The thing about getting older, or so I’m told, is that you inevitably give less of a care when people think you’re odd. It must be pretty liberating to not be hung up on what people think of you. And be honest, we all know at least one older person who either literally or metaphorically says “OK, so this is me. Take me or leave me, you’re not going to change me!”. And we think “I hope that’s me at their age”.
If that person were a country, they would be the United Kingdom. In various forms, it has been there for some time and everyone knows about it. It’s played its part in a long and deep history and as a consequence it has plenty of stories. So, when you think about part of Britain’s culture or landscape and think “Well, that’s weird”, Britain looks right back and says “Yes! Does that bother you?”.
So for any traveler looking to give the UK a closer look on a holiday break, by all means you should visit the obvious places. But it makes sense to take a look at some of the more bizarre parts of its history, too.
A Trip To Stonehenge
For the history fan, or indeed the Spinal Tap buff in your touring party, a visit to Stonehenge is indispensable. Countless theories abound as to exactly what Stonehenge is, but because there are no documents from the time, no-one really knows.
What is clear is that it is some sight to behold. Getting up close to the standing stones means you’re next to something constructed up to 5,000 years ago. Which is pretty wild – check StonehengeVisit.co.uk for more information.
Whitby Bay
Credit: Wikipedia
In the 1890s, a young Irish writer by the name of Bram Stoker took up residence in Whitby. During the day, his landlady would kick him out of the house in order to do the housework. Stoker’s walks around Whitby would become the inspiration for the novel he would go on to write. Dracula was quite a hit, and the locations in the novel are still here today; as an aside, Whitby has become a center for the UK’s goth music scene.
Conwy, North Wales
Credit: Flickr
North Wales in general has a relaxed and offbeat feel to it. Conwy, in particular, is home to a castle which straddles the main road through the town and overlooks a majestic sea view. But for fans of the weird, Conwy has one particular attraction which cannot be missed – Quay House. The smallest house in Britain, which stands just ten feet tall, has a floor space of six feet by ten. It was once home to a fisherman who himself was 6′ 3 tall. Once he left, it was declared unfit for human habitation.
If you are a fan of the weird, spooky and wonderful then Britain has a lot for you to see. There are other places besides those listed above, but it helps give a taste for the offbeat nature and history of Britain. There’s a great deal of pride about this oddness, which is fitting for a country of such character
