This trip will not be trivial but will show you the surroundings of the bustling and impetuous London. On this journey you will visit many estates, manors and country houses of high-ranking officials, you will also see the best aviation museum of England and will travel many kilometres along the magnificent landscapes. To visit Warner Bros. Studios better to prepare in advance and buy tickets much earlier in 1-2 months, since demand is very high and there will simply be no tickets for the excursion if you just arrive there. Therefore, be careful.
The first day of the trip begins with a visit to the manor built in the 18th century. It is surrounded by a beautiful park with all modern amenities.
The Marble Hill mansion is a typical Palladium villa. The mansion project was designed by architect Roger Morris commissioned by the Count of Pembroke, Henry Herbert. The mansion was built in 1724 - 1729 for Henrietta Howard, Countess Suffolk, and the mistress of King George II. In 1986 mansion was acquired by the historic buildings and monuments commission of England. Today the mansion along with its adjacent territories, is called Marble Hill Park. The park has a variety of modern support facilities, including a playground, tennis courts, a golf course, and a children's playground.
Savor Thai specialities at Thai Upon Thames. Many guests recommend ordering good duck curry, king prawns and pad thai. This place is famous for its good coconut ice cream. According to visitors, wine here is also very good.
The day will be filled with visiting of beautiful sights. The first of these is the summer residence which is visited by thousands of tourists. Then you will see the estate where home owner invested a lot of money up to the statues which were brought from Italy.
Today, Windsor Castle is known worldwide as the summer residence of the English monarchs, and hundreds and thousands of tourists come to the city every day to look at this miracle of architecture and the artistic values stored in it, to hear new interesting facts about its history and details of the queen's life. Almost a thousand years ago, Wilhelm I, to protect London, ordered to build around him a ring of fortresses towering on artificial hills. One of these strategic fortresses was a wooden castle in Windsor, surrounded by walls. It was built around 1070.
On your way to the next destination, stop by this local pub with an authentic and very friendly atmosphere and have your lunch.
Country Palace Cliveden was built in 1849-1851. Lord Astor at one time invested a lot of money in the estate, the baroque sculptures in the garden were brought from Italy. And his wife, Lady Astor, who was elected to the British Parliament, organized soiree and very soon the Cliveden Palace became the favorite meeting place of London secular society. The Astors gave the Cliveden estate to the National Foundation, which in the 1970s handed it over to Stanford University to house the British branch. Currently, a five-star hotel is equipped in Cleveden.
A huge garden, divided into many thematic areas, ranging from the "wild forest" and experimental plantations to the bonsai alley, a pond with a collection of water plants and a stunning rose garden, about which you will feel before you see it - the scent is fantastic. From the very beginning, Wesley was engaged in the art of growing plants and experimenting, and today he continues to do it. In the late summer of 2017, a new exciting Exotic Garden was opened, and in the coming years, the park will present many more interesting new areas and facilities as part of their main Strategic Investment Programme.
Some impressions from visitor: "Woking Park has everything from 3G football pitches to a big jungle themed playground! There's a large open green where county cricket is sometimes played, a large pond with ducks, swans and geese, a skateboard park with ramps and best of all, a huge carpark and great transport connections from Woking station. A must visit!".
If you like Korean dishes, check out this place. Here you can order amazing bibimpap, pork belly and grig. Many customers indicate that Bulgogi serves good ice cream. Order good wine, lager or soju. Guests claim that the staff at this place is amazing.
On this day, you will go exploring the architecture of the estates of London. One of the most sophisticated and best-preserved houses, then the palace which arose thanks to the Knights of the Order of the Hospitallers.
