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.
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.
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.
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.
Originally built in the 11th century, the Grade I listed Pembroke Castle is one of the oldest Norman castles in Wales and the birthplace of King Henry VII. Strategically situated on the rocky banks of the Pembroke River, visitors can enjoy views from the 80ft high Great Keep, gaze into the dungeons below, and explore the underground Wogan’s Cavern.
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.
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.
Located in the Northwest Highlands, Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve was established in 1951, making it the oldest such preserve in the UK. Comprising a range of habitats—from lakes and woodlands to rugged mountains—the nature reserve’s highlights include Loch Maree, ancient Caledonian pine forests, and the Beinn Eighe ridge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Perched dramatically on the Firth of Clyde coast in Scotland, the ruins of Dunure Castle appear to tumble into the Atlantic Sea. The castle’s gruesome history—the last abbot of Crossraguel was notoriously roasted on a spit here—attracts history buffs and ghost hunters alike, while its rural location promises no crowds and natural panoramas.
Before they featured in the hit TV show Outlander, the 18th-century Preston Mill and neighboring Phantassie Doocot were two of Edinburgh and the Lothians’ lesser-known historic sites. Since then, the landmarks have enjoyed a well-deserved boost in popularity and are now considered some of the area’s most picturesque destinations. Both dating back to the 16th century, the mill and former pigeon house are worth visiting for their quirky architecture and stunning surroundings.
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.
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.
Opened by Prince Edward in 1993, the Inverness Botanic Gardens—previously known as Floral Hall—are a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city center. In addition to outdoor gardens with seasonal floral displays, fish ponds, and the Scottish Highlands’ largest succulent display, the grounds house a café, visitor center, and two greenhouses.
With a mixture of English and French architectural styles, Cardiff City Hall is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Set in landscaped grounds, it’s open to the public and often used for wedding receptions and civic events.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just south of Cardiff city center, Penarth has been a popular seaside resort since Victorian times. In summer, particularly, British vacationers and international visitors alike come to experience its pebbly beaches and restored art-deco pier.
The A380 road from Fort William to Mallaig, better known as the Road to the Isles, is one of the most scenic drives in Scotland. The 46-mile (74-kilometer) route runs alongside the shores of Loch Eil and Loch Eilt, through small villages including Glenfinnan, Arisaig, and Morar, and a series of glens (valleys) affording spectacular views all the way.
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.
Located in Aberdeen’s West End, the Gordon Highlanders Museum is dedicated to what Sir Winston Churchill once described as “the finest regiment in the world.” The Gordon Highlanders were active from 1794 to 1994, and the independently run military museum is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the historic infantry unit.
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.
Duncansby Head, located in northern Scotland, is the northernmost point on the British mainland. It is a set of dramatic sandstone cliffs that overlook the sea and offer views of Orkney, John O’Groats, and Dunnet Head. Exploring the area along the coastal pathway will give you a great opportunity to see some of the region's unique seabirds and other wildlife.
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.
