Bookish Adventures in Cambridge, Kent and London! A Cosy Travel Vlog

In today's bookish travel vlog, I'm sharing the fun my Mum and I got up to in Cambridge, Kent and London! Come back for Part 2 of our trip next Thursday.
We enjoyed a gifted stay in Kent at Solaris Airbnb: www.airbnb.co....
Contact Sara on Instagram @solarisairbnb or email Sara at [e-mail] for booking enquiries.
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SUBSCRIBE: If you enjoy this video, please consider subscribing to my youtube channel. I'd be thrilled! / mirandamills
JOIN MY 'SEASONS OF STORY' COMMUNITY. Get access to exclusive content, the Seasons of Classics quarterly book club and virtual meet-ups : seasonsofstory...
SUPPORT: No pressure at all, but if you would like to support my work by making a donation to my channel, you can do so by clicking the 'Thanks' heart sign, just under the title of this video (in the same bar where you find the 'like' button)
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LINKS:
(affiliate links used for Blackwells)
Stories for Summer (British Library Women Writers): blackwells.co....
My green and white dress is by Bonté, which I bought in a local shop and can't find online, but here's a similar Bonté dress in blue: www.shopallotm...
Madingley Hall: www.madingleyh...
Seasalt dress: www.seasaltcor...
Fitzbillies: www.fitzbillie...
The Haunted Bookshop: www.abebooks.c...
Murder by the Book: www.lib.cam.ac...
Payment Deferred by C S Forester: blackwells.co....
Talking About Detective Fiction by P. D. James: blackwells.co....
The Manor at Hemingford Grey: www.greenknowe...
The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston: blackwells.co....
Solaris Airbnb in Kent (gifted stay): www.airbnb.co....
Brora red gingham dress: www.broraonlin...
Bowleys at the Plough restaurant: www.theploughk...
Ightham Mote: www.nationaltr...
Brora navy dress: www.broraonlin...
The Garden Museum: gardenmuseum.o...
Now You See Us exhibition: www.tate.org.u...
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MUSIC: music in my videos is from either Epidemic Sound or Artlist; I subscribe to both.

[@brandybarris3252]

Anyone else’s heart skip a beat to see we get over an hour of Miranda and Donna? ❤ Woot woot! Beautiful start to my day. Thank you Miranda! ❤📚❤📚❤️📚❤️

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! Thank you!

[@niceademers4574]

Absolutely!!🤩

[@Justfactsnofiction-ql2fj]

Made my day!!!!

[@barbaradobson9298]

Your Mom’s smile is everything ‘ love to see you two together. Miss my Mom so much.

[@librarian1701-D]

What a treat! Thanks for bringing us along. You and your mom are so beautiful inside and out. This is a gift .. sharing your fun journey away.. it's like reading a book.. feeling like you are 'there' traveling without leaving home. 😊🍵

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! So glad you enjoyed coming along with us!

[@Sanc-ls2cl]

Tell your Mom that her haircut is super! Just love her, I always feel she could be a best friend!

[@annacollier2936]

One word, FANTASTIC vlog, really enjoyed this adventure and can't wait for your continued vlog. So beautiful and homely was your accommodation and how nice & thoughtful was the lovely owner. Thankyou Miranda & Donna for putting smiles on our faces with your wonderful filming and letting us all join you on your stay! How kind!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Anna, for your lovely comments and fabulous support! I appreciate both very much. I’m so glad you enjoyed this vlog ❤️

[@fraserreal8496]

Hello Miranda and Mom! Just discovered you tonight -- what a treat! You have won me over with this vlog. Flowers, books, food, grand houses, art, culture, and a wonderful mother daughter relationship. I'm sold.

[@novelideea]

Thank you so much for walking us around LM Boston's house and showing us all the scenes from the CotGK stories! What a treasure. I have loved her stories for so many decades.🥰

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed seeing it!

[@blonde761]

This is one of my favorite of your vlogs ever - it has everything we love about you - an adventure with Mom, vintage children’s books, and your wonderful photography which gets better every day. What a lovely home your subscriber provided for you two and seems like a great spot for all of us with all those books!

