15 days of UK travel, for the Golf and Jane Austen Fan
If travel is my number one love and obsession, then Jane Austen is a very close second. I fell in love with Jane in high school, and have read Pride and Prejudice more times than I can count. On the other hand, my husband feels this same love for golf. Do you remember my story about Harry? So when The Open (a.k.a. The British Open) was going back to St. Andrews, we knew we had a chance to combine all our loves in one amazing UK travel itinerary. Travel, golf, and Jane Austen.
This itinerary takes you from Scotland through the English country side and ends in London.
Scotland
Pic by the Hubs
We landed in London and gave ourselves a day to get used to the time change. We fought off jet lag by walking around the city and riding the London Eye.
Travel Tip: The fast pass for the London Eye is definitely worth it. The wait was around 2 hours in the normal line. The fast pass line was £20 (~$30) extra (I think).
The next morning we hopped on the train to Edinburgh. I thought the train ride was going to be the most boring part of the trip, but I was quite surprised. In fact, with my nose glued to the window the picturesque ride kept me entertained the entire 5 hours. And the cheap beers didn’t hurt either. We went to Scotland first because I thought it would be better to get the golf part of the vacation out of the way. A little less grumbling, from the men during the Jane Austen part, know what I mean? I didn’t think Scotland would impress me. Instead, Scotland completely blew me away.
The Scottish people are some of the warmest and friendliest people on the planet. From our incredible Airbnb host to every person we came into contact with on during our 5 days in Edinburgh. Scotland became my favorite country to date and my heart yearns to return, despite the really horrid weather!
Travel Tip: The weather really is full of ups and downs. We got caught in a hail storm in the middle of July! Take layers and sturdy shoes, be prepared.
A Golf Lover’s Dream
The golf fans out there will know that St. Andrews is the birth place of golf, and for my husband it was the trip of a lifetime. As it turns out, bad weather played to our advantage and tournament had a weather delay on Saturday. We were able to watch the Saturday round on Sunday, our original ticket date, and watch the Sunday round on Monday for only £10 a ticket!
So, are you ready for a funny UK travel story? After the tournament on Monday, we were waiting with probably 100 other people to catch the train back to Edinburgh. Trains were running on a weird schedule due to all the people, and we ended up waiting at the station for well over 30 minutes. So, my mother in law decided to go to the restroom (since we weren’t moving), and a train pulled up while she was gone. Before she could reach the platform, the train doors closed and we took off! She was running after the train, but nothing could be done to stop it. Needless to say, she will never let us forget how we ditched her at the train station in St. Andrews, Scotland! 😉
The English Countryside
Pic by The Hubs
After Scotland we launched into the Jane Austen portion of the trip, renting a car to take us through the English countryside. As I mentioned, I fell in love with Jane almost 15 years ago. My heart just soars whenever her heroins snub what society deems appropriate for them. They hold steadfast to their values, even sometimes to their own detriment, and stone rich and powerful men along the way. Following the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie locations, we started in Derbyshire. Derbyshire is the location of the Chatsworth House, used as Pemberley, and Stanage Edge.
When you first pull up to the Chatsworth House along this long road that gives you an amazing view of the home, you feel transported instantly back to the regency era. There were great informational sheets, and tours of the home that allow you to understand the use of each room. However, the beautifully manicured grounds were the most impressive. We wandered the extensive grounds for hours marveling at the display of power and wealth. The grounds have hedge mazes, ponds, fountains, gardens and plenty of tree-lined carriage roads to take in.
Travel Tip: When visiting the Chatsworth House, get there just before closing do be able to get good pictures of the house in the setting sun without all the people. Go the following morning early for the tours of the house and grounds.
In you are a fan of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, then Stanage Edge is a must for your UK travel itinerary. Stanage Edge is where Elizabeth is standing looking over all of Derbyshire, and a short walk to the top can give you the same amazing view.
Bath, England
Our next stop was Bath, England. Any Jane Austen lover knows that Bath plays a central location in most of her novels. As Austen herself lived in Bath prior to retiring back to countryside, there is much to explore and see that is exactly the same as Jane would have seen it. Bath is also home to the Jane Austen Centre where you can learn all about her life in Bath.
Bath is also a great place to base yourself out of for a couple of days for day trips. While we were in Bath we took a day trip to Stourhead Gardens for The Temple of Apollo. The Temple of Apollo is the location for Mr. Darcy’s first proposal in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. The lush gardens wistfully wind you all the way to the massive stone temple that overlooks a lake. With it’s dramatic backdrop, the stone temple was everything I wanted it to be. It was even raining when we visited, I couldn’t get the hubby to reenact the scene with me though. What a spoilsport.
Pic by The Hubs
In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
We also took a day trip to Stonehenge, which was fascinating. We learned so much about the theories behind why Stonehedge was built and what early man looked like. There were great interactive exhibits prior to going to see the megaliths. There are also unique opportunities to walk among the stones if you time it well.
London, England
We ended our UK travel itinerary in the beautiful city of London. We did several touristy things, my favorite of which was Westminster Abbey. The audio for the Westminster Abbey tour was astounding and points you to so much history that has been held within its walls. We also enjoyed a water taxi ride on the Thames, and an amazing dinner at The Palomar. London definitely deserves some separate time on its own and I hope to get back to the city someday.
The entire trip cost about $3,500 a person, and taught me many life lessons such as the importance of packing light, after wearing the tread off my wheels. I also learned how to factor in extra time for travel days, after getting off the wrong exit on the roundabouts several hundred times. But most importantly, the trip inspired me to start a blog, you know so other people don’t take their whole closets or miss the roundabout exits. 🙂
What country has surprised you the most during your travels?
