Antrim Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

This stately castle has been situated on the slopes of Cave Hill in North Belfast since 1870, when the Donegall family commissioned it to be built as their family estate. The gray sandstone structure, which was designed by Charles Lanyon, is everything one would expect a castle to be, with a towering keep and long windows. A popular venue for weddings and conferences, the castle is also open to visitors. A number of rooms styled in period furnishings give visitors an idea of how the Donegall family might have lived within its walls. You can dine in a noted restaurant on-site. Cave Hill Country Park, which sprawls for several kilometers around the castle, offers some wonderful hiking trails and picnic spots.

Off of Oxford Road/A44 Woodstock
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Built between 1705 and 1722 by amateur architect Sir John Vanbrugh, this magnificent palace is a classic example of English Baroque architecture and has the distinction of being the birthplace and ancestral home of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The dramatic entrance to the palace is guarded by two splendid wooden doors, which lead into the great hall with Thornhill's painted ceilings and stone carvings by Gibbons. The staterooms are equally imposing with their rich collection of portraits, tapestries, Sevres porcelain, and Boulle furniture. The Churchill exhibition, which includes his lively letters, a fine collection of stamps commemorating him, and fascinating photographs of his great life, is an important attraction at Blenheim.

Charlestown Road,
Blackley, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Boggart Hole Clough is an ancient woodland area blessed with a number of cloughs, natural ravines highly characteristic of the geography of northwest England. This is a great place to chill out with friends on a sunny day. More energetic activities are available in the form of boating, athletics, cross-country runs, and mountain bike races. An annual bonfire and fireworks display takes place every November 5 to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. Boggart Hole Clough is consistently awarded a "green flag," meaning that it is a sanctuary of environmental preservation and cleanliness. Its wildlife ranges from rare birds to ducks, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels.

Bullring, Upper Mall West
Birmingham, United Kingdom

This continually evolving commercial mall takes its name from the metal ring used in the Middle Ages to tether bulls before they were slaughtered. It has been the epicenter of the city's trading history throughout the last eight centuries. In the 19th century, the area became notorious in British history for rioting connected to the wide-scale working-class political movements. Today, the Bullring contains a glossy, newly refurbished shopping mall. One of the most modern malls in Britain, the Bullring attracts more than 30 million shoppers annually. Thousands of aluminum discs adorn the curving, organic structure, creating an effect reminiscent of a sequined dress.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Providing some of the Scottish capital's most iconic views, the 106-meter-high (348-foot-high) Calton Hill is the home of Nelson's Monument, a telescope shaped tower built in the 19th century to celebrate the naval victory over the French at Trafalgar and commemorate the passing of its maritime hero, Horatio Nelson. At the top of the tower is a ball weighing 762 kilograms (1,680 pounds), which was dropped at 1 p.m. daily, synchronizing with the firing of the Edinburgh Castle gun and enabling ships in the Firth of Forth to set their clocks correctly. Other landmarks on the hill include the National Monument, an unfinished series of Parthenon-style columns built to honor dead soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars. In Calton Burial Ground, adjoining Waterloo Place on the southeast corner of the hill, is the Lincoln Memorial. At the end of April, the hill is the location for the Celtic fire festival of Beltane.

Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts
Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom

Founded in 597 CE by St Augustine, this cathedral was the site of the murder of the Archbishop Thomas Becket under Henry II, and the stories told by a fictional group of pilgrims on their way here make up Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The disposition of the buildings shows a remarkable resemblance to the Benedictine abbeys of the 12th century. The church is at the center of the monastic ensemble, and to its north lie the cloisters and group of buildings used for monastic life. On the west and east are halls and chambers devoted to guests. The crypt of this church is supposedly the largest of its kind in England.

Castle Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Originally named Fir Park for its woody surroundings, this peaceful cemetery was dug out of the hillside in the early 19th century. It offers an unusual insight into the city's history and development, featuring the resting place of many of the merchants and industrialists (as well as firebrand preacher John Knox) whose ships and factories turned the city into the workshop of the Victorian world. Wander among these massive sandstone monuments, and you'll see sculpture and architecture by some of Scotland's foremost creative minds. Having made their money trading in rum, spices, and tobacco, Glasgow's newly rich competed with each other even in death, commissioning architects like Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Alexander Thomson, and John Bryce (the winner of the competition to plan the park) to design elaborate memorials. Interestingly, the Necropolis was initially planned as an underground ossuary, in order to prevent body snatchers (known as "resurrection men") from stealing corpses to sell to medical schools.

