Salisbury | London '16 Culture & City

Day 4 and 5: sublime is an understatement

March 18 2016April 6, 2016

Day 4 was seriously one of the best days of my life. It was my favorite day by far! I loved Stonehenge and wanted to sketch it so bad. I loved the atmosphere, and I was giddy like a little kid in a candy shop. I loved how unique it is and that nothing can truly compare to this experience or atmosphere. I enjoyed the fact that it was pretty abruptly there in the middle of no where. The sheep were not really helping the atmosphere but it was pretty funny to see them so close to such a historical and amazing place.

Stourhead was beyond what I expected. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and after Stourhead my cheeks hurt from smiling too much. The colors of yellow, green, and blue were fabulous. Those colors are just so relaxing and happy which helped the atmosphere. I was disappointed with the little water but the experience altogether was magnificent and truly hard to explain with words. The grotto was more than I imagined. I loved how picturesque everything was and I didn’t want to leave. I wanted more time at Stourhead and Stonehenge to sketch and really take in everything that was around me.

Salisbury I was pretty disappointed in but it was still a great experience. I loved the Cathedral so much, it was so gothic and open. The stone glass was such a rich blue, it truly was mesmerizing. I enjoyed sketching the archway and was really relaxed after that. It was kind of cold and muggy which I didn’t enjoy but overall the Cathedral was amazing. I wish I could have stayed at the Cathedral the entire time. The Salisbury city didn’t really fascinate me. I enjoyed the small bakery but the festival was not my cup of tea. Overall, it was a fabulous day and I enjoyed it all.
Day 5 was nothing compared to day 4. The Kew gardens were lovely but nothing compared to the day before. I was disappointed with the Kew gardens but the bright flowers and adorable little places filled with flowers were fabulous. I loved the Diana memorial place. The flowers were breathtaking and so unique. I love orchids so those were great! We left Kew gardens a little early and got ready for tea. Tea was so adorable. Everyone looked amazing and it was wonderful to see everyone dressed up and laughing. The tea was not as good as American tea (which is kind of biased) but again I loved the tea time.
I also enjoyed trying to beat Troy to the National Gallery… We sadly lost but I loved having to figure out way around the Trafalgar Square while rushed. We were laughing the entire time and it brought everyone closer.
Day 5 was a great day and I truly am grateful for all these wonderful experiences.

I can’t get my photos to upload correctly so I can only post a couple 🙁

Outside of London

March 18 2016March 18, 2016

Tuesday was a magnificent day with blue skies and a lot of fun. We started the day by taking a bus to Stonehenge, Stourhead, and finally Salisbury.

Our next stop was Stourhead. I am not one to enjoy gardens, but Stourhead is one location I would absolutely love to go back to. Something about the gardens made me feel free and relaxed.

In the picture above you may notice that lake is not fully filled. You would think that would be disappointing, but it turned out to be a very interesting treat! While sketching the bridge a lovely off-duty tour guide approached us and talked about the retaining wall along the bank of the lake. The stone is not normally there, but due to a valve problem the lake had to be partially drained. She explained how Henry the Magnificent had the walls put along embankment. It was very nice to talk to the local tour guide with an abundant amount of passion about the gardens.

Out last stop of the day was Salisbury Cathedral. Salisbury Cathedral introduced me to gothic style. I learned that I am not a big fan of gothic style, it just felt very grim and dark inside. The building was still majestic and beautiful though, just not my type of style!

Stonehenge, Stourhead, and Salisbury, oh my!

March 15 2016

Today we spent our day outside the city of London, in the English countryside. It was an early morning, as we boarded the bus at 7 AM, but despite this, today was probably my favorite day so far. Among our journey we explored Stonehenge, Stourhead, and Salisbury.

Our first stop was Stonehenge. After about 2 hours of driving we arrived at the site, eager to see this mysterious work of art. After seeing a couple signs along the way of Stonehenge ahead, I was very surprised when I looked up from my seat on the bus and Stonehenge was there, next to the highway, like it was no big deal.

Stonehenge

After taking the shuttle to the site of the stones, we walked around the entire site. I knew that one side looked more complete than the others, but I was surprised by how many different views there really were. I found it very interesting. Every few steps you took revealed a whole new take on the site.

This idea of new views around every corner continued at our experience at Stourhead. Stourhead was AMAZING. I love parks and nature, but Stourhead blew everything away by far. It’s interesting because every site I have seen on the trip I have learned about in class and I have expectations for them. I have learned that everything is so much better than I had ever imagined. Stourhead was one of the places, especially the grotto. In class we learned about how grottos were small, cave-like spaces often with the presence of water. The grotto was nothing like I pictured. It was so much better. It was beautifully planned out and constructed to incorporate statues, fountains, and Windows looking out over the lake.

As we walked around the lower path we saw other follies and another grotto. As we explored the grotto, we realized they were steps leading up to the temple of Apollo. With only a short amount of time left and still in need of a place to sketch, we hurried up the hill. The view from up there was beautiful. The Temple of Apollo was so much bigger than it seemed and so detailed. I sketched the temple and we hurried back to the bus, but not before taking one last look at the picturesque view of the landscape.

