England attractions

Dedicated to members of the Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command who fought in World War II, the Bomber Command Memorial is one of London’s major wartime monuments. Unveiled in 2012 and situated in Green Park, the open-air stone memorial was designed by Liam O’Connor. Inside, it features a bronze sculpture depicting a group of pilots having just returned from their latest mission.

Take time out from the bustling city streets with a visit to the Walker Art Gallery, home to a diverse collection of artwork that spans eight centuries. Peruse masterpieces by artists, such as Monet, Rembrandt, and David Hockney, and enjoy an experience in the Big Art for Little Artists gallery, a hands-on space designed for young children.

Home to some of the UK’s most impressive archaeological collections, the award-winning Salisbury Museum is impressive both inside and out. Admire a 30,000-year-old meteorite, some of the country’s oldest gold artefacts, Victorian-era ceramics, and more in the Grade I Listed King’s House.

With over 1,000 animals, an underwater SEA LIFE® center, and a vast theme park with rides suitable for all ages, Chessington World of Adventures Resort is an ideal family-friendly destination just outside of London. Catch a daily penguin talk, meet and greet meerkats, or take a ride on the rollercoasters for a fun-filled day out.

Enjoy a break from the bustling city center and discover the historic grounds of Sefton Park, a 200-acre (81-hectare) green getaway that hosts nature trails, children’s play areas, and a boating lake teeming with wildlife. Stroll leafy avenues, explore a Victorian conservatory, or relax in one of the park cafes to absorb the atmosphere of the Grade I English Heritage site.

Home to more than 30 rides and family-friendly attractions, Thorpe Park Resort is one of the UK’s major theme parks. Situated 20 miles (32 kilometers southwest of London, its draws include fast-rolling coasters; high-speed water aerial and water rides, and gentler amusements ideal for the younger ones.

Opened in 1930, the Cambridge Theatre is a stalwart of London’s West End drama scene with an opulent interior that’s as stylish as its sleek exterior. While it’s hosted a range of shows over the years, it’s best known for Matilda the Musical, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story that’s been charming kids and adults alike since 2011.

Despite an association with all things spooky—goth festivals, Bram Stoker, and decrepit abbeys—Whitby remains one of the most popular seaside towns in England. Replete with natural beauty, the town is small enough to explore on foot and boasts numerous attractions that appeal to a cross section of visitors.

A lively market town within the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley is a popular day-trip from nearby York. The cobblestone streets of the town center—as well as quaint teahouses, ivy-covered traditional pubs, and an imposing 12th-century castle—add to the appeal of this traditional Yorkshire destination.

Since opening in 1905, the baroque-style Aldwych Theatre has hosted a wide range of productions, from Shakespearean plays to the first London staging of A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by none other than Laurence Olivier and starring Vivien Leigh, star of Gone With The Wind. These days, the 1,200-seat auditorium hosts grand musicals nearly every night of the week.

Handel & Hendrix in London celebrates the life and work of two legendary musicians: 20th-century guitar god Jimi Hendrix and 18th-century baroque composer George Frideric Handel. While the artists may have lived 200 years apart, they occupied side-by-side Mayfair townhouses, which have been converted into a museum featuring period interiors and musical artifacts.

Pioneer of social reform and founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale is a legendary figure in British history. Her story is the focus of the Florence Nightingale Museum, where interactive exhibits chronicle her brave work as a nurse during the Crimean War and detail her role in reforming midwifery and nursing internationally.

Spanning four centuries of British gardening history, the Garden Museum is a celebration of garden design in all its forms. Housed in a former church on the South Bank of the River Thames, the small museum sits amid leafy gardens and affords a peaceful escape from the bustle of central London. Climb the medieval tower for views across to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.

Home to historic Ashes moments and the Surrey County Cricket Club, the Kia Oval is one of the UK’s most renowned cricket grounds, with a legacy dating back to 1845. It was the first ground in England to hold international Test cricket matches, and has hosted many memorable fixtures since. Today, visitors come for tours, to watch matches, and to see the stadium, which now holds over 27,500 spectators.

London’s Guards Museum tells the story of the five regiments of the Foot Guards: the red-coat-wearing, bearskin-hat-sporting soldiers, who have been tasked with protecting the reigning monarch (currently King Charles III) and their royal palaces since 1660. The museum offers a peek into British military history and royal pomp and ceremony, as well as the operational lives of the Guardsmen.

Six aircraft hangars at the Royal Air Force Museum London hold an impressive collection, from First World War flying machines to a rare, life-sized model of an F-35 joint strike fighter. Exhibits here explore the history of the Royal Air Force across multiple wars. In addition, the museum’s 4D theater, flight simulator, and an opportunity to sit in the cockpit of an iconic Spitfire fighter plane are an immersive glimpse into that heritage.

