An 18th-century Palladian villa surrounded by 66 acres (26 hectares) of riverside parkland, Marble Hill House is the epitome of elegance. You can spend hours exploring the woodlands and gardens around the pristine white mansion, while the house’s Georgian-style interior transports you back to the 1700s with its lavishly decorated rooms.
A small nature reserve with views of the sea and Dover’s white chalk cliffs, Samphire Hoe is home to wildflowers, including orchids, hundreds of moths and butterfly species, a wealth of birdlife, and grazing livestock in season. A network of well-maintained paths crisscross the reserve, providing several short walks for you to take to see its wildlife wonders.
The AO Arena is a bustling entertainment hub, hosting more than 130 shows and attracting more than 1.2 million visitors annually. Renowned for its lineup of concerts, sports events, and family-friendly shows, the arena has welcomed legendary acts, including U2, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Its rich 25-plus-year history makes the arena a cornerstone of Manchester's cultural scene.
Cars, bikes, and motorcycles are the stars at the Coventry Transport Museum, a central Coventry institution that houses an enormous collection of vintage vehicles. While the museum attracts visitors of all ages, it’s especially engaging for younger guests, with plenty of educational and interactive exhibits for children.
This sprawling park is home to gardens, lakeside paths, playgrounds, and bird-watching sites, and is especially popular for kid-friendly activities, hosted year-round, along with markets and other seasonal events. The 12th-century Coombe Abbey at the heart of the park is now a 5-star hotel.
Set in the history-rich Royal Victoria Dock, ExCel London is an events space that hosts some of the capital’s most exciting cultural happenings. Its ever-changing roster features industry expos, conventions, and temporary exhibitions covering everything from Friends and Formula 1 to fintech.
A curiously named peninsula that extends into the Thames, the Isle of Dogs is one of East London’s most distinctive areas. Originating as marshland that was later carved out into the Docklands—the heart of British maritime might for centuries—today the former industrial area presents a contrast between the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and peaceful residential streets.
Perched on the edge of the historic City of London, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has served as a pub and chophouse since 1538. The current iteration of this famous Fleet Street watering hole dates back to the 17th century, and its history is palpable in the cozy, low-ceilinged bars decorated with wooden panels and barrels.
Celebrating local and international aviation history, Coventry’s Midland Air Museum is located in a hangar beside the small Coventry Airport. Visitors can see dozens of historic aircraft, from jets to helicopters. Families and anyone interested in aviation or military history will enjoy visiting.
Famed for its tribute to Birmingham-born comedian Tony Hancock and murals that tell the story of the city’s history, Old Square offers space for a relaxing break. With benches, greenery, and interesting sculptures, it’s not only one of the city’s oldest squares, but also a gateway to the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
One of central Birmingham’s most notable historic buildings, the Baskerville Building, was constructed nearly 100 years ago. Named for John Baskerville—the 18th-century printer and type designer whose house stood on site—the art deco Baskerville House is now a Grade II-listed architectural icon. With pride of place right on the central Centenary Square, it’s also steps from other top attractions.
With a history dating back to 1779, the Birmingham & Midland Institute has been dedicated to education and learning for centuries. Today, housed in a Grade II-listed building in Birmingham’s city center, the venue houses the BMI Library (home to more than 120,000 volumes) and hosts various exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other cultural programming.
Active Reality is a futuristic virtual reality gaming world in Bath that works well as a rainy-day activity. Here, visitors can use advanced technology to participate in multi-player games in the virtual world. As a player, you can run, walk, and jump while immersed in a world where you battle zombies and robots—a fun option for groups visiting Bath.
This volunteer-run music museum focuses largely, but not exclusively, on 2-Tone music, a subgenre of ska that’s associated with Coventry. It's a great place to learn about Coventry's music scene, and about the history of the ska, reggae, and rocksteady genres.
The 227-acre (92-hectare) Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is a natural wetland with a number of bird and animal-watching hides, as well as hiking trails. You can spot kingfishers, foxes, otters, and muntjac deer here, among other wildlife. The reserve’s visitor center also offers fun activities for kids, such as education and sensory gardens and drawing sheets.
