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 →
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 →
Oxford is jam-packed with history, beautiful buildings and of course, students. And a tour around the Bodleian Libraries is a great way to spend an hour or so. But if you don't have enough time to do the full tour, simply pay the princely sum of £2 and nosy around the Divinity School instead. And... Continue Reading →
I love a good cave. Not in a hard-hat-gee-that's-a-tight-squeeze-caving kind of way, but anywhere with a decent cave tour gets my attention. Kents Cavern in Devon have a very good tour and literally layers of history to uncover. The caves have provided shelter to animals and humans for thousands of years. A human jawbone fragment... Continue Reading →
Wells is the smallest city in the UK. Its status as a city dates from medieval times, and depends on its stunning cathedral complex. It's been a filming location for a number of productions including 'Poldark', 'Dunkirk' and 'Hot Fuzz' - the high street and market place are immediately recognisable from the climactic shoot-out scene.... Continue Reading →
Have you ever wanted to roam around Lothlorien looking for the elves? Or test your courage in Mirkwood against the foul things that dwell there? Well pop into Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean and you can. You'll need a smidge of imagination, but not much to understand why this place is said to have... Continue Reading →
The Monte Hotel is a rather different to Gerna Manor, the derelict building I wrote about in part 1. It's a lot bigger, far more accessible and has an interesting story behind its rise and fall. Perched high above the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, you can understand the attraction of building a hotel here. It's... Continue Reading →
The Azores are a stunning set of islands in the Atlantic, formed by volcanos and colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th-century. They're perfect for walkers with lush, mountainous trails dotted with fascinating points of interest - including an abandoned building or two. This is what's left of Grena Manor, built next to Lake Furnas... Continue Reading →
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