Tag: England

The Top 10 Harry Potter Merchandise Items on Amazon

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I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I know so many of my Follows are also Potter Fans too so I have listed the best Harry Potter Merch on Amazon to either buy for yourself or would make great gifts. I have added the most Unique and interesting items to buy. If you click on the links it will redirect you to amazon where you can see all the information on each item.

1) Harry Potter Scarf and Beanie Set:

Harry Potter Hogwart Scarf and Beanie set

https://amzn.to/3RGTQVi

My first item, is a ‘Harry Potter Scarf and Beanie set’. This can be bought in all 4 house colours as part of the Hogwarts Winter collection. I will put the link below the picture, but they are popular and do seem to sell out of certain colours at times.

I have seen people wearing this set in the UK and I think it looks so good, especially when paired up with a black dress or jeans. Each set has a scarf with an embroidered crest and a pom- beanie.

The measurements are also on the Amazon link above.

2) Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall building set for Kids.

https://amzn.to/47f0nwi

I love the size of this Lego model as isn’t too big but you can play with it afterwards as it has lots of different figures. It also includes buildable basilisk and Fawkes and Hedwig and scabbard figures.

It has fun features like: a moveable spiral staircase, treasure room and a potions room. To find out about the other features, just click on the link as I was impressed how many different things they had included.

3) Harry Potter, 12-inch Spellbinding Wand

https://amzn.to/3vk7vdG

I found this Wizarding World Harry Potter, 12-inch Spellbinding Wand with ‘Collectible Spell Card’ really interesting. I think it’s a great present for children. They would spend hours making up spells and I love the fact that this wand actually comes with spell cards.

The thing I love most about these wands is that you can buy so many other characters from the film and collect them all! They all come with a beautiful design on the cards as well.

Below are the characters wands they sell:

  • Cho Chang
  • Dumbledore1
  • Ginny
  • Hermione Granger
  • Lord Voldemort
  • Luna Lovegood
  • Malfoy
  • Professor Snape
  • Ron Weasley
  • Harry Potter

Go and check them all out using the links.

4) Harry Potter Stationery Set

https://amzn.to/3TEkPDy

I found a Harry Potter stationery set for children and adults. I particularly liked the white owl case. This Hogwarts set comes with a A5 book that has lined paper, writing spells pad, a Hedwig pencil case, ruler, pencil, pen, sharpener and eraser. My daughter loved the decoration and pencil case.

5) The Noble Collection Harry Potter Magical Creatures: No.1 Hedwig

https://amzn.to/4aF4Mf4

When I saw this I knew I had to buy it as I could imagine it on a fireplace, bookcase or next to a dim lamp on my bedside table. It’s the perfect size and I love the composition. I just think this makes a room look so typically English and cosy.

It is intricately painted and part of the Harry Potter Magical creature series and you can collect them all. The display case measures approximately 7 inches x 4.25 inches. For all other information, or to see the rest of the collection, please click the link to view.

6) Floating Candles with Wand

https://amzn.to/3RFUbrd

How have I never seen these before now!! They are a great gift or perfect for Christmas or Halloween. This is perfect for a Harry Potter themed bedroom. They are Flameless Floating Candles with a wand. There are 20 LED hanging taper candles. Each candle features a realistic flickering flame effect that mimics the appearance of a real candle. This will need AAA batteries, which aren’t included. Each flameless taper candle in this set is ingeniously designed to appear as if it’s floating. It also comes with a wand remote for easy control. With just a wave of the wand, you can turn the candles on or off, adjust the brightness, or set a desired flickering pattern.

7) Harry Potter Magic Golden Snitch Bedside Lamp

https://amzn.to/3vfTXzL

This is a Harry Potter Magic Golden Snitch bedside Lamp.

I thought this was quite a nice gift. There are other ones you can buy, but I only like the look of the Snitch one. I also had an idea they would look great on a table for a Harry Potter themed party as it can be adjusted to different colours and effects. The full details are on the amazon link below the picture.

8) Jay Franco Harry Potter Moonrise Blanket

https://amzn.to/4aDuwZe

This was one of my favourite finds as it’s so unique. It’s a blanket measuring 60 x 90 inches and is super soft fleece. I love the fact it’s black / white with a yellow moon and I love the design. It would look great on someone’s sofa or bedding. It’s high quality and an Official Harry Potter Product. They do have other similar products if you would like to take a look including pillows and bedding sets but this is my favourite.

9) Harry Potter House Handbag

https://amzn.to/47hVtib

I love the colour of this Harry Potter handbag and I had to also show you a picture of the side as I love the tartan detailing. They do all 4 house colours. This one is the Slytherin Handbag in green. I love how these don’t look over the top and you can use them as your every day bag. They feature 2 compartments and 1 zipper pocket inside with 100% polyester fabric lined material. This is again a Officially Licensed Harry Potter product so you know the quality will be good. It also Includes detachable shoulder strap so you can wear it over the shoulder or hold it by the handles.

