Here’s a closer look at the show’s key filming locations, alongside the standout scenes that brought them to life.

Aldersgate Street

The exterior of Slough House is filmed at 126 Aldersgate Street, situated above the Vecchio Parioli Italian restaurant at the corner of Aldersgate and Carthusian Streets. This unassuming building becomes the central hub for the show, appearing in nearly every episode. The worn fire escape seen in the series is filmed on nearby St John’s Street.

Barbican

The Barbican’s striking brutalist architecture is key to the show’s atmosphere throughout all four seasons, especially during a tense confrontation between River Cartwright and James Webb on Barbican Bridge in season three. The area’s stark concrete structures and shadowy passages heighten the tension, perfectly capturing the gritty tone of the series.

This is one of the Slow Horses filming locations in London that is easiest to visit at no cost!

Rheidol Rooms

This real-life cozy café is a regular haunt in Season 1, often visited by the anxious journalist Robert Hobden, adding a bit of warmth to the otherwise tense atmosphere of the show.

Stansted Airport

The series kicks off with a tense scene at Stansted Airport, setting the tone for River’s sudden career change and the challenges that follow.

Truefitt & Hill

In the second episode of the first season named “Work Drinks”, the historic Truefitt & Hill barbershop in St James’s plays a key role in a quirky scene with James “Spider” Webb. The luxurious, old-world charm of the shop contrasts sharply with the gritty, dark world of Slough House, highlighting Webb’s fondness for the finer things in life.

Bunhill Fields Burial and Gardens

Known as Blake’s Grave in the show, Bunhill Fields appears often in Season 1 as a quiet, secretive meeting place for the team.

St Pancras Station & The King’s Cross Tunnel

St Pancras Station and the colorful King’s Cross Tunnel are crucial locations in Season 4, Episodes 5 and 6, where thrilling chase sequences unfold. River Cartwright races through the station’s grand architecture and the vibrant, rainbow-lit tunnel in a desperate bid to both escape and capture his pursuers.

Gresham Street

In Season 4, Episode 5 named “Grave Danger “, Gresham Street serves as the location for an intense ambush that leads to deadly consequences for The Park’s Dogs. A pivotal moment in the series.

Granary Square & The Lighterman

Granary Square and the nearby Lighterman pub take center stage in Season 4, Episode 6 (“Hello, Goodbye”) during the thrilling final showdown between River and a major villain.

Leather Lane Market

This lively market makes a dramatic entrance in Season 4’s opening scene when Roddy Ho steps out of a chicken shop and is immediately caught off guard by a massive explosion that sets the season’s chaotic events in motion.

Regent’s Canal

This historic canal plays a recurring role as the secret meeting point for Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner, where they exchange information, make deals, and engage in their tense power struggles. Notable areas near Macclesfield Bridge, St Mark’s Church, and the floating Chinese restaurant are all key locations that can be easily visited.

St Michael’s Church

St Michael’s Church stands in as the place where high-ranking MI5 officers, who have lost their lives in the line of duty, are laid to rest with the appropriate honors. At the end of Season 2, Jackson Lamb’s team uses this location to secretly lay a fallen colleague to rest, someone who was denied the recognition they deserved.

Marylebone Railway Station

Marylebone Station takes the spotlight in Season 2, Episode 1 (Last Stop), during a nerve-wracking chase scene involving former spy Dickie Bow and a mysterious man that quickly turns into a sinister setup.

1 Cornhill

In Season 2, Episode 5 named “Boardroom Politics”, 1 Cornhill becomes the epicenter of a chaotic protest orchestrated by Slough House. The iconic Bank area, with its grand architecture, serves as the perfect backdrop for a plan that, in true Slow Horses fashion, unravels spectacularly.

Barbican Launderette

Jackson Lamb covertly meets an old informant at the Barbican Launderette multiple times throughout the series. This unassuming spot, nestled in London’s brutalist Barbican Estate, reflects the show’s knack for turning the mundane into something steeped in intrigue.

30 Great Guildford St

Featured in season three’s “Hard Lessons” episode, this viaduct and restaurant becomes the site of Catherine Standish’s shocking abduction.

Additional Slow Horses filming locations in London and elsewhere

Where is Upshott Village in Slow Horses?

The picturesque Castle Combe, located in Wiltshire, served as the backdrop for Upshott, most notably in the aptly titled Season 2 episode “From Upshott with Love.” Known as one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful villages, it’s also an easy day trip from London.

Where in France was Slow Horses series 4 filmed?

The commune of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, located in the Val d’Oise Department north-west of Paris, was used to depict the fictional town of Lavande in the tense Season 4, Episode 2 named “A Stranger Comes to Town”. Exterior shots of the eerie Les Arbres were filmed at Domaine de Seraincourt, an 18th century castle.

What are the castle ruins in Slow Horses?

They are Wimpole’s Folly, dating back to the mid-1770s. The site includes a four-story Gothic tower and is managed by the National Trust. Located in Cambridgeshire, it is open to the public and appears in the thrilling Season 1 finale, aptly titled “Follies.”

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I only have a handful of happy places in the world, and Notting Hill is one of them. Granted, I know full well I could never afford to live in this affluent corner of the city—but I make a point of visiting every time I’m in London, phone in hand (anything for the ‘gram), no itinerary in sight. I let the moment take over, letting these idyllic streets lead me, secretly hoping I never find my way out.

A walking itinerary for Notting Hill & Holland Park colourful houses

I’ve walked these streets a thousand times, so when I say they’re all photogenic and full of character, I mean it. This itinerary brings together the most colourful streets, the quaintest alleys, and the prettiest façades in the neighbourhood—it’s essentially a greatest-hits tour of Notting Hill.

