Heart of England - Heritage Travel Guide

Historic Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire

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They call it the 'Heart' of England for good reason! Find historic places to visit and stay, explore Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and some of the finest stately homes in England, such as Waddesdon Manor and Cliveden House. From the historic cities of Warwick with its superb medieval castle, to Bedford and its links with native son John Bunyan, history is never far away.

Major Heart of England Historic Attractions

Abbeys & Monasteries
Bushmead Priory
Dunstable Priory
Elstow Abbey

Castles
Kenilworth Castle
Warwick Castle
Windsor Castle

Cathedrals
St. Alban's Cathedral

Countryside
Ridgeway Path

Gardens (many of the best surround historic house)
Cliveden House
Grey's Court
Mapledurham House
Savill Garden
Stowe Landscape Garden
Stratfield Saye
Wisley (Royal Hort. Soc. Garden

Historic Houses
Althorp Park
Ascott House
Baddesley Clinton
Boughton House
Claydon House
Coughton Court
Hatfield House
Hughenden Manor
Ragley Hall
Upton House
Waddesdon Manor
West Wycombe Park
Woburn Abbey

Museums
Chiltern Open Air Museum
Shuttleworth Collection

Features

John Bunyan - Bedford's most famous son
Lace Making in Bedford
William Shakespeare biography

Althorp Park - Princess Diana's final resting place.

Featured Attraction

Potsgrove, St Mary's Church - Potsgrove, Bedfordshire, England

At first glance, Potsgrove church might appear Victorian, but looks can be deceiving; the church dates to the 14th century, and incorporates bits of a much earlier Norman church on the site. The nave and chancel are combined into one, with the addition of a south porch. ... more

Heart of England County Travel Guides