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.

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

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Edinburgh Castle

My first thought upon seeing Edinburgh Castle for the first time was “Wow, that’s big.”  The second was, “Boy, there’s a lot of people.”  Yes, visiting the castle in the middle of the day can be a bit crazy. 

The imposing fortress of Edinburgh Castle teems with life and history.  It has been a royal castle and military garrison for centuries.  This is clear everywhere you look.  Edinburgh Castle is a museum.

That’s not to say the castle is not worth seeing.  There’s plenty to catch the interest of the history buff, including the legendary and controversial Stone of Destiny, and the wall walk offers some impressive views of Edinburgh city.

The Entrance to Edinburgh Castle.  Guarding the gateway are the statues of William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.

The Great Hall houses an artistic array of medieval weaponry and armor.










From the walls: The new city...

 ...And the old.

The old city from the battery in the wall.

Edinburgh Castle in not on my list of top places to visit, but it is worth the visit if you have the time.

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Glen Coe and the Wild Highlands

Ah, the Highlands.  When one thinks of Scotland, this is one of the first places that come to mind.  The wild peaks of Glen Coe, the mysterious Loch Ness, and the fabled Loch Lomond all add their favors to this colorful land that is the Highlands.

 As you travel out of the Trossachs, you will come rather suddenly on the valley known far and wide as Glen Coe.  Little streams and small waterfalls line the roadway.  Rugged peaks soar heavenward on every side.  Whether raining or not, give the sun half a chance and the mysterious romance of Glen Coe will quickly capture your heart.

If you have time, visit the Glen Coe Visitor Center at the northern end of the glen.  Here, you will get a taste of Glen Coe’s history and the tragic event that took place there at the end of the 17^th century that made Glen Coe both famous and infamous.

Turning north from Glen Coe, you will enter the Great Glen which runs nearly 100 miles from Fort William in the south to Inverness in the north.  This glen is home to two of Scotland’s largest lochs, the most famous being Loch Ness.  Home of the legendary Loch Ness monster, Loch Ness is a popular spot for tourists of all nationalities.  However, thanks to its great size, there is always a quiet place for those who just want to stand and enjoy the view.

One excellent place to visit if you want a castle and famous loch in the same spot is Urquhart Castle.  Nestled on the banks of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is now in ruins, but enough still stands to allow for some interesting exploration and an unobstructed view of Loch Ness from its one remaining tower.  But before you go down to the castle, stop in at the visitor center and watch the living history video about the castle.  The history is interesting and a special surprise at the end makes it well worth the time.

Like the Trossachs, the Highlands are well worth taking time to explore.  There is so much to see and do.  No matter what your interests are you’ll probably find it a challenge to do it all.  But take time and enjoy the Highlands.  I do every time I visit.

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

“He Who Holds Stirling, Holds Scotland”

Surrounded on three sides by the steep cliffs of Castle Hill, Stirling Castle soars majestically above the town of Stirling and the River Forth.  Its strategic position, guarding what was once the only crossing over the River Forth into the Highlands, made it a hotspot for political and military conflict for centuries.  But for the modern traveler there are other reasons to visit Stirling Castle.

Stirling Castle is one of the largest surviving castles in Scotland.  Contained within its walls are some of the finest examples of Medieval and Renaissance architecture around.  Massive reconstruction and restoration efforts have brought many parts of the castle back to their former glory, including the Palace, the Great Hall, and the Chapel Royal.  Yet, beyond the fascinating “furnishings,” there are plenty of other things to see.  Look around.  You never know what you might find tucked away in a corner, down a stairs, or through an archway. 

 

The Great Hall contains the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland.  Occasionally, important historical events are reenacted in the hall giving visitors an exciting glimpse of life during the height of the castle’s power.

The Palace, built in the mid-1500s by James V, has undergone extensive restoration and is now nearly entirely restored to its former beauty with lavish Renaissance facades, furnishings, and hand-woven tapestries.

Between the Great Hall and the Chapel Royal is a narrow walkway that leads to a quiet garden called the Douglas Garden.  It got its name from William, earl of Douglas, who was murdered by his own king, James II, and had his body was thrown here by the king’s frightened courtiers.

When you're done exploring these places, take a look at the great kitchens still bustling with activity, the outer defenses which afford an amazing view of Stirling and the Wallace Monument, and the Argyll Regimental museum. 

Stirling is not just a castle where you go down the list of things to see.  To me, Stirling is one of the purest examples of what any boy or girl imagines when they hear their first stories of knights and castles.  Take time to explore this enchanting castle and, like me, you may find something new that’s not on your map.

For more information and pictures, check out these great sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Castle

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/

http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/

 

      The bustling Great Kitchen                         The ghost of the Douglas?

                                                                       No just the actor taking a stroll,

                                                                   but it was perfectly spooky in the fog.

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