The Tree Cathedral is another hidden gem of Milton Keynes. I walked in the area back in March when…read morethe trees were all bare but even then it looked insanely cool. I've looked up photos of the tree cathedral in full bloom and it's just beautiful. Constructed in 1986 to look like Norwich Cathedral, I'm sure it's a great spot for small ceremonies. It's divided into various sections all meticulously planned which you can read about on the plaque right in front of the cathedral. It has a nice stone path down the center for easy navigation. Upon reading a bit more on the Tree Cathedral when I got home - you can now scatter ashes there. Peaceful and creepy at the same time. The Tree Cathedral can be found opposite of Willen Lake.

The ancestral home of the Washingtons in Britain offers 'a gentle stroll through three centuries of…read moreEnglish history' and houses the largest UK collection of George Washington memorabilia. A favourite place to visit for our Banbury team.

This is a wonderful historic site. The morning tours are longer, but we did an afternoon tour due…read moreto our schedule (wish we had done the longer tour!). There is a lot to see and the grounds and gardens are beautiful. The tea room is lovely and has very nice refreshments. I particularly enjoyed reading about how the home was acquired and turned into a historic site, the article is posted on the wall in the cafe. It's a bit of a drive from London but well worth it for those interested in the Washington family history or historic house museums of the period!

The ancestral home of John Harvard, founder of America's most famous University - HARVARD! Actually…read morethis was his mother's home, built in 1596 it is a fine example of an Elizabethan town house. Harvard House is the home of the Museum of British Pewter. The Museum houses an extensive Neish Collection which illustrates the history of two thousand years of British pewter.The collection includes some rare and unique pieces including Roman items and medieval pilgrim badges. This is an interesting place and well maintained. A fun and educational place for kids.

The Harvard House spreads its exhibits over the three floors of the old building and seems to be…read moreaimed more at children or teenagers. It has several hands-on interactive exhibits and little note cards telling of customs of the olden days. It's quite interesting, but nothing much to rave about. It's part of the three-houses ticket of the Shakespeare houses, so if you're going to see the birthplace, you might as well check this one out too. I'm not sure if it's worth it in its own though.

The Rollright Stones include a small stone circle plus a nearby single large stone called the King…read moreStone and, slightly further away, another set of stones called the Whispering Knights. It is one of many such sites in the country but has a picturesque setting with a nice view, and the different sets of stone plus the legend make it interesting. They supposedly are a king and knights who were turned to stone according to legend, as another reviewer has recited. The site is easy to visit along a country lane. It is not particularly famous or crowded but it was still pretty busy with visitors when we were there, unlike the Stanton Drew Stone circle near Bristol or another stone site we visited. It is free and simply open to visit.

The Rollright Stones, according to local legend, the stones are actually the petrified bodies of a…read moreking and his men. This site gives you besides a very authentic stone circle, also a wide panoramic view.

Bibury is a charming, typically Cotswold. It's easy to see why William Morris called Bibury 'The…read moremost beautiful village in England' - wonderful stone buildings strung out along the banks of the River Coln. Arlington Row, owned by the National Trust, is one of England's most iconic and photographed sites - it even appears on the inside cover of UK passports! Originally built in the 14th century as a monastic wool store, it was converted in the 17th century into a row of weavers' cottages. The River Coln flows through Bibury sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of boggy water meadow known as Rack Isle, so called because wool was once hung out to dry there on racks after it had been washed in Arlington Row. You can even see some trout in the river, which the trout farm owners told us they are the escape artists! With Arlington Row as a backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes you will find in the Cotswolds. Other attractions in Bibury include: Bibury Trout Farm, (see my other review) one of the oldest and most attractive trout farms in the country covering almost 15 acres, where you can learn about trout or event catch your own dinner. This village is stunning, perfect photographers dream. Do come you will not be disappointed.

If traveling past Oxford don't miss out on this picturesque little town, offering a prime example…read moreof the Cotswold way of living. Houses are maintained in much the old fashion, offering not just wonderful photo opportunities but also a glimpse into housing of the past . You will find several small tea houses and shops here, as well as a trout farm and hotel. Well worth a visit or even a relaxing weekend.

I didn't expect discovering Rock of Gibraltar is owned by the British Peeps! Who knew? I surely…read moredidn't know this fact . . . I was also surprised learning that Spain wants the Rock returned to them, too. Visiting here was astonishing because Spain is right outside, but peeps living on the Rock-everyone uses British currency. Everyone in McDonald's spoke with a British accent! http://gibraltar.costasur.com/ http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/basics.htm http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/home.htm

The rock of Gibraltar is indeed something very, very special. Just the thought of all sailors that…read morefor thousands of years that have shared this grand view is breathtaking. Lord Nelson, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama are just a few that have passed this mighty rock. The view from the top of the Rock is just as breathtaking as its history. If possible - wait for clear skies before going to the top. It is worth it. Clear days it is possible to see far along the Spanish coast and across the sea to Africa. And - beware of the apes. No kidding. Already when docking at the top they may enter the cabin in search for food. According to the guards they are calmer and nicer in the morning than in the hot afternoon.

Long country walk to the shell of a mansion. Good audi tour…read moreas you wander around the ruin, and then they turn the fountain on which is spectacular. Finish it off with tea and cake as the church tea rooms The Perfect Sunday afternoon

I have a soft spot for Anthony Gormley's work, so much so I was even one of the lucky ones that…read morestood on the 4th Plinth in London. The statue represents the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. The controversy of public opinion when it was installed makes me further believe that it really does represent the Brummie and Yam-Yams naysaying nature. I can't really recall why it was so hated back in 1993 when it was given as gift from the Trustee Savings Bank, but when they moved down south there was an outcry that the Iron: Man should be moved with them. I love that it started out as an untitled work until the Iron Man nickname stuck, only for the artist to insist on making his own stamp by insisting on a stupid colon in the middle. Brilliant! Maybe my soft spot for Gormely is because he utilises many local resources to make his large scale iron works with the Iron:Man being cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall. Whether you love or hate it this 6m tall, leaning man whose feet are sunk in the ground is worth a look.

The most overlooked art in victoria square. I love this art by one of my favourite artist/sculptor.read more

One of our Banbury team's top 5 cultural venues. The moated Broughton Castle is just outside of…read moreBanbury, and is one of the most romantically situated castles in the country. It has featured in films such as Shakespeare in Love.

My wife and I have attended mnay performances of Shakespear's work, both in actual theathers and…read moreoutdoors "in the park". So, when we got a chance to visit his birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon, we jumped at the chance. Our tour guide was excellent and shared many details of what it was like living in this house in William's time (e.g. the boys shared one room and the girls were in another - and the boy's room was more comfortable because - in those days - the boys were more valuable. It was fascinating walking through the house where Shakespear actually lived and grew up. The day we were there, there were actors in the courtyard performing snippets of Shakespear's plays and writings. The one actor asked members of the audience to call out their favorite and he would then perform something from that particular play. Fascinating visit and tour.

Okay, it's a house, but then again back in Shakespeare's days, they really didn't have hospitals in…read morethe way that we have hospitals. Mind you, wandering through this house makes you realise how wealthy Shakespeare's family actually was. It's a pretty big house, and quite interesting to explore as well. Yeah, it's pretty cool.