Explore Britain’s Historical Highlights

What did a 9th-century Norseman smell like? Who managed to see off the Romans? And which Stone Age sites are best to visit if you fancy a leisurely meanderthal? Britain is the place to find out. With more brochs, barrows, battlements and battlefields than you can shake a sabre at (not to mention a histrionic cast of historical leaders, knaves, trailblazers and cultural icons), Britain really does rock the ages.

 The highlights on this page are designed to inspire your time travels around Britain. Have a peruse of our Intrepidly Time-Travelling Great British History Map for more royally visitable historical locations, journeys, stories and more.

Orkney

This time-forsaken landscape of beaches, brochs and braes was the place to be for Stone Age man. There are more prehistoric sites per square mile here than anywhere else in northern Europe - and that isn’t the only record in Orkney’s historical trophy cabinet. The islands can also point proudly to the largest chambered cairn in Britain (Maes Howe, 2800 BCE), which itself is covered with Europe’s most extensive collection of Viking runic graffiti (subjects: sex, love and great big... egos). Also the oldest-known prehistoric village in Europe (5,000-year-old Skara Brae), which was rocking to ancient hammer beats before the Pyramids were even thought of.

 Edinburgh

Divided into the medieval Old Town and the (still pretty old) Georgian New Town, Edinburgh's city centre is one big UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its crowning glory is Edinburgh Castle, which sits on an ancient volcanic plug regally surveying all the history erupting all around it. Rock up for a peep at the 'Stone of Destiny'. Then delve into the merry muddle of streets around the Royal Mile, where highlights include the Heart of Midlothian (site of a notorious medieval prison) and St Giles’ Cathedral, whose bells played Why am I so sad on this my wedding day? when the 1707 Acts of Union merged the kingdoms of England and Scotland into ‘One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain’.

Isle of Lewis

The ravishingly remote location of a unique treasure hoard discovery. In 1831, a Lewis local (possibly a cow, although history is hazy on this point) unearthed a stone box buried in the dunes of Uig Bay. It contained a medieval gamer’s treasure trove - 78 ivory and whale-tooth chess pieces carved in 12th-century Norway, plus 4 tablemen and an incongruous belt buckle. Check out (no pawn intended) the site of their discovery on a highbrow trip to the beach, then make a move inland to admire the Calanais Standing Stones (5,000-year-old megaliths), the mysterious Dun Carloway broch and more fascinating paraphernalia of the past.

Castles of Gwynedd

Gwynedd and its surrounds have some of the best examples of medieval military architecture in Europe - and it’s all down to Edward I. Keen to rid the Welsh of the frankly ridiculous idea that they should rule their own country, he built castles as though his life depended on it (and it probably did). Harlech, Caernarfon, Beaumaris on Anglesey and Conwy’s eponymous fortress all went up during Edward’s reign. He also put up fortified towns at Caernarfon and Conwy. When you’re not collecting castles, visit the area’s historic slate mines and let off steam at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.  

York

Ever wondered what a 9th-century Norseman smelled like? At York - one-time Viking capital and now home to the multi-sensory JORVIK Viking Centre - you’ll find out. Follow your nose  around this scents-ational time capsule museum (the gift shop sells bottled ‘eau de Viking’ - sure to wow on a first date). The streets of York itself are just as fragrant with history. Take a stroll along the ancient city walls, mosey down the Shambles (one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe) or admire Britain’s largest medieval stained glass collection at York Minster. For students of the macabre there’s York Tyburn, where Dick Turpin met a grisly end.

  Tower of London

Built by William Conqueror in the 1070s to intimidate surly Saxon Londoners, this famous fortress has changed use more times than Henry VIII changed wives. Some of the Tower's incarnations probably could have been anticipated by its stormin' Norman founder (prison, armoury, royal residence). Others (Royal Mint, zoo, home to seven pampered ravens) would have come as a towering surprise. Nowadays, visitors can see the Crown Jewels and explore the towers where 'threats to national security' were imprisoned/ tortured/ occasionally beheaded. Fancy a pint at 'The Keys', the exclusive guards' pub? You'll have to befriend a Beefeater first…

Holy Island

Before Viking raiders arrived to spread chaos and confusion in 793 CE, ‘Holy Island’ was a peaceful centre of early Christianity. Its fame centred on 7th-century prior Cuthbert - a sort of medieval David Attenborough, whose yen for eider ducks led to the world’s first conservation laws. Like Attenborough, St Cuthbert also became a cult figure. Pilgrims flocked to the island after his death, entranced by reports of his ‘incorrupt’ remains. Faith in the saint’s omnipotence was shaken when he failed to prevent that notorious Viking raid (perhaps he wasn’t all he was quacked up to be)... but Lindisfarne remained a centre of faith and there are still many monastic remains to explore.

