historic places
Castlerigg Stone Circle: explore one of the Lake District's most enigmatic landscapes
Exploring Castlerigg Stone Circle presents many questions: how was it built? How old is it? Was it created for religious reasons, or perhaps as a trading centre?
Avebury: visit the world's largest stone circle
Set deep in the picturesque countryside of Wiltshire, Avebury boasts the largest stone circle in the world. Visit this incredible site and unravel the mysteries surrounding the monoliths, walk among them, explore nearby Avebury Manor, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, then round the day off with a well-deserved drink in the Red Lion pub...
Arbor Low walk, Peak District
Visit the mysterious 'Stonehenge of the North' – a 4,000-year-old circular earthwork and ditch with 50 fallen limestone monoliths – on this easy, 5.5-mile walk from the pretty limestone village of Monyash in the Peak District
Bamburgh Castle: history, beach, The Last Kingdom, and how to visit
Find out everything you need to know about Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland – including its history, filming, ticket prices, opening times and how to explore Bamburgh Beach – with our visitor's guide.
Britain's most beautiful country churches
Britain's peaceful rural churches are steeped in holy history and can be fascinating places to visit. Our guide to the UK's best countryside churches delves into their history and design, as well as local walks that incorporate these historic buildings.
British coronation sites to visit today
Discover seven sites where the coronations of British monarchs took place – each worthy of a royal walk
Day out: Oldbury Hill, Kent
Within this ancient woodland of birch, oak and Scots pine are the remains of one of Britain’s largest Iron Age hillforts. But who lived here, and why?
Day out: Triscombe Stone and The Drove Road, Somerset
Snaking through beech woodland and across high heather hills is a historic way, etched into
the landscape by the hooves of livestock and the feet of soldiers
Guide to garden cities: 100 years of Welwyn Garden City
This month marks 100 years since the founder of the garden city movement Ebenezer Howard established Welwyn Garden City just north of London. To celebrate to centenary, we look back at the history of garden cities in Britain.
Places to stay near National Trust properties
From historic homes and gardens to woodlands and the coast, National Trust sites are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. To celebrates the 125th anniversary in 2020, here is a selection of holiday homes near National Trust grounds.
Guide to Britain's battlefields: history and best sites to visit
Many of Britain's most important conflicts were fought on what are now quiet stretches of countryside. Here is our guide on the best historic battle sites to visit in the UK, with a brief look at the history of each bloody battle.
British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens: why is he famous and where can you see his work?
One of Britain’s greatest architects, Edwin Lutyens changed the face of English country houses and gardens. In our expert guide we celebrate his life and work, including the best sites to visit to see his homes and gardens.
Britain's best monasteries
Henry VIII's first Dissolution Act of 1536 left many monastic ruins that still look spectacular today, here is a selection of the most impressive former abbeys to visit in Britain.