10) Metal Orb Ball Fidget Spinner 

https://amzn.to/4aD5Z6n

This is a Metal Orb Ball Fidget Spinner, which can be for all ages over 3 years old. There is lots of research to show it can be an Anti-Anxiety Stress Relief, can help with ADHD, ASD or people who can get overwhelmed or over simulated.

It also works well for people who just want to relax. It would make a great desk companion for someone at work.

This is a great little present for someone’s birthday, stocking filler but gift for a colleague.

Photo by Anastasia Ankudinova on Pexels.com

I hope you have found these Harry Potter ideas useful.

As an Amazon Associate, the links I have sent you will take you straight to the Amazon site so you can look at the information on each product in more detail.

5 Amazing Historical Places to Visit in the UK

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The UK is rich in historical and cultural places. Some churches and buildings have been around for thousands of years. We have personally visited all of these places to make sure you have a great guide and source of information to follow.

This is our top five historical places to visit in the UK:

Bath

The city of Bath is located in the South West of England and is famous for its Roman Baths and Heritage site. So why wait? ‘2000 years of history are waiting for you… ‘

The Roman Baths are available to visit in the heart of the city, which is surrounded by shops and elegant restaurants. You are also spoilt for choice when it comes to museums in the city. It boasts over 20 places to indulge your inquisitiveness without distraction. We would recommend the Holburne Museum in the centre of Bath.

Bath is famous for it’s history but also elegant places to relax. There are many spas that entice the members of public through the door. The Thermae Bath Spa in the centre of the city boasts monopoly over some of the smaller options. It can get very busy but definitely worth a visit.

https://www.thermaebathspa.com/

The spectacular sights are beautifully surrounded by history and adventure. It’s advisable to book early to avoid disappointment on the day. The link is below:

https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

Stonehenge

Photo by John Nail on Pexels.com
  • Stonehenge is one of the most prominent historical places to visit in the UK. There have been a lot of changes in the past few years due to the heavy traffic in the area. However, you can still park up and walk to the site.
  • Stonehenge was built around 3000BC to 1500BC situated on the Salisbury Plains, in Wiltshire. A beautiful location on the way to Devon and Cornwall. Why not stop on the way and make the most of the sites as the sun sets?
  • Going on a guided day tour to Stonehenge, which includes transportation, admission, and sightseeing, can be more expensive and less personalised than other options.
  • https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/plan-your-visit/

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle has always been a prominent setting for many years. The various attractions allow for a great day out. The living quarters within the house are really well decorated and full of old weaponry. During the Spring and Summer, there is a War of the Roses and trebuchet show that astounds the crowd and children watching.

The War of the Roses is a tremendous show that starts in May and continues until the end of August. The historical information that is gained, is a lovely addition to a wonderful day in the summer.

Any teachers out there? The castle caters so well for educational visits. Warwick Castle is definitely a must if you are doing the ‘Turrets and Tiaras’ topic or other closely matched links.

There are quite a few options for lunch time. However, make sure to take a pack lunch with you if you like being in the gorgeous sun, as the only restaurant is indoors.

Cambridge

You don’t need much of an introduction when talking about Cambridge as it’s so well known. If you are visiting us from abroad, it’s a must place to visit.

It celebrated its 800 year anniversary back in 2009. Not only is it well known for its outstanding university, but also the amount of history that covers the city. The city boasts links to the Romans, who left the city with the infrastructure to support future buildings.

Cambridge is a well-known supporter of green travel as it is the UK’s cycling capital with its cycling lanes and closed off city centre to cars. This gives you the freedom to explore the city without any worry of traffic.

If you are visiting in the summer, make sure that you take the time to go on the punting trips in the centre of the city. There are 5-6 punting companies near the river, so make sure that you haggle for the best price.

York

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York has to be one of the most stunning cities in the UK. The city possesses historical locations and the culture to keep you occupied for days.

One of the best places to stay in York is the Grand Hotel, which is situated right in the middle of the action. The parking is an additional cost but worth the satisfaction of getting someone else to park your car for you. Or you can pay £25 for the local carpark around the corner.

Homepage

If you love the history side of life, the Viking museum in the centre of the city is great way to learn all about what happened all those many years ago. We recommend booking online to avoid queuing for long periods of time as there is nearly always a queue in the height of summer. The tour doesn’t last long so we would advise going around twice to make sure you don’t miss anything.

http://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

With so many restaurants and shops in the centre of the city, there is certainly a lot to be getting on with during your stay. There is lots of choice and variation in cuisine that will satisfy any palette. We recommend eating at the House of Landos.

York certainly has its fair share of incredible attractions to visit but also one of the biggest cathedrals in the world, which took 250 years to build! The stunning views from the outside are well and truly outdone but the stunning views from inside.

Finally, if you like to be scared, York boasts to be one of the most haunted places in the UK with 500 ghosts including those of Roman soldiers.

We have had many adventures and memories visiting these spectacular places in the UK. Therefore we hope that you enjoy the same experiences.

Have an amazing time!

The Ultimate UK Holiday Packing List

In the UK, you never know what the forecast is going to say. It can be hot one minute then cold the next. English weather can be very beautiful but also unpredictable. So be prepared!

The best advice we can give any one who is visiting the UK, or who lives here, is to pack and wear layers.

