England 

This is thought to be London’s oldest wine bar. Established in 1890, this cozy wine cellar is a fun place for an early evening tipple.

Roots (Michelin Star) Skosh (small plates) Melton Rattle Owl (Farm to table, foraging chefs) Star Inn City Fish and Forest Los Moros (North African) Cafe #8 Bow Room at Gray’s Court Arras Pairings (wine bar and deli) The House of Trembling Madness (two locations – larger one is here) Excellent beer selection, with better than […]

This gorgeous and historic palace is probably the best in England

Everyone has seen pictures of the giant mysterious stones as old as the pyramids. Because of its popularity it can get very busy here so buy tickets in advance and arrive early. When you get there, download the Stonehenge audio tour app (or pay for the audioguide) and start by grabbing the shuttle bus out […]

2000 years ago England was a Roman colony and the Romans built extensive baths here. They have been excavated and are now much as they would have been in Roman times. Buy advance tickets at the TI and skip the line. Audioguide is included but guided tours leave on the hour and are free and […]

There is perhaps more history packed in this 18 acre site than anywhere else on earth. Built by the Norman William the Conqueror in 1077, the Tower has been a royal residence, site of executions (remember Anne Boleyn?) and imprisonments (Elizabeth I before she was queen), child murders (Edward V), and the home of the […]

During World War II, much of the war effort was conducted from bunkers beneath Whitehall due to the frequent bombings. Following the surrender of the Japanese Forces, the doors to the Cabinet War Rooms were locked on August 16, 1945 and remained secret and forgotten until 1984 when the main war rooms were opened to […]

The Tower of London is home to 1000 years of British History. It was founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. And the White Tower was built by William the Conquerer. Since then most of the important historical occurrences of English history have centered here. It’s the home of the Crown […]

The world heritage site of Greenwich is all about Maritime exploration and astronomy. There are several separate museums here – the Cutty Sark, a 150 year old fast cargo sailing ship (“clipper ship”) which is remarkably intact, the excellent National Maritime Museum, Queens House gallery, and Royal Observatory (where “Greenwich mean time” starts).

Amog the most prestigious and interesting of the Oxford colleges – well worth a visit

Christopher Wren’s masterpiece completed in the early 1700s, miraculously survived the Blitz. It’s a Neoclassical masterpiece; the dome was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Climb the stairs for the best views of London. The Crypts are also interesting with memorials to many famous British including the Duke of Wellington and Vice Admiral […]

This is a magnificent gothic cathedral with tallest spire in England. For you Pillars of the Earth fans there is also an excellent tower tour (reserve ahead, numbers limited) that helps you understand how it was built (tour lasts 1.5 – 2 hours). The church also displays one of the best preserved original Magna Cartas.

This church is architect Christopher Wren’s masterpiece and one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. St. Paul’s (completed in 1708) is a symbol of Britain’s resilience, having survived 57 night of the blitz nearly intact. Don’t miss the climb up the tower, it’s well-worth it for the views. You can also look ahead […]

The Palace of Westminster is the actual name of the Houses of Parliament and can be visited in a 90-minute tour when Parliament is not in session (check the website to see if it’s available on your dates). Saturdays are often a good and available day to visit. The highlight is Westminster Hall which was […]

Dramatic castle built in the 1280’s by Edward I to subdue the unruly Welsh. Attached to the most intact medieval walls in Britain.

Located in a repurposed oil-fired power plant on the south bank of the Thames this (free) museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of modern art. You’ll find pieces by Picasso, Dali, Warhol, and Rothko alike.

You may read guidebooks that suggest visiting Covent Garden (touristy), but for us, Borough Market is the real deal. For 800 years since 1276 this market has been serving the Southwark community and it is full of great food stands. It occupies a large area near London Bridge. Come hungry and enjoy nibbling your way […]

Sort of like a mini British Museum and National Gallery rolled into one, the Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge. Here you’ll find vast collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and artwork from Europe, China, and Japan.

