Step Back in Time: Exploring England’s Ancient Wonders

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Stonehenge - The Mysterious Prehistoric Monument

Of all England's ancient wonders, none captures the imagination quite like Stonehenge. The iconic stone circle stands solitary on the sweeping Salisbury Plain, its precise origins shrouded in mystery. Scholars believe Stonehenge was constructed in several phases, beginning as early as 3,000 BC. The earliest stage involved digging a circular ditch and bank, with 56 pits known as Aubrey Holes installed just inside the bank. These pits likely held wooden posts, though their exact purpose remains unclear.

Around 2,500 BC, 82 bluestones were hauled from the Preseli Hills in Wales, some 150 miles away. This remarkable feat would have required great skill and effort, implicating Stonehenge as a site of huge importance. The giant sandstone megaliths that give Stonehenge its signature look were erected between 2,400 and 2,200 BC. The heaviest megalith weighs over 40 tons – staggering when you consider it was moved without wheels or pulleys. Alignments with solstices and eclipses indicate Stonehenge served astronomical functions tied to agriculture.
Yet many mysteries around Stonehenge are still unsolved. No one knows for certain who built it or how it was constructed. More recent theories suggest it may have been a place of healing. Skeletons buried near Stonehenge show signs of disease and injury, perhaps making pilgrimages for ancient remedies. Another interpretation is that Stonehenge served as a cemetery for political elites. The remains of a nearby settlement known as Durrington Walls indicate mass feasts took place, some believing as funeral banquets.

What else is in this post?

1. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Stonehenge - The Mysterious Prehistoric Monument
2. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Hadrian's Wall - Marking the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire
3. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Canterbury Cathedral - Epicenter of English Christendom
4. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Warwick Castle - Marvel of Medieval Fortification
5. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Westminster Abbey - Burial Site of Kings and Queens
6. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Tower of London - Infamous Royal Prison Turned Tourist Hotspot
7. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Bath's Roman Baths - Remnants of an Ancient Spa City
8. Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Avebury Stone Circles - Britain's Largest Neolithic Henge

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Hadrian's Wall - Marking the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire

Emperor Hadrian's Wall stands as an awe-inspiring testament to the ambition and engineering might of ancient Rome. Built around 122 AD under Hadrian's command, the wall stretched nearly 80 miles across the rugged landscape of northern Britain, creating a fortified boundary separating Roman Britain from the lands of the Pictish tribes to the north.

Constructing such an enormous barrier in the 2nd century AD was an incredible feat. The wall averaged around 15 feet tall and spanned the breadth of Britain from the River Tyne near Newcastle in the east to the Solway Firth in the west. At every Roman mile along its length, sentry turrets and forts provided lookout points and defenses. Between each milecastle, walls up to 10 feet thick provided continuous protection. Nearly 15,000 soldiers guarded the wall, staying in the ruins of which can still be seen at excavated fort sites like Housesteads and Vindolanda.
So why did Hadrian order the construction of this intimidating edifice, parts of which still stand today? The purpose seems to have been twofold. First, it consolidated Roman territorial gains in northern Britain, clearly demarcating the empire's zone of control. Second, it helped control immigration and raiding parties from the north, providing security for Roman Britain's northernmost civilian settlements.

The landscape along Hadrian's Wall provides thrilling opportunities to experience its ancient majesty firsthand. Walking beside sections of the massive barricade as it snakes over rugged hills dotted with Roman ruins transports you back in time. Sites like Housesteads allow you to explore barrack buildings and granaries within one of the wall's major forts. Vindolanda's museum displays incredible artifacts like letters written on wooden leaf tablets that miraculously survived nearly 2,000 years buried underground.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Canterbury Cathedral - Epicenter of English Christendom

With its soaring towers and magnificent stained glass, Canterbury Cathedral stands as one of the most iconic and deeply storied churches in England. As the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, it rightfully deserves its honorific as the “Epicenter of English Christendom.”