The Cliffs/B3135 Off of A371
Cheddar, Somerset, United Kingdom

This enormous gorge is an important archaeological site where Britain's earliest (9,000 years old) human skeleton, the Cheddar Man, was found. Scientists believe that the gorge, which reaches a depth of 113 meters (371 feet) at its deepest point, was formed by million-year-old Ice Age riverbeds. The caves have spectacular rock formations and colonies of greater horseshoe bats. Visitors may visit a museum exhibiting the paleontological findings and a children's entertainment center called the Crystal Quest. Jacob's Ladder, a path of 274 steps with a watchtower at the top, offers a great view of the surrounding areas, including the village of Cheddar, which is famous for its namesake cheese.

Clive Steps, King Charles Street
London, England, United Kingdom

Deep beneath Whitehall is where Winston Churchill fought World War II, in a fortified bunker that is exactly as he left it in 1945. During the war, German bombers pummeled the capital, but the British government stayed in the city to plan the fight against Hitler. The chambers open to the public are part of a much larger bunker complex, which once covered 12,000 square meters (129,167 square feet) and included a canteen and a hospital. A slab of concrete was built atop the bunker to protect it from Luftwaffe bombs. Gloomily lit and decorated in shades of brown and beige, this subterranean office complex transports visitors back to the Blitz. Look out for the Pacific Theater charts in the Map Room, with colored pins marking the island-hopping attacks of American troops as they advanced towards Japan.

13–15 Fleet Street
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Opened in 1882, Newman Brothers Coffin Works was operated by Alfred and Edin Newman. The two brothers were known for producing the finest coffin decorations, particularly brass castings of hinges, crucifixes, handles, and other adornments. Their works were included in the final resting places of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, among many others. After closing in 1999, the business was preserved as a historical attraction. Today, visitors can tour the factory and see much of the original machinery, some of which still works.  

Customs House Square
Belfast, United Kingdom

Seated on the very edge of the Cathedral Quarter, this magnificent structure was yet another brainchild of the famous Belfast architect, Charles Lanyon. Built in 1856, the Customs House is a much more stoic structure than other Belfast buildings, with its Italian Renaissance-style grand staircase. A bronze statue of a man with his arms raised in the air stands at the south corner of the staircase, his shouting pose reflecting the historical use of the square as a place for public debate. Carved along the eastern façade of the building are images of Neptune, Mercury, and Britannia, symbols of Belfast's success as a commercial center.

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It is alive with exciting tales of its time as a military fortress, royal residence, and prison of war. When you climb Castle Hill, you will walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two. Follow an itinerary, hire an audio tour, or allow an expert guide to show you around. Highlights are open to visit including the Royal Palace, Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the One o’clock Gun. Visitors will need to plan ahead and do advance booking online to see the castle. Gift and food shops, including one selling whisky, are on site at the castle grounds.

– Information provided by Edinburgh Castle

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This fortress-castle, atop Castle Rock, is one of the most ancient castle complexes in Scotland, with one of its structures, St Margaret's Chapel, dating back to the early 12th century. The castle is the official headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and 52 Infantry Brigade, and hosts the regimental museum of the Royal Scots. The castle's military legacy continues today, albeit for ceremonial purposes. Entry to the castle is through a gatehouse and a courtyard known as Crown Square, and there is a magnificent set of drum-shaped defenses called the Half Moon Battery. Other awe-inspiring structures of the castle include the royal apartments, crown room, great hall, and war memorial.

Great Victoria Street
Belfast, United Kingdom

This 1970s high-rise hotel would be rather unremarkable were it not for the dubious distinction of being the most-bombed hotel in Europe. Opened in 1971, the Europa was for years Belfast's most stylish hotel and the city's only four-star accommodation. As such, it was also the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries and politicians, especially those from Britain, which of course made it an important target for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The hotel was bombed more than 30 times during The Troubles and eventually became a hotspot for journalists in search of a dramatic story.

