A Big Day for Big Ben
The most famous clock in Great Britain – and probably the world – has come up trumps in a Travel Lodge poll which asked 2,500 young Britons to choose attractions which they rate as the most iconic landmarks in the country.
In a surprising twist, eight out the top 10 spots went to historic buildings or structures. Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old megalithic monument in Wiltshire, made second place, while the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, came in third. The London Eye, coming in at fifth place, was the only modern landmark to make the list, and the only natural landmark was the White Cliffs of Dover, in tenth place.
Other famous attractions included Buckingham Palace (4th), Blackpool Tower (6th), Windsor Castle (7th), Hadrian’s Wall (8th) and Edinburgh Castle (9th).
The surge in interest in Britain’s heritage could be a result of a remarkably patriotic summer, during which the world’s eyes turned to London for the Olympic Games and the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. Indeed, further findings in the survey revealed that a third of British youngsters expressed a desire to explore their homeland, with famously historic settlements London, Edinburgh and Bath taking the top three spots for cities that children want to see.
The poll could spell good news for parents this half term, who are faced with not only the unenviable task of keeping the kids entertained, but also having to manage tight household budgets. Historical attractions are typically much cheaper to visit, and when it comes to Britain, there’s certainly no shortage of those. To modify a well-worn phrase, the best is history.
Image Credit: White Cliffs of Dover – Tobias von der Haar
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My best travelling experience was a two-month road trip around and through Australia in a tiny campervan. When they appeared, the sights were magnificent. But what I loved most about the whole thing was the relentless motion; travel in its simplest form. Because of the vast distance we needed to cover (13,000 kilometres) it was necessary to be almost constantly on the move, and this became a way of life. Nothing can quite compare to the freedom you feel when pulling out onto a road that ends in a vanishing point, fuel needle pointing to 12 o’clock. Next on my bucket list is Antarctica to see the emperor penguins. These have to be the most adorably quirky creatures on the planet (though meerkats come a close second), and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see them waddling around in their natural environment. And speaking of the environment, I’ve always been drawn to inhospitable places; they unnerve me and excite me in equal measures, a balance which in my opinion is the epitome of a fulfilling travel experience. Or perhaps I’m just a misanthrope in denial.Subscribe
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