Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is one of England's many historic and treasured locations. It is, in fact, still a palace that is accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. 

This is the entrance gate to the Palace.

This palace is also the birthplace of the famous Winston Churchill who was born on November 30, 1847. He spent most of his life here at the palace and felt a great love for this place up till the day he passed. 

This is our HUE 2011 group in front of the Palace.

The Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough right after his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It is quite the site to see I might add. It is one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen. Given, it is a Palace. 

A great view of where you can have lunch at the Palace.

Blenheim Palace has one of the most unique interior designs I have ever seen. It is extremely well kept and not to mention well reserved over the hundreds of years. But don't let the inside be the Palace be the only thing to draw you in. Take time to enjoy the scenery outside. Acres and acres of greenery and well groomed gardens. It is a sight to see for sure. 

This is myself, Ashley and Gracie in the Gardens.

I would definitely recommend Blenheim Palace to anyone who wants a good slice of history and wants to stay and enjoy your morning or afternoon. There is tons to do and the world famous city of Oxford is only 20 minutes down the road. But check it out for yourself! You won't be disappointed! 

The back view of the Palace.

http://www.blenheimpalace.com/

~Candice Meadows~

"Built on Seven Hills"

A coach ride and several uncomfortable naps later,
we arrived in Edinburgh, our last stop in Scotland. 

And just a little tip-
it's pronounced EH-din-bur-uh.

Once you get the hang of it, it's really quite fun to say!
Go ahead, say it. I know you want to. 

Despite the terrible rain and piercing wind on the first day we visited,
it's safe to say I fell in love with this city!
Since it's said to have been "built on Seven Hills,"
a postcard view is accessible from just about anywhere in this historic city. 

Just a few of my favorite places...

The beautiful Edinburgh Castle, which happens to be built on a hill, is charming and historic,
and offers a spectacular view looking out over the city.

If you're as excited about the Royal Family as I am, then you'd enjoy visiting Holyroodhouse, 

the Queen's Scottish residence. 

While you're there, take a walk through her beautiful garden.

If you're up for an adventure, hike Arthur's Seat, the highest hill in Edinburgh.

 I was a bit deceived when I first agreed to take this trek to the top...

...But I have to say, the view at the top is breathtaking- literally.

It really is worth all the huffing and sweating to see this magnificent view of the city.

Just be prepared for wind so strong you can't even speak without spit flying out of your mouth. 

Don't say I didn't warn you!

After you work up an appetite from all that hiking, head over to The Elephant House.

Harry Potter fans, anyone?

Well, J.K. Rowling began her famous series of books at this very restaurant.

Whether you're a huge Harry Potter fan or not, 

it's still really cool to see. 

And plus the food is delicious and very affordable, 

so you have no reason not to go! 

I'd love to hear any other suggestions for next time i'm in Edinburgh!

-Kristi

Windsor Castle

Windsor

Windsor is a cute town just west of London. 
The easiest way to get there is by train. 
If you are traveling from London the best route is to start off at Paddington Train Station 
then make the connection to Windsor at Slough. 
In total the trip out to Windsor should take less then an hour. 


I suggest spending the whole day there. 
Trust me- you wont get bored!!

Windsor is mainly known for the location for one of the castles owned by the Queen
 but that isn't all there is here. 


There are a lot cute shops and great places to eat.
 A great place to eat that has amazing prices and food that taste fantastic
 is a Greek restaurant, that has become one of my personal favorites,
 called Latino Taverna. 


If  you are not looking for a big meal 
there are a few cute little tea houses that shouldn't disappoint.

Windsor Castle it by far one of the best and most famous castles in England. 


It has been a chief residence for British sovereigns since Henry I in the 12th century. 


The castle is split into three parts; the Lower Ward, the Middle Ward, and the Upper Ward. 


The Lower Ward is where St. Georges Chapel is located, 
the Middle Ward is where you will find the famous round tower, 
and the Upper Ward is where the state rooms are located. 


There are so many awesome things to see in this castle and the grounds are beautiful. 
On a nice day this is the place to be!

