10 Places In England Where You’ll Be Transported Into The Past
One of the great things about travelling around England is that wherever you turn you are surrounded by an incredibly rich and detailed history.
Throughout the ages, England has seen tremendous change, turmoil, and development, but much of its history has been retained and protected, particularly by organisations such as English Heritage.
In this article we take a look at ten of the places around the country where you will be transported into the past.
Highclere Castle, Hampshire
Since 1679 this Hampshire castle has been the country seat of the Earl of Carnarvon, but today Highclere Castle is recognised around the world as the filming location for television series Downton Abbey. You can visit the castle between July and August when the buildings and gardens are open to the public.
Chysauster, Cornwall
Travel back in time to the Iron Age in this preserved village settlement that features the stone-walled homesteads known as ‘courtyard houses’. The village is open to visitors between the months of April and October. The Iron Age refers to the period from around 800 BC to when the Roman Empire colonised much of Britain around the 1st century AD. This was a time when the Celtic tribes controlled this island.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London
While this is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse (based on the design of the original Globe Theatre), a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe is a fantastic way to experience how theatre was enjoyed at that time. Just around the corner you can visit the site of the Rose Theatre — an archaeological excavation that is retrieving information from the remains of a theatre that operated during Shakespeare’s time.
Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne
This is a defensive fortification that was built around the year 122 AD during the time of the emperor Hadrian. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can visit much of the wall using the paths that have been created. Housesteads Fort is a great way to experience what life was like for the Roman soldiers at that time — it now houses a museum within the ruins of the fort.
Merlin’s Cave, Cornwall
Head to Tintagel Castle on the coast of Cornwall and immerse yourself in the legends of Arthur. The stories of Arthur date back to the 5th and 6th centuries when the island was being invaded by the Saxons. Tintagel Castle is where Arthur was believed to be born and you can visit a nearby cave that is believed to be where the wizard Merlin resided.
Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
The Normans have had a huge influence in shaping England as we know it today. While there is evidence of there being a castle or defensive position on this site since before pre-Roman times, it was the Normans who built the motte-and-bailey castle that we can still see today. It was here that Charles I was imprisoned before his trial and subsequent execution.
Eltham Palace, London
For some more recent history, head to Eltham Palace in London to immerse yourself in the Art Deco brilliance of the 1930s. Juxtaposed against the adjacent medieval Great Hall, Eltham Palace is known as the place that inspired the style and grace that epitomises that era.
Dover, Kent
The white cliffs of Dover play an integral part in England’s recent wartime history, but a great way to delve into this history is to explore Dover Castle. Beneath the castle are the intricate maze of tunnels that were a hub of operations during World War II. Much of this has now been reconstructed with interactive exhibitions and visitors are instantly transported back to the dark days of the 1940s.
Osborne, Isle of Wight
This was the seaside palace of Queen Victoria and her family. What makes Osborne quite interesting from a historical palace that it is a palace that is really only associated with Queen Victoria and it has been preserved as a tremendous insight into her life and lifestyle. The family suites and state rooms have all been preserved and stepping into them is like stepping back in time to when Victoria, Albert, and their children were the Royal family that ruled.
Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
Founded in 1132 just near Helmsley in what is now the North York Moors National Park, this was once of the wealthiest abbeys in England until it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. Henry ordered that the buildings be made uninhabitable, today the ruins of the Abbey can be visited and afford a unique glimpse into the lives of the Cistercian monks who lived here for centuries.
A wealth of history right on your doorstep — it’s time to start exploring.
