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12 Top Historic Sites in Cornwall
Cornwall offers so much to visitors, from beautiful coastal landscapes and picturesque villages to world-famous historical sites. In this series of posts, I'm looking at the very best of Cornwall. I started with 14 photos that celebrate Cornwall's incredible landscape, and followed that up with 13 of the most attractive Cornish villages. In this post, I'll list the best 12 historical attractions in Cornwall. As always, I've stuck to attractions that I've visited in person, and all photos are my own.
13 Beautiful Cornwall Villages to Visit
Cornwall offers a wonderful mix of rugged coastal landscape, idyllic villages, and world-famous historical sites. In this series of posts, I'll look at the very best of Cornwall. I started with 14 photos that celebrate Cornwall's incredible landscape, and in this post, I'll look at 13 of the most beautiful Cornish villages. Of course, this list could be much larger, but these are villages that out family has visited in person and can recommend from experience.
14 Beautiful Photos of Cornwall Landscapes to Visit
Cornwall is one of the most popular visitor destinations in England, and for good reason; the county boasts incredible coastal scenery, picturesque villages, and spectacular historical sites. In this series of posts, I'll look at the very best of Cornwall, starting with 14 photos that celebrate Cornwall's incredible landscape. I'll follow that up with a look at the most attractive villages, top historical sites, and finest historic churches. Let's get started. The cliffs above the Bedruthan Steps 1.
Top 20 Historical Sites in London: Ultimate Guide to Must-Visit Landmarks
Here's a look at London's top 20 historic sites, focusing on their historical significance and associations. I have personally visited each site and all photographs are mine.
What is the Oldest Castle in England?
What is the oldest castle in England? It's a surprisingly difficult question to answer and largely depends on how you define a castle. For example, do we include Roman buildings that were later altered to become medieval castles? Do we count earthwork structures or only stone fortresses? Do we include only castles built 'from scratch' or those which reused an existing structure? And what is a castle, anyway?
Who is Buried in Westminster Abbey?
For over a millennium, Westminster Abbey has served as the final resting place for Britain's most celebrated figures. From monarchs and poets to scientists and politicians, the abbey holds the graves of a remarkable cross-section of notable people from British history. In addition to the over 3,300 people buried at Westminster Abbey, there are over 600 memorials to important national figures who are commemorated here but who were buried elsewhere.
Liathach & Torridon, Wester Ross, Scotland Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Liathach & Torridon Village, Wester Ross Loch Torridon is a breathtakingly beautiful sea loch in Wester Ross, on the north-west of Scotland. I spent a week photographing the Torridon area, based in a holiday cottage a mile or so from Torridon village. One late evening, after a long day spent photographing, I returned to my cottage feeling weary and footsore.
Ryedale Folk Museum, North York Moors Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Ryedale Folk Museum The pretty village of Hutton-le-Hole is home to one of the North York Moors' most popular visitor attractions; the Ryedale Folk Museum. Here in an idyllic village setting dozens of historic buildings from around Ryedale have been brought together and carefully reassembled. The Folk Museum helps preserve a way of life typical of Ryedale for centuries. It really is one of England's most outstanding museums.
Kentra Bay, Scottish Highlands Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan A boat is drawn up on the shore of Kentra Bay, in the Scottish Highlands. Kentra Bay acts as the northern border of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, famous as the most westerly part of the British mainland. I was staying for the week a holiday cottage just a hundred yards away from the loch.
Anne Hathaway's Thatched Cottage, Warwickshire Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery, Warwickshire Anne Hathaway was born and raised in the Warwickshire village of Shottery, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. This is the cottage where she was raised, and where she was courted by William Shakespeare. The playwright-to-be walked to Shottery from neighbouring Stratford, and modern visitors can follow in his footsteps as a signposted footpath leads from central Stratford to Anne Hathaway's Cottage.