The 5-kilometre loop could take you anywhere from one to six hours, depending on your pace—and how often you stop to say, “Wait, I need to Instagram this,” or ask your Instagram husband to move the rubbish bin. ;-)

Photos of Notting Hill

Notting Hill – a bit of history

Although it’s now one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods—where townhouses typically sell for a modest £4–6 million—Notting Hill wasn’t always so polished. In fact, up until the late 1800s, it was a slum, home to piggeries, smoke-belching pottery kilns, and grim living conditions.

The area was largely populated by white, working-class locals of low social standing, where violence and unemployment were part of daily life. So when a wave of Caribbean immigrants arrived after World War II, tensions flared almost immediately.

Racial disparities and cultural differences gave rise to deep divisions. Discrimination was rampant: landlords often refused to rent to Black tenants—or charged them extortionate rates—and many pubs simply banned them outright. In May 1958, tensions boiled over into a violent three-day riot, during which Black residents were brutally attacked.

This is the context in which the now-iconic Notting Hill Carnival was born.

The event was launched as a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, designed to uplift the community and ease tensions, if only temporarily. Though Black locals were still excluded from many public spaces, that didn’t stop them from creating their own: a vibrant network of underground venues emerged, serving not just their community, but curious outsiders as well. Members of the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, for example, found themselves drawn to this gritty-yet-creative enclave.

By the mid-1980s, the violence had subsided, and new residents—attracted by the (then) low rents and roomy flats—began moving in around Portobello Road. But affordability didn’t last. Today, Notting Hill is a playground for the well-heeled, filled with designer boutiques, elegant cafés, and—of course—those beloved pastel façades we just can’t get enough of. ;-)

The post My love letter to Notting Hill and its colourful houses appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

The issue I have with afternoon tea is that the vast majority of hotels and restaurants offer a variation of it; one really doesn’t have to go above and beyond to find one. However, the sad reality is that a very lucky few are something to write home about – tasteless scones, lukewarm tea, and unnecessarily heavy clotted cream are unfortunately a common fixture in a city where most tourists won’t even notice the difference between day-old and fresh-out-of-the-oven pâtisseries.

But not at sketch. You truly haven’t had a proper afternoon tea in London until you’ve sat down in sketch’s legendary monochromatic blush-coloured Gallery.

Afternoon tea in London

The historic building in which sketch is housed was built in 1779 as the Royal Institute of British Architects; it later on became the London Atelier of famed haute-couture brand Christian Dior. With that in mind, it only seems fitting that sketch would not only celebrate but pursue the experimental, artsy heritage with its incredibly forward-thinking restaurants.

Well before my taste buds got excited by the sweet smorgasbord ahead of me, my camera and my hands got a life of their own and snapped every corner of this spectacular David Shrigley-designed room, which is complemented by the adjoining toilet pods (yes, I swear you read that right) and the exotic Glade room.

The attention to details – where the devil truly hides as far as interior design is concerned – is astounding. Everything, from the muted pink hue to the antiquey-looking champagne glasses, and from the cheeky works of art adorning the walls to Shrigley’s witty tableware, is impeccably assorted.

Was I impressed? Absolutely. It’s been just over a month since my visit and I am *still* talking about those finger sandwiches. I speak from experience when I say this: when cucumber sandwiches – one of the blandest possible dish ever imagined – are memorably fresh, crispy, and savoury, you know it’s bound to be a legendary afternoon tea.

What followed was an explosion of flavours complemented by my and my friend Julie‘s entire lexical field of the word “yummy”. Hands up if you’ve got a sweet tooth that can handle more than the top button of your jeans ever will allow. I know I do!

sketch afternoon tea menu

• Assorted finger sandwiches: corn-fed coronation chicken, smoked salmon and Jacob’s tarragon cream, green asparagus and cucumber ricotta, mozzarella and pesto panini, as well as mayonnaise, egg, quail egg and caviar
• Sultana scones with fig & strawberry jam
• The two-bites pastries: guariguette strawberry tartlet, Battenberg cake, opera, rhubarb cheesecake, Malabar marshmallow, Kalamansi meringue, as well as violet and raspberry choux
• And, to conclude, a full-sized sketch pastry: salted caramel chocolate fondant or caramelised scented cardamom pears and Tahiti vanilla dome

Yeah. I wasn’t lying. YUM.

Is afternoon tea at sketch worth the price?

At £75 per head, this afternoon of festivities doesn’t come cheap. Indeed, sketch is one of the priciest afternoon teas in London, especially if you #treatyoself to champagne (£89). But if you couldn’t already tell by my dithyrambic review of the menu and space, I think the experience is entirely worth it – because that’s exactly what it is: an experience.

This afternoon tea isn’t just about scones and herbal beverages. It’s about being immersed in a completely cohesive ensemble, from the über-feminine decor to the quirky tableware, from the out-of-this-world pastries to the impossibly photogenic displays. Even the washrooms are worth the detour.

I’m certain afternoon tea at Claridge’s or the Lanesborough’s is really quite enjoyable in a quintessentially English sort of way. However I would wholeheartedly recommend going at sketch for a truly unforgettable, distinguished, one-of-a-kind experience for all senses.

Tips for afternoon tea at sketch

• There is no official dress code for afternoon tea but you definitely want to put your most fashionable dress on. Although the staff was oh so kind to me, I was impossibly underdressed with my street-London-friendly-but-not-afternoon-tea-ready denim on denim outfit.
• sketch has four other rooms, each with a distinctive menu, dress code, atmosphere, and decor.
• If you want to get the best possible photos of the Gallery, book your afternoon tea right at the opening. Be there a tad early while the room is virtually empty; it gets quite full by 1pm.
• Afternoon tea is available every day of the week 12:30pm – 4:30pm.

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20 odd years later, the saga remains one of the most prosperous, irreducible franchises in film and writing. This has obviously translated into tourism as well, since both England and Scotland served as broody backdrops throughout the seven movies.

Here are 25+ real-life Harry Potter filming locations scattered across Britain that are open to wizarding visitors. From the Scottish Highlands to English castles and beyond!