How to pack for the UK in Winter:

Believe it or not we do get snow in the UK, which is usually between December and February, but can vary from year to year. This also depends what regions you go to as generally the further North you go the colder it gets. If you go to Scotland in the winter months then you are most likely to get snow.

Photo by Olga Lioncat on Pexels.com

We will list everything that would be useful in the Winter months to take to the UK. Then, mention a bit more about each item in the list below:

  • passport;
  • Shoes;
  • Hat, scarves and gloves;
  • umbrella;
  • coat;
  • Fitbit;
  • phone;
  • camera;
  • underwear;
  • medication;
  • trousers;
  • t-shirts;
  • jumpers;
  • socks;
  • adapter plug;
  • leggings;
  • evening clothes;
  • toothbrush and toothpaste;
  • deodorant;
  • razor;
  • hairbrush;
  • bag.

Shoes:

Shoes can take up a lot of packing room so it’s good to think carefully about which shoes you need to take. We would suggest taking some trainers as they can be useful just about anywhere in the UK. If you are going to be in the countryside then usually trainers will be all you need for a nice walk. If you are going somewhere like the lake district, Scotland or Wales, we would suggest some walking boots, as there are many beautiful scenic walks that involve rough terrain and quite a lot of hills.

Here below are some of the best walking shoes for men and woman.

https://amzn.to/3sSo3bM

https://amzn.to/3uANxLg

As I said earlier, the UK’s weather can be quite unpredictable and there could be rain involved at anytime of the year. This can make it quite muddy and wellington boots are a great idea to take; especially if your going to the country side. The only downside to this is that wellies can be quite large items in your luggage. Unless you are going in the middle of nowhere, we would buy them when you get to the UK. Most places will sell boots and in most places they can be quite affordable.

If you are taking a city break, we would also suggest some evening shoes, as some places during the evening won’t let you in if you are wearing trainers; it’s also nice to get dressed up if you are going out.

Hat, Scarves and Gloves:

If you are coming to the UK during the Winter months then I would say that a Hat, a scarf and some gloves is a must. This is true if you are going to the country side of having a city break the chances are you are going to be mostly outside exploring the sights and theses extra layers are useful and will be a godsend if the temperature suddenly drops.

Umbrellas:

A small umbrella is also a must and will be incredible useful. We have a lot of rain in England so we all mostly carry an umbrella around with us in our cars or a bags. Some Hotels do supply Umbrellas to their guests and you can also buy one when you get to the UK but I would say its useful to pack one before hand as they don’t take up much room and you may even need it straight away.

https://amzn.to/3Gdm4BX (amazon)

https://amzn.to/3uzL5EP (amazon)

Photo by Zeynep Sude Emek on Pexels.com

Coats:

A nice warm coat is a good idea to bring with you to the UK. I would get a warm coat that is also waterproof that has a hood. That way you are covered. It will probably be your biggest item to pack so I would wear it on the journey so you don’t have to squeeze it into your case. You may also want to bring a waterproof small rain coat ( in England we call them a Cagoul ) but they are also sold pretty much everywhere in England and can roll up really small to put in your bag.

https://amzn.to/3SXTyvG (amazon)

https://amzn.to/47ySrXN

https://amzn.to/3N5oxC5

Cameras:

England is a stunning place and although you have your phone, we would normally recommend taking a quality camera out with you.

https://amzn.to/3SV3Xbh

https://amzn.to/3Ghz9tO

https://amzn.to/40XD60m

Clothes:

It’s very easy to over pack clothes when you go away. It obviously depends how long you are going for, but it is useful to pack lots of layers. You could be out in the countryside one minute and then in a warm English pub, sitting next to the fire, the next.

It is very specific to the individual person how long their trip is and where in the UK you be going. Some ideas would be :

  • jeans;
  • trousers;
  • tops;
  • dress;
  • skirts;
  • leggings.

Think to yourself what you will be doing if you have an itinerary and take it by the day and mix and match.

How to Pack for the UK in the Summer:

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The UK in Summer months can get pretty hot. Sometimes it can reach around 30 degrees. The summer months typically start from May/June time and run through to August. It does, however, start to cool off in September. Theses days are the sunniest with the occasional heat wave and thunderstorms. The English summer can still be unpredictable and you can never know what kind of summer we are going to get.

A couple of Summer items, which we would recommend are as follows:

Shoes:

As it can get pretty hot during a Summer we would recommend packing some sandals and flip flops if going near a beach. This would be useful to quickly put on with any outfit and to keep you cool. As the weather can change so quickly, we would also take some trainers in case of rain.

Clothes and Swimwear:

There is such variety in swim wear that you can take with you on your travels. As the UK has some beautiful beaches, we would recommend taking the something that can easily be adaptable to the changing weather. A lot of the sea temperatures can still be quite low, so we would advise taking extra swim layers just in case. Some of the beaches in Devon and Cornwall are stunning and we would definitely recommend a visit.

We hope you found this useful and we hope you enjoy the UK.

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As an Amazon associate I have also linked products into this blog that you might find helpful. The links will directly send you to Amazon.com