Favourite historical site to visit in the UK

[AntonDuPig]

Planning ahead for the coming summer, we'll have overseas visitors who would love to explore our green and pleasant land!
So please can you tell me what you consider to be your must visit sites?

Avebury.
It even has a pub in the middle.

Oxford
The University and punting and multiple nice cafes.

Kenilworth Castle
An amazing ruin with stupendous views

Stourhead
Amazing gardens and a house stuffed with items that prove money <> taste

Where are you based? You don’t want to be driving to Stonehenge if you’re based in Edinburgh. (And if you can afford it the private early morning in the stones Stonehenge trip is much better than the regular one)

Arundel is lovely.
Sissinghurst.
But where are you and they going to be based?
One of my favourite places is the Barbara Hepworth garden in St Ives, but that's a long way from most other places!

We are based in the SE home counties, just north of London but will be happy to travel around as visitors will be spending 3-4 weeks here.
Thanks for suggestions so far.

Westminster Abbey every time. I go regularly and still fascinating. Anyone I have brought is always impressed . Bonus of Big Ben nearby and that section of London has so much to offer .

We have previously visited Cornwall and the Peak District with them.

Maeshowe is my favourite historical site that I have visited in the UK, possibly because the guide was fantastic. It's a bit out of the way unless you are already on Orkney or the very North of Scotland.

Agree on Avebury. Also Silbury Hill nearby.

Chatsworth House.

Sutton Hoo.

Also, Bayeux Tapestry is coming over in September if they will still be here for that.

edited to add Tower of London.

Lacock Abbey and high street.
Because pretty much every historic Georgian or Victoprian film / TV used it as a location

Greenwich
Meridian / Observatory / Maritime / Cutty Sark
Get there by river boat from central London

York is like living history. The Minster, the ancient cobbled streets, the city walls, Clifford's Tower, amazing architecture, railway museum and the fabulous Castle museum. You can even have a meal and a drink in the house where Guy Fawkes was born whilst looking out on the Minster and hearing the bells ring. The decor makes you feel like Guy Fawkes just got up and left the room.

Another place I'd really recommend is Denis Sever's House in London. Amazing step back in time.

York! It's at least a full day, more probably 2 or 3.

My favourite place. So full of history.

Some other highlights -
Northumberland's beaches and castles
The National Gallery - sensational art going back thousands of years
Dartmouth for coastline, a castle, great old town and Agatha Christie's home a boat ride up the river.

I live in Ireland but visited Blenheim Palace - oh my ! Stunning.
Also Castle Howard - I took a train up from London to see it, well worth it.
I had seen it in some tv series and always wanted to visit.
Bath is worth a visit and of course the beautiful Cotswolds villages.

Durham Cathedral.
It's absolutely stunning.

Another vote for a couple of days in York

I agree, York is steeped in history and a lovely place to visit. Stay for a couple of nights and do a day trip to Whitby, climb the 199 steps and visit the church where part of Dracula was based and the Abbey.

A surreal one, but as many people will have driven up and down the A1 over the years
there is a preserved set of Roman Baths under the carriageway

https://www.enjoystalbans.com/listing/welwyn-roman-baths/

Northumbria, especially Bamburgh castle and Holy Island

York! :-)

From that area I’d pick Hardwick Hall, Cambridge and a Ridgway walk featuring the White Horse at Uffington - the latter might be my favourite.

Blenheim and Oxford might be a solid runner up/alternative.

Two London walks full of bangers from start to finish are; first day of the backwards Thames Path from the Thames Flood Barrier to Tower Bridge, and a stroll down Fleet Street towards the Aldwych - take in St Paul’s, Dr Johnson’s House, one of the legal Temples, the Old Bailey and finish with early supper at The Delaney followed by a show in a nearby classic theatre.

The specifics of all these trips can take a bit of planning for comfort.

We went to York in September. It felt a bit cramped. Apparently it’s their quietest time of year and it is overwhelming at peak seasons. I agree it is spectacular though.

Aren’t we lucky to live somewhere with such amazing and beautiful history.

We went in November and it was great. I think we hit a sweet spot between the summer rush and the Christmas market.

Welsh castles and coast
The Lake District
Warwick Castle
Stonehenge
Bath

Ironbridge and surrounding areas as well as Eryri National Park for its rich mining history.