Osborne House: The Prettiest Spot

Yesterday, we were in Oxford and Bath.  I spent the night at my friend’s house in Portsmouth.  The next day , we had buffet breakfast at the restaurant in Travelodge, attended the mass, and drove to South Hampton to take the ferry to our next destination:  The Isle of Wight.

We boarded the car ferry of Red Funnel, which took us to Isle of Wight within an hour.  From the port, we drove for 5 minutes for the Osborne House.

Boarding time!

Built between 1845 and 1851, the Osborne House was the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and was redesigned by Prince Albert himself.  Said to be the one of the Queen’s favorite home, it is also where she died. 

Entrance to the Osborne House.  

The Osborne House and the Terrace Garden

What I particularly liked about the house is that it was more of a home, and not a palace- except for its size, it has a more “normal” feel, specially the nursery rooms,  family rooms and private rooms (it was said that the personal possessions in Prince Albert’s private room are as they are when he was still alive). Of course, the place is still royal and it has many mementos on display in the rooms and along the corridors, including gifts from other European royal families. There is also the Queen’s Dining Room, the Drawing Room, Queen’s Sitting Room and Queen’s Bedroom (where she died).

I was surprised to find many Indian decorations, and paintings of Indian persons and scenes. I found later that Queen Victoria also had the title of Empress of India back then. There is also the Durbar room, with the most ornate ceiling I have ever laid eyes on (the ceiling was said to be designed by the father of Rudyard Kipling, a famous author).Durbar came from the Hindi word which means court , and the Durbar room was built for state functions. 

The South Asian-ish Durbar Room

The house sits on a big estate  and is a lovely place for family picnic, which are allowed on grass anywhere in the grounds. My friends kids had fun climbing trees and running around the area.

Where to go?

One of my favorite areas would be the Terrace Garden, which gives a good view of the Solent. 

Terrace Garden

20 minutes walk from the house would take you to The Swiss Cottage, which was built by Prince Albert as play area for their 9 children.  Infront of the cottage are the royal children’s garden plots, with each of them given a patch of garden to grow vegetables.  A few steps further  is their mini fort and barracks, which I suppose was also meant as play area. A small museum can be found, also close to The Swiss Cottage.

The royal play house :)

On another route, also 20 minutes walk from the house would be the Queen Victoria’s private beach and her wooden bathing machine. 

How to get there:

We booked the car ferry and the entrance to Osborne through RedFunnel, which operates 24 hours a day, through this link.

Ticket prices and opening time:

Click here.

The Aquae Sulis

The Aquae Sulis or the town of Bath  in Somerset, England is one unique destination. Known as the “spa town”, the city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was founded by the Romans in 1 AD and is well known particularly for the ancient Roman baths. 

Welcome to Bath City!

The Roman bath complex or its remains is extensive. It gave me a glimpse of how the Romans relax and enjoy (or how the slaves cannot relax in the same way).  Guests have to descend 20 feet below street level to explore the complex. 

Entrance to the Roman Bath

The Terrace is the first view of the visitor, right after the ticket booths and in itself as instagram-worthy as the bath itself. It is adorned with statues of Roman emperors and governors. Here, guests will get a full view of The Great Bath.

Statues at The Terrace

The Great Bath was built for bathing and socializing.  It is a thermal spa which makes use of the natural hot springs in the area.  By The Great Bath, guests may socialize with costumed Roman characters who can tell guests about the real stories of the characters they represent.  We met a slave girl, the stone mason, and another Roman who could possibly be a traveling merchant.

View of The Great Bath from The Terrace

Meet the "Romans"

The other chambers include the plunge pools and the tepid pools.  There are also the changing rooms and the heated rooms or sauna.  An interactive museum is also available where Roman artifacts are also on display, including the bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, to whom the baths were dedicated.

Below the heating room.

Going down to the Roman Bath complex made me feel like I have stepped in the Roman time.   It felt surreal walking down those ancient pavements and ruins.I regretted not having a sip of the spa water though, as it is said to have healing powers (despite the “unpleasant” smell and taste).

Please click here for information on opening hours and ticket prices of the Roman Bath.

Oxford University: A Look At My Nephew’s Dream School

My short vacation after my graduation started with a visit to Oxford.  My friend and her family picked me up from Hyatt Heathrow at around 11 in the morning-it was really nice to see her and her family again after 3 years or so! The kids have grown up real fast and the eldest is taller than me now.

