Pevensey Castle is one of the ancient Romans' Saxon Shore forts, perched high atop a hill overlooking the ocean where the Norman army first landed. It consists of massive towered stone outer walls--two thirds are still standing--and a gatehouse where William the Conqueror erected a large oval-shaped combination castle and fort to keep watch for invaders approaching by water. Remnants of the dungeon, keep and chapel remain. Piles of medieval catapult balls, Elizabethan period iron cannons and gun emplacements from World War II are on display. The castle is open year-round.
Pevensey Castle
Pevensey, East Sussex
BN24 5LE
United Kingdom
44-0-1323-762-604
Stirling Castle is one of the largest castles in Scotland and one of the most important architecturally and historically. It's perched high atop Castle Hill, a volcanic crag rock formation, and is protected by steep cliffs surrounding it on three sides. Stirling Castle contains structures from the 1300s, with its main buildings dating from the 16th to 17th centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned there in 1543. It was also under siege many times during the Wars of Scottish Independence, including in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to storm the castle.
Stirling Castle
Castle Wynd
Stirling
FK8 1EJ
44-0-1786-450-000
The second-most impressive wall in the world after the Great Wall of China, Hadrian's Wall runs across the width of northern England and is the most important Roman monument in Britain. It was built under the rule of Roman emperor Hadrian, beginning in 122 A.D. Many of its stone remnants are still standing today, especially the middle section. It originally had many fortifications built of wood and stone and delineated the most heavily defended Roman frontier border. The wall can be traversed on foot by following Hadrian's Wall Path, or by bicycle on the National Cycle Route 72.
