For the true history buff, there can be few places on Earth that offer as rich a tapestry of sights to see as England. As geographically small as the nation may be, its impact upon the world has been disproportionately large, and at one time the British Empire covered close to a quarter of the global population. For better or worse, England’s impact upon the world has been undeniable, with its involvement in the Second World War being among the most triumphant moments. Add in the history of the British monarchy, alongside England’s often bloody relationship with its near neighbours, and there is no shortage of monuments and historical places in England for any traveller to experience - seeing these places, from where such immortal stories began, is well worth a visit to this spot off the Western coast of Europe.
1. Temple Church
Temple Church is a building with a very long history, having been consecrated in 1185. Originally built by the Knights Templar, and subsequently serving as the group’s English headquarters, the building offers the modern-day visitor the chance to explore its rich history, admire its truly beautiful architecture, and learn more about the knights who are entombed in the church. The quiet atmosphere is much-appreciated, especially when contrasted with the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area, and makes for London experience you’ll never forget.
Temple Church
Address: Temple, London EC4Y 7BB
2. Leeds Castle (from USD 122.0)
With a name like “Leeds Castle”, and the rather well known fact that “Leeds” is an English city, it’s only natural to expect that Leeds Castle is the name of the most prominent castle in Leeds. Except, it isn’t - if you want to visit this magnificent 900-year-old castle, you’ll actually need to visit Kent, where the castle sits surrounded by incredible countryside. Once there, you can take a specially guided tour, wander through the 500 acres (202.3 ha) of parkland, visit a falconry display, and learn about the kings and queens who once called the castle home.
Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Tour from London
Duration: 10 hours
3. Bodiam Castle
Located in East Sussex, Bodiam Castle may not be the most well-known of the English castles, but it nevertheless offers a picture-perfect experience and an incredible day out. Unlike many of the historic castles in the UK, Bodiam retains its moat, which adds a sense of romantic grandeur to the entire area. While the castle was first constructed in 1385, it has nevertheless moved with the times and is able to offer a great experience to visitors; there are guided tours, archery sessions, art exhibitions, and wonderful gardens all waiting to be explored.
Bodiam Castle
Address: Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA
Website: Bodiam Castle
Opening hours: 11am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 10.80 GBP/13 USD (adults); 5.40 GBP/7 USD (children)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Beamish Museum
Found in County Durham, England, Beamish Museum seeks to tell the story of everyday life in the area, focusing primarily on the 1820s, 1900s, and 1940s. The museum is open-air and features historic buildings, vehicles, equipment, livestock, stores, and much more. There are a number of marked footpaths to explore on foot, or you can hop aboard the Beamish Tramway to access different parts of the site. Promising an authentic day out, Beamish Museum is absolutely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area.
Beamish Museum
Address: Regional Resource Centre, Beamish DH9 0RG
Website: Beamish Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 19.50 GBP/24 USD (adults); 14.50 GBP/18 USD (seniors and students); 11.50 GBP/14 USD (children)
Traveler's tips
Before my trip to England, I had no prior exposure to the culture of the monarchy. As an Indonesian who studied English Literature, the concept of Kings and Queens in Britain had always intrigued me. While pursuing my university education, I extensively studied Shakespeare's play, Richard III, and being able to stand beside the subject of that huge literary work?? I felt like I was stepping into the pages of history, soaking in the rich tapestry of the past with an unparalleled sense of appreciation. It was a whirlwind of emotions. To add to the excitement, the day this photo was taken happened to be my very first encounter with the frigid wonderland of snow 🥶
5. Bletchley Park
The name “Bletchley Park” is etched on English history forevermore; during World War II, the mansion and surrounding estate was the workplace of Codebreakers such as Alan Turing. Famously, the Codebreakers were able to decipher the German Enigma code - which many credit as a turning point in the war. Today, Bletchley Park is a beautifully preserved estate that pays homage to the Codebreakers with a museum and visitor centre, and also provides the chance to enjoy the incredible surrounding countryside.
