DARTMOOR, DEVON

Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status as Dartmoor National Park, it covers 954 square kilometres.

The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621m above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeology.

Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public enjoy extensive access rights to Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination.

ARTHUR'S SEAT, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

The highest point of Holyrood Park is Arthur's Seat, a dormant volcano, and sits 251metres above the sea level giving excellent view of the city; it is also the site of a large and well preserved fort.  This is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago.  With its diverse range of flora and geology it is also a site of Special Scientific Interest.
Within the park you can also visit St Anthony’s Chapel - a 15th century medieval chapel, Salisbury Crags – a series of 150 foot cliff faces dominating Edinburgh’s skyline as well as Duddingston Loch – a fresh water loch rich in bird life.

CONNEMARA, IRELAND

Connemara, situated at the very edge of Europe, on the west coast of Ireland, is one of the most beautiful, unspoilt places it's possible to find. From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape. Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

LEEDS, YORKSHIRE

A beautiful photo by Jonathan Emery. Leeds Bridge is a historic river crossing in Leeds. The present cast iron road bridge dates from 1730.The medieval town of Leeds centred on 13th century burgess building plots either side of a wide road from the river crossing called Bridge Gate, now Briggate. A wool cloth market operated at Leeds Bridge, becoming the centre of wool trade for the West Riding of Yorkshire in the late 17th century.

CANTERBURY, KENT

Enjoy Canterbury's history and heritage. See the stunning architecture and the famous buildings. Visit the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral and stroll along the river Stour. Canterbury has the perfect blend of city, coast and countryside. Canterbury is simply inspirational.

CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE, NORTHERN IRELAND

 

Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. It's a striking feature of the landscape from land, sea and air. Carrickfergus Castle greets all visitors with its strength and menace. It represents over 800 years of military might. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the Castle saw action right up to World War II. Today it is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and can be enjoyed by visitors wanting to learn more about its history or just looking for a fun day out in a unique setting.

HAWKERS COVE, PADSTOW, CORNWALL

 Situated at the mouth of the River Camel, near Padstow is Hawker’s Cove beach. The beach has an expanse of sand stretching almost 1.5 miles towards the old lifeboat station at the north-western end. Despite being a beautiful spot and located close to Padstow the beach here doesn’t really get crowded. This is largely due to the limited parking and convoluted access. Perhaps the best way to approach the beach is along the coast path following the Camel Estuary and past the old fortifications at Gun Point. Along with the row of coastguard cottages, the lifeboat house at Hawker’s cove dates back the 1820s when it housed the original Padstow lifeboat, a four man rowing boat.

CASTLE RISING, NORFOLK

Castle Rising is one of the most architecturally powerful Norman ruins in the country but it also exhibits many ecclesiastical designs.One of the largest, best preserved and most lavishly decorated keeps in England, Castle Rising near King’s Lynn in Norfolk, has an intriguingly chequered history. Built from 1138 onwards by William d’Albini for his new wife, the widow of Henry I, it has served as a hunting lodge, a royal residence and home to Isabella the mother of Edward III. Here is a photo of the little post office, near the castle.

CASTLE COMBE, WILTSHIRE

Castle Combe is a small village in Wiltshire, with a population of about 350. Ranked No. 2 in The Times's 30 best villages, it is renowned for its attractiveness and tranquillity, and for its fine buildings including the medieval church. The 14th century market cross, erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was granted, is situated where the three principal streets converge. Some small stone steps near the cross were for horse riders to mount and dismount and close by are the remains of the buttercross.