🏰 Top 10 must-visit places in the south of England
It would seem that you can see in the south of Great Britain, except for its capital – London, huh? It turns out that there is a lot! Incredible landscapes, museums, castles and fortresses, ancient cities and ancient buildings – all this awaits those who decide to explore this part of Foggy Albion. Although the south of England does not have clearly defined borders, the natural beauty of this region will make the heart of even the most experienced traveler beat faster. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of English historical architecture, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
Oxford
“The City of Dreaming Spiers” is home to famous scientists, writers and even magic. The 800-year history of this place welcomes tourists with its picturesque streets dotted with the golden yellow architecture of local buildings. There is a reason why the best way to get to know Oxford is to visit the various colleges, cafes and restaurants. Most educational institutions here are open to visitors. For a symbolic sum you can visit Magdalene and Trinity Colleges.
Do you want to know where Lewis Carroll came up with his Alice, and where J. R. R. Tolkien taught English? Or see with your own eyes the famous Radcliffe Chamber – the round reading room of the University of Oxford in the neoclassical style? Or do you dream of visiting the Bodleian Library, where Harry Potter was filmed? Whatever you choose, there will definitely be a couple of reasons to visit Oxford and stroll around its places.
Windsor castle
Windsor Castle, which belongs to the Crown and is its country residence, is considered the most beautiful, as well as the largest castle in all of Great Britain. To admire its architecture, tourists from all over the world come to Berkshire, which is 43 km from London. The hill on which the castle is located offers impressive views of the Thames. The residence, which began its history under William the Conqueror, is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in England, along with Buckingham Palace.
Over the course of 100 years, the castle underwent many rebuildings and reconstructions. The most significant changes occurred during the reign of Henry II Plantagenet. It was under him that the walls of the building became stone. And then each ruler considered it his duty to bring something new to the appearance of the castle: canvases, frescoes and tapestries from different eras have been decorating numerous halls for centuries.
Abbey of St. Augustine
Located just outside the city of Canterbury, St Augustine's Abbey was originally created as a burial place for Anglo-Saxon kings. Today it is rightfully an object of the city’s historical heritage, along with its other important attractions.
The abbey was founded in 597. Since then, it has become a haven for numerous monks and priests. There is an exhibition hall from the 16th century, a famous library in which only 200 books have survived, and only one silver cup from monastic utensils. After the monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII, part of the abbey's buildings were turned into a royal residence. Monarchs stopped here before traveling to the southern outskirts of England. True connoisseurs of Great Britain's historical heritage should definitely visit St. Augustine's Abbey.
Baht
In the small southern town of Bath there is probably the most unusual monument from the times of the Roman Empire in all of England – a thermal spring. It’s not for nothing that even the name of the city literally translates as “bath.” Initially, this place was inhabited by the Celts, who built the first sanctuary here in honor of the goddess Sulis. When the Romans came to the lands of future Great Britain, the Celtic buildings were preserved. But on their basis, the conquerors built public baths – thermal baths, exactly like in Ancient Rome.
Currently, the city is visited by numerous tourists who, while in England, want to get acquainted with the customs and traditions of ancient Roman resorts. You can also plunge into the history of Bath by walking through its center. Cafes and restaurants on every corner create a cozy atmosphere for enjoying the best English tea.
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Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious and mysterious places on Earth. Located in southern England, it consists of multi-ton stone blocks stacked on top of each other. Naturally, this is not an accident, but a carefully planned structure, erected about 4000-5000 years ago. Many believe that the stones were installed in this place as a kind of calendar for the changing of the seasons. There are also those who attribute a more mysterious origin to Stonehenge. We may never know the whole truth, but we are sure of one thing: this place will not leave anyone indifferent.
But Stonehenge is interesting not only for science and history. Near the ancient building there are many attractions, for example, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in England in Salisbury.
Dover Castle
In 1066, one of the first English castles in the Norman style and, moreover, one of the largest, appeared – Dover. It has endured much in its nearly thousand-year history, including a siege by French troops in the 18th century and an attack by Napoleonic troops in the 1800s. The fact is that the narrowest section of the Strait of Dover between England and France is only 34 km long: on a clear day you can calmly enjoy the view of the neighboring country. Due to its strategic location, the castle has been called “the key to England” for centuries.
Today, Dover Castle is the main tourist attraction in Kent and one of the most visited castles in the UK. It's the perfect place for a day trip from London or a stopover on a tour of Europe. In the central part of the complex stands the Great Tower – the main symbol of the castle.
Surrounded by the wall of the Courtyard, which served as a second line of defense in case of attack, the tower was built in the 12th century. Here, during the tourist season, actors recreate those ancient times, portraying the king and courtiers. The performance and entertaining story about medieval life will appeal not only to adults, but also to children.
Stratford-upon-Avon
When planning a trip, don’t forget to add Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, to your list of cities. To enjoy the beauty of the magnificent historical buildings, pubs and places associated with the life of the great English writer, just stroll along the ancient streets. Another option is to take a boat ride on the equally picturesque River Avon.
Fans of Shakespeare are advised to visit the house where he was born and raised, the old school of the English classic and the house of his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. The most important thing is to remember to check out a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Arundel Castle
One of the longest inhabited castles in Great Britain, Arundel, always welcomes visitors, each of whom is given the rare opportunity for thousand-year-old buildings to stroll through the ancient halls.
This famous monument to England's great past is located in West Sussex and was previously the fortress of the Earl of Montgomery. And the castle gained fame precisely because of its defensive function. He carried it out during numerous wars between the British and the French.
New Forest
Those who are not keen on crowded attractions will enjoy the countryside. Picturesque villages are always ready to welcome travelers in cozy traditional pubs. Their atmosphere, perhaps, cannot be conveyed by any bar in the metropolis. Tourists enjoy spending weekends in places like the New Forest. The national park is approximately 90 minutes by train southwest of London.
This name often confuses tourists: the park is far from new, and it does not particularly resemble dense forest thickets. The New Forest not only has a lot of trees, but also swamps, fields, meadows and just plain wasteland. This diversity of habitats makes the National Park a valuable wildlife sanctuary for England.
Much of the land in the area belongs to the Crown. In 1079 the park was a royal hunting ground. Since then, more than 5,000 ponies have roamed the picturesque area. The park will also appeal to bird watchers. More than 100 species of birds live here. Some of them arrive only for the winter. You can explore the New Forest on foot or by bike.
