A journey through the British Isles which include England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland, offers intriguing insights into ancient and (relatively) modern history.
Venture beyond Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London in England to visit prehistoric Stonehenge or the equally fascinating, but less crowded mysterious stone circle at Avebury. The Royal Baths and the York Minster ( Gothic cathedral and medieval street recreation) will take you back as far as Roman and Viking times. The “Ghost Village” in Dorset is more recent, dating back to 1943 when residents were evacuated in preparation for D Day and never returned. Stratford-on-Avon is not only Shakespeare’s birthplace – since the Victorian Era it has become a popular destination for tourists who flock to Shakespeare festivals.
Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle is home to the ‘Stone of Destiny” used for centuries in the coronation of kings. Visit Orkney, a village older than the Egyptian pyramids, and Stirling Castle, home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Built in a triangular shape, Caerlaverock Castle is surrounded by a moat and wildlife preserve, and Kilmartin Glen contains over 800 prehistoric monuments. Skara Brae is a remarkably preserved and restored village that remains as it was in the 1500’s.
Wales boasts the highest density of castles per square mile than any other location. Conwy Castle is a 12th century UNESCO listed fortress. Visit St. Govan’s Chapel, a tiny church built into the side of a cliff and St. Winefride’s Well, a 16th century shrine known for its healing waters. St. David’s Cathedral has been a destination for religious pilgrimages since the Middle Ages. Portmeirion is a quirky little village on the coast that mimics an Italian seaside hamlet.
One of Ireland’s oldest historical sites is Newgrange, a neolithic circular tomb and ceremonial site designed to allow a ray of light to illuminate the inner burial chamber at the precise moment of the winter solstice. The Rock of Cashel is an impressive group of medieval buildings built around the 12th century. Kilmainham Jail is an important historical landmark, prominent during political uprisings against British rule. Inisheer is the smallest of three Aran Islands, and is known for its quiet, scenic beauty and authentic Irish culture.
Northern Ireland is home to the Derry City Walls, some of the oldest city walls in all of Europe.
A short distance from Belfast is an amazing interactive museum, Titanic Belfast, which is built on the site where the Titanic was constructed. This museum includes multi-media presentations, accounts of the stories of Titanic passengers and crew, and full scale models of some of the ship’s sections. Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman fortress designed for defense and as a residence for kings. Mount Stewart is known for its 20th century gardens and neoclassical architecture.
If history is your passion, you’ll find plenty of it in the British Isles. Call your Travel Leaders professional to get started on an eye-opening journey back in time.
