04/09/2026
England's oldest towns and cities offer a window into the landscape, history and traditions that have shaped the country over centuries. Pilgrims, traders, armies and travellers have passed through these places for generations, leaving behind stories and traces of the past for you to discover today
York - From its Roman origins to its Viking heritage and medieval walls, few English cities reveal so many layers of history as York.
Whitby - Overlooking the North Sea, Whitby's ancient abbey, fishing heritage and maritime traditions have shaped the character of this Yorkshire town.
Canterbury - With its magnificent cathedral, Canterbury has been a centre of pilgrimage, faith and learning for more than 1,000 years.
Wi******er - Once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, Wi******er remains deeply connected to the origins of the English kingdom and its royal history.
Bath - Founded by the Romans around its natural hot springs, Bath is one of the finest surviving examples of an 18th-century Georgian city.