 Hastings

Since the Norman-French invasion in 1066, things in Britain have been a oui bit different. William the Conqueror landed in Pevensey before making haste to Hastings, where he enjoyed his first English breakfast on the Conqueror’s Stone (which was probably named at a later date). The battle itself actually took place a few miles out from Hastings, in an area now imaginatively known as, er, ‘Battle’. At Battle Abbey, built on the site of the conflict, visitors can see the spot where King Harold fell. While Hastings missed out on the action, it’s home to the first castle built in England by William the Conqueror.

Stonehenge & Avebury

This megalithically marvellous UNESCO World Heritage site is the place to head if stone circles rock your world. Stonehenge and Avebury are the most sophisticated and largest prehistoric stone circles in the world respectively. A stone’s throw from the main megaliths you’ll find tons of ceremonial barrows and man-made hills, including Silbury Hill, the largest prehistoric mound in Europe (a wonderful place for a stroll or meanderthal). All this prehistoric Jenga provides plenty of food for thought. How did it get here? What’s its purpose? And why didn’t anyone have anything better to do during the Stone Age?

 Hadrian’s Wall

When the Romans made plans to conquer Britain, they reckoned without the Scotland-straddling Caledonian tribe. Faced with ongoing rebellion from the Empire’s feisty northern fringe, Emperor Hadrian (known as ‘Publius Aelius Hadrianus’ to both his friends and enemies) decided to build a great big wall and hope the blighters stuck to their side of it. Construction started in 122 CE, and the 73-mile wall (complete with 17 accompanying forts) was finished in less than a decade. Two top ways to see it: walk it the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail or take your pick of forts to visit. Segedunum, Housesteads and Vindolanda are the most Roman-tic of the ruins.

Anglesey

Not much scared the Romans, but the Druids of Anglesey seem to have managed it. Roman historian Tacitus claimed that invading forces were met by dishevelled, firebrand-waving Druid priests “pouring forth dreadful imprecations”. There’s no hard evidence for Druid occupation, but Anglesey does have the greatest concentration of prehistoric sites in Wales. It’s also home to a medieval royal court (Llys Rhosyr) and a copper mining industry dating back to Neolithic times (Parys Mountain). Even getting here is a journey through history - you get to cross the Menai Strait on the world’s first suspension bridge, built by Thomas Telford in 1819.

 Ironbridge

You’ll never guess what you’ll find at Ironbridge… the first of its kind in the world, it consigned brick bridges to the dustbin of history. Once you’re done marvelling at the 1779 ironwork, head to the Old Furnace in Coalbrookdale. Here, Abraham Darby I’s discovery that red-hot coke* could be used to smelt iron kickstarted the Industrial Revolution. (*Just coal – although it certainly got Ironbridge buzzing). Ironbridge Gorge’s industrial heritage is so impressive that there are ten incredible museums in the area. Blists Hill Victorian Town is a cracking place to start, with over 50 Victorian buildings and workshops to explore.

TIIIIIIIIME TRIP!

Hit the road on a British history-themed adventure, travel back in time and admire the finest scenery in the land as you go. Here you can download a map of Britain’s top 50 history locations, all of them connected by a rather ambitious road trip…

Get The Map

Featuring over 1,500 royally visitable historical locations, journeys and stories, our Intrepidly Time-Travelling Great British History Map will inspire plenty of adventures through bygone Britain. Available in 3 formats (fold-out, flat or framed) from £14.99. If you’ve got the map and have any feedback or suggestions for the next edition, we’d love to hear from you - email us at hello@marvellousmaps.com.