Canterbury’s roots as a center of Christianity stretch back to the year 597 AD, when St. Augustine arrived on a mission from Pope Gregory to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxons of Britain to the true faith. King Ethelbert granted Augustine a residence in Canterbury, allowing him to establish his new church on the grounds of an old Roman temple. Through Augustine’s work, Canterbury soon became England’s premier diocese.
Centuries later, Canterbury cemented its eminent status through its association with Thomas Becket. The ill-fated 12th century Archbishop infuriated his former drinking buddy King Henry II through his stubborn defense of the church’s rights. Their quarrel culminated when knights arrived at the cathedral in 1170, slew Becket at the altar, and forever sealed his legacy as a martyr.

Modern day pilgrims continue flocking to Canterbury, following in the footsteps of Chaucer’s fictional wayfarers from his Canterbury Tales. And just like those medieval travelers, today’s visitors find much to marvel at within the cathedral’s elaborately decorated interior. The intricately patterned stone ceiling of the vaulted nave draws the eye upward, while the stained glass bathes the space in kaleidoscopic color. Intricate carvings adorn the stone columns and choir stalls, evincing the skilled artistry of their medieval creators.
Yet the cathedral’s most poignant feature remains the unassuming spot now marked with a lit candle where Thomas Becket breathed his last. A moving plaque quotes eyewitness accounts of Becket’s horrific murder, transporting you back to the fateful day over 850 years ago. Nearby, an elegant shrine encrusted in glittering jewels and gold leaf now holds some of the sainted archbishop’s earthly remains.
The cathedral precincts contain other treasures as well, including the oldest standing building in England—the Saxon-era St. Martin’s Church, now surrounded by a lush green lawn. The centuries-old stained glass windows of the Chapter House glow with rich hues. Beyond the cathedral, Friar’s Street holds more historic houses from the medieval era, offering a glimpse of what Canterbury looked like in Chaucer’s time.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Warwick Castle - Marvel of Medieval Fortification

Rising majestically on the banks of the River Avon, Warwick Castle stands as one of Britain’s most stunning medieval fortresses. Its imposing stone battlements and towering keep transport you back to the tumultuous Middle Ages, when armored knights stomped through the courtyard and real-life power struggles played out within the castle walls.

Warwick Castle’s origins date to 1068, just two years after the Norman conquest, when William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a motte and bailey fortification on the site. The striking current castle largely took shape during the 14th century under the ownership of the Beauchamp family, one of medieval England’s most powerful clans. Walking across the drawbridge through the barbican gatehouse, you feel as if you’ve stepped into an episode of Game of Thrones or Vikings.
Climbing the winding stairs of Caesar’s Tower transports you back even further in time to the castle’s original medieval keep. At the top, panoramic views open over the tranquil countryside surrounding Warwick. Don’t miss exploring the castle’s underground passages and dark dungeon, where waxwork recreations of wretched prisoners in chains showcase the harsh realities of medieval jail cells.
The opulent Great Hall gives you a taste of the luxury enjoyed by the castle’s medieval elite, its soaring timber roof displaying impressive carpentry skills for the 14th century. Intricately etched glass windows flood the hall with kaleidoscopic sunlight. Mounted displays of glistening armor and deadly weapons evoke images of Banquet feasts, with armored knights showing off their combat skills in action-packed tournament demonstrations during special events.
The ornate private apartments of the Beauchamp family provide intimate peeks into the privileged lives of Warwick Castle’s medieval owners. Kids will delight at the waxwork scene of a gory medieval surgery, giving them a lesson in just how painful healthcare was in the Middle Ages. After soaking up all this medieval atmosphere, rambling through the castle’s sprawling gardens makes for a pleasant change of pace.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Westminster Abbey - Burial Site of Kings and Queens

Westminster Abbey stands as hallowed ground for the British monarchy, the final resting place for kings and queens spanning a millennium. As you explore its elaborate tombs and memorials, it’s humbling to reflect on the sheer scope of history that has played out within these walls.
Entering the Abbey nave from its west doors, your eyes are immediately drawn to the conspicuous tomb of Queen Elizabeth I. Her imposing marble effigy lies atop a four-pillar monument, a lasting tribute to England’s legendary “Virgin Queen.” Nearby rests her ill-fated Catholic predecessor, “Bloody” Mary I. Despite their clashing religious policies in life, in death they lie side-by-side as sisters.

