In part two of my English series we’re heading to some amazing locations that are doable day trips just outside of London: Bath, Canterbury, and Dover Castle! Part one covers everything London, so if you haven’t read that yet you can check it out here.
Bath
When we first visited the UK in 2013 Ted and I visited Bath and we loved it so much but only got to spend about an hour there since we were on group tour. So when we had the opportunity to visit a second time and dedicate a whole day we jumped on it. We traveled via train (only 1.5 hours outside of London) and luckily escaped the rain forecast for that day. Things to make sure you see in Bath include:
- The Roman Baths – Bath is home to one only natural hot spring in the UK
- Bath Abbey
- Pulteney Bridge – built in 1774 its notable for having shops on both sides of the bridge
- Royal Crescent – it looks straight out of a Jane Austen novel
- Sally Lunn’s – the cutest tea shop you’ll ever go to
Canterbury
The city’s name has been made famous by its incredible cathedral (the site of Thomas Becket’s murder!) and by Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. For both Ted and I (history and literary buffs) we nerded out while walking the old city streets. My favorite was seeing the cathedral. The building is a work of art with intricate gothic carvings, vaulted ceilings, and incredible stained glass.
We visited when the church choir was putting on a special performance of Evensong and let me tell you – getting to hear Latin choir music in an old medieval church as it was originally intended to be heard is one of the most beautiful acoustic experiences there is.
Dover Castle
When we pulled up my jaw dropped because Dover Castle looks just like those castles that you dream of in fairy tales. Even better, its right on the sea so the view from the top is incredible! Dover Castle is a must see site if you are a major history buff. Some of the most interesting tid bits include:
- it was one of the first sites fortified after the invasion of William the Conquerer
- the famous WWII evacuation of Dunkirk (remember that Christopher Nolan movie?) happened here
