History of Britain
Just when were the Dark Ages, how dark were they – and why on Earth were they called dark? All you need to know about Britain's Dark Ages
Britain's Dark Ages were an age of migration and invasion, of religious and political upheaval, and its traces can still be read in the landscape today. Delve into this time in medieval Britain with our guide to the Dark Ages, plus the best sites to visit
Osborne House, Isle of Wight: What to see and do
Feel a sense of regal history in the sumptuous rooms and stunning parkland of Osborne House, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s much-loved summer retreat
11 best stone circle sites to visit in the UK
Discover some of Britain's most incredible stone circles, including Castlerigg Stone Circle, Avebury and the Rollright Stones.
Where are Britain's lost kings buried? A guide to some unorthodox royal burial sites
Discover where Britain's lost kings are buried in the British countryside.
Halloween in Britain: history and easy pumpkin recipes
Our spooky guide looks at the history of Halloween traditions in the UK and tasty pumpkin recipe ideas
Step into a world of Vikings, Normans and clan chieftains with these 10 must-visit coastal castles
Discover 10 of the UK's most dramatic coastal castles, from Conwy Castle in Wales and Dunluce in Northern Ireland, to Tintagel in England and Eilean Donan in Scotland.
Dunnottar Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Perched high on a rocky peninsula in North-East Scotland, with sheer cliffs rising up from the crashing North Sea on all its sides but one, Dunnottar is perhaps the most dramatically located castle in the entire British Isles.
Harlech Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Visit Harlech Castle for spectacular views from the sandstone walls and towers towards Snowdonia's mountains
Dartmouth Castle: history, ferry and how to visit
Dartmouth Castle has guarded the entrance to the River Dart for centuries. Visit the fortress today to learn all about its dramatic past.
Dover Castle: history, tunnels and how to visit
Explore Dover Castle's impressive network of tunnels that run deep beneath the Kent fortress then take a walk along the famous white cliffs – the perfect day out for history lovers
Caernarfon Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Built in the 13th to 14th centuries, imposing Caernarfon Castle was designed to be a show of Edward I’s imperial strength. Explore this fortress on the north-west coast of Wales with our visitor's guide
Eilean Donan Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Eilean Donan, which means the Island of Donnán, is one of the most photographed places in Scotland and has appeared in a number of films, including Highlander. Visit the fortress, learn about its past and admire the grandeur of the mountains that surround it.
Conwy Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Conwy is exceptionally well preserved and one of the most complete castles in the Wales. Explore the castle in the centre of Conwy town, then head to Conwy Mountain for an aerial view of the fortress.
Battle Abbey, East Sussex
Visit Battle Abbey in East Sussex and relive the Battle of Hastings, an event that heralded a new era of history in Britain
Britain's most impressive castles
Britain's ancient castles are woven into the rich heritage of our cities and countryside. Explore remote medieval ruins and iconic castles with our guide to Britain's best castles.
Fountains Abbey: history, opening times, parkrun, walks and map
As you explore this well-preserved abbey in North Yorkshire, set in acres of lush parkland, it’s easy to imagine the monks walking with you. Find out everything you need to know about this astonishing landmark with our visitor's guide to Fountains Abbey.
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.
The Great Storm of 1987: what happened and how did it change weather forecasting?
The Great Storm of 1987 caused devastation across southern England and claimed the lives of 18 people. Meteorologists and journalists John Hammond and Sara Thornton look back on that 'night to remember'.
Guide to rural bridges in Britain: traditional designs and best bridges to visit
Rural bridges can be found all across the countryside in the UK. There are many different types of bridges, ranging from hump-backed bascules and suspension bridges to ancient clappers. Our guide explores some of Britain’s most interesting traditional bridge designs, and points you in the direction of the best ones to visit
Walk: Eggardon Hill, Dorset
Trace the contours of an Iron Age fortification high on a Dorset hill, later a beacon used by an infamous 18th-century smuggler as a signal for his contraband-carrying ships
Scotland's great historic sites
Head out on five slow adventures to see some of Scotland’s iconic historical treasures with our travel guide.
Guide to Britain's corpse roads: history and the best coffin roads to visit
The British landscape is covered with ancient paths and tracks, including old corpse roads – learn more about these forgotten ways, including what they were used for and where to find them today
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.
Brief history of Britain's ancient yews
Worshipped as well as feared, Britain’s ancient yews are among the oldest living things on the planet. Learn about these impressive trees, plus discover the oldest yews to visit in the UK in our historic guide.
