8 days of the United Kingdom: Day Eight

Today, we will be traveling to the amazing and historic city of Bath, England.  Bath is famous for the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, The Circus, The Royal Crescent and the Pulteney Bridge.

 

Bath was selected in 1987 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most beautiful, historic cities in the world. 

The Royal Crescent is one of the world’s best known landmarks. Built between 1767 and 1775, the crescent has not changed at all since.  No 1 is open to the public (for a small fee) and allows visitors to step beyond the Palladian façade to discover how the rich of the 18th century lived. The road was voted the second prettiest in all of London and is a very good example of the stone that Bath is so famous for.

 

Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops spanning both sides. This, combined with its graceful position over the river Avon, earns it the status of being one of the most elegant sites in England.  You don’t need to purchase anything to enjoy this site, just sit on a park bench and enjoy the view.

The Jane Austen centre is also located in Bath.  The city of Bath has a very near and deep connection to the life and writing of Jane Austen.  Transplanted there when she was a little girl, Bath influenced Austen’s writing and was featured in two of her novels.  This place is a little disappointing.  I would recommend doing a walking tour around the city that is Jane Austen featured instead of going to this Centre.

 

The Thermae Bath Spa is also located in Bath and features a natural boiling water underground water supply.  The spa caters to all needs and budgets. Those who are watching the pennies can pay £22 to enjoy an ample two-hour spa session that gives access to the famous roof-top pool, steam pods and foot spas, and the spacious Minerva bath. They also offer all-day spa session including meals.  They treatments range from the more traditional full body massage to the more unusual chocolate indulgence and foot massage.  Because the water is coming from a natural supply, it is not as warm as you might expect a normal spa to be.

Bath Abbey is located right next to the Roman Baths and is known for it’s amazing fan vaulting ceiling.  The west front is suppose to represent a Jacob’s Ladder dream of a 15th-century bishop. When you go inside and see its many windows, you’ll understand why the abbey is called the “Lantern of the West.”

It would be difficult to talk about things to do in Bath, without mentioning the world-famous Sally Lunn buns.  Sally Lunn’s is also the oldest house in Bath.  They have a free museum and offer a relatively inexpensive cuisine.  The bunns are delicious and I recommend getting a few with cinnamon and sugar.

The most impressive thing you need to see is the Pump room and Roman baths.  Founded in A.D. 75 by the Romans, the baths were dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva; in their day, they were an engineering feat. Even today, they’re among the finest Roman remains in the country, and they are still fed by Britain’s most famous hot-spring water.  They are a beautiful site to see and you can even feel the heat radiating off of them when you get close.  Sadly, you are not allowed to go in the water due to health risks, but the spa is just next door.

The Pump room next door does allow you to try a safe version of the Roman Bath water, said to have many healing qualities.  The water is warm, smells like rotten eggs and doesn’t taste any better than it smells. But it is quite the experience and a funny one to watch if you have unsuspecting friends drink it without knowing what the water is.  The water is free with your admission ticket to the baths, but otherwise only costs 50p a cup.

Hope you have a great time in Bath.  Check out BritBound’s website for help with relocating to UK and for discounts on other side trips in the EU area.

8 Days of the United Kingdom: Day Seven

On day seven we are heading over to Stonehenge, Avebury and Salisbury.  It is quite easy to catch a train or bus to any of these sites, or to take a guided tour of all three in one day.

Stonehenge is a world heritage site and one of the most important prehistoric sites in Great Britain.  The final stone structure that we see today was believed to have been built around 1500 B.C.  Speculation on why it was built range from human sacrifice to astronomy. 

The tour of Stonehenge comes with a free audio guide that explains the history and some of the mysteries that surround the stone circle.  The stones have been roped off since 1978 to help stop the erosion and damage caused by the high traffic of tourists.  However, if you book and apply for Stone access way in advance, you will be able to walk inside of the circle.  Unfortunately you will still be unable to touch the stones – but you will have a much more personal experience than the average tourist.

