Travelling Through the U.K. and Ireland Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. You've heard all about The Bloody Tower, The White Tower and Traitor's Gate. You're dying to see the Crown Jewels, and you have to admit to being just a little curious about where Anne Boleyn lost her head. Where can you see all of these things?

Answer: The Tower of London

Building of the Tower of London first began during the reign of William the Conqueror (1066 - 1087 ). Various buildings have been added over the centuries, until around 1400. Over the course of its many years, it has served as a defensive fortress, a prison, and a site of private execution for royalty and gentry.

It has housed royalty and served as a zoo. During WWII, the land under what was once the moat was used to grow vegetables for the war effort. Today it is a thriving tourist attraction, and a spot well worth visiting.

2. Where would you be if you went shopping in the Lanes, spent the afternoon touring the Royal Pavilion, before strolling along the Palace Pier for a spot of carnival-like entertainment?

Answer: Brighton

The Prince Regent (who would become King George IV) created the current Pavilion between 1815 - 1824 as a summer seaside court. Often referred to as a 'pleasure palace', its lavish style and furnishings are legendary. The Palace Pier offers a variety of entertainment and refreshments, in stark contrast to the West Pier, which is slowly falling into the sea.

3. Rising majestically out of the Salisbury Plains, these ancient standing stones and lintels were raised approximately 4000 years ago. To this day no one knows how the stones were raised, nor what purpose they served, although it has long been believed that they served some religious function. Where are you?

Answer: Stonehenge

Not only is there mystery surrounding the raising of the stones, but the distances that the stones traveled also baffles historians. The blue stones in the monument are known to originate in southwest Wales, almost 250 miles away. Given the weight of the 60 blue stones (approximately 4 tons each), moving them all that distance was no mean feat, given the tools and transportation devices available at the time.

The sarsen stones weighed up to 50 tons, and came from distances of approximately 30 miles away. Unfortunately you are no longer allowed to wander among the stones, as they are roped off for their preservation. Too many tourists were chipping pieces off as souvenirs.

4. Fed by an underground hot spring, Bath has long provided healing spas. Who built the bath house, roughly 2000 years ago, that you're very excited about seeing?

Answer: The Romans

The Roman ruins at Bath are magnificent, and include a series of baths, a temple and the remains of what was probably a gymnasium. Although the Romans were the first to actually build there, as the only hot springs in Britain, the site has long been used by Britain's ancient peoples.

The Celts considered it a sacred place. If you find that all things Roman appeal, be sure to visit the ruins of a large Roman Palace at Fishbourne, near Chichester, where they have discovered stunning mosaic floors, some of them completely intact.

5. Have you ever wanted to take a train ride to the top of a mountain? Well this is your lucky day, Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you to the top of Mount Snowdon. What country (known for coal mining, rugged landscapes and beautiful singing voices) is this in?

Answer: Wales

The highest mountain in both England and Wales, Mount Snowdon rises to 3560 feet. Built in 1896, the rack and pinion type railway line (the only one of its type in Great Britain) will take you up to Summit Station where you can climb a mere 30 feet to the summit of Snowdon. The view is breathtaking, even when you find yourself surrounded by clouds.

6. Take a ferry across to Ireland, and take a guided tour through the halls of the impressive Kilmainham Jail. Walk through the halls in the original wing, built in 1796, and feel the oppressive weight of all that stone and little light. The Victorian wing, built in the 19th century, epitomized the 'new thinking' about jail design, and incorporated much more light and openness. However the cells were still small, and confining. What city are you in?

Answer: Dublin

Kilmainham jail has played a large role in Southern Ireland's struggle for independence. Many of the leaders and heroes of the many rebellions have been imprisoned, and executed within its walls. After it closed its doors in 1924, it fell into a dangerous state of disrepair.

It was restored though the efforts of volunteers, and opened to the public for tours. If it seems a little familiar, you might recognize it from some of the movies that have been filmed there - most notably 'The Name of the Father' and the original 'The Italian Job'.

7. In Northern Ireland there lies a wondrous place known as the Giant's Causeway. This is a man-made system of lochs that connects Ireland with Scotland.

Answer: False

The Giant's Causeway is a naturally occurring formation of basalt rock, resulting in a field of hexagonal columns of various heights at the water's edge. This description in no way does justice to the magnificence of this World Heritage site. Legend has it that the giant Finn McCool built these 'stepping stones' so that he could get to Scotland and do battle with a giant living there. An alternate legend tells of McCool building the causeway to provide passage for a lady giant he had fallen in love with, who resided in the Hebrides off of the coast of Scotland.

8. This Roman emperor built a wall that bisected the north of England, for 73 miles, from coast to coast. The wall was originally six feet high, but appeared much higher in many places, as it took advantage of local topography. Eighty small castles were built along wall, each a Roman mile away from the next (a Roman mile was smaller than the current mile). These small 'Mile Castles' housed the Roman soldiers who guarded the wall. What was the name of the emperor who had the wall constructed, and therefore had it named after him?

Answer: Hadrian

The purpose of the wall was to keep the barbarians (my ancestors, I'm proud to say!) from the north where they belonged, north of the empire that Rome had built in Britain. Construction of the wall began after Hadrian toured Britain in 122 AD. At its peak 24,000 soldiers guarded its length. Today remnants of the wall still exist, but it is merely a shadow of its former glory. Over the years many stones have disappeared, only to be incorporated into local fences in farmers' fields.

9. Where would you be if you encountered the prehistoric, aquatic monster that has been sighted numerous times from the eighth century until present times?

Answer: Loch Ness

Loch Ness 2000 is an information and display centre that was opened by renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The exhibit educates visitors on the histories of Loch Ness, the sightings of the monster over the years, and the scientific expeditions that have been launched to prove or disprove its existence.
While you're in the area, be sure to visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, right on the shores of Loch Ness.

10. Built on an extinct volcano, high above the capital city of Scotland, this castle has been a royal residence since the 11th century. The Scottish Crown jewels, better known as the 'Honours of Scotland', are kept here, protected by an active military garrison. What city are you in?

Answer: Edinburgh

The climb up to Edinburgh Castle is a work-out, but it's worth it to see the view over the city and the Firth of Forth. The Scottish National War Memorial is kept within the castle walls, where you can find the name of every Scottish soldier who died in battle, from WWI on.

The city of Edinburgh is built on a group of volcanic hills. Every August Edinburgh Castle hosts the world famous Military Tattoo.

Source: Author skunkee

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Elanor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

So you've decided that you want to go and visit Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland - well I applaud your decision! Have you settled on exactly what you want to see? No...well let's see if I can help you choose.

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