Visit tiny St Davids
The smallest city in the UK is the best antidote to all the others. St Davids boasts one of the oldest cathedrals in the country, today’s building having been consecrated in the 12th century and the previous one – razed by Vikings – dating back another 600 years. Although modern-day pilgrims tend to come for the wild Pembrokeshire coast rather than the churches, still the ruined Bishops Palace can transport even the least imaginative tourist back in time. For a real monastic experience, visit Ramsey Island just off the coast from the city. Once the hermit St Justinian’s bolt-hole, it’s now a puffin reserve.
Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town
A Unesco world heritage site and Edinburgh’s crowning glory, the city’s Old Town has been the birthplace of thousands of stories, both in history and fiction. No trip to the city would be complete without a walk up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Park to Castle Rock. The view of the Firth of Forth and surrounding hills, including Arthur’s Seat, explains why the spot became the seat of Scottish power even before the castle was built in the 12th century. Visit the city on 13-29 August, and as well as genning up on its medieval history, you can enjoy one of the 700 events planned for the Edinburgh international book festival which celebrates its City of Literature status.
Uncover Conwy’s medieval history
This iconic 13th-century Conwy Castle on the harbour is the most complete example of the iron ring strongholds that Edward I built when he invaded and annexed Wales, and has been named one of Unesco’s world heritage sites. Still impressive to this day, the castle sits on a rock overlooking what used to be a key crossing on the river Conwy and comprises an awe-inspiring edifice including two gateways and eight towers. Visit the castle to experience what royal visitors would have felt visiting its great hall and royal chambers, and discover how the Welsh took it back.
Follow Shakespeare’s footsteps in Stratford-on-Avon
Though he spent many years in London, Shakespeare’s family home and the place he returned to in his 40s was Stratford. As well as the RSC theatres, the town boasts a wealth of restored houses that the playwright and Anne Hathaway would have known. Opening this summer is a museum on the site of Shakespeare’s New Place – his last home where he is thought to have written The Tempest, Hamlet and Macbeth. From there it’s just a short walk to his childhood home and other beautiful parts of the Stratford tour.
The Vale of Durham – immersive history
Kynren, an action-packed open-air spectacular, charts the history of England over 2,000 years, featuring a cast and crew of more than 1,000 on a 7.5-acre stage, complete with lake – think London 2012 opening ceremony. History buffs will also enjoy Durham cathedral’s Open Treasure exhibition, which tells the story of the development of Christianity, revealing previously hidden spaces within the cathedral cloister. It is also home to the best-preserved monastic library in the British Isles. Other notable sites include: Auckland castle, the palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham for more than 800 years and home to a wonderful collection of Zurbarán paintings; Binchester Roman fort, featuring the remains of a Roman bath house with a 1,700-year-old under floor heating system; Locomotion – The National Railway Museum at Shildon, which displays more than 70 heritage rail vehicles; and The Bowes Museum, a wonderful French-style chateau with three floors of artefacts. www.thisisdurham.com/heritage
See Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow
From the Daily Record Building to the Willow Tea Rooms, Mackintosh’s story and style resonates through contemporary Glasgow. Don’t-miss destinations are Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (home to the biggest permanent exhibition about Glasgow style) and The Lighthouse, Mackintosh’s first public commission. Go off the beaten track in Govan to see the House for an Art Lover – one of Mackintosh’s designs only realised in 1987 after being championed by a local civil engineer – or tour Hill House in Helensburgh, a perfect example of Mackintosh’s domestic work. For a whole festival of Mackintosh, book a trip in October.
Dig into Derry-Londonderry’s maritime heritage
When James II marched to Derry in 1689, it was the beginning of a three and a half-month siege that still stands as a shocking episode in British and Irish history. Explore permanent exhibitions at Derry’s Tower Museum to discover what happened during the siege and how the city recovered, and learn the story of La Trinidad Valencera, a ship of the Spanish Armada wrecked off the coast of nearby Donegal.
The 17th-century walls that stood through the siege still stand today, and surround a city that serves as a gateway to the famous Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coastal routes. This proximity to the sea and maritime heritage is celebrated in the Foyle Maritime Festival, every July. Centered around a thrilling clipper race, the festival turns the whole city into a pirate treasure hunt, and food markets and street performances complete the party.
See Lincoln’s poppies
After its initial show at the Tower of London, Paul Cummins’ sweeping poppies installation, Wave, will be on display at Lincoln Castle until 4 September as part of the city’s first world war memorial events season, 14-18 NOW. During the Great War, factories in the city made many of the aircraft used by the RAF, and Lincoln lost more than 18,000 of its men in the fighting. Mark the Somme centenary on 18 July with a two-minute silence at a public ceremony, followed by poetry readings and flyovers by war planes.
Go to www.homeofamazing.com for further holiday inspiration
- This article was amended on 28 June 2016. It previously stated that the museum on the site of Shakespeare’s New Place would open on 1 July - the date is yet to be confirmed.
