Favourite Experiences:
- Strolling around the grounds of the Cotswolds’ beautiful Blenheim Palace
- Tasting the delicious local foods on offer at London’s Borough Market
- Getting into the Christmas spirit at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
In November, I took a quick 4-day vacation in England to visit a special someone – and, of course, to do some sightseeing along the way! This was my fifth trip to the United Kingdom, but I always find that there is so much more to see of this beautiful country. On this trip, I stayed in Bedfordshire, which acted as a wonderful base for exploring both London and the nearby Cotswolds. London is one of my favourite cities, but England has such beautiful countryside, and I was so happy to get to experience both during my short stay.
My trip started with a visit to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. Despite holding the title of a palace, Blenheim is not a royal residence. It was, however, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and holds an impressive exhibit on his upbringing and legacy. Outside of its walls, Blenheim Palace is set on a beautiful riverside estate boasting gardens, trails and forests. In November and December, the palace hosts a Christmas craft market on its grounds. It also has a lovely café and gift shop.
I took the train into London for a day and paid a visit to Borough Market, London’s oldest market. The market plays host to traders selling local produce from all over England and Europe. Many stalls allow visitors to sample their produce, so I got to taste tea, chocolate, cheese, honey, olive oil, and paté. Borough Market is a great place to snack, grab some lunch, and shop for fresh produce. I visited on a Saturday at mid-day which is the busiest time at the market, but I really enjoyed myself and would highly recommend a stop at Borough Market on your next trip to London.
In the evening, I visited Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, an annual Christmas celebration that takes place in London’s Hyde Park and is open from late November until New Years Day. Winter Wonderland is a celebration of all things Christmas, with ice skating, fairground rides, shows, Christmas markets, and a Bavarian beer village. My favourite part is the giant covered observation wheel, which offers great views of Winter Wonderland and of London by night. It’s free to attend too!
Below are some of my favourite photos from my most recent visit to England:
The beautiful Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, UK, birthplace of Winston Churchill
Inside Blenheim Palace, decorated for Christmas in November
The manicured gardens of Blenheim Palace are beautiful, even in November!
The River Glyme from the grounds of Blenheim Palace
One of several walking trails on the grounds of Blenheim Palace
Winston Churchill used to horseback ride on these fields outside of Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is located in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding National Beauty
London’s Borough Market
I bought this fabulous organic mushroom paté from Paté Moi at Borough Market
Borough Market boasts a fabulous selection of local produce including these rare mushrooms
The entrance to Borough Market is just around the corner from the London Bridge tube station
An amazing selection of cheese is available to sample at Borough Market
Oxford Street by night at Christmas Time is one of my favourite London scenes
Christmas time at Oxford Street with the beautiful lights at Selfridges
The Bavarian Village at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
The line for the observation wheel at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland might be long, but is worth waiting in to take in the views over Hyde Park and London by night!
Selfridges at Christmas Time is a busy place, but the Christmas decor is so special!