52 Gas Street
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Back in the 18th century, this canal basin would have been crammed with barges and boats bringing raw materials to the city's booming businesses. Over a hundred boats per day once passed through, but their reign was short-lived; the rise of trucks and trains doomed Birmingham's canals. Today, the backwater has become a place for pleasure boats and leisure time. Renovations have restored redbrick walkways and bridges, cafés and pubs have popped up, and weekday evenings buzz with office workers enjoying a pint or two beside the waterside. Gas Street Basin will show you just how dramatically an industrial space can be re-created. Look out for the wooden bar separating the two distinct canals-they were owned by different companies determined not to share their water! The basin's name commemorates the street, which was the first in Birmingham to get gas lighting installed.

Castle Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Consecrated in 1136, this tall, dark church was the only Scottish cathedral to survive the Reformation unscathed. As mobs ravaged the country looking for ornamentation to demolish, Glasgow's trade guilds armed themselves to defend their prized cathedral. The result is this exceptional exemplar of Gothic architecture. Enter the church and your eyes are drawn down the 87-meter (285-ft) length of the nave, and upward to the wooden roof, some of whose timbers date back to the 14th century. Don't miss the decoration in sculpture, woodcarving, and stained glass. Look out for birds and branches-both references to the city's patron saint, St. Mungo, who preached across the British Isles and once made a pilgrimage to Rome. The Millennium Window, installed in 1999, is also splendid-a glass triptych in sapphire blue.

Greendyke Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

As the oldest park in the city, this ancient meadow has seen it all, from domestic duties to royal rebellion. In the 15th century, it was simply a collection of fields, used for farm pasture as well as a communal laundry site. During the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie (eponymous hero of the nursery rhyme "My Bonnie lies over the ocean") camped here with his army. Charlie's lead has been followed by protestors and dissenters ever since, from the Chartists of the 19th century to the Suffragettes of the early 20th century and the anti-war campaigners who marched against the militarists' drums during World War I. More recently, the biggest pyrotechnics heard on the Green have been for rock concerts, with acts including Michael Jackson, the Stone Roses, and Metallica. In decent weather the Green is a great place for soccer, cycling, picnicking, or just a quiet wander.

79 Balgownie Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

On an ordinary street in Old Aberdeen is the house of a man who became a Japanese hero. Born in Aberdeenshire in 1838, Thomas Blake Glover, the son of a local coast guard official, made his fortune in trade. He started his career buying tea, but it was in munitions that he really profited, supplying Japan's warring factions with arms and gunpowder during the 1860s. Glover traded in opium, coal, railroads, and founded the shipbuilding company that eventually became Mitsubishi. Although he eventually went bankrupt, he is respected as a modernizing figure in Japanese history. The house and garden where he once lived in Nagasaki attracts millions of visitors every year. Its Aberdonian counterpart is built of gray stone and is crammed full of eastern treasures, from Japanese artworks to a full suit of armor, an appropriate legacy for the man known as the "Scottish Samurai."

Candlemaker Row
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Named after the Franciscan friars once based here, Greyfriars Kirk was built using stones from a nearby Dominican convent. It held its first service on Christmas Day 1620. Oliver Cromwell used the kirk as a barracks during his invasion of Scotland in the 1650s. In 1679, 1,200 Scottish Covenanters were held captive here. Many of these Presbyterian campaigners, opposed to London-based King Charles I's prayer book, died of starvation in the frosty churchyard. But against these grim tales, a sweeter one survives. Look outside the church for the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier so devoted to his policeman master that he stayed by his grave for 14 years.

Off of Hampton Court Road / A308
East Molesey, Surrey, United Kingdom

Built in 1515 by Thomas Wolsey, then the Archbishop of York, this palace, laid out in Italian Renaissance style, was built on the site of a 14th-century manor house. Wolsey had to give up control of the palace to Henry VIII after he fell from favor, and the palace, particularly the Tudor section, was refurbished. In 1604, King James I and representatives of the Puritans held the historic Hampton Court Conference here. Costumed guides and audio tours breathe life into the castle, and tales of the sightings of the ghosts of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn lend an air of intrigue to the place.

