Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places
Historic places across the country have shaped who we are. They bring our history to life and tell the story of our collective identity.
With your help, we’ve gradually been uncovering the 100 historic places that tell the remarkable story of England and its impact on the world. Through ten different categories, each judged by an expert from thousands of your nominations, we have reached a list of 100 places that have helped to make England the country it is today.
We’ve produced a podcast series that explores each of the 100 places in detail and on sale now is a beautifully illustrated book of all 100 places. It’s a unique history of England chosen and told by the people who live here.
Listen to the podcast series | Buy the book
A History of England in 100 Places is sponsored by Ecclesiastical.
Explore the 100 Places by category
Ten places have been chosen by our expert judges from the places you have nominated in each of the following categories:
Science & Discovery
Professor Lord Robert Winston, scientist, politician and writer reveals his top ten places to tell the story of science and discovery in England.
Travel & Tourism
Bettany Hughes, historian and author reveals her top ten places of travel and tourism in England.
Homes & Gardens
George Clarke, architect and writer has chosen ten places to tell the story of England’s homes and gardens.
Sport & Leisure
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Parliamentarian and former athlete chose 10 places.
Music & Literature
Monica Ali, Writer and novelist chose 10 places that revealed our music and literature history.
Loss & Destruction
Mary Beard, Historian and classicist judged this category.
Faith & Belief
The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s chose 10 places, from Stonehenge to Brick Lane Mosque.
Industry, Trade & Commerce
Tristram Hunt, historian and Director of the V&A judged this category.
Art, Architecture & Sculpture
Will Gompertz, BBC Arts Editor chose 10 places related to our history of art, architecture and sculpture in this category.
Power, Protest & Progress
David Olusoga, historian and writer chose the places that demonstrated our history of power, protest and progress.
Listen to our podcast
Subscribe to our 100 Places podcast on iTunes or on your podcast player of choice by searching for '100 Places', listen on SoundCloud or read the episode transcripts which are published as webpages in each category.
Follow our hosts Suzannah Lipscomb and Emma Barnett and join us as we travel across England visiting well-known wonders and some lesser-known places on your doorstep - all of which have helped make this country what it is today.
From a hut in Bletchley Park where modern computing evolved, to the iron railings in London to which suffragettes chained themselves in the fight for women’s right to vote, we’ll step back in time to the very roots of our national identity to bring you the people and the stories that have helped shape England.
So are you ready? Let’s find out which places you and our judges have chosen as 'irreplaceable'.
Produced by Historic England
Sponsored by specialist insurer, Ecclesiastical
When it feels irreplaceable, trust Ecclesiastical.
