Bath, not the Mr. Bubbles kind!

“Let me, however, counsel you not to waste your health in unprofitable sorrow, but go to Bath, and endeavour to prolong your own life”–Dr. Samuel Johnson

Bath is one of England’s oldest tourist destinations; people have been traveling to this site for centuries mystified by healing warm waters and high society. It first achieved its status as a sacred spa site in 43 AD, with the Roman settlement Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sulis”) built around the thermal springs. While we were visiting Bath, we got to tour the ancient Roman Bath house next to Bath Abby. The Romans dedicated it to the goddess Sulis Minerva, goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, and magic. They built a temple in her honor and believed that if they wrote down requests and threw them into the water, Minerva would make their wishes come true. Because the messages were scratched into metal, the water preserved them to be discovered later. I thought it was really funny because they were all curses about petty crimes; someone stole someone else’s robe while they were bathing, etc. So Bath was full of drama even before British Regency time.

 

If you have visited Bath before, please share with us your favorite memory about this enchanting city!

After the Romans left England, the baths fell into disrepair and were eventually lost due to silting up, but were rediscovered and made popular once again during the Georgian era. This is why Bath has a beautiful mixture of Roman and Neo-Classical architecture. Bath was a place where the wealth would go on holiday, exceedingly fashionable and full of good society. During our free time I was able to visit the Jane Austen Museum in Bath. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors and even though she disliked Bath and mocked high society, it was fun to experience what life would have been like during the Regency era. Every year the Jane Austen Festival is held in Bath. It holds the Guinness World Records for most people dressed in Regency costumes at one place. Also they teach proper etiquette, how to dance, and take part in a grand promenade through the city of Bath. It sounds like so much fun; I may have to come back to Bath!

What is everyones favorite Jane Austen book, heroine, and Austen man?

Hadrian's Wall

What is it about a wall that impresses people? Is it the craftsmanship of it? Or maybe the history behind the wall? Are we interested in the people that built it? I believe the answer to all these questions is "yes." Hadrian's Wall isn't just an impressive piece of historic architecture. This wall is a window into the past.

Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans in AD 122. This wall served as a border between Scotland and England and was meant to keep out the barbarians of Scotland. Forts were erected every mile along the wall and housed several dozens of soldiers. These forts were fully equipped with bath houses, kitchens and latrines. The Romans innovative architecture becomes clear while observing these impressive forts. The latrines were specifically positioned on the bottom slope of the hill so those living in the village below were never without fresh fertilizer.

The latrines in one of the forts

Not only was this innovative workmanship, it actually stood the test of time quite impressively. This wall may not look like it did in its prime but it is definitely still standing which is pretty impressive if you ask me. Though over the years the wall was plundered and many stones were used for building materials, a majority of this wall is still in good condition and you are able to walk on parts of it.

http://www.contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/hadrians-wall-walk.php?gclid=CNDkvNCZqKwCFYEZ4QodPWUoAA

Inside the fort

The best way to enjoy this great piece of history is to take a guided tour of it. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and who doesn't like having history explained to them in a British accent? I would recommend taking a coach to this location and this is a useful website to show you how to acquire one. http://www.hadrians-wall.org/page.aspx//Journey/Getting-Here

I would strongly suggest wearing a nice heavy coat and some hiking boots because it gets really cold up there and it is quite a hike up to the wall. And if you are a fan of sheep then this is your lucky day because you will get up close and personal with some on your hike since they are the major inhabitants of this hill.

If you are looking for a nice place to warm up after your chilly hike up to the wall, the Milecastle Inn is a great place to grab some fish and chips and thaw off! I hope you are ready to experience one of the most important Roman-built monuments in Britain!

Rachel

London: The Imperial War Museum

Atrocity, bravery, camaraderie, these have been the ABCs of British history since before the Romans first carved out Britannia.  Shaping its people and their culture into who and what they are today, war has only made them stronger, ultimately to bring them together.  Eventually, this wee Roman province owned much of the known world!  During World Wars I and II, her people rallied the defense against the Axis onslaught while the rest of Europe either crumbled or cowered in fear.  Now that's a scrappy little island.  If your interest is piqued, don't just pin it to your Pinterest.  Visit...

The Imperial War Museum

For a pittance of £0 (that's right; it's free!) lose yourself in the grandeur of Britain's military might.  As you walk in the front door, see tanks, bombs, airplanes, rockets, covert tech, and everything in between from every major modern war.  If you have little kids, just wandering through the various impressive and informative displays will be well worth a good hour or so of fun and learning.  For teens and older, there is a huge display on Hitler's holocaust of World War II.  This is heavy stuff, and I'd recommend allowing at least an hour for this exhibit alone.  Rushing through it will definitely detract from its potential to really drive home the experience of the Jews under the barbed wire fist of the Nazis.

