Teatime and Theatre: They have this saying in Cambridge...

Mary Arden's Farm, a modern day fairytale land

Early in the morning, we took a coach away from the hustle and bustle of London city life, to

The King Rock
(A king supposedly turned to stone
from losing a bet with a witch)

the more rustic style of Stratford-Upon-Avon, hometown of William Shakespeare. I didn't know what to expect from the English countryside. I have always had my assumptions of rolling hills of emerald green, wild flowers and farm fields sporadically placed, sheep, etc. Little did I know that these pictures I had placed in my mind from movies and books were actually going to become a real vision right before my eyes.

The Martyr Memorial, Oxford

We had a very witty driver that entertained us along the way. He told us British folklore about witches and kings and their knights. He even showed us the King Rock and the Knight Rocks Circle that went along with the story. The country towns were quaint. They were full of ivy covered cottages and looked like "the scenes off chocolate boxes," as told by our clever guide.

Our first stop was a morning tour of Oxford University. Not only was I excited for being in Oxford, but I was in love with the history that surrounded me. Here are pictures from my time in the wonderful town of Oxford:

The courtyard at Balliol College, Oxford

Our Oxford guide gave us a cheeky saying from Cambridge "Oxford reads quite slowly," a bash at the school's crest of an open book.

Top floor inspired the Hogwarts library,
and the bottom floor inspired the hospital!

My inner literary geek squealed with joy.

Britain's first round library, Oxford

(There are a lot more, but I don't think I could fit them all on here!)

After much exploring and fudge buying in Oxford, we made our last stop at Shakespeare's mother Mary Arden's farm. We watched a falconry display, blacksmithing, farm life, and let our inner child come out and play the day away.