Nine Historic Places (and one fairly recent) that are being kept up

On the whole we do pretty well with preserving and getting the most out of our historic buildings and places. I'm a member of The National Trust and have been a member of English Heritage in the past (but memberships get expensive). Those two bodies (and, of course, the Church Commission) are the ones which are mainly responsible for the upkeep and management of our historic sites. I can't say that I have any particular favourite - there are so many, both large and small. I suppose that I would have to choose at least one stone circle because they are amongst the oldest visible remains of history in the UK. I wouldn't choose Stonehenge, surprisingly, partly because I have only been there once (and a long time ago) and partly because it is just too popular and obvious! I think that my favourite one is Loughrigg ("luff-rig") Circle near Keswick. There's very little Roman architecture still standing but I would put Hadrian's Wall (and particularly the excavations and reconstruction at Housesteads) as one of my must-see-again places and I also like what they have done at Chedworth Roman Villa in the Cotswolds. The Saxons and, more so, the Normans have also left us much to be admired. Durham Cathedral is awesome for it's massive pillars and sense of centuries passing but near Durham is a small church in the centre of a quiet village where the builders have transported and incorporated a fine Roman arch into the structure, far too tall, really, for such a modest building. There are many other small country churches which I have visited and loved, especially in rural Wales. Of castles and fine country houses, there are plenty, of course. I would choose Bodiam Castle in Kent as one of the last and most complete Norman castles. It stands in a plain, surrounded by a wide moat in which grow waterlilies, and is truly majestic and beautiful, especially when a golden evening light shines on the stonework. I would also mention Audley End House near Saffron Walden in Essex, which is one of my favourite of the great houses of the 16th and 17th Centuries. English Heritage are currently restoring some of the rooms to the way they looked when it was in its heyday and have taken patterns from original wallpaper and reproduced them so that visitors can walk into history, as it were, and see, for example, the nursery just as if the children had all just left for an outing with their nursemaids. Of course, living in Cambridge, I have always been rather spoilt for ancient buildings and history. King's College Chapel is outstanding with its great windows, more glass than stonework but there are many more humble old buildings which often get passed by in the tourist traipse. I am very fond of the low ceilings and oak woodwork, polished by centuries of handling, which one can see in several old pubs. One of my favourites is the Pickerel by Magdalene Bridge. Have I mentioned 10 places yet? I have lost count!

There is one made here in the U.S. that a man made from garbage. I think it is in Arizona.

I like looking at all of the castle and reading about them from around the world but don't really have a favorite.

The historic land sites are kept up better in the European countries than they are in the USA. I agree with that.

I have not favorite British historic Castles, but there is one in my native city that I love. The Sforza Castle, built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.

I love Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and also the Tower of London

I have only read about many castles in the novels that have brought me their through the words of many gifted authors.

I do not know enough to have a favorite, but I would love to visit any of them. Of course they are not the same as we imagine when we read fiction about the history of Great Britain, but still would be marvelous to see.

Never been to UK. But one day if there is a chance will see.

I have just read the article and to be honest I was not that impressed with their choice. There are many beautiful palaces and grand houses throughout the UK. Many owned by the National trust. I would not have chosen any of these but possibly Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall, (Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner here and at Chatsworth) Blenheim Palace Osborne house, Waddesdon Manor. There are just far too many to mention.They are all fantastic.Arundel Castle. Windsor Castle Hampton court Palace. All are beautiful.

I think you'll find it's Loo-well-in.

The most striking palace I have been to is Hampton Court and Edinburgh Castle is pretty amazing.

Is there a Madam Tussad museum in your list?