Britain & Ireland's Historic Sites and Landmarks

First built over 5,000 years ago, and taking an estimated 1,000 years to construct, experts are today still unsure of the exact reason why Stonehenge was built. While they know it was used as an astronomical clock, the time and effort afforded to its construction tells them there must have been something more meaningful to the Ancient Britons who placed it here. Around 3000 BC, the first stage of Stonehenge's existence was created. With 56 chalk pits, used to house cremated remains, laid out in a ring formation of over 330 feet in diameter. Some 500 years after this, the huge sarsen stones used as the iconic trilithons (the two large vertical stones, and the one horizontal stone they support) were put in place, having been somehow transported from over 20 miles away.

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Today, close to the site of Stonehenge, you find the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Here, you can get a detailed audiovisual breakdown of the site's development, as well as its solar alignments. There are also displays featuring items found at the site over the years, including antler picks (used to dig out pits)and arrowheads. Best of all, there's a 360-degree projection of Stonehenge, showing the changing of the seasons and the midsummer sunrise as seen from the inner circle of the site.

Forming the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, The Roman Baths have lured visitors to their warm waters for almost 3,000 years. In 863 BC, according to legend, Prince Bladud founded the city after his pigs were miraculously cured of leprosy from the mineral-rich mud of the hot springs. There is evidence of human settlements here dating as far back as 8,000 BC, but it was the Romans who turned the baths into a social haven during the 1st century AD.

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The Roman Baths today stand as a testament to the Roman architecture of the time, and one of the most popular historic sites in Britain. From the reception hall, where you can pick up your personal audioguide, you can make your way onto the terrace overlooking the Great Bath. The terrace is decorated with statues of Roman emperors and British noblemen dating from 1894. The Great Bath is a 5-foot-deep pool of hot spring water and is lined with 45 sheets of lead.

The Terrace and the Great Bath are just the tip of the iceberg though. The rest of the site extends below the modern-day streets and squares that surround it, and are a treasure trove of ancient Roman artefacts. A series of CGI reconstructions and projections show you how the baths would have looked during the peak of its popularity. As a haven for relaxation and leisure, the Romans even installed saunas, changing rooms and plunge pools that are still visible today.

For a exploration of Bath on foot, check out our our Bath City Walking Tour page.

According to Gaelic mythology, the causeway was built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) so that he could reach Scotland and fight with his Scottish rival, Benandonner. As with all great rivalries, the outcome varies depending on whose version is being recounted.

More scientific data suggests that the spectacular formation is a result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption around 50 to 60 million years ago. The 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed through the cooling and contracting of the resultant lava.

In 1693, the causeway began to enjoy international acclaim; Sir Richard Bulkeley, of Trinity College, mentioned the phenomenon in a paper presented to the Royal Society of London. In 1739, Susanna Drury really kick-started the global love affair with Giant's Causeway through her watercolour paintings, which were later engraved in 1743.

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One legendary status which is not disputed, though, is the Causeway's immense pulling power as a tourist destination, with 750,000 visitors making the trip annually. Here, tourists can enjoy not only the geological feature itself, but also the modern and impressive Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience.

The iconic dome of St Paul's Cathedral has graced the London skyline since 1710. The site was once a pagan place of worship and has been a religious sanctuary for over 1,400 years. The structure we see today has survived the Blitz's Luftwaffe of World War II, and, before London's skyscraper boom of recent years, it stood as the tallest building in the city until 1963.

An earlier version of St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. And, under the guidance of one of the world's most revered architects, Sir Christopher Wren, the cathedral was rebuilt to its current glory. In 1981, St Paul's Cathedral was the location for the wedding of Charles, the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer.

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The highlight of a tour of St Paul's Cathedral is the magnificent dome that sits on top. Having been inspired by the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica, Christopher Wren replaced the cathedral's former tower with what is today regarded as one of London's most recognisable landmarks. As you climb towards the dome, 527 spiral steps in total, and take in the breathtaking views of London, the genius of Sir Christopher Wren comes to the fore. There is a touching monument to Wren in the crypt below the cathedral, as well as a memorial to around 300 historic figures from Britain's past, including Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most popular and frequently most-hyped attractions on any of our Ireland tours, and the views will not disappoint. Rising to a height of 702ft (214m) high and 9 miles (14km) long, these sheer vertical cliffs hold a steady, undulating line against the tireless advance of the Atlantic below. A better view of the sea and setting sun on any Ireland tour you will not find.