The Ashcroft Gallery

Supermarine Spitfire: the RAF's staple during WWII

Here's a bit from the wreckage at ground zero of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Check out the website for the latest exhibits.  While I was there, they had a paid exhibit on the photography of Don McCullin, a famous war photographer during World War II.  Also, if you're a history buff and want to locate a particular item, have a go at the collection catalogue as a part of your research.

To find this place, you can plug in the address...

Lambeth Road, City of London SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom

...into google maps, or you can take the tube to North Lambeth on the Bakerloo Line and just follow the signs.  Whether you're game for a grand day out, a quick pop-in, or a reflective paradigm shift, the Imperial War Museum London is sure to deliver.

~Kaleb

A Little Town Called Ambleside

You're probably wondering where Ambleside even is, since I myself hadn't even heard of it until I actually went there. Well it's a quaint little town in the Lakes District in England. The town itself is really cute, but the surrounding mountains just add to the beauty! Now that I've been there, I would definitely consider this town one of my favorites I've been to on my journey through the UK. 

During our stay in Ambleside we went to The Apple Pie Bakery for breakfast both mornings, which I would highly recommend! 

http://applepieambleside.co.uk/

And the million dollar question---do they serve apple pie for breakfast? Well, the answer is yes, they do! And of course I had to try it out. And when I was asked whether I wanted ice cream or not, I almost instantly said yes (and didn't regret it). If i'm having apple pie for breakfast, might as well go all out and add ice cream too! 

Yes, Ambleside is a very intimate town where everyone probably knows everyone, but it has so many places to go and things to do just a short distance away, which was the main reason I liked this town so much! Usually I'm not a fan of really tiny towns, having grown up in Houston my entire life, but the relaxing atmosphere of this one instantly drew me in. Outdoor activities are definitely emphasized in this town. You'll find a recreational sporting goods store on nearly every corner, 16 to be exact, but it really is a great place to just enjoy the magnificent scenery and the literary and artistic heritage. Speaking of literary heritage, one of the nearby places we visited was Dove Cottage, also known as the home of the brilliant poet, William Wordsworth.

http://www.wordsworth.org.uk/

It was a very interesting tour and gave me a lot of insight into the life of William Wordsworth. Looking through his bedroom windows, it's easy to see how he was inspired to write such beautiful poetry!

In fact, I think I could be just as famous if I would have lived here with a view like this! Well, maybe...

After visiting so many small towns and loving them all, I've decided bigger is not always better (as commonly said in Texas). Small towns like Ambleside have so much character and so much natural beauty. It's refreshing to escape from the hustle and bustle of big cities, and besides, I've never seen a free baby being given away in Houston!

I hope you'll take some time out of your next vacation to England to spend a couple of days in Ambleside and exploring the nearby towns. Be sure and have some delicious apple pie for breakfast, and who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and get a free child!

-Kristi Keese

  

The City Behind Canterbury Tales

Canterbury is a cute little city in the South East of England in the district of Kent. Don't be fooled by its size. Canterbury has a wide range of things from historical sights and boat tours to little shops and restaurants. 

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most famous cathedrals in England. It is where the throne of the Archbishop of Canterbury is located making it the Mother Church of the Anglican denomination. It is also famous because this is where Thomas Becket was brutally murdered. Another this that makes it unique is that it is made in both Gothic and Romanesque style in its architecture. 

Because of the death of Thomas Becket here in this church it became a place where people can travel on pilgrimages to. They would come from all over to kneel at the feet of the shrine set up for him. Today many people still travel to this magnificent cathedral but instead of having an elaborate shrine there is just a lonely candle that burns in his memory. This cathedral is full of beauty and history that you cannot find in other cathedrals around England. +The best way to learn about what has happened here is to take a guided tour. You wont be disappointed.

Tiny Tim's Tearoom is a great place to get lunch or just a good cup of tea.  Also for those of you who like a good ghost story to go along with your tea this is the place for you. It is suppose to be the most haunted building in Canterbury. It is said that the ghosts of the children that lived and died here still haunt the building today and if you stay late at night you can feel the temperature of the room change.

A great way to learn a little bit of the general history of Canterbury is to take a boat ride on the river that goes through the city. They gentlemen that row the boats are very informative and its a fun way to learn some history along with seeing some of the city.

