UK attractions

The UK is a stunning place to travel. There are rugged but fascinating landscapes, breathtaking buildings and absolutely fabulous places that look like something out of the pages of a Rowling or Tolkien book.

Not all of the UK’s interesting places are centred in London. And they are not even limited to England. Objects worth visiting, you will find in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We will tell you about the most interesting of them.

Natural attractions

As you know, Britain is an island nation. Tourists who love hiking and natural beauty will love the mesmerising ocean scenery, quaint stone cliffs, rolling hills and centuries-old forests. The British have carefully preserved them, establishing numerous national parks to save natural landscapes from human encroachment. Here are some examples of such natural areas.

Isle of skye (Scotland)

You could say it’s Britain in miniature. But you won’t find the rhythm of the capital city. But you can admire the sunrise on the background of one of the most famous Scottish cliffs “Old Man of Storr”, and meet the sunset on the cape with the lighthouse “Neist Point”. Dunvegan Castle (the same castle where the film Highlander was filmed) is responsible for the antiquity, and the town of Portree with its pretty cottages, restaurants and harbour is responsible for the cosy atmosphere.

Tollimore Forest Park (Northern Ireland)

Although man has had a hand in this place – in the 17th century the Hamilton family improved the forest they owned – what makes it interesting is its natural beauty. All these forests, waterfalls and mossy rocks look so cinematic that they’re just begging to be put on the screen. It’s no wonder that Tollimore has been the setting for many a film scene. You can see it in such famous films as “Dracula” and “Game of Thrones”. But it’s more pleasant to wander here yourself and take in the charm of this amazing place.

Lake Loch Ness (Scotland)

It is one of the most famous natural attractions in the UK. Everyone knows the legend of the monster that lives in the lake. It is believed that it sinks ships and drags people underwater. And although scientists have explained many times that the biological features of this place would not allow such a large animal to live here, tourists still come here in the hope of seeing the mysterious creature. It’s really worth coming here, but not because of a fictional character, but because of the very real beauty of the surrounding nature. Loch Ness can also be considered the “British Baikal”, as it has the largest volume of fresh water in the country.

Snowdonia National Park (Wales)

The park was originally just a small area surrounding Mount Snowdon. But then the park was expanded, so now you can enjoy a wide variety of landscapes. Lakes, valleys, heathland – some might find these landscapes monotonous, but it’s the rugged vistas that really capture the English spirit. Travelling through Snowdonia is possible both on foot and by various modes of transport, from bicycles to old-fashioned trains. And tourists who are not afraid of serious physical exertion can climb the highest points of the park – Mount Snowdon and Mount Trivan.

Jurassic Coast, England.

A unique place where fossils from the Mesozoic era are well preserved. Dinosaur skeletons have been found here more than once, and ammonites are scattered everywhere. This attracts hundreds of people who hope to find a piece of the prehistoric past with their own hands. And many succeed!

Parks and gardens

The British are actively developing what nature has given them. Among the many interesting places of Great Britain there are not only natural beauties, but also skilfully recreated ones.

Kensington Gardens (England)

An example of a classic English park – flowerbeds, fountains, a pond with swans and old trees. Kensington Garden neighbours Hyde Park and complements it perfectly.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan (England)

Botanical garden, where fairy-tale thickets neighbour exotic trees and even a pineapple pit. But this is not the only thing that attracts tourists. The highlight of the Heligan Gardens are the unusual moss-covered sculptures that look like frozen forest spirits. Combined with the bats that live here, which wake up in the evenings, it creates a fantasy atmosphere in which you feel like a hero of a book or film.

Eden Project (England)

An amazing garden that amazes with its futuristic domes. In fact, each of them is a greenhouse with its own unique microclimate that allows you to grow plants such as coffee trees, bamboo, rubber trees and much more. The name of the project refers to the Garden of Eden that the founders of this botanical garden tried to recreate.

Garden of Cosmic Reflections (Scotland)

One of the most unusual and original parks imaginable. Its conceptualisation is to show the laws of physics, the structure of the galaxy, the structure of DNA and other scientific things through natural objects. And for those who are not ready to think about the basics of existence, the park has a “gazebo of meaninglessness”.

Somerset Lavender Farm (England)

Two hectares of purple fragrant splendour! Few people will be indifferent to it, and after walking amongst the lavender for a few hours, will not want to take away with them oil, soap or cosmetics scented with these beautiful flowers. This farm also grows medicinal herbs such as echinacea, mint and thyme. Collections of these can be purchased at the shop, which sells souvenirs and self-made products.

