Royal places in England’s historic cities

From stunning gardens to magnificent castles, England’s historic cities offer an array of royal places just waiting for you to discover. So, let’s dive into some of the royal places you can find throughout these cities…

Bath Abbey

Head into the grounds of Bath Abbey and you’ll be standing where King Edgar, the first king of all of England was crowned. However, the Anglo-Saxon Monastery that once stood proudly here was replaced by a magnificent Norman cathedral which later fell into disrepair.

Fast forward to today and you’ll be able to admire the glorious abbey. This was a result of Queen Elizabeth I’s desire to finish its constructions after her father, the infamous Henry VIII, stopped work and left it to decay. The abbey took nearly 120 years to finish making it England’s last great medieval cathedral.

Plan your visit to Bath Abbey here >>>

Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Castle has had a dominating presence for nine centuries withstanding many sieges, holding captive a royal prisoner, and being home to the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment.

Once inside the castle, you’ll be able to visit the turret in which Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned. Fleeing from her rebellious Scottish subjects, Mary sought support from her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. However, upon arriving at Carlisle Castle Mary was placed under armed guard and imprisoned until her eventual execution in 1587. Elizabeth saw Mary as being far too dangerous to remain free given she was heir-apparent to the English throne, catholic and an ally of the French.

Plan your visit to Carlisle Castle here >>>

Canterbury Cathedral

Discover how religious conflicts between close friends led to four knights misunderstanding their king’s outburst for an order to murder the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Following the brutal murder, locals started to report miraculous miracles occurring with items which were covered in Becket’s blood. This led to Becket becoming a saint by the Pope and a shine was erected which led to the cathedral becoming one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the medieval world.

Once inside Canterbury Cathedral, we’d recommend marvelling at the incredible stained glass windows where monarchs have been immortalised. Monarchs, include King Canute, William I, Edward the Confessor, Henry VIII and our longest reigning monarch Elizabeth II.

Plan your visit to Canterbury Cathedral here >>>

Lincoln Castle

A place where kings and convicts have walked, a symbol of power and punishment through the ages, and home to an original 1215 Magna Carta.

On 15 June 1215, it is said that King John and the barons met at Runnymede where they agreed on a charter of liberties which changed the course of history. That charter was none other than the ‘Magna Carta’ which enshrined the principle that the king had to act within the rule of law. Today, historians, politicians, and others celebrate the enduring worldwide influence that the Magna Carta has had.

If you want to see the original Magna Carta and 1217 Charter of the Forest, you’ll need to visit Lincoln Castle. These incredible documents can be seen side by side, on permanent loan from Lincoln Cathedral. Alongside the vault is an underground widescreen cinema with 210 degree wraparound screen and 3D sound. Immerse yourself in the story of King John, the barons, and the birth of the Great Charter.

Plan your visit to Lincoln Castle here >>>

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and is still one of the most prestigious in the world. Any visitors to the university will be walking in the footsteps of countless royals, including Edward VII and Edward VIII, who studied here.

In 1355, Edward III gave the University the royal seal of approval by paying tribute to the university’s invaluable contribution to learning. He also commented on the services rendered to the state by distinguished Oxford graduates.

And in 1399, the boy, aged 12, who would become King Henry V studied at Queen’s College under the care of Henry Beaufort, his uncle, who was Chancellor of the University.

Plan your visit to the University of Oxford >>>

Durham Castle

For 800 years some may argue there were two kings of England, the Lord King of England, and the Prince Bishop of Durham. This was due to the incredible powers the Prince Bishop held, from being able to raise an army to minting his own coins and levy taxes. The Prince Bishop was able to enjoy a Kingly lifestyle as long as he protected England’s northern frontier from the Scots.

And like any King, the Prince Bishop ruled from a mighty castle. And over the years they’ve left their mark on Durham Castle. To discover more stories and legends about these powerful men you’ll want to go on a guided tour of the castle.

Plan your visit to Durham Castle >>>

That’s just a small glimpse at some of the magnificent castles, cathedrals and historic places with royal connections throughout our historic cities. Be sure to check out our ‘inspire’ blogs to discover more historic places to experience.