Discovering the jewels that are Britain's historic cities

The UK has some of the world's most popular holidayYork has proved to be a city that has frequently been
destinations. Renowned across the globe for thecentral in the making of Britain's colourful history. Today
fantastic breadth of the nation's recorded and visibleit is easy to relive some of the turbulent times of the
history, Britain houses some of the best ancientpast by visiting the gothic splendour of York Minster,
monuments, country houses, castles, historic cities andthe castle museum, or York Dungeon, or by walking
public buildings.around the city walls, exploring Viking York at the
A brief visit to some of the country's greatest historicJORVIK centre, or simply wandering through the
city jewels like Chester, Edinburgh, York or Stirling, andmedieval shopping streets of Stonegate and the
it is easy to see why people travel from all over theShambles.
world to see these amazing pieces of our nationalStirling, for many, represents Scotland's historic soul,
heritage.where the national heritage is most vividly brought to
Take a stroll through the ancient streets of Chester, ormind. With the National Wallace Monument standing
Fortress Diva as it was known by the Romans, andproudly on the Abbey Craig, overlooking the site of Sir
walk along the imposing walls which still almostWilliam Wallace's greatest victory, at the Battle of
completely surround the heart of the city. A heartStirling Bridge, in 1297, and Bannockburn just two miles
which is justly famous for the fantastic medievalaway, this is a town that can never forget its history,
two-tiered black and white buildings, with their coveredand neither would it want to. The sense of national
shopping walkways, which make up the Rows,heritage is everywhere, seeping out of the streets of
combined with the magnificent gothic-style Victorianthe Old Town, winding up past the 19th century jail, the
Town Hall and the impressive Eastgate Clock. A goodmedieval Church of the Holy Rude, where James VI
way to gain an insight into some of the murkierwas crowned, through to the beautifully restored
aspects of the city's mysterious past is to take a1570's Argyll's Lodging mansion house, before reaching
night-time journey around the eerie haunts of Chesterthe striking castle. A beautiful city set in a fantastic
on one of the Ghosthunter Trails.landscape setting with a truly stirring past.
Edinburgh is another fantastic city where the dark pastTo find out more about the history of this sceptred isle
is best explored by taking a walk along one of thevisit Heritage Britain. Accomodation can be easily
many ghost trails. Dominated by the magnificentfound through local area tourist boards or booked
Castle, the city architecture transforms from loftyonline through one of the many UK discount short
medieval tenements and narrow wynds of the Oldbreak specialists.
Town as they tumble down towards the Royal Mile,With so much history and natural beauty it is easy to
through to the majesty of the Georgian New Town.see why millions of travellers make their way to these
While the bustling town is ever changing with theshores each year, while many of the locals take it all
seasons and festivals, the historic city remains anfor granted and fail to see jewels which surround
incredibly fascinating ever present backdrop.them.