#Garden of Bourton House in England.

[mypepemateossus]

[banjaminloveei60]

Exploring the Better of England: A Memorable Journey

When it comes to exciting and diverse places to visit, England is the best. From iconic landmarks that will take the visitor back to a bygone era, to lively cities that are buzzing with modernity, this enchanting country offers an abundance of adventures to meet the needs of all travelers. It doesn't matter whether you're a lover of history, a nature enthusiast, or a culinary connoisseur, England has something remarkable to offer. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through six must-experiences in order to make the most out of your trip to England.

Your journey across England generally begins in the lively capital city, London. In London, you'll be welcomed by an array of historic sights and contemporary tourist attractions. Walk along the River Thames and gaze at the iconic Big Ben and the majestic Houses of Parliament. Explore the historic Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, and don't be averse to watching the ceremonial changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. For those who love art, the British Museum and Tate Modern are world class collections. Of course, a visit to London wouldn't be not complete without experiencing the West End's stunning theatre productions as well as sampling British cuisine at a traditional pub.

As you move beyond London beyond the city, the English countryside opens up in beautiful fields, hills, and charming villages. The Cotswolds are a charming area, complete with houses thatched in the sun and the winding lanes make up the perfect rural paradise. It is a peaceful retreat, with the possibility of leisurely walks, restaurant lunches and a time to enjoy the tranquility and simplicity of rural living. The Lake District in the northwest is a paradise for those who love nature and are keen on adventure. Here, the rugged beauty of the lakes as well as mountains beckons you to go hiking, cycling, or just enjoying a waterside lunch.

For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, England's Lake District is a paradise on Earth. This beautiful region is home to beautiful lakes as well as lush green valleys and towering mountain ranges. Discover the picturesque towns that are Keswick and Ambleside while taking stunning hikes that take you around Lake Windermere and Ullswater. If you're feeling adventurous try climbing Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. It's a must. Lake District is not only the perfect place for hikers to go, it's as a place of inspiration for artists and writers, for instance, William Wordsworth. To find new details please head to https://what-to-do-in.co.uk/

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Cotswolds which is a region that's famous for its stone towns with honey-colored stones, rolling hills, and picturesque charm. Explore towns like Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Castle Combe, where quaint cottages and meandering streams create postcard-perfect scenes. Outdoor lovers can take picturesque walks on the Cotswold Way, while historians can take a tour of historic manor houses and gardens.

For foodies, a trip to England will not be complete without savoring the delectable delights from Cornwall. Famous for its seafood freshness and creative cuisine, Cornwall offers a unique gastronomic experience. Eat the traditional Cornish desserts by the sea, savor cream teas in charming tearooms, or try local ale and cider in warm pubs. Check out Rick Stein's seafood restaurant in Padstow and embark on an adventure to find some hidden treasures serving the finest of Cornish culinary delights. With breathtaking coastal views to admire as a backdrop, Cornwall is a wonderful culinary journey.

[carolmunro]

Cotswolds and Warwickshire

A photo gallery from a trip to England in September 2021. St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth Coventry city center Warwick Castle Stratford upon Avon Charlecote Park, National Trust Coughton Court, National Trust Packwood House gardens, National Trust Baddesley Clinton pumpkins, National Trust St Peters Church, Baddesley Clinton Upton House, National Trust Bourton on the…

[withabackpackandcamera]

November 23rd, 2019

Day 2: The Small Towns of the English Countryside

Today, we woke up way later than we were alarmed to wake up. All the blame goes to jet-lag. It was really bad and we were really tired. But we eventually made it out of bed and packed to head out. We briefly met Kristen, Rufus’ wife, and she was really nice and warm and welcoming. We chatted for a little bit before walking out to explore the Abbey House Gardens located right at our doorstep. 

Because it was off-season, we had the whole garden and surrounding nature to ourselves. It was quite nice to walk around the garden and explore while uninterrupted and without a single soul around. The skies at this point in the day were heavily cloudy and with some sprinkles here and there but bearable. We walked through the somewhat manicured garden (it was off-season so Rufus was working on cleaning and managing the garden) and explored the different areas of the garden before slowly making our way down the slopes of the five acre property to the natural forested area near the stream below. We walked along the stream and eventually crossed over a little walk-bridge to the other side to check it out briefly before making our way back up to the house.

