Tower of London
The complex of several buildings was erected along the Thames in the Middle Ages. The tower was used as a fortress, armory and as a dungeon. In addition, some kings lived here temporarily. Today the British Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower. The tower was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 due to its historical significance.
St. James’s Palace in London
St. James’s Palace was the residence of the British monarchs until 1837. Today, for example, Prince Charles and other relatives of the Queen live in the palace, which is only separated from Buckingham Palace by the park of the same name.
Buckingham Palace in London
The official residence of the English royal family is in the “City of Westminster” district. At first the country house was only known as the Queen’s House, but it was taken over by George III. and Queen Victoria expanded. The area covers about 20 hectares. While the Queen is not in the palace in the summer months of August and September, the public is allowed to visit the so-called State Rooms.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle was originally built as a fortress by William the Conqueror in 1070 and is now the Queen’s main residence. The magnificent St George’s Chapel was built in the years 1475-1528 and is one of the most beautiful buildings of late Gothic England. Also worth seeing are the Royal Collection, the State Apartments and the Waterloo Chamber, all of which are open to the public.
London City Hall
The City Hall of London is the seat of the Greater London Authority and the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Mayor. Opened in July 2002, the Norman Foster building is located on the south bank of the Thames in Southwark, between Tower Bridge and London Bridge station. The City Hall is 45 m high and has an unusual shape: some compare it to a crooked egg or a tuber. Norman Foster’s intention was to use this construction method to keep the surface of the building as small as possible and thus increase energy efficiency. Inside there is a 500 m long spiral staircase that is reminiscent of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. At the top of the tenth floor is “London’s Living Room”, a meeting room with a viewing platform.
Warwick Castle in
Warwick Castle is the largest medieval castle in Great Britain. The massive construction was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1068 and was initially made of wood, but later replaced by a stone castle and renovated and expanded in the 19th century. Today the castle belongs to Madame Tussaud’s. Wax figures in the castle represent a noble company at tea time.
Nottingham Castle
At the entrance to Nottingham Castle is a statue of the folk hero Robin Hood. However, nothing is left of the original Williams the Conqueror’s castle. In the 17th century it was rebuilt in the same place in the Italian Renaissance style.
Castle Howard near York
Castle Howard is located near York. The castle is still owned by the Howard family. It is located in a beautiful park and impresses with its huge rooms and impressive art inside.
Clifford’s Tower in York
The Clifford’s Tower next to the Castle Museum in York was built for William the Conqueror. In 1190 150 Jews sought refuge in this castle because of violent attacks on members of this religion, but ultimately they all committed suicide together.
York
City Walls The York City Walls are almost 3 miles long and are certainly one of the finest medieval city fortifications. It is particularly well preserved between the two city gates Monk Bar and Bootham Bar.
King Charles ‘Tower in Chester
The King Charles’ Tower in Chester was originally an observation tower, today it houses a small museum commemorating the Civil War.
Chester
City Walls The Chester City Walls are two miles long and were once built by the Romans as a rampart around their camp. The present red sandstone wall was built on this basis, from which one has a good view of the city of Chester.
Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle was built by William the Conqueror on the site of a Roman temple. The castle is larger than the White Tower in London, now houses a museum and allows visits to the underground tunnels.
Town Walls of Southhampton
On a tour of the Town Walls of Southhampton you pass seven city gates, the best preserved of which is the Bargate. It was previously used as a town hall and prison. In the south of the old town is the fortified tower God’s House Tower.
Canterbury City Walls
The well-preserved Canterbury City Walls offer impressive views of the historic city.
Saltwood Castle
Ruins of a Norman fortress near Hythe at Folkstone
Dover Castle
The castle dates back to the 12th century and used to be of enormous strategic importance for England. Under the castle are underground secret passages that were built because of the feared attack by Napoleon on England.
Walmer Castle
The castle near Deal, which is still the residence of the governor of the Cinque Ports, is laid out concentrically in the form of a Tudor rose. From the pebble beach of Deal you have an impressive view up to the castle.
Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle is now in ruins, but was once a Roman structure that was used to monitor the trade route that passed by. The architect Bishop Gundulf was also involved in the construction of the Tower of London.
