A nation steeped in history and with a sense of age that prevails across the land, England is a country unlike any other in the world. 
While we ventured out into the countryside several times, our base was London. A perfect combination of the old and the new, London was impressive in the extreme. The defining characteristics of this city includes marvelous architectural feats, pubs on basically every corner, and a metro system on par with none. Even the weather, which was usually grisly, foggy, and overwhelmingly unhappy, could not detract from the ambiance of this monumental city.
Like so many others, we took in the glorious Buckingham Palace where we witnessed the Changing of the Guard. The soldiers looked brilliant in their crisp uniforms and were so precise and coordinated in their movements that the ringing of their boots on the stone sounded like a well-tuned symphony.
While Big Ben proclaimed the hour, we followed the pathway that was laid out next to the slightly murky Thames River. Allowing us a clear sighting of the London Eye, the lane eventually came to the stunning Tower Bridge. In a city composed of amazing pieces of architecture, the Tower Bridge is a testament to English ingenuity. One of our favorite items in all of England, the Tower Bridge is beautifully symmetrical with two massive towers mirroring one another and a drawbridge in the center. 
On one of our first nights, we decided to utilize London’s Hop On Hop Off Bus. Not only did this turn out to be an amazingly cost effective way of seeing all the sights at night, but it was also incredibly informative. In fact, we learned that most of the street and pub names directly correspond with English history! One pub is even named The Hung Drawn & Quartered after the torture that was invented in the 13th century for those found guilty of high treason!
Next on our list was the Tower of London, where we experienced our first ever jousting tournament. The tournament was fascinating! Not only was the entire area transformed, but the staff, dressed in the likeness of medieval times, were truly dedicated to playing their given roles. The only item of concern was the fact that it was one of the few days of complete sunshine and we found ourselves hoping that the Knights, who were dressed in the clothing and suit of arms of old, would not faint of heatstroke. We could only feel impressed by their sheer will power to continue with the contest. 
However, the tournament was not to be the only item of interest. Within the Tower, we observed a Shakespearean play in the park, marveled at the extraordinary Crown Jewels, and examined the astonishing dungeons and adjoining torture chamber.
While London had more than enough to hold our attention for our entire stay, we felt compelled to explore the countryside. This desire brought us to Windsor Castle (a royal residence where foreign dignitaries are frequently entertained) and the small town of Bath (so named for the antique Roman Baths that have been preserved against the ages). Both locations were remarkable, but the true highlight was our journey to the world-renowned Stonehenge.
Stonehenge has been a World Heritage site since 1986. It’s a prehistoric monument composed of a circle of colossal stones, each of which stands around 13 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and weighing over 25 tons. Placed upon the Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is said to be over 4,000 years old. As such, it’s one of the most ancient and best preserved megalithic arrangements on earth! What is truly intriguing is the lack of historical fact regarding the purpose behind these stones. No one really knows why the ancients decided to construct such a monument. That it is important is without a doubt, especially considering the several hundred burial mounds that surround the site. As we walked along the ramp designed to keep tourists from trampling all around the area, we felt nothing but a mingled sense of curiosity and deep admiration for the ability of humans to create a work such as this. It’s no wonder why Stonehenge is a British cultural icon!
As our time in England came to a close, we could only marvel at our good fortune to be able to experience this ancient and regal country. 😀
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