Best Places to Visit in United Kingdom, Top Attractions

Well, Time Out’s UK team is here to remind you that, actually, there are loads of amazing destinations, like, right here. Believe it or not, there are fascinating places all over the country you can visit easily, cheaply. To compile this ranking, we went to our local experts across the UK to figure out which cities, towns and regions are really worth visiting next year. These are places with thriving food, drink and arts scenes. They’re cities with big cultural openings and spectacular new hotels. And they all have at least one huge event coming up that should immediately go in your calendars. One of the best things about the UK holiday is how easy it is to explore fascinating Britain and its diverse scenery. The United Kingdom’s sprawling capital boasts plenty of attractions to keep the tourist busy. If you want to learn about the UK’s history, you must visit the Tower of London. One of the most popular United Kingdom tourist places is Buckingham Palace. This London Royal house is much older than you think. Edinburgh is another tourist place to visit in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly known as the home of the magnificent Edinburgh Castle. From here, you can move forward to explore other historic sites like the Old Town’s Royal Mile, Princess Street, the Royal Botanical Garden, and the National Gallery of Scotland. Roman-Era Bath is another city that lures many travelers to its healing waters for over 2,000 years. A beautiful town in England is Cotswolds covering almost 1,287 sq. km., which is one of the most pictured corners. It is one of the most visited United Kingdom tourist places where travelers experience the taste of rural English life. If you are in England, don’t forget to visit the majestic Lake District in Cumbria. It is famous for its spectacular scenery, place of romance, and great culture. In case you head to Scotland, be sure to visit Loch Ness. It is one of the admired United Kingdom tourist attractions Considering everything, the United Kingdom is indeed one of the most wonderful places to visit. One must visit the UK at least once to explore its beauty. From Palm house to Windsor Castle to Piccadilly Circus to Madame Tussauds to the National Museum of Scotland to London Eye and much more, you won’t leave this place empty-handed. There are literally hundreds of places to visit in United Kingdom, however a few of them stand out. Read on to know more about the ten places to see in UK which you cannot miss out!

#1- Portmeirion, Wales
Modelled after an Italian setting, its naturally beautiful location is one of the most scenic places to visit in the UK. This small yet vibrant Mediterranean-style village was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. It is Located near the River Dwyryd and has hotels, spa, restaurant, tea-room, beach, and numerous shops. Don’t miss out on this one as it is one of the most beautiful places in the UK to visit during spring or summertime.

#2- Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
This cave is a sea cave on the island of Staffa which is full of unique angular basalt columns. They create an area with breathtaking natural acoustics, especially with the waves that crash inside. What makes this cave so special is its size and the fact that there is a natural walkway through which visitors can get right inside at low tide. It is similar to the nearby Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

#3- Lake Windermere, Cumbria
Located in the idyllic Lake District National Park in northwest England, Lake Windermere is one of the most famous places of UK. It is surrounded by mountain peaks and villages, including Bowness-on-Windermere. It also holds the place for being the largest natural lake in England. Definitely a great place to explore with family and friends!

#4- Stonehenge, Wiltshire
One of the most prehistoric structures in all of Europe, Stonehenge dates back to c. 3000 BC. The ring of stones has puzzled scientists and archaeologists, and no one still knows what it was used for. It is believed to have been erected as a place of worship, but today it is one of the best places in UK as it attracts a major chunk of tourists to this place.

#5- Durdle Door, Dorset
The Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset is home to the incredible Durdle Door. Its limestone arch is over 400 feet tall and is privately owned, though it’s still open to visitors. This natural wonder of the UK is breathtakingly beautiful, hence comes under the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Durdle Door, an iconic landmark of Dorset is one of the most photographed and top places to visit in UK.

#6- Tresco Abbey Gardens
The Isle of Scilly is located about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall and has an almost tropical air. It is home to the privately owned Tresco Island and the Tresco Abbey Gardens, an oasis of palm trees and exotic plants. It has over 20,000 plants from 80 countries around the world.

#7- Whiteless Pike
The Lake District is a popular activity holiday destination, especially during the winter months, for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities. Whiteless Pike is a hilly range (or fell) located in the Lake District. It sits over Lake Buttermere, and the small peaked summit also provides beautiful views of the lakes Crummock and Loweswater.

#8- The White Cliffs Of Dover
The iconic and striking white cliffs of Dover are located on the English coastline, facing the Strait of Dover and France. The chalky cliff face reaches heights of 350 feet. These beautiful places in the UK will leave you speechless.

#9- Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia
This rugged slate strewn mountain pass runs over 8 kilometers from Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass. It’s fine mountain scenery is home to numerous walks, including ones that will take you to Snowdon and the picturesque towns of Betws-y-Coed.

#10- Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk
The village of Heacham in Norfolk is home to some of England’s loveliest lavender fields. You can also find similarly stunning fields at the Cotswolds, Kent, York, Hertfordshire, and Somerset.

