My Visual Travel Experience: Hallstatt (Austria)

I lived in Austria for 4 years from 1985 too 1989, from the ages of 12 to 16. My father was the Indian Ambassador in Vienna back then. We travelled extensively around Austria, but somehow I never made it to the town of Hallstatt, supposedly one of the prettiest small towns not just in Austria, but across the world! My parents and I did make a plan once, but we had to cancel just the day before because I got high fever!

Decades later, in the summer of 2025, I finally made it to Hallstatt. I visited for a couple of days with my wife Kamalini and my 10 year old son Rehaan. To put it mildly, all three of us were mesmerized by its beauty! We stayed at a lovely, well-equipped, spacious apartment called Apartments Marie A, walking distance from the heart of town.

Hallstatt is a small town in the Gmunden District of the Austrian state of Upper Austria. The town lies in the scenic Salzkammergut region and is situated along the Hallstaetter See. It has a population of just over 700 residents. It draws numerous tourists to it because of its breathtaking beauty. In fact the town has suffered from reports of over-tourism, with an active drive to actually limit the number of tourists who visit. The town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

A View of Hallstatt, with Lake Hallstatt
and the Evangelische Pfarrkirche
Hallstatt

Besides its picturesque lake and lovely architecture, Hallstatt is also famous for its salt mine, which is the world’s oldest operational salt mine. Hallstatt was known way back in the Bronze Age for its salt production, and salt mining was a major occupation of the population in the 8th to the 5th centuries BC.  In 1846, a large prehistoric cemetery was discovered near the salt mines, and excavations yielded over 1,000 burials.

The Marktplatz lies in the heart of town. It is a bustling square, full of cafes, restaurants and shops, including popular souvenir shops. In the centre of the square lies the Holy Trinity Statue. In 1750, the historic square was badly damaged in a devastating fire, but it was subsequently rebuilt. The square is a venue for many events, including concerts, cultural events and the Christmas Market!

Marktplatz, with the 
Holy Trinity Column

The Evangelische Pfarrkirche Hallstatt dates back to 1863. The protestant church replaced an earlier church built at the site in 1785. The church has a prominent tower.

Exterior, Evangelische
Pfarrkirche Hallstatt

High Altar, Evangelische
Pfarrkirche Hallstatt

Organ, Evangelische
Pfarrkirche Hallstatt

Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt is the Roman Catholic church of Hallstatt. The church was completed in 1505. After the fire of 1750, the church was given a Baroque spire. 

Exterior, Pfarrkirche
Maria Himmelfahrt

High Altar, Pfarrkirche
Maria Himmelfahrt

Pulpit, Pfarrkirche
Maria Himmelfahrt

Hallstaetter See, or Lake Hallstatt, stretches from south to north. It is 7.5 km long, and 1.4 km wide at its widest point. The lake is popular for fishing. It is also a favourite with tourists, who use it for swimming, diving and boating. The town lies on the western shores of the lake.

Halstaetter See

Swan, Halstaetter See

Museum Hallstatt is a museum that takes visitors through a journey of 7,000 years of the region’s history. The museum was founded in 1844. The museum’s highlights include artefacts from excavations of the Hallstatt Salt Mines and burial grounds, Neolithic exhibits, and exhibits from the region’s culture, the Roman times and modern times.

Museum Hallstatt

Cone Shaped Hat (14th to 8th
Century BC), Museum Hallstatt

Figure of a salt mine worker,
Museum Hallstatt

Shoe (8th to 4th
Century BC), Museum Hallstatt

Hallstatt Salt Mines are the world’s oldest salt mines still in operation, with a history going back 7,000 years! The mines consist of 21 levels, ranging from 514 meters above sea level to 1,267 meters above sea level. Visitors can see the mines in guided tours, through a combination of walking, going on mine trains along the tracks, and going down the slides from one level to another. One enters the mines by going up on a mountain cable car from the town. From the top, there are spectacular views of the town and lake below. 

View from the Top,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

, Mountain Cable Car,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

Mine Train,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

Tunnel,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

Salt Bucket,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

Slide,
Hallstatt Salt Mines

Seldom have I seen the kind of pristine beauty that I saw in Hallstatt. The only thing that left a slightly bad taste in the mouth was an isolated incident at Marktplatz. I got my son an ice cream. When I asked for a tissue, the ice cream seller took off on me for polluting the environment by using paper instead of using water from the fountain at Marktplatz. He then went a step further and said Indians are like that only, and don't care about the environment. Very politely but firmly, I told him he was being racist. He then got defensive and said Indians are very nice people, it's just that they should look after the environment better. It wasn't a big deal, as I've endured far worse racist comments in my life. Perhaps it was just a reaction to the over-tourist that locals in Hallstatt have had to endure over the years. However, it slightly soured an otherwise amazing visit to this amazing little town!

My Visual Travel Experience: England

In June 2024, I spent three weeks in England along with my wife Kamalini and our 9 year old son Rehaan. It turned out to be one of our best trips ever. I had spent almost 3 weeks in England in the past, during various trips across 1987, 1999, 2001 and 2006, but it was largely in London, barring a day each in Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge. London is undoubtedly one of my favourite cities in the world - along with New York and Paris - and I was excited going back there after almost two decades. I also got to see a lot of England that I had never seen before. For Kamalini, it was her first time in England in a quarter of a century. She has done her M Phil in Cambridge in 1998-99. 

