The Top 5 Historical Landmarks in England You Didn't Know Existed
Intro:
How many historical landmarks in the UK have you visited? If you’re like most people, it probably isn’t very many! There are plenty of interesting places across the country with fascinating histories and important stories that haven’t been told, which makes England all the more interesting to explore. If you’re intrigued by this idea, then keep reading to find out about five historical landmarks in England that might just surprise you!
Outlines:
* Glastonbury Tor
* Stonehenge
* Hadrian's Wall
* Tower of London
* Westminster Abbey
Glastonbury Tor:
Glastonbury Tor is a natural hill within the Somerset Levels and Moors that has long been associated with spiritual beliefs. It is the site of many ancient monuments including the Glastonbury circle, which was discovered by aerial photography in 1954. The Tor was once thought to be the legendary island home of King Arthur, who according to legend would sleep on this hill until his country needed him again. Today Glastonbury Tor is a place that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.
1) Glastonbury Abbey
2) The Chalice Well
3) The Tor itself
4) St Michael's Tower
5) St Joseph's well In the beautiful city of Chesterfield, not far from Sheffield and Nottingham lies a place known as St.Joseph's Well. According to local folklore, it is said that if you visit the well on All Hallows Eve (Halloween), you will have good fortune for 12 months - or at least until Christmas Day! For centuries people have come here every year at midnight on October 31st to try their luck - but beware as it can sometimes go wrong! One famous story tells of a young woman named Alice. She had visited the well on Halloween night, believing she would have good fortune for 12 whole months ahead. But instead, she found herself pregnant just nine days later and her lover died during childbirth. Thankfully these stories are rare; most people who come here get exactly what they wished for! There are three different springs feeding into the spring: one looks like milk, another like blood, and another like wine. Whoever drinks from any of these springs before breakfast is blessed with good fortune for a year. Nowadays many people choose to drink bottled water because of how toxic raw water can be but there's still no harm in trying your luck! If you're up for the adventure head out of town to Eyam, a small village near Matlock Bath. Here, underground waters coming from below a stream called the Birchin Clough leak through the porous limestone and feed into the river Wye. At a local spot called Blue John Cavern, where naturally occurring blue-green fluorite deposits take on an eerie blue hue when wet, emerge right next to the clear stream. If you dare dip your fingers in its cool waters then let them run over your lips - if it tastes salty then your wish might just come true! Head to Alton Towers to walk in the footsteps of the Wright brothers, but do so on foot rather than behind a steering wheel! Learn about witchcraft and watch the magic happen firsthand at Pendle Witches Festival. And if you're feeling brave enough then ask for the skulls of Catherine and Joan Vickers, kept under lock and key in a cupboard at High Croft Manor.
Owing to them being only children, Catherine and Joan were from an important family of witches that claimed to possess great power. After years of being persecuted for their witchcraft, on Good Friday 1612 the siblings were executed for blasphemy by hanging.
Stonehenge:
In the late Neolithic period (3000-2000 BC) and early Bronze Age (2000-1500 BC), Stonehenge was constructed near Amesbury in Wiltshire. For many centuries, Stonehenge was a place of ritual observance and most likely an ancient observatory or religious site. Ancient burial sites, ceremonial centers, temples, or perhaps an astronomical calendar may have been the purpose of Stonehenge in its original form. Regardless, this is one of the best-known landmarks in England that you might not know about! The Giant's Ring: The Giant’s Ring consists of three large earthworks: Gogmagog’s Hill, Middle Hill, and Wansdyke. It is thought to be approximately 4500 years old and has been described as a ‘spectacular monument’. Today it is protected by legislation so please do not disturb it! Chedworth Roman Villa: The villa was discovered during an excavation at Chedworth in 1967. Even though there are signs of destruction and rebuilding, archaeologists date the main occupation of the villa between c AD 150-450. A well-preserved mosaic depicting Orpheus charming beasts with his music can still be seen today inside Chedworth Roman Villa as well as beautiful frescoes with scenes from everyday life including fishing on Lake Nemi. Didcot Railway Centre: Didcot Railway Centre houses two preserved steam locomotives dating back to 1887 and 1862 respectively along with two diesel locomotives built in 1955. It also contains numerous other exhibits such as rolling stock, signaling equipment, buildings, and structures associated with British railways past and present.
Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum offers visitors an interactive journey through the story of transport in Coventry and Warwickshire. The collection includes buses, lorries, cars, motorcycles, pedal cycles, and bicycles all housed in a Grade II listed building where they were first manufactured over 100 years ago. After exploring the museum visitors can enjoy our outdoor play area which includes train set pieces that are appropriate for all ages. Penlee House Gallery & Museum: There are six galleries at Penlee House Gallery & Museum where visitors will find art from across Europe from the Renaissance era to modern-day artists like Dame Laura Knight. One gallery features contemporary artists who reflect on Cornwall's diverse heritage while another gallery highlights local maritime history with paintings that depict working ships throughout history. The John Nash Gallery is a space to celebrate the internationally-acclaimed architect, and visitors to the house can discover more about the way he interpreted classical design. They also house an exhibition of work from both Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud as well as sculptures by Henry Moore. The lower gallery displays fine ceramics, jugs, and pottery with a concentration on Cornish Art and craftsmanship. This list barely scratches the surface of what there is to see in England, but these five historical landmarks are places that people don't usually know to exist in the UK.
