Monarchs and myths
Monarchs and myths
Steeped in history and charm, Great Britain serves up more than just tea and biscuits. Expect the unexpected and you may just discover dragon lairs beneath ancient castles, unicorns in your periphery and majestic lions crossing your path.
Words: Sasha Oelsner
The countries of England, Scotland and Wales are bound together by coastline and a shared, often tumultuous history, yet each has its own unique identity and character. Grab your brolly and mind the gap – we’re going on a journey through ancient castles, storybook villages and rolling highlands.
ENGLAND
Greater London is scones-and-jam packed with iconic landmarks. After seeing countless pictures in books and online, being physically in the presence of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London (to name a few), feels comfortingly familiar yet awe-inspiring. These sites continue to top must-see lists and are well worth visiting – but scratch the surface and there’s much more to be discovered.
For instance, once you’ve sampled truffles and cheese at Borough Market, try Maltby Street Market. With vendors nestled under railway arches and spilling onto the laneway every weekend, arrive hungry and fill up on simple but exquisite toasted cheese sandos, decadent brownies and more.
Enchanting Kensington Gardens is free to visit and very beautiful, but did you know that the most biodiverse garden on the planet is just a little further along the District Line? England’s Royal Botanic Gardens, commonly known as Kew Gardens, tends more than 50,000 living plants throughout its sprawling, wild gardens and stunning glasshouses.
Maltby Street Market, London.
Kew Gardens, London.
Jam first, or cream? Follow the late Queen’s lead with the Cornish style (jam first) over a pot of fragrant tea at one of London’s many establishments offering high tea. Indulge in the iconic luxury of afternoon tea at The Ritz or enjoy refined tradition with a more affordable price tag at Fortnum & Mason.
In your travels, keep an eye out for lions – not real ones, of course. England has never been home to any big cat species, yet carvings, sculptures and symbolic imagery are found across the country and considered symbolic of ancient Britishness and royalty. Take note of the mythical creatures often associated with the lion.
Beyond the capital, places like Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool and Manchester should be on your bucket list. Stonehenge, too, is a must.
While the mysterious stone formation draws plenty of visitors, the crowds seem to fade away once you’re standing in its ancient presence. For something truly special, step inside the famous circle during an exclusive sunrise or sunset experience.
Have your camera ready when visiting the picture-perfect Cotswolds region to the south-west. Start with hearty pub fare in the beer garden of The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold, which dates back to the 10th century and claims to be England’s oldest inn. Then explore some of the charming 90-odd towns and villages with their narrow stone bridges and honey-coloured historic homes.
If you’re after something a little different, head to the furthermost western point of the country. Here at the aptly named Land’s End you can warm up with a flaky Cornish pasty by weather-beaten cliffs.
Not too far away, Cornwall’s Eden Project is a sight to behold, with the world’s largest indoor rainforests educating the masses about climate and biodiversity.
Continue north to get thee to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare and the reason for generations of English literature essays. Onwards and upwards to York, where lovers can ensure theirs is everlasting with a kiss under the cathedral spires of the York Minster.
From there, meander the erratic lanes of The Shambles and stop for lunch at The House of the Trembling Madness, hidden upstairs at the back of a shop.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire.
SCOTLAND
If arriving in Edinburgh feels a wee bit familiar, Adelaide’s own North Terrace bears influence of the Scottish architectural style popular at the time. Edinburgh’s tradition of preserving historic layers has shaped a tiered labyrinth of cobblestoned lanes on top of gothic alleyways that sit atop roads – perfect for getting a little lost.
Perched on the edge of Castle Rock at the end of the steep, cobbled Royal Mile, not-so-small Edinburgh Castle is unmissable both for your to-do list and to the eye. Like Adelaide during Mad March, Edinburgh swells in August, with thousands of around-the-clock shows and street performances for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. On top of the annual festival, a rousing chorus of hundreds of bagpipes fills the evening air for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The Edinburgh Tattoo.
See if you can spot Scotland’s national animal on your travels. Unless you’re extremely lucky, you’ll have to settle for statues and carvings of the magical unicorn adorning castles, museums and other major sites across the country.
For a taste of Scotland, The White Hart Inn’s haggis with neeps and tatties (parsnips and potatoes) is an excellent introduction to this traditional dish. Just around the corner, taste and compare tipples at The Scotch Whisky Experience.
Climb to the summit of Arthur’s Seat for spectacular panoramic views of the city and, if you’re lucky, you might be accompanied by the distant sound of bagpipes on the wind as players rehearse away from crowded suburbia.
Castle Hill, Edinburgh.
If you haven’t spotted a unicorn, maybe you’ll be the first to find the elusive Loch Ness monster instead. Inverness, gateway to the Highlands, sits near the legendary loch – perfect for a Nessie tour, a browse through the Harry Potter-esque Leakey’s Bookshop and a Highland warmer at The Wee Bar.
The Isle of Skye, in Scotland’s north, is picturesque, charming and unhurried, and averages about 233 days of rainfall per year. Don’t let this stop you; the rain brings stunning waterfall cascades almost everywhere, gushing past flocks of fluffy sheep and highland coos (cows). The rain does pause often, leaving bright blue sky in its wake. If the clouds won’t clear, warm up with a bowl of cullen skink. Definitely not lizard, but a soup made of smoked haddock, this dish is available across Scotland but particularly comforting on Skye.
Cardiff Castle, Wales.
WALES
Prior to 1955, Wales had no recognised capital city, having been governed as part of England for so long. However, as calls for Welsh national recognition gained momentum (and then after decades of debate) Cardiff was finally elevated from city to capital.
While it’s one of the world’s newest capital cities, Cardiff has been occupied for nearly 2000 years. Discover the origins of the Welsh national animal, the red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch), while exploring the medieval fortress of Cardiff Castle, which began as a Roman fort around the year 55CE. Then see the mighty dragon adorning the interior and exterior of the Principality Stadium in a display of national pride.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Station, Wales.
Try some Brains – the ale, not the organ – which is locally brewed at the Dragon Brewery in Cardiff Bay and available in many public houses (pubs) across the city. Cardiff is also the heart of the Whoniverse, and fans can follow in the Time Lord’s footsteps discovering recognisable Doctor Who filming locations.
With bilingual signs everywhere you turn, you’ll be fascinated by the seemingly unpronounceable Welsh language. To the north of Cardiff, on the island of Anglesey, you can test your pronunciation in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, famous for having the longest place name in Europe.
After a photo with the impossibly long sign at the railway station, collect souvenirs and try a traditional Welsh fruit loaf called bara brith under the one roof at James Pringle Weavers sprawling shop.
While Great Britain isn’t known for its particularly idyllic beaches, Haverfordwest along the Pembrokeshire coast boasts immaculate golden sands, clean water and rock pools to explore and make you feel closer to home. Take a stroll along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to access hidden coves and enjoy a local meal just steps from the path at The Castle in Little Haven (a cosy pub, not a draughty medieval fortress).
North of Cardiff, you’ll find the magical-sounding mountainous region and national park of Snowdonia. Hike one of the six routes to the summit of the 1085-metre-high Mount Snowdon or watch the hikers from the comfort of a heritage carriage, letting the steam train do the huffing and puffing instead. Mount Snowdon sometimes wears its little ‘hat’ – a low-laying cloud that shrouds the peak – and emerging to and from this hush is otherworldly.
Spot the differences as you move between the regions and countries of Great Britain. It’s an island filled with unique accents, traditions and landscapes to discover around every cobble-laid corner – let the unicorns lead the way.
Snowdonia National Park, Wales.
IMAGES: Getty.
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