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Another thing you will not find is the visitor centre; at least, until you get close, you won't find it. Designed very cleverly to blend into the local landscape, this extensive attraction is all but invisible as you approach the cliffs themselves. Inside, it is large, modern and informative.

You can also climb the O'Brien's Tower, a 19th century lookout tower with a viewing platform. Please note that entrance to the tower is limited each day. To get different perspective of the Cliffs and maybe even the best views in good weather conditions, you can visit the Cliffs by boat.

A thousand years older than Stonehenge, Bru na Boinne is a huge Neolithic necropolis, built to house the bodies of the social elites who ruled this region of ancient Ireland. Covering a large area, Bru na Boinne is perhaps best known for three main sites - Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth (Dowth is closed to tourists). A must-see on any Ireland Tour. As well as being older than Stonehenge, Newgrange is also older than the Egyptian Pyramids. It is made up of roughly 200,000 tonnes of rock and other materials. At its widest point, it reaches 279 feet. Built between 3200 and 3100 BC, the majority of the 547 slabs that form the inner passage are thought to have come from sites 5 km away and some coming as far as 20 km away.

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Archaeologists believe that Newgrange would have taken the local Neolithic people a minimum of 30 years to finish. The original purpose of the structure is not clear. Some believe that it was used for burial purposes while others believe that it was used solely as a place of worship. Another theory is that, as the Neolithic people were sun worshippers, and the sun's rays are perfectly captured through the passageway on the shortest day of the year (the Winter Solstice), Newgrange was built as a way of paying homage to the sun.

The exhibition at the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre tells the history of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. You will find a full-scale replica of the chamber of Newgrange here and a full model of a smaller tomb at Knowth. The visitor centre has recently received a major update.

Needing to lay down a marker of where the Roman Empire ended and the wild unknown began, Emperor Hadrian began work on his bricked namesake in 122 AD. Hadrian's Wall today is a ruin of ancient temples and crumbling forts stretching 73 modern miles across England from the coast of the Irish Sea in the west to the coast of the North Sea in the east. Contrary to popular belief Hadrian's Wall does not act as a border line of England and Scotland, as Scotland is a further 65 miles north of the wall. The wall was awarded Unesco World Heritage Status in 1987.

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Some of the best-preserved features of Hadrian's Wall include Chesters Roman Fort, a Roman cavalry fort designed to protect a bridge crossing at River North Tyne. Heading to the west you can see what is possibly the first non-Roman structure built along the wall, Hexham Abbey was built during the 7-century incorporating stones originally brought to the area by the Romans for building their forts. And, further to the west again is Homesteads' Latrines, an amazingly complex and well-preserved communal toilet once used by Roman soldiers.

While the northeast of England is relatively sparse when it comes to notable landmarks, one has stood out since 1093 — Durham Cathedral. The area's other landmark of note, the Angel of the North, wasn't erected until 1998. Durham Cathedral is located a 25-minute train ride from Newcastle City, and is seen today as one of the world's most beautiful examples of Romanesque Anglo-Norman Architecture. Durham Cathedral was the first English Cathedral to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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Within the cathedral, you'll get to see the exquisite stone Neville Screen, the final resting places of St Cuthbert and St Bede, the western and central towers as well as take in some of the most breathtaking views of County Durham. The one-hour tour of the cathedral is hosted by one of the expert volunteer guides, and they'll give you the full 1,000 history of the building, as well as take you on an exploration throughout it.

The angular edifice which houses The Titanic Experience is so evocative of the transformation which Belfast has undergone in recent years that it has become almost as iconic as the ill-fated ship to whose short history this attraction is dedicated.

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An extensive multimedia tribute to the world's most famous ocean liner, The Titanic Experience is located at the top of the slipway from which the ship made its first and only descent into the Belfast Lough and the waters of the Irish Sea beyond. Opened in 2012 for the centenary of the ship's launch and tragic demise, the museum has rapidly become Ulster's most visited tourist destination, outstripping even The Giant's Causeway.

