Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization raised a circle of huge, roughly rectangular stones in a field in what is now Wiltshire, England. Stonehenge, as it would come to be called, has been a mystery ever since. Building began on the site around 3100 B.C. and continued in phases up until about 1600 B.C. The people who constructed the site left no written records and few clues as to why they bothered to schlep […]
Our very first stop on our tour of the Cotswolds villages and, looking back, probably my favorite. Nestled in a wooded Cotswold valley, with the ambling Bybrook river flowing through its heart, Castle Combe is a truly delightful example of the traditional English village. Architecturally, little has changed since the 15th century; there are no street lights or TV aerials and, as you walk down the high street, you will understand why it has won […]
Neal’s Yard is a charming little square found just off of Neal Street near Covent Garden. Besides for the Neal’s Yard Cheese shop with its magnificent selection of British Isles farmstead cheeses, you can find a small mix of boutique shops selling natural and organic products, cafes and a spa. It can, however, be a bit tricky to find. Look for a narrow alley with the green frame holding two wooden barrels overhead. You’ll then […]
It’s almost impossible to get around London without having to ride the London Underground, or more commonly known as “the tube”, at some point. But, before venturing out on your own, there are a few things you should know. For starters, when you first arrive in London with all your luggage, I would not recommend you take the underground to get to your hotel or wherever you are staying. Navigating the underground for the first […]
Another truly great place in the hub of London to sit, rest your weary sightseeing feet, and people watch. There seems to always be something happening there – street entertainment, a parade, a match celebration, a protest or demonstration and the red busses circling the square add color to the fountains, Nelson’s Column, the stone lions and the fourth plinth. The impressive (and free) National Gallery borders the square. To the east is St. James […]
Picadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London’s West End. The name ‘Piccadilly’ originates from a seventeenth-century frilled collar named piccadil. Roger Baker, a tailor who became rich making piccadils lived in the area. The word ‘Circus’ refers to the roundabout around which the traffic circulated. Piccadilly Circus is now partly pedestrianized and a favorite place for people to congregate before going to the nearby shopping and entertainment areas. It’s also considered […]
Another hard to miss icon of the London skyline is the London Eye. The huge ferris wheel is visible from almost everywhere and all the major landmarks are visible from the top. Of course, the ride should be considered a must do if you’re visiting London and don’t be put off by the extremely long queue as it goes down quickly. Once inside, I think your experience will depend on who is in the pod […]
Now this is one place in London you will spend a great deal of time at. You will also spend a great deal of ££ to do it. But of all the places to go in London, this one is a must. On top of being the home of the crown jewels, you will really get a sense of London’s bloody history. There are lots of nooks, crannies and turrets to explore with tales of […]