Thanks for reading my series on traveling outside of London during your time abroad! If you didn’t get a chance to start at the beginning, make sure you read my first post here. Then explore the next five trips to Stonehenge, Bath, York, Oxford, and the Cotswolds before checking out North of England!  

North England is not actually a city, but rather the northern part of England. We ended up visiting a few different areas on the trip - York first and then went on to explore Fountains Abbey and a museum in the small town of Haworth. We didn’t get the chance to stop at Leeds, but it is on my must-see list when I return. The northern part of England is about a 4-hour bus/car ride from London. 

Fountains Abbey

The Fountains Abbey was one of my favorite stops on the trip. We spent several hours here. We were able to walk around the abbey and see the ruins. It was impressive how well some parts of it have held up. We also were able to walk around the Studley Royal Water Garden, which was breathtaking to see. I would recommend taking comfortable walking shoes because you can easily walk a few miles while you are exploring, even if it doesn’t feel like it. 

The history was the most fascinating part for me. The website gives a brief history of the abbey and you can learn more by going on a guided tour of at the Fountains Abbey, which I highly recommend. According to the website:

The dramatic Abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country. The Abbey was founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks from St Mary’s in York seeking to live a devout and simple lifestyle.
 
The Abbey was abruptly closed down in 1539 in the Dissolution of the Monasteries ordered by Henry VIII, and the abbot, prior and monks were sent away with pensions.

 
Brontë Parsonage

The Brontë Parsonage was another stop we made on our trip up north. The Brontë sisters were part of a literary family - I’m sure you’ve read some of their popular works, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey. We couldn’t take pictures inside of the museum, which was their previous home, but it was really cool to see some of their personal belongings that have been preserved. Next to the museum was also a beautiful meadow. The cemetery next to the museum was also interesting to see. We had the chance to walk around Haworth for a few quick minutes on our way to the museum. It was a neat little town and I would recommend checking out the area, especially if you are a fan of the Brontë sisters and their work. If you’re interested in visiting, make sure to visit the website to plan your trip!  

Things to Think About

Both places we toured held a lot of history - and, luckily, have been preserved to continue to share it. While the Fountains Abbey is much older, the Brontë Parsonage contains a unique history. In both cases, being able to walk around and try to imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago makes the experience even more interesting. I would encourage you to do the same, as well. 

Make sure to check back for my next blog about Greenwich (pronounced gren-idge). Catch you next time! 

Heather Robinette is the London Study Abroad Editor for Wandering Educators. She notes, "During the summer of 2011, I studied abroad for six weeks in London at the University of Westminster with Academics Programs International. I graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I currently work as a marketing analyst for a small company in central Texas. I currently work as a marketing coordinator for a real estate firm in Las Vegas, NV. I am also pursuing my MBA. While I was abroad in London, I was able to create many unforgettable memories that I will never forget! My study abroad experience helped me gain various skills, but above all else, it helped me to learn more about myself and the world around me." You can find her online at http://www.heatherrobinette.com/

Click here to read more of Heather's articles about studying abroad in London.

All photos courtesy and copyright Heather Robinette