Llyn y Fan Fach

Oops! Oh right. I have a blog. Forgive me, Friends! Obviously, I am pretty terrible at keeping up with things like this. All the same, I think this location will make up for the long break ;-).

Place: Llyn y Fan Fach, Black Mountain, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park

Hours: Always open!

Cost: Free! Even the car park 😉

My Experience:

Llyn y Fan Fach is hands down my favorite spot in Wales (It is irrelevant that I’ve not been everywhere in Wales. Llyn y Fan Fach will always be my favorite ;-)). There’s a free car park in Llanddeusant which can be a bit tricky to find, as you must go down a tiny tiny tiny road that absolutely does not feel like a road at all. Once you’ve parked, though, the rest is easy! 

There is a very clear path that leads all of the way to the llyn (lake), and there are absolutely gorgeous views the entire way. If you’re traveling and don’t have much time (or if you just want an easier walk), you can simply go to the lake and enjoy the staggering sight of the grass-covered mountains around it. However, if you can manage it, I 100% recommend going up to the top of the mountains! The vistas all around are absolutely to.die.for. I get chills just thinking about it!

Llyn y Fan Fach is an unbearably magical spot, and you should go RIGHT NOW!!!!!

Wishing I was there,

-MHartF

Haddon Hall – Thornfield Hall/Humperdinck’s Castle

Place: Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, England – AKA one of the most magical
places on earth.

Hours: Hours vary depending on the time of year. The current opening hours are 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Cost: Adults £12.00, Children £6.00, Car Parking £2.00 per car

My Experience:

Haddon Hall is without a doubt one of my favorite places in Britain (and as such, one of my favorite places in the world). It’s easily overlooked as it shares a town with the much grander and better known Chatsworth House, but it is an absolute gem.

One of the things I love about this medieval manor house is that you can walk around it freely. Unlike places like Chatsworth, or Blenheim Palace, or the Biltmore Estate (to use an example from the US), you can explore the house and grounds in whatever order you like, and, that being the case, it’s easy to move in and out of the rooms, revisiting those you favor.

From the fire burning in the great hearth as we walked into the main hall, to the aged tapestries on the walls, Haddon Hall feels frozen in time in the most beautifully haunting way. There’s a wild elegance to the gardens that mesmerizes and a quietly striking atmosphere in the house that make you feel as though you’ve stepped–for a moment–into a sort of fairy world.

It’s no wonder that the Hall was used as a filming location for a number of films, including The Princess Bride and my favorite adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre (2006, BBC).

If I got the chance, I would go back in a heartbeat.

In fact. I wish I was there right now.

Cheers!

-MHartF

St. Dunstan’s Hill

Place: St. Dunstan-in-the-East, St. Dunstan’s Hill, London, England

Hours: Always Open!

Cost: Free!

My Experience:

First let me say that St. Dunstan’s is not so much a destination as it is a place to rest for a while during a busy day in London. That’s certainly what it was for us. After buying lunch at the Borough Market (Ooo! I’ll have to do a post on that one of these days!) we took it to St. Dunstan’s Hill to sit and picnic.

Originally a 12th century church, St. Dunstan-in-the-East was severely damaged during the fire of 1666, and then, after being rebuilt, even more detrimentally destroyed during World War II.

Now, its ruins have been turned into a small, ivy-covered garden. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place to sit and escape from the bustle of London, and the contrast of the ruins with the modern skyscrapers all around offer a good setting for contemplation. 

It’s a lovely little hidden treasure in the heart of the city!

Cheers!

-MHartF

Gloucester Cathedral

Place: Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, England

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (On Sundays the recommended visiting times are between 11:45 AM and 2:45 PM)

Cost: There is no formal charge, but they do ask you to consider making a £5.00 donation. There is a fee of £3.00 if you wish to take photos inside the cathedral.

My Experience:

Gloucester Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic and Romanesque cathedral in Gloucester, England. And–fun fact for those of you who are fans–parts of it (most notably the cloisters) were used as filming locations for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.

I paid for a photography pass, and it was well worth it. The architecture is lovely, and the colorful light floating in through the stained glass windows is so delicately magical that seeing it was a real treasure.

We didn’t attend any services at the cathedral, but while we were there, the boy’s choir arrived to prepare for Evensong. Listening to them sing was so transfixing that I repeatedly had to stop what I was doing to just stand and listen. I kept saying to my husband, “How can a person listen to this and do ANYTHING else at the same time?”

