Elizabeth Gaskell, Author of Cranford
Knutsford is one of Cheshire’s most charming towns with its picturesque black and white houses and nearby great country estates.
Knutsford was the ‘Cranford’ of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel but the town’s history goes back much further than the 19th century. Remains of early man dating back 8000 years have been found at nearby Tatton and it is said that the town’s name comes from the Danish King Canute and it appears in the 11th century Domesday Book.
The beautiful and imposing capital capital of Scotland has been the site of a settlement since at least the Bronze Age as archaealogical remains found on Castle Rock prove.
Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, 1878
Edinburgh castle, situated on a volcanic plug of rock, dominates the city that grew up around it from the 11th century. Here Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland who also became James I of England.
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Swansea is second largest city in Wales. Although the city name appears to be of Viking origin, no evidence exists of any settlement until the 11th century when the Normans built a castle later destroyed by Owen Glendower. The major attraction is the beautiful Gower Peninsula just to the west of the city centre.