[@shanne6625]

Fantastic!! An hour of style, travel, art and just plain fun. I felt I was there enjoying all the sights. As usual, I got loads of book ideas to follow up for reading pleasure in the future. Every time I see you two together, I miss my mother so much. I know you both treasure these special times of making memories. Just can’t thank you enough for sharing with us!!! Love you both!! 🥀🥰♥️

[@fionaclark9249]

Miranda please can you tell your mum that her haircut takes years off her and she looks absolutely beautiful.

[@MirandaMills]

My mum got this haircut last October, and we both chuckle over the fact that people still talk about it so much! She does look terrific!

[@eliasmokbel1638]

Yorkshire, and now beautiful Cambridge and Kent...wow it's marvelous. If I do love the UK it's even more now thanks to Miranda's videos. Everything is so pretty, organized, noble, and enjoyable. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to follow you in your brilliant bookish adventures...thumbs up! 👍👋

[@Seashells17]

Oh dear Miranda!! Yay! I’ve been having a challenging time of late, and you and your videos give much such a jolt of happiness. Please keep doing this!! I love your dear mum, too. ❤️

[@nualafaolin7129]

Wow, totally spoiled with this long vid! Absolutely wonderful to have shared in it, love seeing the gardens and old houses, plus lots of books, just can’t get better!

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@janjackson2200]

Thank you so much for taking us along on your adventure

[@barbaramccoy3592]

What a delight to go adventuring with you and your sweet mum. Everything is so beautiful. The Sargent exhibit must have been stunning. I love his charming portrait of Mrs. Knowles with her Two Sons.

[@maries3000]

It is an absolute delight to share in your adventures in the Garden of England.

[@stacischwarz1249]

I could just watch videos of the two of you exploring for hours and hours. I can’t wait until the next video!

[@natalieanagnos5747]

You and your mom are so lovely to watch. I see she’s wearing the pretty earrings you gave her for her birthday. ❤️

[@mollieanne]

This was so great. You and your mom in the bookshops was like a child in a candy shop I bet. Some day I will make it to England. But for now will see it through your lovely videos.

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Thanks!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Virginia, for your very kind support! It’s so appreciated 🩷

[@thomasbradley2225]

A sweet ray of sunshine.

[@hawkweb9063]

Just five minutes in and I've got that wonderful warm feeling that I love when watching these fabulous trips you and Mum take... It looks absolutely outstanding ❤

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the rest of it! ❤️

[@fernandamurari8577]

Beautiful! Thank you for bringing me along!

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I could picture Agatha Christie sat at that typewriter! What a treat to see some of the highlights from the “Murder by the Book” exhibition. I was also tickled to see the “Live in Kent and Be Content” poster at the Solaris Airbnb.

[@MirandaMills]

I loved that poster 😂

[@MJ-in-Canada]

@@MirandaMills I'm going to be quoting that poster all day now. 😃

[@elizabethboccio3877]

Thank you for this opportunity to go along with you on this wonderful adventure! ❤

[@carolcarter7540]

Thanks

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Carol, for your very kind support of my channel! I appreciate your generosity so much! 🩷

[@ChristinaLorenzen]

Oh Miranda and Donna, thank you for this lovely armchair adventure. I hope to get to England next year but this was just wonderful. Such a treat to go with you both and see all the sights. Miranda, that red and white gingham top suits you perfectly. Thank you both again!

[@ingerichardsonauthor]

Love those vintage children's books. How lovely to go book shopping with your mum.

[@catholicpeaces6257]

Gosh, I wish I could join you and your Mum on a tea outing and talk books!

[@Sue-np9fp]

Miranda-what a lovely cosy video! Your Mum is SO lovely, so sweet- I want to give her a hug! You two have such a special bond, it's clear to see- treasure it! Always. Love sue xxx

[@StellaElan]

Miranda, you are spoiling us!❤

[@bettymaugeri7316]

The word lovely comes to mind while I was watching today’s video - you and your Mom looked lovely, the places you visited were lovely, the flowers were lovely - thank you always!

