witcombe. 

More English Gardens:

This post was originally posted in 2013, and has since been updated & revised.

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, England

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Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, England

Actually called Hertford Bridge, this ornately astounding bridge in Oxford is often called the Bridge of Sighs, named for its resemblance to the famous Bridge of Sighs of Venice (the name given to the dramatic bridge as famously the prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of Venice before being hauled into their imprisonment). Interestingly though, the Oxford bridge actually resembles a smaller version of the massive Rialto Bridge in Venice more than the Bridge of Sighs! Oxford is a city of colleges – 39 colleges at last count. Most famous are probably University College, Christ Church College, Merton or Magdalen Colleges, but there are many more, including Hertford College, of which this bridge is part. Oxford and Cambridge (collectively known as Oxbridge) are the UK‘s top universities, but instead of comprising of just one uni, each town is riddled with dozens of universities that fly under the same flag. The Oxford Bridge of Sighs was finished in 1914 and connects old and new sections of Hertford, a college that today educates about 600 students at a time. Hertford can trace its lineage as a higher education centre back to 1282, though back then it operated as Hart Hall then later Magdalen Hall, and didn’t take on its current name/college until 1740. Alumni include William Tyndale, John Donne, Thomas Hobbes, Jonathan Swift and author Evelyn Waugh after it started accepting female students in the wildly-recent 1974.

Pro tip: Hertford Bridge is just across from the famous Bodleian Library – a place any book or history lover simply has to visit!

More Amazing English Architecture

Chihuly Sculptures in Kew Gardens, England

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London Chilluly Kew

Chihuly Sculptures in Kew Gardens, London, England

You might think it a bit odd to go one of the world’s most famous gardens to look at art. You might think it even more bizarre to go to a massive garden to look at glass sculptures. But that’s exactly one of the things to love about London‘s famed Royal Kew Gardens. There’s lots of glass to love in this amazing park-meets-outdoor-art-museum. Roughly broken into two periods, we have relics of the Victorian era with the amazing glasshouses (like the Palm House and the Temperate House), as well as the modern era, characterised by treetop walks, towering temples…and of course American glassblower Dale Chihuly’s beautiful designs in this open air gallery. According to Chihuly, he “love[s] the juxtaposition between installations and the natural elements, and how the work can be both complementary and striking in natural environments.’ It is here, in Kew Gardens, where art meets nature, and both are on magnificent display celebrating our planet’s intense beauty in biodiversity. Wandering the gardens, you’ll marvel at the flowers and trees as much as you do at the glasshouses and Chihuly’s designs. Above, you’ll see some of Chihuly’s most abstract pieces overlooking the Georgian palace, a stately home preserved in its historic beauty. Another of the Chihuly’s isn’t far off – lovely blue glass flowers are hanging from the high ceiling of the Temperate House (which houses plants from the planet’s temperate zones ie non-Equator, including Chihuly’s native USA). But the talented artist has added hundreds of nature-inspired glass sculptures all over the park – enjoy this modern-age artistic scavenger hunt on your next trip to London’s Kew Gardens!

Pro Tip: Don’t miss the indoor museum dedicated to Chihuly to learn more about his work. If you have deep pockets, you can even purchase one of his designs. Kew entrance fees and opening hours found here (pre booking now required). Easily accessible via the London Overground trains, which connects to the Tube downtown. 

What Else to Do in London?

*Please note that all photos posted since the start of the Pandemic travel restrictions are from the archives, or taken locally within a short distance of our home. 