Another thing that is very ingrained into the castle's history is the Oder of the Garter.

 It is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England.    

St. George's Chapel is full of so many important people in British history.
 For example Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour among many others.

If you are in London for a vacation or you live here 
and just need to escape the city I would suggest Windsor. 


You cant go wrong. 


Trust me it is worth your time and money!!


Ashley Fincher

What Sleeps At Westminster

Westminster Abbey is one of the most "must see" sites by tourist when visiting London. 

Not only is it popular due to its grand structure and beautiful architecture

 it is now the place of the recent wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

Westminster Abbey is a church that is a part of the Anglican denomination

 that studies and learns from the Bible just like other Christians from all over the world. 

One of the neat things about going to a service at this particular church

 is the fact that they will never turn you away. 

They are willing to open their doors to any and everyone at no charge, of course. 

My personal favorite thing about experiencing a service at this particular church 

is that you really get to experience a piece of British culture. 

Another neat thing about Westminster is all of the people buried and remembered inside the church. 

There are at this moment in time, 3,300 people buried inside the church building. 

Many of those whom are buried here are royals, artists and many others 

who have shaped the country into what it is today. 

This is also the place where funeral services such as the one for Princess Diana took place. 

There are so many secrets and stories to unfold within this magnificent building. 

One thing that is important to know about this historic landmark

 is don't let the fact that it is a church keep you from exploring its glory. 

I cannot explain how exciting it was to walk through and unlock its history. 

For some it is a symbol of hope to find a better life. 

For those hopeless romantics, it is now even a place where a real life fairy tale came true 

and that happily ever afters can still be found. 

Then for some it is just a great history lesson. 

The only question left unanswered is,

 what will you discover or find on your trip?

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

~Candice Meadows~

Castle of History, Castle of Power, Come See Lodon Tower, Which Has Stood Forever and Ever!

(Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the back)

             I once went to the Tower of London on a class field trip 

and learned some basic facts about the castle. 

They are as follow:

The Tower of London is one of the oldest castles in England 

and was built by William the Conqueror; it originally consisted of only the White Tower. 

Like most castles in Britain, the Tower is built over an old Roman fort. 

The White  Tower has four towers and was once a royal palace. 

(The White Tower)

             The Tower of London has a total of twenty towers. 

The Tower currently hold the Royal Jewels of England, 

and was once home to the Royal Beast, 

but they were removed and placed in Regent’s Park Zoo 

because they once escaped from the castle and were running wild! 

The old Norman Tower/White Tower is beautiful with its white walls 

and grand open interior on all of its three floors. 

Across the lawn from the White Tower 

is the Queen’s House which is a beautiful preserved Tudor style building, 

which was originally built for Queen Ann from Henry VIII. 

Sadly she died before she saw it completed.  

(The Queen's House)

             The Tower of London is spectacular 

with its architecture and ingenuity in how to protect it from being attacked. 

The moat that once surrounded the Tower was one of the foulest smells in the city 

and best protection for the castle because it was basically a giant toilet.

 But these little facts are not what I remember best 

from my day spent at the Tower of London. 

The thing that is most memorable to me is the tour I went on 

and a very special Beefeater named Peter who led it.

             When I went to the Tower of London 

it was a blustery Tuesday afternoon in October. 

The sun was shining but the air was cold and damp. 

Bundled up in three layers of clothes 

I went on a guided tour of the castle given by a Beefeater. 

A Beefeater is one of the Queen’s guards who lives and works in the Tower of London. 

The Beefeater that led my tour was a sweet old man roughly in his fifties, 

and he took great pride in what he was telling everyone about the castle. 

He made the whole experience one hundred times better 

with his jokes about the prisoners who were held in the Tower. 

For example he took great pity on Sir Walter Raleigh 

who was once locked in the Queen’s House with his wife for several years! 

Saying that that was one of the most horrible fates for a man, 

luckily he and his wife were released but in the mean time they had had a child.

(Traitors Gate where traitors of the crown, such as Ann Boleyn would have been brought through)

             Throughout the whole tour little stories like that one were interjected

 to give life and character to the place that you were seeing.