We left Delhi on June 2nd and took Vistara Airlines to London's Heathrow Airport. At the airport, we rented a car from Europe Car. We got a Kia Sportage SUV, which was nice and spacious and could easily accommodate all our luggage. I didn't find driving all that tough, because in England, one drives on the left side of the road, just like one done in India. I was, however, on high alert, given how strictly one needs to adhere to traffic rules there, unlike in India where it is often a free-for-all! The first part of our trip was not in London at all. We were in other parts of England, and only got to London on the night of June15th, after which we spent 10 days in London and flew back to Delhi on June 26th.

From the airport, we went and stayed in a place called SleepNeat in the London suburb of Ascot. From there, we drove to Watford, where we spent the better part of the next day at the Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, experiencing The Making of Harry Potter. We got to see the actual sets used in the Harry Potter movies, and it was a remarkable experience not just for Rehaan, but also for Kamalini and me! We came back to Ascot for the night.

Rehaan at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, Watford

From Ascot, we drove to Stonehenge, to see the world-famous pre-historic rocks there. Our trip was dampened a little by the heavy rain and wind that day, but we managed our visit nevertheless. We then carried on to the county of Dorset, where we stayed at a lovely place called Pixie Cottage in the small town of Stoborough. We spent the next two days in Dorset, and we visited Wareham, Corfe Castle, Swanage, Lulworth Cove and Isle of Purbeck Golf Course. Kamalini is an avid Enid Blyton reader, and Dorset featured in our plans because many of the famous author's books were inspired by places in Dorset.

Me at Stonehenge

Rehaan and Me at
Corfe Castle, Dorset

After two full days in Dorset, we stopped for lunch at a place called Martin's Bar and Restaurant, perched up on a hill with a splendid view of the neighbourhood. They had alpacas on display in an open enclosure next to the restaurant. We then carried on to the county of Cornwall. We briefly stopped in Newquay, so that Kamalini could see Hotel Bristol, which again had links to Enid Blyton, and then we made our way to Marazion, where we stayed at Wheal Rodney Holiday Park, just outside the town, The place had 10 small cottages, one of which we had booked. It also had a lot of caravans, with campers setting up their tents there. There was a warm, indoor swimming pool, and a little store for provisions.

We spent the next two days in Cornwall. The places we covered there were Marazion, Penzance and Kynance Cove. We also drive through the small towns on St Ives and Mousehall, but we couldn't stop at either one of them because of the narrow, steep lanes, and the lack of adequate parking. The highlight in Cornwall was the natural beauty, with the famous blue-green Cornish waters.  

Kamalini and Rehaan at
Kynance Cove, Cornwall

We then drove to Cotswold, and that was our base for the next five days. We stayed at a place called Parlour Farm Stay in the town of Lechlade-upon-Thames. The property was a lovely cottage in the midst of a farm. The farm had horses, cows, sheep and donkeys. Kamalini and Rehaan were absolutely thrilled that they could pet and feed the farm animals!

Kamalini and Rehaan with a Horse at The Parlour
Farm Stay, Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswold

Our friends - the Bhatias [Angad, Isha, their 9 year old son Kabir (Rehaan's batchmate from school) and their 6 year old daughter Tarana] joined us in Cornwall. They stayed in the nearby town of Burton-on-the-Water, and though we stayed separately, we covered a lot of the places in Cotswold together and we spent a significant amount of time with each other, which was really nice. They had also rented a car, so both families were mobile. Rehaan and Kabir were so happy to be together, that they practically forgot about the rest of us! The places in Cotswold we covered included Bampton, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Burford, Glouceser, Lechlade-on-Thames, Lineover Wood, Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold and Upper Slaughter. 

Rehaan and Me at Gloucester
Cathedral, Gloucester, Cotswold

Angad, Isha, Kabir and Tarana at
Lineover Wood, Cotswold

From Cornwall, we all also did a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, famous for being Shakespeare's birthplace. It was great to see the house in which the famous bard was born, and the church where he was buried. I also did a solo trip to Oxford. Kamalini and Rehaan opted to spend the morning with the Bhatias and with the animals at Parlour Farm Stay. In Oxford, I enjoyed my time immensely, exploring the historical city, but I ended up having to pay a parking fine of 35 Pounds for parking in a reserved parking area! Little did I realize then, but more fines were to come from the most unexpected quarters!

Kamalini, Rehaan and Me at Holy
Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

After our stay in Cotswold, we left for Cambridge. Oxford was on the way, and since Kamalini and Rehaan hadn't gone there with me, we decided I'd drive through the city. I told Kamalini I'd drop them off outside University Church of St Mary the Virgin so that they could see the church and Radcliffe Camera nearby, and I'd do a round and pick them up 20 minutes later. I did just that. Weeks later, after we returned to India, I received fines of 150 Pounds sent to me by Europe Car, because when I stopped the car to drop off Kamalini and Rehaan, and again to pick them up, the car went on the bus lane and that got captured by a traffic camera, though it wasn't for more than a few seconds each time!!