The Chalice Well of Glastonbury, England

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Chalicewell

The Chalice Well of Glastonbury, England

Reading Kiersten White’s The Guinevere Deception has put legends – particularly that of King Arthur – at the front of the mind, bringing back memories of Glastonbury. The town of Glastonbury is one place with deep roots in the Arthurian legend. Some sources (okay yes, monks with a financial stake in the matter) say that the graves of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were here, at Glastonbury Abbey, before they were spirited off or destroyed (conveniently happening at a time when the abbey was in desperate need of fundraising). Some even try to associate this Somerset English town with the legendary Avalon. Whatever the truth, the Arthur legend is laden with Christian overtones, and Glastonbury’s King Arthur tendrils reach further than the Abbey and Glastonbury Tor. And then there’s the Chalice Well. Chalice, you say? Sounds Arthurian. Archeology says the Chalice Well has been in constant use for at least 2,000 years, possibly longer. Fed by a deep aquifer, the well, also known as the Red Spring, produces 110,000 litres of water tinted with a reddish hue per day (never failing, even in drought). Now surrounded by a well-manicured Sacred Garden, the Chalice Well lid has concentric designs bisected by a sword, likely Excalibur. Other myths say that this is where biblical Joseph of Arimathea hid the chalice containing Jesus’ blood – hence the water’s red colour. King Arthur of course is also linked to the Holy Grail, said to have searched for this holy relic with his famed knights. What myth came first? Is this place called the Chalice Well because King Arthur is supposedly buried nearby? Or was it this well’s holy connection that inspired the claim that Glastonbury is Arthur and Guinevere’s final resting place? Likely, we’ll never know. Regardless, this is a beautiful spot, and worth a visit on any tour (tor?) of Glastonbury.

Pro tip: This place is magical in spring. Use the regional Georgian (and Roman!) town of Bath as your base to venture on day trips around Somerset. Combine your trip to Glastonbury with a stop at the magnificent Wells Cathedral, one of England‘s most famous churches. Learn more about visiting the Chalice Well and Sacred Garden. 

More Burial Sites of Mythic Heroes

*Please note that all photos posted since the start of the Pandemic travel restrictions are from the archives, or taken locally within a short distance of our home. 

Natural History Museum, London, England

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London museum

Natural History Museum, London, England

The Natural History Museum is one of London‘s preeminent and established museums. Founded using the collections of 17th/18th century collector Sir Hans Sloane, the Natural History Museum was originally part of the British Museum (though formally separated in 1963). It is home to five main sections or types of scientific collections: botany, minerals, zoology, entomology (ie bugs), and finally palaeontology over an impressive 80 million artefacts! The building itself was built later in the Victorian gothic and Romanesque styles in South Kensington, and was finished in 1880. With reminisces of European cathedrals, abbeys and palaces, the amazing Natural History Museum building is as much a wonder as its collections both inside and out (in fact, the architect freely admitted that his designs were inspired by his long travels throughout the European continent). As an interesting design quirk, the building uses architectural terracotta tiles (to resist the dirt and soot of Victorian London), many of with contain imprints of fossils, flora and fauna, reflecting the building’s use. It is an amazing place to visit and learn while in central London.

Pro tip: The museum is free, and normally open daily from 10-17h30. It’s usually busy, but the lack of entrance fee means no lines. We recommend starting at the top to come face to face with the gigantic blue whale, and making your way down from there. It’s also near the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum. Alight at Gloucester Road or South Kensington. 

Miss museum-going during the pandemic? Visit museums virtually! Take a look at the extensive online collections of the British Museum (recommend to listen to exhibits) or these other museums on this list.

More of Victorian London & Nearby

*Please note that all photos posted since the start of the Pandemic travel restrictions are from the archives, or taken locally within a short distance of our home. 

Bradford-on-Avon, England

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Bradford on Avon

Bradford-on-Avon, England

Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds is the little Wiltshire town called Bradford-on-Avon. Though tracing its origins back to the Roman era like its nearby sibling Bath, Bradford really exploded in the late middle ages due to the woollen textile industry. This legacy has left several of its original buildings such as the marvellously quaint pub, The Bridge, founded in 1502. In Bradford-on-Avon, you’ll also find thatched roofs, picture-perfect churches, historic tithe barns, and grand Georgian streets (much like in Bath). This fairy-town town happily overlooks the Avon River and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Once used to transport goods across the country, the canal lost its significance with the growth of  railways, but Bradford was genius enough to restore to the lock and canal to working order by the ’80s, providing a link to Bath (via the Avon) in the west, and the Thames at Reading in the east. Home to a pretty little path running alongside the canal, this is a wonderful place for a walk, bike or run on those few but appreciated sunny mornings.

