United Kingdom attractions

A village on the shores of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus is a popular destination in the Scottish Highlands. Once a garrison in the 18th century, the scenic village today attracts cyclists, hikers, and travelers in search of the Loch Ness monster. It’s also a gateway to the Great Glen Way, a 73-mile trail that runs from Inverness to Fort William.

Piercing the sky like a gigantic shard of glass, The Shard is a highlight of the capital’s skyline. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the super-sleek skyscraper is one of the city’s most famous structures and is currently the tallest building in Western Europe. Inside, high-end restaurants, cocktail bars, and a panoramic observation deck make it a must-visit attraction.

Trafalgar Square is in the heart of Westminster, and it’s known for being one of the city’s most recognizable public spaces. With striking architecture—including Nelson’s Column and grand fountains—it also has several notable buildings nearby, such as the National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Visitors come to meet, relax, or take part in the many events, parades, protests, and public celebrations that often fill the square, making it a lively gathering place year-round.

Visitors flock to Loch Ness hoping to catch a glimpse of its most elusive inhabitant: the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie. But this lake in the Scottish Highlands is worth the trip even if you don't believe the rumors. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, it's a popular boating and sightseeing spot—and so deep that it’s Great Britain’s largest freshwater lake by volume.

The Giant's Causeway is a cluster of approximately 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the North Atlantic Ocean on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. A UNESCO World Heritage site and National Trust property, the area attracts thousands of tourists each year who come for the dramatic coastal views, landscape photography opportunities, and the chance to learn about the geological forces that created this impressive natural landmark.

A vast landscape of hills and mountains, lush valleys, mist-shrouded lochs, and shady woodland trails, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park makes an easy rural retreat from Scotland’s biggest city. Located just north of Glasgow, the park also serves as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

Perched above the city of Stirling on a chunk of volcanic rock, this mighty Scottish fortress has seen it all, from attacks by Robert the Bruce to the coronation of the infant Mary Queen of Scots. In addition to the impeccably recreated royal palace interiors and the sheer amount of history held within its robust walls, the castle also offers superb views over Stirling and Scotland’s green hills and valleys.

The Changing of the Guard is a centuries-old tradition that marks the official shift change of the Household Regiment, or the King’s Guards. One of the world’s most famous ceremonies—and a top London experience—this recurring event gives visitors the chance to witness the grandeur of a royal march up close. Dressed in their iconic red suits and bearskin hats, the guards perfectly exemplify British pomp.

Sandwiched between some of London’s most famous attractions, Parliament Square is a green space with a significant history. The square is ringed by Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Supreme Court, and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. It features 12 statues of famous world leaders and historical figures, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela, and is a regular site of peaceful protests.

Meticulously constructed using period-appropriate materials, Shakespeare’s Globe brings the theatergoing experience of the Elizabethan ages to life. The circular auditorium resembles the original 16th-century Globe Theatre, which stood just a street away before it was destroyed by fire. While the plays here aren’t exclusively Shakespeare’s, the Bard’s works dominate the schedule, and the wooden, open-air auditorium is an atmospheric place to witness the work of the world’s most famous playwright.

The Natural History Museum, housed in a grand Victorian-era building, showcases around 80 million specimens—from fossils and minerals to dinosaur bones and taxidermy. It offers engaging, interactive exhibits that appeal to visitors of all ages, plus cafés and gift shops. Highlights include Hintze Hall, featuring meteorites and an 82-foot-long (25-meter) blue whale skeleton, along with the world-famous dinosaur exhibition.

Ask a Londoner to name a famous food market, and chances are they’ll say Borough Market. This iconic foodie spot is lively, bustling, and full of sensory appeal—with everything from artisan cheese and sizzling street food to seasonal produce for those planning to cook at home. With a history spanning back over 1,000 years and a loyal following that includes celebrity chefs, it’s a go-to destination for anyone looking to eat, drink, and explore.

Nestled high along the Antrim coastline, Dunluce Castle offers dramatic views and insight into the life and legends of old Irish clans. Explore ancient ruins, discover township remains, or descend into a hidden cave to experience the site that inspired CS Lewis’ Cair Paravel and served as a filming location for HBO’sGame of Thrones.

One of the most photographed sites in Scotland, the Eilean Donan Castle dates back to the 13th century. Built as a defense against the Vikings and used during the Jacobite rebellions in the 18th century, this loch-side castle was restored in the 20th century and is now a popular destination for weddings and tours.

In the heart of London’s West End, Covent Garden is one of the city’s most popular hubs for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Thanks to the many street performers, market stalls, and world-class restaurants, there’s never a dull moment in this lively district. Home to the Royal Opera House, several top theaters, and major brand stores, it’s a buzzing destination that draws in London visitors seeking culture, food, and great entertainment.

