Our last few days in England we saw some pretty awesome stuff. First, was Blenheim Palace, pronounced like Blenem, not Blenhyme.

This is one of the biggest houses in England. The website claims it is England’s greatest Palace. Having never been in Buckingham Palace, I don’t know if that’s true, but it is certainly more grand on the outside. Winston Churchill was actually born here and spent much of his youth here as well. It was fun to learn more about him as we took the tour. Again, no pictures were allowed inside, but it was truly stunning. Think-Versailles-but less ostentatious-more reserved, more, well, English. I will need to use pictures from online to show you what it was like. They were restoring the whole front entrance so I couldn’t get good pictures anyway. Just the ceiling mural was beyond incredible. It was lowered down because of the restoration work and we got to see it up close. But this picture is what it looks like normally.

The grounds were amazing at Blenheim as well. Lovely trees and ponds and lakes that went on for miles.

Two British men stopped and asked us where we were from at this pond and we had a lovely conversation about the relative ages of our country’s histories while watching the swans.

From the above bridge you can see a creepy old tree that was used in a one of the Harry Potters.

And yes, there was also a Mission Impossible scene filmed in the courtyard of Blenheim.

Tower of London

On our last day in England we went to see the Tower of London. “This imposing castle, located on the banks of the River Thames, has served as a royal palace, prison, mint, and stage for political intrigues for over 900 years.”

It was interesting to wander around this place and see all the history and hear about all the gory details of life in a palace/prison. The crown jewels were fun to see too! They had crazy security, which, after the Louvre theft recently, I understand. You couldn’t even stand next to them, they moved you by on a moving walkway.

Honestly, though, even more than the Tower of London, I loved the Tower Bridge. I didn’t realize last time we were in London how big it really is. It’s an amazing bridge. Far more exciting than the London Bridge. lol.

The next day we said goodbye to this wet, green island. We had such a “lovely” time and have more we want to go back and see! Till we meet again, England!