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TikTok historian Alice Loxton’s top UK hidden gems – from the Queen’s old bedroom to Roman tunnels The Stones played in
Join Alice in our video above, as she uncovers one of her favourite ancient treasures
FORGET joining the endless queues of tourists at the Tower of London or sitting in a traffic jam trying to get a glimpse of Stonehenge - Britain real historical gems are a bit more off the beaten track.
Here Tik Tok historian Alice Loxton reveals how you can see everything from royal 'pleasure palaces' to wacky caves, without the crowds.
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While history and Tik Tok might not sound like natural bedfellows, Alice has more than two million social media followers.
In collaboration with and as part of our Best of British series, she reveals to Sun readers some of her favourite lesser-known gems, that are all accessible by rail.
Explore Roman tunnels where the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix played at Chislehurst Caves
Alice said: "Explore a labyrinth of man-made tunnels that were used as chalk and flint mines during Roman times and as air raid shelters during World War II.
"Guided tours offer insights into the caves' history and legends.
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"You can take a train to Chislehurst station and the caves are a short walk away."
have been carved out over centuries and used as many things over the years.
They were used as a Victorian showplace with guided tours on how the Romans, Druids and Saxons used the caves, as well as an air-raid shelter protecting over 15,000 people every night from the Blitz.
In the 50's, 60's and 70's, the caves were used as a venue for dances and even concerts by famous names including The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
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Today, the caves are open as a tourist attraction, but can be hired out for parties and events.
Tickets are £8 for adults (16-60) and £6 for children (3-15). Tickets can be purchased .
Getting to Chislehurst: Trains from London Bridge to Chislehurst take just over 20 minutes.
Walk up 700-year-old towers at Conwy Castle
Alice said: "In Wales there are so many historic sites and so many castles, one of which is .
"Conwy is a great place to visit really easily by train, and it’s a short walk to Conwy Castle in the heart of the town, a castle built by Edward I that was built between 1283 and 1287.
"This is a real triumph of architecture, and a really great place to visit if you want to understand medieval castles. There are lots of activities there for children and it’s a wonderful town to visit."
You can purchase admission tickets to Conwy Castle on arrival or - prices vary depending on the time of year you visit. Between June 1 and August 31, tickets for adults are 12.50, and for juniors (aged 5-17) and students it's £8.70.
Getting to Conwy: Travelling from London Euston to Conwy takes around three and a half hours. From Crewe, it takes just under two hours.
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Discover the Whitby Abbey ruins that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula
Alice said: "The ruins of is in a wonderful coastal setting. Enjoy a wonderful day by having some ice-cream, hopefully in the sunny weather, and you can go and look around the amazing abbey.
"It’s so dramatic that it actually inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula."
Whitby Abbey was built in the 7th century as a monastery and 200 years later was the site of several viking raids.
The building was rebuilt again in the 13th century, then confiscated by Henry VIII in the 16th century, when it was left to ruin.
It has since been used by sailors as a way to navigate the headland and inspired a number of writers and artists.
If you you can save 15 per cent on a ticket for entry, but you must book online before 8:45am on the day of your visit. Tickets can be purchased on arrival but the discount won't be available.
Advance online tickets for adults are £14, and for children (5-17 years) £8.50.
Getting to Whitby: Travelling from London King's Cross to Whitby takes around five hours. From York it's around three hours.
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Live it up like a Scottish monarch at the stunning Linlithgow Palace
Alice said: "The magnificent ruin of a great Royal Palace set in its own park and beside Linlithgow Loch.
"While you're there, pay a visit to nearby Blackness Castle."
served as a royal residence until the 1700s, and is most famous for being the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
It was known as a 'pleasure palace' for the Scottish monarchy, as it was strategically located between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.
The palace's many royal residents made additions that can be enjoyed by visitors today - the great Hall was build for James I and the three-tiered courtyard fountain by James V.
And once you've walked in the footsteps of royalty inside, you can admire the views over Linlithgow Loch and the surrounding greenery.
As The King's Bed Chamber, Court Kitchen and North Range are currently closed, the admission price has been reduced - tickets for adults are £8 and £4 for children (7-15).
Tickets can be purchased on its .
Getting to Linlithgow: Travelling from Edinburgh to Linlithgow takes just over 20 minutes on the train.
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Have fun with the whole family at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village
Alice said: "Founded by the Victorian painter George Frederic Watts, this unique art gallery and village celebrates the work of Victorian artists."
is an art gallery dedicated to the work of Victorian-era painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts.
There's something for the whole family when visiting with its galleries, tea shop, children's play area and 18 acres of grounds and gardens to be explored.
Dogs are also welcome to enjoy the outdoor spaces and shop, with plenty of places to go for walks and water and dog-friendly ice cream available.
Admission is £15 for adults and free for under 16's. If you book in advance you can save on your visit.
Getting to Guildford: Travelling from London Waterloo to Guildford by train takes just over 30 minutes.
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Go potty for Staffordshire's world-famous ceramics at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Alice: "Discover the history of pottery in the Staffordshire Potteries through exhibits showcasing ceramics, artworks, and local history.
"There's also a gallery dedicated to the work of local artist, Reginald Haggar.
"You can take a train to Stoke-on-Trent station, and the museum is a short walk away."
holds an impressive collection of Staffordshire ceramics.
