Explore one of the original National Trust properties at York’s Treasurer’s House, an opulent and eclectic 2-story mansion set amid landscaped gardens that has a fascinating history spanning 2,000 years. Highlights include the period rooms replete with historical artifacts, including a Queen Anne bedspread and a blown-glass chandelier, as well as the allegedly haunted cellars.
Fondly known as "the Fitz", the grand neoclassical Fitzwilliam Museum houses a world-class collection consisting of more than half a million objects. Highlights include Egyptian mummies, Renaissance sculptures, Japanese and Korean artwork, European pottery, armor, and rare coins. The University of Cambridge’s principal museum also features masterpieces by Constable, Rubens, Monet, Cézanne, and Picasso (to name a few).
Discover Liverpool’s status as a British port city at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Its three exhibition floors reveal the city’s nautical history, from its role in both World Wars to its darker past as a slaving port, as well as waterfront views of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Royal Albert Dock and its industrial architecture.
Borrowdale Valley is a highlight of any trip to Cumbria’s Lake District. With grass-covered peaks, oak-filled woodlands, and rolling pastures along the River Derwent, the natural beauty of the valley is undeniable, and its location at the heart of the Lake District makes it a prime destination for hikers.
The furniture, books, and personal possessions of William Wordsworth still sit inside Rydal Mount, where the Romantic poet lived from 1813 up until his death in 1850. Visitors can explore the house, which is owned by Wordsworth’s descendants, and wander the landscaped gardens, which were largely designed by Wordsworth himself.
Sir John Soane was a successful British neoclassical architect, responsible for designing several important Regency-era buildings, including the Bank of England. Housed within the walls of his own home, this museum was designed to inspire students of architecture and drawing by providing examples of different styles of structures and decoration. Objects date back as far as ancient Egyptian and Roman times, making this museum a must-visit for history and design buffs.
The Prince of Wales Theatre has been part of London’s West End since 1884. Though it has been renovated and modernized over time, the building still features original art deco details that you can spot inside and out. Over the years, it has hosted renowned productions, but it’s most famous for being the West End home of the award-winning musical The Book of Mormon.
With its stone station building, crow-stepped gables, and steam trains puffing by, this quaint little station in the rural North Yorkshire Moors is a relic of a bygone era. The station’s good looks have not gone unnoticed, with it having been chosen as the set for Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
With a capacity of nearly 75,000, Old Trafford is the UK’s second-largest football (soccer) stadium and home of Manchester United since 1910. Beside Premier League fixtures, the venue has hosted Olympic games, rugby league finals, and several international cup matches. The on-site museum houses the team’s famous continental treble trophy.
One of the UK’s most majestic castles, Bamburgh Castle crowns a volcanic crag perched between a Northumbria sandy beach and the village of Bamburgh. Built in the 19th century on the site of an Anglo-Saxon citadel, the landmark lures visitors with stately halls, armor, a keep, and walls with epic coastal views.
Founded in 1621, Oxford University's Botanic Garden is the oldest in the UK and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. Located near Magdalen College, this 5-acre (2-hectare) garden is home to nearly 6,000 types of plants, representing more biodiversity than any other collection of similar size.
St. Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool, is more than an example of Gothic Revival architecture—it is also a significant site in musical history, as it was here in 1957 that John Lennon first met Paul McCartney. Also here are the graves of Eleanor Rigby, John Lennon’s Uncle George, and Bob Paisley, the renowned Liverpool FC manager.
Connected to the Scottish National Gallery by underground passageway, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary Scottish art and architecture. Inside the 19th-century Doric-style building, galleries host exhibits ranging from the work of recent graduates from Scotland’s top art colleges to pieces by eminent artists.
Built by the order of William the Conqueror in 1072, Durham Castle has stood the test of time and remains one of England’s most important Norman attractions, as well as a striking example of the elevated “motte-and-bailey” fortress style. While the structure is now home to university residences, history buffs will still enjoy the vast Great Hall, the 17th-century Black Staircase, and the Bishop’s Rooms.
