tasting ENGLAND
For the passionate reading (and writing), Jane Austen It is definitely an undisputed idol.
The British author of two centuries has admirers around the world, and I am no exception: back in the ranks rather avid fans.
I've always loved his stories, The atmosphere of his stories, and I found myself countless times to yearn to visit and breathe the places described in the novels austeniani.
The opportunity to realize this desire is presented in an unconventional way. It arrived in fact, thanks to a cup ...!
I'll be suffered tea is certainly not new to those who follow tasted. By virtue of the passion for the beverage and the world of accessories, I started to follow the Facebook page Enjoy Coffee and More, Modena business specializing in the import of porcelain and articles in English Sheffield.
Follow today, follow tomorrow, and here one day he checks a tour that seems made for me: In the footsteps of Jane Austen and exploring the Cotswolds. To satisfy the many requests of customers "enticed" by England photos published regularly, la titolare Chiara Simonini and his collaborator Marika Monfredini have decided to propose the thematic paths in the UK, with the assistance of a travel agency.
Max and I almost always we move autonomously, to accommodate our needs and be free to choose at will what to see and what to taste. But this tour has attracted us for the richness of the program, for the convenience of seeing so many places difficult to reach by other means (Public connections are not optimal, and renting a car is a kind of adventure, as in Britain drive on the left), and also because more informal than the classic trip organized by industry professionals.
Così, we joined the small group of scholars of nineteenth-century literature and dreamy landscapes, under the guidance of the incomparable Fiona Dunk.
For narrative convenience, our story will not date-based, but logistics.
ON THE TRAIL OF JANE AUSTEN
The tour dedicated to Jane Austen has captured virtually all his life: Steventon from birth to death in Winchester, passing by the houses of Bath and Chawton.
Steventon, in the county of Hampshire, is a village which currently has just 200 inhabitants. Here is the Church of St. Nicholas, Parish led the late eighteenth century by the Reverend George Austen (Jane's father), and later by his eldest son James.
At the tip of the church bell tower stands a weather vane in the shape of pen in honor of the illustrious citizen Jane Austen, who lived here in Steventon 25 anni.
In the garden-church cemetery they are buried some members of the Austen family.
At the moment the functions are held every two weeks; Reverend is a woman.
Nel 1800 Austen family moved to Bath, in the county of Somerset.
In the city today there is Jane Austen Centre, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the writer.
During the guided tour, a very kind girl in period costume tells the story of the Austen family and illustrates the various portraits of Jane.
The center also includes The Regency Tea Room and a corner with a selection of clothes and accessories in Regency style to wear for memorable photos!
Bath takes its name from the natural hot springs; do not miss the visit to the Roman Baths, The entrance is in the city center, near the Abbey.
The thermal water can also taste; and hot, sulphurous smell but fortunately tasteless.
Nel 1809 Jane moved to Chawton, in a house made available by Edward's brother is now the Jane Austen’s House Museum.
Browse the objects that belonged to Jane and her family is very impressive experience; in particolare, contemplate the tiny table on which he wrote his works.
In this site you can engage in activities, how to pack bags of lavender, try writing with pen and ink, wear clothes Regency.
Also visit Chawton House, the large house belonged to Edward, third son of the Austen family later adopted by the wealthy spouses Knight.
The estate is now a library dedicated to writers.
Indispensable to a stage from Chawton Cassandra’s Cup, tea rooms situated right opposite the home of Jane Austen. Here, everything is served in vintage mismatched crockery and combined according randomness.
The cups of the name are absolutely everywhere: on the shelves, in the cupboard, in a suitcase, even under the ceiling!
Excellent homemade scones, be filled with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
The final stage is austeniana Winchester, where the famous cathedral is buried Jane.
The writer had gone to the city to treat his illness, but he died there in 1817 just 41 anni.
The Winchester Cathedral is one of the most important in England, and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world.
Our base for austeniano tour was the 'Audleys Wood Hotel. A structure that we liked very much, beauty and efficiency. Former Victorian country house surrounded by woods and seven hectares of land, It is now part of a group of hotels including historic buildings with their original features.
As a refreshment stop en route from London to the West counties instead we stopped at The Tally Ho, country pub in Berkshire. It is a community pub, managed by the local community, cozy and comfortable.
We had time to further visit in Hampshire to historical silk factory Whitchurch Silk Mill. Here Jane Austen does in a broad sense: Apparently that was used to come in Whitchurch to go visit a friend's place.
The farm is still possible to see the original Georgian water mill that powered the factory, Victorian equipment and the fabrics on looms.
To stay on the subject of historic houses, It is a must Highclere Castle, best known as the location of the television drama Downton Abbey.
The house is beautiful, a true place of worship for the faithful of the series; the visit of the admired places so many times on TV is a very exciting time. The rooms of the protagonists, the salon, the library ... sin is strictly forbidden to take pictures inside. The park is huge and very green.
