The concept of buttering bread originated from the Anglo-Saxons…read more We know so little about them, and they left very little behind. So beeing able to visit Sutton Hoo and see the artefacts really helped build up sketchy picture of these ancestors of the English. As a Welshman I'd love to know more about the relationship the Anglo-Saxons had with the Celts and what was left of the previous Roman Empire. If I was a betting man I'd wager those relationships would be well represented in how things went at the Euros this summer! So the visit really complimented what I've learned from the Staffordshire hoard on exhibition in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. I thoroughly recommend Sutton Hoo and I'm looking forward to coming back and spending more time in the near future.

Sutton Hoo, as Bill Bryson says, is a must-see for anyone visiting East Anglia. It is a rather…read moreunique and magical place. It is very well laid out and thoroughly explained. To begin with you can walk around the burial mounds, which in themselves are quite impressive. Basil Brown, the archeologist, that discovered them was a rather remarkable figure and got very little credit for the discovery. You can also visit Mrs Pretty's house. Mrs Pretty was the landowner when the site was discovered and actually commissioned the archeological dig. It is apparently the biggest treasure trove ever discovered and she donated it all to the British Museum. Her house is a living museum and remains decorated in the 1930s style. The guides there are very happy to share their knowledge and talk with visitors. The museum, unlike mosts, allows guests to 'make themselves at home' by sitting on the sofas and being able to touch things! There is also an exhibition explaining the culture and history of the site. Unfortunately, all the treasure that was uncovered is at the British Museum and not here, but the replicas are quite cool. My husband and I now plan to visit the British Museum just with the intention of seeing the Sutton Hoo treasure. This place is definitely worth the visit!

My review will focus on only one tiny part of what the art centre offers. It's such an eclectic…read moreplace that I've yet to experience a fraction of what it offers, but what I have sampled has been wondrous. I speak of cakes. Amazing cakes. Served with tea in a proper cup. For only £2.50 all in (or £3.50 if you're the kind of extravagant Continental types who demands coffee mit cake). The cakes range from the super creamed up raspberry pavlova to a chocolate cake so rich you could live off the interest alone. The venue is, as you may have guessed, an old church, suitably atmospheric. At the weekend, it has a collection of tables scattered around the hall for you to sit, a bohemian array of musical instruments at the back to play (donations welcome for upkeep) and more often than not some vintage/fairtrade/fancy clothes on sale. Best of all, it's cool as a cucumber inside, a great escape from a hot day outside. I recommend going to their website to see what happens outside the weekend, there seems to be everything from poetry to Brazilian themes happening. But don't forget to pop in for cake, whatever's happening. Just leave a slice for me

The Barbican is an area you can explore with a library, conservatory, rotating art installations,…read moreand miscellaneous events. You should check when the events are, because it could interfere with the areas being available for a visit. There was also a beautiful outdoor area that would have been amazing to sit at the café outdoors and admire the scenery, but unfortunately it was raining at the time of our visit and it would not have been as enjoyable to sit outdoors here. Would definitely come back to explore more, and hoping the weather will be better in the future.

Very disappointing experience. I'll start with the good. The front desk staff was incredible,…read morevery friendly and very helpful. Unfortunately, the concierge was probably the worst ever. I received a package via Amazon and showed him the details from the Amazon email. He condescendingly asked me where it was on his list, where it wasn't printed, and stressed that if it wasn't there they did not get a package. I cannot put into words how condescending he was. I left for dinner worried the package was lost or misdelivered. When I returned, he was no longer there so I asked the great front desk staff if they had received a package for me. They remembered getting something and checked a few places, long story short is they found the package. Again, kudos to the front desk who went the extra mile for me, but why was the concierge so negativistic and self assured. Another positive was the fitness Centre, which had some great equipment, including a nice rower and treadmill. Unfortunately, the smell in the hallway leading to the fitness centre almost made me sick every day. A couple other challenges from the property. The room is what I would have imagined a jail cell. A small mattress just thrown into a corner. Also, the door to the bathroom slammed every time I went in, I am sure not very pleasant for my neighbors. Also the fire alarm went off at 7 am my last night, the cherry on top.

' I was greatly entertained by Christopher West's talk about Charles Dickens and early Victorian…read moreLondon. He gave us an enormous amount of fascinating information, and it seemed impossible not to be stimulated by his gushing enthusiasm and passion for the subject. I am not a Dickens expert, so was attracted by getting all the background. There was a lot of fun and laughter, particularly with his vivid description of the primitive sewerage system (or lack of)! Congratulations too, at looking the part so well. The pub was typically Dickensian, though I was pleased to get a good cup of coffee from the friendly staff. The location was excellent, next to London Bridge and Borough Market. I'm only sorry now, that I didn't stay for dinner after the talk- the food looked great'.

'After visiting the outside of the Globe Theatre I suddenly realised just how little I know about…read moreheritage and literature, so I went to Christopher West's talk about Charles Dickens. I really enjoyed it (surprise) and came out feeling like an all time expert. His enthusiasm was non stop, and he brought alive the noise and squalor of London all those years ago. I don't know how he could talk through all those whiskers. I liked the pub as well- it seemed a perfect setting, and Christopher pointed out that it was central to many of Dickens activities'.