Barnett Demesne
Belfast, United Kingdom

The Malone House is a historic Georgian mansion situated in the grassy Barnett Demesne parkland in South Belfast. Though the original house dates to the 1820s, it actually burned down in the 1970s and was completely restored. Upon completion of the renovation, the Higgin Gallery opened its doors on the first floor of the house. The gallery hosts numerous art exhibitions throughout the year, focusing on classic media and subject matter like watercolor and landscape paintings. The beautiful grounds and period-decorated rooms make the Malone House a popular choice for weddings as well.

Swain’s Lane, Highgate
London, England, United Kingdom

Originally opened in 1839 as one of London’s Magnificent Seven park cemeteries, Highgate Cemetery was designed by architect Stephen Geary. It features Victorian Gothic style tombs, including those of some well-known people such as Karl Marx, sci-fi author Douglas Adams, a blind 19th-century traveler named James Holman, and infamous criminal Adam Worth. After being used to film horror films during the 1970s, the cemetery became a popular place for paranormal, occult, and vampire enthusiasts to visit.

Off of Park Lane, between Bayswater and Kensington Roads
London, United Kingdom

Although it began life as Henry VIII's royal hunting park, seized from the monks of Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park's history is a democratic one. During the Great Plague of 1665, Londoners camped out here to try and escape the disease. In 1814, thousands gathered to celebrate victory over Napoleon, while the 19th century saw protesters parading through the park. Speakers' Corner, near Marble Arch, remains a contemporary legacy of those early political firebrands. Anyone can stand and speak their mind, soapbox or not. Spread out throughout the 350 acres and 4,000 trees are numerous cultural highlights, including the Serpentine Gallery, the Princess of Wales Memorial, the ride of the Horse Guards, the Holocaust Memorial, and the statue of Peter Pan, placed on the site where author J.M. Barrie first met the small boy who inspired him to create the ever-young hero.

Union Street
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The intriguing history of the "Mither Kirk," or Mother Church, represents in brick and stone the story of Aberdeen. Parts of this edifice date back to the 12th century, although the building was not completed until the 16th century. As with other Scottish churches, the Reformation proved damaging to St. Nicholas Kirk; in 1574 the city fathers ordered the church to destroy its organ, fearing that the music would distract congregations from godly worship. In 1745, the church suffered again, when "Butcher Cumberland," the general whose army killed the Jacobite dreams of Bonnie Prince Charlie, stabled his horses in the kirk. Ten years later, the church governors put their foot down again, banning a visiting choir from performing and forbidding music "in all time coming." Look out for the elegant nave design by James Gibbs, the celebrated church architect who gave the plans to his hometown for free.

Victoria Street
Manchester, United Kingdom

Built in the late 15th century under the wardenship of James Stanley, Manchester Cathedral is filled with beautiful decorations, furnishings, and objets d'art. Its nave roof supported by minstrel angels is a classic example of perpendicular gothic architecture. Its mercy seats date back five centuries and are considered some of the finest in Europe. The huge bells, which weigh nearly a metric ton, are rung every Sunday, a quite overwhelming and amazing experience for visitors. Refresh yourself in the one-of-a-kind restaurant built into the medieval-era Hanging Bridge, a building that was not publicly displayed for 100 years. Admission to the cathedral is free, but donations are welcome. You can book a tour guide in advance of your visit.

Justice Street
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Situated in the Castlegate, the old medieval gateway to the city, this marketplace monument (the word derives from Market Cross) was the traditional site for proclamations and announcements. It was also the location for executions, not a total surprise given that it can be found at the junction of Gallowgate and Justice Street. Many Scottish towns have similar market structures, though Aberdeen's dates back to 1686, when it was constructed by architect John Montgomery (it was later restored during the 19th century). Hexagonal in structure and measuring six meters (21 ft) in diameter, it is decorated with a series of 12 panels depicting Stuart kings, including James VI of Scotland, the northern monarch whose succession unified the thrones of England and Scotland. Look out for the figure of a unicorn on the central pillar, the traditional symbol of royalty.