Ruthven Barracks, Cairngorms National Park
The Story Behind the Image - Ruthven Barracks One of the most memorable photography trips in my life was a week I spent near Nethy Bridge, in the Cairngorms National Park, in the last week of October, just as the autumn colours were giving way to winter frost and the first few flakes of snow. I was photographing at Feshiebridge late one afternoon, and I was planning on heading south to catch historic Ruthven Barracks as the sun went down.
Isle of Lewis, Scotland Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Isle of Lewis, Scotland The Isle of Lewis simply one of the most incredibly scenic areas I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. I only wish I had had more time to explore it! I took this photo while I was on my way to catch the ferry at Tarbert to the Isle of Skye and then on to the Scottish mainland.
Isle of Skye Sunset, Waternish Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Isle of Skye sunset, Waternish The west coast of the Isle of Skye is known for its wonderful sunsets and there is no place better to watch the setting sun than the Waternish peninsula. This view was taken from the cliffs at the township of Stein, looking towards Ardmore Bay and Mingay Island, with Isay and Dunvegan Head in the distance.
Loch Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Canvas prints
The Story Behind the Image - Loch Tay, Perthshire Perthshire is one of my favourite places in Britain, and the area around Loch Tay is my favourite area of Perthshire. This view of the loch was taken at Kenmore, a pretty village at the eastern end of the loch. You can see the distant peak of Ben Lawers in the background, lit by early morning sunlight. This was taken on a frosty morning in early autumn from a small beach by the shore at Kenmore.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Straford-upon-Avon Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford-upon-Avon Anne Hathaway was William Shakespeare's wife. She grew up in this picturesque thatched cottage in the hamlet of Shottery, on the edge of Stratford-upon-Avon. The cottage has been restored by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and offers a wonderful glimpse in Shakespeare's early life before he left to find fame and fortune as a playwright in London.
Lochranza Castle, Isle of Arran Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Lochranza Castle, Isle of Arran Lochranza Castle isn't actually a castle; it is a medieval tower house perched in a picturesque location on the edge of the water at Lochranza, on the northern tip of the Isle of Arran. The castle is just about the most photogenic fortress in Argyll (Castle Stalker might give it a good run for its money). On this occasion the sunrise lit the sky with shades of pink and gold, making for wonderful reflections in the water.
An Teallach, Wester Ross Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - An Teallach, Wester Ross One of the most memorable photography trips in my life was two weeks I spent in Wester Ross one autumn. What a glorious part of the world! One day I drove from my base at Aultbea to photograph the National Trust for Scotland property at Corrieshalloch Gorge. On my way back the afternoon turned ominous, with dark clouds rolling in and spots of rain threatening a downpour.
Loch Fada & the Black Cuillins, Isle of Skye, Canvas Print
The Story Behind the Image - Loch Fada & the Black Cuillins, Skye Golden dawn light streams across Loch Fada on the Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, with the peaks of the Black Cuillins in the distance. I love the way that a single lonely house on the shore of the loch emphasises the height of the mountains and blends into the curving shore of the loch. I took this photo on the very first morning of my very first visit to Skye, on a crisp and cold day in April.
Birker Fell, Lake District Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Birker Fell, Lake District Late evening sunlight paints the western peaks of the Lake District with golden light. This photo was taken from one of my favourite locations in the Lakes; the road that runs across Birker Fell between Eskdale and Ulpha. I once spent a week near Ulpha and I must have photographed in this spot three or four evenings and several mornings during that week; it just kept drawing me back again and again. I took this photo just off the road.
Loch Pityoulish, Cairngorms in Winter
The Story Behind the Image - Loch Pityoulish in Winter One of the most memorable photography trips in my life was a week I spent near Nethy Bridge, in the Cairngorms National Park, in the last week of October. One memorable morning I awoke to find several inches of snow on the ground. I jumped into my car and drove - carefully over the frozen roads - to Loch Pityoulish, near Aviemore.