This is a lovely little craft centre, just outside of Great Dunmow town centre (off the old A120)…read more Here you will find a range of barns were you can browse around and purchase a whole range of crafts and gifts, such as dolls house items, clothing, jewellery etc. If you want to sit down for a drink or a bite to eat, timbers is a lovely little pub/ cafe/ restaurant serving a range of snacks, drinks and food. For a little entertainment you will find a crazy golf course and in the summer you can get lost in the amazing, original maize maze! A great day out for all the family!

The cafe cum restaurant is quite large and with a big menu. It's a bit old-fashioned and stuffy…read moreinside. The prices are a bit steep.

Located just beside the restaurants and cinema at the leisure centre, it is the most visited place…read morein the leisure centre because of the various events that take place. The junction consists of clubs, theatre, rooms for dance, gigs, comedy and live music amongst other activities. Different nights of the club offer different music theme such as indie, rock, electro, drum, disco, funk and many more. The ticket prices vary depending on the events; some events are for 16+ and some strictly 18 and over. Talking about tickets, they can be quite expensive, starting from £7 and some events cost as much as £20 per ticket. The comedy nights are remarkable, tickets start from £10 and you can save some money by buying your ticket in advance. The variety of events that is hosted in this place means there is never a boring moment and you can have a time of your life.

Since the early 90's The Junction has been growing as one of the most popular venues in the area…read more Now recognised as a centre of excellence the space offers music, theatre, comedy, dance and club nights at a great price. The Junction hosts easily a thousand events each year so it's obvious to note there is something for everyone. In recent years other leisure areas have developed in the same location on Clifton Road, meaninga day out in Cambridge can be had in this cosy space alone, no need to head into the busy City Centre. The club nights definitely have to be the best aspect of The Junction, from classic disco's to Dot Cotton - the monthly gay night, they normally run well into the early hours and offer a wide range of entertainment and drinks. A definitive place to start, spend and end your evening.

My wife and I visited the Guildhall Gallery in September 2024 and thankfully was one of the only…read moreattractions that was not completely overun with people. Therefore we were able to fully enjoy the lecture, the walking tour, and the museum operated by the Guildhall. We booked our tickets for the Roman Amphitheatre tour weeks in advance, and there were a dozen or so guests in our group. The tour is hosted by Dr Andrew Lane, the archaeologist who led the team that discovered the ruins. His personal and professional insight were priceless, just ever-so fascinating to a Roman history nerd like myself. To the amusement of my other half, I asked many questions, and Dr Lane took plenty of time to answer them. After the lecture and a tour of the amphitheatre exhibit, Dr Lane took us on a walking tour around the remains of the Roman Wall. The walk is short and easy, with several stops along the way to discuss the ruins we were looking at, their origins, their role in Roman London. The walk culminates in a Barbican parking lot normally closed to the public where the ruins of a gate entrance to the Roman Fort are hidden. This tour was a highlight of my visit. Having grown up in London and lived there for 30 years, I never knew such ancient relics survived here. It was a really great time spent reacquainting myself with my home town. This tour takes place one day a month. It is highly recommended to time your visit with a trip to the amphitheatre and to do the full tour.

London was once a Roman City and had all that Romans enjoyed within it…read more The Romans arrived around AD47 and the 2 small hills of St Pauls & Leadenhall were selected as sites for a new town. In 1988 Museum of London archaeologists discovered a Roman amphitheatre here - London's only one ever discovered.The impressive historical landmark was first unearthed by Museum of London archaeologists in 1988, and, nearly 15 years later, the doors to the amphitheatre have been opened to the public for the first time. The amphitheatre was first discovered when short stretches of Roman wall were observed at the bottom of four archaeological investigation trenches. The findings were instantly famous and the site became a protected monument. An arena that was oval in shape and approximately 100 metres long by 80 metres wide. The inner perimeter walls marking the amphitheatre's east entrance - upon which temporary seating would have been erected for public occasions. St Augustine in the 4th Century describes a visit to a London Roman amphitheatre made by his friend Alypius: ...the whole place was seething with savage enthusiasm, but he shut the doors of his eyes and forbade his soul to go out into a scene of such evil. If only he could have blocked up his ears too. For in the course of the fight some man fell; there was a great roar from the whole mass of spectators he was overcome by curiosity and opened his eyes, feeling perfectly prepared to treat whatever he might see with scorn and to rise above it He saw the blood and he gulped down the savagery drunk with the lust of blood. He was no longer the man who had come there but was one of the crowd to which he had come. Following dismantling and abandonment in the 4th century the site of the amphitheatre lay derelict and empty for hundreds of years. It was only in the mid 11th century that pressure on space in bustling Saxon and Norman London led to the reoccupation of the area. Roman London's Amphitheatre can be accessed via the Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, London. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-4pm (admission until half an hour before closing). Entry: £2.50 for adults, free after 3.30pm. Concessions £1. Children free and free to all on Fridays. There is no extra charge to enter the amphitheatre.