The audio tour will last around an hour or an hour and half, depending on how long you take to look at the stones.  I would suggest taking a lot of pictures in front of the stones, try taking a jumping photo or make a pyramid with some friends to make the day more interesting. 

After you have finished your tour of Stonehenge head over to Avebury near Marlborough, Wiltshire.  Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury is free and you can actually go up and touch the stones. 

Avebury is around 5,000 years old and is one of the largest and most complete ancient stone structures in Europe.  It’s really nice to see after Stonehenge, since you can interact and take photos with the stones (or collect a small, fallen piece).  Many of the original stones were broken up or removed during the early 14th century as a way of removing paganism and spreading the Christian faith.  Only 27 of the outer circle stones remain, though concrete pylons now mark the former locations of the missing stones.

After you have finished hiking around Avebury (they also have a small museum on the history and excavation of the Avebury stones that you can visit for a small fee) take a small drive (or bus) to Salisbury.

Salisbury is probably most famous for its cathedral.  You can worship, climb to the top of Britain’s tallest spire, or study the world’s best preserved Magna Carta.

For dinner, head over to The Pheasant for some traditional pub food.  A 15th century public house refurbished back to its prime, with a mix of English food and Mediterranean cuisine.  It’s not far from the Cathedral or the city centre, so it will give you a nice chance to check out all of the local shops before you begin your journey back home.

8 days of the United Kingdom: Day Six

Today we are going to be exploring the amazing seaside city of Brighton.  Train tickets to Brighton are very inexpensive and can be purchased at the rail station the day of your trip if needed. 

The one thing that you absolutely must see while in Brighton is The Royal Pavilion.  The Royal Pavilion is the former royal residence of the King George IV, who frequently visited the city to have discrete liaisons with his long time companion, Maria Fitzherbert.  The palace remained a royal residence until Queen Victoria, who thought the palace was too small for her growing family, sold the palace to the city in 1850 for £53,000. 

The building has been restored to its original design from 1823 with its Indian exterior and Chinese interior.  They offer a free audio guided tour (with purchase of any ticket). The tour includes the State Rooms, banqueting room, music room, the royal bedrooms where King George spent his last days and other rooms such as the great kitchen and the servants’ corridors.   The banqueting room will definitely be a highlight of your visit.

After you have finished your tour, head on down to the beach.  If you plan your trip during the summer months, you can have a nice swim or lay on the beach.  As a warning to anyone who does plan to walk on the beach or go in the water – The beach is made of pebbles and can become very uncomfortable on bare feet.  I would recommend flip flops for walking on the beach or aqua shoes for swimming. 

Many shops, activities, and restaurants line the beach.  The most famous place in the area to stop for a bite or to play an arcade game is the Brighton Pier.  Enjoy a crepe or some fish and chips before you venture through the arcade and make your way to the carnival rides. 

The rides can be a little pricey, so make sure to choose carefully.  I would recommend the Super Booster for those looking for the ultimate thrill as the ride dangles and flips you 125 feet in the air over the ocean.

After you have finished with the carnival, head over to the Brighton Lanes.  The lanes are a shopper’s paradise of winding roads filled with a mix of independent and designer boutiques.  Buy some hand-made soap or have your fortune read on the street from a “certified” psychic.  Whether you are are searching for antiques or something that may be considered a bit quirky, the lanes offers it all.

After you have finished with your day of sightseeing, shopping, and beach bumming head over to the Theatre Royal Brighton on New Road.  The theatre is the region’s leading venue and in the past had featured performances by Laurence Olivier and Judy Dench.  Ticket prices can run as low as 15 Pounds, so make sure to book your show in advance to guarantee your seat.

 

 Hope you enjoy your stay in Brighton.  Bath and Stonehenge still to come…

8 days of the United Kingdom: Day Five

On day five, we are still exploring London.  Take the tube to Tower Hill and head across the street to the Tower of London.

