Explore England’s Past
Published on June 5th, 2009.
10 Must-See World Heritage Spots
UNESCO World Heritage properties are part of the cultural and natural heritage and considered as having outstanding universal value and therefore need to be preserved as part of the world heritage. Cultural heritage properties include monuments, groups of buildings and sites. For the complete list please visit http://whc.unesco.org/en/list
Cultural Heritage Properties:
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England
Blenheim Palace is a unique example of English Baroque architecture, set on 2100 acres with a romantic park landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, formal gardens and a lake. This is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and the perfect example of a princely palace, with hand-painted ceilings, porcelain collections, tapestries and paintings.
Canterbury Cathedral, County of Kent, England
Canterbury, in Kent, has been the seat of the spiritual head of the Church of England for nearly five centuries. The Canterbury Cathedral has stunning stained glass windows and an extensive library. Canterbury’s other important monuments are the modest Church of St Martin, the oldest church in England; the ruins of the Abbey of St Augustine; and Christ Church Cathedral, a breathtaking mixture of Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic architecture.
City of Bath, Avon, England
Founded by the Romans as a thermal spa, Bath became an important centre of the wool industry in the Middle Ages. You can visit well-preserved Roman Baths, set on Britain’s only hot springs. It’s the whole city that’s a designated world heritage site, with some of the finest architectural and historic treasures in Europe, including the 15th-century Abbey, stunning Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge.
Durham Castle and Cathedral, County of Durham, England
Durham Cathedral was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries to house the relics of St Cuthbert. It is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England. Behind the cathedral stands the castle, and the most beautiful feature is said to be the tiny Norman chapel, with pillars depicting some of the most interesting Norman sculpture in existence.
Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire, England
The Ironbridge is known throughout the world as the symbol of our industrial past. It contains all the elements of progress that contributed to the rapid development of this industrial region in the 18th century, from the mines to the railway lines. The bridge at Ironbridge, the world’s first cast iron bridge, had a considerable influence on developments in the fields of technology and architecture.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Southwest Greater London
This historic landscape garden features elements that illustrate significant periods of the art of gardens and is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary. Thanks to avid collectors, visionary scientists, inspired landscape architects and gardeners, the gardens collections have been developed and enriched. Since their creation in 1759, the gardens have made a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany.
Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, England
The Abbey, Britain’s largest monastic ruin, was founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks seeking a simpler life. A striking landscape was created around the ruins of Abbey and Fountains, covering this 822-acre estate. The 18th-century landscaping, gardens and canal, the 19th-century plantations and vistas, and the neo-Gothic castle of Studley Royal Park, make this an outstanding site.
Tower of London, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, England
The massive White Tower looking over the river Thames, is the most impressive and best-preserved medieval castle in any European capital, representing outstanding architectural and artistic significance. The Tower of London has also had a role in many events in world and British history and, since its foundation in the 11th century, has stood as a vital symbol of national identity.
Westminster Palace, City of Westminster, London, England
Westminster Palace, was once the home of the royal family, and is still officially a royal palace. The site – which also comprises the small medieval Church of Saint Margaret, built in Perpendicular Gothic style, and Westminster Abbey- is of great historic and symbolic significance. A centre of authority for over a thousand years, where the modern Houses of Parliament now stands, was once used as a court of law, held several notable trials, including that of Sir William Wallace (1305).
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Stonehenge is among the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. The circles of stones were arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored. While many questions about its construction remain unanswered, it was an impressive engineering feat, where only something very important would have been worth the effort and investment. The Stonehenge Summer Solstice Celebration is a popular and magical annual event.
The Great British Heritage Pass
The Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to more than 580 of Great Britain’s most popular heritage sites. http://www.britrail.com/attractions
Filled under Attractions, England.
easy4unow on June 7th, 2009
This web is amazing. I could plan my train itineraries quite easily as they were already planned! I just had to choose them. It´s incredible. Thanks a lot!
Claudia