Today, Monday, Sharon and I are headed a little east to visit several neat places! Our first stop will be Stratford-upon-Avon,Warwickshire, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway grew up in Shottery, on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon and we visited her cottage as well.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's Birthplace (below)
We went to Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England to see Blenheim Palace. It is the principal residence of the dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. It was built around 1705 as a reward for John Churchill who was the first Duke of Marlborough for his military service to England. The palace is also notable as the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill.
We also went to Oxford, in Oxfordshire where of course, the University of Oxford is located. There is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096 making it the oldest university in the English speaking world. The town of Oxford is very quaint and beautiful. The University is made up of 38 individual colleges with a full range of academic departments. My pictures don't do it justice!
On Tuesday, we traveled to Winchcombe, a Cotswold town in Gloucestershire. We visited Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe. It was built in the 15th century right next to the ruins of a castle that was built in the 12th century. It is famous because it belonged at one time to Thomas Seymour, the elder brother of Jane Seymour (King Henry VIII's 3rd wife) who married Catherine Parr (Henry VIII's 6th wife and widow). Catherine Parr is buried in the St. Mary's Church on the property.
Ruins of the 12th Century Castle, the Tithing Barn
Sudeley Castle
The Knot Garden
St. Mary's Church
Catherine Parr's marble tomb
Henry VIII and his 6 wives
Thatched roof homes in the Cotswolds
We will be moving to Nottingham in Nottinghamshire, England on Wednesday! More from Nottingham!
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