Canterbury

Canterbury is a wonderful historical place filled with relics of the past and castles. It is home to numerous World Heritage Sites. Read Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and visit nearby Bath, which has been described as one of the most enjoyable and beautiful places in all of England.

Canterbury Cathedral – Location of the first Church of England. The cathedral dates back to 597 AD and was a monastery for Benedictine monks in the 1300s.

Canterbury Cathedral, England, UK by Steve Evans

St. Augustine’s Abbey – St. Augustine’s Abbey is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important ruins in the United Kingdom and provides insight into church history in England.

St. Martin’s Church – St. Martin’s Church dates back to the Roman period in England’s history. It is one of the first churches established by the Romans in England.

Stratford-upon-Avon

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, then Stratford-upon-Avon should be on your list of trips to take while you are in England. Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, you can see a performance of one of his plays or visit his birthplace. Although Stratford-upon-Avon can be full of tourists during peak seasons, if you travel to Warwickshire on a weekend trip, you may be able to avoid crowds.

Salisbury

Salisbury in Wiltshire is the home of Stonehenge. Although you will not be allowed to walk among the stones in Avebury, you can visit the historic site of the mysterious stones and walk around the area. Nearby Salisbury Cathedral was established in 1258. It is one of the earliest medieval cathedrals in England and has the tallest spire in the country.

Salisbury Cathedral, England, UK by David Merrett

Cambridge

If you are in the United Kingdom to attend school, then you should not pass up the opportunity to visit Cambridge, located north of London in Cambridgeshire. Established as one of the finest learning institutions in the world, Cambridge is easy to visit and walk through. Cambridge University was established in 1209 and serves as the cornerstone for the other colleges of the university, including King’s College, Trinity College and St. John’s College.

Stroll through the lanes of King’s College or visit the ADC Theatre, which is the oldest university theatre in England. If you are interested in World War 2 history, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It was established in 1943 to honor Americans who gave their lives in England while fighting the second World War.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a World Heritage Site and the location of the wall that divided the frontier of England from the rest of the world during Roman occupation. It runs 73 miles from east to west and is home to numerous Roman ruins, including garrison towns and roads.

Hadrian’s Wall, England, UK by

Tintagel Castle

Located on the western coastline of Cornwall, Tintagel Castle is where King Arthur was born according to legend. Explore 13th century ruins of the castle, which was once home to the Earl of Cornwall. Visit Merlin’s Cave and find out more about the story of Tristan and Isolde and their connection to the legend of Arthur.

Rich in history and legend, attending school in the United Kingdom is the perfect opportunity to explore many of the sites that provide the foundation for much of Western History. Other places to visit include Parliament, Kew Gardens, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and the industrial cities of Midland and York.

Sarah writes for Richmond, the American Uni in London. Richmond’s specialist courses range from international relations too their unique art history masters course. Richmond offer low student numbers and a great student experience.

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Millions around the world watched on TV on April 29 when Kate Middleton made her way from The Goring (one of the most luxurious London Hotels) to the Abbey to marry Prince William. That historic day will have increased interest in visiting the building. Westminster Abbey has in fact been used for coronations and other royal occasions for centuries, so William and Kate were continuing a rich tradition.

Westminster Abbey was founded some time before AD624, and housed a community of Benedictine monks for its first few years. The present church was built in 1245 by Henry III, who was later buried there. The Abbey stood to be destroyed during the reign of Henry VII, for that fate befell most abbeys in his time. But he decided to grant it cathedral status, and spare it from being pulled down. Again in the 17th century it came under threat when it suffered damage at the hands of Puritans, but it survived mostly intact. Around 100 years later, the Abbey’s two western towers were built to a Gothic Revival design. It’s the history surrounding that makes it so unique and special, something even the finest of Dubai Hotels can re-create.

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It is an important religious building, also known as The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which saw parts of the King James Bible and the New Testament translated, as well as, more recently, the New English Bible.

Westminster Abbey has been used for the weddings of most of the royal family in recent times, the exception being Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, married the Duke of Edinburgh at the Abbey in 1947. And it was only appropriate that Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, chose the Abbey to host his wedding this year.

Westminster Abbey has also been known as one of the sights of London for its use as the burial place of most of the Kings and Queens of England. Besides royalty, many of England’s finest poets are buried here, including William Blake, Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, John Milton and Alfred Lord Tennyson. The Princess of Wales’ funeral was held there on September 6, 1997, watched by a huge TV audience around the world.

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