United Kingdom

Blenheim Palace

The facts, some tips and a whole lot of opinion!

The facts; Located in Woodstock, Oxford shire, England, it is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. Originally called Blenheim Castle, it has been known as Blenheim Palace since the 19th century, the home of the Spencer/Churchill family for over 300 years and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Being one of England's largest houses, it was built between 1705 and 1722, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

The palace and surrounding grounds are huge, beautifully maintained and provide plenty of interesting areas to keep visitors busy for the day, including a large play area for kids and a train to transport visitors around the grounds.
Inside the Palace is a fabulous exhibition celebrating Sir Winston Churchill's life.
The tips; We chose to self navigate for the day however, guides are available. A number of eating options are available with the huge scones in the cafe proving too irresistible for us.
The opinion; A great day out and in good weather visitors would be able to make the most of a full day visit. For locals, the ticket prices are well worth it if making multiple visits during the year but are high for the once off traveler.
Try the scones!

Tickets; Adult $84 Child $49 (A £41 & C £24). Purchased tickets will allow a full year of return visits.
The parkland is a dog friendly area.
Travel time is around 2 hours by car and train from London.

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Previously visited UK UNESCO sites; Hadrian's Wall, Giants causeway, Gorham's Cave Complex - Gibraltar, Maritime Greenwich, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Westminster Abbey, Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, Stonehenge, English Lakes District, The Forth Bridge & Tower of London.

Bath, UK

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

The facts; The city of Bath in South West England was founded in the 1st century AD by the Romans who used the natural hot springs as a thermal spa. Bath is a city where history and modern life blend seamlessly. While it’s a vibrant university town today, the history, stunning Georgian architecture and ancient Roman baths make it feel like a living museum.

Bath is the only city in the UK to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, earning the title in 1987. More recently, it received a second UNESCO recognition as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. But Bath’s history goes back much further, with evidence of human activity around its famous thermal waters as early as 8000 BC.
Fun fact; 17,500 Roman coins were discovered in Bath in 2007.
The tips; Do the free, 2 hour walking tour with Bath Guides UK , it is completely free (no tips accepted) and very informative. 2 tours a day, just turn up.
The opinion; Bath is a brilliant town to visit for 2 - 3 days. Base yourself in the old town and everything is in easy walking distance.
Our favourite chill out spot was Bath Brew House (ohhh, the Sunday roast!) and the pizza at Bath Pizza in Green Park Station.

Jurassic Coast

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐/5

The facts; The Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches for 95 miles (153 km) along the southern coastline of Dorset and East Devon. Recognised in 2001, this dramatic landscape tells the story of Earth’s history across 185 million years, with its tall cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, and stunning rock formations. Iconic landmarks include Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch, and Lulworth Cove, a perfect horseshoe-shaped bay. From prehistoric marine fossils at Charmouth and Lyme Regis to the striking red cliffs of East Devon, the Jurassic Coast is a geological treasure trove, offering a glimpse into the distant past of dinosaurs, shifting continents, and ancient seas.

The tips; We based ourselves in Weymouth and caught the bus to Portland to walk the small part of the coast (16 kms). Be prepared for the wind, and buy coffee from the information shop, it's much cheaper. There is no public transport out to the lighthouse.

The opinion; Whilst we have only seen 16 kms of the total coast, its a lovely walk and we look forward to visiting more parts of the coast.