All travel in England begins and ends with a train journey.
One of the most beautiful medieval towns in England is York, about three hours by train from London. Its glory is its gorgeous cathedral.
Here are three ambitious Alma students. If success and power rub off, they are in the right place--the statue of Constantine whose troops declared him emperor while he was stationed with the Roman troops in York.
This lovely medieval fountain graces the busiest shopping area of modern-day Winchester, a town often considered to be the location of King Arthur's Camelot.
Many medieval Englis cities still boast their original city walls. Winchester still boasts beautiful city gates like this one, complete with the city's seal.
This tiny building with the steep tiled roof is actually a church dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It is dedicated to St. Swithun, an early Anglo-Saxon saint.
You have guessed it--the yellow building is not a medieval landmark. But even the most dedicated medievalist needs a change of scene once in a while. You are looking at Jane Austen's house. The plaque above the door provides a few details about her life in it.
In the middle ages hospitals were quite rare. This is the entrance to a hospital for weary or sick pilgrims. It dispenses beer and bread to all comers to this day. My students like neither.
This is the builing where the pilgrims stayed as long as they needed to recover their physical and emotional strength. Nowadays the entire complex serves as a retirement home for Anglican clergy.
You have never known peace until you have spend an hour or so in a monastic garden. Doing so will give you an idea why in the Middle Ages so many people found monastic life more attractive than "life in the world."
Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur's knights of the Round Table, has to prove himself worthy of that honor by battling a monster in Wales. We go there, too, but the easy way, by rail. Here is a Welsh castle right on the Irish Sea like the one Gawain visited. These are the walls and towers that once helped protect England from Irish raiders.
This is the main castle yard. No monsters will attack the traveler now, but beware of the killer gulls. Talk about aggressive.
Here is the entire crew, in search of Arthur's Round Table.
Here we are, on our way back to London. The scene is always the same--exhausted students fast asleep. It reflects favorably on the comforst of the British rail system.