[@niceademers4574]

Always DELIGHTFUL! Thank you Miranda and Donna!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much as always for your wonderful support, Nicea! I so appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! ❤️

[@valeriepenrosee-lock3493]

Everyone has said it all already and I just have to agree. Seeing you and your mum travelling and experiencing things together is wonderful and special. The flower you mentioned is what we call (wild) everlasting sweet pea although it has no smell. Cultivated it can be red or white too but they often revert to mauvish pink. It’s a hardy perennial.😊

[@user-qk4jg4ur6k]

Oh - your beautiful Mum! X

[@suebrown436]

Another little holiday with Miranda and Donna! I love these little trips you take us on, especially since circumstances at home mean that I cannot have holidays any more at the moment and haven't done so for the last 3 years. It means so much to see other parts of the country and houses and gardens with you.

[@MirandaMills]

I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, Sue, and it gave you some armchair travel too ❤️🌹

[@vanessap893]

Dear Miranda, what a treat! ❤ Thank you so much for creating beautiful content. It is a joy for the eyes (the flowers, the city, the outfits!), the ears (the music choice!), the bookbuds. Donna, there is something in your hairdo that I cannot place that just makes you glow. Sara, your airbnb house is wonderful. Looking forward to part 2! Have a great day and weekend 🌷

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your kind support and lovely comments! I’m so grateful for them both and am delighted you enjoyed the vlog! ❤️

[@lisac1619]

I could have watched an entire video of you perusing the bookshelf in Donna's room 😆 Great video. I have some of those Greene Knowe books.

[@Bearcub599]

Absolutely perfect 👍 What a trip! I can’t travel much so I’m truly grateful for the armchair virtual adventure with you and your mum 😉😌 we will definitely try to get to Tate gallery exhibition in London hopefully this month all being well. Thank you very much 🥰

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely support and comment! I so appreciate both! I hope you manage to get to the Tate and enjoy the exhibition yourself ❤️

[@sally-t5s]

Thank you! Thank you both, so much! 🌹This trip out with you was an absolute dream. I enjoyed it all immensely. I apologise for all the superlatives and not much content of this comment. But it was wonderful xx

[@maryflaherty7096]

Such a lovely vlog. So enjoyable.

[@sm-k5513]

This video made my Saturday evening!! So lovely to feel like I was able to come along on this adventure via Cambridge to Kent and London with you, Miranda, and your mum Donna. I was lucky to see the Sargent exhibition at Tate Britain myself a couple of weeks ago. Now you have inspired me to go back for the Women Artists exhibition. Looking forward very much to the next video about your continued adventures in Kent!!!❤❤

[@eileennielsen5165]

This was ABSOLUTELY wonderful!! I am recuperating at home after 3+ wks. in hospital/rehab. and struggling. This Really cheered me up😊. I so enjoy J.Singer Sargeant. The Boston Public Library has a permanent (?) collection of his, I think. It is/was super! How special to see his paints, brushes and palette. What a LOVELY garden at Mattingly (sp?). I believe I liked that one best!😊 The whole trip was SO ENJOYABLE, thanks for taking us. Your Mom had a blue and white dress on before going to London? Soooo pretty w/ the pearl earrings. I love your red and white check dress as well as the navy. Both of you are Classy Ladies 🤗

[@brianmurray9158]

MAGICAL start to the week!! Thank you both, SO MUCH, for taking all of us along on your highly diverse and interesting adventures. Stay well and, where possible, comfortable this summer, and keep those lovely smiles on your dials. From a not very wintry South West Australia, Cheers for now, Rowena.

[@barbaralin3053]

It's a wonderful trip, best holiday of all kinds!

[@maryloper7275]

I love your travel vlogs!

