As a history fan, London, England’s capital, is paradise for me, given that I get to explore the city’s past dating back all the way to Roman times. However, from time to time, I like to venture outside this megalopolis to widen my knowledge about England’s dynamic past. From medieval cathedrals to sun-kissed tidal islands, here are some of my favourites on where to go outside London if you love history, just like I do! Read on to find out more!
1: Canterbury
Yearning for cobbled English streets (where you can get a free foot reflexology when you walk on them), old-school pubs, and a taste of medieval England? Well, look no further than Canterbury, a quaint cathedral city that is only less than an hour away by train from London!
Canterbury’s history stretches back thousands of years. When St. Augustine of Canterbury, a Benedictine monk, was instructed by Pope Gregory the Great to head to the land of the Anglo-Saxons and preach Christianity to them, Canterbury was one of his first stops, as the local king resided there. Eventually, after the king’s conversion to Christianity, Augustine was consecrated as the first Archbishop of Canterbury, making Canterbury one of England’s most significant Catholic sites.
However, it was not till the 12th century when St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury at that time, was killed in the Canterbury Cathedral by four men sent by King Henry II, after disputes with the Crown, that Canterbury truly became a major historical and religious site drawing many pilgrims from far and wide on account of the many miracles reported by those who visited St. Thomas Becket’s shrine. If you like to read, do read T.S. Elliot’s award-winning “Murder in the Cathedral”, a verse dramatisation of Becket’s martyrdom at the Canterbury Cathedral before your visit to one of England’s most stunning pieces of architecture! Literature buffs may also be familiar with Canterbury, thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”, a 14th-century literary collection detailing pilgrims’ journeys to Canterbury Cathedral.
Getting to Canterbury from London is no rocket science at all! Simply take a direct Southeastern train from London St Pancras or London Victoria straight to Canterbury West in just 55 minutes. I like to rely on the website Trainline to compare prices and reserve my train tickets beforehand.
2. Ramsgate
If you are looking for some ocean breeze while tracing England’s past, Ramsgate’s the perfect place for you! A charming place located in the district of Thanet in Kent, England, Ramsgate was one of England’s most prominent seaside towns during the 19th century. Admire Regency architecture, nostalgic streets, and the town’s spectacular harbour while enjoying the area’s delicious seafood! Don’t miss out on the gorgeous Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate, home to a relic bone of St. Augustine of Canterbury himself and designed by the talented architect Augustus Pugin (who also designed the awe-inspiring interiors, furnishings and fittings of the Houses of Parliament). As a Catholic convert, Pugin hoped to design and build a church with his own money. Thus, Pugin decided to design St Augustine’s Church, as well as almost all the fittings. It is here in the Pugin family vault, beneath the Pugin Chantry, that he, his wife Jane and other close members of the family were laid to rest. Check out the Pugin and St Augustine Visitor Centre to learn about Pugin’s works, as well as St Augustine’s contributions to Christianity in England. Note that there are about 54 direct trains from London St Pancras to Ramsgate every day on the London Southeastern railway service.
3. Tolkien’s Oxford
You should not simply visit Oxford just to see its world-famous university. Notably, Oxford was home to famous British writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit (1937) & The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955). A simple walking adventure around the quaint streets of Oxford would hopefully provide a glimpse as to what inspired Tolkien to create a new world known as Middle Earth with hobbits, elves, and other creatures. After all, Tolkien was a Professor of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) at the University of Oxford and even returned to Oxford and first worked at the New English Dictionary (The “Oxford English Dictionary”). Hungry after your gallivanting? How about having afternoon tea (pastries, scones and beverages), a classic British experience, at one of Oxford’s captivating historic hotels or tea rooms? If you have some cash to spare, head to the Randolph Hotel for a delightful experience of pastries, scones, and beverages. If you’re feeling budget-conscious, The Rose & Crown will guarantee a memorable, casual afternoon tea experience. Besides, the good news is that Oxford is less than an hour from London by train. Once you arrive there, you can begin your history adventures on foot — as long as you have a pair of comfortable walking shoes!
Start your discovery of England’s rich history and cultural heritage with my aforementioned recommendations, and you’d be in for an experience of a lifetime!
