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Five of the best places "listed" to visi...

26 July 2023

Five of the best places "listed" to visit this summer

By Julie Talbot Insurance Advisor

Colorful coastal town with a hilltop castle, quaint houses, and a sandy beach, under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds.

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The summer holidays are here at last, and at Abode we’ve come up with some great days out and places to visit that just happen to be listed. So whether you’re “staycationing” or planning a UK road trip, our list of listed venues always make the grade.

1. Battle Abbey, East Sussex

This place is so significant and historic, you can (almost) still hear the cry of the soldiers from the Battle of Hastings back in 1066. But there’s more to explore than simply treading the same battlegrounds as King Harold and William the Conqueror’s armies – although that definitely has to be on your “must do” list while you’re here – especially as there’s now a new carved sculpture trail to bring events to life.

Battle Abbey itself is a Grade I listed building, falling under the sub-category of a “Fortified Ecclesiastical site”. While all that remains are the ruins, every stone tells a historical tale, and you can even stand on the very spot that King Harold was believed to have died, after “that” unfortunate arrow to the eye event.

So, spoiler alert – the actual Bayeaux Tapestry is in Bayeaux, France. But there are still a ton of interactive and engaging activities for all the family. Back at Battle Abbey, once you’ve taken in all that stonemasonry, you can visit the 13^th century rib-vaulted dormitory range. And in the Visitor’s Centre, both young and not-so-young will be transported back in time; a popular challenge being who is strong enough to carry a Norman shield!

Other highlights include a restored ice house and dairy, a walled garden, and the unmissable Gatehouse Exhibition which charts Battle Abbey’s history post-battle. There’s even a natural play area where kids can roam free while you enjoy a post-visit beverage.

Discover more here including prices and visiting times.

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2. Whitby, Scarborough, East Yorkshire

Why have one listed building when you can have a whole town of them? Whether you’ve plans for a beach break with a bit of sightseeing thrown in, or have a real urge to go full-on vampire hunter, Whitby has many historic options. But let’s start with another abbey…Whitby Abbey. In direct connection to Battle Abbey, the story is that Reinfrid, one of William the Conqueror’s soldiers, gave up a life of war to become a monk, and having been granted land on a previously ruined monastery (most likely the first in Britain, dating back to 657 AD), formed his own following Benedictine rules.

Despite being pummelled and destroyed during the rule of Henry VIII while he established the Church of England and brought down the monasteries, and then heavy bombardment centuries later in WW1, the ruins are well worth seeing.

Sunrise illuminates the ruins of an ancient abbey, casting long shadows on the grassy landscape with a distant coastline in view.

But what really attracts the hordes to Whitby and the area around the Abbey are the deep-rooted connections to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula. In the book and many film and TV representations, the sharp-toothed Count is said to have taken on the form of a large dog that ran up 199 steps to St Mary’s Church that sits in the shadow of the Abbey’s gothic and imposing ruins.

If you want to see a very original interpretation of Dracula staged in those very ruins on certain dates this summer, you can find out more here.

Discover more about the buildings and history of Whitby here.

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3. Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

While Kenilworth Castle has long been a popular Midlands visitor’s destination, right now there is even more to enjoy, with full access up the tower and the very rooms where Queen Elizabeth was courted and possibly wooed by Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, in 1575. This recent refurb comes complete with modern viewing platforms so visitors can share the same view as the queen would have seen for herself. In fact, this monument to the Elizabethan age tells us more about the life and times of “Good Queen Bess” then many other buildings and palaces from similar times.

With its foundations in Norman Britain (there was a six-month siege there in 1266), Kenilworth had a period of much happier times in the aftermath of the Tudor era as it was redesigned and expanded (including the aforementioned tower) by the Earl into a Renaissance palace, fit for a queen.

Despite beautiful gardens and grand staterooms designed for merriment, later history saw Kenilworth Castle being a royal stronghold during the English Civil War before falling into ruin.

Nowadays, you have to work hard to fit everything on offer into a day at the castle. Interactive exhibitions, dress-up for the kids, the vistas from the tower, and the tranquil gardens keep you busy for at least half a day, while the Great Hall, Castle Keep, and Leicester’s Gate all add to the story of what may or not have taken place between Queen Elizabeth 1^st and that ambitious but ultimately doomed Earl.

Dig deeper into Kenilworth Castle’s history here, plan your visit here.

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4. Pedennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall

If you’re travelling westward this summer, Pedennis Castle is packed with history and family adventures. Far more than a coastal lookout point from the age of Henry VIII, Pedennis is a place to reimagine battle planning and get your hands onto historic weaponry without the risk of any damage! Throughout the summer there are knights’ tournaments and jousting exhibitions, as well as a special pirates’ event in August, which younger visitors are bound to love.

So what’s the Pendennis story? Much of it is to do with war and defence. The circular fortification was constructed during the turbulent times of the 1540s, with the shape being critical to having a full vista of potential enemy approaches. And like Kenilworth, in 1646 this was another Royalist stronghold during the Civil War which did succumb to the opposing Parliamentarian forces. Moving on to the 19^th century, Pendennis was an important supply hub for British soldiers fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Then in the 20^th century, the castle’s role was pivotal as it successfully concealed the Battery Observation Post where Half Moon Guns had an impressive firing distance of up to 14 miles.

Discover more about Pendennis Castle’s rich history here.

Much of this armoury is still kept at Pendennis, and while this is a big draw for visitors, the castle remains are a standalone monument to British history, battle strategy, and ingenious construction.

Find out more about the castle, family walking trails, a soft play area, and summer events here.

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A large, cream-colored mansion surrounded by green lawns and trees under a clear blue sky.

5. Kenwood House, Hampstead London

Set in the glorious expanses of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House (aka The Iveagh Bequest) is a neo-classical Georgian “villa” that is as interesting and beautiful inside as it is breath-taking outside. Originally built in the 17^th century, this Grade I listed building was the home of the Earls of Mansfield over the next two centuries, before it was purchased by Edward Guinness, 1^st Earl of Iveagh, in 1925. It was then “donated” to the people of the UK in 1927 when it was opened to the public.

Much of the current magnificent exterior and interior is the work of 18^th century architect Robert Adam, including The Great Library which was returned to its original glory only ten years ago.

Right now there is an exhibition of seventeen Joshua Reynolds’ paintings, one of the most celebrated artists of his time, which adds another reason to explore this fascinating house. But aside from Reynolds, there is also priceless art on display by Constable, Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Turner, and Vermeer.

Discover more about the history of Kenwood House here, including visiting royalty and the artists featured.

Beyond Kenwood House there are 112 acres of gardens and parkland to roam or picnic on, and as the wider Hampstead Heath is a Greater London highpoint, you’ll enjoy some of the best views across the city.

The best news is that visiting Kenwood House is free, but you’ll need to book in advance here.

Coming soon… we list and love some of the listed places to eat and drink near to all the above. We guarantee you’ll be surprised by how many restaurants and pubs are listed buildings.

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