Silbury Hill is the largest man-made prehistoric mound in Europe. It was built in around 2,400BC, roughly at the same time as some Egyptian pyramids, and is about 130 feet (39 metres) high and 1,640 feet (500 metres) round. Its purpose is completely unknown. One story (with variations) is that Silbury Hill was created when
It is believed that St Winefride’s Shrine has been a place of pilgrimage for 1300 years, following the decapitation of a young, devout, girl by a brutal chieftain in the 7th century. Where Winefride’s head came to rest, a well sprung up. On the site now is a visitor complex that includes an architecturally unique
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St Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London and one of London’s iconic landmarks. It stands at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, where it is believed the first church, dedicated to St Paul the Apostle, was built on the same spot in 604AD. The
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Mendips at 251 Menlove Avenue is John Lennon’s former Liverpool home, where he spent his childhood with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, voraciously read the ‘Just William’ books, listened to Elvis and played his guitar in the porch. The house has been carefully restored back to how it probably was in his teenage years,
Stokesay Castle is more like a perfect medieval fortified manor house, and it is unforgettably picturesque and interesting. Many of the interiors are original and little changed since being built in the 13th century by a wealthy wool merchant, including original timbers. The solar has original 17th century panelling. A wonderful timber-framed gatehouse was added
Idsworth Chapel, the little church of St Hubert, patron saint of hunters, stands alone in the fields of Old Idsworth. Some know it as the little church in the field. It is said to date from 1053 and to have been built by Earl Godwin, father of King Harold who was beaten by William at
Castle Howard is an 18th century Baroque stately home in North Yorkshire, one of the grandest and most over the top in England, with 145 rooms and set in 1,000 acres of gardens and parkland. It is owned by the Howard family, and has been for over 300 years. The house was started for the
The Helix is a large community park between Falkirk and Grangemouth, bisected by the Forth and Clyde Canal, formed from regenerated land and including a lake, wetlands, associated wildlife, walking and cycle paths, cafes and a visitor centre. But its most famous feature is the Kelpies, two massive steel sculptures of horses heads, inspired by
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Eliseg’s Pillar is the broken shaft of a 9th century inscribed stone that was probably originally topped with a cross. It gives the valley and nearby Valle Crucis Abbey their names. The stone was erected by Cyngen, prince of Powys, in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg. Illegible now, Eliseg’s Pillar once documented the family tree
IWM Duxford is mainly an aviation museum housed on a historic RAF airfield, which was also used by the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. It houses the Imperial War Museum’s huge collection of historic aircraft and other large items, such as tanks. Permanent exhibitions include the American Air Museum, Battle
Shaftesbury’s Gold Hill is a magnet for visitors and one of the most famous and photographed streets in Britain. It appears in countless guides and is generally believed to have been launched on an unsuspecting universe via a 1973 television advert for Hovis bread. The advertisement was an early directing endeavour by Ridley Scott before
Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle is just inside the English border with Wales, a 3,000-year-old relic of the Bronze Age, constructed of dolerite stones from Stapeley Hill nearby. There are 15 stones arranged in a rough circle, with a couple more prominent than others. It is thought there were once 30 stones, that the tallest had
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