In September of 2013, my sister and I took a trip of a lifetime to Europe; five weeks, five countries and lots of memories. To motivate me to write/archive our adventure I am posting each day in September 2014 what we did the year before. So if you want to hear more about our trip or have an interest in European travel check back each day in September to see where we are.
Today we made a giant loop around the southern area of England. Starting at the Aylen's in Derry Hill we visited Stonehenge, Wilton House, Salisbury Cathedral and the town of Lyme Regis on the coast.
Stonehenge
"Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds. Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge). Several theories have been made as to the purpose of Stonehenge and how it was created. Some believe it to be a area for healing, and others a burial ground. Some even believe it was supernaturally created. Whatever it's purpose, it is interesting to see it up close, and it is considered on some list to be one of the seven wonders of the world. The day we visited it was very cold and you are walking around an open area, where the bitter cold wind whips through. Bundle up!
Wilton House
The Wilton House is the residency of the Earl of Pembroke and has been for 400 years. It is a gorgeous house inside and out and the grounds are beautiful to walk around. Unfortunately I only know the house is beautiful inside because of the movie Pride and Prejudice (2005), as we were to late in the season to tour the house. The house is currently the residence of the Earl so it is only open for a short time, as they are actually living there. It is open between April 18th - April 21st and May 3rd and August 31st. The house is also closed on Friday and Saturdays (click here for more information). The grounds and adventure playground are open for longer periods. We walked around the grounds and they were quite lovely. Below is a behind the scenes look at the Wilton House in the movie Pride and Prejudice.
Salisbury Cathedral
"Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, and one of the leading examples ofEarly English architecture. The main body of the cathedral was completed in only 38 years, from 1220 to 1258. The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom (123m/404 ft). Visitors can take the "Tower Tour" where the interior of the hollow spire, with its ancient wood scaffolding, can be viewed. The cathedral also has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close in Britain (80 acres (320,000 m2)). It contains the world's oldest working clock (from AD 1386) and has the best surviving of the four original copies of Magna Carta (all four original copies are in England). In 2008, the cathedral celebrated the 750th anniversary of its consecration" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_Cathedral). This cathedral is breathtaking, as most in Europe are. We spent sometime looking around and then had lunch in the "cafeteria" or restaurant on site.
When Jen and I visited the restaurant (The Refectory) was under construction but still serving good food, just in a different area. Now the newly refurbished site has a glass roof which gives views of the cathedral's spire. The food was actually good and fresh. I had roast beef and Jen had some kind of fish. The restaurant is set up similarly to a cafeteria with self service buffet with a selection of homemade cakes and pastries, coffee and tea and homemade deli sandwiches, soups and salads. They also offer a main course or two; that's what we got.
After touring the cathedral we drove into the city of Salisbury and found a Starbucks for an afternoon pick me up.
Lyme Regis
The town of Lyme Regis is on the southern coast of England and a popular resort destination for the english. It is also the heart of the "Jurassic Coast" and a major center for fossil collecting. But we were coming to see Lyme Regis because of its connection to, you guessed it, Jane Austen. The coastal town is the setting for part of the book Persuasion (http://www.lymeregis.org/). This cute little town is fun to explore, popping in and out of shops and walking down the beach. It was rather cold the day we were there, but it is England and it was September so we knew what we were in for. We grabbed a pastry, did some shopping and then headed back to the Aylen's for the night.
Stonehenge
Wilton House
Salisbury Cathedral
When Jen and I visited the restaurant (The Refectory) was under construction but still serving good food, just in a different area. Now the newly refurbished site has a glass roof which gives views of the cathedral's spire. The food was actually good and fresh. I had roast beef and Jen had some kind of fish. The restaurant is set up similarly to a cafeteria with self service buffet with a selection of homemade cakes and pastries, coffee and tea and homemade deli sandwiches, soups and salads. They also offer a main course or two; that's what we got. 
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