[@teenabrown9786]

Hi Miranda & Donna. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey you’re taking us all on. I adore all your vlogs, but your travel ones are an extra treat. Thank you so much. ❤️💐🇦🇺🦘

[@emilymoon3472]

Ahh I live very close to Cambridge! Hopefully you will have the chance for a longer visit one day 😊

[@monica_has116lentilsand2cats]

Thank you so much for taking us along on this lovely trip. What a treat! Can‘t wait for the next part!! Your videos are pure joy. ❤

[@sarahculley4646]

I love watching your vlogs. They are so lovely and make me happy.😊 and nine times out of ten I end up buying a book you've recommended. This time it's the Children of Green Knowe. I keep telling myself 'No more books for while!' And then I buy another ❤ Thank you for your recommendations and please keep posting these beautiful videos xx

[@sallydeslandes7990]

Absolutely lovely: thank you so much for another delightful episode.

[@dorislong9420]

Miranda and Donna, you have opened up a whole new interest for me. As an American, I wasn't familiar with Lucy Boston, her fascinating home, etc. I have now listened to part of a Podcast by Diana, read about her home and found it all so interesting. I so look forward to your visit to Charleston as I have been intrigued by so many of that group for a long time, have books, etc. Thank you so much🌺🌼🌸

[@sparkleinco2035]

Thank you so much for these cultural blogs. We seem to have a cultural lack in America right now. i cant get enough of your commentary and photography.. BTW My maiden name is Shropshire.

[@Justfactsnofiction-ql2fj]

Here in the States we need a major injection of culture and class!!

[@ingaurban404]

Dear Miranda, thank you so much for this wonderful video. Everytime I watch your travel videos I immediately want to pack my suitcase and head to England. This year I am going to Japan, but next year it will definitely be England again. I love all the tips you incorporate into your videos. Thank you so much for your hard work and for giving us such a treat! Have a lovely weekend❤

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much, Inga, for your fabulous support and lovely comments. I appreciate both so much! I’m delighted you enjoyed the video and found it inspiring and helpful. I think your Japan trip sounds wonderful and hope that you’ll be back holidaying in the UK yourself in 2025! ❤️🌹

[@marybeck514]

Just love your travel vlogs so much. So many beautiful homes, gardens and shops! I must like to torture myself as I’m in Utah, USA and most likely will never get to see them though!! Sad!! ..Alas I’ll live vicariously through your visits & pretend 😊.

[@Anisiya13]

It is so lovely to spend time with you and your mum 💖 thank you for sharing

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️

[@elizabethdabor2359]

I enjoy travelling with you both so much! It’s so relaxing, beautiful sights, and you both look lovely! Lucky you to have new Emma mugs to add to your collection! I love them too! Have a wonderful week! 🇨🇦🥰

[@jessielikezcats]

What a delightful adventure! I absolutely loved the dress you were wearing with the landscapes on it. Gorgeous!

[@hannahkelly908]

I love your vlogs! 🎉❤

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! Thank you!

[@greensnowfall7476]

What a treat!! I've just started a section in my Commonplace Book: "Plans for a trip to London" -- inspired by this video. Thank you!! How lovely to "travel along" with you and Donna! 💐

[@MirandaMills]

That sounds like a great Commonplace Book heading! I’m so happy you found the video inspiring. Thanks so much for your support of my channel: I so appreciate your kind generosity ❤️

[@Sanc-ls2cl]

Did anyone notice the cobwebs in the windows in the book store, love it!

[@inlaterdays]

Hooray!! Looking forward to this! 😊 Thank you!

[@TheLadySomerset]

I was looking forward to this today and then to see there is an hour - what joy!

[@KarenPiggott]

Such a beautiful vlog Miranda. I love to see you & your mum’s lovely outfits, such well turned out ladies. Stunning Airbnb. I now want to go to The Garden Museum 🪴 I heard you mention ‘Rebecca’ Daphne Du Maurier in Cambridge. I have just been to Cornwall & saw the lovely house she first lived at Fowey. Thank you to you & your mum for sharing your gorgeous trip, look forward to the next instalment, Best wishes Karen 🌺

[@dawnpetteford6726]

What a wonderful video. I just love settling down with an earl grey tea in an Emma Bridgewater mug and indulging in your videos. Thank you so so much. A highlight of the week. xx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! I'm raising my own Emma Bridgewater mug! 😃

[@suebraid2480]

Dear Miranda, Another perfect vlog! Also, you look lovely in your red gingham dress...red is your colour!

