England Historical Facts

Wells, in Somerset, is England's smallest city with just 12,000 inhabitants, but also a stunning 13th century Cathedral.

It is believed that the Bell Inn Pub, located in Moreton-in-Marsh, was inspiration for the Prancing Pony Inn from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien.

It is believed that the the church door at St Edward's Church, in Stow on the Wold, which is flanked by two ancient Yew Trees, may have been inspiration for J.R.R.Tolkien's west-gate of Moria in The Lord of the Rings.

There are 99 Yew Trees in the churchyard of St Mary’s in Painswick, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. Legend has it that the devil would not let the 100th one grow, and this was put to the test in recent years when a 100th tree was planted to mark the millenium. However, during a storm in 2007 one of the trees was blown down, which some believe was the devil's work.

The Cotswold town of Painswick was featured on BBC televisions "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K.Rowling.

The historic wool town of Painswick, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds is home to the oldest bowling green in England.

The first mention of the White Cliffs of Dover was by Julius Caesar when he came over with two legions of soldiers, describing how it was unsuitable for landing there, and witnessing enemy troops lining the hilltops. The romans would later build two lighthouses along the cliffs for the Roman ships to navigate by. One of these lighthouses (called a Pharos) still stands today on the site of Dover Castle.

The village of Chipping in Lancashire, is home to the building that has been in longest continual use as a shop. Now the Chipping Craft Centre, it was first opened as a shop in 1668.

The village of Chobham, in Surrey, became known for developing Chobham armour during the 1960's.

The first lighthouse on Flamborough Head was built by Sir John Clayton, and was completed in 1674. It is one of the oldest surviving complete lighthouses in England. Built from chalk, it was never lit, and is now a Grade II* listed building