This museum focuses on the critical role of the airborne divisions in the invasion. On building has a Waco Glider, another a full C47 transport plane and the last puts you into the role of and lets you experience being a paratrooper

The massive ruins of this ancient abbey occupy 36 acres and was purportedly founded when Joseph of Arimathea brought the holy grail here in AD 37. Later this was supposedly the home of King Arthur. The monastery was destroyed in 1536 by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. Today these massive ruins have […]

Still home of the royal family, much of the sumptuous staterooms and grounds can be visited unless the royals are in residence. This castle and town make a great day trip from London. Buy tickets for castle in advance and collect them at prepaid ticket window. Arrive before 11 in the morning to beat crowds. […]

Spectacular garden with an amazing 180 foot yellow laburnum arch (blooms late May to early June) but delightful throughout

This is arguably the prettiest site in Cambidge. A gorgeous and grandiose 16th century chapel, King’s College Chapel is one of England’s best examples of Gothic architecture. It also hosts the chapel’s world-famous choir, which you can hear for free during evensong daily. The stained glass windows are rare originals which survived Oliver Cromwell’s Civil […]

Wells is the first truly gothic English cathedral (from 1200) and has an interesting scissors double arch (put up later to keep the place from collapsing), tons of carvings on the facade, and nearby lovely grounds of the vicars close and bishop’s palace.

This small village sits in the middle of an enormous stone circle – 600 years older and 16 time larger than Stonehenge and without the crowds. You can also wander among the stones (which you cannot do at Stonehenge).

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, (think ceramics, furniture, etc) housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Even if this is not something you think you’d like […]

During WWII because of concerns about the Blitz, British command moved to a bunker underneath the home office near Parliament. Churchill had an apartment down here from which the war effort was run. The moment the war ended the bunkers were sealed off and remained exactly as they had been in 1945. Many years later […]

This castle is the most impressive of Edward I mighty castles built 700 years ago to subdue the troublesome Welsh. It was never really finished but it fun to wander around and is famous as being the site where the Prince of Wales (heir to the crown of England) is “invested”. There’s a guided tour […]

Lovely gothic church with impressive stained glass dominating the center of Bath – the last greta church built in medieval England

The original Tudor Hampton Court Palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century, but it soon attracted the attention of Henry VIII who brought all of his six wives here. Surrounded by gorgeous gardens and famous features such as the Maze and the Great Vine, the palace has been the setting for […]

If you’re in London in summer or spring, grab boat along the Thames to The Royal Botanical Kew Gardens – a UNESCO world Heritage site. Explore the stunning gardens at your leisure. You can also get here by Tube the other times of the year.

Arrive early to get a spot to observe some traditional pomp and circumstance for this free ‘show” at 11am daily. Best place to see it is probably from the Victoria Memorial. Standing on the steps of the Victoria Memorial is a good spot as the elevated position lets you see the Guards and Bands arriving […]

The Royal Crescent is a long graceful arc of buildings from Bath’s aristocratic glory days. Number 1 allows you inside to see how the wealthy lived in 18th century Bath.

The single best place to see Hadrian’s wall is here. Check out the museum and walk along the ancient (and remote) remains of the Roman wall.

This museum focuses on Yorks long history and archeology and includes Roman, Viking, and Anglo Saxon medieval artifacts.

One of the biggest and best railway museums in the world

This is a fascinating time capsule museum including recreated old streets, rooms, workshops, and artifacts from the past

This is a well-preserved mediaeval castle that, while having a bit of a theme park vibe is nevertheless historic and fun.

Wars have had a big effect on England and this excellent museum seeks to explain what it was like for those involved.

This is one of the largest libraries in the work and a number of books and manuscripts are on display to the public in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery which is open seven days a week at no charge. Some manuscripts in the exhibition include Beowulf, a Gutenberg Bible, the Magna Carta, Chaucer’s Canterbury tales, as well as […]

You can get an idea of how long a church has been on this site when you look at the name which was given because at the time, there were fields at this spot in the center of modern-day London. The current structure dates only back to the 1720’s, however. St Martin is known for […]

Near Keswick, in the middle of a field, without any fanfare, is this 5000 year old ancient stone circle artifact.

