Located in Essex on the edge of the North Sea, Harwich International Port is about 85 miles (137 kilometers) northeast of London. Opened in 1883, Harwich International is a main port of call for Stena Line ferry services to the Netherlands and is used for commercial shipping. It's also one of the East Coast’s five major Haven Ports.
Encompassing a zoo with 100 animals and a theme park, Drayton Manor Park is the ultimate family day out. Preschoolers go wild for the Thomas the Tank Engine-themed Thomas Land, while older children and adults can enjoy the exhilarating rides and roller coasters, from the Apocalypse drop tower to the swinging Bounty pirate ship.
A Grade II–listed church in Birmingham, St. Martin in the Bull Ring is known for its Gothic Victorian architecture and its magnificent stained glass windows, including a standout piece by William Morris from 1875, which survived WWII bombings. The church serves as a peaceful retreat to come for worship, as well as a standout architectural gem in the city center.
Located in Llandudno, North Wales, the Great Orme Mines is the largest prehistoric mine in the world, with areas dating back more than 4,000 years. Visitors can travel underground via a series of slopes and staircases, while above ground there is a surface walk featuring a smelting shelter and an opencast mine. Today the site continues to be an area for ongoing archaeological study.
Grottos, tunnels, passageways, a labyrinth, sculptures, and various other unusual follies can be found scattered around this 4-acre (1.6-hectare plot of green in Tupgill Park Estate. Originally built as a private garden, it was later opened up to the public, with visitors encouraged to wander at will and discover its oddities.
Take a trip back in time and across the river from Liverpool to see the U-Boat Story. As you explore an authentic WWII German submarine recovered in 1993—now a museum boasting interactive displays, accessible viewing windows, and wartime artifacts, including an Enigma machine—gain insight into onboard life and discover the crew’s fate.
Rising from one of the largest areas of flat ground on the Isle of Arran, the Machrie Moor Standing Stones (Machrie Moor Stone Circles) are a tangible representation of the island’s long human history. There are six stone circles, dating back to around 2,000 BCE, which stand on the sites of earlier wooden structures believed to date from 4,500 BCE.
From cereal to cattle and potatoes to pigs, Yorkshire is a big food producer, and the Yorkshire Museum of Farming celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage. Spread over about 16 acres (6.5 hectares), the museum features farm animals, vintage farm equipment, the Danelaw Centre for Living History, and a heritage railway.
In the heart of Birmingham, just next to the sprawling International Convention Centre, Centenary Square is a key central meeting point and a popular spot among visitors and residents alike. Highlights include the Hall of Memory memorial and the massive Library of Birmingham, as well as a seasonal ice rink.
Lively with shops, restaurants, and attractions, Birmingham’s Brindleyplace development offers plenty of ways to spend a day or night out. Situated in a historic warehouse district that overlooks the city’s canal network, it attracts some 4 million visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular areas.
Home to the Queens Park Rangers—one of London’s popular homegrown football teams—MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium (formerly Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium) is a sports highlight in Shepherd’s Bush, West London. It’s also a historical landmark: The stadium was built in 1904 and has hosted the team on and off since 1917. In season (typically August–May), games are held here once or twice a week.
North Laine is a vibrant, bohemian district in Brighton known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and street art. Here, you can browse vintage clothing stores, visit bustling markets, or people-watch from trendy cafés, making it a must-visit destination for shoppers and foodies alike.
With an atmospheric setting in Monk Bar, one of the four main medieval gateways to York, the Richard III Experience looks back at the turbulent 2-year reign of the last Plantagenet king. Exhibits document his rise to power, including the mysterious disappearance of his two preteen nephews, as well as his role in the Wars of the Roses.
On the banks of the River Thames, Maidenhead is an affluent city which is home to an 18th-century bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as well as the country’s oldest soccer stadium. An ideal day-trip destination in and of itself, Maidenhead is also a jumping-off point for exploring charming villages such as Bray, Cookham, and Littlewick Green.
