UNESCO World Heritage Sites In The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area that has been officially recognized by the United Nations as having cultural, natural, or historic significance. Due to their importance, the sites are protected via international treaty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is home to 30 different sites, including 1 of mixed significance, 4 natural, and 25 cultural. This article takes a look at a few of these sites.

Stonehenge

Inducted in 1986 as a cultural site, Stonehenge is one of the most recognizable UNESCO monuments in the United Kingdom. A visit to these prehistoric ruins, located in Wiltshire, England, may seem as if one is taking a walk backwards in time. Built sometime between 3000 and 2000 BC, this site is a ring of standing stones set into the ground and surrounded by a circular mound of earth. Avebury and associated sites located within a 30-mile radius have also been included in the protected status. They include similarly circular henge sites constructed of earth and stone. Nearby, model homes allow visitors to get a glimpse of Neolithic life. Theories of the purpose of Stonehenge include that it was intended as either a burial site, for use in ritualistic ceremonies, and/or a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing. What is even more mysterious is how the stones arrived to their current site. The stones were transported from over 200 miles away in present-day Wales. The most commonly accepted theory is that the culture moved these stones via water to a few miles from the site. This theory has not, however, been tested. The mystery that shrouds this World Heritage Sites is one of its great appeals.

Westminster Abbey

Located in London, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and Saint Margaret’s Church were all reserved as World Heritage Sites in 1987. Built over medieval remains, Westminster Palace was constructed beginning in 1840 and today, is one of the largest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in the country. Parliament continues to hold its seat here. Westminster Abbey has served as the traditional place for royal coronations and marriages since the 11th century and Saint Margaret’s Church, the parish church for the Palace, has held religious services since medieval times. The grounds also hold burial sites for English citizens as well as monarchy. These buildings stand overlooking the river Thames and remind passersby of the rich history of religion, royalty, and government that have helped shape the nation.

Saint Kilda

The Saint Kilda volcanic archipelago and settlements is a mixed cultural and natural site brought under UNESCO World Heritage protection in 1986. Located off the northwest coast of Scotland, its landscape is craggy and awe-inspiring and the coasts have some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. The area provides shelter to many endangered bird species such as puffins, and during breeding season around 1 million birds can be spotted. Humans inhabited this area from before the Bronze Age until 1930 AD. Combined with the harsh environment and unique natural setting are remains of ancient settlements that can still be found here. These ruins include storage structures, stone houses, and field systems. One of the villages was rebuilt during the 1800’s, but increasing tourism and the devastating effects of World War I forced inhabitants off the island in 1930. A visit here today is akin to seeing one of the last great frontiers due to its inherent remoteness and natural beauty.

Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast

One of the natural sites on the list, the Giant’s Causeway was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Unique for its polygonal-shaped basalt column beaches, this North Ireland coastline is an important geological site. Its columns interlock and form a nearly flat surface. Formed by volcanic eruption, the surface appears to be stepping stones that guide visitors from the coast into the sea. Research of this area has been ongoing for over 300 years and has added extensive knowledge to the field of science regarding the history of geological formations on earth. The name comes from local legend that these rocks provided a passage for giants crossing the sea to Scotland.

Additional UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country can be found listed below.