Harry Potter filming locations in England

Oxford: Bodleian Library & Christ Church

Do you remember when Harry went into Hogwarts’ library undetected due to his invisibility cloak? Well, the Duke Humfrey’s Library, the oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library, was where all that magic was filmed. Private tour are mandatory for this part of the library… unless you have an invisibility cloak! Let’s not forget that the Bodleian Library also acted as the infirmary in four of the movies.

Another important Harry Potter site in Oxford is Christ Church’s Great Hall. It’s so obviously the inspiration for the Hogwarts Dining Hall with its elongated wooden tables and vaulted ceilings.

When you visit Christ Church, take notice of the grand staircase leading into the Great Hall. This is the filming location for when the wizarding trio first arrives at Hogwarts and enters the Great Hall to meet Professor McGonagall.

Lacock Village and Abbey

Lacock is one of the most popular stops for Harry Potter filming locations. With reason: several scenes were shot here over the course of the entire franchise.

Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and Hogwarts students as you explore the grounds of Lacock Abbey. It was used for multiple Hogwarts interior scenes. Firstly, the Mirror of Erised scenes, and secondly, Professor Snape’s and Professor Quirrell’s classrooms.

Further out in the village you’ll walk past Harry Potter’s childhood home and Horace Slughorn’s House. Now, remember that these are private residences. Please be respectful of the people living there!

Additional Harry Potter locations in England

• Alnwick Castle: The castle grounds are where Harry takes his first flying lesson in The Sorcerer’s Stone. Alnwick Castle is also where Harry learned the rules of Quidditch. Fun fact: the castle is fascinating and dates back to the 11th century!
• Black Park Country Park: You may recognize it as the location of Hagrid’s hut during the first two films, as the Forbidden Forest, and where Hagrid takes Harry to see the dragons in The Goblet of Fire. Fun fact: Black Park appears at least once in every Harry Potter film.
• Goathland Station: Does Goathland Station not ring a bell? That’s because Warner Bros. transformed it into Hogsmeade Station as the final stop of the Hogwarts Express.
• Martins Heron: Only true Potterheads will take a trip to the suburbs to visit Harry’s childhood home. 4 Privet Drive was where we first met Harry and the unpleasant Dursley family in The Sorcerer’s Stone. Exterior shots of the house were filmed at 12 Picket Post Close in Martins Heron, in Berkshire.
• Seven Sisters Country Park: The cliffs of Dover are in The Goblet of Fire. In the Quidditch World Cup scenes, look out for when Harry walks up the hill to find an ominous boot…
• Durham Cathedral: The historic cathedral was in The Sorcerer’s Stone, when Harry releases Hedwig from his hand in the snow-covered quadrangle cloisters.

Harry Potter filming locations in London

Leadenhall Market

London’s most beautiful Victorian market was the location of some of the Diagon Alley scenes. Leadenhall Market also houses the shop used as the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron in The Goblet of Fire.

Claremont Square

Claremont Square is featured as 12 Grimmauld Place exterior shots in The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows Part 1.

In real life, the Order’s headquarters are located just a stone throw’s from King’s Cross in Islington. The square’s odd shape is due to the fact that it used to be a… water reservoir!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Naturally, I beelined for the Harry Potter Studios when I last visited London. I didn’t care how much of a nerd that made me! You can tell by watching the movies how much thought was put into details and how precise J.K. Rowling’s storylines are; they used advanced technology to bring dragons and talking dogs and basilisks to life. I truly enjoyed learning all those secrets and seeing the behind-the-scenes.

How, exactly, do you do justice to such an imaginative, unrealistic yet incredibly relatable story? I don’t want to reveal any secrets or take away the fun parts of the visit. But I will say this: this is definitely one of the highlights of my life as a Potterhead.

Kings Cross Station

The iconic and utmost secret entrance to Platform 9 ¾ is in the heart of King’s Cross train station in London. The station is either filmed or hinted at in the majority of the early films. There is a massive Harry Potter souvenir shop right next to the the halved luggage cart.

You can get your picture taken for free but not without patience. There are quite lengthy queues on any given day.

Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge collapsed into the River Thames during the Death Eater chase in the opening scene of The Half-Blood Prince.

The special effects required in this scene are simply spectacular, with the cables snapping and the structure undulating worryingly.

While the Death Eaters destroyed the bridge in the film, in reality the pedestrian-only bridge still stands strong. It offers great photo ops of the Thames and of the St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Westminster tube station

Harry & Arthur Weasley had their hilarious encounter with the muggles in the very heart of the London undergoround. While on their way to the Ministry of Magic in The Order of the Phoenix, the odd pair of wizards used the tube. But not without a few technology-related hiccups on Mr Weasley’s part!

Fun fact: The station is one of the busiest in London due to its central location. It sits nearby the Houses of Parliament, the eponymous abbey, and the London eye. And yet it closed to the public for an entire day to allow filming!

Piccadilly Circus

Think back to The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 when Harry, Ron, and Hermione had to leave Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Piccadilly Circus is featured in the scene where they are running through the West End.

Additional Harry Potter locations in London

• London Zoo: If you visit the world’s oldest scientific zoo, make sure to stop in their Reptile House. This is where a burmese python spoke to Harry in The Sorcerer’s Stone. It marks the moment  where he discovered his ability to speak Parseltongue.

• Great Scotland Yard makes an appearance in The Deathly Hallows Part 1 during Harry, Ron and Hermione’s preparations for entering the Ministry. It’s perhaps better known for the Ministry’s visitor’s entrance phone box used in The Order of the Phoenix.

• Surbiton Railway Station is located on the South Western Main Line about 10 miles southwest of London. This is where professor Dumbledore tries to bring Harry back to the Wizarding world in this memorable scene. Additionally, the railway cafe is where Harry sits reading The Daily Prophet after Death Eater’s attack at the Millennium Bridge stands on Platform 1.