Kamalini and Rehaan at King's
College Chapel, Cambridge

In Cambridge, we went to Kamalini's old college - St Edmund's. We then went to Trinity College. A very dear family friend - Dr Anil Seal - is a very senior History professor there. He and my mother were close friends for many decades before my mother passed away in 2019. We parked the car at Trinity College, and used his quarters in Trinity College to freshen up. After our day's sightseeing there, we met Dr Seal for dinner. He treated us at a great restaurant called Cote Brasserie. He's 86 and hasn't been well, but he was still his lively, fun self, with his brilliant sense of humour very intact!! At night, we stayed at Ibis Cambridge Central Station. We usually prefer apartments, as hotel rooms do get a bit cramped for us, but it was only for one night.

The next day, we went to Windsor and saw Windsor Castle. There was heavy rain that day, which somewhat spoiled things for us, but we still had a good tour of the castle. After that, we drove to the Europe Car office at Heathrow, and returned the car. Given London's great public transportation, high traffic, steep parking charges and expensive congestion charges, we were not going to need the car for our stint in the city for the last part of our trip!

Rehaan Feeding Swans in the
River Thames, Windsor

Watford

Watford is a town in the county of Hertfordshire. It is about 25 km northwest of Central London. The town has a population of just over 100,000. Leavesden Aerodrome, to the north of Watford, used to manufacture aircraft engines. It is no longer operational, and it was converted to Leavesden Film Studios, now the Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, famous for The Making of Harry Potter.

Leavesden Aerodrome was created in 1940. It was subsequently bought by Rolls Royce to manufacture helicopter engines. In 1994, the unoccupied aerodrome was converted into a film studio, and major productions like the James Bond movie, Golden Eye, were made there. From 2000 to 2010, all eight of the Harry Potter movies were produced at the site. In 2010, Warner Bros completed their purchase of Leavesden Film Studios, which was then rebranded Warner Bros Studios Leavesden.

In 2012, a permanent exhibition was created, called Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. The immensely popular attraction can host up to 8,000 visitors a day, and has a large collection of  sets, props and costumes from the blockbuster Harry Potter movies. 

Dumbledore's Office, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

'

Harry Potter with Hermione Granger
and Ron Weasley, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Quidditch Set, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Harry's Room under the Staircase, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Hippogriff at the Forbidden Forest, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Some of the highlights of the tour include the Hogwarts Express steam engine, Diagonal Alley, a model of Hogwarts Castle, the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Professor Sprout's Greenhouse (featuring the magical mandrakes).

Diagonal Alley,
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Hogwarts Express, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Model of Hogwarts Castle, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Mandrakes, 

The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

The Great Hall, 
The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Bros Studios Leavesden,
Watford

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone structure located in the county of Salisbury. It has an outer ring of sarsen standing stones, approximately 4 meters high and 2 meters wide, topped by connecting horizontal lintel stones. Within the outer layer, there's a ring of smaller bluestones. 

A Close-up View of Stonehenge

A Distant View of Stonehenge

The structure was built between 3,100 BC and 1,600 BC. In 1986,the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stonehenge was possibly a burial ground. Human bones have been found there during excavations. No written records were ever kept, so the purpose behind its construction remains a subject of debate. The site has a museum with write-ups, models and archaeological finds.

Human Bones, Museum, Stonehenge

Model of the Site, Museum, Stonehenge

Archaeological Finds,
Museum, Stonehenge

Video Show, Museum, Stonehenge

Besides the stone structure and the museum, the site has a visitor centre, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and recreations of the builders' huts. From the visitor centre, buses take visits to the structure. Visitors also have the option of walking to the site.

Sample of the Stone, Stonehenge

Workers' Hut Reconstruction, 
Stonehenge

Interior of Workers' Hut,
Stonehenge

Workers' Huts Reconstruction, 
Stonehenge

Dorset

Dorset is a ceremonial county in southwest England. The county has a population of over 750,000, and the largest towns are Bournemouth (population of approximately 180,000) and Poole (population of approximately 150,000). Dorset is spread over an area of 2,653 sq km. It is largely a rural county.

Corfe Castle is a castle that stands on a hill rising above a village that carries the same name. The village has a population of just over 1,400. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, and underwent changes in the 12th and 13th centuries. 

Corfe Castle

Entrance, Corfe Castle

In 1572, Queen Eizabeth II sold Corfe Castle to Sir Christopher Hatton. It was bought by Sir John Bankes in 1635. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War in 1635. In 1660, after the restoration of the monarchy, the Bankes Family regained control of the castle. The castle was the inspiration for the famous author Enid Blyton's Kirrin Castle. 

View from Corfe Castle

In 1981, Ralph Bankes bequeathed the castle to the National Trust. After significant renovation work, the National Trust opened the castle to visitors in 2008. 

At the base of the hill on top of which Corfe Castle is situated, lies the Church of St Edward King and Martyr. It lies in the heart of the village. The village is dotted with several good eateries and interesting shops.