 It made the past almost feel like a wonderful area for exploration 

and made me want to know more about the Tower and its past and the people 

who once lived there, 

and to forget about the fact that the tips of my fingers had gone numb.

(all the girls in the group with Peter the Beefeater)

              I am very grateful to Peter the Beefeater who made my visit fun and memorable. 

I recommend that if you are going to the Tower of London anytime soon

that you go on a guided tour. It is not that difficult.

In fact if you go to the website below 

you can see all the different things that you can see and do at the Tower of London. 

Enjoy!

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

To market, to market, to buy...some amazing food!

If you're in London for the weekend the Borough Market is the place to go for some delicious food! The Borough Market is London's most renowned food market, winning the 2010 London Lifestyle Award for London's Food Market of the Year! 


The market is open Thursday-Saturday and is located in Southwark, London, near the southern end of London Bridge. The market consists of up to 70 stalls and stands. Producers from all over the country bring a range of fresh produce to the market, including fish, meats, vegetables, ciders, cheeses, breads, coffees, cakes and patisseries. Other stalls specialize in produce imported from abroad. 


In my two visits to the Borough Market, I have tried a meringue, a chocolate éclair, fresh squeezed juice, and a falafel, which was so delicious I had to go back the next weekend and get another one!

 

History of the Borough Market -


The Borough Market has been in existents since 1014. In 1754, the market was closed by an Act of Parliament because it was causing heavy traffic congestion. In 1756, it purchased a small plot of land and began to rebuild the market into what it is today. The market has been filmed in such notable films as "Bridget Jones's Diary" and in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."

 

If you would like to know more information about the Borough Market you can check out their website: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

I think a big part of participating in a new culture is trying new foods. 


We are about to start traveling through Europe, 
so please share with us the best and worst foods you have tried in a foreign country!

Fireworks, Feast, and Laughter, Oh My!

Remember remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot!

What happens when the English wish to celebrate a famous almost disaster? They party, and they party like it is the last chance that they will have to. Which I do have to admit is not a bad philosophy.

            The party that I am writing about is that of Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes was an explosive expert who conspired with 7 other men to blow up all of Parliament on the fifth of November in 1605. If the plot was to succeed the men would have successfully killed the monarch and the members of parliament. But Guy Fawkes was caught checking up on the explosives making sure that everything was ready for the next day. He was taken to the Tower of London where he was tortured and eventually gave up his partners in crime.  So in short Guy Fawkes Day is the celebration of a failed terrorist plot. Guy Fawkes Day consists of three things that the English do to remember this day. They are bonfires, fireworks, and food! A person can experience these wonderful traditions all over England.

            I currently reside in London so I spent my Guy Fawkes Night

 out in Blackheath with some friends. 

We had the food (which was more of a feast),  

.

 

                                           

we had the fireworks 

(which were spectacular),

... and we had didn’t have a bonfire 
 because they are not doing them as much trying to be safe... 
but we did have sparklers.

           The English love their tradition, and Guy Fawkes is definitely an English tradition

 that you don’t want to miss out on if you’re in England on November fifth. 

It is worth cramming into a park and watching the fireworks explode 

as you hear the hundreds little children ooo and awe at the colors. 

Even seeing a child get the chance to play with a sparkler for possibly the first time is great.  

But for you folks who don’t care what the kids think of this national holiday, 

you can always go for the food.

(Toffee Apple)

           At the event I went to the stands were almost like that of a carnival. 

But I personally enjoyed having a traditional English feast 

with parsnips, beetroots, potatoes, shoulder of lamb, carrots, 

and an apple crumble with cream for dessert. 

In my book nothing can top that English meal. 

But if you want some candy floss no doubt there will be a stand near by selling it.  

It is not a horrible way to spend celebrating a failed terrorist plot!

          If you wish to find out more about Guy Fawkes Day 

and all the fun things that go on 

please see the web address below. 

You can go from there to other links to read up on Guy Fawkes. Enjoy!

http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A639452  

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