United Kingdom attractions

The smallest of London’s eight Royal Parks, Green Park is a 40-acre (16-hectare) stretch of green space between the Mall and Constitution Hill, right beside Buckingham Palace. Known for its mature trees, shaded pathways, and sweeping lawns, Green Park is a tranquil escape in the heart of the city.

Located on London’s vibrant South Bank, SEA LIFE® London Aquarium features 14 themed zones, a tunnel where sea turtles and sharks swim overhead, a polar zone home to gentoo penguins, and a coral reef display filled with colorful inhabitants. Star residents include sand tiger sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and ocellated eagle rays.

The first Belfast Peace Walls were built in 1969 in response to Northern Ireland’s sectarian conflict. Initially intended as temporary barriers, the continuation of the Troubles led to the extension and reinforcement of the walls. Today, they’re political and philosophical murals and attract visitors looking for insight into this part of Irish history.

Once the center of London’s newspaper industry, Fleet Street is one of the city’s most storied locations. At the top of the street, you’ll find the UK’s highest court, the Royal Courts of Justice (also known as the Old Bailey). Also here is the historic Temple Church, which was built by the Knights Templar and featured in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.

Once the residence of the infamous Tudor king, Henry VIII, the grand architecture and lavish interiors of Hampton Court Palace were designed to rival France’s Palace of Versailles. Add 500 years of turbulent royal history, the world’s largest grape vine, and stunning surrounding gardens, and you get one of Greater London’s most magnificent historical landmarks.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London invites Harry Potter fans to embark on a magical journey to the wizarding world—and behind the scenes of one of the most popular film series ever made. Inside the expansive space, explore film sets ranging from Diagon Alley to the Hogwarts Great Hall, and discover the secrets of the movies’ special effects. The impressive collection of costumes, props, and interactive exhibits helps make the enchantment even more real.

With pride of place in London’s upscale Knightsbridge neighborhood, Harrods is the British capital’s largest and most iconic department store. Founded more than 120 years ago, the Grade II-listed landmark has long been a destination for luxury lovers and royal fans. Containing some 330 different departments spread over eight floors, it’s a top choice for shoppers, and you can find everything from high-end souvenirs and gourmet British foods to renowned designer brands and stylish homewares.

Made from elegant Italian marble, this triple-arched ceremonial monument marks the busy intersection of London’s Oxford Street, Edgware Road, and Park Lane. After serving as a gate at Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch was moved, stone-by-stone, to its current location in the mid-1800s. Nowadays, its prime use is as a meeting point for busy Londoners—albeit a meeting point with interesting royal history.

One of Oxford’s most recognizable landmarks, the Sheldonian Theatre is a neoclassical building dating to 1669. Designed by the celebrated architect Sir Christopher Wren, the venue is used for ceremonial events by the University of Oxford (including graduations), as well as lectures, concerts, and other publicly accessible performances.

Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, not far from central London, Greenwich is an atmospheric borough that’s known, and UNESCO-listed, for its maritime history. Visitors can find lots of great attractions here, including the Royal Observatory, home to Greenwich Mean Time; the tea clipper Cutty Sark; and the National Maritime Museum, making it a fun day out for museum-hopping and exploring outdoor locales, such as Greenwich Park.

This working-class neighborhood of West Belfast came to prominence during the Northern Irish conflict, when it served as a stronghold for loyalist paramilitary organizations. The peace walls that separated Shankill from the neighboring Falls Road to curb sectarian violence are now covered with political murals.

This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.

Situated in Fife—the Scottish region known for its castles, fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and golf history—the village of Falkland offers its own strong dose of charm. Nestled among the Lomond Hills Regional Park, Falkland is especially renowned for the 16th-century Falkland Palace, once the residence of the Stuart monarchs.

While its elegant design harks back to Victorian days, Leadenhall Market has Roman roots and Great Fire of London history, along with stints as a bustling meat and poultry market. It’s a storied place that’s only recently attracted tourist attention, thanks to its role as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Office workers are among its main visitors today, who frequent the arcade’s shops and restaurants, along with the historic Lamb Tavern pub.

Discover a national symbol and gain insight into England’s history at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Canterbury Cathedral. Dating back to 597, the site has held religious significance for centuries, drawing pilgrims to the location of Thomas Becket’s murder and visitors interested in its medieval towers, chapels, and stained-glass windows.

