Historical Locations to Visit in Great Britain

When you are planning your next trip to Great Britain, consider an historical themed side-trip. Many castles, cathedrals and historic places give tours on a daily basis. Some of the most famous historic sites are known the world over. Here is a short list of sites to consider when you are designing your travel plan:

Tintagel Castle

If you have ever wondered about King Arthur or any Arthurian lore, then Tintagel Castle is the place to visit. While today, the castle is a ruin, it is still a fascinating trip. While walking on the paths through the ruins, it is hard not to imagine the grand battle between Merlin and Morgan de Fay. In legend, Merlin (also known as Mernyl) lost the battle and was placed to rest nearby in a cave filled with ancient magic and knowledge.

Glastonbury

Another site that is steeped in the Arthurian legend is Glastonbury. This site is believed to be the final burial site of Arthur and Guinevere. Glastonbury is also believed to be the location of the island of Avalon. Today, visitors are able to tour the Glastonbury Tor – a large manmade hill – that was once the location of a cathedral. The bell tower (called the Tor) is the last remaining structure of the cathedral. When the mists cover the town of Glastonbury, it is easy to imagine that below the mists lay the lake that was home of the legendary Lady of the Lake.

The city of Glastonbury is also part of the grail legend. A well, located in the city, is thought to be a potential resting place of the Holy Grail. Pilgrims from around the world come to drink from the water and offer prayers.

Bath

Bath, England is a distinctive city located on the river Avon. The naturally occurring hot springs attracted the Romans, who named the place Aquae Sulis, and built a series of baths that are still available to tour. The city was a popular resort and spa during the Georgian era, resulting in a large variety of Georgian architecture. The Bath stone Georgian crescent building still attract tourists. Bath Abbey, known as the site of King Edgar’s coronation in 973, is still an active place of worship. The city is a striking and memorable place to visit.

Stonehenge

Visitors from around the world make trips to see this remarkable site. Stonehenge was believed to be built between 3,000 BCE, and 1,600 BCE with stones transported from a quarry located in Northern France. Almost nothing is known about this historical location. Archaeological work on the site has indicated that it may have been the burial site for an ancient king. The main feature of this man-made ruin is the unusual alignment of stones that appear to work like an astronomical observatory. The structure appears to be aligned with the rising sun of the winter solstice and the setting sun of the summer solstice.

London

London has many of Great Britain’s most well known landmarks and historical sites. The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are close enough to visit as a group. There are also red tour buses to take you through the city. London is known for a large selection of museums and art galleries such as the Tate Art Gallery or the world famous British Museum