There are so many unrivalled attractions in the UK, and there’s bound to be some unexplored gems right on your doorstep. Charming villages, opulent architecture, cultural festivals, historic sites dating back to Roman times, grandiose cathedrals, scenic lakes, caverns, gardens and seaside attractions all provide fun days out, and many of them are free.
If you’re looking for inspiration here are our......
How many have you done already?
The historic city of York is a great destination with lots of free things to do. The best way to enjoy an overview of the old city is on a traffic-free stroll along the defensive City Walls, originally built by the Romans. The two-mile walk along the top of this Scheduled Ancient Monument includes 40 towers and four “bars” or gates (Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar). There are information boards at various points.
Hop off at Bootham Bar and admire the exterior of York Minster, one of the world’s greatest cathedrals. Founded in the 7th century, the building dates back to 1220. Although there’s a steep admission charge to enter, there’s no charge for hearing the bells ringing every quarter hour and admiring the 1,700 square-foot East Window, the largest area of stained glass in the world.
Don’t miss:
Located at the estuary of the River Esk, Whitby is a charming fishing port with a wealth of attractions. Explorer Captain James Cook served his apprenticeship here in the mid-18th century before setting sail on his Voyages of Discovery. The arrival of the railway in 1839 changed this hub of shipbuilding and whaling into a popular Victorian seaside resort.
Climb 199 steps from the town to see the ruins of the 6th century, Whitby Abbey. Founded by St Hild, it attracted many pilgrims which allowed it to prosper. It was attacked by Vikings in 867AD, rebuilt during the reign of William the Conqueror and was left as a ruin during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries as it acted as an important navigational aid for ships.
Don’t miss:
Set on 8000 acres of deer park near the charming town of Ripon, Fountains Abbey is a romantic ruin of a magnificent 12th century abbey and Cistercian corn mill. This remarkably intact ruin was one of the wealthiest monasteries in England before its dissolution in 1539 as per Henry VIII’s orders.
You can still stroll down the arched nave of the abbey church, marvelling at the construction. See the sturdy tower, the stonemason’s marks in the Chapter House, the Monks’ food cellar and the foundations of the domestic and industrial buildings that run down to the river.
The Abbey shares the site with Studley Royal Park, an 18th century landscaped garden. The Grade I listed Fountains Hall (Jacobean country house) and a Victorian Church designed by William Burges. The Georgian water gardens were created in 1718 and are among the best surviving of their time. They include canals, lakes, cascades, a fishing pavilion and temple follies to draw the eye.
Don’t miss:
The elegant spa town of Harrogate is an attractive town to visit, right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The rich mineral waters from the chalybeate springs were a popular healthy treatment in the 17th and 18th century, leading to the town’s grand architecture and prosperity.
As well as many upmarket shops and department stores, you can visit the Spirit of Harrogate. It creates Slingsby London Dry Gin from local aquifer water flavoured with botanicals and herbs mostly from their garden. Sample it for yourself and enjoy!
Highlights of the town include:
Don’t miss:
Known as the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton is a pleasant market town on the River Aire. It was listed as one of the “Best Places to Live in Northern England” by the Sunday Times in 2018. The town is a hub for shopping with a buzzing high street, particularly on market day. The Town Hall often hosts craft fairs and is the home of the Craven Museum and Gallery and the local Tourist Information Centre.
Skipton was recorded in the Domesday Book and has one of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire, High Corn Mill, which dates back to 1310. Skipton Castle is even older, built in 1090 as a wooden motte-and-bailey stronghold and later strengthened with a stone keep. It is now one of the best preserved and most complete mediaeval castles in England and is worth a tour.
Don’t miss:
One of the most vibrant cities south of the Scottish border, Newcastle-upon-Tyne has shaken off its post-industrial struggle and now offers a compact city centre surrounded by top cultural attractions. Visitors will appreciate the fine Georgian and Victorian architecture on Grey Street and the futuristic Millennium Bridge from the Quayside.
Make sure your visit includes:
One of the more unusual attractions is the Victoria Tunnel Tour. This old wagonway runs beneath the city and once transported coal from Town Moor to the River Tyne and docks. Experience a re-created wartime air raid when the tunnels offered protection. Even older history can be viewed at the Great North Museum: Hancock at Barras Bridge. It covers the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and has a life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton.
Don’t miss:
Alnwick Castle is 33 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is well worth a detour. Built in the 11th century this impressive border fortress has several claims to fame. It is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor. You may have a sense of déjà vu as the castle was used as the film location for the Harry Potter movies and was also used by the BBC in the filming of Black Adder and Downton Abbey. If you are looking to tour the UK, you can hire a private coach or minibus with Zeelo.
Inside this Grade 1 listed monument, discover the opulent staterooms housing an enviable art collection. Despite its remote location, Alnwick Castle attracts over 800,000 visitors each year. The gardens are also a delight to explore. Designed around a cascading fountain, they include the largest tree house in the UK which includes a café.
