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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A classic Norman motte and bailey castle, founded soon after the Conquest to overawe the Saxon town. A later stone shell-keep crowns its steep mound, giving sweeping views across the town rooftops to the River Dart.
Climb to the top of the keep to enjoy stunning views over the town of Totnes and across to the River Dart.
Totnes
Probably Dorset's most famous lost village, frozen in time. In 1943, the villagers were ordered to leave their homes so that the area could be used for training; they never returned. Only empty buildings remain, plus the preserved school and church, offering a fascinating insight into life in isolated communities in the first half of the 20th century, together with an evocative air of sadness.
Check opening times carefully - the area is still used for military training.
Valley of Rocks, or 'Valley of the Rocks', is a local Exmoor beauty spot on the north Devon coast a couple of miles west of Lynton. There is an easy walk from the town, along a well-made path. The sea views are wonderful and you may see the odd feral goat. RD Blackmore said that a wise woman once lived there, well known all over Exmoor by the name of Mother Melldrum. The dry valley was possibly formed by a previous course of the East Lyn River.
Lynton
Vicars’ Close is a cobbled medieval street adjacent to and north of Wells Cathedral. It is believed to be the only complete medieval street still surviving in England – some say in Europe. The houses were ordered to be built in the 14th century by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury to provide accommodation for the ‘Vicars Choral’ – cathedral priests whose duties included singing divine services. Chimneys were added later, in the 15th century and (no doubt) other improvements have been made since. Originally, there were 42 houses, one per priest, but some were combined after the Reformation when vicars were allowed to marry. Today, there are 27 residences in Vicars’ Close, as well as a chapel, library, treasury and muniment room. There is also a dining hall connected to the Cathedral by a covered walkway, the Chain Gate Bridge. All of the buildings are Grade I listed. The current occupants still include the Vicars Choral, plus the organists and virgers. Vicars’ Close has, unsurprisingly, been used as a film location.
Wells, the second-smallest city in England (after the City of London) is often missed in favour of larger attractions. Bamber Gascoigne once referred to it being renowned for “the unspoilt perfection of a range of ecclesiastical buildings” – and he was right. Wells’ crowning glory is probably its extraordinary cathedral, with its amazing west front depicting the hierarchy of heaven with some 300 individual statues, and the astonishingly modern-looking scissor arches added to the nave in the 14th C to strengthen the tower. On the north transept is a 24-hour astronomical clock, also 14th C, with knights striking the hours; and the octagonal chapter house is stunning. Outside is Vicars Close, an entire street of 14th C houses. The nearby moated Bishop’s Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens; swans on the moat ring a bell when they think it’s time for food.
Wells is England's smallest city. The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, or Wells Cathedral, is dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle and is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. There has been a church on the site since 705AD, but the Cathedral itself was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The astonishing west front displays the hierarchy of heaven - originally, it would have been painted in bright colours. Inside, the grace of the nave is enhanced by the beautiful scissor arches (pictured), installed to prevent a tower collapsing in the 14th century. Then there's the famous Wells Clock - said to be the oldest clock mechanism in Britain.
Outside, don't miss the Bishop's palace next door (especially the garden) and Vicars Close, a 15th century street - said to be the only original medieval street left in England.
Wells
West Kennet Avenue is the remains of what was once 100 pairs of standing stones linking Avebury with the Sanctuary.
West Kennet Long Barrow is a large, chambered, tomb dating from around 3,650BC. Five burial chambers which once contained the remains of approx 50 people - you can enter the tomb. Visit whilst seeing Avebury nearby.
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