Church of St Edward King and Martyr, 
Corfe Castle

Gallery, Corfe Castle

Wareham is a town in Dorset having a population of over 5,000. It is situated along the River Frome. The charming town has a host of eateries along its main street, where one also finds the Town Hall. The Priory Church of Lady St Mary is one of the town's main highlights. Another well known church in the town is St Martin's on the Walls, which is located along the town's old ramparts.

Priory Church of Lady St Mary, 
Wareham, Dorset

St Martin's on the Walls, 
Wareham, Dorset

Town Hall, 
Wareham, Dorset

King's Arms Restaurant, 
Wareham, Dorser

Bridge of the River Frome, 
Wareham, Dorset

The Blue Pool, a disused clay pit, lies close to Wareham and Corfe Castle. It is located within the 25 acre Furzbrook Estate. In the 17th century, clay used to be dug out from the pit, and it was used to make fine ceramic products. The pit stopped being used in the early 20th century. It is now a popular tourist site, with a cafe, a museum, a gift shop and walking trails. The site is popular because of its peace and tranquility. Around the pool, one can see peacocks, squirrels, rabbits, badgers and other wildlife. 

The Blue Pool, Dorset

Cafe, The Blue Pool, Dorset

Cafe Interior, the Blue Pool, Dorset

Entrance, The Blue Pool, Dorset

Gnome and Fairy Trail, The Blue Pool, Dorset

Lulworth Cove is a cove in Dorset's Jurassic Coast. The beautiful cove is a World Heritage Site and attracts numerous visitors. The site has a visitor centre, eateries, shops and hotels.

Lulworth Cove, Dorset

Isle of Purbeck Golf Course is a scenic golf course on a high heathland plateau. It offers views of Isle of Wight, Poole Bay, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth, Brownsea Island, and Purbeck Hills. The golf club was established in 1892. Enid Blyton and her husband once owned this golf club.

Restaurant and Golf Course,
Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, Dorset

Isle of Purbeck Golf Course

Swanage is a town in Dorset with approximately 10,000 inhabitants. It is a popular seaside destination because of its sandy beaches. One can hire deckchairs, boats and watersport equipment. There are also rides available for kids. 

Beach, Swanage, Dorset

Visitor Information Centre, Swanage, Dorset

Martin's Bar and Restaurant is located on a hill outside the town of Bridport in Dorset. It has a large collection of fire-fighting memorabilia. The complex has rides for kids. Just outside, there's a ground where one can see alpacas. The view looking down from the complex is truly beautiful.

Martin's Bar and Restaurant, Dorset

Sausages, Martin's Bar and Restaurant

Firefighting Equipment, 
Martin's Bar and Restaurant, Dorset

Playground, Martin's Bar and Restaurant

Alpaca, Martin's Bar and Restaurant, Dorset

Cornwall

Cornwall is a ceremonial county is South West England. The county is largely rural, and is famous for its scenic beauty. It has a population of about 550,000, and covers an area of 3,562 sq km. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the North and West of the county, and the English Channel lies to the South. 

Marazion is a small town in Cornwall with a population of just over 1,400. The town is well known because of its proximity to St Michael's Mount. It is also close to the larger town of Penzance, which is about 3 km to its west.

Marazion has popular eateries like The Kings Arms in the heart of the town, and The Godolphin, which has excellent views of St Michael's Mount. Wheal Rodney Holiday Park, just outside the town, is a popular residential place for visitors. It has a series of very well equipped cottages for families, a convenience store and even a heated swimming pool. It is also popular with people who come and camp out in their caravans.

The Kings Arms, 
Marazion, Cornwall

The Godolphin, 
Marazion, Cornwall

Wheal Rodney Holiday Park,
Marazion, Cornwall

Marazion Museum, 
Marazion, Cornwall

All Saints Church, 
Marazion, Cornwall

St Michael's Mount is a tidal island situated close to Marazion and Penzance. It is connected to Marazion through a causeway. During high tide, the causeway gets covered with water and one has to use a boat to get to the island. 

St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

View from Below, 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

Ramparts, 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall

Boat, St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

The castle and chapel at St Michael's Mount belong to the St Aubyn family, a family that has been the owner since the mid seventeenth century. St Michael's Mount was the English counterpart of Mont St Michel in Normandy in France. 

A monastery was supposedly located on the island between the 8th and 11th centuries. Edward the Confessor gave the site to the  Benedictine order of Mont Saint Michel. It later became a secular chapel and was given to the Abbess and Convent of Syon at Isleworth, Middlesex, in 1424. In 1659, the Mount was sold to Colonel John St Aubyn, whose descendants still own it. In 1954, the Mount was given to the National Trust, which now manages it.

Chapel, St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

Dining Hall Ceiling, St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

Besides the castle and the chapel, St Michael's Mount is also famous for the colourful Garden Terraces. The views of Marazion, Penzance, the countryside and the Cornish Sea from the top are well worth the trip!

Garden Terraces, 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall 

Palm Tree, Garden Terraces 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall

Well, Gardens, 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall

The Cornish Sea, 
St Michael's Mount, Cornwall

Penzance is a town with a population of about 21,000. It is the largest town in the western part of Cornwall. Chapel Street features some of the town's best known landmarks. Egyptian House has a beautiful Egyptian facade and dates back to 1836. Admiral Benbow Inn was home to a smuggling gang in the 1800s and was the inspiration behind the inn in the Treasure island book. St Mary's Church is also situated on Chapel Street.

