English Rugby Must Sees

An old mate from down under is heading over to England in October and he wants to go on a rugby pilgrimage across the country taking pictures of famous rugby history and rugby supporter activities (he's a photographer and huge rugby nerd). He's asked me about rugby related things he should go and see and do (beyond just watching games) but I'm a little stumped.

All I can think of is the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, the Rugby Football museum in Rugby, the rugby gargoyle at Exeter Cathedral and the statue of Prince Alexander Obolensky in Ipswich. Also thought the Otley Run would be a good thing 'to do' in Leeds (unless you're Danny Chipolata).

Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated!

if down richmond way then Old Deer Park is a nice place to photograph due to Pagoda in background, if he's got a spare day or so then actually despite not being rugby related Kew Gardens is a lovely scenic place.

also richmond and twickenham have great rugby supporter pubs so if he's looking for things rugby fans do it's drink in them,

Is it England specific, because there is a huge amount of rugby heritage that is decaying in south Wales, I know many photographers who make a living off the back of snapping the view from Chepstow RFC's clubhouse across the bridge, The Millenium Stadium tour is pretty impressive, as is the Cardiff (blues) coir!

madmaccas wrote:An old mate from down under is heading over to England in October and he wants to go on a rugby pilgrimage across the country taking pictures of famous rugby history and rugby supporter activities (he's a photographer and huge rugby nerd). He's asked me about rugby related things he should go and see and do (beyond just watching games) but I'm a little stumped.

All I can think of is the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, the Rugby Football museum in Rugby, the rugby gargoyle at Exeter Cathedral and the statue of Prince Alexander Obolensky in Ipswich. Also thought the Otley Run would be a good thing 'to do' in Leeds (unless you're Danny Chipolata).

Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated!

I was going to say the trophy cabinet at twickenham. He could see the ring of dust that has accumulated where trophies used to sit a decade ago.

butterfingers wrote:Is it England specific, because there is a huge amount of rugby heritage that is decaying in south Wales, I know many photographers who make a living off the back of snapping the view from Chepstow RFC's clubhouse across the bridge, The Millenium Stadium tour is pretty impressive, as is the Cardiff (blues) coir!

Yeah he only asked about England (he seems unaware that a Scotsman will have limited knowledge about English attractions) but it's not far out of the way so a very good shout. Cheers

Don't London Welsh have a pretty famous choir too? Maybe he could snap them.

Bath's ground is pretty photo friendly being right in the centre of Bath. Pretty much stumped after that though. Maybe go watch some local games where they still have long sleeve shirts, loose clothes, ale at half time (and pre game) and a lot of mud over winter!

GloriousEmpire wrote:

madmaccas wrote:An old mate from down under is heading over to England in October and he wants to go on a rugby pilgrimage across the country taking pictures of famous rugby history and rugby supporter activities (he's a photographer and huge rugby nerd). He's asked me about rugby related things he should go and see and do (beyond just watching games) but I'm a little stumped.

All I can think of is the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, the Rugby Football museum in Rugby, the rugby gargoyle at Exeter Cathedral and the statue of Prince Alexander Obolensky in Ipswich. Also thought the Otley Run would be a good thing 'to do' in Leeds (unless you're Danny Chipolata).

Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated!

I was going to say the trophy cabinet at twickenham. He could see the ring of dust that has accumulated where trophies used to sit a decade ago.

Well the Hillary Shield will still be there.

GloriousEmpire wrote:I was going to say the trophy cabinet at twickenham. He could see the ring of dust that has accumulated where trophies used to sit a decade ago.

All Giants sleep from time to time

He is going to the wrong country. Dublin has the oldest international rugby ground in the world (Landsdowne) and the oldest and longest continously running rugby club in the world (Trinity college).

How long is your friend staying in the UK? I'd have thought there could be some entertainment in going along to one of the traditional games that evolved into football/rugby. I don't know of any running during the autumn, but there are some in the new year and plenty come spring.

Scrumpy wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:I was going to say the trophy cabinet at twickenham. He could see the ring of dust that has accumulated where trophies used to sit a decade ago.

All Giants sleep from time to time

Didn't we last win a 6 N title 2 years ago?

Rugby school??

Do they have anything there???