Write down the rabbit hole…
Brookwood Cemetery is the UK's largest graveyard. It was built in 1854 and covers around 400 acres. In Victorian times trains carried the dead, divided by class, from the London Necropolis Station to this quiet, leafy town. I've wanted to visit Brookwood ever since reading 'Necropolis: London and its Dead' by Catharine Arnold. I've passed it… Continue reading Brookwood Cemetery – A Final Resting Place in the Woods
HMS Victory was the flagship of Lord Nelson, Vice Admiral of the British Navy. At Trafalgar, he and his ship won the day, but Nelson lost his life. Today Victory sits at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where she's been carefully preserved providing a fantastic porthole into Navy life. I've been to Victory a number of times,… Continue reading Cast off! HMS Victory
It's always nice to find an unexpected treat. At 'Velvet Rose' in Whitchurch, we discovered a whole shop full of them. If you love quirky, vintage jewellery, scarves, skirts, gloves and much more, this is the place for you. And as if it was meant to be, I'm now the proud owner of this gorgeous… Continue reading Jewellery for Bookworms
I wanted to share a few photos of this exhibition, currently on in the Weston Library, but photography isn't allowed. That's understandable so instead please enjoy these photos of the notebook and badges I bought at the library shop. The exhibition itself isn't big but it's free and packed with artifacts from Tolkiens life and… Continue reading Notebook collection #9: Tolkien – Maker of Middle Earth
There are some places you never think you'll see the inside of and a modern-day prison is certainly one of them. Dana Prison in Shrewsbury, which closed in 2013, offers visitors a rare glimpse behind bars. Originally opened in 1793, the current main building dates from 1877. It was stripped of most of its fixtures… Continue reading Unlocking the Secrets of Dana Prison, Shrewsbury
Underneath Barcelona lies an ancient Roman world. After you enter the Museu d'Historia de Barcelona, you're at first confronted with standard exhibits. But then you enter a lift and go down, down, down back in time to when Romans walked the streets. Over 4000 m2 of beautifully preserved streets, factories and shops lie under metal… Continue reading Roman riches – Placa del Rei, Museu d’Historia de Barcelona
Following in the footsteps of Harry Potter, a visit to the ancient Bodleian Library in Oxford is a treat for fans of the HP movies and of course, books. The Bodleian Library is one of a group of libraries across Oxford collectively known as the Bodleian Libraries. The library tours take place in and around… Continue reading The Bodleian Library Tour
Barcelona is the home of many things - great tapas, Estrella beer, possibly the most famous football club in the world, and modernist architectural legend Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi's buildings and parks are everywhere in Barcelona and his style of architecture is now synonymous with the Catalan city. There's plenty of places to visit, some of… Continue reading The Architecture of Antoni Gaudi – Future Fairytales
There's no shortage of history in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Many of the places you can visit were once home to Shakespeare's relations, including the homestead of his wife, Anne Hathway. Part of the building dates from the 1400s, and it provides an intriguing window into the past. There's not a great deal known about… Continue reading Anne Hathaway’s House, Stratford-Upon-Avon
There are a few things you need for the perfect library... First, of course, books- -then a chair to sit in when you're reading your books- -more books- -stairs so you can reach all your books- -a desk to sit at if you're inspired to write when reading your books- -even more books- -and finally… Continue reading Upton House Library
