Submitted by Kathryn Deaver on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in London, England…
Now that the semester is over, I need to prepare for the onslaught of questions that will come at Christmas. In thinking about this, I have decided to create a quick list of my favorite places, events, or moments in England.
- Tower of London: Anyone who read my previous post about it knows I loved the Tower of London. Between its incredible history and its impressive architectural range, the Tower is a must-see highlight of the city. I personally loved the tours around the “inner curtain,” or defensive wall, which dealt with the construction and use of the various towers that make up the complex. I was also unexpectedly intrigued by the Crown Jewels and their surprisingly dramatic history. There is so much to see at the Tower of London that I only wish I could spend more time there (read: move in there).
2. John Williams concert at Royal Albert Hall: My roommate and I were able to attend a night of composer John Williams’ music (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List, The Patriot, Jurassic Park, Jaws, and on and on) by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the colorfully illuminated Royal Albert Hall. The Hall, which is named in honor of the husband of Queen Victoria, is round and ornate, with plush seats and wonderful acoustics. As fans of John Williams, my roommate and I were ecstatic to spend a whole evening listening to his hits played by a talented orchestra. It was a truly unforgettable night.
3. Parliament: My tour of Parliament was a last-minute decision, but it turned out to be one of my favorite places in London. The old Palace of Westminster, in which Parliament is housed, is historic in its own right as a royal residence for centuries. Westminster Hall is where Scottish rebel William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) was condemned to death in 1305. Other notable figures condemned in the Palace are King Charles I, Guy Fawkes, and St. Thomas More. I was impressed by the collection of statues of every English monarch since William the Conqueror, and I was fascinated by the heavily ritualized proceedings of Parliament, which were explained along the tour.
4. Canterbury Cathedral: I visited Canterbury Cathedral after a hectic week, when I was worrying about school assignments and some things back home. The moment I walked into the grand cathedral, however, I was flooded with peace. Its vaulting arches and wide windows filled the space with air and light. There was also a Sunday service going on, so the choir’s gorgeous voices reached gently into every corner where I was wandering. I went into the crypt, which had numerous side chapels for private prayer, so I sat and prayed and listened to the choir and just soaked up the peace. I left Canterbury Cathedral feeling far happier than when I had entered it.
5. Hampton Court: Returning to my theme of historic stone buildings, some of the greatest places I visited were castles, but since I could not possibly include them all, I’ve chosen to highlight Hampton Court. Despite visiting this vast complex on a drizzly day that prevented any garden walks, Hampton Court impressed me with its interior alone. The tour took us through the kitchens and serving space, demonstrating just how much food and supplies had to be brought in daily to serve the court of Henry VIII (a lot). We then proceeded into the main halls, the chapel, some bedrooms and various other parts of the royal apartments, accompanied by commentary on their historical use and decoration.
These are just a few of the highlights of my trip, as I cannot possibly list them all. The ruins of Glastonbury Cathedral and Kenilworth Castle were stunningly picturesque and fed into my obsession with photographing old stone buildings. The gentle Kensington Gardens were whimsical and protected, a spot for relaxation and quiet walks that I discovered too late to use to its full potential. Going on the magical Harry Potter Studio Tour in the actual sound stages where the movies were filmed was a surreal experience (that I got to do twice!). And this does not even cover my time in Wales or Scotland, where my favorite places were Swansea and the Highland coast, respectively.
Now that I am home, it is time to sort through my thousands of pictures. Thanks for keeping up with my travels!
Signing off,
Kathy