Great Britain boasts an incredible historic timeline and offers a bounty of preserved attractions for visitors to see. Prehistoric sites, castles, forts, stately homes and stone circles are among the many sites to visit. We reveal some of our favourite historic places in the UK.

Castles and forts

It’s difficult to choose just one or two castles to recommend for there are hundreds dotted across the landscape.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. 

Some of the most famous Scottish castles include Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Balmoral Castle. 

Bamburgh Castle in England.

In England, there’s the superb Royal residence of Windsor Castle, as well as Warwick Castle and the Royal Seat of the Kings of Northumberland, Bamburgh Castle. 

Raglan Castle in Wales

Wales is home to impressive fortresses such as Raglan in Monmouthshire; Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd; and the largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain, Caerphilly In Scotland, further recommendations include the beautiful white-washed Blair Castle in Perthshire. You can visit this castle as part of the Macs Adventure Gourmet Highlands tour. Cawdor Castle in Nairnshire, is the fictional home of the Thane of Cawdor in Shakespeare's Macbeth, while Eilean Donan castle sits in a perfect picture-postcard setting on an island at the entrance of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan in the Highlands and is steeped in Jacobite history. There are plenty more great castles to see on the Scottish Castles Trail. Aberdeenshire is claimed to be home to more than 300 castles! And check out the cycle of the week that takes in some lovely Perthshire fortresses.   In England, must visits include stunning Dover Castle on England’s south coast; Tintagel Castle with its links to King Arthur ; the beautiful Northumberland stronghold of Warkworth Castle; and Beeston Castle, a fantastic medieval fortress. Wales is also home to Conwy Castle, which sits perched on a rock against the backdrop of Snowdonia; picturesque Chirk Castle on Welsh-English border and 12th century Dinefwr Castle.

Great British stately homes

There is more to historic Britain than castles, of course. Stately homes offer a fascinating outing including such gems as the Scottish Borders home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, Bowhill; Drumlanrig in Dumfries & Galloway; and Hopetoun House near Edinburgh. 

Beautiful Blenheim Palace.

In England, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire; Chatsworth House in Derbyshire; and Lincolnshire’s Burghley House offer great tours. In Wales you’ll discover such great houses as Bodrhyddan Hall; the Tudor house of Llanvihangel Court, and the 500year-old Tower.

More historic highlights

Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis.

There are a number of impressive stone circles dating back thousands of years to be seen in the UK. England’s Stonehenge is easily the most famous. Others to recommend are Callanish Stones on the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis and the Ring of Brodgar, which is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site. 

Hadrian's Wall, between England and Scotland.

Another UNESCO World heritage site in Britain not to be missed is Hadrian’s Wall. Why not book to walk the wall on the Macs Adventure Hadrian’s Wall Walk? The Roman Baths and pump room of the English town of Bath were established in around AD43 and offer a fascinating insight into Roman times. Battle Abbey and battlefield in East Sussex is significant as the location for the famous 1066 battle of Hastings, which is arguably the most famous battle ever fought on English soil. While in Scotland, Bannockburn marks the place of the Battle of Bannockburn, a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence, and a landmark in Scottish history. If you would like to combine a walking or cycling holiday with places of historical interest please do ask our macs Adventure team for advice and tips.