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.
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Brownsea Island (aka 'Branksea') is the largest island in Poole Harbour (about 1 mile x 1/2 mile) and is primarily a wildlife area of woodland, heath and wetland, home to red squirrels and a variety birds. There are trails and events, including open air theatre and an annual round the island swim. Brownsea was chosen by Baden-Powell to try out his scouting ideas and is also said to have inspired Enid Blyton. Brownsea Castle, originally 16th century, is currently (August 2016) leased to the John Lewis Partnership as a staff hotel and not open to the public. Access to the island is by ferry from Poole.
Poole
Burrow Mump is a natural hill rising out of the Somerset levels, with the ruins of a church, St Michael's, on top, giving the place an evocative feel. There was probably a castle on the site once. Burrow Mump also has possible associations with King Alfred, who hid in the marshes around nearby Athelney to escape the Danes. It is now a war memorial, dedicated to all those from Somerset who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Post Code is for the nearby King Alfred pub. Small free car park at the foot of the hill.
Burrowbridge
South Cadbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort, overrun by the Romans in the 1st century and subsequently used by them, but then reoccupied and its defences restored in the sub-Roman period and in occasional use up to at least the 10th century. It is one of several places associated with the legendary King Arthur and suggested as a possible location for the mythical Camelot. The walls and defences are now wooded, but the size of them can be appreciated, and there is a wonderful view of Glastonbury Tor, on the mystical Isle of Avalon, from the top.
Take the pathway, Castle Lane, from the village; it is invariably muddy.
The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of Britain’s best known hill figures, cut into the hillside near the pretty Dorset village of Cerne Abbas. It is formed of a cut trench about 1 foot deep and across, stands 180 feet (55 metres) high and depicts a nude male wielding a large club. Possibly its most noticeable feature is its prominent erection – so the figure is often associated with fertility. Some people think the giant represents a Celtic deity, or Hercules. In fact, the age of the Cerne Abbas Giant had long been uncertain, but following hi-tech analysis of sediment, it was announced in 2021 that he dates from the late Saxon period - possibly 10th century. There is a viewing area a short distance from Cerne Abbas village and there are walks nearby.
It is hard to photograph the Giant. The image here is from Google Earth.
The Chalice Well is a natural spring, with a red hue to the water, now surrounded by peaceful gardens, at the foot of Glastonbury Tor. The spring has been in use for at least 2,000 years and, inevitably, has mystical and religious associations; it is popular with pilgrims of all sorts (remember, this is Glastonbury). According to one legend, Joseph of Arimathea hid the chalice that had caught the blood of Christ at the crucifixion in the Chalice Well.
There is no parking at the Chalice Well - park nearby and walk. It is on the A361 Chilkwell Street junction with Wellhouse Lane.
Glastonbury
Cheddar Gorge is a breathtaking limestone gorge located in Somerset’s Mendip Hills, near the village of Cheddar. It is roughly 3 miles long, around 400 feet deep, England’s largest gorge and one of the country’s most popular natural tourist attractions. It was formed about one million years ago during the last Ice age from glacial melt-water, which created a cave system. Prehistoric remains have been found in the caves, both human and animal, and inside Gough Cave was found Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, who lived around 7150 BC and whose descendants still live nearby. Other human remains are some 5,000 years older and the evidence is that they were cannibals. Gough’s Cave is a spectacular show cave, with fabulous formations of stalactites and stalagmites (remember, tites are the ones that come down).
The south side of the gorge, including Gough’s Cave and associated attractions, is owned by the Longleat Estate and heavily commercialised. The north side of the gorge is owned by the National Trust. Both offer walks along the cliffs.
Given post code is for NT land – pay and display car parks. Use BS27 3QF post code for show cave.
Chysauster is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in Britain. A small community lived and worked here for around 400 years, from about 100BC until the third century AD - by which time much of Britain was under Roman rule. The villagers lived in stone-walled houses, each with a number of rooms arranged round a courtyard – a unique house layout found only in late Iron Age and Romano-British settlements in western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Ten houses have been identified, suggesting a community of 50-70 people. The houses are very small. Open hearths, stone basins for grinding grain and covered drains are all visible. South of Chysauster is the remains of a fogou - a Cornish cave.
Clevedon is a historic town on the Somerset side of the Bristol Channel that developed as a resort in the Victorian period. There is no beach. Its crowning glory is its 1017 feet long (310 metres) pier, which was completed in 1869. It also boasts an unusual 'marine lake', miniature railway, historic church (St Andrew's) and art-deco 1920s cinema. Nearby is the medieval Clevedon Court (National Trust). A coastal path, Poets' Walk, takes you above the town with great views - and an Iron Age hillfort. Spot the wonderful green-tiled Victorian drinking fountain near the pier.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge high over the craggy Avon gorge in Bristol is a marvel of Victorian engineering, originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and took 33 years to build. It was completed in 1864 and, at the time, was the longest and highest span attempted - 702 feet (214m) across and 245 feet (75m) above high tide. It operates as a toll bridge for motor vehicles, but is free for pedestrians. There is a free visitor centre. The bridge is owned and managed by the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust.
Leigh Woods
Bristol
A tiny cottage in woodland was the bolt-hole of TE Lawrence, 'Lawrence of Arabia', just down the road from Bovington Camp. It includes some fascinating details of his enigmatic life. He died, and was buried, nearby in 1935.
Bovington
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