This is the large square in the center of London around the area formally known as Charing Cross. In the center you’ll find a high column with the statue of Admiral Nelson which commemorates the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. There will almost certainly be someone rallying or protesting if you are there on […]

An eclectic Oxford art and archeology museum. This world famous collections range from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art.

Opened in 1869 Boudin was a contemporary of many of the more famous impressionists and actually inspired Monet to begin painting outside rather than in the studio. This small museum features works of his alongside his contemporaries, as well as featuring work of other artists who lived in Honfluer

An eclectic collection ranging from Neanderthal relics to Roman Mosaics to a Tailor’s Guild puppet.

Free and interesting museum with all sorts of stuff that the scholars of Oxford used to change the world.

The National Portrait Gallery features a huge number of British portraiture, all the way from medieval to contemporary. From a historical standpoint, it’s interesting to learn about the who’s who of British history from the Normans to the Beatles.

Impressive Christopher Wren hall where school ceremonies occur.

This lovely estate has been the sight of several movies (Pride and Prejudice, among others) and has lovely art and gardens and somewhat annoying and inconsistent opening times (this is a real lived in manor and the family uses it). Generally it’s not open on weekends – check the website and to be sure, call […]

One of the largest libraries in the world and the heart of the University. Be sure and see the Divinity school and its vaulted hall.

This Earle’s home is open to the public Open Tuesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August from 2pm until 5pm. You can wander through (with and audioguide narrated by the earl) and ask the docents about the furnishings, etc. You really are getting a peak into this very lived in manor house. The grounds […]

ENORMOUS bookstore, an Oxford institution. Here you’ll find pretty much anything to read you could possibly imagine.

Unique wooden church from the 1400’s (replaced an earlier stone church destroyed in the hundred years war) built out of wood because they stone was needed to fortify the walls of the city. Looks a lot like a boat – because the builders were shipwrights rather than church architects

Built in 1580 (during the reign of Elizabeth I), this house gives a fascinating look into what life was like for a wealthy merchant of the time

One of the oldest (1263), most charming, and cheapest of Oxford colleges to visit. Worth a pop in.

The holy grail is at the bottom of this well (in a nice garden) according to legend. Sample the healing waters. Start your climb up the Glastonbury Tor from here.

The Banqueting House is the grandest and best known survivor of the historical banqueting houses which were constructed for elaborate entertaining in the 16th – 17th centuries. This is the only large surviving component of the Palace of Whitehall, the residence of English monarchs from 1530 to 1698.

Take a boat trip from Glenridding down lovely Ullswater Lake. You can hop off half way down the lake at Howtown for a nice (but 7 mile long) walk back to Glenridding, stay on for the full round trip (about two hours).

If the idea of traipsing up a windy ridge is not your idea of fun for the day you can still get out and takes a hike on this pleasant and easy (mostly flat) walk wound lovely Buttermere lake in the Lake District (4.2 miles, 1-2 hours)

Rent a boat (punt) and try your hand at poling around the river. Or go for more efficiency and less embarrassment and hire a chauffeur / tour. Note there are several companies offering similar services. You will pass the lovely “backs’ of the colleges as you cruise down the Cam river.

Starting at 8pm and lasting about 90 minutes this irreverent stroll around this city of Bath offers something “hysterical rather than historical”.

“Not a cider for the novice – a sip of Wilkins’ will put hairs on your chest. And those hairs will sprout hairs. Roger makes his cider the traditional way, leaving the juice to ferment naturally in wooden barrels, resulting in a fearsome, robust, Lucozade-hued booze that’s not ready to tap until Roger says it’s […]

The Roseate Villa Bath encompasses two converted Victorian houses in a quiet corner of the city, a moments’ walk from the heart of Bath. Parking is available on site. It also has a lovely garden.

This is a boutique hotel located in an old coaching inn. A free breakfast hamper delivered to the room every morning. There is limited parking in site – reserve in advance (or in nearby carpark).