Hadrian's Wall:
Tower of London:
If you're looking for a place to start, you don't have to look any further than the Tower of London. This iconic landmark has been built and rebuilt many times over the centuries. It's also featured prominently in some of history's most defining moments. It was originally used as a fortress and became a royal palace during the Plantagenet reign. For six centuries, it served as a prison for high-profile inmates like Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, and Rudolf Hess. The Tower of London is truly one of Britain's most historic landmarks! However, this isn't the only place worth visiting when exploring places in the UK. Check out these other sites to see if they pique your interest: Hadrian's Wall; Rosslyn Chapel; Brownsea Island; Studley Royal Water Garden - Located on the grounds of Studley Royal Park in Warwickshire, this beautiful spot features waterfalls, streams, lakes, fountains and more. The garden takes visitors on an enchanting journey with its design full of lush flowers and English flora. Stowe Gardens - Located just outside Buckinghamshire's town center of High Wycombe is Stowe Gardens which date back to the 1740s when landscape architect William Kent designed them for Lord Cobham who hired him to redesign his entire estate. There are about 80 acres available for exploration with flowers blooming all year round! Hever Castle - Located in Hever near Edenbridge, Hever Castle was once the home of Anne Boleyn. With gardens that feature 200 different varieties of roses, plenty of space for leisurely walks, and tranquil ponds, Hever Castle will be sure to make anyone feel relaxed. Also, take note that there's even a play area here! Houghton Hall - A magnificent example of Palladian architecture from 1662, Houghton Hall is located near Royston in Hertfordshire. Originally a private country house, Houghton Hall now serves as a venue for weddings and events. Visitors can explore three floors of exquisite period rooms, superb ceilings, and original wall coverings such as hand-painted silk damask wallpaper in the drawing room.
Kelmscott Manor - Situated within walking distance from Oxford city center lies Kelmscott Manor, an 18th-century manor house with wooded grounds and water meadows on the banks of the River Thames. Set up by William Morris in 1879 after he published his first book The Defence of Guenevere for his wife Jane Burden to enjoy their retirement years together, Kelmscott Manor is now open to public tours during summer months!
Westminster Abbey:
Westminster Abbey is big in size, solely Gothic church, adjacent to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It's an internationally important building and United Kingdom landmark that has been the traditional place for British monarchs to be crowned and buried since 1066. The abbey as it stands today was founded in 1245 by Henry III who started it by re-building a church that had been destroyed by fire ten years earlier. It was completed nearly six years later but not consecrated until 1365 because of the Black Death. There are now close to 1,300 people buried there including several notable royals such as Mary I and Elizabeth I. You can find Edward II, Richard III, and John Holland among others.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Shakespeare’s Birthplace is a writer's house museum in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire where William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. It provides glimpses into Tudor times through period costumes and furniture which have been carefully restored to their appearance when William Shakespeare was alive. They offer a glimpse into what life may have been like during Shakespeare’s lifetime with interactive exhibitions based on themes of politics, social customs, education, work, and society during his time. Shakespeare's father made good money selling wool, so he was able to send his son to grammar school. However, he probably never attended university as grammar schools did not teach Greek or Latin at the time. Instead, he may have traveled abroad before beginning a career in London at the age of 18 or 19 and becoming an actor by profession. He also acted as a theatre shareholder. He became successful in this role, producing some 37 plays between 1589 and 1613. In his spare time, he wrote 154 sonnets, two long poems, and one short poem called Venus and Adonis. His most famous play is Romeo & Juliet. It first premiered in 1594 but its popularity surged in 1748 when David Garrick staged a performance of the play at Drury Lane Theatre. However, many scholars argue that King Lear would be considered Shakespeare's best-known tragedy because it has more scenes than any other of his works, according to American scholar John Russell Brown. Brown believes its best scene is Act III Scene 6 O! here indeed / Is true philosophy! Other historians argue that Hamlet would be considered Shakespeare's most famous play because it was published after his death and was immediately popular with readers. It is believed that Hamlet was written in 1600 and contains the death of a major character. Shakespeare's will named his elder daughter, Susanna, as the heir to his second-best bed. However, the last line of the will says nevertheless my wife shall be my sole executrix and overseer of this my last will. What it means is that Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, was to handle all his financial affairs after he died. After Anne died in 1623, the estate was left to her granddaughter, Elizabeth Hall. Shakespeare's only child, Susanna, died in 1649 and he was the only grandchild to die without an heir. So it was his great-niece, another Anne Hathaway (the daughter of his sister Joan) who inherited the property when she died in 1670. It then passed to her son William Hart and then to his son Thomas Hinton. This is how it came into the hands of John Shakespeare Smith whose family has owned it ever since.
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