The numerous
historical houses of Britain are one of the chief reasons for Britain to become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Britain historic houses include palaces, castles, halls and other historical buildings commemorating the glorious past of the country.
Historic Houses in England
England is renowned for its historic and palatial buildings. These buildings have attracted tourists and scholars from across the world. Some of the world famous historic houses in Britain include:
- The Palace of Westminster - Originally built in 1050, it was destroyed by fire in 1834. The palace, reconstructed between 1840 and 1860 in true Gothic architectural style, stands on the banks of River Thames. Westminster Palace, also famous for the Big Ben Clock Tower, is the seat of the British Parliament.
- Windsor Castle - Windsor Castle in Birkshire, London, is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen of England. This 900-year-old fortress is the world's largest occupied castle.
- Buckingham Palace - One of the famous landmarks in London, Buckingham Palace is the home of the Royal family of Britain. It is the most sought after destination of London. The beautiful palace is spatially spread over 40 acres of gardens.
The historic houses of England are not merely centered on London, but are distributed all over the land. Some of the other significant historic houses in England include the following:
- Leeds Castle
- Howard Castle
- Eastnor Castle
- Weston Park
- Knebworth Castle
- Hever Castle
- Blenheim Palace
- Ripley Castle
Historic Houses in Wales
A number of historic houses dating back to the 12th century attract tourists to Wales. Though a few of them were felt the brunt of the vagaries of time, restoration work has been executed by the concerned authorities to bring back life to these historical glories. Some of these historic houses include:
- Penhow Castle - This castle had been inhabited by different dynasties like Stuarts and Tudors. The different sections of this castle have thus been influenced by different architectural patterns.
- Tretower Court - This mansion was mainly built in the 15th century. However, certain parts of this court were constructed prior to the 13th century. This mansion has mostly been made of timber.
Other important houses of historical significance in Wales include the following sites:
- Bishop's Palace, St. David's
- Bodelwyddan Castle
- Bryn Bras Castle
- Carswell Medieval House
- Cochwillan Old Hall
Historic Houses in Scotland
There are number of historic houses in Scotland that are major tourist destinations. Some of the historic houses in Scotland include:
- Mary Queen of Scots House
- Hermitage Cottage
- Castle Urguhart on Loch Ness
- Strome Castle
- Caerlaverock Castle
- Crichton Castle
