Essential History | The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
Sights, attractions and places of interest beyond London
Syon House, near Brentford, is home of the Percys, Dukes of Northumberland. It sits in a 200 acre estate on the River Thames in Middlesex. The house we see today was built by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset in 1547, refurbished and enhanced by the Scottish architect Robert Adam in the 1760's and refaced in [...]
The centre of Stratford-upon-Avon is packed with Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture and history that recall the life of the world's most famous writer, William Shakespeare. This article shows you how to spend one day in Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring the town and its connections to the bard. We start the walk in Henley Street near the [...]
After years of thinking about it, we arranged a weekend trip to Pompeii in autumn this year. Flights to Naples are frequent, accommodation is plentiful and the crowds are fewer. Trains depart Naples (on the Circumvesuviana line) to Pompeii (alight at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station) and three stops after Pompeii you alight for [...]
Among the most popular of European city breaks is Barcelona. Its mild climate, vibrant culture and quick (and inexpensive) flights make it a perfect weekend trip from London. Many visitors are familiar with the popular areas of La Rambla, Place de Catalunya, Park Guell and Diagonal. But visitors shouldn’t miss the historic area around the [...]
Girona is an historic city in Catalonia in north eastern Spain, close to the Costa Brava and Barcelona. It has a warm climate, a fascinating history and fine restaurants. And the city is served by an international airport with frequent, quick and inexpensive flights from London. All these factors make it ideal for a short [...]