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.
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.
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.
A Glasgow gem, the Burrell Collection is a treasure trove of 9,000 objects collected by Sir William Burrell, a shipping merchant, and his wife, Constance Burrell, who gifted their collection to the city in 1944. A visit to this eclectic collection reveals the depth of the Burrells’ passion for collecting.
Glasgow Cruise Port (Greenock Ocean Terminal) is the gateway to the west coast of Scotland. Multiple different cruise lines call into port here, including Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Azamara, Saga, and more, making it easy to head out on such excursions as whisky-tasting or exploring Scotland’s biggest city.
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.
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.
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.
Set within Glasgow University, The Hunterian (Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery) showcases the once private collection of former student and 18th-century anatomist and physician, Dr. William Hunter. Among the eclectic assortment of objects and art are pickled organs, Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall, and a collection of works by James McNeill Whistler.
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.
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.
This 17th-century red brick building may be unassuming but it’s where English novelist Jane Austen wrote and revised many of her classic novels, including Pride and Prejudice. As the only one of her former homes open to the public, Jane Austen’s House Museum is a must-visit for literature fans who want to marvel over Austen artefacts, memorabilia, and manuscripts.
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.
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.
Located in Cromarty in the Black Isles, Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum comprises two buildings. There's the cottage where the esteemed geologist and writer was born, and museum in the Georgian townhouse next door, which houses a collection of Miller’s life, including fossils, manuscripts, and tools, and related gardens.
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.
Spanning 125 acres (51 hectares, Chester Zoo features 35,000 animals from more than 500 different species, including exotic and endangered species from around the world. One of the most popular zoos in the UK, Chester Zoo draws nearly 2 million visitors a year. It’s also a leader in wildlife education and conservation.
Originally built to serve as a moated manor house, the 13th-century Sissinghurst Castle has hosted royals such as the late Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary Tudor over the years. Today, the imposing castle is best known for the spectacular Sissinghurst Gardens, the inspired creation of 20th-century owner and poet Vita Sackville-West.
With rugged mountains in the north and gentle rolling hills in the south, the Isle of Arran encapsulates the diverse beauty of the Scottish landscape. Visitors will find an array of attractions, including Neolithic standing stones, pretty fishing villages, castles, whisky distilleries, and beaches, as well as numerous hiking trails.
Dating back to 1897, His Majesty’s Theatre is a Grade II–listed building with opulent interiors and classic Victorian design influenced by French Renaissance style. With a capacity of over 1,200, it has hosted many plays and musicals over the years, including West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Since 1986, it has been the West End home of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.
One of the largest tower houses in Scotland, Castle Fraser—located within easy day-trip distance of Aberdeen—dates as far back as 1450. Visitors can explore the castle’s grand halls, ascend to its towers for top-notch views, explore its generous parklands, admire its portrait collection, and otherwise soak up its regal intrigue.
Set on the edge of the New Forest National Park, this family-friendly amusement park is packed with rides and attractions. The park encompasses twisting roller coasters, waterslides, play areas, animal enclosures, and pretty gardens, though the biggest draw is Peppa Pig World, an area themed around the popular children’s cartoon.
For over 120 years, this 42-acre (17-hectare amusement park has been drawing fun-loving visitors to England’s northwest coast with its roller coasters, family-friendly rides, and immersive shows and events. Today’s highlights include the recording-breaking Big One, iconic Big Dipper, and the UK’s first multi-launch coaster, Icon.
Lavish both inside and out, the Grade II–listed Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum offers an insight into the eclectic tastes of world travelers Lady Annie and Sir Merton Russell-Cotes. Here, admire the striking art nouveau architecture, permanent collection of European and Japanese artefacts, sloping English gardens, and more.
Exeter’s Anglican cathedral dates back to the 12th century, though the current structure was completed around 1400. The cathedral’s unique architectural features provide insight into its rich history, including 13th-century misericords, Sir Gilbert Scott choir stalls, and the world’s longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling.
Brodick Castle, a Victorian estate on the Isle of Arran, likely rests upon the site of a former Viking fortress, and some parts of the building are thought to date back to the 13th century. Visitors can explore grand interiors and discover rare artifacts such as porcelain, paintings, period furniture, and landscaped gardens.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham combines massive collections of LEGO® bricks with amusement park–style action to create the ultimate LEGO lovers’ paradise. Here, you can build race cars, watch movies at a 4D cinema, try out VR experiences, go on LEGO–themed rides, and spot miniature versions of Birmingham’s famous landmarks inside the interactive Miniland® city. For the youngest visitors, there are soft-play areas and a DUPLO® zone, too.
Owned by the University of Manchester and housed in a striking, neo-Gothic building, the Manchester Museum has a vast collection that spans natural history, anthropology, and archaeology. Collection highlights include everything from a fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex (nicknamed "Stan") to ancient Egyptian artifacts.
For the quintessential British seaside experience, head to Barry Island(Ynys y Barri) in South Wales. Here you’ll find a sandy beach, traditional fairground rides, arcade games, and cafés serving paper-wrapped fish and chips. There’s plenty for both kids and adults at Barry Island, a popular destination for British vacationers for decades.
Towering 3,209 feet (978 meters over the Lake District National Park, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. The peak is one of a string of high fells that run between Wast Water and Buttermere lakes, including the nearby High Stile, Red Pike, and Great End.
