A
brief guide to some lesser known historical, cultural and natural sites in the U.K.
Simply an overview or series of suggestions for less well known places to visit across Great Britain (mainly England). At some point in the last twenty years I have visited all but one of these sites. The list is arranged according to region and then alphabetically.
Unless stated, the images displayed are not my own and are believed to be in the public domain for non profit purposes.
Please note that any images (in this guide section only) that are not my own do not link to larger versions. Only my own images link to large scale versions if so indicated.
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The significant and unique remains of a medieval friary complex, with the ranges of buildings surviving on three sides of the cloister area, with the excavated foundations of the church also visible. Saved from demolition in the 1970's and now housing shops, art galleries and a cafe/restaurant.
The site belonged to the Dominican order until the Dissolution of 1536-40. Though relatively sedate within Britain, the Dominican order is infamous for it's involvement with the persecution of the Cathar sect of southern France during the 13th century.
Free. (Photo K. Marriott)
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A vast gothic mansion designed and built from 1821 by the architect Philip Wyatt (who also designed the now vanished Fonthill Abbey) for Colonel Thomas Braddyll. The site was originally that of an Augustinian priory founded in 1160 and demolished after 1537, to be replaced by a Tudor mansion, itself replaced by the current building. Since 1976, the house is now part of a college and retreat centre of the Tibetan Buddhist related New Kadampa sect. There is a Buddhist temple in the grounds.
In nearby Ulverston town centre is the World Peace Cafe (in Cavendish street) which serves a variety of organic drinks and vegetarian meals.
Free/Charge for house tour. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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A medieval town with a large ancient church and ruined castle. The town also contains the oldest surviving chemists shop in Britain and there are also riverside/gorge walks and caves. Other more unusual features include a house built into a cliff face, and further along, a tiny medieval ‘cave’ chapel carved out of the cliff. There was also once a monastery further along the river of which only fragments of carved stone now remain incorporated into later structures.
Charge for castle & museum. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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An impressive monument consisting of a 12ft partially inscribed megalith (‘Long Meg’) and an accompanying circle of 59 large stones.
Free. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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A magnificent late 17th century house with later interiors mainly by the famed architect Robert Adam. The then owner William Weddell, having made the ‘grand tour’ in 1766 commissioned Robert Adam to create fantastic neo classical interiors inspired by what he had seen in Europe and to house his considerable new collection of antiquities, tapestries and furnishings acquired whilst on the tour.
An unusually significant portion of the interior of the house is open to the public, culminating in the grand sculpture galleries containing much original roman statuary, much as it would have appeared when originally installed in the 1760’s. There are also extensive and varied gardens.
Charge. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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A little known ruin situated in fields on the southern outskirts of the town. This site is not signposted and can be very difficult to find. It is the ruins of a Cistercian abbey in what is now an unexcavated and very overgrown enclosure. A very unusual site nowadays, to wander around inside with the chunks of carved stone emerging from the soil, littering the undergrowth, and sections of wall with arches and windows, and fragments of tombs, all often ivy clad.
Free. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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Travelling several miles down a deserted road in the countryside west of York leads to Nun Monkton, a disconcertingly quiet, almost creepy village. This is an ancient settlement with the site of a 12th century priory of Benedictine nuns. The only survivor of this monument is that of a section of the priory church now used by the parish. During restoration in the 19th century, magnificent stained glass windows by Burne Jones and William Morris were installed. The church is situated at the end of a long avenue of trees, past iron gates.
Free. (Photo: K. Marriott)
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An attractive small town to the east of the Lake District and at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Other than as a base to explore the area, the chief reason for coming to Sedburgh is the several used and antiquarian bookstores (one very sizable) which are to be found here.
(Photo: Hills nr. Sedburgh; K. Marriott)
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| South East | South West | The Midlands |
| The North | Wales & Scotland |