CUBONE CHURCH, SOMERSET

Culbone Church, located in the village of Culbone in Somerset, is said to be the smallest church in England. The church, dedicated to the Welsh Saint Beuno, has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building and the churchyard cross is Grade II*. This beautiful church is recorded in the Domesday Book.

NORWICH, NORFOLK

Norwich is a city on the River Wensum in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom. Until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the capital of the most populous county in England.

LINCOLN CASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE

William the Conqueror built Lincoln Castle, in 1068, on a strategic site that had once been used by the Romans. The castle unusually has two mottes, one is topped by a 12th century shell keep called the Lucy Tower, and the other is topped by a 19th century tower that was used as an observatory. A full circuit of curtain walls remain, most of which can be walked on.
The buildings that remain within the castle are from its later use as a prison and court. The Victorian court is still used today, but the prison is no longer in use and can be visited. The prison has the world's only surviving 'Pentonville System' chapel, where prisoners were kept apart in separate cells. Many of the prisoners who were executed at the castle where buried at the base of the Tower mound or inside the Lucy Tower. The castle also has one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta, which can be viewed in an exhibition area in the old prison building.

WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE

Windsor is one of England's premier tourist and weekend break destinations.Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. The town of Windsor has a population of over 31,000 people and is situated beside the river Thames in Berkshire. It is arguably one of Berkshire's prettiest towns.

ARGYLL, SCOTLAND

Argyll is situated in the west part of Scotland. Here you'll find the magic of the west: sea-lochs and mossy, lush woodlands, long views to a horizon where the sun sinks behind the islands. This is a beguiling and romantic kind of place.

DERWENTWATER LAKE, CUMBRIA

Derwentwater is one of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park in north west England. It lies in the county of Cumbria. The lake is both fed and drained by the River Derwent. It measures approximately 3 miles long by 1 mile wide and is some 72 feet (22 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwent Island House, an 18th-century residence, is a tenanted National Trust property open to the public on five days each year.

Derwentwater is a place of considerable scenic value.

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.

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL, KENT

Another beautiful place in my favourite county ''Kent''. Rochester Cathedral is England's second oldest, having been founded in 604AD by Bishop Justus. The present building dates back to the work of the French monk, Gundulf, in 1080. The glorious Norman architecture of the nave, parts of the crypt, as well as one of the finest Romanesque façades in England, make this an inspirational place to visit. The Cathedral has some fine examples of later Gothic styles as well as the magnificent 14th century Chapter Library door.  Hidden from view (although it can be viewed by special appointment) is one of the oldest doors in England.

CLANDON PARK, SURREY

Clandon Park is located at the foot of the Surrey hills. Clandon Park is one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion, built by a Venetian architect for the Onslow family in the 1720s. The magnificent interiors are faithful to the period, featuring original plaster ceilings, the most impressive of which is in the breathtaking Marble Hall. Since then the estate has been passed down through generations of Onslows.

Today the house at Clandon Park contains a superb collection of 18th-century furniture, porcelain and textiles, much of which was acquired by the remarkable connoisseur Mrs Gubbay.

PEEL CASTLE, ISLE OF MAN

Peel Castle is a castle in Peel on the Isle of Man originally constructed by Vikings. The castle stands on St Patrick's Isle which is connected to the town by causeway. It is now owned by Manx National Heritage and is open to visitors during the summer.

The castle was built in the 11th century by the Vikings, under the rule of King Magnus Barelegs but was eventually abandoned in the 18th century.

BARAFUNDLE BAY, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

Barafundle Bay is a remote, slightly curved, east-facing sandy beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, near Stackpole Quay and is part of the Stackpole Estate, managed by The National Trust. The beach, as the whole Stackpole Estate, used to be owned by the Cawdor family of Stackpole Court and it was their private beach. On the northern approach to the beach are steps and a wall which were built by the owners to ease access to the beach. Barafundle Bay is set between cliffs to the north and south.

In 2004, Barafundle Bay was included in a list of the Top 12 beaches in the world. The Good Holiday Guide also said that it was the 'best beach in Britain'. In 2006, it was voted the best place in the United Kingdom for a picnic by Country Life magazine

OSBORNE HOUSE, ISLE OF WIGHT

"It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot" - such were the words of Queen Victoria after her first visit to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. This is the royal seaside palace where Queen Victoria lived with her beloved Prince Albert and their nine children. 

You can also explore Queen Victoria's private beach, now open to the public for the first time. The beach is a pleasant 20 minute stroll from the house down the Valley Path. You will enjoy views across the Solent from Queen Victoria's alcove, and spot seabirds from the shore.