Pollock’s Toy Museum

If you are visiting London with your children, Pollock’s Toy Museum is certain to be a top attraction for you and your family. Practically any toy that has been on the market for children worldwide has a place at this site. The collections are a fascinating look at the ways kids played in the past. Come to experience a world of porcelain dolls, teddy bears, tinkertoys, board games and more. Elaborate dollhouses and toy theaters also are on display for the littlest ones in your party to explore.

Pollock’s Toy Museum, London, UK by R Sones

Freud Museum

This site was the home of Sigmund Freud after he and his family fled Austria and the Nazis in the late 1930s. Here is where you can see perhaps the world’s most famous analyst couch with its pillows and tapestries. You also can see the desk where Freud spent much time writing his papers. The family’s extensive collection of antiquities also is on display, and the ground’s gardens are worth checking out, too. The house and its furnishings are frozen in Freud’s time.

Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Lots of British and global manufacturing history can be found here, as the site exists as Britain’s oldest continuing manufacturer. Here, you can find church bells, handbells, clock tower bells (think Big Ben) and other varieties made to order. The company’s rich history extends across the pond, as the U.S. Liberty Bell was cast at the site more than 250 years ago.

Churchill War Rooms

Part of the collection that makes up Britain’s Imperial War Museum, this is the wartime bunker where British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government officials took shelter during the London Blitz. You can see where wartime decisions were made and purchase a Churchill coffee mug in the same visit. The Map Room holds maps where you can see tiny pinholes that charted Allied progress. Next to that room is Churchill’s Room, still in existence from its time as his office/bedroom space.

The Black Museum

Better known as the crime museum, this infamous site offers a collection from London’s macabre side. In 1869, a new law allowed law enforcement to start keeping artifacts from criminals for educational purposes. Today, the museum holds weapons disguised as ordinary items, vials of poison, forensic photos and other criminal evidentiary items. The museum, while not open to the public, is open for law-enforcement training and crime lectures for legal authorities. If you are a law-enforcement official, you may be able to gain entry for a tour.

You find more London travel guides online and also accommodation in London from www.holiday-velvet.com.

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1. Oxford University

The oldest English speaking University, Oxford University was established in approximately the 11th century, and, with Cambridge, developed into one the leading educational centre in the country. The city of Oxford is built around the University, which can be visited through guided tours via individual colleges. Individual attractions include All Saints Church, the Sackler and Bodelian Libraries, as well as the Ashmolean Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Museum of the History of Science. Other attractions include the Sheldonian Theatre, the Botanic Garden and the Harcourt Arboretum.

Oxford University, England, UK by TEDizen

2. Bleinheim Palace

The stately home of the Marlborough family for centuries, and one of the largest houses in England, Blenheim Palace was built in the 18th century as part of a reward for John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, the house was built around multiple blocks and parklands with deer, and remains one of the most lavish stately homes of all time. Blenheim later became a home for Winston Churchill, descendant of Jon, and was opened out in the late 20th century to a public site. It costs around £20 to enter the Palace.

3. Didcot Railway Centre

A treasure trove of old steam locomotives and other trains that is ideal for a family day out, the Didcot Railway Centre is near to the town of the same name, and is an extension of the now defunct Great Western Railway. Visitors can take in steam and diesel locomotives, as well as unique vehicles and exhibits. The Centre is open for weekends throughout the year, and puts on regular special events involving the locomotives and the history of steam railways.

4. Cotswold Wildlife Park

Adapted from the Bradwell Grove Estate, Cotswold Wildlife Park became a public destination in 1970. The estate’s grounds include 230 animals within its Walled Gardens. Notable animals include speckled mousebirds and sloths, as well as meerkats, oryx and llamas. A special section o the park is given over to highlighting rare species from Madagascar, and to conservation species like the Mount Omei babbler and the crested pigeon.

Cotswold Wildlife Park, UK by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall)

5. Ashmolean Museum

Located on Beaumont Street, the Ashmolean Museum is part of Oxford Universities’ wide range of different institutions. Built between 1678 and 1683, the museum was created as an extension of the collection of Elias Ashmole. Its unique collection includes rare zoological specimens and rare items from world and English history. These include a stuffed dodo, pre-Raphaelite paintings, Greek pottery, the Alfred Jewel, Oliver Cromwell’s death mask, and the Abingdon Sword.