Don’t miss:
Said to be Britain’s greatest Roman monument, Hadrian’s Wall was built in 122AD at the command of Emperor Hadrian, hence the name. It took a workforce of 15,000 men less than six years to complete and its survival is a testament to the advanced engineering used in the construction. Sections of this wall with its ditch, ramparts, forts and watchtowers can still be visited.
It defined the northern boundary of the mighty Roman Empire. Stretching 150 miles from South Shields to Cumbria, this cross-country defence is a mecca for history walks and is a worthy UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built with a stone base and wall, Hadrian’s Wall had mile-castles with twin turrets and a fort every five miles, some of which can still be seen. One of the best places to see the remains of a fort is at Vercovicium (Housesteads).
Don’t miss:
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland is a tidal island often referred to as Holy Island. It is an important place in the history of Christianity with a Celtic monastery founded by St Aidan in the 7th century. After Viking invasions and the later Norman Conquest, a priory was established. The existing fortified castle dates back to 1550 AD. Redesigned by Lutyens, it is open for tours and has a tea room. Visitors can also explore the ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey and St Mary’s Church.
The island is an atmospheric place which can be reached by walking in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims across the tidal causeway and mud flats at low tide. The island is about one mile offshore and covers 1,000 acres. It is surrounded by the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, protected area for wildlife conservation. Many important species of geese and waterfowl winter in the area, making it a great destination for birdwatchers.
Don’t miss:
Built on the site of an early Celtic fort, Bamburgh Castle is an impressive complex on the Northumberland coast. This Grade I listed building has Norman foundations. It is thanks to Victorian industrialist William Armstrong that it is so well restored. It is now privately owned by the Armstrong family and is open to the public.
The stunning location offers wonderful views. Inside the castle, the many rooms are furnished in keeping with the grand building and there is a collection of artworks on display. The State Rooms are among the grandest in the castle. The laundry room houses the Armstrong Aviation Artefacts Museum with displays of weapons and artillery from both world wars.
Don’t miss:
Located in Maidstone and nowhere near its Yorkshire namesake, Leeds Castle has been described as “the loveliest castle in the world”. It is certainly charming and impressive with its buff-coloured walls and crenellated towers reflecting in the broad surrounding water. The 12th century fortress replaced a 9th century wooden fortress and was popular as a royal retreat as early as 1278 when Edward I received it as a gift from a wealthy courtier. Henry VIII invested a great deal of time and money on the castle, converting it from military stronghold to palatial residence.
Much of the present Tudor-style architecture was added in the 19th century. Tours include the huge dining room, even grander banqueting hall and library. The pine panelled drawing room is the principal living room and was relocated from Thorpe Hall in 1927.
Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens with a maze, Leeds Castle is a real treasure to experience.
Don’t miss:
Dating back to Roman times, Chester has plenty to see and do in the heart of the city. Like York, it has retained its walls which can provide a pleasant 2-mile stroll around the old city, castle and river. You’ll want to visit the 14th century Rows, galleried walkways above street level. These house/shops were the earliest form of a shopping mall, providing shelter from the weather for crinolined ladies. Their distinctive black-and-white architecture graces Eastgate, Northgate Street, Bridge St and Watergate St. Look out for richly decorated Stanley Palace, Bishop Lloyd’s House with its intricate carvings and the 1652 God’s Providence House where the family was spared the plague.
Close by, Chester Cathedral is well worth visiting with its ornate exterior, 127-foot tower and magnificent carvings. Handel’s Messiah was first rehearsed here. The admission fee includes an audio guide. This splendid building began in 907AD as a Saxon Minster, became a Benedictine Abbey and flourished post-Reformation as a Cathedral for the Diocese.
Don’t miss:
Set on the shores of Lake Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere is a popular tourist haven and beauty spot for visitors to the Lake District National Park. The delightful town has several shops, chandlers and tea rooms along with the 15th century parish church of St Martin. Once the hub of the boat-building industry, the jetty now offers ferry trips and scenic lake cruises on replica steamers.
The lake covers 14.8 km2 and is 10½ miles long. The area around Windermere rose in popularity with the arrival of the Kendal and Windermere railway in 1847 and became popular with poets, artists and writers, including Beatrix Potter.
Don’t miss:
Liverpool’s UNESCO-listed waterfront has a long and important maritime history. The Three Graces are the magnificent architectural gems overlooking the Pier Head on the River Mersey. Home of the Beatles and the Cavern Club, the city has many attractions, museums, shops and tours to suit every interest.
Built in 1841, the regenerated Royal Albert Dock is a complex of warehouses lining the old quay which once handled 40% of all global trade in its heyday. It buzzed with warships, submarines, landing craft and supply boats during WW2. Containerisation and silting of the river lead to its demise. Whether you want a leisurely lunch of a tasty snack, there are delis, bars, restaurants and boutique bakeries all serving up tasty food from all over the world. The Royal Albert Dock also houses the following attractions:
Don’t miss:
“The Potteries” refers to six towns that were famous for their ceramic production from the early 17th century (Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Fenton and Longton. The industry thrived due to local availability of clay, salt, lead and coal for the furnaces.
