Helping You Tick the UK off your Bucket List
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you’re interested in the special relationship between the UK and US and you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you’ve heard about one of these famous and popular tourist sites and want to know how to navigate them in the best way. Whatever it is, the way you experience this can make all the difference. At Resolute we pride ourselves on knowing that you will get the most from our tours, with an experienced host accompanying you throughout your stay and personalised experiences at each site to fit with the themes of each tour.
In this blog we will visit 5 of the most popular and fascinating places to visit whilst in the UK. All of which you can discover through a Resolute Experience.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Our American Legacy package includes a visit and private tour of one of London’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral, a feature of the London skyline with its world-famous dome. The Cathedral has awe-inspiring interior with a deep and rich history - some of it well known and some of it less expected.
St Paul’s has a long relationship with the American people which was formed largely after the Second World War, where thousands of Americans based in the UK gave their lives. There is a very visible and striking reminder of the sacrifice and subsequent friendship beyond the High Altar at the very east end of the Cathedral in the American Memorial Chapel - in a part of the cathedral that was rebuilt after being destroyed in the Blitz and dedicated in its entirety to the American dead of WW2 and officially opened by then Vice President, Richard Nixon.
At the heart of the chapel sits a huge, 500-page, leather-bound book; a roll of honour to the 28,000 Americans - from Aaberg to Zingale - stationed in the UK who gave their lives throughout the War. The book opens: "Defending freedom from the fierce assault of tyranny they shared the honour and the sacrifice. Though they died before the dawn of victory their names and deed will long be remembered where ever free men live.”
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is an icon of the past and a powerful image of ancient achievement. It has been the subject of many paintings and poems and featured in books, music and films. Additionally, Stonehenge continues to have a role as a sacred place of special religious and cultural significance for many, and inspires a strong sense of awe and humility for thousands of visitors who are drawn to the site every year.
It was built in several stages: the first monument was an early henge monument, built approximately 5,000 years ago, and the unique stone circle was erected in the late Neolithic period, about 2500 BC. In the early Bronze Age many burial mounds were built nearby. Today, together with Avebury, Stonehenge forms the heart of a World Heritage Site, with a unique concentration of prehistoric monuments.
This world famous monument will soon be part of our Pilgrimage Package.
Tower of London
You will get a chance to visit this historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, on our Pilgrimage Package. As the most secure castle in the land, the Tower guarded royal possessions and even the royal family in times of war and rebellion. But for 500 years monarchs also used the Tower as a surprisingly luxurious palace. Throughout history, the Tower has also been a visible symbol of awe and fear. Kings and queens imprisoned their rivals and enemies within its walls. The stories of prisoners, rich and poor, still haunt the Tower. Prisoners also included notable American sympathisers including Pennsylvania founder, William Penn.
When William the Conqueror built a mighty stone tower at the centre of his London fortress in the 1070s, defeated Londoners must have looked on in awe. Now nearly 1000 years later, the Tower still has the capacity to fascinate and horrify. As protector of the Crown Jewels, home of the Yeomen Warders and its legendary guardians, the pampered ravens, the Tower now attracts over three million visitors a year. Here, the Ceremony of the Keys and other traditions live on, as do the ghost stories and terrible tales of torture and execution. But the Tower also has a richer and more complex history, having been home to a wide array of institutions including the Royal Mint, the Royal Armouries and even a zoo. There is no question about it - it is a must see while vacationing in the UK.
The American Memorial Cemetery
Based in Cambridge, the tour will give time to pause for reflection on both the American Legacy and The Pilgrimage packages. This place is a truly peaceful example of the special relationship between the UK and the US. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,811 of our war dead; 5,127 names are recorded on the Walls of the Missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Most died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe.
From the flagpole platform near the main entrance, the great mall with its reflecting pools stretches eastward. It is from the mall that the wide, sweeping curve of the burial area across the lawn is best appreciated. Along the south side are the Walls of the Missing, and at the far end is the memorial with a chapel, two huge military maps, stained glass windows bearing the state seals and military decorations, and a mosaic ceiling memorial honoring the dead of our air forces. A new, 4,000-square-foot center visitor center opened in May 2014. Through interpretive exhibits that incorporate personal stories, photographs, films, and interactive displays, visitors will gain a better understanding of this critical campaign that contributed to the Allied victory in Europe during World War II.
Edinburgh Castle
Dominating the skyline of Edinburgh the capital city of Scotland, the historic fortress Edinburgh Castle is a must see when visiting the UK. Although our tours don’t give you the chance to visit it currently, we are working on developing new tours to include this site so it is definitely worth mentioning.
It was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards and is Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction. This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Get in touch and let us know if this would be something you’re interested to see us offer in the future, we would love to hear your thoughts!
Sources Used:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/edinburgh-castle-p245821