London At A Glance: Day 2

Day 2: Stonehenge & Bath

On our second day in London, we signed up for a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath with Evan Evans Tours. Evan Evans is the oldest and largest sightseeing company in London. We found Evan Evans by luck while searching for a day tour to Stonehenge. If you are lucky, sometimes there are deals at the Groupon site where they offer day tour to Stonehenge and Bath for only £29/person compared to the £53/person that we paid.

It took about 3 hours plus to reach Bath from our pickup point. With its impressive architecture and beautiful scenery, it’s no surprise that Bath is a popular setting for many famous filming locations. Les Miserables being one of them!

Strolling around Bath Abbey

We were then brought to Roman Bath and introduced to its four main features: the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and the Museum holding finds from Roman Bath. The buildings above street level date from the 19th century. The entrance fee is inclusive in the tour package.

An interesting fact that we found out is that the hot spring water which bubbles up from the ground at Bath fell as rain on the nearby Mendip Hills! :)

The Roman Bath

Bath Abbey from the Roman Bath view

We took a stroll around the Bath to check out the restaurants nearby since we had some extra time to grab a quick lunch. Luck was with us as we spotted The Real Italian Pizza Co. and got attracted to the restaurant. Outside the restaurant, there is also the famous Trip Advisors' sticker. Nothing could go wrong with that, right?

We ordered our pizza and true enough, it was very delicious! The secret is the pizza is made using the wood fired oven. It has very very thin but chewy crust, lavish with topping. We are both very glad to dine there. Our meal cost us £14.90.

Pepperoni Pizza

Next stop, Stonehenge. We took about an hour plus to reach Stonehenge. The main purpose of me wanting to tour out of London is because I wanted to see Stonehenge! I don't know why, but I have a dream to see all the stone related wonders of the world; ie: 12 Apostles in Australia, Yehliu (野柳) in Taiwan, Dol hareubangs in Jeju Island Korea and etc. 

Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.

 

Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, whilst another theory suggests that bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC. It still remain a mystery how the stones are all located there.

Our tour guide actually suggested that it is probably formed by aliens! He also cracked a joke that electronic devices won't work when you are standing near the stones. And from my personal experience, my audio guide did stop working after a while when I went in to visit! :o

Stonehenge

That's all about our tour to Stonehenge and Bath. I wish I had more time at Stonehenge though cause I wanted to see the view during sunset.

 

 

Postcards from the souvenir shop; beautiful shots of Stonehenge.

English Heritage Monopoly. I almost wanted to buy, if only my luggage allows.

We reached London about 6pm, and met up with my friend for dinner at Sussex Fish Bar. They say, when in London, eat Fish n Chips! Here's what we had at Sussex Fish Bar. The service is fast and, the fish and chips were good and inexpensive, only £15 for two sets.

That's the end of our day 2 in London. I felt very delighted after checking off one of my "Must-Visit" place. Till then. Day 3 was awesome too cause we had a very delicious meal. See you again :)