Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.
This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in the North of England, including Yorkshire.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in England’s East Midlands are currently being moved to ABAB’s Places.
Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse.
Muchelney Abbey was a Benedictine house, founded in 939AD - though religious buildings were on the site as early as the 8th, or possibly 7th, century. It was dissolved in 1538 and many of its materials were re-used in the adjacent parish church of St Peter and St Paul, and other local buildings. Most abbey buildings survive in outline only, but the monk's thatched lavatory building (reredorter) is exceptionally complete, there is a section of cloister and the abbot's early Tudor lodgings are virtually intact. Spot the Tudor rose painted on a ceiling more than 400 years ago.
Nr Langport
Beaulieu is a stately home as well as home to the National Motor Museum. The estate has been in the hands of the Montagu family since the 16th century and is based around the ruins of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey. The National Motor Museum tells the story of motoring and the collection includes some 250 vehicles, old and not so old, cars, motor cycles and racing cars. As well as the museum and the abbey, a visit to Beaulieu can include the palace/house, the extensive gardens, at least two exhibitions - at the time of writing there are exhibitions of 'the World of Top Gear', featuring many original vehicles from the TV show, and an exhibition about SOE - the secret Special Operations Executive - who used Beaulieu for training during WW2. On top of that, there's a monorail and loads of things going on, like a vintage bus chugging about, offering rides.
New Forest
The Palace of Holyroodhouse was built around an abbey founded by King David I in the 12th century, which had royal chambers attached to it. James IV (1488-1513) decided to upgrade the chambers to a palace, and this work was added to by subsequent monarchs. The Palace is the British monarch's official residence in Scotland and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth would visit during Holyrood week, at the end of June/beginning of July. When The Monarch is in residence, the Scottish variant of the Royal Standard is flown.
Parts of the Palace are open to the public, though opening arrangements are subject to change, sometimes at short notice, and you should check before making a special journey. Highlights of a visit include the magnificent State Apartments and the fascinating Mary, Queen of Scots', chambers. You can also walk round the ruins of Holyrood Abbey and parts of the gardens.
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh
Even in a ruinous state, the remains of what was Scotland's largest cathedral, and home to the shrine of St Andrew, are impressive. It is still an enormous site and is said to have been used for worship since the 8th century. The ruins date from the 12th century and the cathedral was 'cleansed' and abandoned in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. The remains of St Rule's church are still there and it is possible to climb to the top of its tower. There is also an excellent exhibition. The cathedral is now surrounded by a more modern graveyard. Just outside the walls are the remains of St Mary on the Rock, overlooking St Andrews' harbour.
St Andrews
The once great fortified Abbey of St Benet’s covered an area of 38 acres, had extensive fishponds, owned 28 churches, had property in 76 parishes and the right to dig peat in 12 of them. Now the most visible remains are those of a gatehouse, with a ruined windmill built into it. A large wooden cross marks the spot where the high altar of the abbey church would have been. Tradition has it that the abbey was first established in the early 9th century, but it was definitely endowed by King Cnut in the 11th and flourished for the next 500 years. It has the claim of being the only religious house in England to survive the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, but this did not save it from the ravages of the Bishop of Norwich – who is still the Abbot and who holds an open-air service on the site every August. Situated on the banks of the River Bure, it is a lonely and evocative spot.
Benet's is owned and cared for by the Norfolk Archaeological Trust.
Ludham
St Dogmael’s Abbey was founded by the Normal lord Robert Fitz-Martin and his wife, Maud Peverel, in 1120. It is reputedly on the site of a Celtic monastery founded by Dogmael, a now obscure 6th-century saint said to have been the son of Ithel ap Ceredig ap Cunedda Wledig and also the cousin of St David. St Dogmael’s was an abbey of the Tironian order, the only one established in Wales or England, although it did have daughter priories in Wales and Ireland. A few Tironian abbeys were also established in Scotland. The abbey was known for its fine library; it was dissolved in 1536.
The ruins are in an attractive residential area. The abbey church is clear, with a crypt in which, apparently, there was a shrine to St Dogmael. Little decoration remains, but there is a trace of fan vaulting in the north transept. The location of features such as the cloister can be made out. There is also a small visitor centre.
Shingrig
St Dogmaels
The ruins of Strata Florida Abbey are in a beautiful location in meadows, surrounded by hills, near the River Teifi. Strata Florida (Welsh Ystrad Fflur) is Latin for ‘Vale of Flowers’. It was founded in the 12th century by Normans, but developed under the patronage of Rhys ap Gruffydd, The Lord Rhys, the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth. So Strata Florida became a focal point for Welsh culture and a place of pilgrimage. Generations of Welsh princes are buried there and the 14th century poet Dafydd ap Gwilym is said to be buried under a yew in the adjoining churchyard of St Mary’s parish church. St Mary’s stands on what was abbey land and is believed to have been built using stones from the abbey ruins.
Though Strata Abbey, rightly, has a place in Welsh hearts – it has been called ‘the Westminster Abbey of Wales’ – very little of the medieval building remains to be seen. The most significant piece of masonry is the carved west doorway of the abbey church. There are also some impressive floor tiles in what were transept chapels. As of 2021, archaeological exploration was underway at the neighbouring 17th century Mynachlog Fawr Farmstead – whose buildings almost certainly utilised stonework from the old abbey. This may reveal more about the astonishing complex that once stood there. There is a visitor centre and also a small museum about the family that lived in the farm.
The evocative ruins of Sweetheart Abbey, a Cistercian house. It was founded by Lady Dervorgilla de Balliol as ‘New Abbey’ in 1273, in memory of her dead husband, John. The name evolved to ‘Sweetheart’ in honour of the husband and wife. John and Dervorgilla de Balliol were a powerful pair, and parents of the John Balliol who was, albeit briefly, King of Scotland. John Balliol senior is also credited with founding Balliol College, Oxford.
There's a good cafe, Abbey Cottage, next door.
Sweetheart Abbey is on the A710, about 7 miles south of Dumfries.
The ruins of Thetford Priory are a short walk from the town centre. Thetford was one of the largest, richest and most important monasteries in East Anglia. It was founded in 1103 by Robert Bigod, the 1st Earl of Norfolk, a close friend of William the Conqueror, though building continued until sometime in the 1170s and alterations took place throughout the priory’s life. A gatehouse, probably the most impressive ruin remaining, was added in the 14th century.
In 1248, the Prior of Thetford, Stephen, was stabbed by a fellow monk and died just outside the west door of the church.
Thetford enjoyed a considerable degree of financial success thanks to a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was reputed to have miraculous powers and which attracted pilgrims by the drove. For 400 years, it was also the burial place of the earls and dukes of Norfolk.
The priory was dissolved by Henry VIII’s commissioners in 1540, though the Prior’s Lodging continued as a private house for another 200 years.
Thetford
Valle Crucis Abbey, the valley of the cross, allegedly named for the ancient Pillar of Eliseg just down the road. These are the evocative remains of a Cistercian monastery, dating from 1201.
Note - parking is difficult at this site.
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.