Da Vinci Code - Sights in England and Scotland

I  loved Angels and Demons (read while we were in Italy), Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol (planning a visit to Washington this year to visit the sights). I love them for the descriptions of the sights in these cities and my first introduction to the history of the Templars and other secret societies especially when they pertain to the Catholic church.
http://www.danbrown.com/


His books also lead me to many other novels about the Templars. So now on the Bucket List is a visit to Carcassonne France after reading the books by Kate Mosse.

As I have said several times here, I have tried twice to visit the Templar Church in London but failed. First time the church was closed and just didn't have time the second time. Third time lucky!!

En route, drive down London's Fleet Street, also featured in the book and the ex-home of London's newspaper industry. Pass by King's College, where Langdon and Neveu, with the help of a resident researcher, searched for the meaning to the clue 'in London lies a knight a pope interred'.
This takes us on to Westminster Abbey and to the grave tomb of Sir Isaac Newton where Langdon and Neveu finally find out the identity of "the Teacher".
Go by St James's Park, one of London's royal parks, bordered by 3 Royal Palaces. It is here that "the Teacher" disposes of one of his unwanted accomplices. Also visit London's National Gallery which houses the Da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks, referred to in the novel.


London
Temple Church

In this round church, built by the Knights Templar and located just off Fleet Street, Langdon, Sophie and Teabing search for "A knight a Pope interred." This fascinating church contains 10 effigies of Templar Knights, indoor gargoyles and a wooden altar built by Sir Christopher Wren.
 
Westminster Abbey - Been there several times.

In Westminster Abbey, the church of the British royal family, our heroes examine the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton for clues. In the Chapter House, there is a startling revelation. Learn more about this grand church, its history, its interesting sights, and its role in The Da Vinci Code.
 
King's College London
In the library of the Religion Department, Langdon and Sophie search for the answer to their latest clue using state-of-the-art computer catalogues. Learn more about King's College Religion Department and how reality compares to the book.

Opus Dei
One of their buildings in London is indeed situated on Orme Court, opposite Kensington Gardens, exactly as described in the novel.

Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, SW1 - can be knocked off the list as I was there in October.

Throughout the tale, Silas and Remy have been receiving phone calls from a shadowy figure known only as 'the Teacher'. While our hero and heroine are furiously trying to uncover the location of the Knight’s tomb, the mysterious mastermind has lured Remy, one of his pawns, to Horse Guards Parade next to St James’s Park. He poisons him, thus eliminating the only person who knows his true identity.

Scotland
Rosslyn Chapel
Near Edinburgh, Scotland
For years the focus of esoteric religious groups and Grail conspiracy theories, Rosslyn Chapel is filled with mysterious symbols and codes carved in stone. Learn more about the chapel's history, unique features and esoteric connections.
The Chapel is located in Roslin, a small village just 7 miles from Edinburgh. Roslyn means 'point of the waterfall' in Scottish Gaelic according to some, or 'ancient knowledge down the line' according to others. Centuries of history changed its name into Roslin and is the home of Rosslyn Chapel -- not Roslyn Chapel -- and Rosslyn Castle.
While Rosslyn Chapel is known for its historical and architectural merits, Roslin is even more famous for its cutting edge biological science. The Roslin institute is where Dolly the Sheep was born in 1996 marking a breakthrough in the science of cloning.
The Da Vinci Code does make Rosslyn Chapel justice by mentioning the astonishing array of sculptures and symbols to be found all over this Roslin attraction. Whether you believe in the Da Vinci Code book or not, don't let the novel detract from the chapel's real significance -- Rosslyn Chapel is a gem, a stone puzzle like no other to be found anywhere in the world.




We can knock The Louvre off the list as we have been there.