Charlie & Sarita
Things To Do
London
London has it all. If you need recommendations for things to do or places to stay, let us know! Some of our favorites include St. James Park, The London Museum, Borough Market, and Kew Gardens. Getting around London on public transit is easier than it might seem at first. Use Google Maps set to public transit to plan your route. Have your contactless payment ready, and you'll be able to zip around on the Tube and buses without having to bother with buying a ticket. Long-distance trains and buses do, however, need to be booked in advance. For kids, there's Shrek's Adventure, the London Zoo, Science and Transport Museums, Hamley's toy store, Musicals (Lion King, Matilda, Frozen, Gruffalo...). The mega-popular Harry Potter studio tour needs to be booked out several months in advance. The House of MinaLima and Platform 9&3/4 are free-to-visit H.P. attractions. Don't forget about themed walking tours...Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, Beatles, and open-top bus tours.
Bath
Named for the ancient Roman baths that were used here, Bath is a nice city to stay in or get a bite to eat. Plus, it's only a 25-minute drive from the wedding venue! Attractions include the modern Thermae Spa, the Jane Austen Centre, the architecturally impressive Royal Crescent, and (apparently) a Bridgerton walking tour.
Bristol
Known for its counter-culture, hip restaurant scene, nightlife, university, and hot air balloon festival, Bristol was the first place where we lived together in England. It's just a 20-30 minute drive from the wedding venue. One of our very favorite things to do in Bristol is to visit the incredible ethnic grocery stores (Indian, Turkish, Polish, East Asian, African, etc) and buy way too many things. There's some good hiking/walking in and around Bristol, and it's only a short drive to the wilds of Wales as well.
Glastonbury
The mystical, history-seeped town where Sarita and Charlie live. Come meet our cats! Come see our funky little flat! Let's have a pint! Here is also the famously ruined Glastonbury Abbey, which was burned down by divorce-crazy King Henry VIII in the 1400s. There's also "the Tor," a tower-topped hill upon which the last abbot of Glastonbury Abbey was hanged, drawn, and quartered (the sixteenth-century equivalent of swiping left). The High Street is interesting to explore if you're into crystal shops, thrifting, and people watching. There's more free spirits in Glastonbury than you can shake an incense stick at!
Wells
Wells is a pleasant market town 15 minutes from Glastonbury, where we now live. It is famous for its massive cathedral and the "Bishop's Palace", a sort of moated castle, both built in the twelfth century. There is a nice farmer's market here on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wells bears the insufferable (to Charlie at least) title of "the smallest city in England," a moniker so bereft of meaning it boggles the mind. Whatever you do, do NOT under any circumstance ask an English person to explain the technical differences between a village, a town, and a city according to UK law.
The Levels Wetlands
One of our favorite nature spots! "The Levels" are the vast wetlands that border Glastonbury to the west. Aside from lovely walks (all very flat) and renowned birdwatching, there are some interesting prehistoric sites on the Levels.
Wales
Wales is technically a separate country within the United Kingdom, about an hour's drive north from the wedding venue. Compared to England, it is generally less populated and cheaper. Our fave spots within driving distance include the Wye Valley (scenery, canoeing, hiking), the Gower Peninsula (seaside scenery), Pembrokeshire (beautiful seaside, historical sites), and Brecon Beacons National Park (hiking, mountains, waterfalls). Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is also worth a visit to see the castle and park in the center of the city, try Welsh food, and shop around.
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor National Park is free to visit and about two hours' drive south from the wedding venue. We love to come here for the forests and the moors. Moors are basically rocky hills covered in heather and bracken, where wild ponies and sheep roam. The seaside is also nearby.
