The Place We've Called 'Home'

The Place We've Called 'Home'

By Carrie Mae Hanrahan

Wroxton Abbey looks like a regular old building from the outside, bricks weathered by the elements and faded colors. This building and the surrounding areas have more to them than meet the eye!

The Grounds

The grounds of Wroxton are breathtaking. Looking directly out the back windows of the Abbey reveal lush rolling hills the same vibrant green as the picture of Wroxton above! Surrounding the Abbey is a dirt path the winds under trees and out of sight past the hills. By treading down these paths one can see rabbits and the occasional pheasant. Walking toward the back of the property, it suddenly opens up to reveal a pristine lake! On the surface are ducks and geese, with tadpoles and some other aquatic life just beneath the water. Following the path around the lake, a small manmade waterfall can be found nestled amongst the trees. Futher along the path are large gardens and even more hills surrounded by lush foliage.

The Interior

The beauty inside Wroxton Abbey is just as breath taking as the beauty outdoors. There are intricate wood carvings on the doors and plush red chairs in the reading room before the library. Squinting at a shelf of books, you can make out the entrace to a secret passage from long ago, sealed off against curious students (the nerve)! The ceilings are high and molded with various designs, some musical and others intricate without a theme. Wroxton is a big building and in the first few days it's almost like being a first year at Hogwarts. In some ways, Wroxton can feel a bit like a personal Hogwarts, without three headed dogs and the constant threat of a Dark Wizard trying to murder you! Plus the beds are comfortable and the building itself; with dark inviting wood feels warm and homely.

Our Group

In our two weeks here, we have documented many cases of our group bonding and getting together. In a magical place like Wroxton, how could you not make friends? Attempts were made to take group photos everywhere we went, but of course we did miss some places. The following assortment of photos conveys our last two weeks here on this trip, the fun times we have had, and the friends we have made. England is a cool country but it would not have been the same without the group travelling together.