Magical Places
Celebrating places of beauty & magic
England is the fairytale land of Kings and Queens, Knights and Ladies; gallantry, chivalry, royalty, myth and legend...
Ruins of ancient castles, abbeys, and stone circles stand among endless green countryside as wise sages who've witnessed centuries of happenings - if they could only speak, what stories they would tell! Yet, this antiquity is tempered by the freshness of floral paradise, for exquisite flower gardens are everywhere to be seen.
In my ten day visit to merry old England, I explored primarily the South Central region: medieval Wells and Salisbury, Arthurian Glastonbury, Roman-built Bath, and of course mysterious Stonehenge.
Wells
Click the images for a larger view
The awe inspiring, intricately designed Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral - view from the back
Courtyard in back of the Cathedral
Very medieval; fragrant with flowers and herbs. One of the loveliest places I've ever been
Another view of the Courtyard
Outside a woman was singing 'Scarborough Fair'... I felt like I'd been transported to the 1500's...
Glastonbury
Click the images for a larger view
Glastonbury Abbey
This is one of the oldest Christian abbeys, built way back in 1184. Also the site where the supposed remains of King Arthur and Guineviere were found.
Even centuries later standing in ruins, the abbey exudes a strong spiritual power. It is said to have been built "so as to entice even the dullest minds to prayer".
I have no doubt the intention was carried out successfully
Glastonbury Tor - the fairytale pathway to Avalon
Of all the magical places I've been, few have stayed with me like the Tor. Perhaps it was the electro-magnetic energy of the place, or the legends of this being the Isle of Avalon, or the breathtaking view from the top...
Whatever the reason, if magic has a home, it is here
Climbing up the Tor, overlooking England's glorious countryside
The centuries old St. Michael's chapel stands atop the Tor - 518 feet above sea level
A peek through the doorway, to the countryside far below
The amazing view...
In the 2-1/2 days spent in Glastonbury, I climbed the Tor 3 times. Oh was it hard to leave this place!
Entrance to the Chalice Well and Gardens
There is a wonderful presence in the gardens - at one point I became lost in unintended meditation for half an hour...
Chalice Well - the 'Source'
This well is said to be the resting place of the legendary Holy Grail.
Only in the crunchy town of Glastonbury
Believe it when you read it...!
Stonehenge
Click the images for a larger view
Aerial view Stonehenge (from a postcard)
Approaching the site on a gravel path...
Today, the site is roped off so you can only get a few feet from the stones
Sunset at Stonehenge
Quite mystical indeed....
The stones up close
How and why these multi-ton stones were transported remains a mystery
Salisbury
Click the images for a larger view
Salisbury Cathedral and Close
This Cathedral was built long ago in the 1200's
The world's oldest clock
Housed in Salisbury Cathedral, the clock was built in 1386 as still works! (postcard)
While there, I took the tour up the narrow cathedral spire - winding and winding and winding up tight spiral stone steps...
This is the view from about halfway up the cathedral.
Notice the forboding shadow....
Looking up...
I am deeply impressed with those brave souls that built this thing...
The Tudor streets of Salisbury
This is such a fun place - There are buildings here that date back to the 1400's!
Hanging out in Salisbury
Bath
Click the images for a larger view
Roman Baths - 1000 years old!
The charming city of Bath is best known for these impressive remains.
Aside from this outside 'pool', walkways take you inside and underground to the inner workings of the baths. A must see for any visitor to Bath. I was so in awe, I visited this site twice...
Walking around the lower level
To the ancient Romans, this was a high class spa
This is a miniature of what the baths may have looked like when first constructed. Very much like a small city
Cricket Gardens
Oh what a wonderful place this is! A colorful landscape of manicured lawns and fragrant flowers. If you look close, you can see a dolphin flower sculpture
Cricket Gardens' charming gazebo
Victoria Gardens, northwest of the city center
Heaven for any garden lover...
