main square in the center of Carlisle

Is Carlisle Worth Visiting? What to See, Eat, and Do in England’s Border City

When the chance came up to join a Roman archaeological dig, it gave us the perfect excuse to return to Carlisle for a third time. Our first visit was a quick stop on a drive back from Scotland, just long enough to see the castle. The second was during our Hadrian’s Wall walk. We stayed

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view of the tulips for tapping fields in Norfolk england from above

Tulips for Tapping Norfolk: How to Visit the UK’s Largest Tulip Field

Every spring, something truly special happens in the English countryside, when over 9 million tulips bloom across 20 acres in Norfolk for a few short weeks. If you time your visit just right, you can walk right through the fields, which were even featured in the film Wicked. We finally managed to get tickets to

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ruins of housesteads roman fort along hadrian's wall

English Heritage vs Association for Roman Archaeology: Which Is Better for Hadrian’s Wall?

If you’re planning to walk Hadrian’s Wall, you might be considering an English Heritage membership, or the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass, to save money on entry fees. We’ve been English Heritage members for years, and it’s been well worth it for us because we enjoy visiting lots of historic sites in England. However, when

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looking up at the blackcarts stretch of wall with a tree just to the right of it

10 Reasons Why You Definitely Should Not Walk Hadrian’s Wall

Before you lace up your boots and pack for your Hadrian’s Wall walk, let me give you 10 convincing reasons why you might want to rethink this whole adventure. Trust me, this walk is totally overrated… right?  My husband Russell and I walked the entire 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path in June 2024, and we were

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view of the castle in sirmione that extends over lake garda

Is Sirmione Worth Visiting? Yes, and Here’s How to Do It Right

Is Sirmione really worth visiting during a Lake Garda or northern Italy trip? That’s exactly what I wondered when planning my visit. It seemed to tick all my boxes — a fairytale castle guarding the entrance, ancient Roman ruins to explore, and those iconic lake views. We’ve always had a soft spot for places with

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view of the Benwell Roman temple with a house in the background

Exploring Hadrian’s Wall in Newcastle: Tracing the Roman Frontier Through the City

For many people walking the Hadrian’s Wall Path, Newcastle is simply a place to start or finish. But the city itself has a deeper Roman story to tell. From the Wall’s eastern terminus at Wallsend to the remains of forts, temples, and frontier defenses further west, Newcastle offers a varied and often overlooked introduction to

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