EXPLORE LIFE IN THE STUART ERA

1 Hall’s Croft Warwickshire Hall’s Croft is where Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, lived with her husband, the physician John Hall, during the early Stuart period. A fine Jacobean house, it is now owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. £7.65. Open daily. Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BG. 01789 338 533, shakespeare.org.uk/visit/halls-croft

2 Marston Moor Yorkshire In July 1644, Marston Moor was the site of the greatest battle of the English Civil War, which resulted in Charles I losing control of the North of England. Today, it’s peaceful, open countryside, except on 2 July each year when a commemoration occurs. Free. Open daily. Long Marston. battlefieldstrust.com

3 St Giles Cathedral Edinburgh It was here that protests against the new Scottish Prayer Book broke out in July 1637. The Cathedral contains a memorial to Jenny Geddes, who, according to legend, initiated the protests by hurling her stool at a minister who was reading it. Free. Open daily. Edinburgh, EH1 1RE. 0131 226 0674, stgilescathedral.org.uk

4 Wrest Park Bedfordshire The gardens at Wrest were laid out by Amabel Benn, wife of the 10th Earl of Kent, during the late 17th century. At their heart is the famous ‘Long Water’, created during the early 1680s. £10.90. Open daily, entry Silsoe, MK45 4HR. 0370 333 1181, english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/wrest-park

5 Boscobel House Staffordshire This is the hunting-lodge in which Charles II sought refuge following his defeat by Cromwell’s forces at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The house is now owned by English Heritage. £8. Open Wed – Sun. Near Brewood, ST19 9AR. 0370 333 1181, english-heritage.org.uk /visit/places/ boscobel-house-and-the-royal-oak

6 Eyam Derbyshire In 1665, bubonic plague broke out in the village of Eyam. Eyam Museum tells the moving story of how the villagers sought to spare the inhabitants of neighbouring parishes from the infection that was raging in their midst. £2.50. Open Tue to Sun. Eyam, S32 5QP. 01433 631371, eyam-museum.org.uk

7 The Siege Museum Londonderry In 1688-89, thousands of Protestants in the walled city of Derry were besieged by Jacobites, the Catholic forces loyal to the deposed King James II. The events of the 105-day stand-off that followed are explored in this museum. £3. Open Mon to Sat, Londonderry, BT48 6PJ. 028 7126 1219, thesiegemuseum.org

8 Museum of Witchcraft and Magic Cornwall So-called witches were still being persecuted in the Stuart era. This fascinating museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of folk-magic and witchcraft-related objects. £5. Open daily. Boscastle, PL35 0HD. 01840 250111, museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk

9 Audley End House Essex Audley End is all that survives of the still more magnificent mansion house that was built here by Thomas Howard, First Earl of Suffolk, between 1605 and 1614. The house is now owned by English Heritage. £18.10. Open daily. Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF. 0370 333 1181, english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/places/audley-end-house-and-gardens