5 Lesser Known Historical Places in the UK

Check out these offbeat historical places in the UK to learn more about its long and interesting past…

The UK is full of surprises, and you can’t just go once or twice and call it a day. Well… I guess you can, if you don’t care about digging deep into the UK’s long history, which is the complete opposite of what I wanted to do.

On your first trip there, you’ll probably visit London, Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, some museums, the Giant’s Causeway, etc. But if you come back a few more times, you’ll probably want to explore something new, or at least that’s how it was for me. I wanted to see sites that aren’t as filled with tourists, but that had an interesting history behind them.

Allow me to take you through a few off-the-beaten-path historical places in the UK that I strongly recommend adding to your itinerary when planning your next trip to the UK.

Lesser Known Historical Places in the UK

One of the (many) interesting facts about the UK is that the UK is one of the most popular places for tourists in the world. And there’s a good reason for it – there is something for everyone in the UK. But what almost everyone does, regardless of whether they’re there to shop or sightsee, is to visit some of the most famous landmarks. However, there’s far more to Britain than that.

Here are some of the places most people don’t know too much about, but that left me absolutely speechless (and these five are just a few; there are many, MANY more):

1) The Anker’s House, County Durham

First up is the Anker’s House, which is attached to the Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert. It’s small and I’ll admit I didn’t think too much of it at first, but its history is spectacular. During medieval times, this tiny cell housed an anchorite, which is a religious hermit who withdrew from the outside world to focus completely on prayer and contemplation.

Anchorites were sealed in their cells (often for life), and the only way they could communicate with the outside world was through small windows.

2) Brougham Castle, Cumbria

Brougham Castle is located on the banks of River Eamont. It’s one of those places that you’d take one look at and simply say, ‘Wow.’

This picturesque castle was constructed in the early 13th century by the Norman baron Robert de Vieuxpont and it was greatly helpful in the defence of northern England against Scotland. It was a key military site during the wars of Edward I, and its walls have seen centuries of conflict.

You can visit the gatehouse, and climb the towers, but what I loved most was to just wander around.

3) St. Nectan’s Glen, Cornwall

St Nectan’s Glen is a natural wonder steeped in legend and mysticism. This is a secluded valley full of lush greenery and it’s home to a 60-foot majestic waterfall that’s considered to be sacred. Its history is also connected to Celtic mythology, where it was believed to be a place of spiritual retreat and reflection.

I’ve heard plenty of stories about it and they link the glen to King Arthur and his knights, who have supposedly visited it. The whole place has this wonderful aura of mystery about it.

4) Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye

Duntulm Castle is perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s a place of history and legends. Once, it was the seat of the MacDonald clan, which was one of Scotland’s most powerful families. According to stories, there was a baby left to die here after it was dropped by a nursemaid, and this accident is said to have cursed the castle.

Over time, the MacDonalds abandoned Duntulm and today, all that’s left are ruins. But the mysterious ruins with sweeping views of the sea and the landscape that surrounds them are an exceptionally beautiful site to see.

5) Oldbury Rock Shelters, Kent

Should you find yourself in the picturesque countryside of Kent, make sure to check out the Oldbury Rock Shelters. For those seeking a gateway to the world of prehistoric Britain, this is the nearest you can find.

These natural shelters formed more than 50,000 years ago, and they offer some insight into how our ancient predecessors (the Neanderthals) used to live. You’ll see Mousterian flint and other tools that were excavated from this region, which indicates the great capabilities and 500-century-old Neanderthal technology.

This is one of the oldest known human habitation sites in the UK, and it shows how people were able to survive the Ice Age. By far, this was one of my favorites. And it definitely goes to show that there’s something to do and something to see for everyone.

Conclusion

So, if you’re ever in the UK, now you know where to go if you want to see something unique, but not crawling with tourists. And you might not be too much into history, but the thing is, when you visit any of these sites, you won’t learn history; you’ll feel it.

My advice? Don’t get hung up on guidebooks and tourist attractions, and go see, discover, and explore the spellbinding, hidden historical places in the UK.