The history of the palace is associated with the name of Cardinal Thomas Walsey, who acquired the estate in 1514 from the Knights of the Order of the Hospitallers. By 1525 the complex turned into a real palace, and the cardinal presented it to his monarch Henry VIII. Under the rule of Wilhelm the Third, the palace was again reconstructed. The monarch believed that his residence should resemble the Paris Versailles and entrusted the architect Christopher Ren with a grandiose remake of the complex. But until the demise of the ruler, only the south facade was redone. Modern park Hampton Court is spread over 24 hectares. There is a fountain, exquisite plants, hedges, the channel of the Victorian era, the ancient yew. A famous landmark park complex is the Hampton Court maze.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many country houses were built here and gardens were laid out. Ham House is one of the most sophisticated and best preserved similar villas. It is built of stone and lined with brick. Construction began in 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasura, but then the villa was largely rebuilt in 1672-1674 for the Duke of Lauderdale and his wife. The house and garden are located at the Thames River itself, which, when it was spilled 20 years ago, reached almost the gates of the estate. In 1948, Ham House acquired the National Trust. The house has remained almost unchanged, but the garden has long disappeared. In 1976 he began his careful restoration. The garden was recreated as it was created in the 17th century. There is enough documentary evidence about the former garden: plans, paintings and drawings.
The waiters offer visitors a delicious salad of crabs, roasted lamb and halibut. You can order good pudding, lemon pie and cupcakes here. Order a wonderful pink prosecco, homemade wine or bellini cocktail. The restaurant has a convenient location and beautiful interior. Most customers note that the staff at the Petersham Nurseries Café is helpful.
In 1747, the young Count Walpole acquired a small estate on the banks of the Thames, which began to be rebuilt, in accordance with his own taste and desire. With long interruptions, the construction of the manor house continues until 1770. The estate of Walpole called Strawberry Hill, in his dreams he was a “little gothic castle”. After the death of Horace unfortunately over the years the original interiors were destroyed and the accumulated wealth sold out. A few years ago home restoration began. What is unique is that the description of the house is documented in great detail in various sources, including the description published by Horace Walpole himself, and in his letters published in 48 volumes. But the restoration costs a lot of money and effort.
The Amphitheater of Claremont Sod is an iconographic depiction of 18th century landscape planning. In 1726, he inspired the poet Alexander Pope to build the Bridge-Manik Theater in Twickenham. Comments of that time indicate that there were fishing evenings and picnics in the cozy interior of the pavilion. There was also a house covered with reeds, and the one that you can see today is a reduced copy. And there was a temple, called the Alley of the Nine Pines. Nowadays, the entrance is at the base of the hill, although the landscape has been designed so that it can be seen from the castle belvedere. Views from this garden are as important as the garden itself.
The Museum's collection originally grew from the Surrey collections of the Archeological Society, founded in 1854. From the very beginning, the Society collected objects from excavations and private donations, as well as acceptance credits from private individuals. In 1903, Mr. Fredrik H. Elsley was appointed joint librarian and curator of the collection of the Society of books, manuscripts and artifacts. He was offered an annual fee of £ 5 a year, which by the time of his death in 1944 had risen to £ 25 a year.
Some review from visitor: "I have always enjoyed walking here, from Guildford and through the footpaths to here. It always allows for plentiful and calm views, although the heaving car park is a slight distraction. There is a cafe offering cheap and simple fried fare, plus cheap drinks too. Commonly a place frequented by Londoners escaping the big smoke for the weekend, it usually gets very busy but you can easily walk to a lot of places from there".
Be sure to check out this restaurant if you will be nearby. Rumwong serves Thai dishes. You can try good duck curry, chicken with cashew and pad thai. Many visitors order good beer, rum or wine. From the point of view of customers, the staff here is helpful.
Today you will see an estate where many famous people preferred to spend their time.
This estate was built in 1906 by Captain Ronald Grevell and his wife Margaret, who became the favorite of King Edward VII after her husband’s death. The architects of the complex were Charles Mewis and Arthur Davis. The modern building of the mansion was built in the style of classicism on the site of an older house. The building is distinguished by rigor and elegance of forms. Here at the invitation of the hostess Margaret Grevell, the Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, spent their honeymoon. In the mansion garden in the warmer months theatrical performances and music festivals are held, and there is also a shop and a cafe for tourists in the garden.