Egyptian House, 
Penzance, Cornwall

Admiral Benbow Inn, 
Penzance, Cornwall

St Mary's Church, 
Pezance, Cornwall

Kynance Cove is a cove on the eastern side of Mount's Bay in Cornwall. It is located on the Lizard Peninsula, near Lizard Point. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful coves in England. It became popular in the Victorian Era, and had distinguished visitors like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. 

Kynance Cove, Cornwall

The Pebble Filled Beach,
Kynance Cove, Cornwall

Cotswold

Cotswold (also knows as the Cotswolds) is a region that includes parts of several English ceremonial counties, largely Glouscestershire and Oxfordshire, but also parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Cotswold extends over an area of 2,038 sq km. It was established in 1966 and designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Cotswold is famous for its attractive small towns and villages, with buildings made from Cotswold stone. Cotswold is largely rural, and about 80% of the region consists of farmland. 

Bampton is a parish on Oxfordshire with a population of just over 2,500. Bampton's Church of St Mary the Virgin was originally built in the 10th century. It was later rebuilt in the 12th century and then restored in 1870. The building housing Bampton Library was built in the 1650s as a school. In the popular TV series Downtown Abbey, several outdoor locations from Bampton were used extensively, including the Church of St Mary the Virgin and Bampton Library.

Church of St Mary the Virgin,
Bampton, Cotswold

Church of St Mary the Virgin,
Bampton, Cotswold

St John the Baptist, 
Church of St Mary the Virgin,
Bampton, Cotswold

World War Memorial,
Bampton, Cotswold

Bampton Library, 
Bampton, Cotswold

Bibury is a village in Gloustershire that lies along the River Coin, a tributary of Thames. The village has a population of about 600. Arlington Row consists of a series of beautiful cottages built in 1380. They were originally built as storehouses for wool and were later converted into a row of cottages for weavers. Arlington Row is one of the country's most photographed scenes. Church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to the 11th century. In 1863, a Victorian renovation was done. 

Arlington Row,
Bibury, Cotswold

Close-up of Arlington Row,
Bibury, Cotswold

Church of St Mary the Virgin, 
Bibury, Cotswold

Interior, Church of St Mary the Virgin, 
Bibury, Cotswold

Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in the county of Gloucester with a population of just over 3,000. The River Windrush runs along the village's high street. The river has a series of five stone bridges built between 1654 and 1953. The village is also called "Venice of the Cotswolds". The village's is a popular tourist destination in the Cotswolds, and its landmarks include Our Lady and St Kenelm Roman Catholic Church, Bourton-on-the-Water Baptist Church, St Lawrence Church, Cotswold Motoring Museum and a beautiful War Memorial.

Cotswold Motoring Museum,
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold

Stone Bridge over the River Windrush,
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold

Riverside Signage,
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold

Bourton-on-the-Water Baptist Church,
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold

War Memorial,
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold

Broadway is a village with a population of about 2,500. It is located in Cotswold in the county of Worchestershire. The village's High Street is lined with shops and cafes. Broadway is a centre for arts, and boasts of the Gordon Russell Design Museum and the Ashmolean Museum Broadway. The 20 meter tall Broadway Tower, dating back to the 18th century,  is one of the village's best known landmarks. Broadway Tower is a functional building, and its top three floors serve as a museum. One gets good views of the region from the rooftop viewing platform. The tower was originally built by the 6th Earl of Coventry for his wife. 

Broadway Tower,
Broadway, Cotswold

Burford is a town in Cotswold situated in Oxfordshire County. It has a population of approximately 1,400. Historically, the town was known for its wool trade. It has an attractive High Street, full of shops and eateries, and the street is along a gradient. Burford's best known landmark is the Church of St John the Baptist. The church's origins go back to the 12th century. In 1649, the church served as a prison for a group pf mutineers, called the Levellers.

Church of St John the Baptist,
Burford, Cotswold

Churchyard with Graves,
Church of St John the Baptist,
Burford, Cotswold

Interior,
Church of St John the Baptist,
Burford, Cotswold

Stainglass,
Church of St John the Baptist,
Burford, Cotswold

Gloucester is a cathedral city in the county of Gloucestershire. The city has a population of about 130,000. Gloucester was founded by the Romans in the year 97 AD. Gloucester Cathedral was originally built in the 7th century AD. In the 11th century AD, the church came under the control of the Benedictine Order. Henry III was crowned there. After a fire in 1222, the church was rebuilt in 14th century. After the dissolution of monasteries in 1555, the abbey was designated as a cathedral. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the cathedral went through major renovation. The cathedral cloisters and their iconic corridors are legendary. In the Harry Potter movie series, the cathedral was used frequently as a filming location.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Cloisters,
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Cloisters with Stain Glass Windows,
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Courtyard within the Cloisters,
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Stain Glass Window,
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Lechlade-on-Thames is a town in Cotswold in the county of Gloucestershire. The town has a population of close to 3,000. The town is named after the River Leach, that joins the River Thames. St Lawrence Church is the town's best known landmark. The church was completed in 1476, on the site of a previous church. Following a fire in 1510, the church was renovated, and a spire was subsequently added. In 1815, the poet Percy Byssshe Shelly visited the church and was inspired to write the poem A Summer Evening Churchyard, Lechlade, Gloucestershire.

