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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The city was founded in the early 13th century, when the bishopric was moved from Old Sarum, an ancient Iron Age fort, which now stands on the northern outskirts of town, about 3 km from the city centre. This place was inhabited already 5000 years ago. The double ditches of this fort are still visible, however there was nothing left from the city inside the walls. Old Sarum was settled by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and the bishops of Sherborne. But over time, they seemed uncomfortable, as this place was plagued by drought and strong winds, therefore, they requested the pope to move to Salisbury. This city is still called New Sarum. In the 19th century Old Sarum had been completely abandoned.

Domination of the city is its Cathedral, which is situated in the beautiful and peaceful district of The Close. There are also located schools, hospitals, theological colleges and hostels clerics. Salisbury cathedral, also known as Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built between 1220 – 1258. Today it is a beautiful example of early English Gothic architecture, characterized by high lancet windows. The uniqueness of the cathedral is primarily in its perfectly uniform architectural concept. The only exception is a majestic tower that was built in the years 1280 – 1310. With its 123 meters it is the tallest spire in the United kingdom. It is quite surprising that the tower still stands, its foundations are only about 2 meters deep and the measurement found that the tower leans up to 77 cm.

But it is not everything that Salisbury Cathedral can offer. You can also see here the oldest working clock in the world from the year 1386, which are exposed on the left side of the cathedral. However the most important monument is the English charter Magna Carta from 1215, which is stored in the Chapter House. It is the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta.

Salisbury Cathedral is famous also for its organ choir. The List of all Organists sorted chronologically in a row from the very beginning can not be overlooked in the cathedral. I must say that the cathedral has much to be proud of. I was lucky enough to hear the choir which was an amazing experience. I definitely recommend you to listen to (they do practice about 1 hour before Mass).

More info you can find at Salisbury Cathedral official website.

View Salisbury Cathedral with the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom in a larger map

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