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Literary Lake District
The Lake District is famous for its glorious unspoiled scenery and literary connections. William Wordsworth was born at Cockermouth, educated at Hawkshead and lived in and around Grasmere. He was visited by other writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Thomas de Quincey. Thomas de Quincey was married in the church at Grasmere and Coleridge's eldest son was buried there. Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey both lived in Keswick. Southey is buried at Crossthwaite.
John Ruskin bought the Brantwood estate beside Coniston Water in 1871 and lived there until his death. There is a Ruskin museum in Coniston.
Beatrix Potter used to come to the Lake District for family holidays. She bought Hill Top with the proceeds of her writings. There is a gallery of her paintings at Hawkshead. Recognise some of the scenery from the pictures in her books.
A side trip could be made to Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters. See their vicarage home (now a museum), the church where their father was the incumbent and the family vault.
Yorkshire Dales |
James Herriot's Yorkshire
Base yourself north-west of York. Visit Thirsk where James Herriot had his surgery. Spend a day, or even two, driving his territory of the Yorkshire Dales. Spend another day in York with time to visit the Minster, Jorvik Viking Centre and various museums.
Another day can be spent driving the North Yorkshire Moors and visiting Castle Howard, where "Brideshead Revisited" was filmed. Ride on the railway used as the Hogwart's Express in the Harry Potter film. This tour might continue north via the Scottish Borders, visiting Hadrian's Wall (dating from Roman times) and Sir Walter Scott's home at Abbotsford. The tour could finish in Edinburgh.
Gardens of Britain
England has a temperate climate and the plants love it. Everywhere in the country there are gardens open to the public. Even the north of Scotland has some wonderful gardens, because they gain the benefit of the warmth of the Gulf Stream. Garden tours can last for any length of time and be in any area of the country. See the day tours from London for a few suggestions.
Charming Cotswolds
The Cotswold hills run from Bath to Stratford-upon-Avon. Start at Bath visiting the Roman bathing complex and hot springs, the finest in the country. See the beautiful Georgian architecture and visit the Assembly rooms, which Jane Austen knew. A good shopping city. Continue north to the town of Cirencester, where there is a very good museum on Roman life, plus an excavated Roman villa at Chedworth. Further north are the quaint sounding villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden. Allow time for browsing in the antique shops. At the north end of the Cotswolds is the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, famously associated with William Shakespeare. Visit some of the Shakespeare properties or maybe take in a play. Allow 3-4 days for this tour.
Cornwall: Land of Myth and Legend
Visit Stonehenge and Avebury en route to Cornwall. Visit Glastonbury, burial place of King Arthur, and Dartmoor, where the Sherlock Holmes' mystery "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is set. In Cornwall see Tintagel (legendary birthplace of King Arthur), Chysauster Ancient Village and various stone circles and standing stones. In summer see a play at the Minack Theatre. Explore the Tate Gallery, St. Ives. Cornwall has wonderful gardens.
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