About the time of the construction of Guildford Castle, not a single historical document has been preserved. Nevertheless, it can be argued that it was built immediately after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The original structure of the castle was a mound surrounded by a moat, as well as a courtyard protected by a wooden palisade, which was typical of the early Norman castles. The castle basically served as a place of peaceful residence, although its defensive capabilities were quite high and during the reign of King Edward I it was used as a collection point for mercenary army. Throughout history, the castle managed to stay away from the big battles.
Chiswik House is a Palladian-style villa built in 1729 during the reign of George II and intended for Lord Burlington. This villa was built by Burlington not for living, but to house his collection of antiques, therefore there are no bedrooms or a dining room in the house. Masonic symbols, preserved in Chiswik House, indicate that there could be meetings of the Masonic Lodge, to which its owner belonged. In 1813, a 96-meter conservatory was built on the territory of Chiswik House, the largest in England, which is known for its camellias. In the middle of the 19th century, Chiswik House was decaying and since 1892 it has been used as a hospital.
Santa Maria is worth tasting Italian cuisine. The chefs here cook amazing Neapolitan pizza, calzone and mozzarella. In this place you will be served delicious tiramisu and good gelato. Order good coffee or good lemonade. You will definitely appreciate the excellent atmosphere and wonderful interior.
This museum is located on the territory of the former Hendon airfield. Now it has more than 100 units of aircraft. This is one of the best aviation museums in the world, both in quality and quantity of exhibits, and in the organization of the exhibition itself. The museum is owned by the Department of Defense of the United Kingdom. Already at the entrance to the museum, visitors are greeted by two legendary fighters - Hawker Hurricaine and Supermarine Spitfire - the main machines of the British Air Force during the Second World War. The exposition also contains a Tall Boy seismic bomb weighing about 5.5 tons. Bear it could only specially modified "Lancaster". They destroyed the bunkers, the launch sites of the V-2 missiles.
In 1871, work began on the railway line. The palace was built by the brothers Lucas, who also built the Royal Albert Hall around the same time. The opening took place on May 24, 1873. After 16 days, the palace burned to the ground. During the fire, a collection of English porcelain was destroyed, including about 4,700 items of historical value. The palace was built for the people at the end of the 19th century and includes a cultural and entertainment center, an exhibition hall and an indoor ice rink. In the 1930s, the notorious BBC channel began its broadcasting from here. In good weather the terrace of the Alexander Palace overlooks the London skyscrapers Canary Wharf district. The palace is surrounded by 196 arches, as well as beautiful parks.
Review from visitor: "We called in for a weekend lunch for a party of three and ordered 2 main meals and a soup. We didn’t make it clear that all meals should come at the same time so the soup came first and we waited quite a while for the other two (main meals). The staff were very apologetic about this, but really it could have been our fault. The meals were great with fresh foods well cooked with iterating flavours. Decor was cosy but light filled on a dull day...".
Today you will find a trip to the landscape garden culture of English estates. The first of which will be the estate in the Victorian style of the 19th century.
The castle is an example of Victorian 19th century architecture. The estate houses the furniture and personal belongings of the Benjamin Disraeli family.Hughenden Manor Castle belonged to the Prime Minister of Queen Victoria, the famous writer Benjamin Disraeli since 1848. According to legend, in the castle you can meet the ghost of a talented writer. He was so polite that, even after death, he performed the duties of the master of the house, meeting guests on the main staircase. In 1862, the castle was reconstructed according to the design of the British architect Edward Backton Lamb. The interior of the rooms is designed in bright colors. On the ceiling in the dining room you can see the rich diamond plaster. Visitors are offered to familiarize themselves with an unusual collection of personal belongings of Disraeli elaborate mirrors, porcelain sets, as well as a portrait and plaster cast of the foot of his dead wife Maria Disraeli.
Wimpole Hall Manor was built in 1620. The first garden at Wimpole Hall was planned in regular French style in the 1690s by royal gardeners George London and Henry Weiss. It was an ambitious project, and the creation of the garden was the reason for the bankruptcy of the second Earl of Radnor. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Wimpole Hall withered and collapsed, but was saved by the daughter of Rudyard Kipling. More recently, the gardens experienced an amazing restoration. Nothing preserved from the gardens of the 17th century. However, the Victorian stalls from the northern facade was restored in 1996.
