starsandsea | Question Responce!

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Question Responce!

ilovetobefree asked me for a list of places I would recommend to visit in the UK!

I'm afraid that I've changed this answer, a little, because I'm embarrassingly little traveled, so it's more of a wish list of places I would like to visit. :)

The City of Bath.

I live fairly close to Bath, so I go there often enough that I, well, take it for granted. But every now and then I really look and see how special it is. You have the roman baths, of course. But the main draw is always going to be the Georgian architecture. There are so many beautiful buildings there, and so many unchanged from when they were first built - at least on the outside. When I read Jane Austin, and the novels she set in Bath, I can see exactly where the characters are, because I've walked those same streets myself, I know exactly what they... feel like. I really should explore the city properly one day, and be a tourist, and not just go there for the shopping!

The many castles of Wales

My favorite castle in Wales is Harlech. I've only been there once, but it was during a week when we visited... another 4, I think. But there was just something about Harlech... I don't know if it was just that there weren't many people there, or... But it just seemed to be very... elemental, is the only way I can describe it. Almost between the sea and sky. It was raining, a little, and quite windy when you stepped outside the castle's walls, and it just felt... right. It's very rare that I go somewhere and feel that I could happily live there. I felt like that in Harlech, and in Beddgelert, which we drove through. I would very much like to visit them again, but I am almost reluctant to do so, in case I don't feel the same way, if that makes any sense at all!

Glastonbury Tor

I really love Glastonbury, though I haven't been there for several years now. Glastonbury is, of course, called the Isle of Avalon, and seeing how it rises out of the Somerset Levels you really see how it can be thought of as Avalon - especially right now, when the Somerset Levels are severely flooded! My most favorite memories of seeing it are on foggy and misty mornings, when it looks as if it's truly rising up out of mystic waters... And the view from the tor is stunning! As is the view from Cadbury Castle, which is nearby, said to be Camelot - I can very clearly remembering visiting there, and looking out across the Levels and seeing Glastonbury, the only high piece of land... You can really tell why people believe that it is Avalon!

So, that's my very short list of recommended places! Onto my wish list...

I would very much like to visit Cornwall, Tintagel especially. I have heard - and seen - lovely things about the Lake District. Nottingham, and the castle there, and the forest, of course. Scotland! All of Scotland I would like to visit, most especially the Hebrides, and the Isle of Iona. The Isle of Man! Western Wales, and the mountains there. Northern Ireland. I've read so much about Ireland, and have visited it a couple of times, but I love all the myths - the Celtic myths. A lot of the places where I wish I could visit are places that have myths and legends associated with them, where you can still recognize landmarks within the story today, and wonder "Do we walk in legends or in the green earth in sunlight?" (With thanks to Tolkien!)

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Oooh, I'm late late late, but thank you for this post! Harlech looks properly medieval and I can totally understand that it made an impression. I've been to Wales once, for the Eisteddfod in Llangollen but didn't see any castles unfortunately, just lots of Welsh countryside which was beautiful.

I would very much like to visit them again, but I am almost reluctant to do so, in case I don't feel the same way, if that makes any sense at all!

That makes perfect sense, as I have been a bit disappointed visiting places again (usually after a couple of years, being older) and the magic was just gone. Or very different.

I loved the Georgian architecture in Dublin so I'm sure Bath would be right up my alley.

Nottingham, and the castle there, and the forest

Hey, Nottingham I can reccommend wholeheartedly, I spent two semesters at the university there (years ago, but still). The castle has been burned down and is more of a mansion now (castle gate has been reconstructed, so you get an impression what it used to look like). It houses an art museum now which I really liked. You also get a fantastic view from there because it's high on a cliff full of caves (which I didn't get to visit then, a fact I still regret).

I've been to Wales once, for the Eisteddfod in Llangollen but didn't see any castles unfortunately, just lots of Welsh countryside which was beautiful.

Ooooh! I've never been to an Eisteddfod, though I did see one once from the motorway. Hopefully I'll be able to visit one, one day! And yes, isn't the Welsh countryside beautiful? :)

That makes perfect sense, as I have been a bit disappointed visiting places again (usually after a couple of years, being older) and the magic was just gone. Or very different.

I'm glad it made sense! It's such a shame when that happens, because your prior memories are tainted along with the disappointment of the second visit...

I loved the Georgian architecture in Dublin so I'm sure Bath would be right up my alley.

I've only been to Dublin once, for one afternoon in fact, and I must have somehow missed (or I wasn't concentrating) on the Georgian architecture! In fact, I think I need to add that to my list of places to one day visit. :)

Hey, Nottingham I can reccommend wholeheartedly, I spent two semesters at the university there (years ago, but still). The castle has been burned down and is more of a mansion now (castle gate has been reconstructed, so you get an impression what it used to look like). It houses an art museum now which I really liked. You also get a fantastic view from there because it's high on a cliff full of caves (which I didn't get to visit then, a fact I still regret).

