Historic places
Bloody, brutal battles and border castles: The secrets of the savage frontier between England and Wales
Bloodshed, battles, barons and brutality – the sleepy hinterland of the Welsh Marches belies a turbulent history. Mark Hillsdon explores the romantic ruins that remember more troubled times
Once home to Nazi prisoners: The grim reality of life inside one of Britain's former WW2 prisoner of war camps.
During the Second World War, British camps across the country housed as many as 400,000 captured foreign soldiers. Dixe Wills visits Eden Camp in North Yorkshire, a restored camp that recreates the wartime experience of enemy prisoners
10 epic battles fought on British soil that changed Britain's history forever
From the Isles of Scilly to the Scottish Highlands, Britain is dotted with hundreds of battlefields. Julian Humphrys picks 10 that shaped the nation's history
Inside Anthrax Island: the Scottish isle of death you’ll never be able to visit
In an attempt to turn the tide against the Nazis in World War II, Winston Churchill commissioned a top secret MoD project on Gruinard.
Why are they called kissing gates – and why do you have to stop to kiss when you reach one?
You've probably had to go through a kissing gate on a walk, but have you ever wondered how they got their name?
William Wordsworth's stunning Lake District home is for sale – so you could own and live in a little piece of literary history
Rydal Mount and Gardens has previously been run as a successful business, but there's no reason you couldn't live in this exciting piece of literary history
How a small, charming English town, set at the foot of beautiful hills, gave the world Narnia, hobbits, Middle Earth and Nimrod
Discover the dramatic range of hills that inspired CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and Edward Elgar to create some of the greatest works in the English canon
Smalls Lighthouse Tragedy: The gruesome and bizarre crisis that changed Britain’s lighthouses forever
In the nineteenth century, a macabre incident occurred on a remote lighthouse off the Welsh coast. It would change the way these beacons were managed to ensure it never happened again.
25 for 2025: Fill your summer with exciting outdoor adventures and challenges, from shark spotting to conquering fears
Expand your horizons with our pick of the best outdoor adventures.
10 epic castles for sale right now, including one linked to the Gunpowder Plotters and one with a 10,000 wine bottle cellar
Fancy an enormous acreage, stables, farmland and helicopter landing pad? Feast your eyes on some of these castles currently for sale on the UK housing market
"I resented the injustice of English policy" – a new immersive attraction in Cornwall shines light on anti-war activist Emily Hobhouse
A visit to the Story of Emily in Cornwall is a great way to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.
What is a trig point? Discover the secrets behind these odd pillars that dot the UK countryside
There are thousands of trig points all over the UK – but who built them, and for what purpose?
Wolf Hall costumes go on display at Hever Castle – plus more of Britain’s best Tudor experiences
Unearth six of the best Tudor experiences in Britain, from walking among the yew pyramids of Athlehampton in Dorset to sampling 500-year-old recipes at Merchant's House in Pembrokeshire
Chatsworth House guide: History of the iconic stately home, how to visit and why it's famous
Discover the history behind the Grade I-listed Chatsworth House and what it's famous for – as well as its Jane Austen connection
Who was Jane Austen? History of the famous author and best heritage houses to visit in the UK
Jane Austen is one of the nation’s most beloved classic novelists. Her characters converse in parlours and gallivant across the land, but what was her life like? Here is our expert Jane Austen guide which looks at her family history, locations that inspired her novels and places you can visit.
Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of England’s last Anglo-Saxon King
Archaeologists believe they've found the West Sussex residence used by King Harold during the Norman Conquest, thanks partly to the location of a loo
Extraordinary photos show rescue of enormous medieval barn on the edge of London
A mammoth 12-month project to restore one of Britain’s largest thatched buildings begins as a new roof goes on the 15th-century Upminster Tithe Barn.
The UK's best viaducts to explore by rail, foot or bike for magnificent scenery and Roman-inspired architecture
Boasting wood, worms and wizards, the UK has a wealth of wonderful viaducts. Matt Baird picks 6 you can explore via rail, foot and bicycle
Best windmills to visit in the UK – plus ones you can stay in
We explore the history of windmills in the UK, the best windmills to visit and windmills you can stay in
What are the different types of windmills and how do they work?
Learn about the different types of windmills found in the UK, as well as how the work, and well-known examples to visit
Could Britain’s historical windmills disappear entirely? We meet those determined to save these beautiful, iconic buildings
For centuries, Britain’s windmills harnessed the power of nature to grind grain, but many of these historic structures now face ruin. Jack Watkins meets the dedicated people working hard to save them
Trenches, tombs and a hidden church above a shopping centre – 17 extraordinary historic sites added to the National Heritage List
First World War practice trenches, a rare 17th-century chest tomb and a Tudor-style pub are among the 17 historic sites that have gained protected status this year.
Butchered and cannibalised: 3,000 bones found in Somerset shaft suggest ‘othering’ of enemies in Bronze Age Britain
A new study of the remains – initially unearthed in the 1970s – indicates that the victims were likely consumed as a form of retaliation or revenge.
Christmas can be a hazardous and dangerous time for pets. Here's why
From chocolate to tinsel, Christmas is full of dangers for pets. Here are 10 to watch for