The most visited grave in the Abbey belongs to Queen Elizabeth II’s more recent namesake, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Interred alongside her husband King George VI, their tomb stands poignantly simple compared to the grandeur of past royal memorials. Fresh flowers are constantly laid here by admirers.
Venturing into the hallowed aisles of the Henry VII Chapel introduces you to some of Britain’s most notorious rulers. The elaborately gilded tomb of the chapel’s founder, King Henry VII, was damaged under Oliver Cromwell but later restored by orders of Charles II. Nearby rest the brutal tyrant Henry VIII and his successor Edward VI, who died as a teen after a brief but momentous reign.
The Lady Chapel contains the largest number of royal graves, where you’ll find the tombs of Queen Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I, and Lady Jane Grey, the tragic nine day queen. Mary Queen of Scots was laid to rest here as well, though her remains were later moved to Westminster Cathedral. Others entombed in the Lady Chapel include Anne Neville, King Richard III ill-fated queen.
The most ancient royal graves lie in the Abbey’s northern transept. Edward the Confessor was interred here in 1066, and the Anglo-Saxon monarchs Edmund I and Edward the Martyr were also buried nearby. Their tombs remind you of the Abbey’s centuries-spanning history.
Of course, the Abbey contains many more buried leaders beyond royalty. Famous Prime Ministers like Clement Atlee and Winston Churchill chose the Abbey for their final resting places. Scattered plaques and tombs commemorate influential figures from Charles Darwin to Laurence Olivier. Some tombs even lie empty but commemorative, like the cenotaph for wartime Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Tower of London - Infamous Royal Prison Turned Tourist Hotspot

Looming ominously above the River Thames, the Tower of London has an undeniable aura of dark history seeping through its medieval stone walls. As you walk along the outer defenses of this massive castle complex, it’s easy to imagine the terror felt by prisoners being led inside, where they would disappear into the labyrinth of buildings comprising one of England’s most notorious royal prisons.

Yet today, the Tower draws over 3 million visitors annually as one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. Instead of imprisonment and torture, crowds now flock here for the pageantry of the ceremonial Beefeaters and to get up close with the dazzling Crown Jewels. So how did this former bastion of royal fear evolve into a must-see destination for vacationers?
The Tower’s gruesome past can’t help but captivate our morbid fascination. Its most famous prisoners included the unfortunate wives of Henry VIII. Both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were beheaded here on Tower Green, with a simple glass memorial now marking the execution site. Other unlucky residents confined and often meeting their demise inside the Tower walls were the “Princes in the Tower,” Edward V and his younger brother Richard.

Yet not every prisoner was royalty. The Tower held its fair share of disgraced politicians like Thomas More, commoners who dared rebel against the monarch, and even the crew of a sunken U.S. ship embroiled in the War of 1812. Walking along the upper ramparts today, you'll see plaques identifying the Tower buildings where these poor souls were locked away, like the Beauchamp Tower where prisoners etched anguished graffiti into the walls.
Despite its grisly history, the Tower has also long served more benign purposes for the crown. Medieval kings and queens resided in royal apartments within the White Tower, and the complex later evolved into an arsenal, mint, and even a zoo. This richly layered past makes exploring the Tower's diverse corners so rewarding.

