I am a Graduate :)

Finally, after 2 years of sweating and worrying about assignments and exam results, it's finally over. I have graduated from University College Birmingham. *Pats self on back*

 Me and Jane 

 With a class mate

 With Family

:)

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Blenheim Palace. A truly majestic place. Upon arriving, two huge pillars greeted me, and I know, this is going to be one historical and amazing place. 

Before arriving, I realise that I took the wrong transportation to come here.. Megabus has such limited timings, and since I wanted to save some cash, I chose that instead of getting the train. (Megabus - £8, Train - £20). Megabus has a really bad location drop off as well for Oxford, I had to take another bus into the city centre (Bus 500 - £2.40, return trip) 

Entrance into Blenheim Palace from bus stand

Another huge majestic doors greets you

Blenheim Palace is such a huge place. As I pass each door into the next, I grew breathless in anticipation on what to expect next

 Entrance into the 'Untold Story'

I like the concept Blenheim Palace has implemented on the 'untold story'. Instead of letting visitors roam randomly around the house, they had small private tours where each group will stop at each room to listen to the 'untold story'. It was very interesting and fun at the same time. Now, if only they had more chairs to sit, because my group had a lot of 'oldies' and most had to stand.

YinnytheYin is that way :)

We are not allowed to take pictures in the Palace, hence pictures will only be on the park and garden. 

So, which is nicer? Chatsworth House or Blenheim Palace garden? Honestly, both are magnificent in their own way. Both are amazing and HUGE. 

Water Terraces 1st level

Water Terraces 2nd level. 

Do you know the movie 'The Young Victoria' was filmed here?

 What time is it?

 Temple of Diana, where Sir Winston Churchill proposed to Miss Clementine Hozier

 The Rose Garden

The pathway heading back to the Palace

At this point, it was already 3.30pm and my bus was at 5pm, so I needed to rush back to catch  my bus. It was a pity, because I am having an amazing time just walking around and snapping scenic views. I didn't want to leave :( I'm not much of a walker, but being here just makes me want to explore every single thing. But because time is speeding pass at an alarming rate, I had to rush my way through the garden. 

Italian Garden - Duke's Private Garden (visitors could only take pictures from the side)

White dandelion among the greens

Overall, a beautiful place to visit during summer. The weather was behaving for once and it was a joy to take many snapshots. If only I had more time to spare, I could have visited more places in the Palace. 

Directions:

Megabus - Birminham to Oxford

From Oxford - Water Eaton to Oxford City Centre (Bus 500 - £2.40 return tickets)

Oxford Bus Station to Blenheim Palace (S3 - £5.50, return tickets)

Entrance fee (£15.50, student price)

Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth

Another English Heritage, and one which is close to Birmingham. Perfect! Took a train to Coventry and then hop on a bus to Kenilworth. 

Got off the bus and my stomach rumbled, so went to get some breakfast. 

Breakfast at The Almanack. Pretty good, excellent service

After breakfast, GPS says its a 15 minutes walk to the Castle, so walk it is. 

 Pweety house

It really isn't that far. 15 minutes is about right, the castle is pretty easy to find. 

With a student discount, it's £7.40 for entrance fee.

 Click picture to read

Upon entering, it looks like there is a fair next to the castle. (more for kids)

 Click to read

Kenilworth castle is in ruins. The structure is still there, but most of the walls are torn down or the walls are black from fire. So sad, based on the structures, it must have looked magnificent once. 

 Leicester's Building, erected to accommodate Queen Elizabeth 1 and her close servants

Description of Leicester's Building

 Geoffrey de Clinton's Great Tower- used for residence, administration and entertainment

 Read

 Looks like... 1818?

 Stairway up

 Fascinating wall

 The Great Hall- only used for special occasions

 Elizabethan Garden- recreated by English Heritage

 Horses grazing

 Used to be stables, its a teahouse now

Leicester's Gatehouse - Built as a gatehouse about 1571-2, and after 1650 was converted into a substantial house. Interior shows a mini museum of what the place looks like when Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester was around and the history of Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth the 1st. 

 Click to read

 The Fountain

Well, had a great time. Somehow, there isn't that much to shout about for Kenilworth Castle, but I'm always glad to have the opportunity to travel here and see it for my own eyes. Besides, I love the idea of a romantic venture between Queen Elizabeth the 1st with Robert Dudley. 

Clock Tower - to know where to stop the bus to get off for Kenilworth Castle

Direction from Birmingham:

Train: Birmingham to Coventry

Bus: X17 to Kenilworth £3.55 for a return 

(bus stand is just outside the train station. Follow the red fences)