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Shocking research has revealed that one in ten Britons have never been to a historic site in their country – despite it being packed with “major” attractions.
The data, discovered by Trainline, found that 6.7 million Britons have yet to visit a historically important location and that visitor numbers remain 11 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
TikTok historian Alice Loxton, who has almost 800,000 followers @historia_alice profile, is working with Trainline to promote British history. He claims that “the appetite is there” as 75 per cent of Britons surveyed reported they were interested in visiting a historic attraction this year.
She commented: ‘We are surrounded by history in the UK and we must not forget how extraordinary it is. There are so many incredible historical sites: cathedrals, castles and cobblestone streets. Every city, every street, has a fascinating piece of history to discover.’
Do you want to go back in time but aren’t sure where to start? Alice spoke to MailOnline Travel about the best historic places to visit this summer…
TikTok historian Alice Loxton is working with Trainline to promote the history of Britain. She has created a ‘Travel Through Time’ guide with the ticket site and revealed to MailOnline Travel some of her favorite historical gems in the UK.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Alice noted: “As a huge Shakespeare fan, one of my highlights, and a place I jumped on the train to visit recently, is Stratford-upon-Avon, which is packed with stories and attractions dedicated to him.
‘The scenic route through the Warwickshire countryside sets the scene for the story that awaits.
“As a huge Shakespeare fan, one of my highlights, and a place I jumped on the train to visit recently, is Stratford-upon-Avon,” said Alice
Alice is pictured above at Shakespeare’s birthplace on Henley Street. The historian added: ‘If you have time, you can spice up (your visit) with some theatre.’
‘You can visit his birthplace and see the room where Shakespeare is believed to have been born.
‘Visitors can also visit his former classroom, at King Edward’s School, and Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptized and is buried. On his tombstone there is a curse to discourage people from removing his bones.
“If you have time, you can spice it all up with a little theater and, of course, have some delicious ice cream (it’s a holiday, after all) before heading home.”
Salisbury
Alice commented: ‘Salisbury Cathedral is one of my favourites.
Alice said: “Salisbury is a wonderful town to walk around, with great independent shops, beautiful architecture and incredible scenery.” Above is the city’s ‘amazing’ cathedral.
Alice appears in the photo above in Salisbury Cathedral, next to the Magna Carta.
‘The building is an incredible architectural feat and is packed with fascinating historical gems, including a copy of the Magna Carta.
“One of my favorite activities is taking the tower tour, where you climb 332 steps to the foot of the spire, the tallest in the UK, 68 meters above ground level.”
Alice added: ‘Salisbury is a wonderful town to walk around, with great independent shops, beautiful architecture and incredible countryside.
‘Getting there is also quite convenient as it’s just an hour and a half to Salisbury from London, making it a convenient and quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
“If you’re coming from the west it’s also very easy as Bristol is just over an hour away.”
Houses of Parliament, London
Alice recommends walking through the House of Commons in Parliament, an experience she describes as “incredibly powerful.”
“For the British, I know it’s a bit obvious,” said the enthusiastic historian. ‘But one historic site that really stands out is the Houses of Parliament in London.
‘There is something incredibly powerful about walking through the House of Commons and seeing where all the big political decisions have been and continue to be made.
“It’s also right next to lots of other brilliant monuments, such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and I always enjoy walking along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square – there’s so much to see.”
york
In York, Alice recommends exploring the old city walls, visiting the “stunning” York Minster and strolling through the Shambles (above).
Alice describes York as “a living chronology of British history.” Above: Museum Street and York Minster
There are so many incredible historical sites in Britain: cathedrals, castles and cobbled streets. Every city, every street, has a fascinating part of its history to discover.
Alice Loxton, TikTok historian
Alice noted: “York is a must see.
‘This town is like a living timeline of British history, with sites dating back to the Roman, Viking, medieval and Georgian eras.
‘You can explore the ancient city walls, visit the stunning York Minster and stroll through the Shambles, which is like stepping back in time.
“It’s like stepping back in time and each street reveals a new part of the story; and it’s only a couple of hours from London or two and a half hours from Edinburgh by train, so it’s realistic for a day trip or a night visit for tourists who themselves reside in the capitals.’
The best places in each country
The history buff noted: “Scotland offers the impressive Edinburgh Castle, the ancient city of St. Andrews and Stirling Castle (above).”
Alice recommended visiting Edinburgh (above) for a day of historical sights. She says the city has “layer upon layer of history.”
Those interested in UK history shouldn’t limit themselves to just English historical sites, says the content creator.
Alice added: “Each country in the UK has its own unique and fascinating history, and there’s plenty to discover wherever you go. Plus, they’re all so easy to get to by train.
‘In England there are emblematic sites such as the Tower of London, Stonehenge and the Roman baths in Bath.
‘Scotland offers the impressive Edinburgh Castle, the ancient city of St. Andrews and Stirling Castle.
‘Wales is home to many impressive castles such as Caernarfon and Cardiff Castle, as well as the historic town of Conwy.
“Northern Ireland boasts the Giant’s Causeway, the Titanic Museum in Belfast and the historic city walls of Derry.”
Travel through time
To encourage more people to explore the historic sites on their doorstep, Alice has created a ‘Travel through time‘, in collaboration with Trainline.
With almost 20 per cent of Brits saying they are unsure how to get to historic sites, the guide should be invaluable.
It highlights must-see, under-the-radar historic attractions, perfect for this summer, complete with travel tips on how to get there by train.
Sakshi Anand, Vice President of Growth and UK President of Trainline, said: “Our research shows that people want to explore more of the UK, including trips to historic places, but they often don’t know where to start and don’t plan ahead. “. .
‘The Travels Through Time guide aims to show the possibilities of historical exploration and the fun and convenience of traveling by train and, most importantly, book in advance to save money and minimize inconvenience.
‘We want to help make travel to historic sites accessible to everyone, not just history buffs, and empower people to take great trips to places where they can have great experiences.
The guide can be accessed here.