The Gladstone Pottery Museum at Longton is the best place to learn more about this industry. Built in 1787, the former China Works site includes preserved Bottle Kilns, Engine House and factory buildings in what is now the last surviving complete Victorian pottery factory in the UK. Tours include demonstrations of how bone china tableware was made. For a small additional fee, you can get hands-on by “throwing” a pot on the wheel, making a bone china flower or painting a piece of pottery to take home.
The Pottery Museum is open Tuesday to Saturdays and Bank Holidays.
Don’t miss:
If you’re planning to attend Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play, what easier way to get door-to-door service than with a private bus? However, keen football fans can visit Old Trafford even on non-match days and take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Immerse yourself in over 100 years of club history and take a guided tour of the dressing rooms, walk the Tunnel, see the players’ dugout, press area and VIP room.
In the Manchester United F.C. Museum, fans can admire the trophies of the famous treble (Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League), see the old strips, reminisce over photos and celebrate Man United’s famous legends including David Beckham, Bobby Charlton and Alex Ferguson.
Don’t miss:
Kirkby Lonsdale is a typical Cumbria town best known for its panoramic view from the park behind St Mary’s church. Known as “Ruskin’s View”, it was painted by J.M.W. Turner and was praised by Ruskin as being “one of the loveliest views in England”. See for yourself!
The town is on a hillside above the River Lune and offers many cosy cafés, book shops, art studios and gift shops along the main street. It has no less than 163 listed buildings around the market place and town centre. These include the 17th century Abbot Hall, the Sun Inn and the King’s Arms.
St Mary’s Church and churchyard are of historic interest. Three doorways to the church and the northern arcades with decorative columns were built in the 12th century. The church has some fine stained glass and the churchyard has several listed monuments.
Don’t miss:
Lancashire’s Ribble Valley is a hidden gem. Although it is the largest borough in Lancashire, it is also the least populated and the most scenic. Roughly centred around Clitheroe and the Upper Ribble, it has many delightful villages in an area of undeniable charm and natural beauty. The area is also the geographic centre of the UK.
Much of the Ribble Valley is within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with its deep valley, peat moors and gritstone fells riddled with babbling brooks and populated only by hardy sheep. The lower slopes of the fells are dotted with stone built farms and small villages including Barley, Bolton-by-Bowland with its twin village greens, Calder Vale, Chipping with its craft centre and cheese maker, Hornby, Roughlee and Newton-in-Bowland.
If you stay overnight in the Forest of Bowland, it’s an amazing place for stargazing with its unpolluted dark skies.
Don’t miss:
The market town of Macclesfield was once the heart of the silk industry during the Industrial Revolution At its height, the town had 120 clattering mills and over 600 weavers working at home in attic “garrets” which can still be seen around the town. Charles Roe built the first water-powered silk mill in 1744 on the River Bollin providing twisted silk yarn for the weavers in London Spitalfields. Steam power and jacquard looms speeded up the process and designers were trained in the Macclesfield School of Art, now the home of the Macclesfield Silk Museum.
The museum traces the history of silk in Macclesfield. See the old looms, pirn winders and card-cutters and see samples of the fine silk fabric produced including the famous “Macclesfield Stripe”.
Next to the museum on Park Lane is the former Paradise Mill built in 1862. Take a guided tour of the mill with a former employee and trace the process from silk cocoon to woven cloth.
Don’t miss:
Prestbury is part of Cheshire’s “Golden Triangle” one of three exclusive villages that are sought after and expensive. This quintessential Cheshire village is a particular favourite with footballers from Manchester United, entrepreneurs and business commuters from nearby Manchester.
The name Prestbury means Priest’s Burgh” as the settlement was originally founded by priests. The main street of “The Village” is chocolate-box pretty with black-and-white Tudor buildings and an old church beside the River Bollin. The Conservation Area includes many of the weavers’ cottages built for workers in the local silk and textile industry.
Highlights include:
Don’t miss:
Located on the Irish Sea coast, Southport is a popular seaside town in Merseyside. Elegant shops on Lord Street are in a Victorian building still retaining their black-and-white architecture and wrought iron decorations. Modelled on the boulevards of Paris, the street has many trees and seats for resting and people-watching.
Southport Pier said to be Britain’s first true Pleasure Pier, is the second longest in the UK after Southend Pier. Once over 1,340 m long, storms have reduced it to the present 1,100m, which is still a bracing walk! It once was used by visiting steamships bringing hordes of day-trippers to the town. It had a tramway running the length of it to transport visitors into the town.
Main attractions include:
Don’t miss:
Located on the Lancashire coast, Blackpool is famous for its extensive flat beach, Pleasure Beach attractions and annual Illuminations. It was little more than a hamlet until the arrival of the railway in the 1840s when it became a leading resort. Despite the economic urban decline, the resort still attracts millions of visitors every year.
Highlights include:
After the Big Switch On by a celebrity, the Illuminations run from late August to early November and include a 5 mile stretch of the Promenade. The best way to see them is on foot, by tram or cruising at a snail’s pace along the route. The many lighted images use over one million bulbs.