• St Pancras Renaissance Hotel bears striking resemblance to Hogwarts! The 250-year old Gothic landmark is the entrance to King’s Cross station in The Chamber of Secrets. Remember when the duo of adolescent wizards pull into the station in Arthur Weasley’s now iconic sky blue Ford Anglia… only to miss the train altogether and end up flying all the way into Hogwart’s fiery Whomping Willows!

• Australia House is the entrance to the goblin-run Gringott’s Bank and its perilous vault in The Sorcerer’s Stone. As indicated by its name, the building is currently the home of the Australian High Commission.

• Lambeth Bridge: The triple-decker Knight Bus that Harry embarks on in The Prisoner of Azkaban mindblowingly compresses itself so tight between other buses right here on Lambeth Bridge. The purple, lightning-fast bus now permanently lives at the Harry Potter WB Studios.

Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland

The Elephant House

Grab a coffee and a good book so you can enjoy the coffeehouse where J.K. Rowling spent countless hours crafting the amazing world of Harry Potter.

Bring a marker so you can add your very own heartfelt message on the bathroom wall!

The Jacobite Train

Nothing even compares to the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland for Harry Potter fans. Departing Fort William, the Hogwarts Express is open from April to October. Return tickets start at only £57.

In addition to being one of the major Harry Potter filming locations, it’s also one of Britain’s most iconic train journeys. It offers stunning views of lochs, mountains and Highland villages along the way.

Glen Coe

Glen Coe is frequently featured in film multiple scenes. Moreover, it’s the location for Hagrid’s Hut and the bridge leading to the entrance of Hogwarts.

Lochaber & Loch Shiel

Loch Shiel was one of the two gorgeous lakes used for Hogwarts Lake. Firstly in The Prisoner of Azkaban, where Buckbeak dipped his feet in the water while Harry rode on its back. Secondly in The Half-Blood Prince, where Harry and Hermione looked across Hogwarts Lake from the Astronomy Tower at the end of the movie.

Additional Harry Potter locations in Scotland

• Loch Eilt stood in for exterior shots of the Hogwarts grounds and as the island location of Dumbledore’s grave.

• Balmoral Hotel: In room 552 of this five-star hotel is where J.K. Rowling completed the final book of the series, The Deathly Hallows. You can book the J.K. Rowling Suite and a package that includes a private tour and Harry Potter-themed cocktails starting at £2,500 per night.

The post The ultimate Harry Potter bucket list in England & Scotland appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

It wasn’t easy to pick only a few, considering there are over 7000 pubs in London; I am well on my way to sampling them all but until I am finished, here are my favourite places to grab a drink with friends in various areas of the city.

Cheers, you guys!

George Inn

77 Borough High Street Southwark

Welcome to London’s oldest and last remaining galleried coaching inn! Said to be Shakespeare’s favourite watering hole on the south bank.

Holly Bush

22 Hollymount Hampstead

For over 200 years, this pub, nestled in one of Hampstead’s quiet cobbled streets, has been drawing locals in search of a good time and a good pint. Features a fireplace, a lived-in feel, and beautiful wooden floors—like all proper pubs should.

Lamb & Flag

33 Rose Street Covent Garden

What was once the watering hole of none other than Charles Dickens is definitely a staple of the London pub scene. After all, only a handful of pubs can boast having been opened for such a long time — 335 years, in this case — and served such famous clients. What The Lamb & Flag lacks in space — it is ridiculously tiny — it makes for in atmosphere and history. Frequently dubbed the best historical pub in London (it dates back from 1772), this Dickens favourite retains an irresistible old-world charm.

The Churchill Arms

119 Kensington Church Street

A pub that exclusively serves Thai food? Such a thing exists in London. The Churchill Arms, just a stone throw’s from Kensington Gardens, is one of the best pubs in London, for many reasons: its uncommon menu, its beautiful hanging flowers baskets that tumble out onto the street, its fantastic collection of Churchill memorabilia and the many modern day celebrities that frequently visit — this pub simply doesn’t disappoint. Once the local of Churchill’s grandparents, this quirky and leafy pub is filled with Copperknob (Winston’s nickname; he was a redhead) memorabilia. This is also London’s only pub to exclusively serve Thaï food. No chippies here!

The Nag’s Head

53 Kinnerton Street

This unassuming Belgravia boozer is located on a quiet and narrow mews, away from the hustle. With its numerous trinkets and uneven floors, I suspect it hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years; that’s precisely why I like it so much.

The Cricketers

The Green on Richmond

This is a perfectly maintained (it dates back from 1770) locals-only pub located on a tranquil street bordering a leafy park in upscale Richmond; in a way, it’s almost buccolic as you could blink and be transported to the English countryside. There are only a handful of seats and if you’re lucky, you’ll grab one outside.

Best pubs in London: additional suggestions

Best garden

• The Albion in Islington
• Edinboro Castle in Camden

Best waterfront pub

• The Dove in Hammersmith
• The Founders Arms in Southwark
• The Dickens Inn in Tower Hill
• Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich

Best pub quiz in London

• The Old Queen’s Head in Islington

Best historic, old-timey feel

• The Counting House in Bank
• Ye Olde Cock Tavern in The City
• Ye Olde Mitre in Farringdon
• Cittie of Yorke in Holborn
• Viaduct Tavern in Farringdon

Best people-watching

• The Camden Eye in Camden
• The Warwick Castle in Maida Vale
• The Ladbroke Arms in Holland Park

The post Pint of cider, please: the best pubs in London appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

For all I know it probably originated right here, in southern England.

Located just a few hours outside London, the Cotswolds is the kind of place you go to explore villages on foot, indulge in a cheeky cream tea and a scone (or two, or three) and immerse yourself in the complex history the region famous for its abundance of honey-coloured cottages.

Here is a list of Cotswolds villages you simply cannot miss, either because of their significance or their sheer visual appeal (totally a valid reason). Also included: a few useful tips for planning your itinerary.