St Lawrence Church,
Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswold

High Altar, St Lawrence Church,
Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswold

The Crown Inn,
Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswold

Cows at Manor Farm,
Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswold

Lineover Wood is a 50 acre site in Cotswold, in the county of Gloucestershire. It has multiple walking trails and is popular with nature lovers. Plants that can be commonly seen include ash, oak and lime. Butterflies can also be spotted.

Lineover Wood, Cotswold

Walking Trail,
Lineover Wood, Cotswold

Lower Slaughter is a village in Cotswold in Gloucestershire County. The village lies on both sides of the River Eye, which is a slow-moving stream. The village has a Mill with a waterwheel. The Slaughters Manor House is located on a site that had a manor house in the 11th century, when William the Conqueror gave the land to a Norman knight, Sir Philip de Sloitre. The building has been built upon over generations, and a bulk of it was built in the 17th century. Sir George Whitmore was the owner of the building since 1611, and it stayed with his family till 1964. The Parish Church of St Mary dates back to the 13th century but a large part of it was built in 1867.

Mill, 
Lower Slaughter, Cotswold

Parish Church of St Mary, 
Lower Slaughter, Cotswold

The Slaughters Country Inn, 
Lower Slaughter, Cotswold

The Slaughters Manor House, 
Lower Slaughter, Cotswold

Garden, The Slaughters Manor House, 
Lower Slaughter, Cotswold

Stow-on-the-Wold is a market town with a population of just over 2,000. It is located in Cotswold, in Gloucestershire County. It was founded as a trading town by Norman lords, and fairs have been held here since the 14th century. A horse fair is still held here. Through history, the town was popular for trade in livestock and wool. St Edward's Church is the town's main church. The Porch House is supposedly England's oldest inn and was originally built in 975 AD! As per legend, the inn is haunted and there are ghosts residing in its corridors!

St Edward's Church, 
Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold

Graves in the Churchyard, 
St Edward's Church, 
Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold

The Porch House, 
Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold

Upper Slaughter is a village in Cotswold in Gloucestershire County. It is located just over a kilometer away from its sister village, Lower Slaughter. The village has fewer than 200 inhabitants. The River Eye flows through the village. The Parish Church of St Peter originally dates back to the 12th century. Upper Slaughter is one of the Thankful Villages that lost no men in World War I and World War II.

The Parish Church of St Peter, 
Upper Slaughter, Cotswold

Churchyard, 
The Parish Church of St Peter, 
Upper Slaughter, Cotswold

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town in Warwickshire County, having a population of over 30,000. The town is located on the River Avon. In 1196, King Richard I granted Stratford a charter to hold a weekly market, giving it the status of a market town. This lead to Stratford becoming an important trading town. Stratford is a famous tourist town because it is the birthplace and burial place of the famous English poet, William Shakespeare. 

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is undoubtedly one of the world's best known playwrights. He is also called the "National Poet" and the "Bard of Avon". His extensive works include no fewer than 39 plays and 154 sonnets. His best known works include classics like Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, Anthony and Cleopatra, Twelveth Night, Macbeth, Hamlet and Othello, to name just a few. 

Shakespeare's Birthplace is a restored 16th century house located on Henley Street. William Shakespeare was apparently born in this house in 1564, and is believed to have spent his early years here. It now houses a museum managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker, and he used to carry out his business from this house. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust acquired the house in 1847 and restored it to its original state. There is a walled garden at the back of the house. 

Shakespeare's Birthplace, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Children's Bed,
Shakespeare's Birthplace, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Infant's Bed, 
Shakespeare's Birthplace, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Parlour Room, 
Shakespeare's Birthplace, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

View from the Garden, 
Shakespeare's Birthplace, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Henley Street, where Shakespeare's Birthplace is located, is one of the town's oldest street. It is now pedestrianized, and is full of cafes, shops and street entertainers. The street has a statue of William Shakespeare, as well as a popular statue titled The Jester, inspired by Shakespeare's works.

Statue of Shakespeare, 
Henley Street, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Statue of The Jester, 
Henley Street, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Holy Trinity Church is famous for being the place of baptism, marriage and burial of William Shakespeare. The church was originally built in 1210. Shakespeare was buried in the church after his death in 1616. Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, is buried next to him, and so is their elder daughter, Susanna. 

Holy Trinity Church, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare's Grave, 
Holy Trinity Church, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

High Altar, 
Holy Trinity Church, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Nave, 
Holy Trinity Church, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a large theatre with a capacity of over 1,000 people, and it is owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The theatre originally opened in 1879 as the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. It was destroyed in a fire in 1926. The theatre reopened in 1932 and it was renamed in 1961. The "one-room" theatre permits the actors and audience to share one space, as was the norm in Shakespeare's times. In 2010, the theatre reopened after a major redevelopment exercise. 

  

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare Memorial Fountain and Clock Tower, also called the American Fountain, is a Gothic style fountain with a clock tower. It was built in 1887 by the American journalist, George W Childs and presented to the town. It was erected as a tribute to Shakespeare, and to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee on the British throne.  