#11- The Royal Pavillion, Brighton
The Royal Pavilion, also known as the Brighton Pavilion, is an exotic palace in the center of Brighton. It was built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV in 1811 when he was still Prince Regent. It is a unique mix of Regency grandeur with stylistic elements from India and China. 

#12- The Needles, The Isle Of Wight
The spectacular Needles is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK. What was once a tall and thin rock cliff that gave the group its name, collapsed in the late 1700s. Now, the row of three distinctive stacks of chalk rises to a height of 30 meters from the sea off the western coast of the Isle of Wight.

#13- Gold Hill, Shaftesbury
Gold Hill is a steep cobbled street with picturesque houses in the town of Shaftesbury in Dorset. The view of down Gold Hill is said to be “one of the most romantic sights in the UK.” Gold Hill is also referred to as ‘Hovis Hill’ as it was the location for the Hovis TV advert which is the most iconic advert of all time in England.

#14- Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands
One of the most well-known lochs (or lakes) of the Scottish Highlands is Loch Ness. Located near the town of Inverness, the deep, freshwater loch is most famous for the mythical (and fictional) Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” who is said to live in it. You can also visit the remains of Urquhart Castle that lies on the shores. It is one of the best and most beautiful places in the UK to visit in December for the many activities that are provided like hiking, trekking and biking.

#15- Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Located on the northeast coast of England, Bamburgh Castle was once a Celtic fort. Built around 430 AD, it was later destroyed by the Vikings and rebuilt by the Normans and restored during Victorian times. With such a rich history and breathtaking views of the sea, it is one of the best places in the UK to visit. It’s one of the largest inhabited castles in the country and has stood guard over Northumberland for more than 1,400 years.

#16- Wistman’s Wood, Dartmoor
Wistman’s Wood is one of only three high-altitude oakwoods on Dartmoor in Devon. Its well-established ecosystem has oaks that are estimated to be around 200 to 400 years old. This unusual and atmospheric forest and the many boulders scattered around it are covered in moss, lichen and ferns. In Wistman’s Wood one can expect rapid weather changes, hence ensure that you have adequate footwear and clothing.

#17- Micheldever Forest, Hampshire
From late April to early May, a multitude of dainty bluebells covers the floor of the Micheldever Forest in a “purple carpet.” It is just one of the numerous places across the country where these flowers bloom each spring. You can also find bluebells at the Blickling Estate in Norfolk, Buckland, Devon and Dunham Massey, Cheshire among other places

#18- Old Town, Edinburgh
Old Town is so full of history and culture which will make you feel that you have stepped back in time. This place is dotted with buildings, forts, cathedrals and alleyways which dates back to hundreds of years. Apart from this various visitor attractions, walking tours, shops, galleries, cafes and pubs will keep you busy throughout the day. Old Town in Edinburgh is spellbindingly beautiful and one of the most perfect places to visit in UK.

#19- Windsor Castle, Berkshire
This 11th century castle built in the Gothic style is the place where the British royal family resides. Except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Windsor Castle is open to the public on all other days. As Windsor Castle is a working palace, opening arrangements may change at very short notice. Hence it’s advisable to check before planning a visit to avoid disappointments.

#20- Hyde Park, London
Hyde is the largest of the four Royal Parks in Westminster. In 1600’s it used to be a hunting ground but today it plays a significant role in the cultural scene of the city. Free speech, demonstrations and music concerts are held here. Hyde Park’s 350 acres of lush green English foliage is also home to some of London’s most important landmarks. It’s the best place to take a break from the hectic cityscape and enjoy the serene surroundings of Hyde Park. 

#21- Tower Bridge, River Thames
Another iconic landmark of London is the Tower Bridge which is a suspension bridge. It was built somewhere between 1886 and 1894 by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry. It has two towers, in Victorian Gothic style, which hold machines that lift the bridge to allow passing of river traffic beneath it. One can get incredible views of London from the two high-level walkways which are 42 meters above the River Thames. 

#22- London Eye, Lambeth
Located on the river Thames, London’s number one attraction is a giant wheel that stands at almost 140 meters tall. There are 32 capsules that will take you to the top to experience 360-degree views of the capital. The ride is quite exhilarating when you come face to face with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as you rise up. A trip to London is incomplete without a visit to Europe’s tallest observation wheel.

#23- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey
Big Ben, a tower clock designed by Augustus Pugin is one of the most significant places to visit in the UK. This is so popular that artists all over the world use Big Ben to represent the country. The name refers to the largest of the six bells (13-ton bell) in Westminster Palace. Big Ben is known for its accuracy and for the massive sound of the hour bell. This place is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

#24- St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
St Michaels Mount, located to the east of Penzance in Cornwall is one of the most photographed locations in the UK. This abbey is located on a small tidal island and was built by Benedictine monks (the same religious order that also constructed a sister abbey at Mont St-Michel in France) during the 12th century.

#25- High Force, Durham
The fast-flowing waterfalls and lush forest of High Force in County Durham make it one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the UK. With a drop of 21 meters, the twin falls are surrounded by a diverse range of flora and fauna.