With a little bit of time left before our scheduled departure from Malmesbury, Cynthia and I walked into town for a bit and checked out some of the shops that we walked by last night. There were loads of boutique shops along the main road that we glanced at and walked into before turning back. We then visited Malmesbury Abbey which was a big church now turned bookstore (among other things). We hung out in the abbey bookstore for a few minutes before finally heading out of Malmesbury and toward our next destination: Bourton-on-the-River, the famous, picturesque village in The Cotswolds.

It was short-ish drive to get to Bourton-on-the-Water compared to last night’s drive. When we finally arrived, it was only slightly drizzling here and there and parking was easy, lucky enough for us. With the raindrops falling, we roamed around this beautiful, quaint village in The Cotswolds and walked through the small, picturesque streets and alleyways as the daylight slowly dimmed and became eveninglight. We peeked our heads into a couple of small shops here and there while walking along the little river running through the middle of the village. By the time we had exhausted much of the area, it was dark and we were hungry. It was finally food time! Our first real meal of England! Luckily, we didn’t have to spend much time finding a place since Cynthia had already picked out a great Italian restaurant called L’Anatra located near village center for dinner. 

The restaurant was cozy and was part of a bigger hotel. There was both a lounge area for drinks as well as a restaurant area for food and drinks. After sifting through the menu, we were finally ready to place an order with our attractive-English-accented waitress. We ordered Diavola Pizza and Braised Slow Cooked Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables. So delicious! We chowed almost everything down but since there was so much food, we kept some pizza for the road, just in case we got hungry. It was a great dinner at a restaurant with a great, warm atmosphere in a picturesque, rainy village in countryside England. 

The rain outside had picked up by the time we were done with dinner. So instead of the original plans to see a place Cynthia had in mind, we drove straight to Blenheim Palace which was a bit of a ways away. The roads were dark and rainy, making the drive itself a little more hazardous of a journey. But we made it to town and parked before enduring a rainy walk all the way into the palace area where the Christmas market we were intending on visiting was located. The festivities at the palace were pretty small. Most people in the area had come for the Christmas lights attraction, a ticketed event that we did not pay for. Instead, we window shopped around the market in the rain for an hour or so before calling it a night and driving all the way to the night’s lodging at Tollgate Inn, located around the Bath area. 

After devouring the leftover pizza from dinner and warming up for a bit, we finally called it a night knowing that we had a busy day ahead in Bath. I’m excited to see what Bath is like after hearing from Cynthia and my brother Minh about their experiences long ago. 

5 Things I Learned Today:

1. Malmesbury is the oldest town in England.

2. Malmesbury Abbey is a multipurpose abbey. Once a place for worshiping (maybe it still is…?), the abbey currently serves as a makeshift religious bookstore. In the past and on some of the media posted in the church, it looks like the abbey has also served as a skate park at some point too. 

3. That English accent though. Mui attractive hahaha. I never noticed how attractive that accent was until hearing it constantly the last couple of days. 

4. England is all about those roundabouts. Roundabouts galore! They’re everywhere! Small roads. Big roads. Long highway roads from place to place. They all have roundabouts. And they come in all sizes. Small, medium, large. It takes some getting used to since everything else is on the opposite side, making normally-difficult-to-understand-for-laypeople roundabouts even harder to maneuver through. 

5. English Christmas pudding is like a fruit loaf and different than our actual American pudding. It’s more like bread with dried fruit in it than something made of dairy and milk and custard-like like the pudding Americans are used to.

[organicgardendreams]

One of the most beautiful topiary gardens that I have seen so far is part of Bourton House and Gardens located in the Cotswolds in England. Everything was meticulously clipped and maintained which contributes the allure of a garden like this. I love how the eye is provided with lots of visual interest, but at the same time has a place to rest and relax. All the bright, healthy, fresh green is so soothing to look at, especially for someone like me living in drought stricken Southern California. What do you think of this garden? Does it appeal to you as well? #topiary #topiaries #allgreengardens #greengardens #boxwood #meticilouslymaintained #bourtonhousegarden #bourtonhouse #bourtonhousegardens #organicgardendreams #cotswolds #england (at Bourton House Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmhkLTMlpNt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lsh6ky2fs0et

[queenebooklibrary]

Read Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds [PDF EBOOK EPUB]

Read Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds [PDF EBOOK EPUB]

Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds

[PDF] Download Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds Ebook | READ ONLINE

Author : Hugo Rittson Thomas Publisher : Frances Lincoln ISBN : 0711235279 Publication Date : 2015-2-1 Language : Pages : 144

To Download or Read this book, click link below:

http://read.ebookcollection.space/?book=0711235279

{EBOOK}

Synopsis : Read Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds [PDF EBOOK EPUB]