Pro tip: If you’re a runner, Bradford’s canal is surely one of the best places in the world to go for a run! Try running along the canal from Bath to Bradford-on-Avon (or vice versa); it’s about 10 miles and the views of the canal, houseboats, swans, countryside and wee houses are stunning. Then, take the train back to your starting point.  

More Beautiful Small Towns in England
  1. Bath, England
  2. Winchester, England
  3. Oxford, England
  4. Mucker, England
  5. Stratford-upon-Avon, England

This post originally appeared in 2013. It has since been revised and updated. 

Bridge in Prior Park, Bath, England

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prior park

The Palladian Bridge in Prior Park, Bath, England

England is a lovely place; Bath is even lovelier. Ancient Roman baths, Gothic abbeys, picturesque canals, charming cobblestones, Georgian architecture, amazing bridges and green parks come together to make one of England’s loveliest cities. It helps too that Bath was home to one of England’s most influential writers, Jane Austen, and it featured in many of her stories (notably Persuasion and Northanger Abbey). On the other side of Bath’s canal, meandering forest trails wind through the grounds of Prior Park and its Palladian house built in the mid-1700s as a way of displaying the use of Bath limestone as a potential building material. The house, as well as this bridge nestled deep into the park’s hillsides, was built following the style imbued by 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, whose rigid classical style briefly became popular in the UK during the mid 17th- and 18th-centuries before being cut short by the Civil War. Palladio valued lines, symmetry and perspective – the ultimate version of Neoclassical architecture. Inspired by the Greeks and Romans, Palladio derived a style that adapted the symmetry of Roman temples and palaces to a more modern manor house. Today owned by the Prior Park College and the National Trust, Prior Park is one of Bath’s hidden gems and well worth the countryside stroll!

Pro tip: No car? Save your walking for when you get to the park. The No. 2 bus runs every 30 mins (from BK on Dorchester Street), though you can indeed walk – its about 20-30 mins from the city centre. Check their website for up-to-date opening info as well as events and festivities happening in the park during your visit. Looking for more walking? The lovely canal you crossed to get to Prior Park is a beautiful place to walk or jog. 

More of Bath and its Environs

This article was originally posted in 2015. It has since been updated.  

 

Corfe Castle, England

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Corfe castle, England

Corfe Castle Courtyard, England

Built by the infamous William the Conquerer, this 11th century castle occupies a commanding position over the Dorset hills and coastlines in southern England (though archeological evidence suggests that the area has been occupied for as much as 6,000 years). Corfe Castle holds the distinction of being one of England‘s first stone (or at least partially stone) castles and though ruined, Corfe Castle is still partially intact. The medieval era saw further defensive structural changes in the 12th-13th centuries (in keeping constant with updates in warfare), staying more or less the same until 1572 when Queen Elizabeth sold Corfe Castle to a member of the English nobility. Besieged twice during the English Civil War, the second siege led to the castle’s downfall, and in 1645 it was deliberately destroyed (in technical terms, it was “slighted”) to eliminate Corfe Castle as a military power. Slowly falling into ruin since then, Corfe Castle is now one of southern England’s most impressive castle ruins, located in the Isle of Purbeck Peninsula (which is not actually an island). The Neolithic, Celtic, Roman, Viking, Saxon, Norman, Medieval and Elizabethan periods all show their faces on this beautiful part of English heritage.

Pro tip: You can take the train to Corfe Castle, alighting at Corfe Station. There are many lovely walks in the area – in particular, the hike along the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset is particularly lovely. The closest city of consequence is Bournemouth, though Salisbury is decidedly more beautiful. 

