London, Past and Present in Harmony

Now for a whirlwind tour of some of the top sights in London, England.

The White Tower in the Tower

The Ravens

First and foremost is the Tower of London.  Packed full of history, mystery, and intrigue there is plenty for every kind of visitor to see.  Take a Yeomen Tour.  It is fun, well worth your time, and you'll learn things a regular walk around won't tell.  But please, be respectful of all the different guards in the Tower.  You wouldn't tease, sass, or demand things of a Special Forces officer, so don't do it to these guys.  They are the elite, top of the class, military force.

From the Tower take a boat trip down the Thames to Westminster.  Along the way you'll see many of London's iconic sights: (L to R) Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and last but not least Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  The London Eye, the Globe Theatre and many other sights are also visible.

A few blocks from the Parliament Building is Westminster Abbey.  Church and burial sight in one, there is always something to see no matter where you turn your eyes.  But you better not be uneasy about walking on graves, because there are hundred's in the floor.  See how many names on the graves and memorials you recognize.  Composers, scientists, theologians, and nobility have all left their mark on the chapel.

The next hotspot is the British Museum.  Centuries of history from all over the world are housed here.  The most famous artifact seems to be the Rosetta Stone which stands just inside the entrance to the Egyptian rooms.  Give yourself lots of time.  There's plenty to see.

These are the absolute must sees in London, but there is plenty more to visit.  I have already written about 221B Baker St. in a previous blog.  Another place I've visited and would recommend, but only if you have time and the money to shop, is Harrods.  Imagine an American shopping mall squeezed together on a large city block and then stacked six stories high plus one below ground and you've got Harrods.  Oh and there are crowds.

There are days worth of sights to see in London.  Don't try to do them all.  Research and pick the best for you.  And as always, have fun.


This will be my last post about England and Scotland for a while, at least until I get more material.  However, I hope to continue blogging off and on, so keep checking back. ~ D. Brewer

Please do not use these pictures without permission.

Iona Abbey, Beauty and History in One

 

Floating in the Irish Sea is the tiny and tranquil island or isle of Iona.  Approximately three miles long and one mile wide, nearly everything is within walking distance.  There are few cars and only the most necessary businesses running in the main village.  Even the bank comes over on a ferry in the form of a bank van.  This helps keep the island the peaceful sanctuary it has been for centuries.

The most famous of Iona’s sights is probably her abbey.  First built by St. Columba when he came over from Ireland in 563AD, the abbey was rebuilt and enlarged in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.  Stepping inside the abbey is like stepping back in time.  Everywhere you look is history…masonry marks, rough stones, iron work, hard wood benches…its all there.

To the casual viewer, the stonework and wooden arches of the monastery may hold little of the grandness of places like Westminster Abbey in London, but therein is its greatness.  The Abbey holds the rugged beauty of the Isle in its rough hewn stonework and wooden beams.

If you’re on a tour, which is probably the wisest choice for anyone not a native, it may seem like you don’t have the time to see everything, but take time.  Relax and enjoy this quiet spot.  Squeeze the rest in if you can, but Iona Abbey should not be rushed.

IONA ABBEY

 THE NUNNERY (ruins)

Built in the early 13th century, the Augustinian nunnery was constructed with an interesting pink stone.  It is a quiet spot and well worth the visit after the Abbey.

ST. ORAN'S CHAPEL

The old medieval road, also known as the Road of the Dead, runs from the abbey to St. Oran's Chapel and the oldest Christian cemetery in Scotland.

IONA

(This final picture is the Isle of Mull from Iona.)

CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE FERRY

On a final note, the Caledonian MacBrayne tours are probably the best way to see not only Iona, but also the Isle of Mull.  Their drivers are experts in driving the single lane roads required to get to Iona.  They have plenty of local history available to share as you ride.  This also frees you up to take pictures of the many sights that appear along the way.

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

Warwick Castle, Home of the Kingmaker

If you want to visit an iconic English castle, Warwick Castle is the place to be.  The massive stone structure you now see was first built in the 12th century and underwent upgrades and expansions until the 14th century. Now it stands as a historic monument and museum that gives visitors of all ages a glimpse into life at the castle over the centuries.

There is plenty to see and do around Warwick Castle.  During the summer, there are live demonstrations of everything from hawk handling to warfare.  At all times, there are waxwork displays of historic events, such as the “Kingmaker” highlighting the final hours of Richard Neville, the Kingmaker, before his death at the Battle of Barnet in 1471.  There are also displays of events much nearer our time, such as a royal dinner party which included a young Winston Churchill who lived at the castle for a time.  If you’re someone who likes the spooky or scary, there’s some of that too, though I’ll admit I’ve not visited these “attractions.” And, of course, there’s always someone in period costume.

Do I recommend the castle?  Yes, definitely.  Just be aware, it can be crowded, particularly during the summer months and into late September.  However, don’t let that discourage you.  The entry process is quick compared to many places I’ve visited in the United States and the castle is big enough to house all those people without overwhelming visitors.  So, as always, give yourself plenty of time to explore and just enjoy all that history.  Oh yeah, and have fun.

 
If you are lucky enough to have a B&B within walking distance, taking the Pedestrian's Way into the castle maybe the best and quickest route in (unless you're in a wheelchair) and it is quite lovely, too.

Warwick Castle in the morning sunrise

 The spookier side of things

The Royal Dinner Party
(Churchill is the young man to the right in the picture below)

Warwick Town from Guy's Tower (the tallest tower in the castle)

The Kingmaker, echoes of battle

The Great Hall

The Gardens

Please do not use these use these pictures without permission.

Restormel Castle

Restormel Castle (res-tore-mull) is one of my all time favorite castles in England.  That is not because there is anything spectacular about it to the casual viewer.  It is the shell of a round keep from the 13^th century.  Little remains besides the walls, but when I was a girl I picked the name of Restormel out of a list of English castles and began to write.  Several years later, I was able to see the castle for the first time and found it everything I had imagined.

Restormel is located on a quiet hill near the River Fowey.  From its walls you can enjoy the beautiful Cornish countryside or enjoy a picnic outside the walls.  The woodlands and farmlands around the castle give it a peaceful atmosphere and allow a glimpse of what the area might have been like all those centuries ago.

If you need a quiet place to stop on your busy trip or tour of England, Restormel is well worth the stop.  Ask questions, particularly of the older castle workers, and you might learn about some of the interesting and strange things to be found in the castle.  I look forward to my next visit to this quiet castle little castle in Cornwall.

 
The Gatehouse

The Great Hall

The Chapel

The Well...

...and the strange tunnel in it that only goes four feet in.  Now why did they do that?

The Wall Walk

The Castle Courtyard

The Great Hall from the wall. Notice the "unusual" curve. Everything inside the castle is built in a circle, except for the chapel. 

The Gatehouse

The land beyond the wall

Please do not use these pictures without permission.