Harlaxton 2016: Newstead Abbey

By:  Logan Parker

After we finished breakfast, we all gathered in the lobby area to wait for our packed lunches to arrive. As soon as the refectory staff brought the carts of brown paper bags, we all rushed to grab any lunch that contained a PB&J.  (The alternative if we were too late is a butter and cheese sandwich.) After we packed our necessities for the day, we boarded the double-decker bus for the second time of our trip. Even though the views don’t change much from the bottom floor to the top floor, it’s still a unique and worthwhile experience to view the English countryside from the second floor of a coach.

Our drive to Nottingham Castle was around 30 minutes to an hour. Upon our arrival, we hoped to catch a glimpse of the castle because the day’s plan doesn’t have us going into the castle. The trees block a full view of the castle, but many of us found excitement in snapping photos with the Robin Hood statue. We then head to Newstead Abbey, home of poet Lord Byron. We toured the historical building, learning of the many John Byron’s who lived there over the centuries. Newstead Abbey is a large building with a maze of rooms and corridors. It’s most memorable traits include the church, which only has the front facing wall (Henry VIII commissioned the rest of the church to be demolished for the first Sir John Byron to live there) and the endless gardens located on the grounds. After our tour, we explored the many gardens, each having a unique theme: Japanese, Spanish, American, stone, etc.

We came back to find that Harlaxton Manor was having its annual open house. Between the buzz of visitors, we participated in various activities: teaching friends how to ride a bike, sleeping, watching a movie, studying, etc. Personally, I went on a run to explore the surrounding area. The rest of the afternoon continued as the beginning; we spent our free time doing what we wanted to do. The night rounded off with watching movies, studying for tomorrow’s quiz, ordering delivery food, or a mix of the three. I spent my time watching the movie As Above, so Below, eating Chinese takeout, and hanging out until curfew. I, as many probably were, went to bed looking forward to going home in a few days, but also longing to stay here.