Visit Southern England

 

Temperate Glasshouse in Kew Gardens, London

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kew glasshouse

Temperate Glasshouse in Kew Gardens, London, England

The Kew Royal Botanic Gardens are some of the finest botanical gardens in the world.  Spread over 121 hectares (300 acres), wander amongst some 50,000 plants found across this UNESCO World Heritage site outside London. The jewel of Kew Gardens is the beautiful Temperate House. This Victorian-era glasshouse – opened 1862 – was built to be the stunning entrance to the royal gardens when the rail line was complete. Things didn’t go to plan, and the railway station was moved to the other end of the park. The building itself is quite marvellous, containing thousands of panes of glasses (replaced after more than 100 WWII-era bombs rocked Kew), while the thousands of plants within this iron and glass dome are even more so. The Victorians had an intense curiosity. Those who could afford to went on adventures to all corners of the Earth in search of the new and exotic to bring back to mother England – or more likely, sponsored an explorer to go off in their name. Those who couldn’t afford the adventures themselves would instead satisfy their curiosity by going to palm houses, world fairs, circuses, museums, curiosity cabinets, exhibits, wax halls, and other such places. Housing 1,500 plants from 5 continents and 16 islands, the Temperate House covers plants within the temperate zone (where most of the world population lives, the temperate zone is sandwiched between the polar and tropics – including North America, Europe, China, Australia, southern Africa, and parts of South America). While at the Temperate House, wander the narrow alleys between plants before climbing up to the viewing platform for an aerial panorama of the ecosystems below and the wrought and cast iron structure above. Whether or not you have an interest in biology and ecosystems, Kew Gardens and its glasshouses are a fascinating place – both pulling you into the past with its Victorian glasshouses as well as looking towards the future at the effects humans have on the planet, and working to conserve and protect the Earth’s flora.

Pro tip: Visit the Palm House while you’re at Kew Gardens. When you’re in Belfast, be sure to visit the Palm House in Belfast’s Botanical Gardens and in Dublin visit the National Botanic Gardens – all four glasshouses are designed by Victorian-era architect Richard Turner. Also while in Kew, be sure to check out the beautiful glass art by artist Dale Chihuly.

What else is there to see in London?

 

Hall’s Croft in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

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Hall’s Croft House in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

Stratford-upon-Avon is one of England’s most historic cities. Perhaps most famous for its connection to English playwright William Shakespeare, many of the 16th and 17th century historic houses have some sort of connection to the most famous playwright of the English language. Hall’s Croft House is part of the “next generation” – the Jacobean house once inhabited by William Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna, and her husband, his son-in-law John Hall, who was a successful doctor in Stratford-Upon-Avon. A beautiful example of a timbered house inspired by styles of medieval timbered buildings, Hall’s Croft was built in 1613 in a fashionable part of Stratford. John Hall himself, though attaining nothing like the fame of William Shakespeare, was a respected doctor in his day, even writing a popular medical textbook. Not only was he good at his job (focussing on herbs and plants as opposed to blood-letting or other archaic and crude practices), he was compassionate as well, treating both Catholic and Protestant patients, as well as those of differing economic statuses. Hall’s Croft may just be one structure in a city crowded with rich history and incredible architecture, but it is certainly one of the most fascinating mirrors into the past during the time of William Shakespeare. Don’t miss the simple and rustic yet beautiful interiors or the stunning walled gardens to the back of Hall’s Croft.

Pro tip: Though it’s possible to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon as a day trip from Birmingham or Oxford, staying overnight here or in a neighbouring village in the Cotswolds is a far more enjoyable way to discover this historic place. Hall’s Croft is one of 5 properties part of the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust. Though you can buy a ticket to visit just Hall’s Croft (which is the cheapest of the 5) or any of the places, if you want to visit more than one site, it’s more cost effective to buy the full ticket – it’s even valid for 12 months if you’re ever back in Stratford during that time! Learn more here. 

