Hi there, and welcome to the first entry in a series I have
decided to call, “Jen’s Top Ten Destinations to Visit While in the UK.” The plan
is to lay out ten places I really want to see while I’m living in the England.
Then when I actually visit them, I’ll write an installment about that experience.
(Still with me?) It’s a bit hokey, but hey, hoke is part of my charm.
So as, this is the first installment, I better lay out the 10 destinations I’d like
to see. These are not in any particular order and I fully reserve the right to
change this list in the future.
1. Salisbury Plains and Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the biggest henges in
the world, at least according to Eddie Izzard. This one is on almost everyone’s
list of things to see while in England and for good reason. It’s flipping
amazing! To think that ancient people somehow managed to quarry these stones
and transport them hundreds of miles to where they are today is just awe
inspiring. I’ve been told by friends who have seen it, that pictures can only
do so much; that to truly appreciate it, you have to see it in person. I’ll
have to let you know if this is true, but I suspect it is.
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| Photo by Rhubarble |
2. Highclere Castle
If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey than
you’ll understand this one. Highclere Castle is where the hit historical drama
is filmed. A friend bought me Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey for
Christmas last year and I enjoyed reading about the real people who
lived at Highclere around the time Downton Abbey takes place. In fact the 5th Earl of Carnarvon
was one of the people who discovered the tomb of King Tutankhmun in 1922. There is even an Egyptian exhibit below stairs. What would Carson say?!
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| Photo by neilalderney123 |
3. London
There are too many places in London I want
to see that I've decided to just say "London" and hope that will encompass it all.
As a museum person I have to see the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert
Museum. I’m also a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes. My dad instilled in me a love
for the character when I was little and I must visit 221B Baker Street and the
Sherlock Holmes Museum. Of course there is Buckingham Palace, the Tower of
London, the Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Parliament and Big
Ben, Tower Bridge, and everywhere else. I think I might need at least a week in
London or maybe a lifetime.
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| Photo by NordicLondon |
4. Cornwall (Lost Gardens of Heligan and St.
Agnes)
There are two places in Cornwall I’m
looking forward to visiting. I took an historic gardens class a year ago in
which we discussed the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Heligan was once an estate with
extensive gardens. It suffered a decline after World War I and eventually the
gardens were left completely derelict. They have since been restored and I
would really love to see them in person. The second destination is St. Agnes.
I’ve done some research into my family and the English side was originally from
St. Agnes in Cornwall. I see this as a bit of a pilgrimage to the home of my
ancestors.
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| Photo by icing-on-the-cake Photo by James Stringer |
5. The Doctor Who Experience
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a bit of a
Doctor Who fan. I’ve watched the show ever since I was seven years old. I grew
up watching Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy battle
the Daleks and Cybermen. At the time, the other kids at school had no idea what
I was talking about. I’m glad that the show is back and that it has such a huge
following. The Doctor Who Experience is part museum part…well, experience, in
Cardiff. I’m most interested in anything to do with the classic series,
especially Tom Baker’s years.
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| Photo by nac! |
6. Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newcastle is the closest destination to
Durham on this list and I’m sure I’ll visit it frequently. It’s situated on the
banks of the River Tyne and like any city its size, it has museums, shopping,
theaters, and restaurants. I am really looking forward to walking across the Gateshead
Millennium Bridge.
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| Photo by freefotouk |
7. Hadrian’s Wall
Built by the Romans as a defensive
fortification, Hadrian’s Wall stretched from Segedunum at Wallsend (walls end,
get it?) to Solway Firth. While it isn’t the Great Wall of China, it is still
pretty impressive in scope. Of course I’m not planning on visiting the entire
wall, but I would like to walk a portion of it. As it runs near to Newcastle I
figure I’ll try to see that section.
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| Photo by kewing |
8. Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, East
Sussex
It’s true the White Cliffs of Dover are
more famous, but after looking at pictures and reading a bit, I think I’d like
to visit Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. No, I’m not planning on having tea
with seven siblings who live on the cliffs, though that would be lovely. The
Seven Sisters is the name given to a series of cliffs along Beachy Head. There
is also the added bonus of a Sherlock Holmes hiking trail!
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| Photo by GrahamAndDairne |
9. The Roman Baths at . . . well, Bath
Along with Hadrian’s Wall, the Romans also
left behind some magnificent baths conveniently in the city of Bath. Okay, so
it’s just possible that the city was named after the baths, regardless it’s
something I’d really love to see. In addition to the ruins, there is a museum
and living historians. I also wouldn't mind a session at the
Thermae Spa . . . you know, just to have the whole authentic experience.
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| Photo by .myke |
10. Oxford
I wish I could say I wanted to visit Oxford
because of its historic importance or because it is home to the oldest university
in England. The truth is I want to visit Oxford because I want to see where
Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis were filmed. (I can feel your eyes rolling.)
I do want to see the beautiful buildings, especially the Bodleian Library, and
I am a great admirer of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. So perhaps there are a few
reasons I want to visit Oxford, some are good and some are silly.
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| Photo by ajagendorf25 |
It may seem like an odd list and it will certainly bring me from one corner of the UK to the other, but maybe that's the point.
Stay tuned for the next installment in this series when I hope to bring you some stories of my experiences at one of
Jen's Top Ten Destinations to Visit While in the UK..K...K...K.
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