Bath - Glastonbury, Oxford and Blenheim Palace
20 - 21 June 2024
Glastonbury Tower, remains of St Michaels Church on Glastonbury Tor.
Summer Solstice! On the way to Bath, Julie and Anthony make a stop in Glastonbury. First we hiked up to the Tower on Glastonbury Tor. Originally built in the 14th Century the tower was restored in the 1804. The Tor rises 520+ feet above sea level. When we got to the top, there were a bunch of folks walking around barefoot, sitting in circles, chanting to one another. There were a variety of interesting folks, one who was happy to tell us about the lay lines which cross the Tor and the holy thorns planted by Joseph or Arimathea on his visit to England. We didn’t realize it was solstice until after we were walking back.
The views of Somerset from the tor were spectacular and worth the visit, Solstice or not.
We walked back into Glastonbury and had a bit of lunch in town. Glastonbury is a WEIRD little town. More crystal shops than coffee shops, and that’s saying something. After a little bit of searching, we found the Glastonbury Abbey. We also found where Arthur and Guinevere’s remains were legendarily discovered in 1191.
The footprint of the old cathedral is huge.
The Grapes, a traditional Pub in the heart of Bath
We arrived that evening at our Air B&B. We had 2 rooms with a bath on the top floor (4 flights of stairs) above The Grapes. The location was terrific, we were a 5 minute walk from the Roman Baths and the Bath Cathedral. However, we were a 15 minute bus ride from (affordable) parking.
Julie and Anthony in the Garden’s of Blenheim Palace.
Friday, Julie and Anthony drove to Oxford, to visit the Oxford Castle and Prison then on to Blenheim Palace.
The Oxford Castle was initially completed in 1073 by Robert D’Orley the elder, a baron who came over with William the Conqueror, who we have mentioned previously.
The tower of the Castle afforded nice views of Oxford.
Example of a prison cell.
The Oxford Castle was used as a prison from the mid-13th Century up until 1996. Our guided tour spent most of the time covering the use of the castle as a prison.
Example of a young (7 years old) girl arrested and imprisoned for stealing a pram.
In the castle dungeon.
The picturesque Thames River (yes that one) in Oxford.
Blenheim Palace (one of) the most spectacular residences in England.
Queen Anne rewarded John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough the money to build a magnificent palace in the country for beating up on the French at the battle of Blenheim (1704) during the War of Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714). While John was off fighting the French, his wife Sarah started construction on the Palace, managed Anne’s finances and controlled who had access to the Queen. Sarah was as much a political badass as her husband was a military master.
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah was played by Rachel Weisz in the 2018 movie The Favorite.
Entrance to the Palace.
Front and Back views of the Palace.
While the scale of the palace is imposing, Anthony was fascinated by the detail found all around the palace.
Monument to John and Sarah Churchill
Flattering Monument Sarah erected to Queen Anne
Winston Churchill spent much of his youth at Blenheim Palace. His uncle was the Duke. He was born in a room used as a hat check during a party. He also asked his wife to marry him on the grounds.
Julie in the Stables
Other random photos from Blenheim Palace.
When we got back to Bath, Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project were playing at The Grapes. Matt Owens was a founding member of Noah and the Whales. Anthony was happy to have a live band downstairs from where they were staying.
Maps: Torquay to Bath via Glastonbury and Oxford + Blenheim
