What makes a great historical day o

What makes a great historical day out? Is it the architecture? Or is it the artefacts? Do you immerse yourself in the history of the place? Or are you looking for a fun day out with the family, with a bit of history thrown in?

UKTV History is launching Britain's Best, a brand new multimedia event aimed at finding the nation's favourite historical attraction.

Britain's Best kicks off on April 9, with a series of five weekly TV programmes presented by Alan Titchmarsh. Each programme focuses on five top attractions in five categories: palaces, castles, religious buildings, gardens and historical houses.

But this "top 25" is just to get you going. Any selection of the best historical venues in Britain is open to debate. And that's where you come in. UKTV History wants history fans to champion historical attractions they believe we ought to be visiting.

"Britain has a unique treasure trove of historical riches," says Alan. "We all have our particular favourites, but I want people to visit places they might not have discovered in the past. Understanding and enjoying our heritage helps to ensure that its future is secure, and there is nothing more enriching than sharing the pleasure of treasures that are less well known."

Scone Palace near Perth in Scotland

History fans will drive the search for the nation's favourite historic sites: their votes will decide which venues deserve the accolade of "Britain's Best". Over the summer, the campaign will continue with a series of regionally themed programmes. On September 17, UKTV History will broadcast the grand finale, in which Alan will reveal the viewers' verdicts on Britain's top history days out.

The first programme focuses on five of Britain's most famous palaces: Hampton Court, Scone Palace, Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House and Brighton's Royal Pavilion. How do these attractions compare? And what palaces have the producers left off this list?

Hampton Court is associated with Henry VIII but that's because he appropriated it from Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, in 1528.

Wolsey was the king's top fixer and had an ego to match that of his boss. Around 1514, he ordered the construction of a grand palace at Hampton Court. The elaborate lodgings were so splendid that, when Wolsey began to fall from grace, Henry couldn't resist bagging the palace for himself.

Henry rebuilt much of Hampton Court and spent three honeymoons there. But his association with the place was tinged with tragedy, too.

Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, died at Hampton Court in 1537, shortly after giving birth to his only son, Edward.

(right) Hampton Court Palace

(above) Kew Palace

Scone Palace, near Perth, was the home of the ancient Picts, before they were driven out in the 9th century by Scots who had migrated from Ireland. Scone's importance grew during the 12th century, when monks established an Augustinian abbey there, as well as a palace for the abbot. Scone Abbey was used as a parliament until 1401. The palace, meanwhile, became a royal residence. Monarchs stayed there during their coronations, which took place on nearby Moot Hill.

Blenheim Palace owes its existence to the military skill of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. On August 13, 1704, Churchill defeated Louis XIV's army, near Blindheim (or Blenheim), north of the River Danube. A grateful Queen Anne undertook to build him a palace on land she gifted him at Woodstock in Oxfordshire.

Successive dukes and members of the Churchill family served their country as soldiers, scholars, diplomats, politicians and lawyers. But the most notable son of Blenheim was Sir Winston Churchill. He was born there on November 30, 1874.

Chatsworth House in Derbyshire was the result of the union between Sir William Cavendish and "Bess of Hardwick". Cavendish had done well for himself, helping Henry VIII dissolve the monasteries. In 1552, he and Bess began work on a large house. Elizabeth I considered Chatsworth House grand enough to use it to keep Mary Queen of Scots under house arrest for several periods between 1569 and 1584.

Youthful love inspired the creation of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. In 1786, George, the Prince of Wales, rented a farmhouse in the up-and-coming south coast resort. It was an ideal location to pursue his liaison with Maria Fitzherbert, a Catholic widow he had illegally "married".

Over the next 30 years, George created the wonderfully over-the-top Royal Pavilion, a glorious riot of domes, pagodas and minarets. Sadly, by the time it was finished, the dashing young prince had become a careworn monarch and no longer had the time to visit his beloved palace.

Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official residence, hasn't made UKTV History's top five but it is on a supplementary list of 75 other leading historical attractions. This list also includes the Queen's retreat at Sandringham, Norfolk, and Fishbourne Roman Palace, with its spectacular mosaics. Kew Palace isn't on either list. Maybe it should be. George II used it as a royal residence for his three eldest daughters. George IV was born there. The Georgian interiors are among the best in the country.

Are any of the locations featured in this article worthy of inclusion among Britain's Best? It's up to you to campaign for your favourite historical site, so get out there and get persuading! Argue with your mates, make a mini-movie, cast your vote. There's no better way to prove that history matters.

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