United Kingdom attractions

As this landmark is the official London home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, Kensington Palace’s fame rivals that of Buckingham Palace. William and Kate aren’t the only members of the royal family to walk its halls, though. Today, you can explore the State Apartments and admire exhibitions inside the lavish Historic Royal Palace.

One of Central London’s most affluent districts, Mayfair is known for its designer stores, luxurious hotels, stately architecture—and as the birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II. The most expensive Monopoly square is also bordered by two of the city’s largest green spaces, Hyde Park to the west and Green Park to the south. You can also shop till you drop on Bond Street, one of the capital’s premier retail streets.

The historic heart of Edinburgh, UNESCO-listed Old Town, is home to the city’s most visited sights. Its central artery is the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and is lined with top attractions including St. Giles Cathedral, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, and the Scottish Parliament Building.

A favorite filming location for movie and TV productions, medieval Doune Castle has appeared inMonty Python and the Holy Grail,Game of Thrones, andOutlander. Built for the Duke of Albany in the 14th century, the castle—now semi-ruined—has welcomed such illustrious guests as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charles.

When it comes to iconic London theater venues, the Royal Albert Hall is hard to beat. Dating back to 1871, when it was opened by Queen Victoria and named after her husband, this magnificent venue has become a staple in London’s cultural scene. Known for its distinctive domed architecture, it hosts many world-renowned events, from classical concerts to televised award ceremonies and banquets.

Packed with monuments and lined with some of London’s most significant government buildings, busy Whitehall is an important thoroughfare in the capital. Originally constructed as an entryway to the now-demolished Palace of Whitehall, the road may be short, but its heavy concentration of landmarks means walking down it is a must when touring London—you’ll probably need to do so anyway when traveling between attractions.

The picturesque Dark Hedges tree tunnel, formed by the overhanging and intertwined branches of beech trees that line either side, was planted in the 18th century in an effort to spruce up the nearby Gracehill House. Amateur and professional photographers have long been drawn to its eerie beauty, and Dark Hedges is now a popular pilgrimage site for fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Stretching over 1,500 square miles, Cairngorms National Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, nature lovers, sea kayakers, and hikers. The park has been named one of the world’s Last Great Places by National Geographic and is the perfect place to enjoy Scotland’s renowned wild landscapes of granite mountains and deep lochs.

Located in the heart of Oxford, the Radcliffe Camera is one of the city’s most recognizable and photographed landmarks, with its unusual shape and impressive dome. Completed in 1749, it was the first rotunda library in England, and today it is one of the main reading rooms of the Bodleian Library complex.

One of the most charming villages in the Cotswolds, quaint Bibury offers respite from the bustle of London and Oxford. Stroll along the banks of River Coln, explore the historic buildings—including the 14th-century weavers cottages of Arlington Row—and visit natural attractions such as Rack Isle, a water meadow filled with plants.

The Clava Cairns—or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Balnuaran of Clava—are all that remains of what was once a much larger Bronze Age burial complex. Dating back 4,000 years, the evocative cemetery site retains original features, including passage graves, standing stones, and ring cairns (stone circles).

Located in the heart of London, Westminster is home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. For over 1,000 years, it has served as London’s political hub and has been the setting of many significant events in history, including the Reformation, the Gunpowder Plot, and Winston Churchill’s World War II campaign.

Lined with grand Victorian buildings and big-name stores, Regent Street was London’s first dedicated shopping street, dating back to the early 19th century. Running for almost 1 mile (1.3 kilometers) between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, the historical boulevard is a major traffic thoroughfare and one of the capital’s busiest streets. Even if you don’t bring your wallet, it’s worth a stroll—the street is gorgeous.

Nestled between Soho, St. James’s, and the West End, Leicester Square is the intersection that never sleeps. Home to world-famous movie theaters, nightclubs, and shops, the square attracts millions of visitors each week. Here you’ll find a fountain dedicated to William Shakespeare at its center, and numerous shopping and dining options lining its sides.

Housed in the cavernous former Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern is the epicenter of London’s contemporary art scene. It’s a culture lover’s paradise and one of the largest (and most visited) modern art museums in the world, known for its cutting-edge, thought-provoking works. The museum is famous for its vast Turbine Hall, which once housed the power station’s turbines and now displays large-scale art installations.

Westminster Bridge’s main purpose may be to connect Lambeth and Westminster, but the neo-Gothic structure’s decorative details, landmark views, and cultural importance make it an attraction in its own right. With panoramic views of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben on one side, and the London Eye on the other, every first-time visitor to the capital should cross it at least once.