A captivating portrait of 20 of the greatest British gardens and the lords, ladies and gardeners who own and manage them.Focusing on the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, this stunning book features gardens designed by some of the leading contemporary garden designers from across the world. This beautiful corner of England has a rich tradition of garden making, which is explored in this very personal view by photographer Hugo Rittson-Thomas and journalist Victoria Summerley, both residents of this green pocket with more than its fair share of beautiful and interesting gardens.The gardens: Abbotswood, Ablington Manor, Asthall Manor, Bourton House, Burford Priory, Colesbourne Park, Cornwell Manor, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Daylesford House, Dean Manor, Eastleach House, Eyford House, Kingham Hill House, Rockcliffe, Sarsden, Sezincote, Stowell Park, Upton Wold, Walcot House, and Westwell Manor. Some of the gardens are strictly private, while others are regularly open to visitors, but all can now be savoured and enjoyed along with those who know them best. Tour even more magnificent English gardens with Secret Gardens of East Anglia and Secret Gardens of Somerset.

[jakecarson90]

⁣ Canon EOS 250D | 35mm | 1/400s | f/7.1 | ISO 100⁣ Taken on 18/08/2020.⁣ ⁣ Pretty stone cottages, rose flower gardens, and gently flowing streams: if you’re looking to step back in time in the heart of the Cotswolds, then you simply must visit Lower Slaughter, a settlement which dates back over a thousand years and may well be the prettiest village in all of Gloucestershire!⁣ ⁣ At first glance, the word 'Slaughter' sounds like it would be the last place you'd want to visit—maybe even something out of Midsummer Murders! But 'Slaughter' actually derives from the Old English 'Slough' meaning 'Muddy Place'.⁣ ⁣ This quaint settlement was originally attested in the Domesday Book as ‘Scolstre,’ meaning that Lower Slaughter dates all the way back to the Middle Ages, and possibly even earlier.⁣ ⁣ Today, many of the houses in the village today find their roots in the 16th and 17th-centuries and the majority are made from local Cotswold sandstone, adding to the chocolate-box charm of the place.⁣ ⁣ I took this photograph from the Old Mill that dates back to the 19th century and was used right up until the late 1950s. Today, it is home to a local museum explaining the history of the area as well as a gift shop and café.⁣ ⁣ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:⁣ ⁣ Take a train to Cheltenham or Moreton-in-Marsh, and then catch a bus to Lower Slaughter ('Pulhams Coaches route nr. 801) that passes through other picturesque villages like Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. ⁣ ______________________________________⁣ ⁣ #Cotswolds #Gloucestershire #VisitGloucestershire #GuardianTravelSnaps #BritishSummer #LowerSlaughter #Divine_Villages #Alluring_Villages #InstaPortrait #InstaGood #MyInstagram #TravelBlog #Blogger #England #Britain #GreatBritain #TheSlaughters #QuintessentiallyBritish #VisitEngland #VisitBritain #CountryLife #RuralBritain #Rsa_Rural #Rsa_Outdoors #InstaBritain #EnglandsBigPicture #TheCotswolds #Architecture #Village #Unspoilt (at Lower Slaughter, The Cotswolds) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1sPdhovnB/?igshid=ayzsvjn42gwp

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/family-days-out-in-the-uk/

21 Inspiring Ideas for Family Days Out in the UK

Summer’s already here, the weather is glorious and the school year is almost at an end. But who says you have to go abroad to have fun?

You won’t have passports, airport queues, currency exchange or jet lag to worry about. And with some fantastic large family-friendly holiday homes available in some of the UK’s most beautiful areas, you’re guaranteed the holiday of a lifetime, right here at home.

However, keeping the kids amused can often be a job in itself. Luckily, no matter which part of the UK you visit, you’re sure to find plenty of fun days out for all the family to enjoy, even if it’s raining.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are 21 inspiring ideas for family days out in the UK that will make your staycation all the more special.

1. Jorvik Viking Centre, York

The beautiful and historic city of York has a wealth of attractions to keep all ages entertained, and is one of the best cities in the UK to visit with family. The newly re-furbished Jorvik Viking Centre will transport you back to AD960. Interactive cutting-edge technology and the hop-on ride experience give you a fascinating insight into the life and times of the Vikings.

2. Chocolate Story, York

Fans of Willy Wonka will love York’s Chocolate Story. Learn about the history of chocolate and have a go at making some yourselves. You can watch the expert chocolatiers at work and try lots of scrumptious samples. It’s finger-licking good!