Don’t miss
If you don’t want to hike the fells, a cruise on Ullswater is a great way to appreciate the stunning scenery of the Lake District without breaking into a sweat. The historic Ullswater Steamers regularly depart from Glenridding Pier and the cruise takes about 2 ½ hours. Enjoy the heather-covered peaks reflecting in the calm waters as you sail through the beautiful Ullswater Valley. Enjoy the trip on the deck or in the cosily heated saloon. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the stunning views.
You can disembark for a walk at Howtown and Pooley Bridge and catch a later ferry for your return journey. Alternatively, from Howtown you can enjoy a bracing 7-mile walk back to Glenridding if you wish. Pooley Bridge has a few small shops and tea rooms in a pretty village setting.
Don’t miss:
Beer drinkers will jump at the chance to take a behind-the-scenes tour at Robinsons Brewery in Stockport. One of the oldest remaining breweries in Britain, Robinsons remains a family business providing many pubs, taverns and restaurants in the northwest with traditional beers.
Start your Brewery visit to the Visitor Centre where you can book a tour if not already done so online. Learn the history of how beer has been brewed on this site since 1838. Learn about the brewing process as you make your way around the brewery with an entertaining and informative guide. See the ingredients and learn the secrets behind the scientific process. The tour takes about an hour and includes three samples of cask ales at the end of the tour.
Don’t miss:
Nestled in the scenic hills of Derbyshire’s High Peak District, the one-street village of Castleton makes a delightful day out. The Castle Hotel and the Three Roofs Café rub shoulders with book shops and upscale gift shops selling jewellery and bowls made from the rare Blue John that is mined in small quantities here. It is the only place in the UK where it is known to exist. In the past, the village prospered from lead mining which enlarged the natural limestone caverns in the surrounding hills. Just a short distance from the village centre there are four caverns open for tours:
The floodlit caverns have many natural and manmade features including underwater lakes, mine shafts, stalactites, stalagmites, colourful flowstone walls and veins of Blue John.
Don’t miss:
Best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the olde worlde town of Stratford-upon-Avon is filled with crooked half-timbered buildings and mellow stone houses. This historic market town is situated on the River Avon. There are five properties relating to “The Baird” that is open for tours:
Don’t miss:
The Ironbridge Gorge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the home of the first ever cast-iron bridge. It was designed by Thomas Pritchard and built in 1779 by local ironmaster Abraham Darby III who received a gold medal from the Society of Arts for his amazing engineering feat.
Nearby there are 10 Museums that are part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust. Buy a passport and explore them all at your leisure. They include:
Situated in a rural setting near Oxford, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and the only non-royal, non-episcopal palace in England. The land was given to the 1st Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne after his remarkable victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
The treasure-filled house was designed in grand baroque style by Sir John Vanbrugh and includes carvings by Grinling Gibbons and a magnificent 60-foot-long painted ceiling by Thornhill. Still owned by the 12th Duke, the extensive estate has many different tours and attractions. Tour the State Rooms with their priceless antiques, artworks, tapestries, clocks and porcelain.
Outside, the Churchill Memorial Garden was created in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the “Greatest Briton”. The path meanders through a flower meadow on an informative timeline of his life.
Don’t miss:
Family fun and thrilling rides are all part of the Alton towers attraction near the Staffordshire village of Alton. Once a leisure gardens with rides, it has developed into one of the leading theme parks in the UK with adrenaline-pumping rides, a water park, spa, mini golf and hotel. There are 10 roller coaster rides including:
More attractions include Alton Towers Waterpark, a tropical lagoon with indoor and outdoor water features, 7 tropical pools, water cannons, geysers and cascades. There is a lazy river, waterslides, spa pool, paddling pool for youngsters and the “Master Blaster” high-speed watercoaster ride with sharp turns, steep descents and plenty of splashes. More traditional activities include two 9-hole Crazy Golf courses and a High Ropes activity course.
Don’t miss:
The ancient celebration of well dressing is one of England’s most colourful cultural traditions. Dating back to the 14th century, it is still carried out in the Peak District villages of Derbyshire, usually between mid-May and late July.
Welldressing was originally a festival giving thanks for the source of water. The custom involves decorating springs and wells with pictures made entirely from flower petals pressed into moist clay. Moss, berries, leaves, seeds, beans, small cones and other natural materials are used to create stunningly detailed scenes or religious images. Inevitably the beautiful designs only last about a week, but they draw plenty of visitors to admire the artistic handiwork.
There are many Derbyshire villages and towns that have well dressings including:
Check out the Derbyshire Tourist Information for exact dates as they change each year. You can visit several in a day as part of a scenic tour.
Don’t miss:
The stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth has been the residence of the Cavendish family since it was built in 1549. The mansion is filled with antique furnishings, artworks (from Rembrandt to David Nash) and family treasures, making it a very individual place to visit on a guided tour. Audio guides are included in the admission and there are regular talks and activities, Highlights include the Painted Hall, State Rooms, Sketch Galleries and the Sculpture Gallery with works of art dating back over 4000 years. Explore the formal gardens with their water features, maze and sculptures amidst the flower beds. There are scenic country walks in the wider park and woodland.
