What a Wonderful World: Winter in England

England.
January 31st, 2018.
6°c, rainy, and windy.

WINDSOR CASTLE + STONEHENGE + OXFORD

I'm surely have made a good decision when I went outside of London that day. It has been raining all day.
I booked in-advance for this tour; with local operator Evans Evans Tours departs from Victoria Coach Station (less than 10-mins walk from Victoria station).
Tour code : EVAN01-65.
Meeting point : Gate #4 (in front of Pret a Manger), Victoria Coach Station.
Duration : 10-hours (9am - 7pm).
Rate : RM 309 (excludes the entrance tickets £37 for Windsor Castle and Stonehenge).

WINDSOR CASTLE

This wonderful castle is only 1-hour away from the City of London. Entrance ticket to this castle is £20.50 (group rate). They provide us with the multimedia guide / audio-commentary with headphone. We spent about 2-hours inside the castle area from 10am - 12noon.

the entrance wristband and the castle map

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the World! It's the Queen's official residence and favorite weekend 'home'. That is why, to enter this castle, you will pass through an airport-style security check. And... this castle is NOT open to public on Sundays.

Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th Century. Windsor Castle has been the family home of British Kings & Queens for almost 1,000 years! There are thousand of castles all over England. Tower of London is also one if it. Today, some castle turned to private homes, universities, hotels, restaurants, wedding venue, and theme park.

Entering the Windsor Castle's State Apartment, of course I've been amazed with the giant paintings, chandelier, chinaware, armor & swords, Royal dress, furniture, dolls' house, and even the doorknob. The material and detailing was fantastic and priceless! Too bad, the fire in 1992 has destroyed those kind of priceless artworks.

Changing the Guards (also known as Guard Mounting) only available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday... Again, I was so unlucky.

Taking photo inside the State Apartment is strictly NOT allowed. For more details or photos, please log-on to their official website : https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle

STONEHENGE

Next, let's go to the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge. Only 1-hour drive from Windsor Castle to Stonehenge, Amesbury, Salisbury via highway. It is in the middle of nowhere!! See...

distance from the nearby highway.. yes, that far. let's get closer!

thissss close. I thought I can touch the stone & 'make a wish'
The guide said some people cut/scrape the stone for souvenirs

the entrance ticket @ £16.50 includes the return shuttle bus.

see the reflection of the Heel Stone from my shades?

The weather was too cold, 6°c and I was freezing! Since this attraction is in the middle of nowhere, neither building nor wall surround... so the wind was soooo damn strong, and I can't barely hold the information pamphlet. It was a quick visit. So... it remains as unsolved mysteries for me. In other words.. "I'll study later" on how the ancient peoples carry this giant stone to this area, what kind of tools or machine they used, is it true that the stone is originally from whale's bones, why they built this place - is it for religion activities purpose, worship or celebration, or some kind of slaughtering or burial area, or is it a sundial? hmmmm

Best day ever!

It's 2pm, and I'm starving. Luckily they have a Pret a Manger Cafe here although the price is double.
For example, Egg Sandwich is £5 and Hot Chocolate £2.50.

OXFORD

The Oxford University is 1½-hours drive from Stonehenge and only 30-mins away to Bicester Village.

According to the local Tour Guide, the Oxford University once was a castle. Since England has thousands of castle, built/founded by the same William the Conqueror; some castle left unoccupied. Later, the castle turned to a place to monk to stay/study.
It grew rapidly in 11th century when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. Because of the continuously fight between UK-France, the English students came back to England but they don't have a place to study.
Then, there goes Oxford University; the oldest English university in the world!
Another issue occurred, when those students doesn't have a place to stay. The local people were charging them too high rent for their rooms/houses. Then they came out the ideas for the accommodation. That's why the university become bigger and bigger.
Today, majority from local people are working at the university.

This prestigious university is pretty huge. There's more than 30 colleges complete with their own facilities including libraries and reading areas. Wow! In 1605, Oxford was still a walled city, but several colleges had been built outside the city walls. So, it's not a problem for outsider like me to visit "outside of the city walls" of this wonderful university.