Hi all,

I have been given a wonderful opportunity to work at the Kew Botanical Gardens outside of London for 10 weeks this summer. I was hoping that any Caedes members from England could tell me about interesting places to visit in London and around the country that are off the beaten track when it come to tourism: villages, pubs, castles, musuems, shopping areas, churces...any place where I will be able to get a taste of the culture/history and take lots of photos! ;)

Any travel tips would also be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

You're a lucky man, Greg - Kew Gardens itself is a great place for photos, and I look forward to seeing some of yours! Outside of that, there's just so much that it's hard to know where to start. I'll have a think and get back to you.....

Leeds Castle, Blenheim & Hampton Court Palaces are all pretty close to London with lots of great photo opportunities to be had especially so at Leeds Castle. A bit further afield you may like to consider taking a trip out Bristol way or even to one of the Welsh national parks like Snowdonia - all within reach of a couple of hours by train.

I'd suggest.... Buckingham Palce for a start... andmaybe take a trip up to Bristol! Where I live :P

While I don't know if it's as off the beaten path as you're looking for, Cambridge is one of the most spectacular places in England that I've visited. All of the different colleges at the university, most dating back to the 16th century, make for excellent photos and the historical significance is unquestionable.

its not that far from London - a half hour on the train or so.

Oh, I know where it is, I just don't know if it really falls under the category of off the beaten track. When I was last there in the early 90's, it was a fairlyt touristy place, not nearly as much as London or the other large cities, but the university does attract a lot of visitors.

When I lived in England as a child..well, I NEVER forgot Madam Toussauds House of Wax..it was fantastic!!( I was ten yrs old at the time) and also I dearly loved the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus...House of Paliaments is another one! And the River Thames is soooo pretty with all its little bridges!!

I'd reccommend (apart from going to a show) taking a shopping trip to Portobello Market one weekend. There you'll surely see all the cultures London boasts and pick up some original gifts to take back home with you. It's not far from central London and is connected to the tube. It's also just down the road from Notting Hill if you were interested in going there too! Oh and as always, know where your money and mobile phone is all the time. Other than that I hope you have a great summer in London!

I studied in Reading for a year (about an hour south of London by train) so I would recommend going there if you want to get out of London for a bit. They have some nice, inexpensive night clubs if you're into that sort of thing, which is nice, since the clubs in London are expeeeeensive. I would also recommend going up to the lake district (north England) for some reallllllllly nice scenery. I would also recommend Oxford-which is about a 45 minute train ride if I remember correctly. I would give you a warning about Madam Toussaud's- it's reallllllly expensive. One more place in London to see- the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. :)

I agree on the lake district, i'm lucky enough to live there but don't have the skill to capture it's beauty on camera. If you do make it up try to stay away from Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Coniston, they are too touristy. As for pubs there's a great one on top of kirkstone pass, i think it may even be haunted..........you can't miss it, it's three sheeps up on the right:)

The lake district is beautiful. Im now in South Australia but I used to live in north east England and often visited Ullswater in the lakes, but yes, it is a very touristy area. Yorkshire dales are lovely as well. ..and ..and...you just have to try Mcvities Jaffakes..we cant get them over here (sob) :-)

Two words:

Abbey Road

If you enjoy architecture, then I suggest you visit Bath. No where specific.
The entire city was built almost exactly at the same town out of the same type of stone. It is breathtaking.
Also Snowdon and Cadaer Idris are must places to go if you plan to venture into Wales!