By Chantel Stevenson from Pegasus Caravan Finance
From ruins and religious sites to ornate cathedrals and awe-inspiring castles, the UK is home to some of the world’s most outstanding historical landmarks. Whether you’re a city dweller looking to escape urban living for a while or a nature lover ready to get back in touch with the rural world, Britain’s smorgasbord of historical sites offers something for everyone.
Every year, millions of excited tourists flock to the UK for a closer look at this country’s rich and vibrant heritage – and today, the anglophiles at Pegasus Caravan Finance are taking a peek at a selection of Great Britain’s very best historical landmarks loved across the globe.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Image source: Hans Splinter
This Neolithic monument is one of the wonders of the world and perhaps the UK’s most mysterious prehistoric landmark. Believed to have been constructed from 3000-2000 BC, this spiritual English Heritage site is surrounded by rugged ancient landscape and its reason for existence remains unclear to this day – although historians have speculated everything from astronomical purposes to those of human sacrifice. To learn some of Stonehenge’s secrets, take a trip to Wiltshire county – and make sure to visit Avebury’s nearby henge monument while you’re in the area.
York Minster, North Yorkshire
Image source: Andy
The illustrious York Minster can be found in the city of the same name, where Great British heritage and jaw-dropping architecture can be found in abundance. York’s magnificent cathedral boasts a Decorated Gothic nave and a spectacular chapter house, offering some of the finest views anywhere in the UK – and the city’s wealth of medieval architecture and independent shopping opportunities make it well worth an in-depth exploration. Take a trip to Northern Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral for a truly unique city break.
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Image source: Andrew and Annemarie
Kenilworth Castle’s 900-year history has seen it evolve from a formidable medieval fortress into an Elizabethan palace and, ultimately, into one of Britain’s most impressive ruins. Situated in the county of Warwickshire, the castle was praised by historian Anthony Emery for being “the finest surviving example of a semi-royal palace of the later middle ages”. Having endured sieges and partial destruction, what remains of this historical landmark is surrounded by an opulent Elizabethan Garden which buries the castle’s turbulent background in some unprecedented glamour.
Battersea Power Station, London
Image source: Klaus Boesecke
As of now, the imposing Battersea Power Station has lived longer as a surplus part on the London skyline than as the functional power station it once was. Numerous attempts to transform this beautiful albeit redundant building into a retail and leisure park or amusement park failed – but today, this British icon is surrounded by contemporary apartment blocks which make its crude and enigmatic beauty clearer than ever. Although not your typical historic landmark, Battersea Power Station is an essential part of the capital’s south bank and a truly iconic structure.
Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
Image source: Magnus Hagdorn
Spanning a whopping 80 miles from coast to coast, Hadrian’s Wall spent no less than three centuries as a vibrant and formidable frontier. Now part of the National Trust and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors looking for a glimpse into the wall’s dramatic past can explore Roman shrines, turrets and bathhouses on foot. Whether you’re keen to test your mettle on the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail or watch live excavations at some of the nearby forts, this incredible landmark is positively packed with Great British history – and a holiday in Northumberland is an ideal way to experience the magic for yourself.
From the enigmatic Stonehenge to London’s much-loved power station, iconic attractions throughout the UK’s colourful timeline can be found throughout this beautiful corner of the world – giving self-confessed anglophiles ample opportunity to embrace Britain’s rich and eclectic heritage.
