Heritage in and near Penzance

Carn Euny Ancient Village

Among the best preserved ancient villages in the South-West, occupied from Iron Age until late Roman times. It includes the foundations of stone houses, and an intriguing 'fogou' underground passage. ... more

Castles, cathedrals, stately mansions, ancient ruins and royal palaces: England's immensely rich heritage is reflected in its countless monuments to a long and fascinating past.

England's heritage is so significant that seven of its cities have been awarded Britain's Heritage City status because of their fascinating heritage. The cities, which should definitely be on the top of your list if you love history, are Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Durham, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and York.

England's heritage is not limited to its historical buildings. Heritage in England includes customs, traditions and the legacy left by its world-famous scientists, artists, authors and of course its influential monarchs.

England's magnificent castles and ornate palaces are vivid reminders of the central role that the monarchy has played in the country's history. The story of Britain's royalty is long and dramatic, characterised by wars, intrigue, passion and patriotism.

Queen Elizabeth II can trace her ancestry back to King Egbert, who united England under his rule in 829. The first monarch of Great Britain, however, was James I, who united England and Scotland when he succeeded the throne in 1603.

Even in modern times, people are intrigued by the lives of the Queen and royal family, and the Queen, while not the political leader of the country any longer, is still Head of State and an important symbol of national unity.

One of the best Heritage Sites in England to visit if you'd like to really immerse yourself in the country's royal history is the Tower of London. The fortress has become a symbol of British royalty, whose centre is the imposing White Tower, a perfect example of Norman architecture. The Tower of London was built on the Thames by William the Conqueror, and became most infamous as a prison whose inmates included martyrs and traitors, and even kings and queens.

If you'd like to see where the kings and queens of England have begun their reign through the ages, head to Westminster Abbey in London, where British monarchs have been crowned since 1066. It is also the final resting place of 17 monarchs. Memorials to the most significant English men and women fill the Abbey: there are monuments to politicians, scientists, artists and writers.

Out of England have come some of the world's greatest writers and poets. Many classic works and much-loved stories have been written by English literary giants.

Throughout England, you can visit places that are closely associated with these wonderful writers. The Lake District has inspired both Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales, and William Wordsworth's lyrical nature poems. Jane Austen grew up near Andover in the tiny hamlet of Steventon, but moved to Bath later in life, and there is a museum in Bath devoted to the well-loved author.

Brontë country is in West Yorkshire, particularly Haworth near Leeds where Charlotte, Emily and Anne wrote the popular Romantic novels Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey. Alice in Wonderland writer Lewis Carroll is commemorated in Oxford, where he was a mathematics don, and fans of Charles Dickens should head to London to tour the buildings featured in his classic Victorian novels.

Of course the most famous English playwright was William Shakespeare, and his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, has been named one of the top Heritage Cities in England. You can visit both Shakespeare's home, the church where the Bard is buried, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

England's architecture has been profoundly influenced by the different peoples who have invaded, conquered and immigrated to the country.

There are structures in England that date back to prehistoric times, such as the world-famous group of megaliths at Stonehenge near Salisbury. There is still uncertainty as to the astronomical and ceremonial purpose of the amazing stone structures, which just adds to their mystery.

The Romans made Britain an outpost of their empire in 43AD, and the best-preserved Roman remains in England are the amazing temple and bathing complex in Bath, built around Britain's only hot spring, which still flows today.

The majestic cathedrals of England are undoubtedly its architectural gems as well as the spiritual and cultural centres of cities. They are often a combination of Norman and Gothic architecture, and are some of the most impressive Medieval buildings in the world. The best cathedrals are located in England's Heritage Cities, such as Canterbury Cathedral, which has been the seat of the spiritual head of the Church of England for nearly five centuries, and York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps.

Heritage in England is all-encompassing: the country is rightly proud of its maritime, scientific and artistic heritage too, and wherever you travel, there's a bound to be fascinating stories of cultural heritage to uncover.