What’s Your Favorite #NAME?

Welcome to the What’s Your Favorite series!

In this series, we will take you on a tour of some of the most famous castles, palaces, and other historical sites around the world. We’ll start with the United Kingdom since it’s pretty much the perfect place for this type of post!

The United Kingdom

Let’s jump right in with the United Kingdom. The UK is a place that’s rich in history and is absolutely dripping in beauty.

The country is home to some of the most famous castles in the world, including:

  • Halloween Castle
  • Lancaster Castle
  • Windsor Castle
  • Sleeping Dragon Castle
  • Pendred Castle

Some of the UK’s most significant historical sites include:

  • The Tower of London
  • Stone Henge
  • Holland Park
  • Tower Bridge
  • Tower Bridge Cable Car
  • Cheese Shop Wars

Oxford

Oxford is arguably the most beautiful city in the UK. It’s probably best known for its dreaming spires, but the city is more than just high-upside-down buildings. There’s a real community spirit in Oxford, with a thriving social scene and plenty of places to buy a pint of beer.

The history of Oxford is certainly interesting. It was once the capital of England, and it continues to play an extremely important role in English history. If you visit the city then, make sure you pay a visit to:

  • The Bodleian Library
  • The Ashmolean Museum
  • The Oxford Botanic Garden

Lincoln

It’s well-known that the UK’s 2016 referendum on remaining in the EU was won by those living in rural areas, especially in the northern parts of the country. That’s somewhat reflected in the 2018 elections, with the UK Independence Party (UKIP) doing well in rural areas and the Brexit Party benefiting from a backlash against immigration in urban areas.

Lincoln is definitely a city that embodies that. The city’s old quarter, The Borough, is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and it’s certainly no accident that Lincoln’s World Heritage Site status was gained on the back of its old city walls, which still stand today. Walking through the city gates is like falling into a fairytale.

The Lincoln Castle is located on the city walls, and it’s fair to say that it’s one of the biggest castles you’ll ever see. One of the most famous events that took place at Lincoln Castle was the signing of the Magna Carta on 15 May 1215, which began an era of judicial reform and established a framework for democratic government. The history of Magna Carta is fascinating, and it’s worth spending a little time exploring it. If you visit the city, make sure you pay a visit to:

  • Guthrie Castle
  • Lincoln Cathedral
  • Guthrie Park
  • The Shakespeare Company
  • Fatima Palace
  • The Guildhall
  • The Shambles
  • Belle Isle Castle
  • Micklegate Bar
  • Butterflies Park
  • Kiln Park
  • Sovereign Park

Essex

Essex is the largest of the four counties that make up the UK. With around 1.8 million residents, it’s one of the most populated counties in the country. The county’s most famous town is Chelmsford, which is home to some pretty magnificent churches, including:

  • St. Nicholas Church
  • The Church of the Holy Trinity
  • Holy Trinity Church
  • St. Andrew’s Church
  • Parnell’s Memorial Church
  • Powerscourt Park
  • Bishop Blaise’s Palace
  • The Old Rectory
  • Essex County Cricket Club

Chelmsford’s parks are famous for their flower displays throughout the year, and it’s a great place to be surrounded by nature. It’s also home to a thriving social scene.

Kent

Kent is the southeastern part of England, bordering with the country of Scotland. If you’re not familiar, the region is known for its dark skies and beautiful landscapes. It’s also renowned for its cider, much of which is now exported worldwide. Some of the highlights of a trip to Kent include:

  • Powderham Castle
  • Oakham Castle
  • Hever Castle
  • Bray Castle
  • Percy Castle
  • Wanstead Park
  • Upper Lake
  • Rainbow Bridge
  • Saltwood Castle
  • Peartree Square

As you can see, there’s a lot to see in Kent. There are plenty of iconic British castles for you to visit, including some that are open to the public. Walking through these ancient buildings and imagining what it would have been like to live in them is a real treat.

The most important thing to do in Kent is to sample its local cuisine. The region is home to many award-winning restaurants, which serve some of the most traditional dishes around. Those seeking an adventure can take the London to Kent road trip and eat their way through the beautiful county.

The last stop on our UK tour is Glasgow. It’s Scotland’s largest city, with an estimated population of over 600,000 people. The city is rich in culture and teems with life, much like the rest of Scotland. Some of the highlights of a trip to Glasgow include:

  • The Burrell Museum
  • Glasgow Art Gallery
  • Glasgow Science Centre
  • The Chillingham Castle
  • Titanic Museum
  • Earls Park
  • Horniman Museum
  • Victoria Park
  • The GLLA (Glasgow Literary and Lecture Society)
  • The Tron Theatre
  • The Barras
  • The SSE Celtic Park

There’s so much more to see in the UK than we’ve covered here. From the rolling hills of England to the craggy coastline of Scotland, the country is full of beauty and history. There’s a world of adventure to be had just waiting to be explored.

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