Declared a royal forest by William the Conqueror and established as a National Park in 2005, New Forest National Park is home to family-friendly biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails, as well as nearby museums and villages. Look out for the thousands of native New Forest ponies—as well as deer, donkeys, and cattle—that call the sprawling moorland and rugged woodland of the New Forest National Park home.
Known as the home of Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland National Park in the northwest of England is dominated by incredible, untouched countryside—from the peaks of the Cheviot Hills to the lush heather-covered moorland—and a wealth of typical English towns and villages. Combining the ancient with the modern, there’s plenty to see and do, whether you prefer markets, hikes, or pints at the pub.
Perched 380 feet (116 meters) up the Blackpool Tower, the Blackpool Tower Eye has indoor and outdoor observation decks and commands spectacular views. Visitors can soak in the panoramas, stand on the glass Skywalk above Blackpool promenade, and enjoy a 4D cinematic journey through Blackpool’s history as a curtain-raiser to their visit.
Characterized by jagged cliffs and green valleys, Cheddar Gorge is England’s largest gorge and one of southern England most impressive natural sights. Formed during the last Ice Age, the gorge cocoons the now-underground Cheddar Yeo River and winds its way through the Mendip Hills.
Located at the north end of London’s Regent’s Park, the grassy slopes of Primrose Hill offer walking trails and benches, making it the perfect place to enjoy a stroll or a picnic. The 206-foot (63-meter) summit of the hill provides expansive views over the park, the neighboring London Zoo, and the skyline of central London. Beyond the park is an upmarket residential area that borders trendy Camden Town.
The Imperial War Museum North—one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum throughout England—is housed in a Daniel Libeskind–designed building meant to resemble a globe split into shards. The museum houses a collection of more than 2,000 objects that relate to global conflict and show how the specter of war changes lives forever.
With one of the country’s most important regimental collections, York Army Museum offers visitors an immersive insight into 300+ years of Yorkshire military history. Learn about the Royal Dragoon Guards and Yorkshire Regiment through interactive exhibits, centuries-old artifacts, and audiovisual displays.
For 800 years, this stately pile overlooking the Eskdale valley has been—and still is—home to the Pennington family. Built in the 13th century, the castle has been expanded several times, most recently in 1885. Visitors can explore sumptuous state rooms, 77-acre (31-hectare gardens, and observe birds of prey at the Hawk and Owl Center.
Madame Tussauds is a popular visitor attraction all around the world, but Madame Tussauds Blackpool—the only UK branch outside London—grants you an audience with some of Britain’s best-known celebrities. Here you can come face to face with everyone from singer Olly Murs to athlete Mo Farah, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Just outside the city center, Winterbourne House and Garden is a natural oasis and time capsule of the Edwardian arts and crafts era. The restored home is filled with antiques and historic timepieces, and the surrounding 7-acre (3-hectare) botanical gardens contain more than 6,000 plant species from across the globe.
The People’s History Museum tells the story of democracy in the UK, and collects, studies, and displays materials related to the lives of working people. Housed in a Grade II listed former hydraulic pumping station that has since been given a striking architectural makeover, the museum underwent a major renovation in 2010.
Once King Henry VIII’s hunting lodge, the 14th-century Penshurst Place has an impressively regal history, some of England’s most carefully cultivated walled gardens, and a magnificent medieval hall. Here, at the birthplace of poet Sir Philip Sidney, stroll through the acres of surrounding parkland, visit the on-site Toy Museum, and more.
In the 17th-century Whitby residence he once called home, take a voyage through the life and times of Captain James Cook at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Highlights are the attic room—complete with period furnishings—as well as artifacts Cook brought back from New Zealand and original letters penned by the man himself.
With a history dating back to 1907, the Sondheim Theatre (formerly the Queen’s Theatre) has endured everything from World War II bomb damage to major renovations aimed at preserving its Edwardian character. Now, this Grade II–listed beauty stands strong and is best known for being the London home of Les Misérables since 2004. This world-renowned production has broken records as being one of the longest-running musicals in history.
Gabriel’s Wharf is an arty riverside hub of independent boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and street food stalls. In London’s South Bank area, the enclave offers a one-stop shop for eating, drinking, and browsing, with a creative character that makes it stand out from the chain-store dominated shopping areas elsewhere in London.