3. Castle and Prison Museum, York

Soak up the atmosphere of Victorian Britain along the recreated streets of Kirkgate at York Castle Museum. Then listen to the gruesome prisoner stories at the Castle Prison, and come face to face with highwayman Dick Turpin.

Holly Cottage is a relaxing and comfortable holiday home, perfect for families and only a 10-minute walk from York city centre.

4. Take a Steam Train Ride in North Yorkshire

Travel back in time and enjoy a delightful steam train ride along 18 miles of the beautiful North York Moors National Park, stopping at some lovely villages along the way. One of the stops, Goathland, featured as Hogsmeade in the film version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Finish off your day with fish and chips along the coast at Whitby. Foldyard House near Beverley is the perfect base for exploring the Yorkshire coast and moorland.

5. Cycling in the Lake District

Whinlatter Forest, England’s only mountain forest, is the perfect playground for the active family. Grab your mountain bikes and enjoy a fun day out riding the Quercus Trail, suitable for all abilities, with stunning views over the northern fells. Bikes are also available to hire.

6. Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, Oban

If you’re holidaying in Argyll, don’t miss this fascinating marine conservation experience on the shores of Loch Creran. Take a thrilling boat trip to see the seals and explore the stunning scenery, or get up close and feed the resident seals.

Blaven House in Oban, has a pool table and outdoor children’s play area, and is the perfect holiday home for large families.

7. Edinburgh Treasure Trail

A great way to see the city and entertain the kids at the same time is to follow the Edinburgh Treasure Trail. Work together to find clues, solve puzzles and learn about the fascinating history of Edinburgh. The 1.75-mile trail is easy to follow and brimming with clues to help you locate the long lost treasure.

Dean Street Mews offers comfortable and quiet accommodation within easy reach of the city centre.

8. Warwick Castle

Myth, magic and adventure are ready to greet you at the UK’s most exciting and family-friendly castle. The thousand-year-old Warwick Castle is brought to life through re-enactments and costumed characters. Climb the princess tower, be a knight for the day or explore the castle dungeons if you dare.

9. Drayton Manor Theme Park

If you’ve got kids of all ages, Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire is the perfect day out for everyone. It’s compact enough to get around easily and has plenty of rides for all ages including Thomas Land for the little ones and exhilarating rides such as the Accelerator and Apocalypse for older kids. The tranquil zoo completes the perfect, traditional family day out.

10. Explore a Miniature Cotswold Village

After enjoying a leisurely lunch in the beautiful pub gardens of the Old New Inn, Bourton-on-the-Water, explore the delightful model village – an exact replica of the quaint Cotswold village. Kids will love wandering through the miniature stone houses and seeing the exhibition of miniature scenes and room sets.

11. Dartmouth Castle

Explore the guns, cannons and secret passageways of Dartmouth Castle, situated on the Dart Estuary. The castle offers spectacular views across Dartmouth, beautiful coastal walks and ferry rides to enjoy views of the castle from the water.

Beach End is the perfect family escape with its own beach and only a short boat ride away from Dartmouth.

12. Splashdown Waterpark, Poole

Enjoy some water fun this summer, whatever the weather. Splashdown Waterpark offers 13 thrilling indoor and outdoor flume rides and three under-5 zones for the little ones. Older kids can enjoy the terrifying twists and turns of rides such as Black Thunder and Infinity. Younger kids and toddlers can snorkel safely in Ricky’s Reef or enjoy buckets of fun in the interactive water area.

The Town House in nearby Bournemouth is the perfect base for large family groups to enjoy the delights of the South West and is only a short drive from Poole.

13. Heatherton World of Activities, Tenby

If you’re planning a family holiday with a large group, you’ll need lots to keep them entertained. Heatherton has something for everyone. From paint balling and archery to tree top climbing and go-karting, it’s an adrenaline packed adventure day that everyone will love.

Heatherton is free admission so you only pay for the activities you want to do. From adrenaline-pumped teenagers to toddlers, there’s something to suit everyone. The centre is divided into adrenaline, family, play, and golf and bowling zones. In the play zone, younger kids can try the Landrover Experience or roll, bounce and jump on the giant jumping pillows. Mum and Dad can have a bounce too!

Waterwynch House, situated on the water’s edge in Pembrokeshire National Park near Tenby, is a big enough to hold even the largest family groups, sleeping up to 28 people. It’s the perfect place for large family gatherings and is ideal for exploring the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline.