Visit More Historical Sites in England

 

Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum, England

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Oxford Pitt Rivers Museum, England

The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England

Perhaps one of the strangest museums you’ll ever visit but certainly a hidden gem found in an otherwise genteel and academic Oxford, the Pitt Rivers Museum is like a peek behind the curtain at the chaotic underbelly of Victorian England. Though today we may look back at the Victorians and their self-important and slightly condescending world views with disdain, it was a time when people were simply curious about the world, when they wanted to be awed and amazed, a Europe full of people fascinated to learn everything – and the stranger the better. The Victorian era was a time of intense curiosity, knowledge and discovery of the outside world. Bizarre but wondrous technological inventions, exotic flora and fauna, items and traditions from far-flung cultures – it was all new and fascinating. This is the era of the Crystal Palace of London, the Palm Houses of Kew Gardens, Belfast and more, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, the time of the World Fairs and world expositions, of steam engines and curiosity museums. Amidst all this was born the Pitt Rivers Museum. Founded in 1884 by Augustus Pitt Rivers, a former soldier, anthropologist, ethnologist, and archaeologist, the Pitt Rivers Museum is today part of the renowned University of Oxford. With a collection arranged by use instead of by age or location found, the Pitt Rivers Museum is home to over 500,000 objects (though Augustus’s original collection started off with 22,000), with the largest being a 11-metre-high Haida totem pole. The museum was set up this way in order to show the Victorian (and now modern) viewer of humanity’s upwards progression in design, technology and skill, as well as the fascinating evolution of culture and tradition of exotic communities, starting with the most simple societies all the way up to the complex. The museum is a place full of wonders and a perfect viewpoint not only of the cultures on display, but also of the culture that set it up.

Pro tip: Find the Pitt Rivers Museum to the east of Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where you’ll locate the only accessed point. Afterwards, head down the narrow cobbled alley to Turf Tavern, a 13th century tavern, fabled to be the most difficult pub in Oxford and long popular as a place for students to exchange ideas.

Other Timeless & Fascinating Places in England

 

Sham Castle in Bath, England

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Sham Castle overlooking Bath, England

True to its name, Sham Castle is indeed a fake. It is what the English call a “folly” (yes, they have an official term for “fake castle” in Europe!). Follies are fake castles built relatively recently – usually 18th-19th century – to resemble a medieval castle. Folly castles were built simply because a rich gentleman and lady decided that they wanted an exciting, over-sized lawn ornament. In this case, the castle was designed and built by architect Richard James for an important local gentleman called Ralph Allen, overlooking the beautiful town of Bath. With a style clearly supposed to evoke reminisces of King Arthur‘s day, the castle was only built in 1762! In fact, Sham Castle is just a facade. No doors, no windows, no roof,  no walls other than the front one. The reason why Allen dispensed large amounts of cash for a false structure that is nothing more than a facade and hidden away in the forest up a steep hill? To improve the view and “prospect” of his posh townhouse in central Bath. Of course. He wasn’t even the only one. Follies such as Broadway Tower, Fronthill Abbey, Hagley Hill, Castle Hill in Filleigh, Gwrych Castle, and many others exist all over the UK and to a lesser extent, all over Europe. It seems that 18th and 19th Europeans were just as obsessed with castles then as we are today; the difference being that then, instead of voyaging to the real ones, they merely hired someone to build a fake one in their own backyards!

Pro tip: You can run or hike up through the woods to Sham Castle on the Bath Skyline Walk (more info here) – do the whole looped walk (6 miles) or just an out and back up to the castle. Once at the castle, you’ll get some amazing views over bath! Back in Bath, there are many options for refreshments – there are a number of great pubs and cafes. Be sure to taste a pasty while here!

Find Other Fake Castle Follies in Europe
  1. Vajahunyad Castle in Budapest, Hungary
  2. Kruzenstein Castle near Vienna, Austria
  3. Albigny-sur-Soane near Lyon, France
  4. Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, Belgium
  5. Chateau Montmelas in the Beaujolais, France
  6. Castle Island on Lough Key, Ireland

This is an update and rewrite of a post originally written in 2013. 

