Shocking research has revealed that one in ten British people have never been to a historical site in their country, despite it being filled to the brim with ‘significant’ attractions.
The data, unearthed by Trainline, found that 6.7million Brits 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 for her @history_alice profile, is working with Trainline to promote Britain’s history. She claims that ‘the appetite is there’, as 75 per cent of British folk surveyed reported they were keen to visit a historical attraction this year.
She commented: ‘We’re surrounded by history in the UK and we must not forget how extraordinary it is. There are so many incredible historic sites – cathedrals, castles, and cobbled lanes. Every town – every street – has some fascinating piece of history to discover.’
Keen to step back in time but not sure where to start? Alice spoke to MailOnline Travel about the best historic locations to visit this summer…
TikTok historian Alice Loxton is working with Trainline to promote Britain’s history. She has created a ‘Journeys Through Time’ guide with the ticket site and has revealed to MailOnline Travel some of her favourite UK historical gems
Stratford-upon-Avon
Alice noted: ‘As a massive Shakespeare fan, one of my highlights – and somewhere 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 stage for the history that awaits you.
‘As a massive Shakespeare fan, one of my highlights – and somewhere 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 bring [your visit] to life with some theatre’
‘You can visit his birthplace and see the room that Shakespeare is believed to have been born in.
‘Visitors can also visit his old schoolroom, at King Edward’s School, and Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried. On his tombstone is a curse to deter people from removing his bones.
‘If you have time, you can bring it all to life with some theatre and, of course, grab a delicious ice cream (it is a holiday after all) before you head home.’
Salisbury
Alice commented: ‘Salisbury Cathedral is one of my favourites.
Alice said: ‘Salisbury is a wonderful city to stroll around, with great independent shops, beautiful architecture, and amazing countryside.’ Above is the city’s ‘incredible’ cathedral
Alice is pictured above in Salisbury Cathedral, standing next to the Magna Carta
‘The building is an incredible architectural feat and packed with fascinating historic gems – including a copy of Magna Carta.
‘One of my favourite things to do is go on the tower tour, where you climb 332 steps to the foot of the spire – the tallest in the UK – 68 metres above ground level.’
Alice added: ‘Salisbury is a wonderful city to stroll around, with great independent shops, beautiful architecture, and amazing countryside.
‘Getting there is pretty convenient too as from London it’s only an hour and a half to Salisbury, making it a convenient and quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
‘If you’re coming from the West country, it’s super easy too, with Bristol just over an hour away.’
Houses of Parliament, London
Alice recommends walking through the Commons chamber in the Houses of Parliament, an experience she describes as ‘incredibly powerful’
‘For Brits, I know it’s a bit obvious,’ the keen historian said. ‘But one historic site that really stands out is the Houses of Parliament in London.
‘There’s something incredibly powerful about walking through the Commons chamber and seeing where all the big political decisions have been and continue to be made.
‘It’s also right next to loads of other brilliant monuments, like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and I always enjoy walking up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square – there’s so much to see.’
York
In York, Alice recommends exploring the ancient city walls, visiting the ‘stunning’ York Minster and wandering through the Shambles (above)
Alice describes York as ‘a living timeline of British history’. Above: Museum Street and York Minster
There are so many incredible historic sites in Britain – cathedrals, castles, and cobbled lanes. Every town – every street – has some fascinating piece of history to discover
Alice Loxton, TikTok historian
Alice noted: ‘York is an absolute must-see.
‘This city is like a living timeline of British history, with sites dating back to the Roman, Viking, mediaeval, and Georgian eras.
‘You can explore the ancient city walls, visit the stunning York Minster, and wander through the Shambles, which is like going back in time.
‘It’s like stepping back in time with each street revealing a new piece of history – 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 overnight visit for tourists basing themselves in the capitals.’
Top spots in each country
The history buff noted: ‘Scotland offers the stunning 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 with an interest in UK history shouldn’t limit themselves to just English historic sites, the content creator says.
Alice added: ‘Each country in the UK has its own unique and fascinating history, and there’s so much to discover everywhere you go. Plus, they’re all so easy to get to by train.
‘In England, you have iconic sites like the Tower of London, Stonehenge and the Roman baths in Bath.
‘Scotland offers the stunning Edinburgh Castle, the ancient city of St. Andrews, and Stirling Castle.
‘Wales is home to so many impressive castles like Caernarfon and Cardiff Castle, as well as the historic town of Conwy.
‘Northern Ireland boasts the Giant’s Causeway, the Titanic Belfast Museum, and the historic city walls of Derry.’
Journeys through time
To encourage more people to explore the historical sites on their doorsteps, Alice has created a ‘Journeys Through Time’ campaign, in partnership with Trainline.
With nearly 20 per cent of Brits saying they were unsure about how to reach historical sites, the guide should be invaluable.
It spotlights must-visit, 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 President UK at Trainline, said: ‘Our research shows people want to explore more of the UK, including trips to historic locations, but often don’t know where to start and don’t plan in advance.
‘The Journeys Through Time guide aims to showcase the possibilities for historical exploration and the fun and convenience of going by train – and importantly booking ahead to save money, and minimise hassle.
‘We want to help make travel to historical sites accessible to everyone, not just history buffs, and empower people [to] take great journeys to places where they can have great experiences.
The guide can be accessed here.
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