Burford

This easily one of my favourite stops in the area! This is largely due to the impressive High Street sweeping downhill towards the River Windrush. It’s flanked by a continuous ensemble of gourmet boutiques, ancient pubs and other shops —one of which, a chemist’s since 1734, is said to be England’s oldest pharmacy— on either side of it.

Most notable is the Tolsey building situated halfway down the High Street. It’s Tudor in style, with striking black and white timber. Additionally, it used to be a meeting point for wool merchants that would come here to pay their taxes and discuss their respective guilds.

Another historical point of interest is the Burford Church, which was built over 800 years ago by wealthy merchants; it was more recently used as a temporary prison —and, tragically, a merciless execution site— by Oliver Cromwell after the English Civil War.

Grab a pint of local cider on one of the many sprawling terraces. Walk into that heavenly-smelling cheese shop. Or, better yet, sit down for tea at Huffkins.

The Slaughters

Comprising of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter —which, rest assured, have nothing to do with the actual slaughter of living beings— two quaint (oh there’s that pervasive word again) hamlets that are worth a brief photo stop. There aren’t any commodities or particular attractions here, simply two supplementary examples of perfectly preserved Cotswolds villages.

Interesting to note, though, that there is a walking path linking the two Slaughters for those looking to burn off the scone-induced calories.

Sudeley Castle

Not only is this a fine-looking castle (there’s a pleonasm if there ever was one), it’s also a historical one, too. Sudeley Castle and its 1,200-acre estate is indeed England’s only private castle to have a queen buried within its grounds; namely Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives.

In fact, it seems that queens of all eras relished the gardens of this lavish estate: Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I walked upon the original Tudor parterre of the aptly-named Queens Gardens.

Sudeley Castle is a wonderful place to stop for afternoon tea or simply for a stroll in the luxuriant gardens.

Chipping Campden

Often referred to as a masterpiece of Cotswolds villages, Chipping Campden is indeed a quintessential stop on any Cotswolds itinerary. Its 17th-century Market Hall was built solely to shelter cheese, butter and poultry merchants from bad weather and not wool merchants, contrary to popular belief. It’s nonetheless a superb landmark that is well worth stepping into.

Chipping Campden’s high street is slightly more peculiar than that of its neighbouring towns, because it curves in a shallow arc revealing ostentatiously-embellished houses. Another testament to the prosperous and lucrative wool trade in the region.

Pay special attention to the beautiful thatched-roof cottages on the periphery of Chipping Campden. These are some of the most expensive and sought-after properties in England!

Batsford Arboretum

Not to be missed nearby, too, is the stunning 55-acre Batsford Arboretum. As Britain’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs, this botanical garden is largely inspired by the original owner’s—the 1st Baron of Redesdale, Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford— extensive travels in Asia where he walked upon forests of Japanese maples, magnolias and pines.

Stow-on-the-Wold

One of the larger market towns in the Cotswolds and definitely a fun place to spend a few hours. Its sprawling central square has been bustling with activity for well over 500 years as it used to be a major trading centre in the so-called wool golden age; back then, almost 50% of England’s overall economy was connected to the wool industry in some shape or form.

There are multiple testaments and trinkets linked to that heritage scattered across town; keep an eye out for them! Stow-on-the-Wold has become a lively parish with plenty of antique shops, tea rooms (check out Lucy’s!) and inviting pubs.

Bourton on the Water

The crown jewel of Gloucestershire! This seductive village is definitely the one you’ve been seeing on literally every single postcard of the region. Ducks quacking on the canals, crooked stone houses with attractive bakeries, vintage shops and tea rooms, elderly ladies gossiping on a park bench. Bourton on the Water hits all the right notes.

Try and avoid lunchtime and early afternoons in Bourton on the Water. This is when coaches upon coaches upon coaches filled with tourists on a group day trip from London. It would be best to go in the morning or later afternoon and get the village to yourself (and the far less invasive, much friendlier locals).

Bibury

Welcome to Bibury! A minuscule civil parish, perhaps the tiniest in this selection. But it’s also home to the emblematic Arlington Row situated on River Coln, a tributary of the Thames. It was first established in 1380 (!) with monastic wool stores. The steeply vaulted homes were converted into weaver’s cottages in the 17th century in order to supply cloth to the nearby mill, back when the wool trade with the new world started picking up and accounted for almost half of England’s economy.

Arlington Row is a national conservation area and is depicted on the inside cover of all United Kingdom passports.

Cotswold Woollen Weavers

As you can probably tell by now, wool used to play a major role in England’s and the Cotswolds, more specifically, economy. The medieval weavers of 12th century happily sang: “the best wool in Europe is English and the best wool in England is Cotswold”.

Therefore, my guide Alan planned a stop at the Cotswold Woollen Weavers. In the early days of the company 400 years ago, they used to weave various woollen goods destined to the trade with the Indians in what would become Canada.

Castle Combe

Surely you’ve seen THE emblematic photo of the Castle Combe street evidenced above in a multitude of publications; rightfully so, in my opinion, as it is indeed quite a lovely view.

Likewise, not a village with commodities or particular attractions. Although, for the record, there is a lovely tea house called The Old Stables Coffee Shop worth popping into! Castle Combe is just a generally pleasing north-west Wiltshire destination for photographers and all-around Anglophiles out there. Both the Market Cross and St Andrew’s Church date back from the 13th century.

Useful Cotswolds travel tips

Transportation in the Cotswolds

Private chauffeur

I used two driving services in the Cotswolds as I was too much of a wuss to drive a car on the other (tempted to stay “wrong” side, if you ask me) side of the road:

• Cotswold Tours: Alan Foster used to be an English history teacher before he founded Cotswolds Tours. This is more suitable for the quiet, laid-back travellers looking to get as much information as they can on the Cotswolds.
• CJP Tours: Established in 2002, CJP Tours is a family-run company. It provides private escorted tours and bespoke itineraries of the southern and northern Cotswolds for up to seven passengers. Definitely the more entertaining, lively type of your with Chris Peake’s numerous stories and knack for foreign accents.