A wealthy suburban town in Berkshire, Ascot is both a popular base for affluent commuters and a year-round destination for horse racing fans. Though well-liked for its proximity to LEGOLAND®, London, and Windsor Castle, Ascot is best known for the Ascot Racecourse, site of the annual Royal Ascot and other annual horse racing events which draw crowds of rich and famous spectators.
Brimming with interactive science and technology displays, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is home to everything from talking robots and steam engines to a planetarium and marine life gallery. The hands-on exhibits span four stories inside the Millennium Point building, and offer entertainment and education for visitors of all ages.
Running right through the heart of the city, the Mersey River is the lifeblood of Liverpool, and the city’s iconic ferries have sailed its shores for more than 800 years. Today, the Mersey Ferries remain a must-see attraction for visitors to Liverpool.
An architectural icon and an ex-industrial artifact, London’s Battersea Power Station traces its history back nearly a century. Instantly recognizable for its four soaring chimneys, the key landmark along the Thames River has been reborn as a leisure destination. Today, it contains a high-end shopping mall, restaurants, accommodation, and other entertainment offerings.
South Bank, as its name suggests, is located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River in Queensland’s capital city. Covering 42 acres (17 hectares), South Bank is home to lush parklands, restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as boardwalks and promenades along the riverside that are popular with joggers and cyclists.
London Victoria Station is one of the capital city’s major transit hubs. It started life as two stations under one roof—each run by a different railway company—the first of which opened in 1860, and each concourse has its own design aesthetic. Today, it’s considered a single station, linking London with destinations across southern England, including Gatwick Airport.
The only natural, mineral-water thermal spa in the UK, the Thermae Bath Spa is located just steps from the ruins of the city’s Roman Baths, and draws from the same ancient water source. Visitors to the spa can paddle in those waters (including in its showstopper Rooftop Pool), book massages and other treatments, and relax in the multiroom Wellness Suite.
From humble sea stars to giant sea turtles and mighty sharks, the marine world of SEA LIFE® Great Yarmouth will introduce you to many beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep. Enjoy close-up views of marine life in environments that re-create their natural habitats and daily staff presentations that offer more in-depth information about the aquarium’s animals.
Blackpool's first-ever (and Lancashire’s only purpose-built) comedy club, the Comedy Station is the only comedy club in Blackpool that hosts a completely professional lineup. Here you can laugh along with comedians from around the world that have appeared on shows such asMock the Week,8 out of 10 Cats,Live at the Apollo, and more.
A state-of-the-art marine aquarium, SEA LIFE® Hunstanton takes visitors on an undersea odyssey filled with close encounters with a wide variety of sea creatures. The staff at the center, known as Rainforest Rangers, are happy to show off their jungle creatures and creepy crawlies to visitors.
Maritime galleries, Cold War vessels, and a restored Victorian Ropery are among the highlights at the impressive Chatham Historic Dockyard, a sprawling 80-acre (32-hectare) naval complex among the best of its kind in Britain. Learn about British naval history in a hands-on way at this family-friendly attraction, which holds free talks and tours daily.
Housed inside one of York’s main medieval gateways, the Henry VII Experience documents the rise and reign of England’s first Tudor king. Exhibits cover Henry VII’s ascension, from snatching the throne from Richard III on the battlefield to quieting the Yorkist rebellion, as well as information on York at the time of his reign.
The Wiltshire Museum illuminates the local history of Wiltshire, a county jam-packed with historic sites, from the prehistoric monuments of Avebury to the medieval Gothic masterpiece of Salisbury Cathedral. See gold and amber artifacts dating back to the time of Stonehenge, as well as displays covering Roman, Saxon, and medieval history.
The Palm House, a Victorian glass conservatory dating back to 1896, stands at the center of Liverpool’s Sefton Park. The octagonal dome houses the Liverpool Botanical Collection, with flora from five continents, and regularly hosts events such as concerts and film screenings.
With ancient woodlands, windswept heathlands, and freshwater lakes hemmed in by grassy sea cliffs and sandy beaches, Brownsea Island crams a startling variety of scenery into its small landmass. The mostly uninhabited island, which is run by the National Trust, is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour.
