A GUIDED TOUR OF WINDSOR CASTLE, STONEHENGE AND THE ROMAN BATHS

Clockwise from left: The Roman Baths; Windsor Castle Visitor Entrance; Stonehenge

My friend and I took another guided tour during our London trip. The tour cost GBP 69.00 (P4,692.00 at the prevailing exchange rate) and included visits to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and The Roman Baths. 

The tour was led by a different company whose name I cannot remember now. I hope they forgive me for this. But, the experience was unlike what we had with the guided tour of Warwick Castle, Stratford Upon Avon and the Oxfords by Evan Evans Tour. In this second tour, the arrangement was for us to be picked up from Gouman Hotels and then we had to pick up other tourists from other hotels as well. The traffic was unusually heavy that day because of the on-going road repairs being conducted in preparation for the London Olympics that our arrival at the departure area, where the whole group met to gather and ride a single coach, was delayed. The departure area was uncovered such that we were exposed to the cold and we were just asked to fall in line and wait for our turn to ride the coach. This tour was slightly cheaper than the one offered by Evan Evans Tour to the same three destinations but, if I have another chance to book one again, I will definitely book the one by Evan Evans Tour.

Windsor Castle tower

Windsor Castle grounds

The crowd at the Windsor Castle was huge that it took awhile before we were able to start with the tour. Security was also tight which contributed to a few more minutes of waiting but nothing to complain about that.

When we were finally allowed to go inside, my friend and I had to think fast what to see first since we needed to go back to the coach at an appointed time, which was not very long, and there was much to see at the Windsor Castle.

We queued to view Queen Mary's Dolls' House. This was built for Queen Mary by the leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. We were in awe at the sight of this perfect replica in miniature of an aristocratic home. Queen Mary's Dolls' House fits its most magical of residences' description. The miniature collection alone was enough to make the trip worth it.

We hurried to go around the State Apartments and Semi-State Rooms. We did not have enough time anymore but I glimpsed at the ceilings of the State Apartments and they are marvelous. I also remember the apartments being lavishly furnished but my memory of it is blurred since we literally had to run back to the coach when we noticed that we only had a few minutes left to see the other places of interest outside the castle itself.

Running on our way to the coach, my friend and I took the risk of turning to our right to enter and see what's inside St.George's Chapel. St. George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. We were not able to admire the chapel so much and all I can remember about it are the tombs of kings and queens with effigies of themselves on top which are the norm.

Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site

Our next destination was Stonehenge. The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is unique; an exceptional survival from a prehistoric culture. The monument evolved between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC. It is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset, but its exact purpose remains a mystery. Today, this World Heritage Site is a source of inspiration and fascination and, for many, a place of worship and celebration (from the English Heritage brochure, www.english-heritage.org.uk).

We were provided with free audio guides which helped us trace the evolution of Stonehenge from its beginnings as a circular ditch and bank to its final form with the huge sarsen stones and bluestones.

Entrance to The Roman Baths

The tour's final destination  was a visit to the Roman Baths. This is in the area where one of the literary greats, Jane Austen, lived. 

My friend and I decided not to look inside the Roman Baths anymore since we needed to pay an additional fee if we chose to. Instead, we walked around the area while we waited for our companions to finish. And, we were not disappointed! The shops near the Roman Baths are full of souvenir items which are cheaper than what we saw in the city. There were also many popular boutiques which sold items on sale! You guessed it right, my friend and I got excited and with undeniable delight, we shopped for accessories at the boutique store for only GBP 1.00 or P 68.00 per item. 

That mini shopping spree was a great way to cap the tour ; ).