All Things U.K.
Lodging
The Aloft London Excel was my home for two nights in June 2015. I chose the hotel mainly because I was looking for a stay that would utilize my Starwood points. It was the only hotel in London for the dates I needed that fit in with the number of
United Kingdom
Not only is Oxford home to the renowned university, it has been the home of well-known authors such as JR Tolkein, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Caroll. And while walking amongst the beautiful buildings and gardens that make up central Oxford, it’s not hard to imagine where at least
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Blenheim Palace is one of England’s largest houses and was built between 1705 and 1722. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Both the palace itself and the extensive grounds are worth seeing. The birth place of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace’s history goes back almost
United Kingdom
I began my walk to Hidcote Manor from the small town of Mickleton. The walk begins on a footpath beside the churchyard in Mickleton and continues up Kiftsgate Hill behind the church through three sheep fields. The last sheep field being the steepest climb. Before beginning this walk I was
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I was not in a great mood the first time I went to Richmond Park. It was a monotonously grey Saturday, and I had a boatload of tedious errands to run when all I really wanted was stay in bed. As I prepared to leave the house, I complained to
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The walk to Batsford Park is not your typical hike along public paths through turnstiles and sheep fields. However, if you travel by bus to the location like I did, when you add in the walk up the driveway and back, you will have put in a good walk for
United Kingdom
The walk between Lower and Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds sometimes referred to as ‘the slaughters’ makes for a moderately easy full day when combined with a walk from Lower or Upper Slaughter to the bucolic village of Bourton-on-the-Water. This walk is part of the 14 mile Warden’s Way
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Chipping Campden is an ideal base for walking in the Cotswolds. Chipping is from an olde English word meaning market or market place. Chipping Campden is known for its honey-colored limestone buildings. The limestone, known as Cotswold Stone, is quarried locally. The Market Hall, built in 1627, is a focal
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Walking the Cotswolds has been on my bucket list since long before I knew what a bucket list was. I always envisioned this trip walking through sheep fields from one quaint village to the next. Somehow the years flew by without a trip to the Cotswolds, and two years ago
United Kingdom
Hampton Court Palace is my favorite place in England thus far. It might actually be one of my favorite places in the world thus far. As an expat who was new to the UK, Hampton Court was one of the first historical sites I visited, and I have yet to
Food
Recently, my boss was granted the ‘Freedom of the City of London,’ which means that he now belongs to one out of many very old sects of London’s political society. Originating from medieval practices, the title is given to people who are valued for contributions to a certain field,
Lodging
Chipping Campden is the quintessential Cotswold village town. The Honeypot, a small two bedroom Chipping Campden cottage, matches the quaintness of the village. Located just off of the main street down a snicket is the charming Honeypot. The cottage is small but contains everything that is needed for a comfortable