Britain’s Countryside

On my British Isles vacation I left London for the Cotswolds and the most western county of Wiltshire. We traveled from Heathrow, making stops in Windsor, visiting Windsor Castle and across the Thames, Eton.

Friends took me to see ancient English villages in the county of Wiltshire. We visited Cricklake, a Saxon town, Wooten Bassett, a Norman town – both of these being from the 9th centuries and then to Lacock, also 8th or 9th century, but with no visible power lines that makes the village perfect for film sets like Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, etc.

Last stop for this day was in Avebury to see the Avebury Henge. Older and far larger than Stonehenge. Avebury Henge goes back to 3000BC. Avebury is also known for crop circles.

The following day, we ventured into Wales to tour the 10th century castle of Chepstow-on-the-Wye. This is just across the Severn River from England. But once you cross over to Wales, it’s a different world altogether. From the rolling fields of Wiltshire to the sharp hills and curvy valleys of Wales is quite a difference.

After Chepstow, we continued into Wales to see the ruins of the famous Tintern Abbey that successfully supported their community for over 400 years before Henry VIII looted the roof and the windows for his own nefarious purposes.

I headed back to London the following day by fast train from Swindon. Just a little over an hour’s train ride. Staying for one night at the charming and family-owned Goring Hotel near Buckingham Palace, I had the opportunity to enjoy their sumptuous deep Euro-tub and their very good food from room service.