Picturesque view of Stourhead

The final stop on our trip was the town of Salisbury. I was excited for this stop because I knew we were going to gm see the Salisbury Cathedral, and I love cathedrals. There’s just something about the grandness and over-the-top ornamentation that appeals to me.

The village was very quaint with many shops, restaurants, and bakeries. We looked around the market that was set up today and bought a couple things. We decided to grab a quick snack at the bakery next to the market, and I got a bacon and cheese puff pastry and a chocolate eclair. The pastry was very good and the eclair was delicious!

The sky got cloudy and the wind picked up, so we headed over to the cathedral where we spent the next two hours.

The cathedral was massive. Coming around the corner from the town you can’t see it. Once you turn the corner the cathedral and its tall spire are suddenly towering above you. We walked over to the west works and entered. First, we explored the chapter house. It was an octagon shaped room with gorgeous stained glass windows. I loved this space. The chapter house is home to the Magna Carta. It was amazing to get the chance to look at this governing document first hand.

I then ventured over to the nave of the cathedral and was blown away. The nave seemed to be never ending. The arches and flying buttresses were amazing. There were so many spaces within the cathedral that it seemed every time you thought that you had gone to all the spaces possible, you would find another room you could enter. It was truly amazing. The stained glass was gorgeous, as well. Another interesting feature was the baptismal font in the nave. The pool of water poured out in four streams on the corners of the basin. The top of the water was so calm that a perfect reflection could be seen on its surface. It was incredible. One of the best parts of sitting in the cathedral sketching was the music of the organ in the background. It was a wonderful experience.

Overall, this entire day was incredible. It was full of exciting surprises and adventure. I was excited to go to these places before the trip because they are all such well-known places, but after visiting them I now truly understand why they are so important.

Exploring Outside the City

March 15 2016March 15, 2016

Today we got a break from the busy city of London, and instead experienced some of the more peaceful spots this country has to offer. We started off around 6:50 am, which although I was not happy about at the time, got us to Stonehenge right as it opened. We were some of the first people to visit that day, so we had a chance to really appreciate what was in front of us. (And take lots of pictures). My mom is very interested in Stonehenge, so I grew up with books about it all over the house. It was moving to see it in person, and not just a book cover. It almost didn’t feel real.

Stonehenge

Next up, we took a stroll around the wonderful Stourhead. Pictures just don’t do it justice. This place was beyond beautiful. It’s been such a busy few days, so I really enjoyed a chance to sit and think for a second.

Stourhead

Lastly, we ended the day in Salisbury. We wandered around a market, where I scored a Beatles record. The man selling the records let me take the record out to check the condition, and seemed genuinely excited about music. It was interesting to see all sorts of people coming together for this biweekly event in the town. It makes me wish we had more market places back home in Columbus. We then worked our way through little shops in the town. My favorite was a book store, where everything was five pounds or less. I got a really interesting book on city planning for only three pounds! Our walk led us to the incredible Salisbury Cathedral- home to one of the four Magna Cartas. A man told us about the frieze surrounding the chapter house where the Magna Carta was, and how it relates to the Bible. It was very beautiful work.

Salisbury Cathedral

Post 3, Day 4

March 15 2016March 15, 2016

What another great day!! I think today has been my favorite day of the whole trip. I am from a small farm town and grew up on a farm, so I was looking forward to getting to see the country side of England.

Our first stop of the day was Stonehenge which was awe striking when I finally got up close. I love the mystery that is behind it and the secrets of history it holds. I also loved how the land around it is primarily pastures being grazed by herds of sheep. The sheep reminded me of how simple life is and how way back thousands of years ago when stone henge was built the simplistic lifestyle those individuals would have held.

From there we continued on to Stourhead which I think was easily the most beautiful place I have ever been. I am in love with trees, I particularly love trees that wind with giants roots that wrap you up in it and Stourhead had an endless supply. The grottos there with the moss covered imported Italian stone were a beautiful creation as well. My only wish was that more things were in bloom!!

Next we went to the town of Salisbury. I loved the quaintness of the town, more so than the hustle and bustle of London. I enjoyed an afternoon of window shopping and stopping in one too many bakeries. I also found a beautiful tea store and bought myself my very first teacup! (Which was probably a bad idea because I think I want to start collecting them now.) Then after we continued onto the Salisbury cathedral which I think I found even more gorgeous than Saint Paul’s! I loved the spire and the attention to detail and most of all of the stain glass windows!! I give this day a 10/10 even with the four hour total bus ride!

I loved getting to see these sheep up close! I grew up around farm animals and it was wonderful seeing them amongst the rolling hills and so close to the stones!

This picture still amazes me! I can’t believe I actually got to see the stones in person!

My favorite winding trees at Stourhead! Absolutely beautiful.

What I loved about this bridge can’t be seen in this photo. The walkway of the bridge was covered in grass and felt like it was such a unique, but complete part of the landscape.