Shakespeare Memorial Fountain
and Clock Tower, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

The River Avon runs through the town and is popular for boating and leisure activities.

The River Avon, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Boats in the River Avon, 
Stratford-upon-Avon

Oxford

Oxford is a city with a population of about 160,000 and it is located in the county of Oxfordshire. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxford Castle was built in 1071 after the Norman conquest of 1066. The town was built around it. By the 12th century, one saw the origins of the University of Oxford, as it started becoming an important educational centre. It grew significantly after 1167, when Henry II banned English students from going to the University of Paris. The university has a total of 43 colleges. It boasts of very notable alumni, including 31 Prime Ministers of the UK and 76 Nobel Prize laureates.

Christ Church was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII. It has the Christ Church Cathedral, which is the college chapel and the cathedral of the Oxford diocese. Tom Tower was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Tom Quad is the largest quadrangle in Oxford. The Great Dining Hall served as the parliament during the English Civil War. Christ Church is perhaps the most prestigious of Oxford's colleges and it is undoubtedly Oxford's most popular college for tourist, drawing up to half a million visitors a year. 

Tom Tower and Tom Quad, 
Christ College, Oxford

Christ Church Cathedral,
Christ College, Oxford

High Altar, 
Christ Church Cathedral,
Christ College, Oxford

Pulpit, 
Christ Church Cathedral,
Christ College, Oxford

Ceiling, 
Christ Church Cathedral,
Christ College, Oxford

Great Dining Hall,
Christ Church Cathedral,
Christ College, Oxford

University Church of St Mary the Virgin is an Anglican church located on High Street. It was founded in 1490. It is possible for visitors to climb the church's tower for fantastic views of the city. The church was the site of the 1555 trial of the Oxford Martyrs, where 3 prominent bishops were tried for heresy and later burnt at the stake. 

University College of St Mary
the Virgin, Oxford

High Altar, 
University College of St Mary
the Virgin, Oxford

Organ, 
University College of St Mary
the Virgin, Oxford

Sculpture, 
University College of St Mary
the Virgin, Oxford

View of All Souls College, 
University College of St Mary
the Virgin, Oxford

Radcliffe Camera is a circular building in the University of Oxford. It was built in 1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It is not open to the public. The library's construction and maintenance are funded from the estate of John Radcliffe, a physician who died in 1741 and left 40,000 Pounds for the library. The lawns surrounding Radcliffe Camera have been the venue of several for student-led protests.

Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

The Sheldonian Theatre is a theatre built in 1669 based on a design by Sir Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. It is named after Gilbert Sheldon, warden of All Souls College and later chancellor of the university. The theatre hosts music concerts, lectures and university ceremonies. 

The Sheldonian Theatre, 
Oxford

The Bridge of Sighs, actually called the Hertfort Bridge, is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College. The bridge gets its nickname because it resembles the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. The bridge was completed in 1914. 

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley. It has over 13 million books, and is Britain's 2nd largest library after the British Library. 

Bodleian Library, Oxford

Statue of Peter Paul Rubens, 
Bodleian Library, Oxford

The Martyrs' Memorial is a stone monument dedicated to the Bishop of Worchester, High Latimer, the Bishop of London, Nicholas Ridley, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, who were tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1555 / 1556. The memorial was constructed 300 years after the killings.

Martyrs' Memorial, 
Oxford

Oxford Town Hall serves as the seat of the Oxford Town Council and as the Museum of Oxford. The building was completed in 1897. The Museum of Oxford has exhibit depicting the history of the city. It also has exhibits from prehistoric times. The museum opened inside Oxford Town Hall in 1975. 

Facade, Oxford Town Hall, Oxford

Costumes, Museum of Oxford, 
Oxford Town Hall, Oxford

Diary Card, Museum of Oxford, 
Oxford Town Hall, Oxford

Staircase, Oxford Town Hall, Oxford

The Covered Market is a historic market with permanent stalls. Situated north of High Street, the market was opened in 11774 and remains a popular, active market. The outlets include fresh foods, gift shops, bakeries, cafes and flower shops. The market has four entrances. 

Facade of Covered Market, 
Oxford

Meat Shop, Covered Market, 
Oxford

Vegetable Shop, Covered Market, 
Oxford

Interior, Covered Market, 
Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum is Britain's first museum. It is also the world's second university museum after the one in Basel. It was originally built in 1683 to house the collection that was given to the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole. The present building was completed in 1845. 

Facade, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Van Dyck's The Deposition, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Rodin's The Age of Bronze, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Pissaro's The Tuileries Garden in Rainy Weather, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Canaletto's Landscape with a Villa, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The museum's highlights include drawings by Michelangelo, Raphael and Da Vinci; paintings by Picasso, Van Dyck, Cezanne, Constable and Titian; Egyptian antiquities; ancient Greek works of art; and sculptures from India.