On a nice day Dane John Park is a beautiful place to take a walk in or just sit on one of the very detailed benches and look at the beauty around you. You can also find an entrance to walk on the wall that use to surround the city.

Here is a fun little video that was put together by Jeremy Daggett. 

http://www.youtube.com/HUintl

Ashley Fincher

The Mighty Stonehenge

If you are a big fan of the mysterious then you will love Stonehenge! This monument is one of the biggest mysteries in England's history. Not only will you see some gorgeous English countryside when you visit this incredible landmark, but you will also experience a taste of the history that makes this country so renown.
http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/

 As you circle this grouping of stones brought to this location over 5,000 years ago, you experience a sense of awe for those who were able to set up this unbelievable monument. Of course the main questions you ask are "Who could have done this?", "What is the purpose of it?" and, most importantly, "How in the world did they set this thing up?!"

Well one of my favorite parts about this place is that most of these questions remain unanswered. We can only guess who the architects of this fantastic monument could be. There is a theory that it was used as a calendar which comes from the fact that the stones are designed to perfectly align with the winter and summer solstice. These stones were brought from a distance of at least 20 miles away so it is quite an amazing feat to have transported them without our modern-day tools.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/history-and-research/research/

There are also many interesting myths describing the origins of Stonehenge. Famous characters such as Merlin, King Arthur and even the devil make appearances in these stories.

Stonehenge is about ten miles from the lovely town of Salisbury which is where the closest train station is to the monument. If you have any free time after visiting Stonehenge, Salisbury is a wonderful place to grab a bite to eat and tour this beautiful cathedral pictured above.

So if you love history, like me, and a great mystery that has evaded the greatest minds of our day then Stonehenge is well worth a visit! It's not one of the Seven Wonders of the World for nothing!

Rachel Walters

Oxford: the Pitt Rivers and Natural History Museum

Oxford... What first comes to mind when you hear that word? Probably a bunch of old smart people, right? So many famous authors, thinkers, and scientists have come from Oxford University that it may sometimes dwarf the bigger picture of the City of Oxford itself. What's the first thing that comes to mind after visiting Oxford, you say? Still old stuff, but mixed with lots of fun as well. No matter what your particular interests are, Oxford should have something right up your alley, whether it is food, architecture, science, or museums. While there are quite a few museums in the city center, two of them particularly grabbed my attention.

It's difficult to sort out the Pitt Rivers and the Museum of Natural History. Since you may only enter the Pitt Rivers by going through the Museum of Natural History, they're sort of like siamese twins. Here, the similarity ends.

Museum of Natural History
http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/

"Here be dragons!"

As you walk in, take a moment. Take in the experience. No, there aren't really dragons, but who cares about dragons, when there are dinosaurs?!? You can't miss the various skeletons scattered about. By all means, take a look at them, but I would recommend the insect and Lewis Carroll exhibits especially. Exploding in hues across the spectrum, butterflies dominate the insect scene. The Lewis Carroll exhibit was informative and funny, a great hit with children, I'd imagine.

Be sure and plan your journey in advance. It is a small museum, but it is very kid friendly and regularly provides special opportunities for the youngsters to engage the material. In particular, before visiting Oxford at all even, I would recommend that you read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland just to be prepared.

Pitt Rivers
http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/

Coming from the Natural History building, you may think there is nothing that could possibly impress after that. One look around should convince you otherwise. At first, it looks like piles of old junk in a dimly lit room. Give it time, though, and you will see the order emerge. Pitt Rivers, the founder of this collection, saw historical artifacts in an evolutionary light. He liked to group things in progressions of technological or artistic advances. Although this was a popular view at the time, the Pitt Rivers Museum is the only museum which holds true to this old, now defunct, understanding of the world. To me, this makes the museum an artifact itself and adds to the charm. So, be prepared to step back in time and think like a 19th century modern man.

Interestingly enough, I can't think of a better way to approach this museum than with no approach at all. With its unique grouping of items, it sort of creates its own flow or narrative, even without the abundance of plaques found in other museums. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The staff are well versed in old-stuff-ology and would be more than happy to discuss the artifacts with you, or even tell you the best place for tea.

In summary, these museums are on the tip-top of my suggestions list for a most enjoyable day in Oxford. My visit was by train from London, which actually had fairly cheap fare. I spent from 7 AM till around 10 PM due to my slavery to the cheapest tickets, but spending a half day would be more than adequate to visit the museums and possibly grab some afternoon tea or pub grub for supper.  Either way, I guarantee you'll leave with a smile as big as this guy's:

Although, you'll be a little more alive looking, hopefully.

~Kaleb Lape