The Orangery and the Stables Courtyard offer several restaurants and tearooms. They are a pleasant place to linger over homemade refreshments or a light lunch.
Families will enjoy a visit to the farmyard and adventure playground.
Don’t miss:
Said to be England’s prettiest town, Ross-on-Wye claims to be the birthplace of British tourism. In 1745, the local rector, Dr John Egerton, started offering boat trips down the river for friends and locals to appreciate the stunning scenery, castles and abbeys. Books extolling the “picturesque” setting and more boat tours soon put Ross-on-Wye on the map for visitors and it is still popular today.
The quaint black-and-white Tudor buildings are very photogenic and house a number of independent shops and eateries. There’s a 700-year old parish church with notable tombs and a plague cross in the churchyard. Best views of the River Wye and the Black Mountains can be enjoyed from The Prospect, a pleasant garden and viewpoint.
Don’t miss:
The rolling hills, water meadows and quintessential English villages of the Cotswolds make up the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. Stretching southwest from Stratford-upon-Avon, the 787-square-mile Cotswolds area encompasses parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
The local honey-coloured Cotswold stone features in many of the loveliest villages, towns, gardens and stately homes. Some of the most famous Cotswolds villages include:
Don’t miss:
The cathedral city of Lincoln is the county town of Lincolnshire which developed from an Iron Age settlement on the banks of the River Witham. The main attraction is the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral which was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years (1311 to 1548)! Construction of this Early Gothic cathedral started in 1072. It has a massive 5,000 square metre footprint making it the third largest in floor area in the UK after St Paul’s and York Minster. The spire collapsed in 1548 and was never replaced.
The Bishop of Lincoln was one of the signatories on the Magna Carta and one of the four remaining copies is now on display in Lincoln Castle. The castle was built by William the Conqueror on the site of an earlier Roman fortress and was used as a prison and its law courts are still used by the Crown Court.
Set on a hill, Lincoln has an impressive East Gate and West Gate. It sits at the intersection of the Roman Fosse Way and Ermine Street, the main Roman route from London to York.
Don’t miss:
One of England’s most popular family attractions is Cadbury World – a must for chocoholics! It won a Gold award in 2018 by Visit England. This working factory theme park includes the chance to see how your favourite chocolate bars are manufactured. There’s a 4-D Chocolate Adventure complete with motion seats that allow you to dive into a bowl of melted chocolate, ride the Crunchie roller coaster and more! After that, head to Bull Street, a recreated Victorian scene including the first Cadbury shop. Have your camera ready as you explore the set and meet Quaker entrepreneur John Cadbury.
Learn how chocolate is made from cacao beans, visit the Purple Planet and enjoy some interactive experiences you won’t forget! Watch the chocolatiers at work. Get some free samples and get the chance to make your own chocolate bar in the hands-on experience before heading to the Cadbury Café with more yummy treats.
Don’t miss:
Warwick Castle has survived over 1000 years of battles, sieges and conflicts and is one of the Top 10 historic houses in Britain, according to the British Tourist Board. Once the home of the Earl of Warwick, it was built as a defensive stronghold on the sandstone bluff above the River Avon. The castle was later converted to a country house by the Greville family in 1759.
Highlights include:
Bought by the Tussauds Group, it is now operated by Merlin Entertainments. It has a magnificent gatehouse entrance and many rooms filled with furnishings, artworks and treasures. Wax figures of prominent past visitors to the castle bring the rooms to life.
Visitors can walk along the walls and explore the many rooms inside the castle. See where Elizabeth I stayed during her visits. The castle includes some beautiful gardens which were originally established in the 17th century.
Don’t miss:
Wales’s most mountainous region is Snowdonia, a National Park with 15 summits above 1,000 metres high including Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in the UK outside Scotland. A visit to this 823 square-mile park is sure to include spectacular scenery, 100 mountain lakes, waterfalls, woodland and craggy snow-capped peaks even in summer.
Walking, mountain biking, kayaking and climbing are all popular pursuits. If you want to enjoy the views from the top of Snowdon the easy way, the Snowdon Mountain Railway provides the perfect means to do it effortlessly.
Now considered one of the most scenic railway journeys of the world, the trip starts in Llanberis and climbs 1085 metres on a breathtaking journey almost to the summit where Hafod Eyri stands, the highest visitor centre in the UK. It includes a panoramic café and gift shop.
The steam engines take you across viaducts with views of waterfalls, steep-sided gorges, woodland and long-abandoned cottages. There are several stations for those who want to get out and walk. The return journey takes 2½ hours including a 30-minute stop at the summit.
Don’t miss:
One of the most thrilling ways to explore the former slate mines of North Wales is at Zip World Caverns. Near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Open from April to October, The underground caverns are a steady 10°C so dress accordingly and wear hiking boots or trainers.
Navigate through the eerily lit caverns on a series of rope walks, ledges, monkey bars, tunnels and 11 zip lines on an adrenaline adventure that takes 3-4 hours to complete.