The epicenter of fun in London, Soho has so much to offer, day or night, including restaurants, live music, theaters, shops, and art galleries. As part of the West End and the heart of London’s LGBTQ+ community, the neighborhood draws a diverse mix of people, including actors, artists, musicians, and fashion lovers. Whether you come for cocktails, a fancy brunch, or shopping—there’s never a dull moment in this lively area.

The official church of the Church of Scotland, St. Giles’ Cathedral and its famous crown spire tower over the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. With a history stretching back over 900 years, St. Giles is renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows, ornate Thistle Chapel, and busy concert calendar.

Crossing the nerve-racking Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a feat for the sure-footed: the narrow 66-foot-long (20-meter-long) swinging span is suspended high above the choppy Atlantic waters, connecting the Northern Irish mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island. Originally built more than 300 years ago by salmon fishermen—and since rebuilt with sturdier materials—the National Trust-managed footbridge is now traversed by wobbly-kneed travelers who visit to soak up the rugged coastal scenery.

Home to one of the greatest art collections in the United Kingdom—including paintings by Titian, Vincent van Gogh, and Rembrandt—the London National Gallery is among the most popular attractions in the city. With artwork spanning hundreds of years, from the mid-13th century to 1900, the free-to-visit museum stands overlooking Trafalgar Square and is easy to explore as part of a cultural day out in London.

Set amid splendid gardens at the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of the British royals, who first decamped here from nearby Edinburgh Castle back in the 15th century. The complex grew from a 12th-century abbey, whose ruins can still be seen on the grounds, into a full-fledged Baroque palace complete with elaborate plasterwork, sumptuous furnishings, and a number of tapestries. The palace is perhaps most famous for having hosted to the rather unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, whose beloved secretary was slaughtered here by her jealous second husband.

Southwark Cathedral dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest churches in London and a peaceful retreat in this busy part of the city. Its stunning Gothic architecture includes vaulted ceilings and intricate stained-glass windows. Visitors can stop by to attend services, take part in daily hourly prayer sessions, join guided tours, or admire the space. There’s a lovely on-site café and a shop within the cathedral grounds.

One of the most popular natural attractions on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, the towering sea cliff of Kilt Rock is so named for its resemblance to the traditional Scottish garment. The 180-foot (55-meter vertical cliff is composed of both igneous and sedimentary rock of different colors, which come together in vertical bands and look like the pleats of a kilt.

Linking the two halves of Hertford College, the Bridge of Sighs (formally known as Hertford Bridge) arcs above New College Lane in the heart of Oxford. Despite its ancient-seeming exterior and leaded windows, it’s only a little over a century old. While it shares a name with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, it actually looks much more similar to that city’s Rialto Bridge.

Londoners love it or hate it, but Oxford Street is the place in London to shop. The long West End street stretches from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch. Its hub at Oxford Circus is where most shoppers and tourists converge. You’ll find flagship international shops (IKEA) and department stores (Selfridges) alongside fast-fashion staples (Primark, Zara), as well as restaurants that cater to every whim.

Attended by leading luminaries across the centuries—and in possession of an art museum, soaring cathedral, and stately quad—Christ Church is among Oxford’s largest, grandest, and most prestigious colleges. Famously used as a set for theHarry Potter films, it is now also a pop cultural attraction.

Chugging past the misty lochs and sweeping glens of the Scottish Highlands, the Jacobite Steam Train offers one of Britain’s greatest railway journeys, taking passengers on a nostalgic train ride between Fort William in Scotland’s West Highlands and Mallaig on the west coast. The 84-mile (135-kilometer) round-trip route passes Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, and the Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter movies where the train stood in for the fictional Hogwarts Express.

London’s pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge (officially the London Millennium Footbridge; unofficially the “Wobbly Bridge”) spans the River Thames, linking such attractions as St. Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank with the Tate Modern on the south. Stroll across the steel-suspension bridge for excellent views of the river and the London landmarks that line it.

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, Grassmarket is a captivating historic street. Visitors are drawn to its vibrant atmosphere, charming cafés, eclectic shops, and a rich history that dates back to the 15th century. Seamlessly blending the past and the present, it’s a cherished part of the city’s heritage.

Titanic Belfast sits where the ill-fated luxury liner was built. Opened in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage, Titanic Belfast is a top Northern Ireland attraction. Exhibits follow the rise of Belfast as an industrial superpower, recreate the early 1900s shipyard experience, and chart construction details.