Marveling at the glittering Crown Jewels in Waterloo Barracks shows how the Tower safeguarded symbols of the monarchy’s power. The ancient White Tower transports you back to its origins with Norman-era weapon displays. And the famous ravens add an element of quirky superstition, as legend holds the British throne will fall if the ravens ever depart the Tower. Wandering along the ramparts overlooking the River Thames provides panoramic views of iconic London.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Bath's Roman Baths - Remnants of an Ancient Spa City

Of all Britain’s many ancient Roman ruins, few offer you a more vivid glimpse into everyday life under the empire than the remarkably well-preserved Roman Baths in the city of Bath. Walking through the bath complex today, you can readily imagine the toga-clad bathers who once cleaned, relaxed, and socialized in these thermal waters two millennia ago.

Entering the heart of the baths, the Great Bath immediately impresses with its sheer scale and architectural grandeur. The massive lead-lined pool measures an expansive 116 feet by 79 feet, and the water still gurgles up from the natural hot spring at a steamy 102°F (just cool enough to bathe in). The Maths Gallery surrounding the Great Bath provided changing rooms where bathers stored clothes in niches before plunging into the communal waters.
After their communal bath, Romans would progress into the circular laconicum room, where braziers heated the air for bathers to sweat out impurities. Next, the tepidarium room offered a warm but cooler space to transition to normal temperatures. Museums displays lining the rooms showcase just how technologically and architecturally sophisticated the Romans were, from hyper-efficient hypocaust heating systems to ornate mosaic floors.
Beyond the baths themselves, the temple courtyard and sacred spring allow you to glimpse the baths’ origins as a site of spiritual healing for Celtic Britons. Long before the Romans arrived, Britons considered the hot springs sacred gifts from their goddess Sulis Minerva. Etched bronze curse tablets thrown into the waters called on the goddess to punish thieves and adversaries. Even the Romans respected these mystical roots, building a temple around the precious Great Spring and equating Sulis with their own goddess Minerva.

Modern day visitors come to indulge in the same pleasures as the ancients, dipping their hands into the Great Bath’s geothermal waters (though bathing is prohibited to preserve the fragile Roman remains). The elaborate Anne Museum expands on the social history of Bath’s spa culture heyday in the 18th century. And sipping the natural spring water at the Pump Room ties you to the generations who have enjoyed Bath’s therapeutic waters for over two millennia.

Step Back in Time: Exploring England's Ancient Wonders - Avebury Stone Circles - Britain's Largest Neolithic Henge

Hidden in the gentle Wiltshire countryside, the Avebury Stone Circles stand as the largest Neolithic henge monument in Britain. Encompassing a sprawling 425 acres, Avebury dwarfs its more famous cousin Stonehenge thirty miles south. Yet this relative anonymity means Avebury offers a more relaxed, intimate way to connect with England’s mystical prehistoric past.

A towering bank and ditch encircles Avebury village and the stone circles at its core. Constructed around 2850 BC, the henge consists of at least 98 standing stones surrounding two smaller inner circles. The largest stones weigh up to 60 tons, transported from as far as 24 miles away. Each pillar is unique in height, shape and character, their arrangement carrying unknown cosmic significance for their Neolithic architects.

Unlike Stonehenge, you’re free to wander amidst Avebury’s mystical rock formations. As you trace your fingers over the weathered megaliths, a palpable sense of wonder settles in at how these otherworldly monuments were engineered by primitive man using only stone tools and ropes. Skeletal remains buried at Avebury indicate evidence of human sacrifice, leading scholars to believe it was an important site for death-related rituals.
Avebury offers more than just the stone circles to fuel your imagination. The stunning Silbury Hill rises enigmatically nearby, the largest man-made mound in Europe built around 2400 BC through unknown means. Aligned along the same axis, the massive West Kennet Long Barrow serves as a perfectly intact Neolithic tomb you can enter to admire its creepy corpse-filled chambers.

The best way to experience Avebury is simply letting your curiosity guide you. Aimless wandering leads you hopping over curious ridges that might be buried standing stones, discovering hidden crannches between the massive rocks, and spotting faded carvings in the megaliths made by Saxons and medieval grave-diggers. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the sprawling grassy fields encircled by the ancient henge, laying back to cloud-gaze just as ancient Britons surely did between rituals.