Brought to you by the bloggers from Inchcape Toyota Oxford, offering a wide range of used cars in Oxford.

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Or of course if you are not from the UK, why not pay us a visit? We have a lot more to offer than just the Olympics you know!

I love a sunny beach of course, but I also like a little culture and I love to explore, so this blog post is going to be about just that; exploring England and seeing what there is to be seen if you take the time.

Canterbury

Home to the oldest Cathedral in the UK in which Thomas Becket (the archbishop of Canterbury at the time and one of the most powerful men in the country) was murdered. Canterbury is also the setting of the Canterbury Tales by George Orwell and a world heritage site too.

Canterbury Cathedral, UK by David Spender

The Salisbury Plain

This is perhaps the most inspiring site in Britain and one of the most iconic in the world – I do of course refer to none other than Stonehenge. It dates back to prehistory and no one is quite sure how it was built, but what is certain is that it took many many hours and is a testament to what our ancestors were capable of.

Hastings

There was quite a well-known battle here in 1066 where rival armies fought for power over England. This city has been hugely significant in the UK’s history and there are even some nice beaches if the weather serves you well.

Blenheim Palace

Not heard of this one? It’s where Winston Churchill was born, but it has more history to it, dating back as far as the battle of Blenheim 1704. For the keen traveler though, the palace in itself is worth exploring and as it sits in 2000 acres of land there are plenty of opportunities for a walk.

Blenheim Palace, UK by Roger Wollstadt

Winchester Cathedral

This is the longest gothic cathedral in Europe and is a breathtaking piece of architecture, particularly when you consider that it is over fifteen hundred years old (built in 642AD). Oh and for book lovers, Jane Austen is buried here too.

Summary

All of these places just give you a sample of what south England has to offer the historic traveler. Hopefully I have wetted your appetite to explore some more.

This post was brought to you by Ricky from BristolAirportParking.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Garry Knight

The cathedral rises on a Ludgate Hill, offering a beautiful view not only of the roofs of surrounding houses, but also on the nearby River Thames. The place where the cathedral stands, belonged to the church purposes from time immemorial, and so St. Paul’s Cathedral is the fifth church that was built here. The first wooden church has already been here in the 7th century. However it took many centuries until the present cathedral was built here. The former buildings were destroyed especially by numerous fires. Churches have always been newly refurbished and underwent many modifications, especially during the Middle Ages.

The worst time in the history of the cathedral was the September 2nd, 1666, during London’s Great Fire, when the four fifths of the former metropolis were completely destroyed, including the cathedral.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Steve Cadman

The creation of a new model of church is credited with one of the greatest masters of that time – Sir Christopher Wren. Construction started in 1675 and was completed many years later – in 1710. Once the cathedral was completed, it was the third longest church in Europe with a length of 181m, and boasted a 149 m high tower.

Today, St. Paul’s Cathedral is the most beautiful old building in London, still used for regular worship, but also to the extraordinary and monitored events worldwide. In 1965 it became the scene of the funeral of Prime Minister and Nobel Prize winner for literature, Sir Winston Churchill, who is considered one of the leading statesmen of the 20th century. His funeral was at the same time the show of the world political figures, which has been overcome by the funeral of Pope John Paul II. in 2005. In July 1981, the cathedral was a place of the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

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Cathedral impresses every visitor especially its western facade, which is well-illuminated in the evening. The cathedral is heavily decorated with numerous architectural features. The most richly decorated part is the altar area, where you can see spectacular, sophisticated gilded mosaics with images of birds, fish, animals and nature. In the south aisle of the cathedral there is a unique and even the only completely preserved statue from the old St. Paul’s Cathedral. The statue is a portrait of the poet John Donne, who was a preacher and Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The cathedral is easily accessible by subway Central.

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The town is a resort of the aristocracy, the wealthy and celebrities. Some famous people spent holidays here, such as Charlie Chaplin, or Winston Churchill. Admission to the villa is 10 euros.

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