Self-drive

Perhaps you are more courageous than I am and are not worried about navigating the narrow, winding country roads of the Cotswolds? A self-drive is a great option, in this case. It will allow you to fully control your schedule and impromptu stops along the way.

Public transport

I wouldn’t advise on relying on public transit in the Cotswolds, as service is sparse and infrequent. You would end up spending more time waiting for a bus than actually visiting the area.

Day trip to the Cotswolds from London

• Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds Tour from London
• The Cotswolds Day Trip from London

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Indeed, the town is a place of remarkable cultural and historical heritage and has, miraculously, lost little of its glory, with some attractions dating as far back as the Roman era.

And while it would be perfectly reasonable to visit York on a day trip from London (in fact, a lot of people do), I do, however, recommend staying overnight as York is really quite different after nightfall; if you thought its network of medieval streets was impressive in broad daylight wait until you have them all to yourself once the hordes of tourists have left and the pubs have started playing live music.

Yep—it’s just as awesome as it sounds. Convinced, yet? Here’s what you should do during your time in York.

Have tea in a vintage train carriage at the Railway Museum

Rainy day in York?

This being Northern England there’s a very strong possibility it might happen—fret not: have afternoon tea the National Railway Museum instead!

Sweets and tea are served in a converted vintage carriage that the Dutchess of Bedford herself (who is widely credit for having invented the concept of afternoon tea) would undoubtedly be excited about.

Plus, the museum is free to visit and offers a unique perspective on the fascinating history of trains in Britain — did you know, for instance, that when chefs ran out of supplies during the journey, they hollowed out a potato, put a note inside it and threw it out at the next signal box; the signaller telegraphed up the line, and everything the chef needed would be waiting at the next station.

I also particularly enjoyed the lavish royal carriages, the World War I ambulance trains as well as the travelling post office van.

Who said rainy days in Northern England were a bad thing?

York Minster

Arguably one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world and the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, the York Minster is mostly famed for its medieval stained glass and the sprawling views of the town from atop its central tower.

Time your visit right and you might get the chance to hear the daily evensong or even one of the choir’s acclaimed performances.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall

As one of York’s most cherished medieval marvels, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is definitely worth a visit.

A whopping 650 years old, the stunning timber frame structure was built for the Company of York —a religious fraternity formed by local merchants— as a place where they could not only socialise but also, and perhaps most importantly, conduct business and form guilds.

The Great Hall remains one of the largest buildings of its kind and date in Britain.

Explore the pedestrian streets

NOT getting lost in York’s mazelike network of lanes is a bit of a challenge but one I’ll take gladly, as these are home to impossibly photogenic angles and shopfronts.

In order to fully enjoy their long history and learn about their incalculable secrets, a guided walk is an absolute must.

Have a pint in historic pubs

Indulge the long-lasting tradition of Sunday roast and a pint (or two, or three) at one of York’s numerous pubs. Some of my favourites include :

• Guy Fawkes Inn (birthplace of infamous plotter Guido Fawkes)
• 400-year old Walmgate Ale House
• The perfectly quaint Royal Oak, complete with wood-burning fireplace, locally-sourced grub and a few friendly ghosts

Medieval city walls

See York in a wholly new perspective from England’s longest medieval town walls! At 3.4 kilometres long, the beautifully preserved walls —essentially built to protect York against the Scots 900 years ago— are one of York’s most distinctive features and feature five main “bars” (not of the kind that serves beer, rather the kind that is used as a gateway) as well as over 45 towers.

Unsure where to start? Friends of York Walls put together a series of itineraries that showcase the best bits of this massive structure.

Clifford’s Tower

A lot of first-time visitors to York like to start their visit at Clifford’s Tower, whose viewing platform offers panoramic views of the town.

Originally built on a high mound by William the Conqueror in order to subdue the rebels of the north, the former keep is pretty much all that’s left from York’s legendary castle. The tower served many purposes throughout its long history, including a prison and a royal mint.

Stroll in the Shambles

Google “things to do in York” and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll see the Shambles; they are indeed York’s emblem and, as the ultimate representation of York’s haunted medieval lanes, have maintained every bit of its antiquated charm.

While the narrow pedestrian street is now awash with a mix of fancy shops and souvenir stands, it wasn’t always so jolly; the 14th-century overhanging timber-framed buildings used to be butcher shops —in fact, shambles is an obsolete word once used to describe open-air slaughterhouses and meat markets. Meat hooks can still be seen on some façades along with shelves on which meat would have been displayed, right next to runnels where overflowing blood and offals once were alleviated.

While chock full of tourists in the daytime, the Shambles are surprisingly quiet come nightfall, aside from the occasional ghost tour group…

Yorkshire Museum Gardens

Partly because I didn’t quite have enough time to make it inside the famed museum and partly because it was unusually sunny during my time in York, I opted to explore the leafy gardens instead.

And indeed, it was the right call to make: with the striking ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey and the fragrant, colourful flower patches as well as the vast botanical collection. The perfect place to have a picnic and enjoy York’s relaxed atmosphere!

Getting to York

York is just 1.5 hour from London by train with multiple daily connections. Tickets can be purchased up to 12 weeks in advance.

Day trips from York

• Wine tasting
• The Captain Cook Museum
• The North York Moors national park
• Rievaulx Abbey
• The Flamborough Head coastline
• The York maze and Castle Howard
• Charming villages like Thornton-le-Dale, Kettlewell, Robin Hood’s Bay, Boroughbridge and Whitby
• Group tour: York breweries

The post 48 hours in York appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

Are you indeed a first-timer to London? Here are the 33 places you’ve got to see and things you’ve got to do during your visit. Welcome to London!

Historical London pubs

Whether you’re on the prowl for a cask ale or an atmospheric pub, London has no shortage of watering holes; in fact, there are over 7000 pubs in the city! I am well on my way to sampling them all but for now, my two favourite historical London pubs are the Churchill Arms in Kensington (once the local of Churchill’s grandparents), the Holly Bush in Hampstead (200 years old, features a fireplace), and the Nag’s Head in Belgravia (quiet mews pub that tourists don’t know exist).

