![Henry II', 1935. Henry II, King of England, circa 1860. Henry II (1133-89), the first Plantagenet king of England, ruled from 1154. From Kings & Queens of England - A Series of 50. [John Player & Sons, London, 1935] Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uzWTXTSVJ7fZVeKtDmx8fk-1920-80.jpg.webp)
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The extraordinary tale of Hadrian's Wall: 'Men have been deified for trifles compared with this admirable structure'What once kept out hordes of bloodthirsty warriors is, nearly 2,000 years later, barely proof against the most timid of sheep. But if Hadrian’s Wall is now low on stature, it remains high on atmosphere, says Harry Pearson.
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Colchester, Essex: The purpose-built capital city of Roman BritainClive Aslet considers the town that was one of Roman Britain's greatest cities — and even, for a while, its capital: Colchester.
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St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall: The monastery that became a castle that became a homeFew spots on the coast of Britain are as romantic and storied as St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.
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The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: Thomas Telford's 'ribbon of water in the sky'The magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the great testaments to Industrial Revolution ingenuity — and as beautiful as it is impressive. Jack Watkins takes a look.
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Maiden Castle, Dorset: An ancient hill fort the size of 50 football pitchesThe mysterious and ancient Maiden Castle occupies a vast site in Dorset. Clive Aslet takes a look.
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Stonehenge, Wilthsire: 'One of the wonders not only of this country, but of the world'Our Grand Tour of Britain alights at what is arguably the world's most famous prehistoric site: Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.
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The Uffington White Horse, OxfordshireThousands of years ago, ancient Britons created a vast and spectacular stylised portrayal of a horse in the hills of the North Wessex Downs. Surely they could scarcely have dreamed that The Uffington White Horse would still be intriguing visitors to this day.
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Skara Brae: The prehistoric village on Orkney that's older than Great Pyramid of GizaThe best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Europe isn't in a French cave or an Italian hillside; it's Skara Brae on Orkney, far beyond the north of Scotland.
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The Giant's CausewayThe Giant's Causeway is a geological marvel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an unmissable stop for anyone heading to Northern Ireland.
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Country Life 4 January 2023Country Life 4 January 2023 looks at wonderful things to do for free around Britain.
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Thornbury Castle: A castle-turned-hotel where you can sleep in the room that Anne Boleyn shared with Henry VIIIA few miles from Bristol lies Thornbury Castle, a creation that's been a beautiful place to stay for half a millennium — though the guests today are tourists rather than the Tudor royal household.
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'This is how riding holidays should be': Across Dartmoor by horse, with Mary KingThose people who say 'never meet your heroes' have clearly never run into Mary King, says Octavia Pollock, as she heads off on a horseback trail with the equestrian and Olympian.
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Bovey Castle: A grand stately pile in Devon that's fit for the whole familyOn a trip to the south-west Heather Clark checks into one of Bovey Castle's self-catering lodges .
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The breathtaking Welsh quarries which are 'a treasure trove of mystery, human endeavour and struggle'Silenced Welsh quarries evoke a vanishing world for Fiona Reynolds, as she goes walking through Snowdonia.
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A walk from Glastonbury Tor to Wells CathedralGlastonbury Tor and Wells Cathedral have long gazed at each other across the historic Somerset Levels.
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Wild swimming in Scotland: Where to swim — and stay — in the CairngormsNautical nomad James Aiken rounds up his favourite swim spots in the Scottish Cairngorms and beyond and the best hotels to warm up in afterwards.
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16 things which make Scotland the beautiful place we know and loveFrom highland cattle to Annie Lennox, we celebrate the very best that Scotland has to offer.
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How to get a touch of country life in London in the summer, from treehouse hotel to outdoor pools and al fresco diningFrom swim spots and pick-you-own sunflowers farms to hotels with unbeatable views, Rosie Paterson tells you how to make the most of London while the sun is still shining and where to stay
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Hillside Hangouts review: Finding a happy place in the CotswoldsIn the hills outside one of the most beautiful villages in the north Cotswolds lie the Hillside Hangouts on the Farncombe Estate in Worcestershire, an attempt to provide a self-catering break that is all things to all people. Toby Keel paid a visit to see if they've succeeded.
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Country Life 6 July 2022Country Life 6 July 2022 looks at the islands of Britain, kittiwakes, growing hazelnuts and the Cornish artisan who hand-crafts surfboards from wood.
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Three Mile Beach: The Cornish, surf-inspired beach houses bound to put a smile on your faceOn a mission to explore more of the south-west, Rosie Paterson checks into Three Mile Beach, on the furthest reaches of the north Cornwall coast
