Basildon Park

Last Friday, I took a day trip up to Basildon Park. 

I started off the day bright and early at Paddington Station to catch a commuter train to Goring.  I had to grab an early train as once I arrived in Goring, I had to catch the 11am bus to the estate. As it is a small town, there are irregular bus services. Thankfully, everything worked fine, and I got to the estate a bit before 11:30am.

Before I continue, Basildon Park has been used for numerous films and television shows.  The house, itself, has a cool history. But, part of the reason I went was to take the film tour at 11:30am. Most recently, Basildon Park was used in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice and the 2013 Christmas Special of Downton Abbey (season four).

The film tour provided an overview of how the house was transformed for the Downton Abbey episode that was shot there. The insides of the house were used for the Crowley's Hyde Park home with the front lawn being the setting for the Hyde Park scenes. It was fun exploring each room where a still was set up to help recall what was shot in each room.

Carson!

Mrs. Crowley

Room used as the ballroom for Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice 

Library

Following the tour, I explored the upper part of the house which showcased how the house had been modernized from the 1950s. 

While some of the grounds were shut down for maintenance, I did grab a few shots of the backyard.

Just a tiny backyard, huh?

Following a quick lunch, I ended up walking back to Goring as the bus schedule wasn't conforming to my schedule. I did get lost for a bit, but it helped me discover a few other small towns along the way!

Seeing Angela Lansbury!

Before I kicked it into overdrive and wrote a final essay this week, Monday was a day of fun.

I started out by spending my birthday discount at Anthropologie...picking up a few new essential pieces for spring! Sorry about that, bank account.

I, then, met my friend Ellie for dinner in Soho. Ellie and I met in our 'US Legislative Politics' class, but through Facebook friending, we learned that we have quite a lot of mutual friends in the States. It really is a small world. We went to Jackson and Rye which had a twist on some American classics. 

Our stomachs full, we went down the street to see 'Blithe Spirit.' 

I usually go and see musicals, so I was excited to change it up for a bit and see a play. Plus, Angela Lansbury is staring in this production of 'Blithe Spirit!'  She was returning to the West End after almost 40 years. The entire performance was great, and Angela nailed her part! For those Downton Abbey fans, the actor who plays Edith's missing boyfriend also starred in the play! 

After the show, Ellie and I attempted to get a selfie with her. We failed, but we had a few laughs trying to take one!

Angela Lansbury

It was a perfect way to start off spring break and a nice distraction from paper writing! 

First Week Back via Instagram

Besides starting my internship and getting ready to begin the second year of my grad school program, I've been up to some tourist activities, catching up with friends, and being a Londoner once again! 

A huge positive about being back in the UK? I get to watch Downton Abbey Season 4 now...rather than in December! 

Back to eating delicious pub food!

There was an overload of Prince George souvenirs at Harrods.

I had brunch with a few of the girls from the Local Levo London group on Saturday. We had a few brunch cocktails, delicious food, and just caught up about careers and our summers. 

And yesterday, I stopped in to see if Wills and Kate needed someone to babysit Prince George. Sadly, they didn't respond to the doorbell. Prince Harry, I would gladly babysit your nephew with you! 

Father Daughter Eurotrip: Day 2

On Tuesday, Dad had finally started to get over jet lag. We took a casual morning to get started complete with a full English breakfast. We dined at Shakespeare's Head- a local place near the LSE campus that my friends and I often visit! It was my Dad's first experience with traditional English breakfast, and we left full for a day of sightseeing!

Traditional English Breakfast

Since we were so close by campus, Dad deserved a campus tour. When I applied to LSE, I had only walked by it during my time abroad in 2010. It was not like the whole touring process that my Dad and I did in 2007 when I was looking at colleges. Nevertheless, I gave him a full campus tour complete with a stop at the George (on campus pub).

Outside the Old Building at the LSE

And, since we had no luck getting into the Churchill Museum on Monday- that was our next stop! We spent about two hours in the museum looking at the war rooms from World War II. It's one of my favorite museums in London, so I was glad to get back and go through it again!

The man in the trenchcoat I do believe was Churchill's ghost

To round up the afternoon after the museum, we wander through St. James' Park up to Buckingham Palace and then to the Royal Mews.  The Royal Mews is where the carriages, cars, and horses for the royal family are kept.  We were able to see the carriages used for the royal wedding as well as the gold stagecoach which is used for coronations. Begged me to ask the questions: When is the next wedding? And, when will see another coronation? 

Dad and me outside Buckingham Palace

The Golden Stagecoach used for Coronations 

Early evening before we changed for dinner, we headed down to Waterloo to do the London Eye. I've been meaning to do the London Eye since I studied abroad in 2010. Yet, I never had the time to do it! But, now I can officially cross it off the bucket list and my 101 in 1001 days list! It was a bit overcast, so the views farther away were limited. However, we still got some great shots of the iconic London buildings!

Big Ben in the Background

On the London Eye

After we had a quick change at the hotel, we set off for dinner at Rules. Rules is the oldest restaurant in London. It was established in 1794 complete with tons of stories about the royals and celebrities surrounding the establishment. There's actually a secret entrance for the royal family as well as a private club to be invited too. Sadly, we just ate in the dining room for the evening, but it was a real treat. The walls are decorated with photos, paintings, clocks, etc. from over the years. The atmosphere was elegance left over from the days gone by. And, the food was divine!

The Kate Middleton "29"

The Experience of Rules

And, no...for all of you Downton Abbey fans. Edith was not in for the evening.

Tuesday in London was busy, but we saw a lot! Dad and I were both able to cross off quite a few things on the bucket list! Stay tuned for more adventures.