The Tower of London is one of the most iconic sites in Great Britain.  Buy online so you can skip the queue and get right into the castle.  The ticket includes a guided yeoman warder tour.  They deliver stories of passion, pain, torture, and betrayal in full beefeater uniform.  The guide will explain why six ravens are always required at the tower of London and may even complain that they are treated and fed better than the actual warders of the Tower.

23,578 crown jewels await you in the Jewel Tower under an armed guard and behind bulletproof glass.  They are considered the greatest working collection of crown jewels in the world and act as a symbol of the British Monarchy.  Be warned.  The prize jewels are put around conveyor belts to keep any person from staring too long.  Though you are able to go around more than once if the Tower isn’t too crowded.  After you have seen the jewels, head outside to the Tower green so you can see the memorial established to the people (three of them queens) who died at the Tower.

When you have sufficiently seen enough of the nooks and crannies that make up the Tower of London, head a little way down the river to Tower Bridge.  For around £7, you can be dazzled by the amazing view of the riverfront.  If you pay to take a tour you will be let into the stunning victorian engine rooms to see how the drawbridge works and allowed to walk across the high level walkway.  Films and interactive displays are all around.  The Tour usually takes around an hour and a half.

If you don’t want to pay to take the tour, you are still able to walk across the lower level of the bridge and watch the raising and lowering of the bridge.  Times for that can be found here.

For dinner, try something different and head over to Thai Square.  Thai food is quickly becoming popular in Great Britain and it is certainly an adventure for those who never venture away from the conventional fish and chips.  The service is quick and attentive and you should be happy with your food no matter what you order – be it duck, curry, or Talay kratiem priktai dum.  It is located at 136 – 138 Minories, London, EC3N 1NT, just a short distance from the Tower Hill Tube station.

After dinner, head over to the London Dungeons located at 28-34 Tooley Street London SE1 2SZ.  The london dungeon brings London’s horrible history to life with 12 shows, live actors, special effects, and 2 scary rides.  Not for those who fear enclosed spaces or are quesy around blood and guts.  It might be a good idea to give yourself a little time between dinner and this activity to avoid any issues. 

End of Day Five.  Brighton, Bath, and Stonehenge will finish up this series.

8 days of the United Kingdom: Day Four

On day four, we can only hope to have a clear and sunny day in London…or at least partly cloudy.  Begin the day by heading over to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The current St. Paul’s Cathedral was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 – 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The church has held funerals for individuals such as Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill.  In a twist that showed how devoted they were to the people, the Cathedral was also the site of Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana Spencer.  St. Paul’s has always been considered the “People’s Church” while Westminster is considered the Royal’s.

Marvel at the amazing architecture as you enter the building.  Take time to examine the nave, the dome, and the Wellington monument while you walk around.  There is also a marble effigy of John Donne – a former Dean of the Chapel and a famous poet.  The effigy is one of the few things to survive the Great Fire of London and scorch marks are still visible at the base.

 

 

 

 

 

If you feel you are physically fit, start climbing the 528 steps to the top of the dome.  First stop in the Whispering Gallery, where you and a friend can try to whisper secrets to each other across the large hall.

Take another break in the stone gallery and take a few pictures of the amazing view around the city.  If you have no fear of heights, then continue on up to the Golden Gallery.  Those who have problems with heights or enclosed spaces may have difficulty climbing to the top -as this area is a see through iron staircase that goes four stories up.  This is not for the faint of heart but those who do complete it are allowed the best 360 degree view in all of London.

 

Tickets can be purchased online or at the front entrance on the day you want to go.  Church services are always free, but remember you will not be allowed into the galleries if you attend a service.  The crypt is also free and has a convenient little cafe down there if you need to grab a quick bite after seeing Lord Nelson’s final resting place.  After you have completed your morning tour of St. Paul’s take the tube over to Sloane Square to see the Saatchi Gallery.

