Amazing Architecture and Historic Monuments

From mysterious stone circles to the iconic Tudor buildings and architecture inspired by world wide trends, there is some amazing architecture throughout the UK. 

Stonehenge and Britain’s stone circles 

One of the most amazing feats of architecture in UK heritage are the stone circles that can be found in mostly rural areas. These are full of mysticism and mystery with loads of stories, mostly involving spirits and fairytale creatures. Many of these stone circles have been dated back to prehistoric times and the most well known can be found on the outskirts of Salisbury in Wiltshire. Stonehenge is widely regarded as a British cultural icon and is part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, the stones themselves are owned by the crown, while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust. English Heritage manage the actual stone site. No one is really sure what the original purpose of the circle was, though it is thought it might have been a burial ground.  

Avebury is another site in Wiltshire with a stone circle. This has been dated to the third millennium and is thought to have taken several hundred years to construct. It is the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world with a diameter of 1,088 feet.  

There are a number of stone circles in Scotland and Wales, including the Callanish Standing Stones in the Outer Hebrides, surrounded by lochs and rolling hills and Ring of Brodgar on the Orkney Islands. The Ring of Brodgar is one of the oldest stone circles in the UK and consists of 38 stones and 13 prehistoric burial mounds. Though, like many of the others, it is not known what the stones were initially erected for. The stones circles across the UK are often used for observing the solstice and practising other Pagan rituals.  

British buildings 

British architecture consists of a combinations of different styles which all encompass the various invaders and influences on British heritage.  
Throughout Britain, simplicity and functionality was the main objective when creating castles, something that can still be seen on many remaining structures including Alnwick Castle and Stirling Castle. As these were mainly built for defence, the builders needed strength over style. Buildings that were created for housing typically featured timber frames and thatched roofs, while manor houses were designed to look grand and garner respect.  

As the centuries moved on, styles such as the Tudor style which is instantly recognisable became more fashionable and palaces, cathedrals and other prominent buildings took on a grander design.  

Georgian glamour 

While a number of buildings remain from the 1600s, the majority of older buildings have been refurbished or demolished, mostly due to disrepair following the Blitz and other incidents. However, a number of historical Georgian and Victorian era buildings still dominate a number of streets, particularly in areas of London and spa towns like Bath. Many seaside resorts along the south coast also have former Victorian mansions and Georgian villas still standing, with these having been renovated into hotels or holiday homes. This isn’t surprising, as a number of historians have described these eras as being a  “Great period in British Architecture.”