14. White Water Rafting, River Tees

Adrenaline-junkie families love the invigorating thrills of riding the rapids at Tees Barrage International White Water Centre. Families with older kids (12+) will enjoy this fun soaked wild water adventure, whatever their abilities. There are special family sessions so kids will get the chance to soak mum and dad. And if that doesn’t tire you out, try the exhilarating high-speed powerboat ride along the River Tees.

15. Safari in Scotland

Spot deer, grouse and golden eagles in the spectacular, wild, rugged Scottish highlands with a Mountain Safari adventure. The safari will take you through forests, mountains and moors where you can learn about the history, culture and nature of this stunning wilderness.

Or take a boat trip safari on Loch Tay and learn about the fascinating folklore and mysteries surrounding the largest loch in Perthshire.

Enjoy the breathtaking views across Loch Tay from your very own hunting lodge, complete with a roaring fire and four-poster beds.

16. Isle of Bute

Take a ferry ride out to the beautiful Isle of Bute. Here you can observe seal colonies from the spectacular red-sanded beach of Scalpsie Bay, before heading to the tearooms at nearby Ettrick Bay for delicious homemade cakes and tea.

The beautiful collection of artworks at Mount Stuart house is also worth a visit. Then the kids can let off steam in 300 acres of gardens and woodlands, before wandering down to the shoreline beach, a great place for a family picnic.

Balvonie House is the perfect base for exploring the islands and castles of Western Scotland.

17. A Boat Ride on the Thames

Cruising along England’s historic River Thames is a wonderful way for the family to enjoy a summer’s day. Hire a self-drive boat and take turns being the skipper, or sit back and relax on a river cruise and enjoy the beautiful countryside and villages as you’re given a guided tour of the area by an experienced skipper.

Chimney Corner is the perfect holiday home for a relaxing and comfortable stay near Henley-on-Thames.

18. Harry Potter World, Leavesden

The ideal day out for Potterheads of all ages, you can visit some of the most iconic sets used in the making of Harry Potter. Step into the Great Hall, stroll down Diagon Alley or jump on board the Knight Bus. You can even ride a broomstick!

Exterior sets such as Number 4 Privet Drive and the Hogwart’s Bridge can be found at the Backlot where you can sip on Butterbeer, a frothy, non-alcoholic concoction tasting of shortbread and butterscotch.

From this year you can break the Hogwart rules and follow the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione into the Forbidden Forest where you’ll encounter a full-sized model of Buckbeak.

19. Hampton Court Palace, Kingston-on-Thames

This magnificent and majestic royal palace on the River Thames will give you a fascinating insight into the court life of Tudor England. Satisfy your sweet tooth in the Chocolate Kitchen, see how cooks prepared banquets in the Tudor Kitchen, or follow the Ghostly Children’s Trail. There are re-enactments performed by colourful costumed characters. You may even get to meet Henry himself! Outside you can try tackling the famous 18th century maze or discover secret grottos and mysterious beasts in the Magic Garden.

20. Tower of London

The oldest fortress and prison in Europe is home to the Crown Jewels, not to mention the odd headless ghost or two! Explore the towers and grounds, see where royal queens lost their heads, and marvel at stories told by the Yeoman Warders. For older kids, the gruesome torture exhibition displaying replicas of torture instruments used at the Tower is too good to miss. Not for the faint-hearted!

For the younger kids, there are interactive adventures and activity trails to follow or they can help defend the Tower in a live-historical re-enactment.

21. A Day Out at the Beach

If the warm summer days continue, it’s time to head to the beach. The UK is blessed with some stunning beaches, with sand so white and waters so crystal clear, they could make you think you’re in the Caribbean. Some family favourites include:

With perfect surfing conditions and golden sands, Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall is a favourite with surfers and families alike.

Blue Flag beach West Wittering in Sussex has impeccable water quality, fine, golden sand and an abundance of wildlife in the surrounding area of outstanding natural beauty.

Weymouth Beach, Dorset is said to have the best sand in Britain for building sandcastles. There is even a featured sand sculptor whose work is displayed on the beach. The beach has a lifeguard patrol and a lost child point.

Blackpool Sands, Dorset offers something for everyone. There’s a play area and designated sand pits for the little ones, a bathing raft for teenagers and a fabulous seafood restaurant where mum and dad can try local seafood while sipping on a chilled glass of wine. The beach is cleaned every day and is patrolled by lifeguards.

House Parties offers a range of spacious, comfortable and family-friendly luxury homes throughout the UK, designed to make your staycation extra special. To enquire about a booking for your family or group of friends, or to discuss the best location for your family holiday, contact us today.

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