The United Kingdom is one place in the world that is visited by millions of tourists every year, not only for the beautiful scenery it has to offer but also for the abundance of unique attractions that draw tourists year after year. Apart from the beaches, the nightlife, the many kid-friendly attractions and activities and more, there are the famous abbeys and castles all through the country too, that are absolute must-sees for any visitor. Following are just a few of these famous abbeys and castles, to help you choose which to include in your itinerary.
Famous castles in the UK:
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is not only one of the most famous and popular of the thousands of UK attractions, but it is also one of the oldest castles in the world, that is still inhabited today. It has been home to royalty for more than 9 centuries and is today still one of the Queen’s official residences. This magnificent stronghold, which was built by William the Conqueror way back in 1070, is definitely one of the best attractions to visit during your stay in the country.
Arundel Castle
Described as a fairy tale castle and quite rightly so, the spectacular, easily accessible Arundel Castle is set in 40 beautiful acres of the English countryside, where it was built in 1068, soon after the Battle of Hastings. Many additions and alterations were made to the castle over the years, firstly by King Henry II, and then much later on too, from 1642 to 1651, when it was severely damaged during the English Civil War.
All sorts of magnificent antiques and artworks can be viewed at Arundel Castle, and visitors can also see the medieval part of the castle, personal items that once belonged to Queen Mary, and wonderful historical and religious items too, that are permanently on display.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, situated in Kent in England, was built by a Norman family named Crevecoeur in 1119, on a site which was formerly Esledes, a Saxon manor dating back to 879 AD. Leeds Castle since then, got through the English Civil War without being damaged, saw most of the personal life of King Henry VIII, and much later still, was even host to an Elton John concert, in 1999.
Leeds Castle is today an extremely popular attraction, not only to people from other countries but to British citizens as well, due to it being considered one of the finest examples of medieval castles in the entire country. Many events take place at Leeds Castle during the year as well, such as Bonfire Night celebrations, Christmas, classical music concerts, various children’s activities, and a whole lot more.
Westminster Abbey
Known to millions across the globe, Westminster Abby, situated in central London, has been the venue for many royal funerals and weddings, including the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton, which was held in 2011. Rather than being a proper house of worship, Westminster Abbey is visited by millions of tourists all through the year, who come to see not only the marvellous abbey itself, but also the tombs of the famous too, such as Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton, and Chaucer, as well as the ashes of Sir Lawrence Olivier and Rudyard Kipling.
Battle Abbey
As its name implies, Battle Abbey stands on the site of the famous Battle of Hastings which occurred in 1066. Many Anglo-Saxons lost their lives during this battle, at the hands of the Normans. As reparations for the killings, William the Conqueror made a promise to the Pope of the time, that he would have an abbey built on the site of the battle. William died before the building was completed, but others kept his promise, and Battle Abbey was finally completed.
Battle Abbey was owned by the Webster family for hundreds of years, with many sections of it being sold, or falling into ruins, until the 1970 s when the Webster family sold it to the British Government. Battle Abbey, with its years of fascinating history, is today one of the most famous tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.
The above famous abbeys and castles are just a handful of the many more that are found all over the UK. Each of them is stunning, and each has its own interesting story to tell, and all of them are well worth a visit if you plan to travel to the UK.