Thatched Cottage in Lockeridge, Wiltshire Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Thatched Cottage, Lockeridge, Wiltshire My family and I were driving through the village of Lockeridge, Wiltshire, on our way home from a lovely holiday near Warminster. We came around a bend in the road and saw this pretty thatched cottage set back from the road. I'm not sure if I actually shouted 'stop the car!', but it wouldn't surprise me if I did! Thankfully, my wife is used to this sort of thing from me; she quickly found a layby to safely pull off the road.
Caves of Gold, Isle of Skye Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Caves of Gold, Isle of Skye The Caves of Gold is a hidden gem on the west coast of the Trotternish Peninsula of the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The Caves are located on the shore near the hamlet of Bornisketaig, north of Uig. What makes the Caves of Gold so eye-catching is that they are formed of the same hexagonal basalt rock formations that created Fingal's Cave on Staffa.
Upper Slaughter, Cotswolds Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Upper Slaughter Let's clear up the name first. Upper Slaughter has nothing to do with slaughter, bloodshed or general mayhem. The name of this lovely Cotswold village comes from the same root as slough, for a low-lying or marshy area. We live just a few miles away from the village and frequently go for a lovely circular walk taking in Upper Slaughter and the neighbouring village of Lower Slaughter. Here you see the peaceful River Eye as it meanders through the village.
Launceston Castle, Cornwall Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Launceston Castle Spring blossoms frame historic Launceston Castle in Launceston, Cornwall. The castle was built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall in the 13th century and was later used as an infamous gaol. The most famous prisoner to be held in Launceston gaol was George Fox, the founder of Quakerism. This photo owes a lot to sheer bloody-minded persistence - as many of my photos do.
Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire Framed Prints & Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Broughton Castle Broughton Castle doesn't get the recognition it deserves. This beautiful moated medieval house near Banbury, Oxfordshire is one of the most picturesque in England. I've visited on several occasions and once had the pleasure of briefly meeting Lady Saye and Sele, the owner.
Palace of Westminster, London Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Palace of Westminster, London Evening falls over the Palace of Westminster (The Houses of Parliament) and the River Thames in London, with Big Ben to the right. Technically, of course, Big Ben refers not to the tower nor to the clock, but to the hour bell. I've photographed the Palace of Westminster several times at night and I never grow tired of this wonderful scene.
Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station, London Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station A modern London icon? Readers of the immensely popular Harry Potter books will need no introduction to Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London. Harry and his fellow wizards boarded the Hogwarts Express from this imaginary railway platform.
Norse Mill, Isle of Lewis Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Norse Mill, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis Two restored thatched mill buildings stand beside Loch Raoinebhat at Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis. This is the Norse Mill, an authentic restoration of an Iron Age mill and kiln used for drying barley and grinding it into meal. The mill was powered by a stream flowing out of Loch Roinavat. The location is simply stunning, and the painstaking restoration really helps bring the heritage of the Western Isles to life.
Pass of the Cattle, Wester Ross Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Pass of the Cattle Waterfalls One of the most enjoyable photography outings of my life was a wonderful day I spent exploring the Pass of the Cattle in Wester Ross, and the amazing Applecross peninsula. The Pass of the Cattle (Bealach na Ba in Gaelic) is a high mountain pass leading from Applecross on the coast to Ardarroch and Loch Kishorn. As the name suggests, the Pass of the Cattle was used as a route road for drovers taking their cattle to market.
Golitha Falls, Cornwall, Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Golitha Falls Golitha Falls is a pretty waterfall on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. The falls can only be reached via a 1-mile walk along the River Foy, near St Cleer. The waterfall is part of the Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve. I visited the nature reserve with my young family on an overcast day in spring. My daughter, then aged 6, wasn't up to the walk, so she stayed with my wife while my 12-year-old son accompanied me on the waterfall walk.