[@Catloudan]

Cambridge is soooo lovely! Side note, I’m in the U.S. and always think pubs are basically like bars here but it sounds like from you maybe more like restaurants!

[@MirandaMills]

There's often a bar area and a more formal restaurant area.

[@Calm_And_Peace_]

The bookbag is super cool.

[@Noortje-hm3ov]

I am always looking forward to Thursdays, because there will be a video from Miranda and Donna. This video was beautiful! Thank you❤

[@MirandaMills]

Aw thanks so much ❤️

[@user-qh8nh7oe6d]

I've just reached the part with Lucy M Bostons house; the music is so poignant it's making me cry, it's as though the fiction of Green Knowe has become reality, thank you so much Miranda. Very much enjoyed seeing Madingley Hall and its walled garden too, and Cambridge. I am sorry your mum has troublesome hip or back? Hope you are soon feeling more comfortable Donna. Will watch the rest now, and thank you.

[@ReadBrucey]

I love the red gingham!

[@LeeinaRee]

This is so so so WONDERFUL to watch. ❤❤❤. I can't thank you both enough for bringing us along. How generous of you to do so...I was smiling all along. There was so much warmth and joy emanating from watching this episode...O so lovely ❤❤. Your mum is a real gem and I love her energy. Take care and blessings to you both.

[@anthonylewischurchill-theg233]

Thank You such a great vlog, Love the bookstore in Cambridge, Bless You

[@keniakennedy9016]

I’ve been enjoying your channel for awhile and finally subscribed today! You wear the prettiest dresses, thank you for including them in the description box, it is difficult to find dresses like these in the states. This vlog was charming and relaxing, thank you for sharing! 🤗

[@lisabrady951]

These videos are an absolute treat! Thank you for sharing your adventures. Solaris house looks lovely and the touches to make you feel welcomed are so sweet. I'm adding The Children of Green Knowe to my list of books to read. What a beautiful house Lucy Boston lived in. I could imagine past and present colliding there. Gorgeous dresses too!

[@deniseadorian]

I always enjoy all of your posts. So relaxing for me😊. You and your mom both always a sparkle in my mornings

[@MirandaMills]

Oh thank you very much! ❤️

[@karenwhite2601]

I am very envious, The Haunted Bookshop and Fitzbillies, both places I would love to visit! How exciting to visit Lucy Boston's home. The books are enchanting and I still love to reread them. What a fabulous book haul and Sarah's air bnb looks delightful. Thank you for taking us along to Ightham Mote, a very special property; and the lovely chat with you and Donna about the exhibitions. I'm already looking forward to part 2. 😊😊❤❤

[@gracetaylor7351]

Thank you Miranda and Donna for other vlog I love the houses and the Airbnb that you went to . Love seeing where you went .❤all the vintage books you got.

[@maryfilippou6667]

Glad to see you enjoying another lovely adventure. I lovely grey and foggy towns. I never got to Cambridge, unfortunately,; though Oxford is beautiful. Such fun exploring. I by chance discovered a newly moved vintage bookshop on.my Lunchbreak yesterday & found on Display a minute upon entering, September by Rosamunde Pilcher after searching 4 yrs. I gave my copy away moving then and regretted it. The libraries haven't got any copy! Thank you for bringing this after work today.

[@susangladstone357]

Thanks for this tour Miranda! And OH! Wow - you look lovely in the dark purple solid color blouse/dress - I so enjoy your videos - ;)

[@lizzieh5284]

The airbnb is my kind of place. I love it.😊❤ I love your Mum's top. It really suits her.

[@bookprincess612]

...like a treasure trunk ... to open again and again 📚🫖📚🫖📚

[@karenhaire5451]

After several days of family drama, this was a real tonic. Ah, Cambridge, where the fictional Miss Read attended uni!😊

[@MirandaMills]

And of course Dora Saint too! So glad you enjoyed the video, Karen!

