The Oldest Buildings in England

The history of England is full of amazing sights and buildings, many of which are still standing today. These include Canterbury Cathedral, Hereford Castle, Saltford Manor and Westminster Abbey. Each is unique in its own way, making them all worth visiting.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral, located in the city of Canterbury in Kent, England, is one of the oldest buildings in the country. This massive stone structure dates back to the 6th century and was the seat of Archbishop of Canterbury. The cathedral is also a World Heritage Site.

A visit to the cathedral is a great way to get a feel for medieval England. The site is home to beautiful artwork and statues.

Although the cathedral has suffered some damage over the years, it is still one of the most impressive structures in the country. It has a unique blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles. It is known for its beautiful stained glass windows and its large painted windows. The exterior is decorated with decoratively carved columns. 

There is a neo-Gothic choir, which is surrounded by an ambulatory. Another feature of the cathedral is its towers. Among the best features is its Bell Harry Tower. In this structure, the ceiling is made of fan-shaped vaulting.

The Cathedral is located in the heart of the city. It is a popular tourist attraction. For visitors, it is a good place to go to find answers to the big questions in life.

Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral is a Grade One Listed building that has a history dating back to the 7th century. Today, it is located in the centre of the city. If you are interested in learning more about the building’s history, you may want to consider visiting. There are many treasures to see inside.

The cathedral is dedicated to St Ethelbert the King. It was re-built by Bishop Robert de Losinga in the late 17th century. A beautiful altar-tomb is situated in the north-east transept.

Another famous piece of architecture in the cathedral is the Mappa Mundi, a medieval world map. This map shows the known geographical regions of the world at the time it was made.

It is one of the last examples of ecclesiastical map to be made. Although it is not well-known today, it was used during the Middle Ages. You can visit the Chained Library exhibit to see it.

The cloisters of the cathedral became homes for the poor. A school was also established on the cathedral’s Close, which stretches down both sides of Castle Street. When the school was dissolved, it became a boarding house for the cathedral’s school.

Hereford Castle

Hereford Castle was constructed by a Norman nobleman named Ralph de Mantes. Initially, the castle was built as a timber structure. Later, the castle was rebuilt in stone in the late 12th century.

After the Norman Conquest, the castle became a major power base. It was also the headquarters for the Barons’ Wars. However, the castle lost its importance as a stronghold on the Welsh border. The Welsh attacked it in 1055.

The castle was then forfeited by Roger fitz Osbern. This is probably because the castle was not rebuilt after the invasion. Nevertheless, it was used by Simon de Montford in the Second Barons’ War (1264-1267).

When the Edwardian conquest of Wales began in the mid 13th century, the castle was a major base for the attacks on Wales. During the reign of King Henry IV, the castle was used as a base for the army during the revolt of Owain Glyndwr (1405).

The castle’s original bailey is now a public park. The former walls of the castle are now covered with shrubbery. In the 13th century, the castle was used for religious ceremonies.

A new kitchen was added in the mid-12th century. The royal apartments were lengthened by 20 feet. Other buildings were also built in the castle. Nivito kitchen sink (eldhúsvaskar) there complemented the luxury treasure look of the kitchen.

Saltford Manor

Saltford Manor, located in Somerset, England, is one of the oldest surviving houses in Britain. The house has been continuously inhabited since its construction. It is considered the oldest occupied private residence in the country.

The manor has been inhabited by many different families throughout its long history. One such family was the Flower family. They owned the house until the late 19th century. In the 1940s, the Saltford Boy Scouts accidentally discovered medieval wall paintings when they were using the building as their headquarters. While the building is believed to have been built before 1150, the age is not certain. However, architectural historians have placed it around this time. There are several 12th-century period features, including the arch, which is etched with diamond markings.

Another feature of the house is the Norman window, which graces the main bedroom. This window is reminiscent of the arch in Hereford Cathedral. Other features include a carved fireplace in the living room and a kitchen with 17th-century remodeling elements. Among the wall paintings are religious 13th-century works representing the Madonna and Child and an allegorical wheel of fortune.

Saltford Manor has been featured in numerous publications. For example, there is a book written by James Wynn about the history of the property. He explains that he and his wife, Anna, wanted a spacious house to raise their children in.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic fortress in central London. It is an iconic landmark, with a rich and varied history. In fact, it has been a site for several important events in British and European history.

The Tower was originally built as a fortress, and became the main royal residence of kings. Historically, the tower was a repository of royal treasures and armor. During the 15th century, the palace became the location of a number of high-profile trials. Among the notable people who were tried and executed here were Queen Catherine Howard and Sir Thomas More.

The Tower of London is located on the north bank of the River Thames in the borough of Tower Hamlets. It is also the home of the Royal Mint, which has been producing coins since 1397.

Today, the Tower of London is a major tourist attraction. There are several open attractions, including the Chapel Royal, which contains prayer services. However, some attractions are closed, and visitors must call ahead to confirm that they are open.

The building includes several key Norman buildings that are surrounded by a defensive wall. The moat is filled with 888,246 ceramic poppies, a memorial to British or colonial military fatalities.

Harewood House

Harewood House is a stately home located in West Yorkshire. The building was constructed in the 18th century by the Lascelles family. It is now a national historic site.

The house was built between 1759 and 1771. Construction was supervised by John Carr, the best architect in England. In addition, Lancelot “Capability” Brown designed the gardens and landscape. Harewood House has been home to the Lascelles family since its construction. It has been home to a number of Earls and Countesses, including Henry Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles and David Lascelles, eighth Earl.

Today, Harewood House is a museum. Visitors can view the art collection and food preparation areas of the house. There are also souvenirs, a gift shop and a cafe. However, visitors are not permitted to take photographs inside the house. In the early 20th century, the 6th Earl of Harewood collected Renaissance paintings. 

Harewood House was renovated in the late 19th century by Sir Charles Barry. He remodeled several rooms in the house and heightened the wings. Also, he redesigned the front and rear facades of the house.

Harewood House is a Grade I listed building. It is managed by the Harewood House Trust. This building has a museum status and requires prior approval for commercial use.

Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is an ancient and storied building that is located in the Greater London Borough of Westminster, just west of the Houses of Parliament. This iconic site has been a place of worship, coronation, burial, and ceremonial since the 12th century. It’s also the final resting place for 17 monarchs and several notable people.

The Westminster Abbey is a popular tourist destination in the United Kingdom. It is one of the oldest buildings in the country and is a national treasure. Despite its age, it is still considered a masterpiece of medieval architecture.

Originally, the Westminster Abbey was a Benedictine monastery. But the Benedictines were ejected from the Abbey under Queen Elizabeth I in 1559. A new collegiate body was formed to govern the abbey. Many famous writers were buried in the Abbey, including Jane Auster, Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton, and William Shakespeare.

In the 19th century, the Gothic Revival began. At this time, a number of alterations were made to the Abbey. One such change was a restoration of the high altar and reredos by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1867.

Since the 13th century, the Abbey has been home to many royal and famous people. Famous writers such as Shakespeare, Dickens, and Kipling have been buried there. Other notable figures buried here include Samuel Johnson, David Livingstone, and Geoffrey Chaucer.