Young Ralph Cross, North York Moors Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Young Ralph Cross Young Ralph Cross is a medieval wayside cross high on a ridge above Rosedale Abbey in the North York Moors National Park. Wayside crosses are a frequent sight in the National Park. Not all are medieval but many are, and perhaps the finest is Young Ralph Cross (in case you're interested, there is indeed an Old Ralph Cross, a short distance away).
Yorkshire Dales Rainbow, Malham
The Story Behind the Image - Yorkshire Dales Rainbow One of our most memorable family holidays was a week spent in a self-catering cottage at Airton, near Skipton, in the south-eastern Yorkshire Dales. During that week I made several trips - both sunrise and sunset - to photograph the limestone pavement at nearby Malham Cove. On one occasion I was on my way to photograph Malham Cove at sunset.
Thatched Cottage in Taynton, Oxfordshire Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Thatched Cottage in Taynton, Oxfordshire Taynton is a pretty village in West Oxfordshire, just outside the town of Burford. It is also just a few miles away from our family home in the Cotswolds. Though we only live a few miles away I had never really explored Taynton until one day in spring when the sun was pouring in my office window.
Carrbridge Packhorse Bridge Print
The Story Behind the Image - Carrbridge Packhorse Bridge One of the most iconic visitor attractions in the Cairngorms, the old packhorse bridge across the River Dulnain at Carrbridge was built in 1717. The bridge was built to allow funeral processions to access Duthil Church when the river was in spate. Because of this, the bridge was known locally as 'the coffin bridge'.
River Braan, Perthshire Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - River Braan, Perthshire The beautiful River Braan runs through the woodland known as The Hermitage, near Dunkeld in the Perthshire Highlands. I've visited The Hermitage on several occasions. It's such a lovely area of woodland, with ancient tall trees and the Black Linn waterfall on the River Braan. The Hermitage woodland once formed part of an 18th-century pleasure ground built by the Dukes of Atholl.
Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, Wester Ross Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve The Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve in Wester Ross was the very first nature reserve in Britain. The easiest place to access the reserve is from the visitor parking area at Coille na Glas Leitire near Kinlochewe, on the shore of Loch Maree. I came here on a lovely autumn afternoon as part of two amazing weeks photographing the scenery of Wester Ross. I parked at the visitor centre and took the signposted circular walk into the reserve.
Thatched Cottage In Chipping Campden, Cotswolds Canvas prints
The Story Behind the Image - Thatched Cottage in Chipping Campden, Cotswolds Chipping Campden is a pretty market town in the North Cotswolds, just a short drive from our family home. The town is perhaps best known for its picturesque market hall - and as the home of the annual Cotswold Olympicks (yes, that is the correct spelling) with its unusual mix of traditional sports and entertainment such as shin-kicking and the downhill cheese race.
Thatched Cottage In Dunster, Somerset Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Thatched Cottage in Dunster, Somerset The Somerset village of Dunster stands on the eastern border of Exmoor National Park. Dunster has so much to offer, including a medieval Yarn Market, ancient packhorse bridge, market cross, restored water mill, and of course, historic Dunster Castle. Aside from all those historic sites, Dunster is blessed with some amazingly picturesque thatched cottages.
River Swale Waterfall, Yorkshire Dales Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - River Swale Waterfall, Richmond One of my favourite historic towns in England is Richmond, Yorkshire, at the eastern edge of Swaledale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The River Swale runs along the southern edge of Richmond, below the imposing stone walls of 11th-century Richmond Castle.
Loch Morlich, Cairngorms Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Loch Morlich One of the most memorable photography trips in my life was a week I spent near Nethy Bridge, in the Cairngorms National Park, just as autumn was giving way to winter. What a glorious natural landscape! One of my favourite locations during that wonderful week of photography was Loch Morlich, near Rothiemurchus. The loch is located on the main route to the ski area on Cairn Gorm itself and I could see the skiers' chairlift from the shore of the loch.