The museum has an always changing gallery of modern art.  The names featured will not be as big as what is offered at the Tate modern, but it is a much more relaxing modern art museum and they space out the pieces in such a nice way so you don’t get overwhelmed by all the art.

For dinner, try a little Italian and head over to Caraffini. Reservations are needed a few days in advance, but the food will be well worth it.  Considering the quality of this restaurant, the prices are very reasonable. I recommend trying the Taglierini with fresh Lobster, a special they frequently offer, to get the full dining experience.

After dinner, head over to The Pheasantry for a caberet show.  Fascinating Aida has been performed for over 27 years with Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman and Dillie Keane delivering witty, musically nimble tunes that hark back to music-hall classics while remaining up to date with recent subjects including Tesco and cheap flights.

8 Days of the United Kingdom: Day 3

Day three is a good time to enhance your knowledge and there is no easier way to do this than heading down to South Kensington.  This section of London can be reached on the circle via South Kensington or on bus routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 and C1.

You could probably spend a day or more at each of these museums but if you only have one day to spare then try to plan your hours at each museum accordingly.

Victoria and Albert Museum

V&A South Kensington is one of the world’s greatest museums of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years’ worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world’s richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

The way to get the most out of this museum is to take a free guided tour.  Tours depart from the Meeting Point in the Grand Entrance at the following times: 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30 – and last approximately one hour.  Tours include highlights of the recently opened Medieval & Renaissance Galleries, the British Galleries and introductory tours of the collections.

If art and design isn’t your forte, go across the street to the Natural History Museum.  Begin your journey through the entrance on Exhibition Road.  You will start in the Red Zone of the museum in the Visions of Earth. Walk along an avenue of sculptures and examine beautiful specimens, including a piece of the moon. Then take the escalator up through the beautiful giant Earth sculpture made from iron, zinc and copper.  Study the insides of the sculpture fast, because the escalator keeps you moving and cameras don’t work well in the dim lighting.

The escalator should bring you up to the section entitled, “The Power Within.”  This is my favorite section of the museum and shows the effects of earthquakes and volcanoes on the world.  To give you an idea of what it’s like to be under a volcano, watch terrifying footage of flowing lava and ash, and examine a reconstruction of what happened when Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted in 1991.  See the cast of a man and his dog hardened in time from Pompeii.  Feel the earth move for yourself with a visit to the Kobe Supermarket earthquake machine. You can see and feel the amazing effects of an earthquake, captured live on supermarket security cameras.

Head down to Earth’s treasury and see all the different rocks and jewels that have been collected over the years.  On the other side of this floor is “From the Beginning.” Travel back in time and discover the amazing story of the survival of life on Earth. See how the planet has evolved by examining the time rail that runs through the gallery. With every step you take, you move on 25 million years.  Down the stairs to the first floor will have you end up in “Earth: Today and Tomorrow.” This exhibit teaches you that Maintaining a balance between human needs and the effect on the environment is essential, not just in agriculture but in the way we use energy, create living space and dispose of waste.

Even if you are running short on time, make sure to visit the blue zone on the opposite side of this wonderful museum for an amazing collection of dinosaurs.  Go back up to 160 million years ago to see what the dinosaurs ate, what they looked like, and how they evolved.  Come face to face with the museum’s animatronic T-Rex.  Marvel at his giant teeth and jawbones and make sure to take a few pictures with him roaring in the background.

You can also see the complete skeleton of a triceratops and random bits and pieces of other dinosaurs as you complete your journey with theories of what made the dinosaurs die out.  Head into the mammals exhibit to marvel at the awesome life-size model of a blue whale suspended from the gallery ceiling. The blue whale is the largest creature known to man, being larger than the dinosaurs, and is still alive today.