322 Ordsall Lane, Salford Quays
Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom

If you've ever wondered what it's like to set foot in a haunted house, then Ordsall Hall is a must-visit. The ghost of Margaret Radclyffe, who died of a broken heart in 1599, is said to haunt this gorgeous moated Tudor mansion. To add to the intrigue, Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby are rumored to have planned the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 here, which sought to destroy Parliament. Today, Ordsall Hall is a fascinating attraction, its architectural details now more visible thanks to recent renovation. Outside, you can enjoy the scent of the lavender hedges that line the moat and explore the old dovecote and mill.

Canongate
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

There has been enough morbid scheming in this royal house to put the "skull" into skullduggery single-handedly. A former Augustinian monastery, Holyroodhouse Palace (rood simply means "cross") became preferable to chilly Edinburgh Castle for 15th-century Scottish kings. But it was a Scottish queen who made the place notorious. Mary, Queen of Scots, the ill-fated monarch whose lineage threatened Elizabeth I of England, lived here. Be sure to view the tiny chamber where her ambitious secretary Rizzio was stabbed by her jealous husband, Lord Darnley. (Darnley himself met a similar end a year later.) Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles II, and Queen Victoria have also enjoyed stays here. George V started a tradition, which is still going strong today, of hosting a summer garden party in the grounds, inviting 8,000 guests from up and down Scotland. The official royal Scottish residence of the reigning monarch, Holyrood Palace hosts Queen Elizabeth II the beginning of every summer-if you visit when she's in town, be aware security on the grounds is greatly increased.

48-50 Shiprow
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Occupying a pair of 16th-century townhouses near the harbor, this Category A listed building takes its name from Provost John Ross, who held the civic position in Aberdeen from 1702 to 1712. Originally constructed in 1593 by master mason Andrew Jamieson, it is the second oldest structure in the city (the oldest is Provost Skene's House on Guestrow) and combines heavy stone walls with four-story construction and diminutive windows. Threatened with demolition in the mid-20th century, this medieval townhouse was restored with funding from the National Trust for Scotland, which now runs the property. Opening to the public in 1954, it features several elements dating back to the provost's era: fireplaces, low wooden beamed ceilings, and the original kitchen. In 1984, it became the home of Aberdeen Maritime Museum, although that institution now occupies a purpose-built site next door.

Guestrow (between Broad Street and Flourmill Lane)
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Aberdeen's oldest townhouse was first mentioned by city chroniclers in 1545, although it takes its name from Sir George Skene, a Baltic market trader who held the post of provost in the 1670s. With its high walls, robust stone construction, and small windows, it is a good example of medieval Scottish architecture, although it came close to destruction during World War II. It wasn't Axis bombers that threatened Provost Skene's House, but Aberdeen's own city hall, which slated the building for demolition in 1940. Saved by a public campaign, the house became a museum in 1953. It includes furnishings and fittings across three centuries, with a 17th-century great hall, an 18th-century mahogany dining room, and a Regency-era parlor representing the 19th century. A costume gallery features a constantly changing display of clothing from the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum's collection.

Oak Cottages, Macclesfield
Cheshire East, Manchester, United Kingdom

Less than a 30-minute drive from the city center, Quarry Bank Mill dates back to Manchester's glory days as Cottonopolis and houses the most powerful working waterwheel in Europe. A monolithic and daunting building, Quarry Bank Mill is situated on the delightful River Bollin. To be up close to the clanking machinery and hissing steam is an unforgettable experience. Experts demonstrate how cotton was turned into commercially lucrative cloth, and seasoned guides show you round the Apprentice House, which employed young children to work in the mill. The other employees once lived in adjacent Styal Village, still a thriving community. Feel free to explore the gardens and the spooky caves in the vicinity.

University Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

If you require a moment of respite from the bustle of the city center, head to the quiet, leafy campus of Queen's University in South Belfast. The oldest university in Northern Ireland, the college opened in 1849. The campus is full of striking historic buildings, several of which were designed by noted Belfast architect Charles Lanyon, including the Lanyon Building in the center of the campus. Step inside the Lanyon atrium to find the statue of Galileo, which greets students with an outstretched hand.