Cleverly put together, the attraction encapsulates more than simply the scale of the ship, more even than the scale of the disaster which befell it; drawing on all the sights, sounds and smells of the age, the museum recreates all facets of this most fascinating period of history, bringing to life the experiences not only of the passengers but also of the ship workers who realized this vision of early twentieth century engineering.

Fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish, and Irish thrones, Catholic King James II and protestant King William III of Orange, the Battle of The Boyne would shore up the growing strength of Protestantism in Ireland, precipitating James's swift departure for safety in France.

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The battle itself was fought on a stretch of land between the counties of Meath and Louth which now belongs to the Oldbridge Estate Farm. On-site, there is a visitor centre with a short show, original and replica weapons, and a battlefield model. There is also a tea pavilion to which the battle-weary can retreat for hot drinks and cakes.

For information about great driving routes in this area, look up www.boynevalleyroute.com - a really useful resource for those considering a self-drive tour of East Ireland.

First built during the 1880s, as a much-needed crossing point in East London, Tower Bridge has gone on to become one of the city's most popular landmarks. Using materials from across Britain, including stone from Portland, steel from Glasgow and granite from Cornwall, the two iconic Gothic towers were first erected in 1894 — and were originally a chocolate-brown colour. The ground-breaking feature of the tower was the steam-powered roadway raising. Taking only three minutes to raise, and allowing ships to pass between the two towers, it was a modern marvel of engineering for its time.

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Today, the bridge is raised via electricity and rises 800 times a year, on average. While the outside views of the bridge are why people are drawn to the attraction, the interior today is also worth a visit. Featuring a 36-foot-glass walkway of the Tower Bridge Exhibition, located 137 feet above the River Thames, as well as an audio-visual guide taking you through the bridge's construction and history.

Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig, is a rocky outcrop island located 11.6 km to the west of the Iveragh Peninsula in Country Kerry. Sceilig Bheag (Little Skellig), its twin island is small and completely inaccessible. Skellig Michael is a world heritage site and was used as a monastic settlement by monks in the 7th century. Hollywood came calling to the island in 2014 when Episode VII of the Star Wars franchise chose it as a location for its final scene. The location was chosen for its otherworldly appearance thanks to its unique combination of Old Red Sandstone and compressed slate.

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To visit Skellig Michael you will have to book a landing tour with one of the boat operators. We advise to book your tour well in advance as only 180 people are allowed to access the island each day. The landing tours are subject to weather conditions and can be cancelled if they are bad. The boat trip normally takes around an hour and the visit to Skellig Michael approximately 2,5 hours. Most boat tours leave from Portmagee pier and are available from May to the beginning of October.

Situated five miles north-west of Cork city, Blarney Castle is a solid fixture on almost any tour of Ireland itinerary. It is best known for the famous "Blarney Stone" which visitors are encouraged to kiss, in accordance with a tradition that spans the centuries. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone are said to magically receive the "gift of the gab", — or as we call it in Ireland... a load of old Blarney.

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Built over 600 years ago by Cormac MacCarthy, one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Blarney Castle has attracted millions of visitors who continue to flock here hoping to be gifted with the power of persuasive and elegant speech. Visitors can now explore the castle's stunning gardens and interior, including the winding staircase and dungeons.

While not the largest or most imposing of Irish castles, Blarney Castle has a certain charm and elegance that's hard to forget. You can also look inside the adjacent Blarney House, a stately mansion built during the 18th century and the nearby Blarney Woollen Mills, an Irish heritage shop famous for its wool garments and a fantastic café!

Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming town in the West Midlands, boasts Tudor-style homes and a picturesque winding river. But, its real claim to fame is being the hometown of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare. Born in 1564 and raised on Henley Street in Stratford, along with his seven siblings. After his father John's passing in 1601, William inherited the family home. He later turned it into an inn called the Swan and Maidenhead, an establishment that endured until 1847.

While the exact date of Shakespeare's departure from Stratford-upon-Avon remains uncertain, historical records indicate his presence in London during the 'lost years' from 1585 to 1592. He eventually returned to his hometown in 1611. On April 23 of that year, also believed to be the date of his birthday, Shakespeare passed away at the age of 52.

