Foo Howser ™ Goes to the UK

A few weeks ago, I went on a 2 week vacation to the UK and being in a place with so much history, I couldn’t help but make a few videos while I was out there. I made a total of 9 videos that I posted on my social media account as a series I call “Foo Howser’s ™ UK Trip Clips,” but made a compilation video for my YouTube channel.

My wife and I spent 2 weeks driving around the UK and visited dozens of sites, but the 9 that I covered in my compilation are:

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle in Cardiff, Wales is a compound that has over 2,000 years of history dating back to Roman Forts in the 1st century CE. The castle witnessed several conflicts, from Welsh uprisings, to The War of the Roses, and WWII.

The compound is composed of castle grounds, the motte and bailey castle from the 11th century, and the House complex with its lavish themed rooms.

The keep that dates back to the 11th century.

2. Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are what give the city of Bath, England its name. The Romans built a bathing facility on the site of geothermal springs in 70 CE. The Romans would expand and build an elaborate complex to accommodate pilgrims to the site, including building a temple to the goddess Minerva. The complex remained in use until the 4th or 5th century, when the Saxons gained control of the area.

The site was excavated from the 1870s on and now the complex houses a museum that tells the history of the baths.

3. Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle is more well-known today as being the setting for the show “Downton Abbey,” but it’s history actually dates all the way back to 1679. It’s been occupied by the same family since 1793 and one of the most famous members of that family was the 5th earl of Carnarvon, who was known as Lord Carnarvon, was a financial backer of the search for Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Today, the house welcomes visitors during different times of the year to tour the compound, see the beautifully decorated rooms, and to visit the Egyptian Exhibiton that was built in honor of the discovery Tutankhamen’s tomb and the role Lord Carnarvon played.

Highclere Castle is the best backdrop for afternoon tea.

4. The Beatles

The Beatles are regarded as one of the most influential music group of all time. In order to learn how theses 4 young lands from Liverpool revolutionized music forever, I hopped on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus and visited The Beatles Story museum.

I visited the childhood homes of the members as well as places that played important roles in their musical career. It’s really hard to believe how much they accomplished in the short 8 years that the famous line-up of John, Paul, George, and Ringo was together.

Hanging out with the 4 lads from Liverpool that changed music forever.

5. Midhope Castle

Midhope Castle is more well-known today as being Lollybroch from the show “Outlander,” but it has a fascinating history dating back to 1458. The castle passed through various owners, who added and improved on the castle. However, by 1926 it was deteriorating and it took several decades before any restoration work was done, but in the 1980s the roof was replaced and window frames installed into existing window openings.

in 2013 it was chosen as a filming location for the show “Outlander” which renewed interest in the castle and is helping further the restoration efforts.

My beautiful wife Ely standing in front of Midhope Castle.

6. The Loch Ness Monster

Reports of a monster inhabiting Loch Ness date back to ancient times with stone carvings by the Pict of a beast with flippers. The first written account is from a biography of St. Columba. According to that account, in 565 AD the monster had attacked a swimmer and was about to attack another when Columba commanded the beast to “go back.” The creature obeyed and slunk back into the loch.

Over the next centuries there were occasional sightings, but the Loch Ness Monster craze took off in 1933 when a couple claimed to have seen a dragon or prehistoric monster crossing the road. Then, in 1934, the most famous picture of the creature was taken–although this was later learned to have been a hoax.

The nearby Loch Ness Centre covers the natural history of the loch and the legend of Nessie, as well as covering the research that’s been conducted to learn if a creature like the monster can exist in the loch. The centre doesn’t try to sway you one way or another–it allows you to make up your own mind as to whether or not there’s a beast lurking in the loch.

7. Newcastle United

Being a fan of Newcastle United since 2006, I had to make a trip to take a tour of the stadium and take in a match.

The club was formed in 1892 through the merger of two clubs from either side of the city–Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. East End took over the West End’s lease of their stadium, St. James’s Park and changed the name of the team to Newcastle United soon after.

The team has played in the iconic black and white stripes since 1894 and has been a member of the top flight of English football for all but 3 years of its existence.

The day that I caught a match, they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0, truly the experience of a lifetime.

8. Big Ben

Technically, “Big Ben” is the name of the massive bell inside the clock tower, but everyone calls the whole clock tower “Big Ben.” The clock tower was completed in 1859 and it’s said that its named after either Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the installation of the bell or its named after heavyweight champion Ben Caunt.

The clock tower is technically called Elizabeth Tower, but everyone calls it Big Ben.

9. The Tower of London

The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, a political prison, an arsenal, and a place of execution in its almost 1,000 years of existence. Among the most famous people to have been executed there is Anne Boleyn, the 2nd wife of Henry VIII.