Monet's A Mill near Vaandam, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Degas' Dancer looking at the Sole
of her Right Foot, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Ganesha, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Turner's View of the High Street in Oxford, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Van Gogh's The Restaurant de la 
Sirene at Asniers, 
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Cambridge

Cambridge is a city with 145,000 inhabitants and it is located in the county of Cambridgeshire. It lies along the River Cam. The city's origins go back to the Bronze Age and it was a trading centre in the Roman and Viking eras. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is among the best universities in the world. Its alumni have won no fewer than 126 Nobel Prizes! The university consists of 31colleges.

King's College was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI. It was founded after its sister college, Eton College, and initially it took students only from Eton College. King's College Chapel was built by King Henry VIII in 1544. The chapel is famous for its fan vault, its stained glass windows, its choir and Peter Paul Rubens' painting of The Adoration of the Magi above the high altar.

Gateway, 
King's College, Cambridge

King Henry VIII Relief, 
King's College, Cambridge

King's College Chapel, 
King's College, Cambridge

Fan Vault, 
King's College, Cambridge

Rubens' The Adoration of the Magi, 
King's College, Cambridge

World War Memorial, 
King's College, Cambridge

Trinity College was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the biggest colleges in the University of Cambridge. It has the largest financial endowment in either Cambridge or Oxford. Out of 126 Nobel Prizes won by alumni of the University of Cambridge, 34 have been won by alumni of Trinity College. 

The Great Gate is the main entrance to the college. It leads to the Great Court. A statue of King Henry VIII stands above the doorway. Nevile's Court lies between the Great Court and the River Cams. The Wren Library is one of the university's best libraries. New Court is known for the large tree in the centre. Trinity College Chapel has memorials to former Fellows of the college, including Sir Isaac Newton.

Chapel, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

Statue of Sir Isaac Newton, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

Great Gate, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

Meal Table, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

Great Court, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

Trinity College Clock, 
Trinity College, Cambridge

St Johns College was established in 1511 by the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort. Its alumni have won 12 Nobel Prizes. It is the second wealthiest college in Cambridge or Oxford after Trinity College, its immediate neighbour. The college is well knows for its choir and the annual May Ball. Highlights include the Great Gate, the First Court, the Second Court, the Third Court, the Chapel of St John's and the Bridge of Sighs.

Chapel of St John's, 
St John's College, Cambridge

Bridge of Sighs, 
St John's College, Cambridge

Trinity Street is a street that gets its name from Trinity College, which lies to its west. The street continues to the north as St John's Street and to the south as King's Parade. Trinity Street is full of popular commercial establishments, including bookshops and eateries.

Trinity Street, Cambridge

Church of St Mary the Great, or Great St Mary's, is a church built in 1519. It serves as the university church for the University of Cambridge. It houses the University Organ and the University Clock. It is possible to climb the 34 meter tall tower for great views of the surroundings.

Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge

Tower, Church of St Mary the Great,
Cambridge

Clock, Church of St Mary the Great,
Cambridge

Organ, Church of St Mary the Great,
Cambridge

Choir Stalls, 
Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge

St Edmund's College is a college in the University of Cambridge that was founded in 1896. It is for older students, pursuing their post graduation or for students who are over 21 years old. It is named after St Edmund of Abington, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 13th century. The St Edmund's College Chapel was consecrated in 1916. 

Chapel, 
St Edmund's College, Cambridge

Interior of Chapel, 
St Edmund's College, Cambridge

Round Church, the popular name for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is an Anglican church that was built in 1850. 

Round Church, Cambridge

The River Cam runs through Cambridge. It covers a total distance of 69 km. The distance from Cambridge to the sea is about 60 km. The river passes through several colleges of the University of Cambridge and this section of the river is popular with tourists. Punts and canoes can be seen in abundance along the river.

River Cam, Cambridge

Boats along the River Cam, 
Cambridge

Windsor

Windsor is a town situated in the ceremonial county of Berkshire. The town has a population of about 30,000 and it is located about 30 km west of Central London. It lies along the River Thames.

Swans and Ducks in the River Thames, 
Windsor

Windsor is the site of the famous Windsor Castle, one of the main official residences of the British monarchy. The castle's origins go back to the 11th century AD, to the time of William the Conqueror. It has been used as a royal residence from the time of Henry I (1100 - 1135). In the mid 17th century, during the English Civil War, Windsor Castle was used as a military headquarters, and Charles I was imprisoned here. 

Queen Victoria Statue, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Main Entrance, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Round Tower, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Edward III Tower, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Close-up of Edward III Tower, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Curfew Tower, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II had much of the castle rebuilt. George III and George IV had the castle restored. The castle was the venue of royal entertainment during Victoria's rule. It was the main residence of Elizabeth II from 2011 to 2022.

Norman Gate, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

South Wing, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

Some of the highlights of Windsor Castle include the Round Tower, the State Apartments, the Private Apartments and St George's Chapel. St George's Chapel has been the venue of many royal weddings and burials. The list of burials at St George's Chapel includes Henry VIII (1547), George III (1820), George IV (1830), Edward VII (1910), George V (1936), George VI (1952), Princess Margaret (2002), Prince Philip (2021) and Queen Elizabeth (2022).

St George's Chapel, 
Windsor Castle, Windsor

After 2 weeks of travelling around England, it was now time to explore London. That is not the subject of this particular blog. But our time in the beautiful English towns and countryside was absolutely fantastic and we simply loved it!!