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Today, you can walk through the impeccably maintained house where Shakespeare was born and raised. See his father's glove-making workshop, the family's kitchen table, and the bedroom where a young William shared a small bed with his three brothers, as well as many other carefully preserved artefacts. You are greeted in each room by an enthusiastic volunteer (dressed in period clothes) who will give you a detailed breakdown of its contents and history. Outside the house, there is a sculpture garden, a cottage garden, and orchards. There is also a miniature stage, where you can see actors showcasing some of the Bard's most famous works.

If you'd like to explore Stratford-upon-Avon on foot, take a look at our Stratford City Walking Tour page.

During the infancy of marine navigation, of which Britain was at the forefront, there became a greater need to record such things as accuracy and timekeeping, as well as the measurement of longitude. In 1674, King Charles II set up a Royal Commission to maximize Britain's seafaring potential. One of the people involved was Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul's Cathedral and renowned astronomer, who brought forward the idea of creating an observatory. On the same day that Wren decided on Greenwich as the home for the observatory, King Charles II appointed John Flamsteed as its first 'Astronomer Royal'.

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Using recycled material, the observatory, often called Flamsteed House, was built by Flamsteed and his two servants at the site of the ruined Greenwich Castle for a total cost of £520.45. Over the next 42 years, as the Astronomer Royal, Flamsteed oversaw the development of the observatory, to house ongoing extensions and ever more sophisticated instruments. During his tenure, Flamsteed took over 50,000 observations of the moon and stars.

Today, the main attraction of the Royal Observatory Greenwich remains Flamsteed House. This is the redbrick building, with its distinctive red ball that slides up and down the weather vane. The ball is set to the top at 12:55pm each day and is dropped at exactly 1pm. This allows vessels on the Thames to coordinate their chronometers — A device used to measure time, developed to maintain accuracy despite movement or changes in temperature.

Located on the northern banks of the River Thames, The Tower of London is home to some of the most fascinating, and chilling, history of England. Throughout its time, it has been a royal palace, treasury, mint, armoury, and even a zoo, the Tower is perhaps most renowned for its role as a notorious prison, where monarchs and nobles, including Henry VIII's ill-fated wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, met their tragic ends.

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The main attraction here is the Crown Jewels, featuring the world's largest diamonds, and protected by their live-in guards the Yeomen Warders, more commonly known as Beefeaters. The Tower is also home to a somewhat more important resident, a flock of ravens. It is said, that should ravens no longer live within the grounds, the British Kingdom will crumble. To avoid such a fate, there are spare ravens kept in the aviary — with their wing feathers clipped to make doubly sure!

You are free to wander through the tower however you please. But, you can also be guided by one of the Beefeater guards, which is included in the admission fee. This is a more rewarding experience, especially if it's your first visit. They have all the tower knowledge you need, and make sure you get to see its highlights.

Culloden Battlefield, near the Scottish city of Inverness, marks the location of the last pitched battle ever fought on British Soil — the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746. The battle was the climax of the Jacobite Rising of 1745, in which Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, looked to overthrow the British government and return the House of Stuart to the throne. This uprising was met at Culloden by the larger and better-equipped British government forces. Bonnie Prince Charlie's men consisted mainly of Highland clansmen, and in the end, proved no match for their opponents.

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The Battle of Culloden lasted a mere hour or so, but the ramifications to the Scottish society, politics, and lifestyle were immense. Highland culture was changed forever, with the British government imposing laws forbidding traditional Highland dress and suppressing the Gaelic way of life.

The view of the battlefield from the visitor centre is striking, a vast blend of moorland and marshland that seems to spread endlessly in all directions. Today, Culloden Battlefield is open all year round to visitors and is maintained by the National Trust for Scotland.

Located on the Shetland Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement is a prehistoric archaeological site, and has been called "one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles". Items found on the location include remains dating from as far back as 2500 BC. Several small oval houses date back to the Bronze Age, and the remains of structures from the Iron Age, include round towers and defensive walls. You'll also find artefacts from the Pictish, Viking, and Norse periods.

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One of the newest additions to Jarlshof is the Old House of Samburgh. Originally used as a medieval stone farmhouse, it was later transformed into a fortified residence during the 16th century — when Scotland took possession of the Shetland Islands. Sir Walter Scott, the renowned Scottish novelist and poet, used the Old House of Sumburgh as a setting for part of his 1821 novel The Pirate.