It's considered a great place to learn about the history of pottery, specifically in the Staffordshire area, as it's been a hub for ceramic production since the 17th century.
There are also non-pottery related local history exhibits, including the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found, and a World War II Spitfire.
The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 4pm, and admission is free.
Getting to Stoke-on-Trent: Trains from London Euston to Stoke-on-Trent take just over 1.5 hours.
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Dress like a medieval queen or knight at the Art Deco Eltham Palace
Alice: "A stunning Art Deco mansion with medieval origins, located near Greenwich.
"It's a unique blend of medieval and modern architecture."
Initally a medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence, is a grand manor house in South East London, where monarchs often stayed and hunted in the surrounding parks.
It's often described as one of London's best kept secrets, with its 19 acres of award-winning gardens and striking Art Deco decor - introduced by eccentric millionaire owners Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 1930's.
There's fun to be had for the whole family with an outdoor play area themed around the Courtauld's glamorous 1930's world travels, and three eras of dressing up - Medieval, World War Two and 1930's, with kids and adults sizes available.
Tickets for adults are £18 and £11 for children (5-17). You can book until 8.45am on the day of your visit and save 15%. Tickets are still available to buy on arrival but the discount won't be available.
Getting to Eltham: Travelling from London Bridge to Eltham takes 30 minutes.
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Live like a Victorian for the day at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Alice said: "This open-air museum brings to life the history of the North East of England in the early 20th century.
"Families can experience what life was like in a Victorian town, and Edwardian railway station, and a 1940's farm."
is an open-air museum offering a unique experience to learn about life in North East England during the 1820's, 1900's, 1940's and 1950.
Visitors can see how families lived and worked in the years leading up to the First World War in the museum's 1900's Town, visit a 1940's farm, and enjoy traditional Victorian sweets, like bonbons and cinder toffee in the Jubilee Confectioners Sweet Shop.
There's also the opportunity to take a ride on a tram, indulge in a spot of Edwardian shopping, and play hopscotch in the Beamish Board School play yard.
Tickets are £27.95 for adults and £17.25 for children (5-16). Under 5s go free. Pay once and visit for the whole year free of charge. Tickets can be purchased .
Getting to Durham: You can easily get to Durham from London Kings Cross in 3 hours and 20 minutes, and from Edinburgh in 1 hour 50 minutes.
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One of London's most incredible free attractions is hidden in plain sight - the Ancient Roman wall of 'Londinium'
Alice said: "I absolutely love living in London. There’s so much history here, around every street, around every alley. There are so many historic gems just surprising you all the time.
"Not far from the is an amazing survival of the Ancient Roman wall.
"This would have surrounded Londinium [the capital of Roman Britain], about two miles long. You can see the Roman layer at the bottom and then some Medieval additions in the middle. At the top there's a section that was added during the Wars of the Roses, that has this beautiful lozenge pattern.
"But what is really interesting about this wall is that for many, many years, that was hidden away. It was only during the Blitz in the Second World War, that the bombs uncovered this amazing historic gem hiding beneath."
Remains of London's Roman city wall are free to see. One of the most impressive sections can be found just outside the entrance to Tower Hill Underground Station.
The part of Roman city wall Alice recommended can be found at 2 London Wall, Barbican, EC2Y 5AU.
Getting to London: Travelling from Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, York, Leicester, Nottingham and Derby to London takes under two hours. From Manchester and Sheffield it's around two hours, Newcastle three hours, Edinburgh four hours, and Glasgow five hours.
See the world's rarest money and create your own coin at The Royal Mint Experience
Alice: "The Royal Mint, founded over 1,100 years ago, is the official manufacturer of coins for the United Kingdom."
has exhibitions displaying some of the rarest coins and items in the world. You can also discover the incredible processes needed to make a coin, and strike your very own.
Guided tours give you unprecedented access to The Royal Mint and its history.
It's also worth checking its calendar of activities, from creative workshops to special guest speakers, which are suitable for visitors of all ages.
Group tours are from £10 per person. Email [email protected] to find out more.
Getting to Pontyclun: Travelling from Cardiff Central to Pontyclun by train takes 12 minutes.
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Check out the late queen's bedroom on Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
Alice: "Visitors to the Scottish capital are spoiled for choice, with the iconic , Royal Mile, and , so it’s no surprise over a quarter of Brits are hoping to visit this year.
"There are more contemporary attractions available too, including the , the , and the , showcasing the city’s rich history in the arts.
"One of my favourite places to visit is the , which was an amazing ship that was built in 1953.
"It was used by the royal family as a diplomatic tool that would travel all around the world. Over a million nautical miles were clocked up by the time it was decommissioned in 1997.
"What that means is today you can go have a look around. You can go and see the room the late Queen and Prince Philip lived in.
"Very important people from around the world were hosted by the royal family, so it’s a really fascinating place to visit."
are £19.50 for adults and £11.40 for children (7-15).
For it's £20 for adults, £13 for a young person (18-24) and £10 for children (5-17) if you book in advance.
For The Writer's Museum, National Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Academy of Scotland its free entry.
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Tickets for are £19.50 for adults and £9.25 for children (5-17).
Getting to Edinburgh: Edinburgh enjoys excellent train connectivity with frequent direct services from London Kings Cross, taking roughly four hours and 15 minutes. There are also direct trains from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow.
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