Buckingham Palace

It would be rude to not pop in to say hello to Lizzie! You’ve got two options: opt for a visit of the state rooms (limited openings throughout the year, plan accordingly) or simply catch the changing of the guard every other day at 11.

Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

A visit to London is not complete without a selfie with its very emblem! Make sure to visit on the hour, when the legendary bell chimes. History buffs should book a tour inside the Houses of Parliament to learn more about the world’s most famous bell.

Borough Market

London’s oldest market —a ripe 1000 years old— features dozens of foodie stalls. A great place to watch locals and purchase gourmet gifts. Note that the market is only open from Wednesday through Saturday.

London Eye

The view from the London Eye, especially of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames, is simply unparalleled and is well worth the cost. The Ferris wheel was, at the time of construction, the world’s tallest at 394 feet.

Hampton Court Palace

The stern, Tudor-style royal palace is one of only two surviving palaces owned by King Henry VIII and features several exhibits about the life and death of this infamous womaniser. You can even book a bike tour of the grounds!

A themed London walking tour

Natural History Museum

Welcome to Darwin’s former playground—indeed, many specimens found inside this London landmark building were collected by the scientist himself. The total collection comprises 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and zoology. The NHM is famous for its award-winning dinosaur skeleton exhibit. Why not book a skip-the-line, private visit while you’re there?

Curry on Brick Lane

For the longest time I suspected that all of Brick Lane’s curryhouses shared the same underground kitchen; that is until I stepped in Aladins. Listed by the BBC as «one of the world’s best curryhouses», Aladin is a traditional Indian eatery with scrumptious and shareable dishes.

A Thames River cruise

Only Taylor Swift can afford to hire a luxury speedboat to cruise the River Thames; if, you too, are a mere ordinary mortal, cruising on the Thames is London’s most scenic mode of transportation, all the way from Putney to Greenwich.

Kew Gardens

UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the world’s largest and most diverse collection of living plants, as well as a stunning Victorian glasshouse. I could’ve spent a full day exploring the seemingly never-ending gardens! Plus, Richmond is an absolutely idyllic riverfront district with plenty of quaint pubs. More recently, this is also where Ted Lasso was filmed!

Harry Potter studio

Indulge your inner Potter fan at the studios where they filmed most of the scenes. Learn about the casting process, the special effects, and the clever tricks used throughout all eight films, drink butterbeer, and visit Diagon Alley and Godric’s Hollow.

Tower Bridge & Tower of London

If you can handle crowds, stick around for a free guided tour led by the infinitely knowledgeable Beefeaters. The historic fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by William the Conqueror in 1078; this is where Elizabeth I was imprisoned and where Ann Boleyn was unfortunately beheaded for her poor taste in husbands; in fact, much of England and Britain’s history was played within these very walls. Also where the regal Crown Jewels of England are stored. All in all, a definite must-do!

Primrose Hill

The 213-feet high hill is set in one of London’s most affluent locales—Primrose is the place to stalk incognito celebrities—and offers great views of the London skyline; the perfect place munch on a picnic and indulge in peoplewatching. Visit the world’s oldest scientific zoo just south if you’ve got time!

A gourmet London walking tour

• Food tour: London Bridge & Borough Market
• The cheese tour
• Chocolate tasting tour of Soho
• Historical pub walking tour of London
• Traditional English food tasting walking tour

Regent’s Canal

The best way to explore London from Maida Vale to Hoxton, in my humble opinion, is to wander aimlessly along the bucolic Regent’s Canal, one of the city’s most underrated attractions: marvel at mansions, take a stroll in Regent’s Park, eat at Camden Market, embark on a cruise. You can even shop for second-hand books on the word on the water barge!

Camden Town

Browse the market’s eclectic stalls (leather goods, jewellery, clothing, vinyls, etc.), watch colourful barges being eased through the historic Regent’s Lock, grab a bite at the canalside market square, or catch a weekend showing of cult movies with a pint and a burger at Backyard Cinema.

Hyde Park and Kensington Palace Gardens

My absolute favourite park in central London. From the Italian fountains of Lancaster Gate to the lush expanses by Kensington Palace and the Serpentine’s swans and barges, everything here is idyllic.

Notting Hill

An Instagram lover’s paradise, this romantic neighbourhood is filled with records shops, vintage boutiques, and rainbow-coloured townhouses. I even put together a bespoke photography walking tour of Notting Hill, which will take you to the best-looking streets in the area. You’re welcome.

Rooftop Film Club

Rooftop Film Club is a unique outdoor cinema experience screening classic and cult films on London’s most scenic rooftops, with the iconic skyline as a backdrop. Also has a full bar service, blankets, and street food!

Shoreditch street art

London’s Shoreditch (and East End in general) is nothing short of a mecca when it comes to street art – not to mention hipsterism and curry houses, but that’s a story for another time. Having been graced by the works of Banksy, Stik and Invader to name a few, Shoreditch has become a must-do for anyone with a keen eye for art and, possibly, an Instagram account.

Wallace Collection

Arranged into 25 galleries, the Wallace Collection comprises a world-famous range of fine and decorative arts from the 15th-19th centuries established from the private collection mainly created by the Marquess of Hertford. Easily my favourite art collection in the city, if only for the quietness and colourful rooms of this lavish-townhouse-turned-museum.

Millenium Bridge

Flanked by the Tate Modern and the Globe theatre on one side and St. Paul’s Cathedral on the other, this footbridge was featured in Harry Potter’s sixth movie and offers A+ views of the River Thames.

Tea masterclass

Jump right in Britain’s love affair with tea in historic Twinings, England’s premier tea brand, whose shop has open since 1706. Embark on a geographical and gustatory odyssey led by a Twinings Master Blender. A veritable treat for tea lovers!

