Heritage Weekends: 52 breaks exploring Britain's past

History and heritage are among Britain's greatest passions. Travel writers and historians Helen and Neil Matthews have selected 52 places that are wonderful examples of natural, architectural, industrial or cultural heritage. Some are neglected or under-rated and deserve more attention. Others are famous locations waiting to be enjoyed from new perspectives. Heritage Weekends is here to help you explore and indulge your passion for Britain's past: from the Prehistoric era, through ancient, medieval, Tudor, Regency and Victorian times to the 20th century. With their inspirational guide you'll meet some of our greatest creative geniuses, monarchs and heroes, eccentrics and legends, giants and saints. And you'll find everything from the world's most famous map to a vision of Hell!

As well as detailed descriptions of the sites, Heritage Weekends includes suggested itineraries, directions and top tips for accommodation and eating out. England, Wales, Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man are all covered, with weekends divided into in-depth and shorter entries. All weekends include detailed information on how to get there, as well as suggestions for further places to visit if you have time to spare. From St Albans' Roman remains at Verulamium to Avebury's stone circle, Windsor Castle to York's Jorvik Centre, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon to the Neolithic sights of Orkney, there's more than enough to entice, stimulate and entertain. Chester's impressive city walls are also included, as is Portmeirion, the war tunnels and underground hospital on Jersey, and Margate's mysterious Shell Grotto. Literary buffs can explore Jane Austen's Bath or visit the home of Sir Walter Scott at romantic Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders. Ideal for all the family, whatever your interest, Bradt's Heritage Weekends lets you create your own magical tour of Britain.

Heritage Weekends is Helen and Neil Matthews' second book for Bradt, following their guide to the Chilterns and Thames Valley (2019), published as part of Bradt's award-winning series of slow travel guides to UK regions. Their travel writing has appeared in Wanderlust, This England and other publications. Both hold PhDs in history and Helen is a member of the Royal Historical Society. Pen & Sword has published Helen's The Legitimacy of Bastards: The Place of Illegitimate Children in Later Medieval England (2019) and Neil's Victorians and Edwardians abroad: The Beginning of the Modern Holiday (2016). Neil's research has also featured in the journal of the Leisure Studies Association (2012) and in Educating Mind, Body and Spirit: History of the University of Westminster – the legacy of Quintin Hogg and the Polytechnic, 1864-1992 (Granta, 2013). Helen is Director of Academic Services for a Russell Group university, while Neil's 25 years' experience as a marketer include four years with an association of independently owned UK historic houses, castles and gardens.