Stonehenge is Best British Site, Say UK Kids

Submitted by Sean Williams on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 20:31

You might expect the youth of today to be more interested in Britain's modern icons - but what happens when you ask the kids about their favourite sites? A survey of the nation's youngsters, compiled by budget hotel chain Travelodge, has revealed Stonehenge to be the country's top tourist spot, closely followed by Hadrian's Wall. The prehistoric Salisbury stone circle predates contemporary entries on the top ten list, such as the London Eye, by over 5,000 years. The capital's giant ferris wheel could only muster third place, while Antony Gormley's Angel of the North made eighth.

Edinburgh Castle is the only landmark located outside England that made the list - there was no mention of sites in Wales or Northern Ireland. Mark Kemp, Travelodge's Reservations Director, tells People: "It's great news that the young are keen to preserve Britain's heritage. With the UK the top holiday destination for Britons this year, youngsters have the opportunity to find out what makes Great Britain so great."

The list in full is: 1. Stonehenge 2. Hadrian's wall 3. The London Eye 4. Edinburgh Castle 5. Buckingham Palace 6. Tower of London 7. White Cliffs of Dover 8. Angel of the North 9. Blackpool Tower 10. St. Paul's Cathedral.

It's unlikely the poll shows Britain's youth is keen to preserve historic monuments; more a propensity for Wikipedia. Yet the poll will be a boost for Stonehenge's custodians English Heritage, who have come under fire recently for their controversial plans for a new visitor centre, located some 1½ miles away from the famous landmark. Stonehenge is rarely out of the news, with the dramatic discovery of Bluestonehenge, another nearby stone circle, announced earlier this month.

Second-placed Hadrian's Wall was a stone, timber and turf partition built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD, to keep marauding Scots tribes out of Roman Britain. It was the most heavily fortified border in the empire on its inception. It spanned 73 miles across what is now northern England, and was the most formidable of four similar barriers.

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About The Author

Sean Williams

Sean is an English Literature graduate, who currently works as a writer and journalist in London. He enjoys ancient history, theatre and sport. He does not enjoy Big Brother.

Last three pieces by this author: Celebrate St. Patrick's by Visiting Loughcrew for Spring Equinox, What can you Expect from Stonehenge Spring Equinox 2010?, AWiL Video Series: Illuminating Hadrian's Wall at the Edge of the Roman Empire

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