Osborne House
Mont Orgueil Castle Machrie Moor
Abbeys & churches
Little Chapel on Guernsey is modelled on the shrine at Lourdes and is quirkily decorated in shells and pottery. On the Isle of Man, Rushen Abbey gives an insight into life through the ages dating back to 1180, and on the Isles of Scilly, Tresco Abbey Garden has the remains of a Benedictine Abbey founded in 964AD. In Orkney, 12th century St Magnus Cathedral dominates Kirkwall’ s skyline. On Lamb Holm, Orkney see the Italian Chapel, which consists of two Nissen huts transformed into a beautiful chapel by two Italian prisoners of war.
Historic houses
Across the islands, there are numerous manor houses, grand period properties and historic homes to explore. Be sure to visit Hauteville House in Guernsey where French writer Victor Hugo spent 15 years in exile during the 19th century. On the Isle of Wight there are several manor houses to visit as well as Osborne House, once the holiday residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Museums & galleries
Britain’ s islands feature a variety of rural and handson museums, including The Jersey Museum, Art Gallery and Merchant’ s House which tells the story of Jersey from neolithic times to the modern day, while Hamptonne Country Life Museum showcases six centuries of Jersey’ s rural life. Guernsey Museum at Candie Gardens houses a permanent exhibition of Guernsey with an art gallery running alongside.
The Manx Museum in Douglas on the Isle of Man is bursting with artefacts and treasures unique to the island. While in nearby Peel, the House of Manannan is the perfect place to gain an insight to the island’ s rich Viking, Celtic and maritime past.
The Shetland Museum and Archives, which is set on Lerwick’ s waterfront within a restored 19th century dock, tells the absorbing story of Shetland’ s heritage and culture. Also in Shetland on the island of Bressay is the Bressay Heritage Centre whose exhibits take you from the island’ s early days with the Picts and Norse up to more modern times.
The Story of Harris Tweed Museum lies in the centre of Stornaway and gives visitors a complete insight to the island’ s most famous material. Also in Stornaway and located in a modern purpose-built extension to Lews Castle, is the new Museum nan Eilean, whose exciting galleries look at the stories of islands and islanders.
To find out about the history of Arran and her people, be sure to visit the Arran Heritage Museum and, on the Isle of Skye, you can step back in time and experience how islanders really lived at the unique and informative Skye Museum of Island Life.
Castles & monuments
Elizabeth Castle, which sits on a rocky islet in Jersey’ s St Aubin’ s Bay, has defended the island for more than 400 years; and at over 800 years old Mont Orgueil in Gorey is a symbol of Jersey’ s identity. Its history is a story of the Norman conquest, French invasion and Jersey’ s long standing connection to the English crown- all brought to life with a network of staircases, towers and secret rooms; while Guernsey’ s Castle Cornet, has guarded St Peter Port for 800 years.
Castle Rushen, on the Isle of Man, is one of Europe’ s best preserved castles; and at Peel Castle you can follow in the footsteps of Christian missionaries and Viking warriors.
Isle of Wight fortifications include Carisbrooke Castle which dates back to Norman times, while Yarmouth Castle, the Needles Old Battery and Fort Victoria will appeal to military historians.
On Shetland, the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements are one of the most important and inspirational archaeological sites in Scotland. Also in Shetland on Unst is Muness Castle, the most northerly castle in the British Isles. In the Isle of Lewis, the impressive Callanish Stones are one of its most popular attractions. Pre-dating infamous Stonehenge, the stones stand mightily to form a rough circle and it’ s suspected they may have been used in ancient rituals.
There are many ethereal standing stones around Arran though the main pre-history site is Machrie Moor which has seven stone circles to explore, including the iconic 16 foot high sandstone pillars. Also on Arran is Lochranza Castle, a hallhouse-type ruin which you can wander about, whilst Brodick Castle is a perfect example of a Victorian Hunting Lodge.
Dungevan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the MacLeods for 800 years. The castle was built in the 12th century as a small thatched house and over the years has grown to its present form. Armadale Castle & Gardens is another historic gem, whose ruins sit amidst 40 acres of spectacular gardens. Its museum tells the epic story of Clan Donald, Scotland’ s largest and most powerful clan.
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