Top Tourist Sites » UK

Victoria Tower, London

Tommy — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:59:43 +0000

The Victoria Tower is located in London to the south of Westminster Palace. The Victoria Tower was built in 1834 after a huge fire in Westminster Palace destroyed almost all of the palace records. The Victoria Tower was built in order to keep the records for the palace in a location that is separate from the palace, in order to avoid similar destruction in the future. Parliamentary Archives are just one part of the records kept in the Victoria Tower.

Records from the House of Lords were not destroyed in the fire of 1834, and those can still be viewed in the Jewel Tower, which is located across the street from the Victoria Tower. The tower was named for Queen Victoria of England. Queen Victoria of England reigned in England at the time of the tower’s construction.

When the tower was built and named for Queen Victoria of England, it was the tallest and largest tower in the world, at 323 feet high to the bottom of the flagstaff situated on top of the building. The flagstaff itself stretches yet another 72 feet above the tower. Although it is not as well known as the Big Ben clock tower located at the north end of the palace grounds, the Victoria Tower is slightly taller than Big Ben.

Victoria Tower, London

The Victoria Tower, at the Southern end of the Palace of Westminster

The Victoria Tower was completed in May 1860, it was a key part of the new Palace of Westminster which was built following the fire which destroyed the medieval palace in 1834.

Victoria Tower, London

The Thames from Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower Gardens, with the Buxton Memorial Fountain

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Tommy — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:58:50 +0000

Of all the castles of Scotland, Stirling Castle stands out for its imposing location and storied history. In an area of great strategic importance, Stirling Castle was an important fortification and the site of many sieges and battles.

Stirling Scotland is about 40 miles northwest of Edinburgh, at the lower crossing of the Firth of Forth, the traditional boundary between the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands. As such, Stirling was one of the most important castles of Scotland. Stirling Castle stands on Castle Hill, a large volcanic rocky outcropping surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, making it ideal for defense.

Stirling Castle history dates at least as far back as the Middle Ages. Settlements have been found in the area from the seventh century, and it is supposed that Roman troops also saw the site as one of strategic importance.

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Tommy — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:59:01 +0000

Leeds Castle is perhaps the loveliest, most romantic castle in England. This fairy-tail structure is situated on two islands in the middle of the River Len near Maidstone, Kent, not far from London. The nearby village of Leeds should not be confused with the large city of Leeds, located hundreds of miles away in West Yorkshire.

The history of Leeds Castle England can be traced to the ninth century, when a Saxon lord built a manor on one of the islands on the River Len. A Norman nobleman, Robert de Crevecoeur, began constructing the stone structure in 1119. The castle came into the hands of the English monarchy in 1278. King Edward I and his wife, Eleanor of Castille, made many additions to Leeds Castle, giving it much of its present-day appearance. For the next three centuries in the history of Leeds Castle, this romantic fortress was a home to many medieval queens of England.

Leeds Castle: The Royal Residence - England

Reflection of a Castle - Leed's Castle, England

Leeds Castle is perhaps the loveliest, most romantic castle in England

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

About six miles southeast of Maidstone, on the A20, stands Leeds Castle, situated on two islands in a lake, formed by the River Len. It has been described as the loveliest castle in the world.

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Leeds Castle, Kent at night

Leeds Castle a former royal palace begun in the 12th century, Leeds Castle has to be one of the most beautifully situated medieval castles in England, projecting into its natural lake, and surrounded by 500 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens.

Leeds Castle, Kent, England

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Tommy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:41:59 +0000

Glamis Castle Scotland Pictures, Glamis Castle Scotland images, GlamisGlamis Castle was begun as early as the eleventh century and has a long and storied history but today it is most famous as the childhood home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who became the Queen Consort of King George VI of the United Kingdom and later the much-beloved Queen Mother of the present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister, Princess Margaret, was born at Glamis Castle.