Oooh! You make Nottingham sound very interesting indeed! And the castle is an art museum as well, even better! I'm giggling a bit about it being on a cliff full of caves - isn't there a Gotham close by? Historical Batman AU, anyone? :P

And yes, isn't the Welsh countryside beautiful? :)

Indeed it is!

Re Dublin, not the whole city is Georgian but there were some parts where the houses were still in their original state (at least from the outside). Merrion Square where Oscar Wilde grew up as a child comes to mind, for example (and I was mightily miffed that his birthplace can't be visited - I thought there'd be a museum for sure, but an American college bought it as housing for students and its closed for visitors!)

Historical Batman AU, anyone? :P

OMG YES! And then squabbles between indigenous Batman and that strange new upstart who's calling himself Robin Hood and making trouble in the Bat's territory! LOL

Re Dublin, not the whole city is Georgian but there were some parts where the houses were still in their original state (at least from the outside). Merrion Square where Oscar Wilde grew up as a child comes to mind, for example (and I was mightily miffed that his birthplace can't be visited - I thought there'd be a museum for sure, but an American college bought it as housing for students and its closed for visitors!)

Ah, maybe I just missed it, then! I can't believe they turned Oscar Wilde's house into student accommodation, though, that's... :(

OMG YES! And then squabbles between indigenous Batman and that strange new upstart who's calling himself Robin Hood and making trouble in the Bat's territory! LOL

*giggles a lot*

Ha, Bath sounds delightful and also like New Yorkers who live in the city and have never visited the Statue of Liberty! ;)

About the Wales castles: I get what you mean about the elemental feeling of the place, and how you're reluctant to return. Some places are best left without a second visit because the first time is just so perfect. :)

Cool about Glastonbury! I read The Mists Of Avalon and always had a definite picture in my head of the mist-shrouded island. :)

That would be quite a sense of place to visit Cadbury Castle and imagine King Arthur, his Queen, and Lancelot there, along with the Knights of the Round Table.

Heh, I can't help but think of the Cadbury Easter Bunny! ;)

About the Wales castles: I get what you mean about the elemental feeling of the place, and how you're reluctant to return. Some places are best left without a second visit because the first time is just so perfect. :)

Yeah, I'm really torn in wanting to go back there because I liked it so much, but not wanting the memory to be ruined if it isn't the same again...

That would be quite a sense of place to visit Cadbury Castle and imagine King Arthur, his Queen, and Lancelot there, along with the Knights of the Round Table.

It was really cool going there, and imagining Camelot! There are lots of places that claim to be Camelot, of course, but there's definitely something special about Cadbury and Glastonbury... Even if it makes me think of chocolate too! :P

I really love the sense of history and connection in your list! I'd never thought of going to Bath, but after reading so many Regency romances I really should, and you make it sound so interesting. And Glastonbury sounds particularly lovely, I could see it so clearly from your description...

Heh, yes, I find everywhere I go needs to have some historical or mythical association with it or else I... just won't be interested, lol! I'm lucky to live somewhere where there is so much history, even if it isn't always the best.

You should visit Bath, yes! It's really lovely and all the buildings are so beautiful... And Glastonbury too! :)

All those places sound absolutely lovely! And I share your enthusiasm for Scotland, if only because I've just recently watched the Eagle with all of its glorious Scottish moors and highlands. :p

Hello, it's nice to see you again! :)

I share your enthusiasm for Scotland, if only because I've just recently watched the Eagle with all of its glorious Scottish moors and highlands. :p

Is that the one based on the Eagle of the Ninth books? I should watch that myself - especially if there's lovely Scottish scenery!

Yes, it's the one based on the Eagle of the Ninth novel. The movie itself is quite different from the book, but it's still very good IMO. :)

AWWW! Thank you so much for this description of your favorite places in the UK Star! It all sounds so beautiful! I'm sure I would love to see the castles - I love visiting castles and love to hear the history of the places.
Loved your description of Glastonbury.
And Cornwall and Nottingham - I read about these places and it would be amazing to see them.
And a big yes for yout thoughts about Scotland - my sister-in-law was in Scotland last summer and she loved it there! :)

Thank you for sharing this! :)

Yay, I'm pleased you liked my answer! :)

I'm sure I would love to see the castles - I love visiting castles and love to hear the history of the places.

The castles are so lovely, and there's so many of them, too! So many beautiful ruins...

I really do want to go to Cornwall someday, and to Nottingham to see Robin Hood's forest! And Scotland... *sighs* I really must go there one day!

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