If you still have time after exploring these exhibits, (Don’t forget to check out the orange and green zones as well), then head down the street toward Royal Albert Hall.  Royal Albert Hall was first opened in 1871 and has remained central to London’s culture ever since. The hall was built for the advancement of science and the Arts and was named after the late Prince Albert.  Tickets will probably need to be purchased in advance, though they occasionally have some left at the door.  The current performances are the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cirque de Soliel, Bootleg Beatles, and Eric Clapton.  Check out the website to buy tickets to an event that coincides with your visit.  The insides of the Hall are magnificent and if you are unable to see a show, make sure to arrange a tour (Starting at 8 Pounds!)

For Dinner, you can make a reservation at one of the three restaurants in Royal Albert Hall, the Coda, Cafe Consort, and Elgar.  I recommend trying the Cafe Consort, since the prices are more affordable than the Coda, and they have a slightly larger selection than the Elgar.  Try the pan-fried salmon hash with a fried free-range egg, slow roasted plum tomatoes and baby watercress salad for only 10 pounds.

Good Luck and hope you have an amazing day three!  For those of you who still have energy to burn, check out an earlier post about the science museum’s “Silent disco’s” for another night activity in South Kensington.

8 days of the United Kingdom: Day 2

Day two is time to connect with your funky and eclectic side by heading down to Camden town.  The best time to go is over the weekend.

Take the tube to Camden town (Northern Line) and get yourself set up for a day of exploring.  First, check out Camden town Market, one of London’s biggest weekend attractions.  Leaf through racks of normal and unconventional clothing and sample some exotic food while meeting people from all over the world.  You can barter for your goods, but be prepared to walk away if the price is too high.  (They will sometimes chase after you accepting your price.) Today Camden Market consists of four separate markets, hundreds of stalls and many permanent shops.

After you have thoroughly exhausted yourself shopping, pick up some groceries from the local Sainsbury’s and have a make-shift picnic on Primrose Hill.   Primrose Hill lies at one of the highest points in London which means that there are very good views from the park benches which have been strategically placed to maximise this view.  You can view Primrose Village from this spot (“where the other half live”) and celebrity watch as you enjoy your picnic.

After Lunch, follow the signs near Regent’s Park over to the London Zoo.  The ZSL London Zoo has over 12,000 exotic animals for you to see. Over the last three years the zoo has been undergoing a series of changes to “Bring down the Bars” and allow visitors to get close to an astonishing 650 species of animal. Watch squirrel monkeys clamber on ropes above your heads in Meet the Monkeys, while butterflies flutter around you in Butterfly Paradise. Come eye to eye with a giraffe and see zebras, okapis and other amazing African mammals in Into Africa.

The Zoo has two new major attractions to check out.  First, feel the heat of the South American rainforest and witness marmosets, tamarins and other forest dwellers all living in harmony in the Clore Rainforest Lookout. Venture into the heart of Central African rainforest in the outstanding new exhibit, Gorilla Kingdom. Here you will journey along a sensational path leading you by African birds and other elusive forest animals before emerging into a spectacular natural forest clearing where you can get closer than ever to a group of western lowland gorillas and black and white colobus monkeys.  Young visitor’s can stop by the children’s zoo to pet the farm animals.

After you have experienced your mini-safari, head back into town and stop by “Bar Gansa” for an authentic Spanish dinner.  Bar Gansa serves tapas and main courses at fairly reasonable prices. They cater for vegetarians and also have live music from time to time.  They are located at 2 Inverness Street, London, NW1 7HJ.

For an amazing nightclub, head down to the Mornington Crescent tube stop (one down from Camden Town on the Northern Line) and cross the street to KOKO.  Formerly the legendary Camden Palace, KOKO is a 1,500 capacity club, hosting both live music and club events. The building has undergone a massive refurbishment program and been restored to its original theatrical style, with six bars, a stage and a dance floor.

Stay on the main dance floor or see if you meet someone interesting on one of the many balconies.  Prices start at £5 and stay that way until 10.  After 10pm the entrance fee depends on the day.  Weekends are usually more, but the bands they bring in are more than worth it.  It’s located at 1A Camden High Street, NW1 7JE.

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Have a nice weekend everyone!  Day 3 will be up on Tuesday.