Trafalgar Square, London, England

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London fountain

Trafalgar Square in London, England

London is one of Europe’s most beautiful and fascinating cities. At the centre of its buzzing arteries is the scenic Trafalgar Square. Named for the Battle of Trafalgar, an significant English naval victory in 1805, Trafalgar Square has been an important landmark of London since the 1300s when it was home to the Royal Mews (the alleyway where first hawks then royal steeds and their stablehands were lodged until the 19th century).  Around the time that the Royal Mews were relocated, Nelson’s Column and its accompanying lion sculptures was installed. Once again commemorating the British Navy (Nelson was an important Navy admiral), Nelson’s Column was added as a centrepiece to the newly redesigned Trafalgar Square, evoking a sense of magnitude. The fountains were added both for effect beauty as well as in an attempt to counteract the heat and glare that was reflected off the asphalt of the square. Site of countless demonstrations, it’s also one London’s busiest squares, not just for tourists but also for commuters, bikes and buses. Today, Trafalgar houses the entrance of London’s National Gallery, one of the best art museums in the word. As such, Trafalgar plays host to many art installations, Christmas trees – even a clock that counted down to the London Olympics.

Pro tip: Whether you’re an art lover or not, it’s worth a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Trafalgar Square. With an entry free of charge and a massive collection that spans hundreds (if not over a thousand) of years, it’s definitely one of London’s must see museums. Visit during the Golden Hour for the best lighting – the sunlight really plays off the stonework of Trafalgar Square. Though there are many buses that pass through Trafalgar, the easiest way is via the tube – alight at Charing Cross from either the Northern or Bakerloo lines. 

What Else to Visit in London

 

Possible Robin Hood’s Grave in Yorkshire Dales, England

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Yorkshire dales Robin hood

One of Robin Hood’s many graves in Yorkshire Dales, England

Northern England is an overlooked, but wonderful place for hiking. The beautiful Yorkshire Dales are an ancient place full of myth and legend – not to mention great beauty. A dale is a British word to describe a valley. Dales pepper the quiet, little-visited regions of northern England where accents are thick, roads are narrow and villages are quaint. It is little wonder that legend and folklore is prevalent in this region. Robin Hood is certainly the best-known tale. No one’s sure of Robin Hood was a real person or not, but he sure does have a lot of graves, with dozens of sites across northern England claiming the honour. This little cairn tucked into a desolate valley in the Yorkshire Dales is just one of many to hold the name. Though Nottingham is the most famous place in Robin Hood ballads, it is generally acknowledged that he was in fact from Yorkshire. The ballads paint him and his merry band of followers like Little John and Friar Tuck as romantic thieves, roaming the countryside in order to steal to steal from the rich to give to the poor. He is said to have died while being bled (a common medieval medical practice) at the Priory of Kirklees. Even though there is still a debate on whether the man really existed, he exists through various place names scattered throughout England, each one claiming something to do with the great legend. Real or not, the story of Robin Hood isn’t going anywhere – and it makes for a great point of interest while hiking the backcountry of Northern England!

Pro tip: When you’re in the area, head to the village of Penrith to stop by Kennedys Fine Chocolates for artesian boxes of chocolates or even just a delicious cup of hot cocoa!

Visit other places in England:

 

The River Avon & Church, Bath, England

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Overlooking St John’s Church on Bath’s River Avon, England

Surely one of the quaintest and most quintessentially English towns in all of England is Bath. The tranquil waters of the River Avon winds through the city, a labyrinth of limestone facades constructed with a local stone called Bath Limestone, with the canal on the other side of Bath. Houseboats lap quietly against their moorings, ducks splash on the lush green backs. Church steeples  – like St John’s Church steeple – rise dramatically against a cloudy sky. Forming the southern entrance to the Cotswolds region, Bath is recognised as one of England’s most picturesque places. Lined with rows of proud Georgian houses centred around the impressive Bath Abbey and the ancient Roman baths that lend themselves to the city’s name, Bath seems like a time capsule that has captured the Roman era, medieval times and Georgian England. It feels almost as if we were stepping out of a Jane Austen novel – which in a way is true. Jane Austen lived here from 1801 – 1806, and set some of her novels here (though it is known that she disliked the high society of 19th century Bath). Jane Austen may have found fault with Bath, but to the modern day visitor, Bath is the perfect picture of England! (It also makes for a good jumping off point to explore the Cotswolds region…).