In Scotland Glamis Castle is second only to Balmoral Castle as a stop on a tour of royal residences. The current owner, the Earl of Strathmore, is the queen’s great-nephew. His family, the Lyons, has owned this Scotland castle since 1372, when it was gifted by Robert II of Scotland to Sir John Lyon. The present Earl maintains the Glamis Castle library, the royal apartments, and the sculpted grounds.Castle Scotland landscape, Glamis Castle Scotland beauty, Glamis Castle Scotland pics

Glamis Castle, Scotland

This is a beautiful castle, begun in the 1300's and the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. The photo, from the main road, captures only a tiny portion. We toured just before Christmas. The castle was nicely decorated and the tour ended with mull wine.

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Dover Castle, England

Tommy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:15:54 +0000

Sometimes referred to as the, “Key to England”, Dover castle is found in the seaside town of Dover, England. The nickname for the castle comes from the history of Dover castle, which has included scenes from almost every period in the United Kingdom’s long account. Dover castle is today, along with the white cliffs of Dover, one of the main tourist attractions to the town.

The history of Dover castle actually begins as far back as the Iron Age, when the site itself was likely used as a fortress before the arrival of the Romans. Dover castle as we know it today was first built up during the reign of Henry II, although of course many additions and changes have taken place over the years. William the Conqueror first took notice of the area in 1066 as he made his way through Dover and Canterbury to Westminster Abbey for his coronation.

Dover Castle, England

Dover Castle church - Dover

On top of the celebrated white cliffs of Dover, narrowest point of England from continental Europe, stands the mighty Dover Castle. The site has been of strategic importance for thousands of years. The castle,with its maze of tunnels dug into the cliff, has seen almost continuous action from the iron age to the second world war.

Dover Castle, England

Brodick Castle Scotland

Tommy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:50:24 +0000

Located on the beautiful Isle of Arran off the western coast of Scotland, Brodick Castle is one of the most historic of all Scottish castles. Visitors flock to Brodick Castle Scotland to see the fine antique furniture and silverware, paintings, and other works of art. Brodick Castle is also justly famous for its award-winning gardens, perhaps the finest of any castle in Scotland. The colorful gardens, noteworthy for their many rhododendrons, were laid out by the last private owner, the duchess of Montrose. They feature plants from across Britain and around the world, an elegant walled garden, and the peculiar Bavarian Summer House, a 19th century structure decorated with fir cones. A semi-domesticated forest, the Country Park, abuts the formal gardens.

Because of the long-time feuds between England and Scotland, Scottish Castles are some of the most imposing and historic in Europe. Names like Stirling Castle, Glamis Castle, and Brodick Castle invoke images of long-past battles and sieges and are well worth visiting.

Brodick Castle, Scotland

Brodick Castle. outdoors

Garden of Brodick Castle with Awesome view of sea and south of isle

Isle of Arran Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle, Scotland

From Brodick Castle. Brodick. Castle

Top attractions in UK

Tommy — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:25:51 +0000

UK travel offers some of the best historic opportunities of anywhere in the world, and taking a trip to the United Kingdom is an excellent way to delve into the culture of one of the most influential empires in the history of the world.

A UK vacation can encompass stops throughout the country, or it may be concentrated in one of the nations unique countries such as Scotland or Wales. However you plan to organize your UK travel a UK vacation is sure to be a memorable experience.

Deciding when to go to the United Kingdom can depend on your UK travel priorities and the amount of time you have for your UK vacation. Whatever you decide, there are some excellent UK tourist attractions open throughout the year that you’ll want to be sure to catch.

United Kingdom top attractions:

Alton Towers
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Brodick Castle
Canterbury Cathedral
Castles in England
Crown Liquor Saloon
Channel Islands
Dover Castle
Glamis Castle
Guernsey Museum
Guernsey Saint Peter Port
Humber Bridge
Lake District
Leeds Castle
Roman Baths
Scottish Castles
Stirling Castle
Stonehenge
Victoria Tower
UK Aquarium
Victor Hugo House