Amazing Sites of England – Top 5

October 24, 2014

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Amazing Sites of England – Top 5

The earliest evidence of human existence is found in the region now called England and because of that there is an abundance of sights and attractions from different ages of human existence. Many people visit the country to witness the rich history and culture the country has to offer to different visitors.

When I say this, I need you all to understand that this could be completely biased, but England truly is in a league of its own when it comes to tourist attractions. From majestic castles to awe-inspiring historical sites, the country has it all.

1- Palace of Westminster

The first amazing sites of England would have to be the Palace of Westminster.

London was my first destination as my flight landed there. The Big Ben or should I call it the Elizabeth tower at the Palace of Westminster is the first place anyone should head to once they arrive in London.
The magnificent Palace of Westminster under a grey sky, standing tall and proud for over 150 years, is one of London’s top tourist destinations. I was pretty surprised that the palace has a different name, the tower is called Elizabeth Tower since 2012 and the 13 ton bell housed within the tower is called the Big Ben, I know right? Pretty cool!

2- Stonehenge

Following up on Westminster Palace, the second amazing sites of England easily goes to Stonehenge.

The Stonehenge is one of the most significant and amazing prehistoric sites in the world, produced by a culture we know nothing of. Evidence suggests it could have been erected somewhere in the 2,500 BC.

I could see the monument from miles away on my way to it. Once I got there and started to marvel at it, I began wondering about human civilization and how far we have come. I, for one, am glad that such amazing relics of our prehistoric heritage are left intact to this day. The area is really amazing to marvel at and see. Up until not too long ago, you could actually go up and touch the stones. But because of some damage recently, police have it roped off.

Just a bus ride away from London, I highly recommend going. Oh, and bring a sandwich!

3- Windsor Castle

Closely following on the heals of Stonehenge, the next amazing sites of England is Windsor Castle.

The Castle is located around an hour away from London, Windsor Castle is considered to be one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world.

The grandeur of the castle just goes to show the splendor of the English royalty, if you are heading down there, remember you can visit much of the castle from within, including the stupendous state apartments and St Georges Chapel.

4- York Minster

York Minister is a true site to behold, given that it was finishing being built in 637. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, York Minster incorporates all major parts of the gothic architecture.

The great east window inside the cathedral was simply breathtaking. It captivated me and I felt a sense of positive energy inside me while I was there. The feeling is kind of hard to explain but I am sure you will know what I mean when you see it.

5- The Cotswold

The Cotswold refers to a range of hills, in south central England. It is about 2 hours drive from London. The place known for the stately towns and gardens, stone built villages, and historical towns.

I must say the place looks incredibly cute and cozy. It is a treasure of hidden beauty with vast expanses with a million different shades of green. My being a bicycle nut rented a cycle and went off with the most wonderful group of people. Inside the Cotswold, there are many different places to visit, but some are not accessible to large couch tours. However, on that bicycle there was no limit. I even went to The Slaughters, Snowshill, Tetbury, Broadway, Batsford, Sherston, so on the list is never ending.

But before going I did do as much reading as possible to learn about these amazing places and I found just about all the information here: Lonely Planet England (Travel Guide)

These are really just some of the amazing sites of England, I could have seriously gone on forever but this is it for this blog. I’ll be writing about each of my stops to these incredible places in other posts but if you ever have the chance, I highly recommend checking out these locations.

Enjoy!

England Cathedrals – Top 5

October 24, 2014

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England Cathedrals – Top 5

I always used to wonder what it would feel like to stand at the entrance of Westminster abbey and look up at the rich gothic architecture, or visit St. Paul’s cathedral. As a child, I read about the deep histories of these places and it always compelled me to at least picture them in all their glory.

Recently I had the pleasure of witnessing these great England Cathedrals first-hand. Although I cannot even begin to explain how intriguing and amazingly beautiful all these places were (I will be retelling my stories in individual posts), I thought I would list them down based on how good they were for me.

These are my personal feelings, though, and there are many more gorgeous Cathedrals to see throughout the land.

Durham Cathedral

Truly one of the finest examples of Romanesque Architecture in England, the gothic style of the prevailing century of the time was quite different from what I saw here. Completed over a period of 40 years, the building was innovatively built with flying buttresses (hidden above the vaults), pointed arches, and ribbed vaults all together. What I liked most about the cathedral was the huge ceilings and the tapestries, all blended well with the gothic theme. I think it’s safe to say, I’ll definitely be seeing that place again.

Lincoln Cathedral

My second pick of top England Cathedrals Lincoln Cathedral just may be the most enjoyable piece of architecture you’ve ever seen. I spent hours drooling over the marvelous showcase of decorative art, the details and the color. If you ever do visit Lincolnshire, make sure you don’t miss this place. It is also known to be the 3^rd largest English cathedral. All the more reasons for you to pack up your bags and hit the road.

Westminster Abbey

There is no denying the fact that Westminster Abbey has probably the richest history of all the England Cathedrals.

It is built on a marshy retreat called Thorny Island where the River Tiburon used to run. When I stood inside the entrance of the abbey, I noticed the huge chandeliers in the nave that I had read about as a child. It was all as surreal as ever, I never imagined these places would be as interesting as I imagined them to be.

Ely Cathedral

The cathedral with the unique Octagon Tower, Ely must be one of the most marvelously engineered buildings of the middle ages. The ceiling of the cathedral is a huge tourist attraction, known for its unique Lantern Tower. Most English cathedrals are built with twin west towers, but Alan of Walsingham designed a central tower that seems to float above the Ely itself.

It is not just a tower though; the Norman and Gothic carvings in the oak give the entire structure a rare quality. And, be sure to look at the stained glass windows inside. They detail is unbelievable and the colors are so vibrant.

A must see.

York Minster

My last top 5 of England Cathedrals go to a medieval marvel, York Minster has the richest heritage of the entire lot.

It was burnt and destroyed time and time again and then slowly rebuilt, York was where Edwin Northumbria was baptized, and in fact it was built for the same purpose. Though the structure that stands today in all its glory is the most breathtaking sight you’ll ever see, and sitting outside, keeping watch over the Cathedral, Constantine. it still makes me wonder what it might have looked like before the fires.

These were my personal top choices for Cathedrals to see in England. Fortunately, most of them are in and around London so it is easy enough to make day trips. One book that was a bit inspirational for me, and I never put down while traveling around was The Gothic Cathedral.

The land is certainly filled with many more, all with an amazing history and towering over many of the local towns. Oh, and another one of my top picks, St. Pauls Cathedral, right in the heart of London.

Enjoy!