We spent far more weekends than we anticipated wandering the English countryside. These are twelve experiences that came to mind when we were chatting about all that time we spent on a train or in a car.
B&Bs (1)
England does B&Bs really well. There's a whole B&B culture that just doesn't (and probably couldn't) exist in the States. In exchange for spending less money and perhaps dealing with someone else's schedule (few B&Bs have a 24-hour desk, after all, and almost all we visited required us to call with an arrival time), B&Bs most often provide a genuine host/hostess invested in the time you spend in the area. And as you know, we are huge fans of proper English breakfasts that guarantee we won't need lunch.
England does B&Bs really well. There's a whole B&B culture that just doesn't (and probably couldn't) exist in the States. In exchange for spending less money and perhaps dealing with someone else's schedule (few B&Bs have a 24-hour desk, after all, and almost all we visited required us to call with an arrival time), B&Bs most often provide a genuine host/hostess invested in the time you spend in the area. And as you know, we are huge fans of proper English breakfasts that guarantee we won't need lunch.
Tunnels in Dover (2)
We first visited Dover in July of 2009, and we so thoroughly enjoyed it, from the castle to the cliffs to the miscellaneous bits of history that survive there, we required almost all international visitors to go. I even returned with Lindsay last year. But the absolute highlights of Dover were the WWII Tunnels, all so well preserved and available for touring.
We first visited Dover in July of 2009, and we so thoroughly enjoyed it, from the castle to the cliffs to the miscellaneous bits of history that survive there, we required almost all international visitors to go. I even returned with Lindsay last year. But the absolute highlights of Dover were the WWII Tunnels, all so well preserved and available for touring.
Tower in Rye (3)
We loved the road trip we took through Kent and East Sussex in the spring of 2010, which included stops at Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Battle, Rye, and Sissinghurst Castle Garden. We found something to like about every one of those stops. But the Tower in Rye was the most memorable, probably because it was the least touristy tourist attraction ever (especially compared to all our other touristy destinations), and the man in charge of taking our two-pound entry fee was a hysterical history buff who was really excited to give us a little tour.
We loved the road trip we took through Kent and East Sussex in the spring of 2010, which included stops at Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Battle, Rye, and Sissinghurst Castle Garden. We found something to like about every one of those stops. But the Tower in Rye was the most memorable, probably because it was the least touristy tourist attraction ever (especially compared to all our other touristy destinations), and the man in charge of taking our two-pound entry fee was a hysterical history buff who was really excited to give us a little tour.
Hiking Lake District (4)
In the middle of city trips and road trips that called for many stops and much plotting, the Lake District gave us the perfect opportunity to hit pause. Sure, we did some sightseeing and driving, but we mostly remember the long hike we took that included a workout, a lazy stroll, and excellent picnic, all in a place that is postcard-perfect from any angle.
In the middle of city trips and road trips that called for many stops and much plotting, the Lake District gave us the perfect opportunity to hit pause. Sure, we did some sightseeing and driving, but we mostly remember the long hike we took that included a workout, a lazy stroll, and excellent picnic, all in a place that is postcard-perfect from any angle.
Eight Bells Cotswolds (5)
Despite our best efforts to avoid the tourists, the Cotswolds are touristy, no way around it. So we were glad that we stayed the night in Chipping Campden. We waved goodbye to all the giant tour buses in the evening and enjoyed our most memorable pub meal in all the UK at the Eight Bells. We so enjoyed it, we returned with Lindsay a few months later.
Despite our best efforts to avoid the tourists, the Cotswolds are touristy, no way around it. So we were glad that we stayed the night in Chipping Campden. We waved goodbye to all the giant tour buses in the evening and enjoyed our most memorable pub meal in all the UK at the Eight Bells. We so enjoyed it, we returned with Lindsay a few months later.
Avebury (6a)
So I won't tell you to skip to Stonehenge, because, well, it's Stonehenge. But if you're going to Stonehenge, make the 45-minute drive north to Avebury Stone Circle, which is a much more interesting, genuine experience. I mean, look how excited Meg was when we took her there.
So I won't tell you to skip to Stonehenge, because, well, it's Stonehenge. But if you're going to Stonehenge, make the 45-minute drive north to Avebury Stone Circle, which is a much more interesting, genuine experience. I mean, look how excited Meg was when we took her there.
Cornwall Tintagel (7)
We arrived at Tintagel in the pouring rain, which rendered every surface treacherously slick...and chased away every single tourist. Except us. So we carefully climbed up and down stone staircases, investigating every corner of the disintegrating castle, before we made our way to Merlin's cave.
Isle of Wight Owl and Monkey Haven (8)
I think this one is so memorable, because it was so unexpected and so fun. We learned way more about owls than we expected.
I think this one is so memorable, because it was so unexpected and so fun. We learned way more about owls than we expected.
Aldeburgh Beach (9)
We had perfect August weather the day was ended up in Aldeburgh. We must have spent a half hour just staring at the North Sea, enjoying the beach and the sunshine.
We had perfect August weather the day was ended up in Aldeburgh. We must have spent a half hour just staring at the North Sea, enjoying the beach and the sunshine.
York (10)
It took us two years to make it there, and it's a bit of a travel commitment, but York was among the best day trips ever.
It took us two years to make it there, and it's a bit of a travel commitment, but York was among the best day trips ever.
Down House (11)
English Heritage does a fantastic job running Down House, from keeping the property gorgeous to assembling exhibits on Darwin's life and work. We saw Down House at the end of a long day of driving (that included two other gorgeous properties, Chartwell and Leeds Castle), and I couldn't think of a better way to conclude the day.
English Heritage does a fantastic job running Down House, from keeping the property gorgeous to assembling exhibits on Darwin's life and work. We saw Down House at the end of a long day of driving (that included two other gorgeous properties, Chartwell and Leeds Castle), and I couldn't think of a better way to conclude the day.
Warwick Castle at dusk (12)
At the conclusion to a road trip to Manchester to see these lovely people, we stopped by Warwick Castle as it was shutting down for the night. So although we had to make a quick circuit of the property, it was almost empty and kind of perfect.
At the conclusion to a road trip to Manchester to see these lovely people, we stopped by Warwick Castle as it was shutting down for the night. So although we had to make a quick circuit of the property, it was almost empty and kind of perfect.
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