Kilchurn Castle Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe The story of this photo starts at 3 am - twice. Here's the slightly more understandable version of the story. I was staying n a holiday cottage on Seil, an island south of Oban, but I was very keen to photograph historic Kilchurn Castle at the eastern end of Loch Awe.
Wastwater, Lake District Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Wastwater This view looking down Wast Water to the trio of peaks beyond was voted one of Britain's favourite scenic views, and it isn't hard to see why. I almost didn't get this photo; when I arrived at the lake, the evening was overcast and drab. I despaired of getting anything approaching nice light. I was so discouraged that I phoned my wife to have a good moan about it.
Coral Beach, Isle of Skye Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Coral Beach, Isle of Skye If you follow the minor road north from historic Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye the road will end at a parking area near Claigan. From Claigan, follow a signposted trail for a mile along the shore of Loch Dunvegan and you will reach Coral Beach, one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches on Skye. The beach is not composed of sand, though from a distance it looks like a tropical beach you might find in Jamaica or the Bahamas.
Lindisfarne Castle Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Lindisfarne Castle Lindisfarne Castle could be called 'the castle that isn't'. Though it looks like a medieval fortress, the Castle is actually a stately home built from the ruins of a Tudor fort established by Henry VIII. The castle stands on the north-eastern side of Holy Island, just off the Northumberland coast near Beadnell. The island is joined to the island by a causeway that can only be crossed at low tide.
Rievaulx Abbey, North York Moors Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Rievaulx Abbey The roofless ruins of medieval Rievaulx Abbey are one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North York Moors National Park. The abbey stands a few miles north of the historic market town of Helmsley, Yorkshire. Rievaulx was one of the first Cistercian monasteries in England. It was founded in 1131 by Walter Espec. The name Rievaulx is a Norman mangling of Rye Vallis, or Rye Valley. We know it today as Ryedale.
Little Langdale, Lake District Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Fell Foot, Little Langdale A stone wall snakes across the landscape at Fell Foot, near Little Langdale, in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Stone walls are an omnipresent feature in the Lake District, and I find that they act to lead my eye into the distance so beautifully. I was on my way from photographing the sunrise at Blea Tarn in Langdale, heading for the Wrynose Pass. On the way, I came to Fell Foot and saw this gorgeous scene.
Loch Kernseray Rainbow, Wester Ross Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Loch Kernseray Rainbow Loch Kernseray is part of the stunning Inverewe estate in Wester Ross, Scotland. I wasn't planning on exploring the area around Kernseary; I actually came to Poolewe to visit the National Trust for Scotland's internationally famous garden of Inverewe. While exploring the Trust's shop at Inverewe I ran across a booklet of local walks taking in parts of the wider Inverewe estate.
North York Moors National Park Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - North York Moors National Park The North York Moors are known for their magnificent display of heather moorland. The moors are at their best in August when the heather is in full bloom, turning the hillsides into vast swaths of bright purple. I took this photo on the moors above Danby, where the main National Park visitor centre is located.
St Nectans Glen Waterfall, Cornwall Canvas Prints
The Story Behind the Image - St Nectan's Glen Waterfall I can't think of a more beautiful location in Cornwall, or one more steeped in history and a certain 'something'; a sense of mystery and timelessness, than St Nectan's Glen, near Trethevy. What an incredible location. St Nectan's Glen is a deeply wooden glen running inland for several miles from the coast at Rocky Valley.
Tantallon Castle Canvas Prints & Framed Prints
The Story Behind the Image - Tantallon Castle Tantallon Castle is a superb clifftop castle near North Berwick, and served as a stronghold of the powerful Douglas family, Earls of Angus. The first castle at Tantallon was built around 1350. For the next 300 years, the castle was the seat of the powerful 'Red Douglas' family, the junior branch of the Douglases. It was besieged several times, the final time by Oliver Cromwell in 1651.
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