The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

One of the famous attractions of Edinburgh is the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre on Castle Hill. The center traces the history of malt whisky back to the 15th century and offers a tour through all the different processes that are involved in making this distinctly Scottish drink. The processes include malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, the making of grain whisky, and maturing, all of which contribute to the flavor and bouquet of the brew. (Tip: Want to win a bar bet? Ask someone to spell "bourbon whiskey" and "Scotch whisky." Note that Scotch whisky does not have an e.)

Hamilton Dock
7 Queens Road
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

The last remaining vessel of the White Star Line, the SS Nomadic is a ship once used to ferry passengers and goods to the Titanic. In fact, it carried 247 passengers from Cherbourg Harbor to the Titanic for its maiden voyage. Retired in 1968, the Nomadic began being restored in 2010 and opened for tours in 2013. Today it serves as a historical exhibition at Hamilton Dock.

12–20 East Bridge Street
Belfast BT1 3NQ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Belfast’s last Victorian covered marketplace, St. George’s Market was built between 1890 and 1896. It served as an emergency mortuary during World War II, and on April 21, 1941, it was the venue of public funeral services for those who were unidentified. The building was restored during the late 1990s, and today it hosts more than 250 vendors selling an array of goods from fresh seafood and produce to antiques and soaps. A variety of street food also is available.

Royal Mile
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Not many national heritage sights encourage spitting, but this one does. Spitting on the Heart of Midlothian, a heart-shaped section of cobblestones that marks the spot of an old jail, is supposed to bring good luck. The High Kirk, dedicated to the patron saint of lepers and cripples (also Edinburgh's patron saint), played a significant part in Scotland's religious and political history. Here in 1637, street seller Jenny Geddes threw her stool at the preacher's head in rebellion against the new Anglican prayer book. Here too, fiery Protestant reformer John Knox held forth. He is buried in the churchyard, though the grave is unmarked. Inside the cathedral, look out for Robert Louis Stevenson's memorial, as well as the Thistle Chapel, a legendary Order of Chivalry appointed by the Crown (initiates include Field Marshal Douglas Haig, commando Fitzroy Maclean, and statesman Lord Mackay of Clashfern).

The Chanonry
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

For such a peaceful building, this 16th-century structure has suffered a fearful history. Its stones were cannibalized by the troops of Oliver Cromwell in 1654, with English general Monck using the masonry to fortify his castle. During the Reformation, local barons stripped the roof of its precious lead. One legend tells that the cathedral was founded on a spot where the river Don curved like a bishop's crozier. Another (sadly unsubstantiated) is that one wall of St. Machar's contains the arm of William Wallace, the Scottish hero who was executed for his resistance to the English crown. In the 19th century, several hundred years after Wallace's demise, the cathedral was restored to its full state. Today, visitors come to see the stained glass, the octagonal towers, and the celebrated ceiling with its 48 heraldic shields, celebrating kings and archbishops from the 16th century.

St. Margaret Street
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

This Anglican Church, founded in the 12th century and dedicated to St. Margaret of Scotland, is the parish church of the British Houses of Parliament (the front pew is reserved for the Speaker of the House of Commons). Although much of the original Tudor features have been retained, the church’s interior was refurbished to its present appearance by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1877. The building and its interior are relatively austere, but the host of memorials adorning the walls lend an air of aura and grandeur to the place. Several lovely memorial windows commemorate famous personalities like Sir Walter Raleigh, John Milton, and William Caxton.

St Paul's Courtyard
London, United Kingdom

This Anglican cathedral, laid out in a late Renaissance style, has been in existence from the 17th century and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral's impressive dome, inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, rises 108 meters (365 feet). The cathedral has three domes that are equally imposing and hold three circular galleries (the internal whispering gallery, the external stone gallery, and the external golden gallery) under them. Services to celebrate, mourn, or commemorate important people and events have been held since the cathedral's first service in 1697. The American Memorial Chapel, a symbol of gratitude to the American victims of World War II, stands behind the high altar.

