Chatsworth House (aka Pemberly in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie!!) | Bakewell, England

On day 10 we visited Chatsworth House (which was Mr. Darcy's house in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice), toured the house, gardens, and took our first taxi ride in the UK. 

Oh Chatsworth. This may sound cliche, but Chatsworth really does take your breath away when you first see it. Riding through the wooded estate grounds, then turning a corner, and there it sits on a hill surrounded by rolling green hills and grazing sheep. It's magnificent. Apparently others thought so as well because Chatsworth has appeared on film in Pride & Prejudice (the 2005 version), The Duchess, Death Comes to Pemberley, etc. etc. 

Changing of the Guard, Green Park, St. James' Park, Royal Mews, & Phantom of the Opera in the West End | London, England

On day 9 we watched the changing of the guard, visited Green Park, St. James' Park, the Royal Mews, explored the shops in the West End, and watched Phantom of the Opera.

Day 9 was a day of royal activities that began with the changing of the guard. Unless you want to stand outside of the palace at least an hour before the changing of the guard begins, you will not get a good viewing spot. You just won't. It was so crowded!!! It was like rivalry college football game crowded. 

Jane Austen Centre, the Royal Crescent, Fashion Museum, & the Roman Baths Museum | Bath, England

On day 8 we visited Bath and explored the Jane Austen Centre, The Circus, The Crescent, the Fashion Museum, and the Roman Baths.

I love Bath!!!! If you are lover of all things Jane Austen, archicture (especially Georgian buildings), pretty English towns, fashion, and you find yourself in England, you MUST visit Bath. 95% of the town's architecture is in the Georgian style so it appears to be frozen in time...which is a pretty cool experience. Bath is spectacular and I wish we had spent more time there. However, we made the most of the time we had and visited a ton of sights!

Eagle & Child Pub, St. Mary's Tower, Christ Church College Gardens, & Addison's Walk | Oxford, England

On day 7 we visited Oxford and saw the Eagle & Child Pub, St. Mary's Tower, WWII Memorial Gardens, Christ Church College Gardens, Alice in Wonderland, Magdalen College, and Addison's Walk.

Our Oxford trip was the beginning of the day trips that we needed help buying our train tickets. Therefore, to get cheaper rates we had to arrive and leave the towns later than we originally planned. Even though the train times were not ideal, our day trips were some of my favorite days in England. 

Apparently people like to bike in Oxford

Church in Sheppard's Bush, London Walks' Shakespeare & Dickens Tour, and the Train Ticket Fiasco | London, England

On Day 6 we went to church, went on a London Walks' tour, and learned about the British train ticket system.

We went to church at an Acts 29 church in Shepherd's Bush. To forewarn you, it took us an hour to reach the church, so if you visit that church be prepared for a long tube ride and walk. The message was good, the pastor had a Scottish accent (so fun!), and he said "one Samuel" instead of "first Samuel". 

After church we had a quick lunch and then went on the London Walks Shakespeare and Dickens tour. It was so good! It was interesting to see places that Charles Dickens references in his works and to understand where William Shakespeare lived and how his surroundings may have influenced his writings.