England Archives

Visiting Carfax Tower, Oxford: practical guide for first-timers

Carfax Tower (formally St Martin's Tower) is the only surviving remnant of the 12th-century St Martin's Church in Oxford. It stands at the junction of High Street, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, and St Aldate's — the historic crossroads in the centre of the city. Visitors…

Visiting the Museum of Oxford, Oxford: practical guide for first-timers

The Museum of Oxford (MOX) is a local history museum inside Oxford Town Hall on St Aldate's. It's the only museum dedicated entirely to telling the story of Oxford and its people. This guide covers opening hours, admission prices, accessibility, transport, what to see, and…

The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, South-East England.

Visiting the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford: practical guide for first-timers

The Sheldonian Theatre is a 17th-century ceremonial hall at Broad Street, Oxford, designed by Sir Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford, and primarily used for degree ceremonies and concerts. It is open to visitors on days when events are not taking place. This guide…

The History of Science Museum in Oxford, South-East England.

Visiting the History of Science Museum, Oxford: practical guide for first-timers

The History of Science Museum is a free museum at Broad Street, Oxford, housed in the world's oldest surviving purpose-built public museum building (built 1683). It holds one of the world's greatest collections of historic scientific instruments. This guide covers opening hours, admission, transport, parking,…

Visiting Boscobel House, Shropshire, with children: Guide and review

Boscobel House is famous for King Charles II hiding away in the Royal Oak, but English Heritage has made the house and grounds surprisingly family-friendly. Why visit Boscobel House in Shropshire? Boscobel House is a historic home with a great story behind it. In 1651,…

Visiting Hedingham Castle, Essex: practical guide for first-time visitors

Hedingham Castle is a privately owned Norman keep and estate located at Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3DJ, approximately 90 minutes from London by car. This guide covers opening dates, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan…

Visiting Upside Down House, Westfield London: practical guide for first-time visitors

Upside Down House at Westfield London is an interactive photo attraction inside Westfield White City shopping centre, designed entirely upside down so that visitors can photograph themselves walking on ceilings, lying on floors that are actually walls, and interacting with furniture fixed overhead. It is…

Visiting Handel Hendrix House, London: practical guide for first-time visitors

Handel Hendrix House in Mayfair, London, is a unique double museum occupying two adjoining townhouses at 25 and 23 Brook Street. These are the former homes of George Frideric Handel (who lived there from 1723 until his death in 1759) and Jimi Hendrix (who rented…

Visiting RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex: practical guide for first-time visitors

RHS Garden Hyde Hall is the Royal Horticultural Society's flagship garden in Essex, sitting on an exposed hilltop near Chelmsford with wide skies and far-reaching views that are entirely different in character from the other four RHS gardens. This guide was updated in June 2026.…

Visiting the Museum of Brands, Notting Hill: practical guide for first-time visitors

The Museum of Brands is a social history museum in Notting Hill, west London, tracing 200 years of British consumer culture through over 12,000 original packaging, advertising, and product objects. This guide was updated in June 2026. Two updates many guides haven't caught: from 1…