When we arrived in the UK, we started our journey in London. There is a lot to see in the city, though many of the main attractions are often crowded with tourists. One of the first places we visited was the British Museum. This museum has existed since 1753. Some of the items the museum…

One of the best parts of our experience in England was staying in bed and breakfasts rather than large hotels. There are some beautiful bed and breakfasts in the country, some of which are housed in mansions that are hundreds of years old. We felt that by staying in this type of lodging, which gives…

One of the bed and breakfasts we were fortunate to see was Hever Castle. This castle has the distinction of being where Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII’s wives and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, grew up. Hever Castle is about seven hundred years old. Being surrounded by all that history was nothing short…

Another castle in the Kent area is Sissinghurst Castle and its estate, which is part of a national trust. One part of the estate includes a Victorian farmhouse that now operates as a bed and breakfast. The bed and breakfast gives visitors nice views of the castle and its grounds. Originally, hundreds of years ago,…

One of the most important historic sites we visited while in the UK was Salisbury (sawlz’-bree) Cathedral. The original Salisbury Cathedral was built on a different site in 1092. In 1220, a new site was chosen for the existing cathedral because military disputes and lack of a water supply made the original site unusable. Three…

Longleat House was one of the more interesting places we saw during our trip. The house itself was built beginning in 1568, and Queen Elizabeth I visited the site about six years later. It’s considered one of the premier architectural structures from that era in history. It’s still privately owned, but in the mid-1900s it…

During our trip, we paid a visit to Stonehenge. This huge stone circle was very impressive and definitely worth seeing. Unfortunately, vandalism and general wear and tear have taken their toll, and visitors are no longer allowed to walk among the stones. It’s always sad when monuments and sites that have played such a huge…

On our way to Scotland, Amy and I passed through Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The house where he was born somewhere around 1564 is still standing, as is the house in which his mother grew up, and both are open to visitors. Because Shakespeare was born here, the town has become best known…

Continuing toward Scotland, we pass through Yorkshire, where we stop to visit Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. Castle Howard is privately owned by the same family that had the place built three hundred years ago, but its grounds and gardens, as well as part of the building itself, are open to the public. It was…

To make the most of our vacation time, we’ve had a pretty packed schedule so far on our trip, and have been rushing from one place to another. Even though we’ve seen a lot, it’s been exhausting, and we’re starting to feel like we need a vacation from our vacation. Today, we finally take some…