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Historic Britain on a Budget by Ben Cooper
More
than a thousand years of inspiration and creativity have sculpted
Britain's skyline, its society and, indeed, its very soul. Below are some
destinations that are sure to interest the history enthusiast.
Bath
 Whilst Bath's
importance has varied enormously since the pre-Roman era, its beauty and
allure have remained undisputed. Today, its reputation as a historical gem
remains firmly in tact, and, with the recent restoration of its Roman
Baths, it has reinstated its luxury spa town status.
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A subtle blend of Roman and
Victorian architecture, the Roman Baths are the architectural and
historical focal point of Bath. And, whilst the tickets a bit pricey,
the experience is absolutely priceless.
The city's
other attractions, such as the Costume Museum, the Jane Austen Centre,
and Number 1 Royal Crescent are also worth the extra pennies. Some of
Britain's finest antiques, along with everything from high end to high
street fashion can be found in Bath (most notably inside the famous
Pulteney Bridge).
Luckily,
you don't need to throw your budget plans out of the window to take
advantage of Bath's gorgeous Georgian architecture. Every day, free
2-hour walking-tours leave from the main entrance of the Pump Room.
(Sunday-Friday 10:30 & 14:00 and Saturday 10:30)
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Additionally,
there's free entry to the marvelous medieval Bath Abbey and its
artifact-filled Heritage Vault Museum. What's more, as an official
"Area of Outstanding Beauty" Bath's countryside is priceless.
Oxford
For
hundreds of years, Oxford has been - and will continue to be - known as a
renowned intellectual capital and one of the top destinations for
history-hungry travelers. The city's main draw is, of course, its
thirty-nine separate colleges radiating outwards from the city center.
Famous
for the students it produces and the surroundings that inspired them,
Christchurch College's chapel and quad are must-sees. If time permits,
other Oxford colleges such as Trinity, Balliol, Magdalen, and New College
also warrant a visit.
Among
the many fine museums in Oxford, the astounding Ashmolean Museum is
Britain's oldest. Along with the Pitt Rivers Museum, its collections of
antiquities are well suited to their historical surroundings.
Oxford
is simply heaven for the literature lover. However, you don't need to be
a scholar to appreciate the grandeur of the Bodleian Library's Divinity
School and Exhibition Room or the grandiose facade of Blackwell's Books.
The
city runs excellent official walking tours daily. But, if you choose to
tour the town in your own time, be sure to climb Carfax Tower, stop by
the Sheldonian Theater, and bathe in the beauty of the Botanic Gardens.
York
Two
thousand years of history emanate from York's narrow streets. It's
entirely possible to lose yourself in this enchanting city without moving
an inch. Window-shopping in the Shambles or strolling down Snickelways,
you can take in York without taking out your wallet.
The
Castle Museum and, of course, York Minster are worth every penny of their
entrance fee as York's history is brought to life in the most exceptional
ways. And if you're mesmerized by the medieval architecture of All
Saint's or Holy Trinity Church you can make a donation.
Edinburgh
Great
British destinations for a culturally-involved backpacker are by no means
limited to south of the border. And budget travelers will feel
particularly at home in Scotland's capital: In
addition to a number of outstanding Edinburgh hostels, there's a wide variety
of excellent cheap accommodation options.
Edinburgh
blends medieval with modern as one of Europe's most stimulating cities.
Walking through the Old Town and down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh
Castle to Holyrood Palace is a history lesson in itself. These royal
residences attract travelers from around the world for their historical
significance, collections, and stunning surrounding landscape.
Edinburgh
is graced with an abundance of fantastic (and free!) artistic and
historical museums, such as the Museum of Scotland, the National Library
of Scotland, and the Museum of Edinburgh. Most impressive is the fabulous
network of four National Galleries (National, Portrait, Modern, and Dean
Gallery) and the free shuttle service between them!
No
matter where you travel in Britain, its rich cultural past will be
intertwined with its vibrant present. Whether it's a heavy dose of
history you're after or you simply appreciate an attractive view, these
cities will, by turns, amaze and inspire you.
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