[@calliedawes3590]

So funny you ate at The Plough , I was born in Trottiscliffe and went to the village school ( always reminds me of Miss Read Fairacre school) . Our house was called Pilgrims House as it sits on Chaucer’s famous pilgrims way. My friends parents ran The Plough and I went there often for a bag of salt and vinegar crisps 😂. It really is a wonderful village - called Trosley by the locals 🙂

[@andrealandsburg]

Thank you Amanda and your dear Mum....your adventures are so inspiring, interesting and thoughtful. I so enjoy tagging along! Love to see your lunch spots, what you chose to have, the shopping, your lovely dresses..all of it! ❤

[@MirandaMills]

That’s very kind of you to say, thank you! So glad you enjoyed this video ❤️

[@Johanna22462]

Thanks again Miranda for another lovely vlog! I adore your Mum. ❤

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Johanna, for your kind support of my channel. I really appreciate it and am very pleased you enjoy my vlogs. ❤️

[@sarahrowbury6198]

Excited to see those Streatfeild books, would love to read those 'Baby' ones 😊

[@sarahevans1713]

Have been looking forward to this all day ☺️ thank you so much for sharing your adventures and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment ❤

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@TheLadySomerset]

Me too!

[@amyd9821]

What a lovely vlog. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! Thank you, Miranda and Donna, for taking us along on your adventures. Looking forward to the next one. :)

[@kathrynhouldcroft1423]

Absolutely loved this trip and thank you for sharing 🤗 The Garden Museum, and Women Artists exhibitions are both on my list this summer 😊

[@The1christy]

I enjoyed this vlog so very much. Thanks to you and Donna!

[@Catherine-2008]

My weekly soul food!

[@JudithThornhill-xc9ms]

What a treat! Love the travel vlog for us home bound!!!❤️

[@amandalavelle2638]

What fantastic adventures you and your mum have. Really doing your bit for the tourism industry in the UK as I bet there’s a whole bunch of people now planning a new trip 😊 I went to Cambridge and Ely last summer and that was an absolutely fabulous weekend away. Such a beautiful part of our country (and wonderful bookshops also) xx

[@lafarmhouse]

💕 love

[@ayseataaySquitieri0634]

Thank you Miranda, it was a nice vlog to watch and listen to….💙🤍🙏

[@elidaze5868]

Another delightful video! Your videos, especially the travel vlogs, always make me wish I was in England and able to see all these lovely sights in person but they also inspire me to do more exploring where I live. I can't wait for the video about the rest of your trip 😊 I always get so excited when I see a new video from you pop up in my recommended feed and in between new videos I enjoy revisiting your past ones. I get so many great book recommendations from you. Blackwell's has definitely been getting a lot of good business from me ever since I started watching your channel 😅 I rarely comment on videos (not sure why) but I wanted you to know that you are my favorite youtuber. I never tire of your content (I've rewatched many of your videos multiple times over the last year or so since I discovered your channel) and love everything about your channel and your whole approach to books and life, like your focus on seasonal living/reading and comfort books, not to mention your love of vintage things. Your channel really gives me a sense of calm and comfort, like a safe haven amidst the drama, negativity and utter nonsense that runs rampant on the internet. Just yesterday, I tracked down an out of print Girls Gone By edition of a Mabel Esther Allen book on Ebay and I can't wait for it to arrive. It will be my first book from that publisher or author, neither of which I would have known about without your channel. Take care and happy reading☺

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I'm so glad you're enjoying my channel! xxx

[@spinstercatlady]

How exciting to get to see Lucy Boston's home - thank you so much for bringing us along! I adore the Green Knowe books, so to see the actual home was fantastic. It was as charming as I'd imagined it!

[@shirleymcmurtrie7853]

What a delightful journey you two have been on. ❤

[@janeoxley4829]

Love the book bag, did creative writing when studying with Open University.