Columbia Road Flower Market

Bustling flower market flanked by over 60 independent, quirky Victorian shops. Give it a go, even if you don’t intend on buying flowers; the photos and the atmosphere are both well worth it. Open every Sunday from 8am to 3’ish.

Afternoon tea in London

While there are many options as far as London afternoon teas are concerned, I do have a personal favourite: the sketch pink experience. I couldn’t believe how stunning sketch looked; it felt like I had entered a parallel universe. And the food? Scrumptious and flawless.

Make your own gin at Ginstitute

Artisan gin in England is not difficult to find. For instance there is the Beefeater Gin Distillery, the City of London Distillery, the East London Liquor Company and Sipsmith, to name a few, each with their own on-site activities and personnality.

But what if I told you there is a way you can actually craft your own gin? That’s the promise at The Ginstitute. Enroll in a gin masterclass to learn the checkered history of this now ubiquitous spirit and to create your bespoke gin in the Blending Room, which is full of pure botanical distillates you can choose from with the insight of the Ginstructor. You’ll be drinking plenty of generously-infused gin and tonics (word of advice: eat a little something beforehand) along the way, and you’ll also be leaving the session with a bottle of your own personal blend to take home.

If you’d rather be more active and taste several different gins, there are also plenty of gin tours to choose from:

• Secret gin tours on the South Bank
• London gin bike tour
• Small-group history of gin guided tour in central London

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Situated on a quiet Victorian street — although one would rightfully argue that this market is anything but quiet — in London’s trendy yet diverse East End, this Sunday fair is indeed peculiar in the sense that I haven’t seen anything like it elsewhere in the world. It truly is a capsule of what authentic, genuine London is like.

Every Sunday from about 4am to 3pm, rain or shine, a host of vibrant flower traders set up shop alongside a row of 60 or so 19th-century independent shops with, quite fittingly if I do say so myself, rainbow-coloured facades. Perhaps an oblivious attempt to match the equally colourful blooms? These tranquil and compact boutiques — with anything from pottery to stationary and cupcakes to curated vintage goods — become silent sanctuaries whenever the street market gets too overwhelming, which will inevitably happen if you foolishly don’t get there before midday.

Connoisseurs know better than to indulge in a lazy Sunday, though, as the early birds will not only get to peacefully enjoy their morning coffee on one of the many outdoor terraces but also get the pick of the crop amongst bucketfuls of flowers, shrubs and herbs. Leafy banana trees, bedding plants, trendy succulents, cotton buds, blue roses and bountiful hydrangeas are all at home here.

Furthermore, it’s the ideal time to socialise with the characterful sellers, famous across Middlesex of their loud, mouthy banter marked by their sometimes undecipherable Cockney accent. Don’t let their cheery shouting and haggling keep you from striking up a conversation, as they are some of the nicest Londoners you can possibly meet; they truly are passionate about their trade and have more anecdotes to share than any tour guide. The majority actually follow in their family’s footsteps, some of which might even have been around since the very beginning of Columbia Road Flower Market in 1869.

Things to do at Columbia Road flower market

Columbia Road flower market – helpful tips

• The flower market is held every Sunday. I still recommend visiting the area any other day of the week as there are lovely shops all along Columbia Road, but the main flower event is on Sundays.
• Get there early to beat the crowds; as you can see in the last photo above, it gets quite packed after 10AMish. Alternatively, you could also get there at around 2PM when things start to wind down and where you can get sweet bargains. Whenever you go, though, bring cash!
• Even if you don’t plan on buying flowers (if you’re staying at a hotel, for example, and can’t get your hands on a vase) you should pop in nonetheless, as this is a quintessential London experience in my opinion.
• Fore more info, visit columbiaroad.info.

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As far as the view from the London Eye is concerned, I would say it is entirely worth it. Case in point below.

The view from the London Eye

This is the Royal Horseguard 5* hotel, a listed Victorian building presiding over the River Thames and once home to the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6); it was also taken over by the Ministry of Defence during both world wars. The building as such is referred to as Whitehall Court and was built in the mid-1880s.

Pictured here are Embankment station and the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridges, which span the Thames between Charing Cross and the Southbank and were inaugurated in 2002 in honour of the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. Commuters on this bridge get a magnificent view of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, just a few hundred metres west.

River Thames in all its glory. Did you know that there is a 7-metre difference between low and high tide at London Bridge? There are also 119 species of fish recorded living in the Thames. Oh, and two-thirds of London’s drinking water comes from the Thames.

Looking further east as majestic St. Pauls Cathedral enters the picture. It occupies a significant place in the British identity, as this is where Lady Diana and Prince Charles got married in 1981 and also where services were held for the funerals of the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher.

The Cathedral was designed by famed Sir Christopher Wren who is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history; as such, he is also responsible for numerous London landmarks including the Royal Observatory, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. St Paul Cathedral, however, is regarded as his ultimate masterpiece.

Looking down at County Hall building, which now houses the London Aquarium and London Dungeon, as well as the London Eye 4D cinema and visitor centre.

A view of the eastern portion of London including iconic buildings like the Cheesegrater (122 Leadenhall Street) and the Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street. Remember the building that melted cars as it was being built? That’s the one).

London Eye – did you know?

• The London Eye 135 meters tall, which allows its passengers to admire the city about 40 kilometres away. It is even said that Windsor Castle is visible in the distance on clear, sunny days.
• The wheel has a total of 32 sealed ovoidal passenger capsules —one for each of London’s 32  boroughs— and takes around 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, travelling at a relaxed pace of 26 centimetres per second. The wheel doesn’t stop for passengers to step in and out. Oddly enough, the pods are numbered 1 – 33; for superstitious reasons, number 13 has been left out.
• The London Eye is not technically a Ferris wheel because unlike them, it is only supported on one side. As such, it should be called a cantilevered observation wheel.
• Tickets for the London Eye are a bit costly, and queue time can be fairly long. I recommend getting the VIP tickets and fully enjoying the experience!

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