Restaurant offers dishes of British cuisine. Try the amazing roast beef, spareribs and pork belly in this place. Here you can order tasty cooked bagels, toffee pudding and ice cream. This establishment is famous for a good beer, espresso martini or prosecco. Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant offers superb service.
Park Wrest is one of the largest monuments of English heritage. On its territory there is a mansion in the French architectural style, which is a famous landmark of England. Park Wrest is also popular with the recently renovated Italian garden and rose garden. Historical paths, unique buildings, beautiful statues, sculptures and spacious pavilions have been restored here. Currently, a large number of interesting exhibitions are held in Park Wrest.
Willen Lake is Milton Keynes’ most popular park. Over one million visitors a year take part in watersports activities, go cycling, enjoy the playground, try the high ropes course or simply picnic along Willen’s shores. The park is open year round and there is no admission fee, other than during special events when some areas may be unavailable to the general public, or a fee may be charged. Review from visitor: "Spent the day here enjoyed fitness trail (as the kids were too big for the play park) pedelos and walk round lake. As it was school holidays there was a small fair outside cafe, the staff running it were very friendly and helpful".
If you like British cuisine, be sure to check out this place. In this bar you will cook a good sea bass, duck confit and scallops. Many visitors to Wavendon Arms are advised to order mouth-watering toffee pudding, vanilla ice cream and a chocolate bomb. The wine list is very diverse in this place. Many guests write that the staff in this place is helpful.
Today you will meet with two different worlds such as the world of a secret object, the main cryptographic department in times of war. And the second world where everyone dreams to be, the world of Harry Potter, magic wands and Hogwarts.
During the Second World War, the main cryptographic unit of Great Britain was located in Bletchley Park English Government Code and Cypher School later named Government Communication Headquarters. Here, the ciphers and codes of the Axis countries were cracked, and Operation Ultra was planned, aimed at decrypting Enigma messages. On the territory of Bletchley Park, the work was carried out in wooden houses, which differed by the number, built during the war for the location of specialists and equipment there. Also, instead of specifying the direction of the department’s activities (for example, intercepting and deciphering messages from the fleet, army, or air force), house numbers were used.
Houghton's house was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Mary Herbert as a sophisticated hunting lodge. The unusual combination of Jacobin and classical design retains two important early elements of classical architecture in the form of two loggias, which were attributed to Inigo Jones. When it was dismantled in 1797, the ruins were preserved as a garden object in the nearby Ampthill Park. Perhaps the house served as an inspiration for the Palace of the Beautiful in the religious epic of the 17th century Christian writer John Bunyan's The Progress of Pilgrim. Today, the house still dominates the landscape, providing a beautiful view of its former hunting park.
The Lodge nature reserve and gardens has over 5 miles of trails, leading through tranquil woodland, an historic Iron Age hillfort, heathland and formal gardens. A hide looks over small pools where birds and other wildlife come to feed. One of the visitors' review: "Would highly recommend a visit here. Really friendly staff and all knowledgeable and will give you a good route to walk. If you enjoy bird watching you can use the nature hide".
Nazar offers Turkish cuisine. In this place you will be served an appetizing hummus, lamb leg and assorted grill. You can order here a good baklava, Turkish delight and pudding. Be sure to try a good homemade wine. You will appreciate the excellent atmosphere and interior.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a studio where many scenes of the famous saga about the young wizard were filmed. In 2012, she remade the film studio in Leavesden into a museum that a true Harry Potter fan must visit. Here you can see the decorations and mock-ups of various buildings that are familiar to us from films, learn how magical creatures and special effects were created. This is not just a museum or a tourist attraction, but a real work of a whole group of professionals working on a film for a decade. There are not only scenery and exhibits (including interactive ones). At the beginning of the walk you will be shown an entertaining video shot by the main characters of the Harry Potter films. Therefore, it will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults.
Here you can try British cuisine. Visit this restaurant to try some good shrimp, tapas and roast beef cocktails. It serves delicious ice cream, Yorkshire pudding and meringue. In Glasshouse you can order a good Malbec wine, champagne or brandy. From the windows of this place opens a beautiful view.