West Belfast’s Falls Road was a violent flashpoint during the Northern Irish conflict. Falls Road is in a predominantly Catholic nationalist neighborhood that borders Shankill Road, a mostly Protestant unionist area. The two areas are now separated by a peace wall that is adorned with hundreds of colorful politically themed murals.

Quiraing is a hiking trail on the Isle of Skye in northern Scotland. It's a 4-mile (7-kilometer) loop that passes through some spectacular Scottish landscapes. The trail is part of the Trotternish Ridge, which was formed by a landslide that created cliffs, plateaus, and rock pinnacles. You can soak up coastal views and see many unique land formations in the area.

Many of the Stuart royals, among them James I and Mary, Queen of Scots, did stints in this loch-side 15th-century pleasure palace. Gutted by fire in the 18th century, Linlithgow lies in ruin, though evidence of its grandeur—from the great hall to the intricately carved King’s Fountain—is still plentiful.

Built in the mid-19th century, this Gothic-style tower commemorates William Wallace, the medieval Scottish freedom fighter whose story was fictionalized in the 1995 blockbuster, Braveheart. Exhibits chronicle key episodes from Scottish history, while the top offers views of Stirling Castle and the surrounding countryside.

Scotland's Forth Road Bridge is a structural masterpiece set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish landscape. Straddled by the 21st-century Queensland Crossing and the iconic 19th-century railway Forth Bridge, this engineering wonder attracts travelers seeking a harmonious blend of history and modernity.

The Gherkin may be officially named 30, St. Mary Axe, but it is best known by its nickname, inspired by its distinctive pickle shape—or, as the Brits say, gherkin. While most of its 41 floors are rented out as office space, the public can visit Searcys Helix Restaurant on Level 39 or the Searcys Iris Bar on Level 40 for Champagne and cocktails with a view.

Looming over Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, Calton Hill is one of the seven hills that the Scottish capital is built on. Come here for 360-degree views that encompass Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and, on a clear day, the Firth of Forth.

The world’s oldest legal distillery, Bushmills was first granted its whiskey-producing license back in 1608, though historical records suggest production began even earlier. Distillers used malted Irish barley, grains, and water from St. Columb’s Rill to produce their oak-aged Bushmills Original and their Black Bush blend.

The Fife village of Culross is easily recognizable for its appearances in the TV series Outlander, but is much more than just a pretty backdrop. Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, Culross (pronounced “coo-riss”) is one of Scotland’s best-preserved 17th-century royal burghs, with a timeless atmosphere that offers a glimpse into the past.

Sprawling along the Irish Sea coast and centered on Mount Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdonia National Park is a rugged wonderland of rugged hills, medieval castles, and glistening lakelands. With ample opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities, it’s one of the most visited attractions in Wales.

Blackness Castle is often referred to as "the ship that never sailed" due to the mighty fortifications that make the 15th-century structure look like an ocean-going vessel. The castle has served as a royal residence, prison, artillery fortification, and fortress over the centuries, and now one of Scotland’s most impressive strongholds is a popular tourist attraction.

When Londoners say “King’s Cross,” they could mean the neighborhood or the station. But if they’re in the neighborhood, it’s likely they’re there for the station. Most visitors come to catch a train up north or even abroad, taking a Eurostar service from neighboring St. Pancras station to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam. After a huge regeneration project, the neighborhood is now a nice place to kill time, with restaurants, fountains, and pop-up attractions.

The theatrical London Dungeon is a frightfully fun way to learn about London’s macabre history. Make your way through a series of shadowy rooms, where costumed actors reenact accounts of the gory murders committed by Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd, the failed Gunpowder Plot of Guy Fawkes, and 17th-century witch trials. The meticulous sets, spooky special effects, and a thrilling vertical drop ride make for a memorable, shriek-out-loud experience.

Graffiti-lined Brick Lane in East London is known for its vast array of bars and eateries, great shopping, and vibrant nightlife. The area has long been home to immigrants, which is reflected in its food scene; thanks to its Bangladeshi community, there is a string of famed curry houses specializing in South Asian cuisine to its south. Head north for vintage clothing shops, cafés, and the road’s beloved bagel shops. The Brick Lane Market runs daily but is at its most lively on Sundays.

One of several peaks in the long-extinct volcanic ridge that towers behind Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat offers hill walking in the heart of the city. Set within the 640-acre (260-hectare) Holyrood Park, it’s also the site of a 2,000-year-old hill fort. On a clear day, the summit promises spectacular views of the cityscape.