Pro tip: The recently-renovated Holburn Museum of Art is a lovely little art museum showcasing local painting. Runners (or walkers) might enjoy a walk along the Kennet & Avon canal – start from Bath and walk the 10 miles along the lovely and tranquil canal path to the lovely Cotswolds town of Bradford-on-Avon (well worth a visit!) and return to Bath via the local train. Another great walk will take you up the hill to Sham Castle. Also nearby is Bristol (also the local airport), a quirky artsy town.

Other Lovely English Towns near the Cotswolds

 

Tower Bridge & City Hall, London

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london-bridge

Tower Bridge & City Hall, London, England

Amidst Brexit shenanigans, London remains both irrevocably changed as well as the same wonderful place it has always been. One thing that London does so well – and so much better than any other city in Europe – is perfectly blend the old and the new. No where else can the Globe, the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral sit together in perfect harmony on two sides of the mighty Thames River and seem to complement each other so perfectly. Here London is up to its old tricks again. Stroll through the ultra modern architecture of City Hall and the London Riverside to admire the light and airy glass and steel manipulated into curvy and wavy lines – which contrasts steadily with the Victorian-era and icon of English historical landmarks, London’s Tower Bridge. Built in the 1890s, this dual-functioning bridge allows pedestrians and vehicle to cross while also working as a drawbridge for passing ships and barges on the Thames. London may be a massive city but the best way to explore its nooks and crannies is by picking a direction and starting to walk – no matter how many times you visit, you never know what gem you may happen to find!

Pro tip: The Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is free to walk across but there is a fee of £9.80 to enter the towers (open 9.30 – 17.30) – once engine rooms and now exhibitions. 

More amazing parts of London

 

Muker Village in Swaledale, England

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mucker-swaledale-village

Muker Village in Swaledale, England

Amongst Brexit talks and EU deals, sometimes you just want to find a little corner of Britain overlooked by the world, a place one can relax to a simpler tune. Northern England – specifically the Yorkshire Dales and Cambria – is just that place. Swaledale is a beautiful dale or valley (one of the northernmost within Yorkshire Dales National Park) in the Pennines Hills, containing some of Northern England’s most quaint villages. One such place is Muker Village which, despite its name, comes straight out of a fairytale! The quintessential stone town is the picture of 18th and 19th century rural charm. Built alongside a bustling little brook crossed by a perfect stone bridge, Muker has a quaint English parish church, an old world tea shop, a traditional pub, an old village hall, crafts and arts galleries and meandering cobbled streets closely lined with old stone houses. For all intents and purposes, it is the perfect example of an English country village. And its location in Swaledale, surrounded by the world-famous barns, drystone walls and sheep-dotted pastures, complete the painting. Mining and agriculture were once the only industries here, leaving Muker, Swaledale and Yorkshire in general in much isolation – a fate which helped keep local traditions alive. Today, Muker has finally found itself on the map now that the famous long distance hiking path, England’s Coast to Coast Trail (a 192 mile/309 km path) traverses Swaledale and Muker village (as well as three national parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Moors). And even more excitingly, in 2014 the first stage of the Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate passed through Muker!

Pro tip: If you’re planning to hike the Coast to Coast (in entirety or even only just a section of it), you’ll get the most out of it with a local guide. Muker village to Keld Village along the River Swale is a lovely 5km (3 mile) gentle walk through one of the most beautiful dales of the region! Best to hike on the western bank of the river. 

Other beautiful villages to visit: