~ UK adventures ~
Seeing the iconic ‘Yomper’ statue at the Royal Marines museum in Southsea
Unveiled on 8 July 1992 by Baroness Margaret Thatcher, and standing proudly outside the former Royal Marines Museum in Portsmouth, The Yomper is an 18-foot bronze statue that honours the endurance, determination, and courage of the Royal Marines.
Experiencing Winchester’s stunning Cathedral
Dating back to 642 AD when the first Christian church was built in Winchester, Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest and most historically significant cathedrals in Europe, stands in the heart of the Hampshire city.
Exploring the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, on a beautiful sunny day
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1696 and 1712, the Old Royal Naval College, located in Greenwich, London, is a masterpiece of British architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seeing the Ouse Valley viaduct, the most elegant viaduct in Britain
Completed in 1841, the Ouse Valley Viaduct, also known as the Balcombe Viaduct, is a stunning example of Victorian engineering, located in West Sussex, England.
Immersing in Norwich’s incredible Cathedral
Founded in 1096 by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich, Norwich Cathedral is one of the most stunning and historically significant buildings in England, located in the heart of Norwich, Norfolk.
Seeing the stunning Cutty Sark on a sunny day in London
Built in 1869 on the River Clyde in Scotland, the Cutty Sark, is one of the last and fastest British tea clipper ships preserved in Greenwich, London.
Staying at Field Marshal Kitchener’s country house in Canterbury
Purchased by Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener , 1st Earl Kitchener in the early 20th century, Broome Park is a historic country estate located near Canterbury in Kent, England.
Finding Tommy near Durham
Created by artist Ray Lonsdale, the Tommy Statue, officially titled "1101," is a striking war memorial located in Seaham, County Durham, England.
Experiencing the grandeur of an empty Windsor Castle in winter
Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire, England, is the world's oldest and largest inhabited castle, serving as a royal residence for over 1,000 years and remaining an official home of the British monarch.
Seeing the remarkable Royal Observatory Greenwich in Central London
The Royal Observatory Greenwich, located in London, England, is a historic site of immense scientific significance.
Locating Shackleton’s boat, the James Caird, at Dulwich College
The James Caird, a 23-foot lifeboat, is one of the most significant artifacts from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary 1914–1917 Endurance Expedition to Antarctica.
Finding the Robert Burns (aka 'The Bard') statue in central London
Robert Burns, born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland, is celebrated as one of Scotland's greatest poets and lyricists, and his significant cultural influence is commemorated with a statue on Victoria Embankment Gardens.
Seeing the Bolt’s Law standing engine, near Rookhope, in Weardale
The information plaque mounted nearby highlights that it was made in 1846 by the Weardale Iron Company and was part of the Bolt's Law Railway Incline, the highest standard-gauge railway in the UK at the time, designed to transport iron ore and limestone from Rookhope to Tow Law Ironworks.
Seeing Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most iconic literary landmarks in the world. It's the house where William Shakespeare, arguably the greatest playwright and poet in the English language, was born and spent his childhood. The house is located on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque town in Warwickshire, England.
Stepping aboard Royal Navy warship, HMS Belfast, in central London
In April 2024, I was lucky to be invited aboard the decommissioned Royal Navy warship, HMS Belfast to see and experience a ‘pusser’s grey’ for the first time since I left the Royal Marines.
I you’ve never been aboard, this is fascinating physical journey through history, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the legacy of this iconic warship. As you explore her nine decks (yep, nine!), each step echoes with the stories of courage and sacrifice of those who served aboard her.
Hiking a lap of Fernworthy reservoir on Dartmoor
Fernworthy Reservoir in Dartmoor National Park near Chagford in Devon, is approximately 28 hectares (69 acres) and an incredible hike amidst the rugged beauty of one of England’s national parks.