Castles, Gardens & Palaces of UK - May 2024 - Cath Douglass - Hostess RoundUp

We came together from all parts of Australia, some flying together and others meeting us in London to explore the famous gardens, palaces and castles of the UK. This extensive Sisterhood holiday certainly lived up to its name as we explored castles so ancient and rich in heritage and beyond comparison to anything we have here. We marvelled at the intricacies of exquisite and ornate palaces full of family antiques, heirlooms, artwork and jewellery. We wandered leisurely around fragrant gardens so vibrant they threw off rainbows of colours, attracting some of the largest bees ever seen by an Australian! We visited the farmhouse of Beatrix Potter and escaped into the pages of her books as if we were living her stories.  Peter Rabbits garden is exactly as she has portrayed it in her delightful books. Doc Martin invited us into his picturesque Cornish village of Port Isaac, an attractive fishing village with narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed cottages, traditional Cornish houses and of course Cornish pasties which we all indulged in for lunch. No tomato sauce allowed!! William Shakespeare also welcomed us into his humble abode in Stratford Upon Avon.  We conjured up images of him writing Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and King Lear. Rosslyn Chapel, owned by the Earl and Countess of Rosslyn was familiar to us from its inclusion in the De Vinci Code film. Windsor Castle was a favourite as we could almost feel the present day Royals roaming around its magnificent staterooms and corridors.  It was easy to see why it was so beloved by the Queen.  Her tombstone, in the chapel, is very understated and welcoming and it was very special to say goodbye to the only British monarch we had ever known. We ventured into Northern Wales with its greenest of green scenery, woolly of woolliest sheep, and charming Welsh villages.  We stayed in a real castle, Ruthin Castle and Spa, a beautiful retreat steeped in history and nestled in acres of parkland beside the Clwydian Ranges before heading to the heart of the English Lake District. Our hotel, the Lakeside Hotel and Spa, was situated on the banks of Lake Windemere.

On arrival into Edinburgh we sang along to favourite Scottish songs, ate haggis, held our breathes during the dangerous sword highland dances, listened to the bagpipes all the while thinking Jamie from Outlander would pop up on stage and surprise us … but alas no.

After we toured the impressive Edinburgh Castle, during our leisure time, a few of us braved the local trams and headed out to the port to join a tour of the now retired Royal Yacht Britannia. A palace on the water !! Others walked the famous “Royal Mile”. The Edinburgh Botanical Gardens is a must see for the garden enthusiasts. Other gardens we visited include Kew Gardens, Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace and gardens, Wisely Gardens and the awesome annual Chelsea Flower Show.  We viewed cutting edge gardens and inspirational floral exhibits designed by world renowned designers and plant specialists. UNESCO World Heritage sites also featured in our itinerary with visits to the Roman Baths in Bath and the mythical Stonehenge a spiritual place and a source of inspiration to many. Beginning and ending in London allowed us plenty of time to explore this much loved capital city.  We did it all, we had afternoon tea at the Dilly on Piccadilly Circus, enjoyed panoramic views while sipping champagne on board the London Eye, we marvelled at Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Tower of London. During our leisure time some of us went to see The Lion King, some went to Wicked, some to see Much A Do about Nothing at the Globe Theatre, some to sample London’s famous curry and some to Covent Garden for dinner. Such busy Sisters!! Sadly the guards did not change for us at Buckingham Palace as the federal election was called merely hours before our visit and security structures were being promptly set up – so …. we will just have to go back and see them another time!!

 

Sisterhood Hostess – Cath Douglass