Follow in the footsteps of England’s Royals with English Heritage | UK | News

Wandering the magnificent grounds or walking the walls of Framlingham Castle in Suffolk, it’s not hard to imagine that the 12th-century castle, home to the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk for four centuries, was a place of influence and power. However, for a short time in July 1553, it became the most important place in England. For Mary Tudor, whose younger half-brother Edward VI removed her from the line of succession before his death aged 15, the castle was her base of operations. From here, Mary planned her campaign to dethrone Edwards’ half-cousin and preferred successor, Lady Jane Gray, and become Queen.

Surrounded by mere parkland and manor houses, it was an ideal place for him to take a stand against John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, whom he suspected of influencing his dying brother to ostracize him. After declaring her claim to the Privy Council, she was crowned Queen of England on 19 July while at Framlingham. For the first time, England had a recognized queen (Lady Jane would be called the “Queen of the Nine Days” and would later be beheaded). As you walk in Mary’s footsteps, look out for the Tudor brickwork and chimneys, as well as the five medieval stone capitals set into the walls. After exploring, recharge your energy with a treat from the castle cafe.

Another Mary whose luck fell at the English Heritage castle was Mary Queen of Scots, cousin of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. Born in 1542, Mary became unpopular as Queen of Scots after marrying a Catholic and was eventually deposed. He left for England, entrusting his fate to his cousin Elizabeth I, but was escorted to Carlisle Castle in Cumbria two days later. Held in captivity for several weeks in May 1568, it was one of a series of “prisons” where Mary was held for 19 years before her execution at the age of 44 in 1587.

For 500 years, until the English and Scottish kingdoms were united in 1603, Carlisle Castle It was the main castle of England’s north-western frontier and was one of the most besieged castles in England – surviving seven sieges by the Scots between 1174 and 1461. Mary was kept under the watchful eye of Sir Francis Knollys in the south-east corner of the inner ward, in what was then known as the Guard Tower. He allowed her to walk on the lawns in front of the goal (later known as the “lady’s walk”) and watch his entourage play football.

Today you can follow the same walk, visit the ruins of the Queen Mary Tower and explore the ancient castle. You can also admire the First World War Bible at the Cumbria Museum of Military Life, which stopped the bullet and drums touched by Napoleon. Young visitors can follow the Folktale Creature Trails to discover magical creatures from British myths and legends.

Another site that helped change the course of royal history is Boscobel House and Royal Oak, ShropsCharles I’s eldest son, Charles II, was executed. Where Charles hid after losing the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. Fleeing from the parliamentarians, Charles took refuge in a tree for 14 hours to escape his pursuers and later hid under the attic stairs in a secret place similar to the priest holes once used by Roman Catholics fleeing persecution.

His dramatic escape and subsequent restoration to the throne in May 1660 made both the house and the Royal Oak, as it was known, popular tourist attractions. Lost oak pastures have been restored, including trees grown from the original Royal Oak and trees grown from the acorn planted by the then Prince of Wales in 2001.

There is a magnificent 17th-century garden, complete with hedges, and a Victorian farmyard. Young visitors will love the grass maze and 28-metre-long willow tunnel winding through the field next to the garden, or hiding in the “secret places” in the outdoor play area.

Inside Falmouth, Cornwall, Pendennis Castle It became the westernmost of Henry VIII’s “device” castles – a series of structures built to defend the coasts of England and Wales with artillery. Henry’s divorce from the Spanish Katharine of Aragon and the English Church’s withdrawal from the Pope’s authority increased the danger of war against France and the Holy Roman Empire.

A series of fortifications, known as the “King’s Device”, were later built along the coast from south Wales to Berwick-Upon-Tweed. These included the castles at Deal, Walmer, Hurst, Calshot, Pendennis and St Mawes; all of these were built to accommodate cannons to protect vulnerable anchorages and harbours.

Today you can climb to the top of Pendennis’ Tudor Castle for stunning views of the Fal Estuary and Falmouth Bay. Or follow the tunnel to the Half Moon Battery and travel back to World War II. Watch out for “shooting days” where guns are used by volunteers.