Also underground, Bounce Below is one hour long, or you can opt to be a spectator. Jump, slide and bounce on giant nets suspended over huge caverns and gullies. Feel like you’re defying gravity in nature’s playground, a disused mine that was abandoned over 200 years ago.
If you prefer to fly in the open air enjoying the scenery flashing beneath you, the Titan offers 3 exhilarating zip lines in Europe’s largest zip line park. Allow about 90 minutes for this.
Don’t miss:
The lovely city of Cardiff is the worthy capital of Wales. Right at the heart of the city is Cardiff Castle with its Roman foundations, high walls and Norman keep. The extraordinary neo-Gothic mansion was renovated in the mid-18th century by the 3rd Marquis of Bute and is lavishly furnished and decorated inside. Murals, stained glass and ostentatious décor are complemented by the Capability Brown gardens which now house the Regimental Museum.
Fine Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Castle Quarter makes the shopping area particularly attractive with an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques, delis and cafés. The Victorian Arcades provide a pleasant all-weather experience. Ornate ironwork, open galleries, short staircases and charming shop windows can be enjoyed from an upper and lower level. The best known are:
Don’t miss:
Once the world’s busiest coal port, Cardiff Bay docks have been reinvented to create a recreational area on the Bristol Channel. The Barrage across the rivers Taff and Ely made a 500-acre freshwater lake for boating, watersports, fishing and recreation. At the heart of the redevelopment is the contemporary Welsh Assembly building.
The Millennium Waterfront is the piece de resistance. Mermaid Quay is a new shopping complex with restaurants, bars and attractions overlooking the waterfront. Visit Wales Millennium Centre, a modern art centre. Home of the Welsh National Opera, it has an auditorium with 1900 seats. The nearby Millennium Stadium seats over 72,000 spectators beneath the retractable roof. It is one of Europe’s largest undercover venues for concerts and sports events.
Attractions include Techniquest, an interactive museum and discovery centre with a Science Theatre, Planetarium and Discovery Room.
Don’t miss:
The walled seaside town of Tenby is known as “The Jewel in Pembrokeshire’s Crown”. Once an important mediaeval port, it became a popular health resort in Georgian and Victorian periods. Today, the golden sandy beaches, wide promenades and historic sites provide something for every visitor to linger over and enjoy. Parts of the original Norman Castle add a sense of permanence, including the surviving five-arched entrance. In contrast, cobbled streets are lined with former guest houses painted in sunny pastel colours. The town is a mecca for foodies with everything from pubs and fish restaurants to ice cream parlours.
St Mary’s is the largest mediaeval church in Wales and is designated a Monument of Exceptional Architectural and Historic Interest. Look at the detailed stone carvings and spot the Green Man peeking out of the foliage, fish and mermaids. There’s a 16th century tomb to Robert Recorde who invented the “equals” sign in mathematics and became Controller of the Royal Mint yet died in debtors’ prison.
Don’t miss:
Wales’ largest seaside resort is Llandudno, nestling on the rocky coastline of North Wales in the shadow of Great Orme. This rocky limestone peak is home to herds of wild goats and stands over 200m high. Walk up the footpath looking for rare flora and sea birds or take the easy option on the Great Orme Tramway. Llandudno Cable Car operates from the Happy Valley Gardens to the summit for those wanting the best views of the sea, Snowdonia and the Isle of Man.
The town was named after Saint Tudno. Highlights include blue-flag beaches, open-air paddling pool and the longest pier in Wales. After dark, it comes to life with a lively nightlife, theatre, ballet, orchestral concerts and plenty of great places to dine. The quieter West Shore was home to Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
There are several boat trips from the North Shore Jetty for sightseeing and sea fishing.
Don’t miss:
Anglesey is a 276-square-mile island off the North Wales coast, known in Welsh as Ynys Môn. Separated from the mainland by the Menai Straits, it is reached by the Britannia Bridge and the earlier Menai Suspension Bridge designed by Thomas Telford in 1826. Anglesey is the 7th largest island in the UK. It has many megalithic monuments and prehistoric standing stones along with Iron Age sites, Stone Age burial mounds and Roman relics.
Highlights to visit include the UNESCO-listed Beaumaris Castle, built by Edward I in 1295 and still remarkably intact with its defensive walls, gatehouse and moat. The town of Holyhead sits on the adjoining Holy Island and is best known for its Irish ferry port and gorgeous Victorian Clock Tower.
Anglesey is home to huge numbers of birds including auks, puffins, razorbills, terns and red-billed choughs and has a small colony of native red squirrels. The coastline is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - what better reason to visit than this?
Don’t miss:
Portmeirion is a little corner of Italy in the heart of North Wales. Set on a peninsula with sea and mountain views, the village was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis after a trip to Portofino. It took a lifetime to complete, started in 1925 and completed for his 90th birthday in 1975. The village centred on some existing buildings from an earlier estate which were worked into the design. These include a hotel (Castell Deudraeth) and several cottages along with the ruins of a mediaeval castle in the woods.