A day to get to know the culture of England and a bit of Ireland. You will have the opportunity to visit a country house Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw and also you will visit the luxury house with expensive furniture and 30 incredible rooms.
HG Wells once received from Shaw a letter in which he said that he and his wife began to look for themselves a suburban housing. In 1906, in the village of Ayot St Lawrence, a suitable house was found. New (built in 1902) compact and at the same time spacious enough, made in the style of Arts & Crafts, where simplicity and practicality tried to connect with beauty and elegance. The path that leads to the entrance to the house of a width that is suitable for one car. George and Charlotte had a car and the locals were very annoyed: incomprehensible, noisy and probably dangerous apparatus, they thought.
One of the most magnificent houses in England invites tourists to get acquainted with the life and lifestyle of the English aristocracy. Passing through its luxurious rooms, you will follow the most interesting moments in the history of the life of the estate owners. Today, 30 luxuriously decorated halls are open to the public. Guests will see magnificent ornamental ceilings with stucco, silk-covered walls, elegant lamps, beautiful carved furniture, a collection of silver and much more interesting. Art lovers will enjoy the contemplation of the paintings by Holbein and Canaletto. You will be offered to look into the household premises of the house, where they will tell and show who served its rich inhabitants and how.
Try Italian cuisine here. All guests of Prezzo - Saffron Walden are advised to order delicious pepperoni, spaghetti carbonara and chicken. You can order good pudding here. Be sure to order here a good homemade wine or a delicious gin. In this place a cozy atmosphere and most visitors say that the staff is amazing.
The gothic church of the Holy Virgin Mary is one of the oldest buildings in Oxford, it has been the official church of the University of Oxford since 1200. In the same century the Council House was built where the first library in the history of the university was located. Currently, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the most popular parish church in Britain. Climbing the tower of the 13th century, you can enjoy the delightful views of Oxford as well as look inside the urban places that are hidden from prying eyes. One of these places is the courtyard of the College of All Souls of the Righteous Departed, where only graduate students and graduates spend their time at work.
Mountfitchet Castle and the Norman village around it are a unique all-weather entertainment complex, where history and the desire to touch the simple life of ancestors unite. At this place there was once a Viking settlement, and after the arrival of William the Conqueror in 1066, two wooden fortresses arose, Mott and Bailey. In the XII century, they were replaced by a solid stone building, called the Mountfitchet castle by the name of its owner. Until 1975, the whole surrounding area was completely desolate. However, one fine night, Alan Goldsmith, the owner of the land, had a dream, which encouraged him to restore the castle. Now everything here is like in the Middle Ages: a high fence of the fence, a watchtower, peasant huts, free-walking domestic animals.
Review from visitor: "Just outside of the city centre, off The Fen Causeway, you have Lammas Land, a large green expanse more suited to summertime enjoyment where people are often seen with picnics or playing sports. Essentially beside the Newnham area and not a long walk from The Anchor pub and various punting companies, it’s definitely a setting better and more popular during the summer months. There are playgrounds for children and a well-known bicycle rental company found here too".
Here you can enjoy Thai cuisine. You can try here a good chicken saute, red chicken curry and green curry. The waiters serve guests good sticky rice with mango. They offer delicious beer or good wine. Many clients write that the staff at Sala Thong is competent.
Today your journey comes to an end. But before you will get acquainted with the last attraction. This is the abbey which has been formed into a country house and now has a valuable collection of furniture, paintings, objects of art, including 37 rare clocks.
The Augustinian canon society built Anglesey Abbey during the reign of Heinrich the First in the 12th century. The priests were expelled from the abbey in 1535 during the Dissolution of the monasteries. The former Priory was acquired in 1600 by Thomas Hobson who converted it into a country house for his son-in-law Thomas Parker. Now the house is decorated with a valuable collection of furniture, paintings, objects of art, including 37 rare clocks. In the vast landscaped gardens grow roses, dahlias, here you can find dozens of different varieties.