A striking addition to Birmingham’s skyline, The Cube is a modern hub for dining, shopping, and leisure activities. This contemporary architectural gem features restaurants, shops, a bowling alley, a luxury hotel, and aspirational apartments. Its crowning glory is its rooftop restaurant and sky bar, offering panoramic views of the city—perfect for an afternoon tea or a night out.

Often referred to as the “Home of Cricket”, Lord’s Cricket Ground is a world-renowned sporting arena that hosts regular cricket matches and international test fixtures. Learn more about the game at the on-site MCC Museum, one of the oldest sporting museums globally, or take a tour of the grounds to see its historical Pavilion, the Long Room, and more.

Masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century place The Courtauld Gallery among London’s finest art destinations. Treasures of its permanent collection include impressionist paintings by van Gogh and Manet, while rotating exhibitions showcase art with global reach. Even the setting is magnificent—the gallery is within the neoclassical Somerset House, a former home to Queen Elizabeth I that has sweeping views across the River Thames.

With a history dating back to 1835, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is England’s most popular heritage steam railway. The 18-mile (29-kilometer) route winds through the North York Moors National Park, stopping at historic railway stations and affording magnificent views of the rugged moorlands.

The opulent Lyric Theatre is the oldest surviving theatre on London’s iconic Shaftesbury Avenue. With its chandeliers, gold detailing, and capacity of just under 1,000 seats, it offers a more intimate West End experience than many larger venues. Despite its size, the Lyric has hosted a range of hit productions over the years, including Hadestown (beginning in 2024), Cabaret, How the Other Half Loves, Blood Brothers, and the long-running Thriller Live.

Officially branded the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Stadium—or “Twickers”, as it’s sometimes known—takes its name from the southwest London borough in which it’s found. For most people, it’s all about rugby, as the home stadium for the national team and one of the world’s largest rugby union stadiums, with a capacity for some 82,000 spectators. The site also hosts American football NFL games, music concerts, and conferences.

Best known as the Neasden Temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London is one of Europe’s first traditional Hindu temples, making it a significant place of worship for the Hindu community, and a must-see architectural wonder for everyone else. The gleaming white masterpiece—made with Bulgarian limestone, and Italian and Indian marble—was constructed in India, then shipped to England to be reassembled like a jigsaw by thousands of volunteers. No structural steel was used; instead, it was constructed by traditional Hindu architectural methods and a labor of love.

Cartoons, caricatures, and comic art fill the space of this charitable museum, just minutes away from the hubbub of Oxford Circus. The colorful site focuses on making its art exhibitions available to a wide audience, with events, educational workshops, and competitions. In particular, the museum is working to welcome children with autism spectrum conditions and sensory-processing differences, by providing various neurodiversity accommodations.

Discover the unexpectedly fascinating world of hand fans at the Fan Museum in Greenwich, London—the first museum of its kind, dedicated entirely to fans. Set in a pair of Grade–II listed townhouses, the museum houses more than 7,000 objects, including fans dating as far back as the 11th century. Alongside the beautifully crafted fans, there’s plenty to see and learn about here, including the social history of these seemingly inconsequential accessories.

Housed in a Grade II-listed Georgian property, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art showcases the work of early 20th-century Italian artists such as Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, Mario Sironi, and Modigliani. It is the only museum in Britain dedicated entirely to modern Italian artworks. Six galleries, a café, a bookshop, a library, and a garden offer a tranquil getaway from bustling Islington.

Nestled in the historic center of the United Kingdom’s chocolate capital, York’s Chocolate Story is an interactive museum with a tasty twist. Sweet-toothed travelers can uncover the rich history of York’s confectionery industry, take a chocolate-making masterclass, or try traditional treats in the gift shop and café.

Alton Towers is a theme park in central England that is famous for its hair-raising rides. Opened in the 1980s, the park quickly became one of the most popular days out in the UK. Visit to enjoy a variety of roller coasters and a water park, as well as mini golf and other family-friendly fun.

Bletchley Park, once home to the World War II Codebreakers, is now an interactive and informative heritage destination. Stop by the Codebreaking Huts before learning about radio communications technology at the National Radio Centre. Then, explore the beautiful grounds and gardens of the 19th-century mansion.

This 18th-century townhouse offers a glimpse into the tastes, fashions, and daily life of Georgian-era nobility. It began as the home of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax and then enjoyed brief stints as a gentlemen’s club, cinema, and dancehall before being restored to its Georgian-era glory.