Like a mini Times Square, Piccadilly Circus in the West End has appeared on countless TV shows and movies, capturing the buzz of London life. With its flashy billboards, high footfall, and nearby tourist hot spots, visitors often pass through Piccadilly Circus on sightseeing tours or en route to some of the city’s major attractions. It’s also a great place to shop and is close to other top destinations, including Leicester Square and Regent Street.

Commissioned by King Henry VIII, St. James’s Palace has been a royal residence for centuries and the site of notable events, such as Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert. Today, the official palace houses members of the royal family and often hosts receptions, state visits, and grand ceremonies, though you can now peek inside on an exclusive tour. Much of the original Tudor brickwork remains, making it popular among architecture buffs.

10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British prime minister and one of London’s most famous addresses. The Chancellor of the Exchequer lives at number 11. On any given day, you can see streams of important politicians walking through the doors of these two famed addresses. Downing Street has been home to some of the most influential figures in the UK government for over 300 years, including Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Tony Blair.

London Bridge, often confused with the more well-known Tower Bridge, is a functional but historically significant crossing over the River Thames. First built by the Romans in AD 50, the bridge has been replaced several times over the centuries. The current structure might not have the grandeur of its predecessors, but it offers visitors great views of the Thames and London landmarks, including The Shard and the Tower of London.

One of London’s largest and most well-known parks, Hyde Park offers a peaceful escape right in the heart of the city. Once a royal hunting ground for Henry VIII, today its walking paths and open green spaces attract boaters, joggers, cyclists, picnickers, and strollers alike. Visitors come to go boating on the Serpentine, explore monuments such as the Diana Memorial Fountain, watch speakers at Speakers’ Corner, or attend seasonal events.

The atmospheric Royal Mile thoroughfare cuts through the historic core of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, extending for slightly more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from Edinburgh Castle all the way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Both sides of the partly pedestrianized street are bordered by historic granite buildings bearing shop display windows piled high with symbols of Scotland, from tartan to whisky to shortbread. In between the former tenements and taverns are darkened arm-width-wide alleyways, known locally as closes.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London—better known as simply the Monument—commemorates the devastating fire that swept London in 1666, leaving around 85 percent of Londoners homeless and forever changing the city. The Doric column stands exactly 202 feet (61-meters) from where the fire began—the distance is mirrored in its exact height. Today, visitors can ascend the landmark for panoramic views of the city.

Located in central Oxford in a complex of historic buildings, the venerable Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It’s the main research library for the University of Oxford and also a copyright library, housing every book printed in the UK and Ireland, a collection of more than 12 million printed items.

One of Bath’s most sought-after residential streets, Royal Crescent is a semicircular sweep of colonnaded Georgian terrace houses overlooking Royal Victoria Park. Of the 30 houses here, most are still privately owned though No. 1—restored to peak Georgian-era splendor—serves as a museum, showcasing upper-class life in 18th-century Bath.

Constantly topping the list of the UK’s most visited attractions, the British Museum spans more than 2 million years of human history with 8 million objects. Its gigantic permanent collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and mummies to Roman treasures, but another highlight is its light-flooded atrium, a marvel of modern architecture. This cultural temple is best known for its ancient Greek sculptures, the world-famous Rosetta Stone, and the 12th-century Lewis chessmen.

Set on the shore of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle (Caisteal na Sròine) attracts many visitors that come here in hopes of glimpsing Nessie, the loch’s fabled aquatic monster. The ruined medieval fortress, which was destroyed in 1762 to prevent it from becoming a Jacobite stronghold, now houses a visitor center that exhibits objects found amid the ruins.

St. James’s Park is one of London’s eight Royal Parks, with arguably one of the best locations—adjacent to Buckingham Palace. The park features a lake, flower-filled gardens, and plenty of spaces to sit and relax. It’s also famed for its birdlife, including its resident pelicans who are fed daily by the park’s wildlife team.

A branch of the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Rooms are set in the secret bunker where Winston Churchill led the country during World War II. Situated beneath street level in London’s Westminster district, the Cabinet War Rooms were constructed shortly before the war’s outbreak. Today, the underground complex is a museum documenting the United Kingdom’s wartime government.

The Culloden Battlefield was the site of one of the last battles to be fought on British soil. On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of 5,000 Jacobite Highlanders faced off against the Duke of Cumberland and 9,000 Hanoverian government troops. Though the Jacobites fought valiantly, they were ultimately defeated, resulting in the elimination of the Scottish clan system and the suppression of Highland culture. Today, the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre retells the events of that fateful day through interactive exhibits that put travelers in the thick of the action.

Once the most powerful ship in the Royal Navy, HMS Belfast is a significant symbol of British maritime and military history. Today, you can explore the warship via interactive displays across nine decks; learn about life onboard the ship on the lower decks, and discover its role in D-Day, the Arctic Convoys, and the Battle of North Cape. Plus, enjoy panoramic views of London from the flag deck.