United Kingdom offers many historical sites to visit. From medieval fortresses to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there’s something to meet everyone’s interest here.
Chester boasts the longest and oldest city walls in Britain, which provide an opportunity for guided tours that explore its rich history.
London Wall
While exploring London, be sure to walk along its ancient boundary walls – built by Romans and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.
Initialed intended to defend the city, this fortification was continuously renewed and reinforced throughout medieval history. But during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it gradually crumbled away, until major portions were demolished to make way for buildings.
At present, only some parts of London Wall can be seen above ground but its path can still be followed. Larger sections can be found near Barbican and Noble Street where Shakespeare lived for an extended period.
The UK offers many stunning historic spots, from Orkney’s neolithic relics and Wales’ captivating castles to Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Additionally, Europe is home to some prestigious universities – The Imperial War Museum should not be missed by history lovers!
Stonehenge
No matter if you visit independently or on a tour, Stonehenge should be part of any visit to Britain. As one of its iconic landmarks and an icon for British identity, its monument has inspired countless theories as to its purpose – from being used for sacrifices to providing timekeeping information from above.
Neolithic Britons used primitive tools to construct a henge on Salisbury Plain around 5,000 years ago. Within this area they dug 56 pits–now known as Aubrey holes after 17th-century archaeologist John Aubrey–that may have held standing stones or wooden beams.
Researchers have unearthed evidence of an additional circle within Durrington Walls Henge and an avenue leading from it to the River Avon; yet their motivation for building this enigmatic site remains unknown.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle stands atop a cliff above a bend in the River Avon and has been home to some of England’s most influential families for 950 years. Due to its strategic position on a cliff edge overlooking a bend of the Avon, Warwick’s prime defensive location made it ideal for its long history; likely first constructed as a fortress here by Alfred the Great’s daughter AEthelflaed around 914; this current motte and bailey castle dates from 1068.
After passing between families such as Neville, Plantagenet, Beauchamp and Dudley in 1604 until Francis Greville purchased it and invested heavily in restoring it back to its former splendor before opening it to tourists.
At the center of the castle stands its Great Hall, featuring arms and armour as well as other items typical of medieval castles. Additionally, daily events including jousting and battle reenactments take place here; viewers can even catch an incredible display by the trebuchet (a medieval siege machine) during a special show called the Trebuchet Show!
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster stands as an iconic and symbolic representation of British history, culture and heritage. Since 11th-century it has symbolised church, monarchy and government intertwined through time; through reconstruction many times over centuries to produce what today stands out as one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture.
Big Ben stands as a beacon within the Palace and can be seen from various parts of London – particularly across the Thames River bridge.
Victoria Tower stands out as another key feature of the Palace and used to be the world’s tallest and largest stone square tower at 98.5 metres (325 feet). Additionally, its iron flagstaff serves as the place where either the Royal Standard or Union Flag were flown on state occasions.
