Historic Places to Visit in England
This is a collaborative post.
Are you looking to head off on an adventure around the UK this year? Would you like to visit some interesting places of historic importance?
Then I have some ideas for you in this post.
The Tower of London
London has so much history to offer and it would be quite easy to fill up a post just including locations to visit there. From the London Dungeons to the National History museum it is a city that offers so much.
However, I felt like I just had to include the Tower of London in this post. A location based beside the Thames which offers the ability to view a royal palace, secure fortress and infamous prison. Right now is a great time to visit as due to restrictions it is less busy.
Inside this historic location, you will be able to see the Crown Jewels, meet the Yeoman Warders and perhaps even spot a raven or two and that is just the tip of this hugely historical location. You can also reserve one of London’s most luxurious holiday rentals with a view of the Tower, so you’ll never have to worry about missing out.
Castle Rising
Fancy a day out? Then you might be glad to know that getting to Kings Lynn by train is simple and what’s more it has some beautiful historic locations nearby.
For instance, Castle Rising is just on the doorstep. This incredible castle is one of the largest, best preserved and most lavishly decorated keeps in England. Its location is also surrounded by 20 acres of earthworks.
Building for this incredible structure began in 1138 by William d’Aubigny. While later in the 14th century it became the residence of Queen Isabella the widow (and alleged murderer) of Edward II.
York Shambles
York is another English city bursting with history. Personally, I love visiting Jorvik and getting to dive deep into Viking history.
However, when you get into the town centre there is one street you have to visit and that is the Shambles. This is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. The street was built close together to keep the meat that would be placed on the ledges outside the shops out of direct sunlight. While none of the medieval storefronts has survived, some of these ledges can still be seen.
These days the sights and smells of the Shambles are a lot more pleasant with shops such as; The Shop That Must Not Be Named, The Potions Cauldron, Little Saffrons and The Shambles Sweet Shop, to be found.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is one of those locations I have gone to with family, friends and school. However, it has come a long way since those days, as now it is also a wedding venue, holiday location and holds a host of live entertainment.
Warwick Castle itself is a medieval castle, originally built as a wooden motte-and-bailey fort in 1068. Which was later replaced by a stone structure during the 12th century. It was then refortified on the side facing the town during the 100-year war. It was then used as a stronghold until the 17th century when it was gifted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I in 1604 and converted into a country house.
This only touches on some of the history of this incredible castle.
These days Warwick Castle is open for people to explore from its towers to the stunning halls. You can even see the largest working trebuchet, or explore the beautiful grounds.
Stonehenge
Can you speak about historic places in England without mentioning Stonehenge? This World Heritage Site offers the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
There is so much still to be found out about this incredible stone monument built in the Neolithic times. Only recently there has been research released that suggests at least some of the stones were originally located in Wales in a near-identical monument.
Visiting Stonehenge has a lot more to offer than you might first think. In fact, there is also a fascinating exhibition which goes into how the builders lived and worked.
These are just 5 of the incredible historic locations to visit in England, both here and across the UK as a whole. Don’t forget to partner with a motorcycle accident lawyer if you explore the country by bike, it’s one of the best ways to get around and ensure your safety. Enjoy learning and exploring the rich history.
Do you have a favourite historical location?
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I enjoy visiting castles and old houses, especially when we’re having a break away somewhere else in the country. We were members of English Heritage so tried to make the most of it!
That is a great way to explore English Heritage have some incredible buildings and places on their books.
I am really not very well travelled in my own country! Of all the places on your list, York is the only one I have visited. It would be really nice to watch the sun rise at Stonhenge but alas, it’s the opposite end of the country! It’ll have to wait until I win that Lottery!
There is so much to do and see isn’t there? Definitely, so many places I would love to go and explore!
We visited The Tower of London and Stonehenge in 2011.
I would definitely want to visit the rest of the places you mentioned.
I hope you get to come and see some of them sometime soon!
I am very thankful for this information. Its nice to find out about new places to take my family
You are welcome I hope you have a wonderful time exploring them.
We’re so lucky to have these historic buildings and monuments to visit. They give us a real insight into our rich and fascinating history.
We really are, I’ve always found the history of anywhere such a fascinating topic I have to admit.
Great places, so much history, each one!
I know – it is incredible isn’t it all the locations we can go to.
Looks good – York Shambles looks amazing – so beautiful
It is such an interesting place to go and visit, incredible shops!
Some many great and interesting places to visit, have to look a visiting some of these, especially with the international travel restrictions still in place.
There is some absolutely stunning places to visit across the UK for sure.
So many wonderful places in England to visit. You’ve added a few more to our list. Never heard of Castle Rising!
We love a castle and getting lost in history. We’ve been to York and agree it’s well worth a trip.
York is one of my favourite places to visit – I’d love to head back soon I have to admit.
So many amazing places to visit! We are always looking to visit different places around the UK so will definitely be visiting some of these.
Your have to let me know which ones you decide to go to and what you think of them!
I wish I would love to visit these places now. Missing my England trip. May be next time I will plan to visit there.
I hope you get to see some if you head over to England soon!
OMG! I think that the whole England is full of historical places! I hope to visit it soon!
I hope you manage to get over here at some point we do have a lot of history 🙂
York is somewhere I haven’t been to yet but would love to visit. I love the sound of the Shambles this would be great to go visit for a day and do some shopping too.
It is a lovely place to visit with so much to do and see I love all the little shops there too.
Those are all beautiful sights. I love seeing places and building with a good bit of history behind them.
There are so many amazing locations to go and see in the UK – I still have much more I would love to see.
Fantastic ideas here. Ive never heard of York shambles it looks so historic and interesting!!
It is an incredible place, honestly the shops in it are really unique as well, well worth a visit.
Wow, I never knew some of these places, I’ll add these to my itinerary.
I hope you have an amazing time getting to explore them!
The York Shambles looks so fantastic, this is the first place I would go if ever I fortunately visit England.
I hope you get to go and explore it for yourself one day.
The UK is riddled with amazing places to go and visit. My bucket list is constantly growing. 🙂
It is amazing, I had a hard time just cutting the list down to these ones to share.
This place has sound charm. I love the styles of all the buildings.
There is some amazing buildings across the UK with all different styles because they have been built across so many different centuries.
My husband is obsessed with Stonehenge,he watches everything he sees about it I would personally love to visit a few castles!
There are some beautiful castles, some of the ruins as well are just spectacular to look around.
We’re off to York in August and the Shambles looks great, we’ll definitely go and have a look. It reminds me of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter! Mich x
It has a couple of Harry Potter themed shops with the Shop That Must Not Be Named and The Cauldron as well 😉
Yes! I just LOVE English history. I want to do a Henry VIII tour with my family one day. They think I’m a bit nuts. OH and Hever Castle where Anne Boleyn lived.
That sounds amazing I hope you manage to get to and see all the locations some time!
Since Downton Abbey series, I would LOVE to visit castles. They are so intriguing and beautiful. Thanks for the tips.
Warwick Castle is amazing if you ever get the chance to go as any many others around the UK.