Pretty market town home to England’s ‘oldest castle’, vintage cinema and riverside pubs
THERE’S a market town in England that’s said to be home to the country’s oldest castle
Located in Hertfordshire, Berkhamsted is often overlooked as a holiday destination.
Even though the market town isn’t popular among holidaymakers, it is home to several tourist attractions.
One of those is Berkhamsted Castle, which is said to be the oldest castle in England.
Originally built from timber in the 11th century during the Norman Conquest, Berkhamsted Castle was thought to be one of the most important defensive structures of its time.
This is because the castle was built to gain control of an important trade route between London and the Midlands.
Throughout the centuries, the castle kept in royal hands and was occupied by key historical figures like Thomas Becket, Richard, Earl of Cornwall and the Black Prince.
Richard, Earl of Cornwall made renovations to the castle to transform it into a grand residence.
Berkhamsted was later passed onto five queens, including Queen Elizabeth I.
By the end of the 15th century, Berkhamsted was no longer used by the royals and fell into a state of disrepair.
While large portions of the stone were ransacked in the 16th century, there are some ruins that still remain to this day.
Berkhamsted Castle is maintained by English Heritage and it’s free to visit.
Located just a two-minute walk from Berkhamsted Train Station, the castle is easily accessible for day-trippers.
Berkhamsted Castle is open from 10am to 6pm every day during the summer, with opening times varying slightly in the winter months.
There are other unusual attractions in Berkhamsted, including a vintage art-deco cinema.
The Rex first opened to the public in 1938 with a screening of Heidi, starring Shirley Temple.
While the cinema closed to the public in 1988, it actually reopened again in 2004 following a campaign led by a local entrepreneur.
Screenings are still being shown at the vintage cinema to this day, with new releases, classics and firm family-favourites also being shown.
Another one of the main draws of visiting Berkhamsted is its riverside pubs – and there are plenty for visitors to choose from, including the Boat, the Rising Sun
Direct trains run between Berkhamsted and London Euston, with journeys taking less than one hour.
There are plenty of other quirky towns and villages to visit in the UK too, including Bournville in Birmingham.
Bournville, Birmingham
Located in southwest Birmingham, Bournville is a tiny village that was built by the Cadbury family.
While the model village may sound fairly idyllic, it isn’t without its quirks.
Because of its Quaker heritage, there are no pubs in Bournville, so those residents, and tourists, who fancy a swift drink need to visit boozers in other parts of Birmingham, like Selly Oak and Stirchley.
Painswick, Cotswolds
Often dubbed the “Queen of the Cotswolds” by travel experts and tour operators, Painswick has also been called the “most magical” town in the UK by holidaymakers on TikTok.
Even though Painswick is fairly small, there are several sites for day trippers to explore including St Mary’s Church.
The church lies in the heart of the town and is surrounded by a churchyard dotted with graves, tombs, and 99 Yew trees.
Best staycation locations for 2024
1. Bristol
The arty harbour city was the top spot on the list and is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early works on a free walking tour.
2. Hull
The Humberside port city started to get recognition last year, and it has a thriving nightlife scene – if that’s something you’re after.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the Cornish coast, it’s easy to see why the archipelago made it into the top three.
Here, you can expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub
Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.
And an abandoned village in England only opens to tourists once a year.