Now owned and managed by a charitable trust, visitors can stroll through this faux town and admire the fountains, piazzas, arcaded loggias and campanile that exude a very Mediterranean atmosphere. Not surprisingly it has been used in many films, dramas and music videos.
Day visitors must pay an admission fee to enjoy this top attraction. The village includes shops, a delightful café, restaurant and tea room, making it an idyllic day out.
Don’t miss:
Presiding grandly over the town of Caernarfon, the mediaeval fortress of Caernarfon Castle has long and interesting past. The current stone structure is still in good repair over 1000 years after it was constructed on earlier Roman foundations. It was used for the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales in 1969 and is a World Heritage Site. Laid out with upper and lower wards, the castle included royal accommodation, although it was never completed.
Highlights include:
The castle houses the historic Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum. Admission to the exhibits and memorabilia are included in the castle admission
Don’t miss:
Tucked away in the Conwy Valley, Bodnant Garden is now beautifully maintained by the National Trust. Covering 80 acres, the garden was lovingly created and tended by five generations of the same family before it was gifted to the National Trust in 1949. Seeds and cuttings were introduced from all over the world. The gardens now feature expansive lawns, Italianate terraces and beautiful borders along with stunning views across Snowdonia’s peaks and forests. Learn the history of the heliochronometer and how it works during your visit.
The gardens provide an endless parade of colour in all seasons. The Winter Garden is well worth exploring and the laburnum arch is a dazzling display of acid yellow flowers in late May, stretching for 180 feet. Walk the footpaths from one garden “room” to the next. Ponds, water features, a waterfall and a babbling stream running down the steeply wooded valley add an additional element to this outstanding horticultural attraction.
Don’t miss:
Another impressive Welsh castle, this time in Conwy and built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289. Even from far away, the castle is an impressive landmark dominating the area. The old suspension bridge connecting the castle to the peninsula is still in place. Conwy Castle was built along with the defensive walls which still surround the town. It is a traditional castle, built in a rectangle around the Inner Ward with eight massive round towers and castellated turrets within the well preserved outer walls. It is said to be one of the great fortresses of mediaeval Europe still surviving today.
Highlights include:
Don’t miss:
One of three national parks in Wales, the Brecon Beacons encompasses a range of hills in South Wales. The area is popular with walkers, ramblers, mountain bikers and horse riders and has many well-trod ridge trails. It is also used as a training ground for the elite SAS based in nearby Hereford. The highest point is Pen y Fan at 886 metres elevation, the highest point south of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia.
Highlights include:
Don’t miss:
The UNESCO-listed Tower of London is a fascinating complex of mediaeval buildings and towers that can provide a full day of entertainment for visitors. Set behind the original defensive walls and former moat on the banks of the River Thames, The Tower has a diverse history as a prison, royal residence, fortress, museum, menagerie, treasure house, royal mint and place of execution. Constructed by William the Conqueror in 1078, the White Tower was the largest building in Britain at that time. Guided tours are offered by the stylishly uniformed Beefeaters or tour at your own pace with an audio guide.
Tour:
Don’t miss:
The historic village and maritime HQ of Greenwich is just six miles east of Westminster yet is a world away in terms of atmosphere and lifestyle. The cobbled streets and squares are lined with shops, often selling nautically related pictures and souvenirs. Tables spill out onto the pavement from every tiny café and charming restaurant. But there’s far more to see than this!
Look out for:
Don’t miss:
Windsor is a delightful market town with a main street lined with small shops, taverns and cafés. Entrance to Windsor Castle is through the richly carved 14th century gatehouse. The castle with its landmark round tower is said to be the Queen’s favourite residence. If the red and yellow royal standard is flying above the tower, it means she is in residence.
Built in the 11th century, the walled castle complex includes many interesting buildings in the beautifully maintained gardens.
Look out for:
Don’t miss:
Westminster is the heart of London, home to Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament. All but two English monarchs were crowned in the Abbey and many are also buried within the inspiring Gothic edifice. It was built by Edward the Confessor and consecrated in 1065. Just 9 days later, Edward died and was buried in front of the High Altar. Little remains of the original Saxon Abbey; most of the existing flamboyant architecture dates back to the 13th century. Highlights include:
The nearby Palace of Westminster/Houses of Parliament is not open for tours. Built in 1830, it has a Gothic exterior containing the House of Lords, the House of Commons, over 1000 rooms and 2 miles of corridors.
Don’t miss:
Standing in 500 acres of landscaped gardens, Hampton Court Palace sits on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. Construction of the grand palace began in 1515 as a home for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who later fell from favour. He was forced to hand over the palace to King Henry VIII who lived there with five of his six wives.
Welcome tours of the huge palace are offered by guides in Tudor costume. The palace includes many furnishings and valuable artworks from the Royal Collection. As well as providing an interesting royal history, the tours highlight many details and anecdotes to enhance your visit. The palace continued to be expanded with the addition of the magnificent Great Hall, the Great Watching Chamber and the enclosed Royal Tennis Court.
