Coventry’s Lady Godiva statue is situated in the City’s central square, Broadgate, which was redeveloped following the bombing of World War Two. Godiva, or Godgifu, was a pious 11th century noblewoman, the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. According to a legend that dates back to at least the 13th century, she rode naked –
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Nine Ladies stone circle is probably the best known of many Bronze Age monuments on Derbyshire’s Stanton Moor and one of four stone circles on the moor. The others – Stanton Moor I, III and IV – are largely overgrown and hard to pick out. Nine Ladies is roughly in the centre of the moor,
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Bosham is a gem on Chichester harbour and reputedly the oldest Christian site in Sussex. The Venerable Bede mentions that “an Irish (ie Celtic) monk named Dicul had a very small monastery in the place which is called Bosanham”, sometime in the 7th century. Bosham was probably settled long before that – the Romans were
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Beyond some village cottages on a rocky promontory, overlooking the Teifi Gorge is Cilgerran Castle. It is a strategic position, fortified by at least 1108 by the Norman, Gerald of Windsor. It was captured by the Welsh in 1164, retaken by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in 1204, recaptured by the Welsh during Llywelyn the
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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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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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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Glastonbury Tor is a magical place, with links to Celtic mythology and the legend of King Arthur. Some say this almost perfect cconical hill, rising from the Somerset levels, is the Isle of Avalon. Now topped with the roofless tower of 14th century St Michael’s church, there is evidence of other structures on the site
Pendragon Castle is a beguiling place, in a remote location by a small road, surrounded by places with names out of a fantasy novel. Despite being a ruin, it has an atmosphere all of its own. According to legend, it was the fortress of Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, who battled the Saxons here in the mists of the Dark ages. Sadly, that is unlikely to be true – the current ruins date from the 12th century, long after Arthur is said to have lived – but they do have their own stories to tell.
