For those of us who fell in love with the legends of Camelot, read the Lord of the Rings over and over again and watched breathlessly as armies clashed in modern movies like Braveheart, there can be only one nation that can bring these dreams to life: the United Kingdom. All of the great fantasy tales have their foundation in some English myth or historical event from the medieval age. There are ... Read Full Article
Enjoying Outdoor Shakespeare in Exeter, Devon
The Rougemont Gardens in Exeter, Devon come alive each summer with open air productions of Shakespeare. Whilst outdoor theatre is a common phenomenon in the UK during the summer (made all the more unforgettable by the somewhat unpredictable weather), what sets the Exeter Shakespeare in the Gardens performances apart is the fact that they occur for several weeks at a time, rather than one-off ... Read Full Article
Enjoying the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London
If you’re visiting London during July, August or September, and you enjoy live orchestral music and want a taste of a Great British tradition, then attending a Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall is essential. The Proms take place each year in London, from July through to September, and are a series of over 70 concerts held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. The Proms have been in existence ... Read Full Article
“Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag…” A Visit to London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral
Though I had harbored fantasies of visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral à la Mary Poppins (crooning sweetly and throwing seed to the nearby birds), a sign reading “please don’t feed the birds” soon dashed my hopes (I didn’t really feel like singing after that…or perhaps it was the “quiet please” sign on display as I entered the cathedral that caused me to keep my trap shut). In any case, I ... Read Full Article
Browsing the Finery at Fortnum and Mason in London, England
When our tour guide in London said “Ah yes, and to your left is Fortnum and Mason, where the queen does her grocery shopping,” I saw my foodie husband’s ears perk up and knew we’d be spending the afternoon there. Man, am I glad we did! Though this may not be somewhere you’re inclined to spend hours at during your first trip to London (so many other sights to see!), it is the perfect, relaxing ... Read Full Article
Enjoy a Traditional English Tea Service in London
Indulging in afternoon tea is a quintessential experience in England. Not to be confused with “high tea” which is a heartier meal that features more meat dishes and is served in early evening, afternoon tea is a light mid-afternoon snack, served from around 2:30 -5 p.m. Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, is the person credited with making “tea” a daily ritual as opposed to a simple ... Read Full Article
Exploring Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales of England
It’s picturesque, has a fascinating history, provides plenty of walking trails and is a place that people of all ages can enjoy – it’s Bolton Abbey, in the Yorkshire Dales. The village of Bolton Abbey is located seven miles from Skipton, 17 miles from Harrogate, and lies on the banks of the River Wharfe. There you’ll find the Bolton Abbey estate, of about 30,000 acres, which is perhaps best ... Read Full Article
Why I’m a Fan of London’s Tate Modern
I’ll admit it- I’ve always been a fan of contemporary art. This appreciation turned into a passion during my time working for the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and I became a full-blown contemporary art junkie. Though I have since pursued a career in academia and world language education, the arts have always remained part of my personal and profession (writing) life. In the fall of 2008, the ... Read Full Article
Steam-Training Through Yorkshire’s Bronte Country
Steam-Training Through Yorkshire's Bronte Country The five mile Keighley and Worth Valley Railway starts at Keighley (although you can get on and off at any station on the line) where the traditional preserved line lies alongside the mainline station. Here old steam trains gently chug out of the old station on one side, whilst modern trains zoom off from the platform on the other side, ... Read Full Article
Brimful With Rocks: Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
Located within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in North Yorkshire, Brimham Rocks is an area characterised by dramatic rock formations. My first visit to Brimham Rocks was years ago as a child but, other than the fact that there were a lot of rocks, I couldn’t remember a great deal about it. So given the opportunity to re-visit recently, I jumped at the chance. My ... Read Full Article