St Mawes Castle near Truro It faces Pendennis across Carrick Roads on the Fal Estuary. Both have been enlarged since the 16th century, but not until VIII. Henry’s buildings have survived with few changes. St Mawes is marked with the identity of the King and his son Edward.

Oldest surviving episode York Castle, northern England’s largest medieval castle, Clifford’s Tower It contains a marvel of technology that is helping to change the world for the better – it may be Britain’s oldest flush toilet.

But its crowning glory is the new timber roof platform, which provides access to 360-degree panoramas of York and further afield. The raised ground was once the site of a wooden castle built by William the Conqueror. The site burned down during the worst event in its history: the massacre of York’s Jewish community in 1190. After the fire, the tower was rebuilt very soon. Further repairs and reconstruction took place at the castle in the mid-13th century. As you wander around the tower, you will be immersed in the sounds of the past; You’ll be transported into a bustling 14th-century kitchen, hear medieval gossip and learn about the construction of the original Norman wooden castle in 1069.

Walmer Castle and Gardens in Kent It was built by Henry VIII in 1539-40 in response to threats of invasion from Europe. The castle was part of the 4.3 mile long coastal barrier which included Deal and Sandown castles. Since the 18th century Walmer has been the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Harbour, a number of south-east coastal ports including Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, New Romney and Hastings.

By the mid-18th century the castle had become a well-equipped seaside retreat as well as a fortress. Notable Lords Wardens include William Pitt the Younger, the Duke of Wellington, WH Smith and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was Lord Warden from 1978 to 2002 and is the only woman to hold the post. The Queen Mother loved Walmer and visited most of the time in July; often accompanied by one or more royal corgis. In 1997, Pitt’s walled garden was redone to celebrate his 95th birthday and now forms the tranquil Queen Anne Garden, with a summer house and a raised pergola (yew castle) at opposite ends. The Queen Mother once said: “I have been given many flowers before, but I have never been given a garden.”

Whitby Priory in North Yorkshire It may have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but its ruins, perched high on cliffs overlooking the sea, tell only part of the site’s incredible story. Communities have lived on this headland for more than 3,000 years and it was a sacred place and seat of power.

Buried beneath the high arches are the ruins of an ancient Anglo-Saxon monastery, whose stories of saints, poets and miracles still survive. In 657 AD the pioneer Abbess Hild founded a monastery on land granted by the Northumbrian King Oswiu. It became one of the most important religious centers in England. In the 13th century the monastery was rebuilt; Today the large shell of the ruined abbey church is a magnificent example of Early English Gothic architecture.

The visitor center tells the story of the abbey over 3,000 years, including objects such as Anglo-Saxon crosses, medieval manuscripts and even a rare Dracula copy signed by its author. Wander through the wide open spaces of the monastery grounds, enjoy a relaxing picnic and play hide and seek among the ruins.

Old Sarum in Wiltshire It is one of the most fascinating and historically important places in southern England. Today you can still walk around the prehistoric mighty outer walls, raised by Iron Age people around 400 BC; In the center is the huge Norman inner mound and moat founded by William the Conqueror. As you climb onto the mound you can follow the ruins of the Norman royal castle. A vibrant new city emerged around it, including a cathedral. But the city’s glory days were numbered and the settlement migrated downhill to New Sarum (today known as Salisbury), where a new cathedral was founded in 1220. The castle remained an administrative center until the 15th century, but by Tudor times there was not a single inhabited house left on the hill. Eleanor of Aquitaine married her estranged husband Henry II for supporting his sons’ rebellion against him. He was imprisoned here by Henry. He was given beautiful clothes and good food.

He was released in 1189 and lived to see his sons Richard I and John become kings. The foundations of the cathedral lie in the northwest of the inner courtyard. Today, with 29 acres of beautiful rare grassy chalk land to explore and far-reaching views of the Wiltshire countryside, Old Sarum is the perfect place to explore on foot. Pack a picnic and find a peaceful spot to enjoy the butterflies and kestrels often seen wandering around the outer courtyard, then take one of the many paths that crisscross the ramparts and gaze up at the soaring spire of Salisbury Cathedral.