{"id":15067,"date":"2024-05-23T13:05:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=15067"},"modified":"2024-06-10T17:24:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T17:24:47","slug":"travel-discovering-the-gems-of-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/spring-summe-2024\/travel-discovering-the-gems-of-england\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel: Discovering New Gems of England"},"content":{"rendered":"

L<\/span>ike many of my peers, I couldn\u2019t wait to travel to Europe right after I graduated from college. Mind you, this was before Google, cell phones, Trip Advisor, Expedia, and the rest. To plot a trip, we used paper maps (remember those?) and read articles in magazines and newspapers (paper too!).<\/p>\n

At that time, I stumbled upon the book Turn Right at the Fountain<\/em> by George W. Oakes, chief travel writer for The New York Times<\/em>. My hard-covered book led me on walking tours around London and other great cities \u2026 taking me to places I probably would have missed. The book has been through many editions over the years, but it was my oversized \u201cGoogle\/Trip Advisor\/Yelp\u201d pocket guide back then.<\/p>\n

The book helped make London magical. Later, the countryside captured my heart so much that I returned many times \u2026 Once for a horseback riding vacation as Waterstock House Training Centre<\/a> guest. The training center was headed up by Lars Sederholm, the Swedish-British equestrian trainer and consultant for the British Showjumping Association.<\/p>\n

There, I took lessons on horses stabled along with some belonging to the Queen. We stayed at the Studley Priory<\/a>, originally a monastery but later a hotel, and enjoyed the countryside. Sadly, the stately hotel has returned to a private residence.<\/p>\n

These two places are now just history, so it\u2019s time to return and explore new destinations.<\/p>\n

Rather than pulling out my old Turn Right at The Fountain<\/em> book, the internet has overwhelming resources. Here are some of the latest adventures you might like as an active traveler considering England for the first time or a return trip. A good travel resource is the national tourism website for Visit England\/Visit Great Britain.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bamburgh Castle along the King Charles III England Coast Path. Photo: Matt Buck, Creative Commons, Wikimedia<\/p><\/div>\n

King Charles III England Coast Path<\/h3>\n

Formerly known as the England Coast Path, The King Charles III England Coast Path (renamed in honor of King Charles III’s coronation) is a new walking route that follows the entire coast of England. The route will eventually go all the way around the coast of England, covering 2800 miles. When it is finished, it will be the longest coastal walking path in the world. Currently, 36 sections are open to the public.<\/p>\n

Here is an interactive map: King Charles III England Coast Path\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Highgrove<\/h3>\n

Visit the Gardens of Highgrove<\/a>, the private home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. While you cannot enter the house, the Gardens are open to visitors between April and October. The organic gardens have evolved over 40 years under the watchful eye of King Charles, an avid gardener.<\/p>\n

Wander through the many gardens, including the Kitchen Garden with its rows of greens, leeks, and Brussel sprouts, interspersed with fruit trees, all of which are used by the family when they are there and in the Orchard Room restaurant on the property.<\/p>\n

Other not-to-miss highlights include:<\/p>\n