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Powick Bridge over the River Teme near Worcester was the scene of two battles of the so-called English Civil War (1642-1651). The first, known as the Battle of Powick Bridge, took place on 23 September 1642 and was the first significant engagement of the war. It was more of a noteworthy skirmish than a full-scale battle - a force of about 1,000 Royalist cavalry, well led by the 22-year old Prince Rupert, routed a similar-sized force of better-equipped Parliamentary cavalry under Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes.
A much larger engagement took place at Powick on 3 September 1651, as part of the more extensive Battle of Worcester – the last battle of the Civil War. The Royalist forces under Charles II were mainly Scottish and fighting was hand-to-hand. There is a memorial at the bridge which commemorates the “thousands of Scots, highland and lowland, who fought here far from home, so well and so bravely against insuperable odds and gave their lives in devoted loyalty to each other and to their leaders.” It was unveiled by Tam Dalyell MP on 2 September 2001. Worcester was a decisive victory for Oliver Cromwell and Parliament – the only downside for them was that Charles II evaded escape.
A water mill next to the bridge was converted to a combined steam/hydro-electric power station in 1894 - the world's first. Electricity generated from the power station met about 50% of Worcester's needs. It is now residential apartments.
off Malvern Road
Powick Mill
Worcester
Worcester’s current Guildhall is an impressive Queen Anne style building, completed in 1723. It is home to the Council Chamber, the City’s former Court Rooms and the Mayor’s Parlour and an impressive and imposing Assembly Room, described by King George III as "a handsome gallery" when he visited in August 1788. Praise indeed (George was obviously not prone to excessive enthusiasm). Statues of King Charles I and King Charles II were erected either side of the main entrance, lest anyone doubt Worcester’s Royal allegiance, and above is a statue of Queen Anne. The building is open to the public – though check before visiting because some rooms may not be open. The City’s tourist information office is also located in Worcester's Guildhall and has its own entrance, on the left.
Worcester
The original Temple Bar marked the boundary between the old City of London and the royal area of Westminster. A gate was built there, but this was removed in the 19th century for road widening. The spot is now marked by a Victorian memorial in the middle of the Strand/Fleet Street, close to the Royal Courts of Justice. Temple Bar Gate, after a period of decorating a country house in Hertfordshire, is now in the south-east corner of Paternoster Square, next to St Paul's Cathedral (EC4). The featured article will give you the full story, more or less.
Post code is approximate for the memorial at Temple Bar.
Late medieval, possibly earlier, clapper bridge over the river Barle - said to be the longest clapper bridge in Britain. Pleasant walks nearby. Post code is for the nearby Tarr Steps Inn.
NB Post code is for nearby Tarr Steps Inn.
The Houses of Parliament is the home of the UK Parliament and consists of two 'houses' - the Commons (elected) and Lords (unelected). It is possible to take a tour, even take tea, or watch a debate. Information about visiting can be found on the UK Parliament's website - link below.
The Houses of Parliament is situated on the site of Edward the Confessor's 11th century palace and is still known as 'the Palace of Westminster'. It has been the traditional home of the English parliament since medieval times and much of the UK's parliamentary democracy developed here. However, most of the current building dates from the 19th century and was designed by Charles Barry, following a disastrous fire in 1834 that destroyed most of the old palace. The oldest building on the site is the magnificent Westminster Hall, which has witnessed 900 years of British history.
Tower Bridge, often confused with London Bridge, is one of the capital's iconic landmarks, known all over the world. It was built between 1886 and 1894 and connects Southwark on the south bank of the Thames with Tower Hamlets on the north, on the eastern edge of the City of London close by the Tower of London. Visitors can tour the Victorian engine rooms, see an exhibition of the bridge's history and even cross a glass walkway 138 feet (42 metres) above the river. Private tours are also available. But of course you can simply look at it, or cross it, for nothing. Visit its website to check out times when it will be raised.
Trinity Bridge is a unique three-way medieval stone arch bridge in the centre of the small Lincolnshire town of Crowland, or Croyland. It was built by the monks of Crowland Abbey between 1360 and 1390 and once spanned the confluence of the River Welland and a tributary, Cattewater or Cat’s Water. The rivers were rerouted in the 17th century and the bridge now stands on dry ground near the market place. The stone structure replaced previous wooden bridges, the earliest mention of which dates back to the reign of King Æthelbald of Mercia in 716 AD. It was also recorded in a charter of King Eadred in 943 AD.
Crowland
Peterborough Guildhall is a notable feature of the pedestrianised Cathedral Square. It was built between 1670-1 to celebrate the restoration of King Charles II. It is believed that the Guildhall replaced an earlier timber framed Moothall and Guildhall standing on the northern side of the square and that it is situated on or near the site of a covered ‘Butter Cross’, the town’s old dairy market. Its upper floor was in use for council meetings until the 1930s and currently houses electrical equipment. It is not open to the public.
Peterborough
This is the Bridge over the Atlantic, also known as the Atlantic Bridge; I daresay someone’s referred to it as Atlantic Crossing too. You’ll find it in Argyll, about 10 miles south of Oban. Atlantic Bridge’s real name is Clachan Bridge and it joins the Hebridean island of Seil with the mainland, spanning what is technically a section of the Atlantic Ocean, albeit a very narrow one. We Brits are known for our sense of humour; just look at how we still agree to pay our politicians. The bridge was designed by Robert Mylne (1733-1811) – who also designed Blackfriars Bridge in London - and was built in 1792.
Nearby on the island side is the Tigh an Truish Inn - the house of trousers. The name allegedly comes from the time after the 1745 rebellion, when the Government banned the kilt. So islanders travelling to the mainland for work would change into trousers at the inn before crossing the bridge, and back into traditional plaid when returning home.
Seil
The British Library receives a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland. In addition to books (including early printed books), the collection includes manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints , drawings, music scores, patents, sound recordings and stamps. Particular treasures include Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, Leonardo da Vinci's notebook, the first edition of The Times from 18 March 1788 and Beatles manuscripts. As well as being open for research, the Library holds free exhibitions and events.
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