The Bridge of Sights at Oxford

The drive to Oxford took more than an hour. It is one beautiful place which made me wish I was still a college student , riding my bike to catch my classs. I would have earned money for my allowance by being a tour guide, as what many students do. But who knows, maybe my nephew would have the chance to experience studying in Oxford University, his dream school.

Aside from Oxford being a center of learning, I fell in love with its cobbled steets, the old, “honey-toned buildings”, and the university and college courtyards. Very Harry Potter-ish (well some scenes were shot here).

The Clarendon Building - Broad Street corner Catte Street

We parked  at the Parks Road near the Broad Street, one of the major roads.  It is very near the Bodleian Library of Oxford University, which is naturally our first stop. The  Bodleian Libary, which was founded in 1598 and one of the locations for the Harry Potter movie.  There is a tour of the library which costs 6 pounds and run for 30 minutes. 

Entrance to the Library

A few steps from the Library is the Radcliffe Square where the Radcliffe Camera is. Radcliffe Camera is a beautiful building inside the university built in 1737 and was once the Science Library.  This is the image normally seen in Oxford postcards or travel books. 

We headed to the Oxford University Museum of History of Science along Broad Street.  The collection of early scientific instruments can be viewed for free. We did a stroll around the city, a little shopping (of course I had to buy my nephew the Oxford University shirt) and had a buffet lunch. 

Along Cornmarket Street, on the way to ChristChurch

After lunch, we we also went to Christchurch Cathedral and Christchurch College, which I find to be the most beautiful of Oxford University’s colleges. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter because there was an on going event at the time of our visit.  I had to be contented with the view of the courtyard from the outside. The cathedral is said to have been built in the 12th century. Christchurch College was built by Cardinal Wolsey, the same person who originally owned the Hampton Court Palace in London. Founded in 1525, it is said to be the largest college in Oxford.

View of the Christchurch Cathedral

Facade of the Christchurch College

We were done before 5 PM and decided that we still have time to visit another famous place, The Bath.

And so off to Bath we go.

Central London: The Basics

How do you cover Central London in 3 hours?  The key would be to focus on what you wanted badly to see. In my case, since I have seen most of the sites during my previous visits, I was more interested in seeing the inside of the National Gallery. We decided on the said museum, and the different sights close to it.

When in London...

After our graduation ceremonies, we had only 3 hours to see Central London.  Together with my colleagues from our other Asian office, we had a quick run to Central London.  We took the underground train from Heathrow Airport to Leicester Square and reached Central London after an hour train ride. Good thing it was summer time, so the sun was still up, and the National Gallery was open until 9PM.  

On the way to Trafalfar Square.

We walked towards Trafalgar Square, where the National Gallery is.  We passed by St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, which is the royal parish church which is well known for its orchestra. We missed their free noon time concert but we had the chance to watch their rehearsal for the evening performance, which was lovely.

With St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in the background.

From the St. Martin-in-the-Fields, we crossed the street to the Trafalgar Square where the Nelson’s Column is. Nelson's Column commemorates one of England’s heroes.  There are also other statues including the statue of George IV.

The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square, a very huge museum housing 2,300 or so works of art. It is free of charge. The museum is divided into different sections based on the century the work was created.  The 13th to 15th century paintings are mostly of religious theme, and many are remnants of altars of old churches. The collection include works of Botticelli and Bellini. The 16th century collection include works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael and the themes are mostly religious or mythology.  The 17th century paintings are the works of Claude and Rembrandt among others, and themes include religion, landscape and everyday life. The 18th to early 20th century paintings include works of Monet and Van Gogh and many are mostly about nature. Personally, I would advise visitors not to see the entire collection in one visit.  Where possible, spend time only on one or two sections per visit, in order to appreciate them properly. 

With a Monet work

After the National Gallery, we headed to the Covent Garden Market, which offers various gifts, crafts and other goods.  Across the Covent Garden Market is the St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we were to meet another colleague. St. Paul’s contain the grave of some 18th and 19th century actors.  In between the church and the market is a plaza with street performers.  It is definitely not a good meet-up place because it is way too crowded.  

A different kind of "attraction"

When we finally found our colleague in the midst of all those people, we  had dinner in a Mexican restaurant. Afterwards, we traced our steps back to the Trafalgar Square and onwards to the Houses of Parliament or the Palace of Westminster, for the view of Big Ben.  The Big Ben is the most iconic landmark of London, and a visit to London is incomplete without seeing it. 

Meet Big Ben.

We then crossed the street to the Westminster Abbey, which is said to be a 700 year old building and where coronations of the monarchs happen since 1066.

 

At the Westminster Abbey

By 9, we boarded the underground train for another hour of travel back to the hotel.

