“Mr. Holmes will see you now…”

If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan in any way, 221B Baker Street is the place for you.  Half museum, half living-quarters, the flat on Baker Street gives you both a glimpse of how Holmes and Watson would have lived in Victorian England as well as some of their many adventures.

After paying for your tickets next door and passing the “bobbie” outside 221B’s door, you’ll climb the stairs and enter Holmes’ sitting room.  Library, lab, and case room all mixed into one, this room is where Holmes and Watson would have heard all those chilling and troubling tales from their clients.  Have a look around.  The pipe, Persian slipper, and violin are all there.  See what other items from the stories you can find.

The second room is a bedroom, apparently Sherlock’s.  Makeup and items of disguise along with the other strange items that only seem to belong to a person like Holmes “litter” the room.

Up another level, you come to two more rooms.  These have a feel of private quarters, a second sitting room and office perhaps.  But these rooms house other artifacts of the times and adventures of Sherlock and Watson, including the wicker chair that Holmes sits in in the painting of him talking to Watson.  Not as exciting as the sitting room downstairs, but definitely interesting.

Finally, comes the “Name that Case” room.  Over a dozen of Sherlock’s more popular cases are portrayed in vignettes all around the large chamber, including “The Red-Headed League” and “The Hound of Baskerville.”  If you are an avid reader of Holmes’ cases or just like the challenge, try to guess which case you’re looking at before you read the plaque.  It can be a fun game with your travel companion(s) as well.

So do I recommend this place?  Definitely.  Would I go there again?  Yes, and probably anytime I was in London and could squeeze it into my schedule.  The visit isn’t long, but it is fun.

For more information visit: http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/

Sitting Room






 

Bedroom

 




Other Rooms

Bathroom(left), memorabilia(top), chamberpot and wicker chair (right)

 Guess the Case: Man with the Twisted Lip(left), Hound of Baskerville(bottom), Red-Headed League(right).

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

Glastonbury Tor, The Isle of Avalon

One of the most famous and sacred landmarks in England’s West Country is Glastonbury Tor.  Its origins are firstly natural, but historically it was known amongst ancient Britons as the Isle of Avalon.  The name has inspired theories and speculations as to its connection to the legendary King Arthur as well as the Holy Grail.  But no matter its legendary connections, Glastonbury Tor is well worth a visit.

Rising over five hundred feet above the Somerset plains, visitors to the summit of the Tor can get amazing views of the land below.  On a clear day, the view expands to reach not only Somerset, but also the adjoining counties of Dorset, Wiltshire.

The climb to the top is difficult, but there are plenty of places for the weary climber to rest, including the St. Michael’s Tower.  Resting on the pinnacle of the Tor, the tower can be seen for miles welcoming all pilgrims and is all that remains of a church that once stood on the Tor until the Dissolution in the early 1500s.

If you like spectacular views, this is the place to visit, but give yourself time in planning this stop.  The road to the Tor is marked, but not clearly and the road both in town and to the entrance is very narrow.  The ascent can also take some time, particularly if you are not use to steep climbs.  That said, take time and enjoy your visit to Glastonbury Tor as well.

The Climb

With the Eagles

 

The View (above)

From St. Michael's Tower (right)

St Michael's Tower

from the assent (above)

looking up inside (right)

entrance (below)

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.