Off of A303
Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Believed to have been erected in 2200 BCE, this icon of prehistoric mystery still draws throngs of visitors to the circular standing stones. The latest archaeological findings indicate that the location was used as a burial site in its earliest days, even though the giant stones weren't erected until 500 years later. The entire complex had several construction periods that spanned no less than 3,000 years, potentially even 6,500 years. Folklore and many legends are attached to the monument, including reference in the tales of King Arthur. Many pagan and druid practitioners along with New Age adherents have associations to Stonehenge in their philosophies. The English Heritage Association, which manages the property, however, now carefully controls any ritual uses of Stonehenge following a confrontation between police and a New Age convoy in 1985. Stonehenge is open to to the public, but visitors may not touch the stones, which are roped off to prevent erosion. No access is permitted to the center circle during normal opening hours, however, Stone Circle access visits can be arranged outside of normal visitor opening times. Additionally, the English Heritage Association does allow access during the summer and winter solstice and the spring and autumn equinox.

555 Castlehill
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Honoring Scottish people accused of witchery who were put to death between the 15th and 18th centuries, the Witches’ Well is a cast iron fountain and plaque at Tartan Weaving Mill near Edinburgh Castle. Under orders of Scotland’s King James VI, anyone accused of using black magic was to be killed, and as a result, more than 4,000 alleged witches were burned at the stake or hanged. Most of them females, more women were murdered at this site than anywhere else in Scotland, each victim denied a fair trial. The last hanging took place in 1728.  

Science Park, Queen's Road
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

The infamous RMS Titanic sailed from Cork, but it was actually constructed right here in Belfast at the Thompson Dock, which was once the center of Belfast's world-class shipbuilding industry. The dock has been preserved and transformed into a visitors' center where you can get a glimpse of the Titanic's birthplace and learn all about the doomed ship's history, as well as the overall history of ship making in Belfast. Guided tours are offered seven days a week.

Tower Bridge Road/A100
Over the River Thames
London, United Kingdom

This bridge, which spans the River Thames, has existed since 1894 and is one of the most famous bascule bridges (drawbridges using counterweights) in the world. The bridge was constructed to ease the flow of traffic east of the London Bridge and consists of two massive piers sunk into the riverbed and over 11,000 tons of steel that provide the framework for the towers and walkways. The Tower Bridge Exhibition offers information relating to the bridge's construction and displays the original steam engines that used to power the bridge lifts. The view-room affords spectacular views from the high-level walkways. The bridge has four special venues to host corporate or private events.

Off of Tower Hill/A100
London, United Kingdom

This historic monument is a complex of several buildings laid out within two rings of defensive walls and a moat. The tower was primarily used as a fortress and prison for royal members, including Queen Elizabeth I. The tower houses the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and a fine collection from the Royal Armories. The Norman white tower, with its massive walls, battlements, and turrets, stands at the center of the building complex, while the white tower situated in the inner ward behind a wall with 13 of its own towers. The most infamous of the smaller towers is called the Bloody Tower because of the legend that Princes Edward and Richard were murdered there in 1483.

Castle Hill/A425
Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Home to one of the earliest earldoms in England, the Warwick Castle overlooks the river Avon and is a member of the Treasure Houses of England. The castle was on the forefront of Victorian technology with its innovative use of hydro power to generate electricity for the household. The castle was wired to a generator installed in the Mill and Engine House of Avon, which had been using hydroelectricity to grind grain. The technology is kept alive to date. The castle also has the ruins of a fortification built to protect the Kingdom of Wessex.

20 Dean's Yard
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

This Gothic church, dedicated to St Peter, has been the official church of the British sovereign. Every monarch, starting with William the Conqueror (1066), has been crowned under the cathedral’s roof in a grand ceremony steeped in tradition and history. The church has also been the burial site of English monarchs, famous poets, politicians, and aristocrats. The earliest foundations of the church are traced to the Benedictine monastery founded by St Dunstan in 909. The church, as it stands now, has a cruciform plan. Its flying buttresses and nave show a strong French influence, and its ring of chapels represents the only complete chevet in England.

Castle Hill
Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom

This castle, located high above the Thames and dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, is one of the principal official residences of the British sovereign. Its development is inextricably linked to the 900-year-old history of the British monarchy. During peaceful times, large and grand apartments were added onto the castle, while times of war witnessed the addition of heavy fortifications. The castle occupies a floor area of 45,000 square meters (484,000 square feet), and its imposing battlements loom large against the London skyline. Visitors are privy only to the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the Castle Exhibition, and the Drawings Gallery.