Bletchley Park
Address: The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Dr, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB
Website: Bletchley Park
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 20 GBP/25 USD (adults); 17.50 GBP/22 USD (concessions); 12 GBP/15 USD (children)
6. Blenheim Palace
The birthplace of famed UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace remains one of the most incredible historic estates in the country. Located just a few miles north of Oxford, the palace has been perfectly preserved, with particular attention paid to the grounds - the Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House are worth the visit alone. You can also visit the Champagne Bar for the most delicious afternoon tea you will ever experience, visit the art exhibitions, or spend time in the Long Library - the latter of which is home to over 10,000 books, and was said to be a favourite of Churchill himself.
Blenheim Palace
Address: Woodstock OX20 1PP
Website: Blenheim Palace
Opening hours: 10:30am - 5.30pm (daily)
Price: 27 GBP/34 USD (adults); 25 GBP/31 USD (concessions); 16 GBP/20 USD (children); Free (under 5 years old)
7. Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is one of the oldest and most impressively preserved castles in England, having originally been built by William The Conqueror in 1608. Over the centuries, the castle has been owned by multiple significant historic figures - including the famous “Kingmaker”, Richard Neville - and leans in to its history through its exhibitions, events, and attractions. The Castle Dungeon tour is always a particular highlight for any visitor, with falconry, lessons in Mediaeval weaponry, and even live jousting all helping to complete a magnificent day out.
Warwick Castle
Address: Warwick CV34 4QU
Website: Warwick Castle
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: From 21 GBP/26 USD but special offers available online
8. Fountains Abbey
Once home to an order of Cistercian monks, Fountains Abbey was left to fall into disrepair following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. However, despite this, the abbey has managed to flourish, and is now recognised as one of the best-preserved in England, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Much of the structure of the abbey still exists and the surrounding area also pays dividends to any visitor; there are walking routes to follow, and the bird hide makes for a great stop for any twitcher.
Fountains Abbey
Address: Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
Website: Fountains Abbey
Opening hours: Times vary, depending on area of the site you wish to see. Check website for details.
Price: 16 GBP/20 USD (adults); 8 GPB/10 USD (children)
9. Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum is located in the Albert Docks in Liverpool. The museum focuses primarily on Liverpool’s seafaring history, with a number of well-appreciated collections on subjects such as the Titanic (the owners of the Titanic, White Star Line, were registered in Liverpool and numerous crew members were from Liverpool or the surrounding areas), the slave trade, and the merchant navy. In addition to exploring the exhibits and learning more about the history of one of England’s oldest cities, visitors who choose to tour the museum on a Monday or Tuesday also have the chance to visit the Maritime Archives and Library at the site.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Address: Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AQ
Website: Merseyside Maritime Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
10. Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is one of the oldest historic site (or sites, as we shall soon discuss) in the United Kingdom, with construction dating back to AD 122 - though the wall was not fully opened until six years later. Unfortunately, it is not possible to simply visit “Hadrian’s Wall” - there are multiple locations, spanning from Maryport in the west to Arbeia in the east. Perhaps the best way to visit the wall is to follow the famed Hadrian’s Wall Path, which runs coast-to-coast for 84 miles (135.2 km) and offers the chance to explore pubs, towns, and stunning countryside along the way.
Hadrian’s Wall
Address: Brampton CA8 7DD
England: The centre of an empire, and so much more
With a deep national history that goes back so far, England is a country crowded with historical sites that cannot be ignored. Whether you want to visit the seats of ancient kings, see places where decisions were taken to secure world peace, or simply gaze upon some of the world’s most picturesque castles, you’ll find plenty to keep you interested on any trip to “Old Blighty”. The spots listed above are a start, but you’re likely to find that they light a flame in you that makes you want to keep coming back.
While you’re here, be sure to check out some parks and shopping malls in England.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
Weekend Trips From London, EnglandRyan Joshua -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Create an account to