Built by King Edward I in the 13th century, the now-crumbling Rhuddlan Castle is centered on an impressive diamond-shaped stronghold and was one of the first concentric castles constructed in Wales. Now, visitors can explore the foundations of the great hall, chapel, and kitchens, before climbing the castle walls for views over the surroundings.
At the base of Blackpool’s landmark tower, the Blackpool Tower Circus has provided spectacular entertainment since opening in 1894, making it Blackpool’s longest-running show. Book a ticket and the clowns, acrobats, and musicians will be sure to keep you amused with their antics and stunts.
Part zoo, part theme park, and part resort, this 375-acre (152-hectare) attraction is a long-standing favorite of families, thrill seekers, and animal lovers in North Yorkshire, England. You can visit for the day, or book accommodation on-site. The park is home to 140 animal species and boasts around 40 rides across eight themed sections.
Torquay’s Babbacombe Model Village is a fun and charming destination that’s suitable for the whole family. It's a representation of English village life in miniature—complete with cottages, gardens, and transport—alongside well-known landmarks such as Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. With more than 400 models and approximately 13,000 miniature people, there’s plenty to see here.
While much of Coventry was destroyed by Nazi bombings in World War II, historic Spon Street remains as a reminder of the city’s centuries of history. Here you’ll find a concentration of timber-framed medieval and Tudor buildings that house a variety of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, historic workshops, and niche museums.
Thurso is in mainland Scotland's far north. While many travelers pass through on their way to catch the ferry to Orkney, the little town has plenty to merit a longer stay, from historic sites and quaint cafés to some of Scotland’s best surfing.
Designed in the Scottish Renaissance style, Pitmedden Garden is a celebration of local flora and a faithfully restored piece of Scottish history. It’s also home to a specially curated 21st-century take on a traditional stately garden and has more than 40,000 plants within its 100-acre (41-hectare) grounds during the height of summer.
Discover an underwater world filled with an array of marine creatures at SEA LIFE® Scarborough. From a face-to-face encounter with sharks to a hands-on rock-pool experience, each step reveals something fascinating, making for a fun and educational activities for all ages, whatever the weather.
The family-owned Bridlington Birds of Prey and Animal Park brings together endangered animals across different habitat zones. You can find everything from alpacas and raccoons to owls and meerkats, as well as many birds of prey; exhibits sit alongside educational exhibits and hands-on experiences.
Hailed as one of England’s best zoos, Folly Farm promises a fun and interactive day out. Visitors can observe animals from a distance or get hands-on in the petting zoo before enjoying the fairground, big wheel, and play areas. There are also several onsite restaurants.
Perched on a mere spit of land extending into Loch Ranza off the northern tip of the Isle of Arran, Lochranza Castle is a rather forlorn-looking, ruined L-plan tower house. It dates from the 13th century, though it was remodeled and expanded in the 15th century. The castle is steeped in Scottish history and forms a stunning sight.
Get up close to sharks, scorpions, and more at Skegness Aquarium, where pirate-themed exhibits, hands-on activities, and underwater experiences offer family-friendly fun and immersive insight into coastal biodiversity. Plus, the aquarium’s prime spot on the Skegness seafront makes it easy to visit several top attractions in one day.
A Georgian mansion dating back to 1740, Duff House was designed by renowned Scottish architect William Adam. The country manor is known for its ornate baroque exterior and estate of landscaped gardens. It was refurbished by the National Galleries of Scotland in the 1990s and is now a destination for its collection of Renaissance and Scottish art.
Nearly nine centuries old and the home of one of the country’s most beautiful Elizabethan walled gardens, Haddon Hall brims with well-preserved 14th–16th century interiors. Step back in time here as you explore England’s oldest medieval kitchens, marvel over the notable tapestry collection, and stroll through the Long Gallery.
Kellie Castle was built in the 14th century as the family home of the Oliphant family. Little has changed since the family left the castle in the 17th century, and it remains a perfect example of period architecture and design, with ornamental painted ceilings and plasterwork adorning the many rooms and chambers.
Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is an expansive art and history museum that features a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, interactive workshops, and educational talks. It's a fantastic place to learn about the history of Coventry from the Middle Ages to the modern day.