I would love to go back to attend an actual Evensong* service, because from what I heard, I have no doubt that it would be breathtaking!

Cheers!

-MHartF

*Evensong services are at 5:30 PM on weekdays, 4:30 PM on Saturdays, and 3:00 PM on Sundays.

Wollaton Wednesday

Place: Wollaton Hall, Gardens, and Deer Park in Nottingham, England.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)

Cost: The house and grounds are free! Parking charges apply (Up to 3 hours: £2.00, All day: £4.00)

My Experience: 

When I went to Wollaton Park, I really didn’t know what to expect. I had read that it was a “deer park,” but I wasn’t sure what that meant. I had read that entry to the house was free, but I had no idea what was inside. I mostly went because:

1. The hall was used as Wayne Manor in the film The Dark Knight Rises (and I’m a huge fan!)

2. Because of my middle name (Hart), I am kind of obsessed with deer.

3. I was curious to see something in Nottingham because of Robin Hood :-p.

First let me say that the hall is magnificent. Not only is it massive and unique, but its setting, high on a grassy hill, lends it a feeling of airy grandeur–like a castle in the clouds!

We were busy taking photos of the hall when suddenly, Peter told me to stop. I asked why, and he pointed behind me saying, “Because you have to take pictures of him.” Lo and behold, there was a young deer just moseying across the lawn. I got so excited as the deer let us get as close to him as we liked.

Inside the hall is a natural history museum which was quite interesting, though we didn’t linger too long. Out back, we saw the view of the hall used in the film and some lovely gardens and fields and a lake. It is a beautiful park, and I was already quite pleased with the visit–having seen the house and the grounds and my one deer when…

We stumbled upon a whole field of them.

It was incredible! Just dozens and dozens of deer all grazing together. I spent far too long taking photos, after which, we strolled around some more of the park.

Really lovely place, and I recommend it to anyone interested in wildlife or unique architecture! (Or if they just want to stand and say to themselves “Christian Bale was here!” ;-)).

Cheers!

-MHartF

Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

Place: Old Harry Rocks, Handfast Point, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England. Part of the Jurassic Coast.

Hours: Always Open

Cost: Pay and Display Car Park located at Manor Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AU*

My Experience:

I came prepared with a step-by-step walking guide, but ultimately, we didn’t need it. Once you park your car, there are several signs for the walk to the Rocks, and once you’re on the walk, it’s equally easy to find your way back (If you’re like me, though, it’s always good to have the printout just in case ;-)).

The walk is level and easy and about 3.5 miles (round trip). I so enjoyed it, as the views and vegetation reminded me a good deal of the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island (though it was severely lacking in mansions ;-)).

The Old Harry Rocks are chalk formations at the far end of the Jurassic Coast in Southern England. The Rocks themselves are staggering, and the whole section of massive, limestone coast is positively awe-inspiring. If you want a taste of the magnificent grandeur of our great earth, I absolutely recommend going there. In fact. I wish I was there right now.

Cheers!

-MHartF

*Note: If you are driving to the car park, beware! A GPS may take you the nice, easy driving way, and it may take you to a ferry where you have to pay and wait in line! Check your route before you begin.

City Walls and Coffee!

Place: City Walls in York, North Yorkshire, England

Hours: Always Open

Cost: Free!

My Experience:

First let me say that York is one of my favorite cities on earth, and I could easily list several reasons to schedule a visit. That being said, I will focus on only one of those reasons in this post ;-): The Walls.

Though the stonework has been updated and the layout changed, a protective wall has existed around the City of York since the time of the Romans. And, updated or no, the fact that so much of it remains after all of these years is a rare and special thing!

Walking on the walls is a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the city as it provides fabulous views of the different sights (such as the beautiful York Minster Cathedral) and is also a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowds (if that’s not as much your scene ;-)).

Because the wall is not a complete loop, you have to get off and back on it a number of times throughout the walk–which is convenient, as it gives plenty of flexibility for starting points!

On my most recent visit to York, my friend, Natalie, noticed a coffee shop called Gatehouse Coffee located in Walmgate Bar (one of the four main gatehouses of the walls). We stopped in to have tea and a look around, and I’m so glad! The atmosphere is impossibly charming, and it’s a nice, cozy place to have a rest on a gray day.

