United Kingdom attractions

One of Central London’s most affluent districts, Mayfair is known for its designer stores, luxurious hotels, and stately architecture—and as the birthplace of Her Majesty the Queen. It’s also bordered by two of the city’s largest green spaces—Hyde Park to the west and Green Park to the south—and home to immaculate gardens.

The Canongate forms the eastern end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. One of the oldest and most historic streets in the city, The Canongate is home to a number of top attractions and historic buildings, including Canongate Kirk, Moray House, Canongate Tolbooth (now People’s Story Museum), and the modern Scottish Parliament.

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 over a mile (2 kilometers) between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, the historical boulevard is a major traffic thoroughfare and one of London's busiest streets.

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.

The North York Moors have provided creative inspiration for a number of celebrated writers, including Bram Stoker, Sylvia Plath, and the Brontë sisters. Situated on England’s northeastern coast, the stunning landscape is wild and rugged with an untamed beauty that draws visitors from all over the world.

As 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. The palace was first expanded by William III and Mary II. Later, King George II; Queen Victoria; Queen Anne; Princess Margaret; and Diana, Princess of Wales all called the palace home.

A branch of the acclaimed Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Rooms are set in the secret wartime bunker from which the cigar-puffing Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill, directed the country’s war efforts. Situated beneath street level in London’s Westminster district, the Cabinet War Rooms were constructed shortly before the outbreak of World War II. Little has changed within them since the war came to a close in 1945, though these days, the underground complex functions as a museum, documenting the workings of the United Kingdom’s wartime government.

Surrounded by leafy Bute Park, Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) boasts a history spanning two millennia. The hodgepodge castle is a jumble of different architectural styles, from the Norman-era keep to the faux-Gothic apartments. It is the former home of the prominent Bute family, who helped transform Cardiff into an influential industrial port.

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 Forth Bridge, the distinctive red-hued cantilevered railway bridge that arches over the Firth of Forth close to Edinburgh, is one of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols. A triumph of engineering, the bridge is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 1,709-foot (521-meter single cantilever span is the second-longest in the world.

Straddling the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, this island-studded loch has the largest surface area of Scotland’s lakes. Made famous by a Scottish folk song, the lake has mirror-clear waters that reflect the nearby crags and peaks, most notably the 3,195-foot (974-meter) Ben Lomond, with views of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

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.

With a prime location on the south bank of the River Thames, looking out across London Bridge, Southwark Cathedral is one of central London’s oldest churches, dating back to the 12th century. Its official name is the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie.

Packed with monuments and lined with some of London's most significant government buildings, busy Whitehall is an important thoroughfare. 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.

With its stone station building, crow-stepped gables, and steam trains puffing by, this quaint little station in the rural North Yorkshire Moors is a relic of a bygone era. The station’s good looks have not gone unnoticed, with it having been chosen as the set for Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

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 Royal Courts of Justice, the UK’s highest court, also known as Old Bailey. Also here is the historic Temple Church—built by the Knights Templar and featured in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.

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 a recently renovated park, the square attracts more than 2 million visitors each week. It has been popular as an entertainment hub since the 19th century.

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.

In many ways the ideal of a medieval castle, the imposing Conwy Castle (Castell Conwy) was built for Edward I in 1289, during his conquest of Wales. Featuring crenelated towers and soaring defensive walls, it stands on the River Conwy, near the rugged splendor of Snowdonia National Park. Today, Conwy Castle holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

The Peak District became Britain’s first national park in 1951 and remains one of its most popular outdoor destinations. From fertile farmland and stately homes to towering peaks and underground caves, there’s much to explore across the 143,700-hectare park, including the beginning of Britain’s best-known trail, the Pennine Way.

This London neighborhood has it all: theaters, live music, eclectic nightlife, shopping, historical sites, and a quirky food scene. Located in the West End District popular with actors, artists, musicians, and fashionistas, Soho is also the epicenter of London’s gay scene.

The neo-Gothic Westminster Bridge connects Lambeth and Westminster. Though popular for its panoramic views, the Victorian bridge’s decorative details and cultural importance make it an attraction in its own right. The present-day structure opened on Queen Victoria’s birthday in 1862, though its history reaches back to the 17th century.

Once the favored countryside retreat of the Stuart monarchs, pretty Falkland Palace has seen a long list of famous royals pass through its grand gateway. Mary, Queen of Scots had fond memories of playing in the surrounding woods and parks as a young girl, and James V, James VI, and Charles II were all known to have spent time here.

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.

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 want to soak up the rugged coastal scenery.

Amid the blur of traffic of one of central London’s busiest intersections—the meeting point of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road—the grand Marble Arch is one of the city’s most striking landmarks, and it boasts an impressive royal history.

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.

Set amid the rolling glens of Scotland’s premier whisky region—Speyside, in Cairngorms National Park—the Glenlivet Distillery is known for producing the granddaddy of all single malts. Distilled in unique lantern-shaped copper stills and matured in oak casks for at least 12 years, The Glenlivet has a fruity, smooth flavor thanks to using Scottish barley and spring water from the local Josie's Well.

Perched on the banks of River Thames, Tate Modern is the epicenter of London’s contemporary art scene. It’s a culture lover’s paradise and one of the world’s largest modern art museums, complete with cutting edge works, thought-provoking installations, and dramatic think pieces.

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.