And that was our very quick run to/in Central London.

London: Hampton Court Palace

I guess I am trying to walk in the footsteps of the British royal families that I grabbed every chance I could to visit at least 1 palace when I am in UK.  Buckingham, the home to the British royals, was the first palace I have visited few years back.  On another visit, a friend took me to Windsor Castle, the "oldest inhabited castle in the world". This time, I visited Hampton Court Palace, originally built for Cardinal Wolsey but was presented to King Henry VIII and which is said to be his favorite residence. 

From Bath Road, Heathrow, I took the double-decker red bus #111, for a more than 1 hour joy ride to the borough of Richmond upon Thames, where Hampton Court Palace is.  The bus stop (Hampton Court Palace) is a stone's throw away from the palace gate.  The palace opens for visitors at 10AM and since I arrived quite early, I strolled along the Barge Walk which runs along the Thames River right beside the palace, and around the Rose Garden, one of the castle’s many gardens, where roses of different colors and sizes are in full bloom.

At  10 minutes before 10, the ticket office opened and I purchased a ticket for GBP20.90. It would have been cheaper by around GBP2 had I bought a it online.  We entered through the Seymour Gate instead of the main entrance, as there were some works going on, seemingly for an event, at the main entrance and the base court.  Upon scanning of the ticket, we proceeded to the "Base Camp" for the audio guide and to get a copy of the day’s programme and map. Upon entering the castle, I immediately noticed the decorative bricks and stones, which is a prominent feature of the palace. 

Bricks and Stones

I headed towards the Clock Court, which has the 16th century, still-functional, astronomical clock which shows not only the time, but also the “phases of the moon, the month, the quarter of the year, the date, sun and star sign, and high water at London Bridge.”

The Clock Court

From the Clock Court, I proceeded to the Young Henry VIII's Story section, and to the different rooms which shows the major events of his life, including his controversial marriages.  Visitors will then be led towards William III's state apartments and private rooms, through the King’s Stairs, a very regal staircase. There, guests will see the Guard Chamber, the Presence Chamber or the throne room, the Privy Chamber, the Great Bed Chamber and the Little Bedroom.  Downstairs is William III’s private apartment where they lived. 

The King's Stairs

The Presence Chamber

At the other side of the Clock Court is Henry VIIIs Apartments, which includes the Great Hall.  I visited on a Monday there was a 60 minute play at the Great Hall called “Power Play”, which gives a glimpse of the politics, intrigues and power plays in 1533 during the reign of Henry VIII. Part of the play was musical, and the actors and actresses engaged the audience on some parts and kept us moving. Together with  “King Henry VIII” , we walked to the Council Chamber, and with “Jane Seymour”, we went to the Wine Cellar.  The other half of the audience walked with “Anne Boleyn” to the other parts of the palace.

The Power Play cast

After the play, I went to the Chapel Royal, which is said to be the heart of the palace.  There are regular services held in the Chapel Royal and taking pictures is not allowed.  On the other side would be the Fountain Court, which showcases baroque architecture. The East Front Garden can be accessed from the Fountain Court.

The Fountain Court

My favorite part of the palace is the East Front Garden or the Fountain Garden.  It looked very beautiful with the fountain framed in avenues of clipped yew trees.  I also loved the really colorful flowers. It is said that some of the yew trees in this garden are around 300 years old, and the others 75 to 100 years old. There are seats under the yew trees, which is a very nice place to sit, and to just enjoy the view or to have a picnic.

The fountain

Avenue of Yew Trees

Flowers and Yew Trees

Close to the East Front Garden is the royal tennis court, which is still being used today. From the East Front Garden, there is an access to the Privy Garden. From the Privy Garden, I took a short walk to the Great Vine, passing through the Banquetting House and the Pond Gardens.  The Great Vine, planted in 1768, is still producing grapes until today, making it the world’s largest productive vine.

The Privy Garden

I headed out through the Seymour Gate and went to see the Maze, the Rose Garden (again) and the Kitchen Garden.  The Maze is the oldest hedge maze from the late 17th century.

After 4 hours, I had to head back to the hotel to make it to the evening socials, which officially starts our 1 week workshop.  Time to do some work!

How to get there from the Bath Road, Heathrow:

Hampton is in Richmond Borough.  From the Bath/Nene Road bus stop in Heathrow, Hampton Court Palace is only 1 bus ride via Bus 111, though the journey will take around 1.5 hours. The travel time is shorter if you take the underground train, however it would amount to the same journey time if you count the waiting time for the bus to transfer you from the underground station to the palace.