Palaces and castles

Palaces and castles occupy a special place among the UK’s attractions. The rich history of this country has given us a whole range of beautiful structures – from fortresses built over a thousand years ago to elegant royal chambers, which are still used by the monarchs today. Travelling around the island, you can count several hundred of these structures. Some of them have survived in all their splendour and today they are guided tours, and some of them are just stones. In any case, behind each of them there are glorious times and outstanding personalities.

Buckingham Palace (England)

The residence of Elizabeth II herself. Although the new King Charles III is in no hurry to move here from Clarence House, the palace is still incredibly popular with tourists. Most of the rooms are open to the public and you can see for yourself the refined luxury with which the royalty of the past lived. We recommend waiting for the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace. This ceremony has long been one of the hallmarks of London.

Holyrood Palace (Scotland)

Another residence of the monarchs where they stay when they visit Edinburgh. At other times, the palace is open for tours and is hugely popular with tourists. This is helped by the fact that Holyrood completes the Royal Mile, a famous street in the city centre that incorporates many landmarks. It is one of the most interesting places in the UK. It is considered a must walk for anyone who wants to experience the history and mood of Edinburgh.

Chepstow Castle (Wales)

The oldest surviving stone castle in the UK. It was built between 1067 and 1071. So it is no exaggeration to say that here you can touch a thousand years of history. It is interesting that even wooden doors, which are more than 800 years old, have been preserved. However, now they are kept in the exhibition hall.

Killyleagh Castle (Northern Ireland)

Despite its impressive age – it was erected in 1160 – Killyleagh looks more like a cosy chateau than a military fort, as was the custom at the time. Unsurprisingly, it has always been inhabited. Since the 17th century it has been owned by the Hamilton family, whose descendants still live there today. But some of the rooms are rented out for tourists.

Canterbury Cathedral (England)

Despite the fact that it is not a castle, but a cathedral, we still decided to include it in this list, as it is as beautiful and opulent as a royal palace. Which is not surprising, as it is the main cathedral of the country. Its construction did not stop from XII to XIX century – there was always a reason to rebuild or expand something, so in addition to the basic Gothic architecture here you can also find features of different eras.

Interesting places to visit in the UK are diverse and some of them cannot be squeezed into narrow categories. Let us tell you what else is worth visiting when travelling around the UK.

British museum (England)

Its collection dates to the days of the British Empire, so many of the exhibits came from countries that were then under the protectorate of England. Here you will find Egyptian mummies, ancient vases, Assyrian bas-reliefs, and the famous Book of the Dead. The most valuable archaeological finds are collected here.

Dean village (Scotland).

This is a part of Edinburgh that used to be a separate settlement and has not changed much since then. Medieval cottages, mills, cobbled streets, and picturesque bridges will surround you as you stroll around this pretty little place. The atmosphere is so authentic that sometimes you’ll catch yourself thinking you can hear the hoofbeats of a passing carriage and see Victorian ladies in the distance.

Glenfinnan viaduct (Scotland)

The concrete arch bridge is 380 metres long and 30 metres high. It is quite a famous place in the UK. Remember when the train was taking Harry Potter and his friends to Hogwarts? This is exactly where it passed through. Moreover, a vintage steam train, like the Hogwarts Express, runs along the viaduct even today, attracting hundreds of tourists who rush to take photos of this scenery from the favourite saga.

Albert Dock (England)

In the days when Liverpool was a major seaport, these docks were used for their intended purpose and had the most advanced designs at the time. But gradually the need for them fell away. However, the atmospheric buildings and docks have not been demolished and have been converted into public spaces with concert halls, museums, clubs and restaurants. Liverpool is also the birthplace of the Beatles, so even at the Albert Dock you’re sure to find an interactive exhibition dedicated to the legendary band.

Bushmears Distillery (Northern Ireland)

Irish whiskey is famous all over the world. And here it began to be made as early as 1608. After visiting the tour, you can see how this drink was made 400 years ago, taste blended or single malt whisky and buy a few bottles as a souvenir.

Pentre Ifan (Wales).

Dolmens (ritual stones) appeared here about 3,500 years ago. Scientists believe they were burials – and the stones were in the ground at the time of their creation. Over such a long period of time, the soil has weathered and now we see slabs stacked on top of each other, like Stonehenge in miniature. Unfortunately, archaeologists could not find out who was buried here, as the mound was looted in ancient times. So, all we are left with are these huge impressive stones, reminding us that our distant ancestors, who wheeled such blocks, were not so simple.