The UK isn’t famous for its warm beaches and sunny weather. Yet, it’s a wonderland for those who love historical architecture. The British cities have it all, from the original tribes to Romans, Saxons, Nordic, and even Byzantine influences. The best part is that all of it is just a road trip away. Come with us, and find out more.
A Bit of Everything
Visitors will find an impressive array of architectural styles across the UK. The country has been influenced by many other cultures during its long history, creating a unique melting pot. Such diversity can be seen in its rich architecture, and every city can tell a bit about a crucial moment in the country’s history.
We know that if you came this far to see the British most elegant buildings, you probably wouldn’t be dismayed by gloomy weather, although the sun has been known to break through the clouds on odd days of the year. Yet, if the elements become unsurmountable, you can always enjoy the watching the latest Netflix offering, curling up with a good book or playing the best slots online at home.
Still, if you can tame the poor weather conditions, consider the cities below for some unforgettable building-gazing.
Canterbury
Since Roman times, Canterbury has been an important city as the Roman-era wall shows it was a place worth defending. Nowadays, the city mixes modern city life with buildings from Ancient times. The Canterbury Cathedral is the most important, where the Archbishops have crowned kings and queens for centuries. The city surely deserves to be a World Heritage Site.
Bath
The city owes its name to the legendary Roman baths. The only thermal waters in the island didn’t pass unnoticed by Roman settlers. The Thermae Bath Spa is a one-of-a-kind place in the country, although the city has other incredibly well-preserved sites to visit.
Bristol
Bristol is full of Byzantine-like architecture, but the Byzantines have never been there. Instead, it was a kind of a fashion during the middle and the end of the 18th century. Although those buildings aren’t as original as the Romans, they still look impressive and give the city a unique style.
Chester
Chester is an excellent example of the tastes and fashions of the Tudor era. Yet, most buildings with white walls and black wooden frames also derive from a 19th-century fashion. The Black and White Revival shows its best on the Chester Cross junction and the Rows.
Oxford
Oxford has the oldest university in the country, built-in 1096. It’s older than the Aztec Empire, for instance. Because of its superb architecture, the place is nicknamed “the city of dreaming spires.” The Radcliffe Camera is one of the city’s most important landmarks.
Cambridge
Home to another ancient university, Cambridge seems to have a natural vocation for arts and sciences. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, where names like Lord Byron, Francis Bacon have studied. The library still has notebooks from Sir Isaac Newton.
York
A quick search about York returns plenty of pictures of the awe-inspiring York Minster. Although it’s indeed the most impressive place in the town, York has much more to offer, almost at every corner of its stone-paved streets. Another must-see attraction is the Merchant Adventurers Hall, which dates from 1357.
