A wonderful way to while a few hours, either with friends, your partner, or with children, is to take a step back in time and visit one of the UK’s fantastically preserved historic sites. The UK puts an awful lot of time and effort into looking after our historic sites and buildings so they are definitely worth exploring. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a history buff, you like learning new things or you just love the architecture, there is guaranteed to be somewhere you’ll enjoy visiting. Plus with all the Knights and Princesses linked to our history here in Britain, the kids will love it too. So where should you visit? Take a look at a few suggestions:
The Tower of London
You can’t visit London without visiting The Tower of London. Every monarch of England for hundreds of years spent the night before their coronation in the tower – some chose to live there for a while, some died there and many were held captive there. If walls could speak, they would tell a thousand stories in that place and you can’t help but get goosebumps as you walk around it, knowing you are standing in the spot where the bodies of two little boys, known as the Princes in the Tower, were found buried under the stairs, or in the room Anne Boleyn was held before her execution. You can stand on the spot where she and Catherine Howard are buried in the church within the tower walls, see where the scaffold was, meet the Beefeaters, marvel at the huge ravens and see the impressive armour collection, not to mention the crown jewels of royalty past and present.
Edinburgh Castle
Another castle that has an amazing past is Edinburgh Castle. A castle has stood on the same spot since at least 1130, with St Margaret’s Chapel being the only remaining building from this time. It has seen many a war, held many prisoners and is home to several ghosts. It is said that you can feel the ghost of a disgruntled prisoner try to push you off the battlements and that you can hear the sound of a piper still playing his eerie tune as he walks through the tunnels underneath the castle trying to find his way out. You’ll see and hear the huge cannons fired on a daily basis and admire the stunning crown jewels. There’s an amazing view over the city of Edinburgh from the castle, just make sure you hold on if you’re up on the battlements!
Other fantastic places to visit are St Paul’s Cathedral which stands at the highest point of the City of London, Westminster Abbey where Kings and Queens have been crowned and buried and most recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married, and Windsor Castle, the size of which has to be seen to be believed. Of course you’ll want something comfortable to wear while exploring and a George skirt from George at ASDA is the perfect addition to any lady in waiting’s wardrobe, along with a pair of comfortable flats, which will ensure you stay comfortable yet look regally stylish all day.
This is a promotional post with image from Simon Q and Hec Tate via Flickr.
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