Each European country has its claims to classic icons of their identity; Austria and Hungary have their architecture, Italy has its cuisine, Portugal has its beautiful beaches and coasts, but England comes out on top for historical towns that exude heritage and culture. Visit any of these old english towns for a memento of the past.
Voted the ‘happiest place to live in Britain’ for consecutive years since 2013 by Rightmove, this North Yorkshire town is home to gorgeous scenery, relaxing spas and adorable British tea rooms. The Yorkshire Dales are right by Harrogate and are perfect for leisurely strolls or even rock climbing if you’re feeling more adventurous. A 10th-century Viking treasure hoard was discovered here, as well as spa waters in the 16th-century, making Harrogate the most popular Spa town in the UK, so pop by if you need some TLC!
As one of the old english towns, it is known as the ‘Gateway to the Peak District’ and is a stone’s throw away from the stunning valley of Dovedale.
This town provided goods to the surrounding area in the Middle Ages, and was classified as a ‘market town’, given this right by a feudal charter. Every year, Medieval football fanatics will also gather in Ashbourne during Easter, for the Royal Shrovetide Football Match. With great antique shops and ye olde inns (or pubs) this is a great town to immerse yourself in traditional British history.
Not to be confused with Stratford in East London, this town on the River Avon was originally home to the Anglo-Saxons after the 7th-century invasion and was famously home to William Shakespeare. ‘Stratford’s Historic Spine’, a route in Stratford beginning at Henley Street, the birthplace of the playwright, contains many historic buildings, like Harvard House, the medieval public Library, the Town Hall, the Guild Chapel and other quintessential Elizabethan and Georgian buildings.
This Norman Town is home to the remarkable Ludlow Castle, which stands within the town walls, was fortified to defend itself from the Anglo Saxons. The quaint narrow streets of Ludlow lined by Tudor-style buildings lead to the marketplace, a once bustling centre of commerce which is popular for tourism today.
One of the most beautiful english towns, it is surrounded by greenery and is another spa town and easily recognisable from the railway viaduct over the River Nidd. The famous Robert of Knaresborough, a hermit in the town was said to have lived in a cave in the 12th-century, and there is now a feast day dedicated to him. The House in the Rock, or Fort Montague, and Knaeresborough Castle are two interesting sights of the town.
Most of this old English town was destroyed by fire in 1577 and was damaged again during the English Civil War. Crafts of wool and lace-making were two important industries in the town, and there were iron foundries also. It is the highest town in Somerset, and lies between Dorset and Devon.
Land of the Truronians, Truro also originates from the Norman period and was an important port town. In the 19th-century it developed potteries and tanneries and was given a Gothic-revival cathedral in the 1880s. As a former market town, Truro has markets and shops particular to the area, and the Royal Cornwall Museum has a glorious collection of art and antiques, and collections reflecting Cornish history.
Winchester is one of the old english towns with some very interesting history! It began as a Roman town called Venta Belgarum, built with Roman streets, and it was then inhabited by the Saxons. One of the largest cathedrals in Europe, the Winchester Cathedral, a Gothic Cathedral, whose burial ground lies within the cathedral. Bronze scluptures of Queen Victoria, King Alfred and the Horse and Rider can be seen by Winchester high street.
The county of Dorset can trace settlements all the way to the Neolithic period, which started in 10, 200 BC! Sherborne Castle, home to the Digby family since 1617, is an Elizabethan mansion turned stately home, which is surrounded by the lovely Sherborne lake. Other historic buildings include Sherborne Abbey, founded before the year 1000, the 12-century Sherborne palace and almshouses. Surrounding architecture dating back to the 17th Century lies in the streets of Sherbone also, making this old English town well worth a visit.
Situated in the picturesque Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold once housed a large sheep market as well as the Battle of Stow-on-the-Wold, a conflict in the First English Civil War, in 1646, which resulted in a Parliamentarian victory and a Royalist defeat. Stone Age and Bronze Age burial mounds are scattered throughout the area, and one of the oldest houses in the town, the ‘Crooked House’, sits in the main Square.
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