Cheers!

-MHartF

Thursday Travel Tip – SHOW ME THE MONEY!

If you’re going to hire (rent) a car and drive yourself around the UK, then I strongly suggest that you GET CASH RIGHT AWAY, and when I say “cash,” what I really mean is COINS.*

Why?

Almost every public car park (parking lot) in Britain is a Pay and Display car park. Yes, this is exactly as it sounds. At a machine, you pay for the amount of time you wish to stay; said machine then spits out a ticket noting the expiry time, and you display the ticket on your vehicle’s windshield. Simple, right? Well, it’s not so simple if the machine only takes cash, and you haven’t gotten any yet!!

It’s true that some of the machines accept cards, but even on those that do, many note that that functionality is out of order!

It’s also important to note that the machines do not accept bills–only coins. At the first Pay and Display car park we came to, we had to rely on the kind generosity of a stranger, as the machine wouldn’t accept our card, and though we had just gotten some cash, we didn’t have any coins yet.

*Note that getting cash from an airport or hotel is a very expensive way to do it. Best to go to a bank ATM for lower rates/fees. These are located all over the place when you go into any town.

Cheers!

-MHartF

“How now spirit! whither wander you?”

Place: Fairy Glen Gorge in Betws-y-Coed on the River Conwy, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Hours: Always open!

Cost: 50p per person (for Americans who may not be sure, this means 50 pence not 50 pounds ;-). So, about 75 cents)

My Experience: This ethereal spot actually felt a whole lot like the Smoky Mountains (in South Eastern US). It was crazy–after driving past all of these massive, rocky hills–to suddenly be in an area that felt so much like a mountain town near home.

There is a small car park across the lane from the path to the gorge and an “honor system” place to pay at the unmanned entry gate. From there, there is a short (about 10-15 minutes), easy stroll to the gorge.

Upon descending the stone steps to see the Fairy Glen, it is immediately evident how the spot got its name. The area is painfully picturesque as light streams down to illuminate the glassy, gently flowing water of the River Conwy and the many overhanging trees admire their reflections between the splattering of rocks. Even the bugs flying here and there add to the atmosphere and look like fairies glowing in the sunlight!

After enjoying the sights of the gorge, continue up onto the riverside walk–which is also quite short–to explore a bit more of the area.

We didn’t hang about the town of Betws-y-Coed–as we were eager to reach our next destination–but the shops and restaurants looked charming and fun to potter around in.

If you’re going to take a trip to Snowdonia National Park (which you absolutely should do!), the Fairy Glen Gorge is well worth a visit!

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any questions!

Cheers!

-MHartF

Feel Like Royalty at The Regent’s Park

Because so many tourists to the UK just go to London (which makes me want to cry, if I’m being honest), I decided I’d do my first real post on a gorgeous little gem within the city that’s perhaps not so known to tourists as spots such as Big Ben and the London Eye or even Hyde Park. So here goes…

Place: The Regent’s Park (colloquially called Regent’s Park) in the City of Westminster, London.

Nearest Tube Station: Regent’s Park (on the Bakerloo Line). Great Portland Street (Circle and Metropolitan lines) and Baker Street (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Circle & Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan lines) Stations are also quite close.

Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Cost: Nothing!

My Experience:
I stumbled upon this gorgeous royal park almost on accident. Regent’s Park Underground Station happened to be the closest station on the Bakerloo line, and I figured we might as well walk around the park before getting on the tube. I’m SO GLAD that we did!

It’s a large park, and every bit of it is just beautiful. It’s home to the London Zoo and an Open Air Theatre, but my favorite bit by far was Queen Mary’s Gardens. The Gardens were opened to the public in 1932, and two years later, the first superintendent completed what feels like a never ending rose garden composed of 85 different varieties of rose!

The different varieties are all labeled, and we came away from the experience with a new knowledge of our preference in roses after taking it upon ourselves to smell as many of them as we could. It was incredible to see just how unique each one was. Apparently June is the best time to go for the roses themselves, but the whole park was idyllic and serene, with swans gliding on glossy water and weeping willows floating down from above and carefully manicured gardens…

We were there around dinner time, and the atmosphere was tranquil but enlivened by the many people having picnics on the grass and on the benches situated throughout.

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any questions–I’ll do my best to answer them :-). Cheers!

Wishing I was there,
-MHartF