The castle belongs to the Earl of Carnarvon. The opening to the public is limited to the summer period.
We had a delicious meal served also in Wiltshire, al The Polly Tea Rooms a Marlborough.
Here the recipes used for cakes and scones are '30s.
I found that strawberries are delicious in England! They are eaten fresh and slice the scones along with clotted cream and strawberry jam, or cup with cream unmounted, as we enjoy here.
It seems that the strawberries and cream are even the official food of Wimbledon during the tennis tournament.
DISCOVERING THE COTSWOLDS
The second part of our tour was dedicated instead to Cotswolds.
This area hill in the central part of England holds historic villages that seem to come straight from the fairy tales.
We wandered among the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, visiting picturesque villages with stone houses, along streets full of charm and magic, innamorandoci at every step of doors, gardens and thatched roofs.
Our itinerary was very rich.
Lacock It is best known for its medieval abbey, used as a film set of some films of the Harry Potter saga. In the village itself were shot several British television series. Curiosamente, Lacock is also the birthplace of William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of photography.
But in my memories will always be the place where I literally robbed the local antique shop!
Bibury is a charming village crossed by the River Coln, that still preserves ancient fourteenth-century cottage, heritage of the nation.
It is also famous for fishing and processing of trouts.
The pretty village Castle Combe It is one of the most iconic places in the Cotswolds, England itself.
After admiring the length and breadth of the beautiful honey-colored houses that were once the weavers, we lived a magical experience: Afternoon Tea in a super special Old Rectory Tearoom of Anna Roberts.
Crockery vintage of all kinds, savory bites and cakes and of course tea rivers in the rustic atmosphere of yesteryear.
Tetbury It is one of the largest towns in the Cotswolds. The most photographed spot is where you will find the Chipping Steps, steps with a view of the old cottage.
The city is home to one of the Highgrove Shop, which sells products of the organic farm in Highgrove Prince Charles. Profits are donated to the foundation Prince of Wales, that supports many charity projects.
Painswick, the "Queen of the Cotswolds", It offers a special feature: the church of St. Mary, surrounded by 99 Yew trees from the unusual cut-in the garden outside the cemetery.
The delightful village of Stanton, besides the typical cottage, home to the impressive Church of St. Michael and all Angels.
Equally lovely Chipping Campden, already the center of the wool trade.
For shoppers, I note that here is one of the brand's stores Sam Wilson, realizing household items inspired by the English countryside.
Bourton-on-the-Water It is defined as the "Venice of the Cotswolds". It is crossed by the River Windrush.
The food lover will find here a pleasant destination, the Fish & chips De la Haye's. It is mainly for takeaway, however there are also tables on the road.
Una curiosità. In some of the smaller villages of the Cotswolds you can buy food or plants placed outside the houses, leaving money in special jars or in the letter box. A system based on civilizations and trust.
Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill, It is one of the most important historic houses in Britain, and it is a site that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is enhanced by a sumptuous park that also includes the waterfalls.
La città di Gloucester He owes its fame to the impressive Gothic cathedral. Here is the tomb of Edward II, the monarch died in 1327 presumably for murder.
The Cloister appeared in three films in the series of Harry Potter.
And here it ended our journey in time, as well as in space.
We all participants remain indelible memories, packages of packages, but above a sea of smiles. And those, si sa, They are priceless.
Enjoy Coffee and more
https://enjoycoffeeandmore.com
Audleys Wood Hotel
Alton Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire
https://audleys-wood.hotel-rn.com/
Jane Austen Centre
40 Gay Street, Bath, Somerset
www.janeausten.co.uk
The Roman Baths
Abbey Church Yard, Bath, Somerset
www.romanbaths.co.uk/
Jane Austen’s House Museum
Winchester Road, Chawton, Hampshire
www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/
Chawton House
Winchester Road, Chawton, Hampshire
https://chawtonhouse.org/
Cassandra’s Cup
The Hollies, Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire
www.cassandrascup.co.uk
The Tally Ho
Hungerford Newtown, Berkshire
www.thetallyhohungerford.co.uk/
Whitchurch Silk Mill
28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire
http://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/mill/index.php/home
Highclere Castle
Highclere Park, Newbury
www.highclerecastle.co.uk/
The Polly Tea Rooms
26-27 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire
www.thepollytearooms.co.uk/
The Old Rectory Tearoom
The Street, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire
www.castlecombetearooms.co.uk/
Highgrove Shop
10 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
https://www.highgrovegardens.com/
Sam Wilson
Elsley House, High Street, Chipping Campden
https://samwilsonstudio.com/
De La Haye's Fish & Chip Shop
High Street, Bourton-on the-Water, Cheltenham, Cotswolds
https://delahayes.co.uk/fish-chip-shop/
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock, Oxfordshire
www.blenheimpalace.com/