Named after Glasgow’s patron saint, St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art focuses on six major world religions—Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism—and the sacred art they’ve spawned. The museum is set in a reproduction of a medieval building on the site of Bishop’s Castle and features a own Zen garden.
Formerly the offices of The Glasgow Herald newspaper, The Lighthouse is now home to Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture. The building itself was designed by Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and today is a popular attraction both for its panoramic city views from a sixth-floor observation deck and for its exhibitions, workshops, and discussions connected to design and architecture.
Located on the River Thames just west of London, Windsor is an ancient town with a unique royal pedigree. Best known for the eponymous Windsor Castle—the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in the world—the area was formally settled by William the Conqueror. Today, it is regularly frequented by members of the royal family.
The distinctive blue Bombay Sapphire bottle has been a staple of bar shelves since the gin was first produced more than 25 years ago. Since 2011, the company has based its production in this historic mill at the edge of the River Test, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art production and visitor facility.
The charming Bute Park was once part of Cardiff Castle’s estate but it’s now a public park for all to enjoy. With riverside walking paths and an arboretum, it’s the place to head to enjoy a breath of fresh air when in Cardiff.
Made famous by the Beatles song, Penny Lane is lined with shops and small businesses. Before the Beatles hit the big time, John Lennon and Paul McCartney used to catch the bus from here. Some of the places name-checked in the lyrics—such as the shelter in the middle of the roundabout and the barbershop—can still be seen today.
Originally built as a place of worship, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre is now a local art gallery and café, which regularly hosts live music sets from its advantageous spot on the water at Cardiff Bay. Travelers can also enjoy panoramic views of the Bay from the outdoor terrace of this strikingly white Arts Centre, a building quite unlike any other in Cardiff.
A cultural hub in the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness’ Eden Court Theatre and Cinema hosts a variety of events from a broad range of disciplines, including music, theater, dance, comedy, and film. A visit to the venue is a great way for travelers to take the pulse of the local cultural scene.
Step inside the only bullet train outside of Japan, peer into royal carriages, and watch model trains chug around a small-scale landscape at the National Railway Museum. With over one million pieces of railway memorabilia—including steam locomotives and vintage posters—the museum provides an immersive insight into the British rail industry.
Since opening in the 1800s, the Belfast Grand Opera House has survived many challenges, including the Troubles and a planned demolition. This iconic landmark became Northern Ireland’s first listed building, and over the years, it has had major restorations to preserve its art nouveau architecture. Visitors come here to see a diverse range of shows, including musicals, comedy, drama, ballet, and opera, as well as the crowd-pleaser of its annual pantomime.
So expansive are the collections of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) that they need not one but two enormous buildings to house them: Modern One and Modern Two. Modern One, occupying a 19th-century building, features a collection of 20th-century works, including pieces from Tracey Emin, Matisse, Picasso, and Lichtenstein.
Inhabitants at the National Sea Life Centre range from penguins and otters to piranhas and jellyfish, displayed in antarctic pools and rain forest habitats. At the dynamic center, viewers can learn about marine life from around the globe in a series of exhibits such as an underwater tunnel, tropical forest, and penguin enclosure.
Located on top of Calton Hill, the Nelson Monument pays tribute to Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar. Designed by Robert Burn to resemble an upturned telescope, it stands 105 feet (32 meters) tall. At 562 feet (171 meters) above sea level at its top, it offers stunning panoramic views over Edinburgh.
Together with the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, the Modern Two houses Scotland’s national collection of contemporary art. Originally named the Dean Gallery, the 19th-century building hosts a permanent collection of dada and surrealist works, as well as a re-creation of the studio of Scottish sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
In the middle of the Old Course in St. Andrews stands the Swilcan Bridge, an old stone bridge used initially by pack animals to cross a small stream known as the Swilcan Burn. Today, it’s part of the golf course and frequently appears in magazines and photographs.
Carving its way coast to coast between Fort William and Inverness, Scotland’s Great Glen is a vast valley that’s home to lakes including Loch Ness—and can even be seen from space. Tracing its path, the Great Glen Way offers 79 miles (127 kilometers) of track, path, canal, and loch to discover on foot, on mountain bike, by kayak, by canoe, or by boat.
