What could be more English? There’s every opportunity to make an in-depth assessment of this puzzling question as you sample all England has to offer. The gardens of England’s historic properties are spectacularly green, manicured and presented – glorious, even if you are not a gardener. Having explored and examined every kind of flower, hedge and tree it may be time to retire to a quaint pub and consider what is more English – gardens, pubs or pork pies? A pint or two will provide plenty of inspiration to consider that weighty question, as you continue a tour of England, beyond London.
The Royal Observatory is where time stands still. Or where it reaches all the way around the world, depending on your point of view. Greenwich itself is quaint relief from the bustle of London. Shops, pubs and a terrific bakery are all located adjacent to the reaches of the Greenwich Park, a wide open green space with paths cutting through acres of grassland. Whatever the weather, you will see runners out making the most of this space.
The Observatory is set on what was probably London’s highest hill at the time it was built. A major attraction is the Greenwich prime meridian line and you will see many people taking photos of themselves with one foot in the eastern hemisphere, and one in western hemisphere each side of the meridian. This National Geographic article provides a simple explanation of the prime meridian. Just below the Observatory the line continues outside the Museum courtyard and down the wall.
Getting to the Observatory is a worthwhile journey in itself. Catch a Riverboat from Embankment, the London Eye or further downstream for an affordable way to see London from the Thames.
Did you read, or have read to you the stories of Winnie the Pooh? A.A. Milne chronicled the adventures of Christopher Robin, the much-loved ‘silly old bear’ and their friends Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Kanga and Roo. While simply told, many of Pooh Bear’s wise sayings still turn up on social media today (“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”).
The 100 Acre Wood was inspired by Ashdown Forest in the south of England – you can visit today, and even play ‘Pooh Sticks’ under the bridge. You might even see a heffalump.
The area felt quite soft and magical the day we visited. Unfortunately, recent reviews have been quite mixed so do your homework and consider when best to visit to ensure you can catch a little of the magic.
What do you like best about England’s south coast?
Brighton has long been a seaside destination for pleasure seekers. Read a little of its history here. Fans of Jane Austen will remember Pride and Prejudice’s Lydia Bennet being thrilled to travel to Brighton – and ultimately be swept away by the unsavoury Mr Wickham in his soldier’s uniform (Wikipedia for story summary). The Brighton Pier reaches out into the English Channel, and offers amusements or the chance to stare off to distant horizons. On shore, a sandy beach it is not!
We travelled from Brighton to Land’s End, then up through Cornwall to Lynmouth before heading to Bath. From soft rolling hills, laneways bordered by towering hedges (how do they trim those?!), and seafaring towns, the south of England has much to offer. So much to see, so much history, so many places you will have heard of, if not yet visited. Portsmouth offers a stepping-off point for the Isle of Wight and famous yacht racing, Lyme Regis is historic and charming (read about the original Lassie!), Plymouth bills itself as ‘Britian’s Ocean city’ and has spectacular swimming baths, the art deco Tinside Lido.
Further along the coast you may meet Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, at Land’s End. As the southerly most point in England, Land’s End is the start (or finish, depending on your direction) of the epic walk from one end of Great Britian to the other at John O’Groats at the tip of Scotland. You can walk, cycle or otherwise navigate this ~1400 kilometre trek – there’s plenty of well-researched resources on the web, including here at Lejogplanner if you’re ready to take on this adventure.
Our excursion to the south of England continued along the very picturesque Cornwall coast, and then to Lynmouth on the Bristol Channel, before finishing inland at Bath. Read about the ‘original well being destination’ here. The Roman Baths have been attracting patrons to ‘take the waters’ for perhaps thousands of years.
What’s your favourite ‘well-being’ destination? Share it and a photo with us at ideas@travelsampler.world
