Central England's Historic Landmarks

Here are the top picks of Central England's Historic Landmarks.

Historic Landmarks

Ely Cathedral dates back to 1081, with a number of impressive additions since, including the 14th century ‘Octagon’ tower, which is a masterpiece of medieval engineering. The cathedral also houses a fascinating stained glass museum.

Gloucester Cathedral was built by Benedictine monks in the 12th century and lies at the heart of the city. Its fine craftsmanship with the peculiar fan-vaulted cloisters and beautiful wood, stone and glass was one of the locations in the movies ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’.

The Shakespeare properties: include his birthplace at Henley Street, where he also grew up, which also includes an exhibition on his life; Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – where he courted his wife; and New Place – where Shakespeare ended his days. Holy Trinity Church, is where Shakespeare is buried.

Warwick Castle is a well preserved medieval castle set on a grassy embankment, with huge towers and ramparts. Despite being commercialised, the sense of history and informative displays make it a ‘must see’ and the activities for all the family here make it one of Britain’s top 10 tourist attractions.

An English Heritage run site, Kenilworth Castle is not as popular as nearby Warwick, but is far less commercial and well worth a visit in it's own right. A great audio tour enables you to wander through the dramatic ruins at your own pace. English Heritage

Blenheim Palace - Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest baroque houses in the country. Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room - both are included in the Palace tour.

Chatsworth House (Mr Darcy’s ‘Pemberley’!) is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and one of Britain’s best loved historic houses and estates. Set in 25sq miles of beautiful gardens with spectacular fountains and sculptures, the house itself includes displays of rare treasures and art collections.