The grounds include lakes, a parterre, a famous maze and a conservatory protecting the largest grapevine in the world.
Don’t miss:
London has over 90 markets and many of them capture the essence of this bustling city. London markets are a great place to sample regional foods and source international delicacies making it a trip to remember.
Southwark’s Borough Market is one of London’s oldest food markets, housed in a Victorian wrought iron building. Favoured by restaurateurs, it specialises in selling speciality produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, game, regional cheeses, fresh bread and pastries.
Portobello Market is an outdoor street market in Notting Hill. It stretches for over a mile with antique stalls at one end, international food stalls in the middle and clothing and other goods here and there. Whether you want a crown-shaped teapot or a piece of stained glass, Portobello traders will be pleased to help, but don’t forget to haggle over the price.
Once the home of London’s wholesale fruit and flower market, Covent Garden Market Hall now has around 40 stalls and shops selling high-end crafts and antiques. The surrounding cobbled square is a popular haunt for street buskers and entertainers.
Don’t miss:
One of London’s most important and diverse attractions is the V&A Museum in South Kensington. This largest museum in the world covers everything from fashion and furniture to Egyptology and Renaissance artworks. It includes the world’s largest collection of post-classical sculpture and has artefacts spanning over 5,000 years of history.
Founded in 1852, it is named after its royal founders, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The massive museum is in a decorative building which alone is worth a visit. It covers 12.5 acres of prime real estate and includes 145 galleries with over 4.5 million objects.
Highlights include:
Admission to the museum is free, but there is a charge for special collections and exhibitions.
Don’t miss:
You can happily spend a full day in Kew Gardens with its 300 acres of plantings, glasshouses and historic structures (four Grade I listed and 36 Grade II listed), herbarium, library and over 30,000 different kinds of plants.
Highlights include:
Now a World Heritage Site, the gardens were founded in 1840 and now house the largest and most diverse botanical collections in the world. They are a delight to explore, interspersed with historic buildings including Mary Tudor’s House (Mary I) and a Chinese Pagoda built in 1761. The iconic Palm House was built in 1844 and was a significant engineering feat of wrought iron and glass at that time. The Temperate House is even larger!
Don’t miss:
Tennis fans can enjoy a visit to Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club at any time of year, not just during the two-week tournament in early July each year (although if you have tickets, the easiest way to get to and from the courts is by private coach). Wimbledon is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Organized by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, it is the only major international tennis tournament which is still played on grass. Each year more than 500,000 people attend the two-week tournament but many more visitors come to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the club grounds. You can also visit the impressive museum which has around 20,000 fascinating tennis exhibits and treasures on display. Things to look out for are:
The trophies and medals display
Don’t miss:
The British Museum is the largest and most comprehensive museum in the world with an amazing collection of over 8 million artefacts. It began in 1759 as a Cabinet of Curiosities in Montagu House. The museum documents the whole story of humankind, including 6000 BC mummies and steals to carved ivory Phoenician objects, temple statues, artworks and a rare cuneiform collection from Iraq circa 669BC.
Despite its name, the British Museum covers important exhibits from all over the world, many collected when the British Empire was at its zenith. Highlights include:
The museum is now so extensive that it occupies a purpose-built museum dating back to 1895. The Museum Trustees purchased and demolished 69 houses around the original museum in order to build this extensive building with its Greek Revival façade and columned portico. It has since been extended several times.
Don’t miss:
Located on King Charles Street in the heart of Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms were a well-kept secret for decades. Now open to the public, these underground headquarters of the British government and military were the secure nerve centre of operations during World War II. Step back in time and see the primitive communications and cumbersome office equipment that was part of life in the 1940s. Walk through the labyrinth of rooms and corridors that sheltered Winston Churchill and his inner circle during bombing raids on the city.
Highlights include:
Don’t miss:
Tate Britain is one of four Tate Art Museums in the UK which houses the UK’s national collection of British artworks. Located in Millbank, London Tate Britain is the home of British art from 1500AD to the present day. It is named after sugar magnate Henry Tate (of Tate and Lyle) who founded the early collection.
Open daily, with free admission to all the general exhibitions, it offers a diversity of artworks, drawings, photographs and sculptures in different mediums. The displays change periodically but some of the core artworks are always on display. These include:
Don’t miss:
Eight miles north of Salisbury on the A303 is Stonehenge, a famous yet modest prehistoric monument and ditch. The massive stones are arranged in an outer and inner horseshoe and the blue stones are of sarsen stone, found only in the Welsh Prescelli Hills.
Many questions about Stonehenge remain unanswered. It may have been of funerary significance or have a link to astronomy. Believed to have been constructed between 2000 and 3000AD, the standing stones are four metres high, seven feet in width and weigh over 25 tonnes. They are surrounded by Neolithic and Bronze Age burial mounds. Within the outer edge of the circle are 56 chalk pits known as Aubrey Holes which may have contained a timber circle or further blue stones, since removed.
Don’t miss:
Eight miles from Stonehenge, Salisbury is a historic town with a lengthy history. Originally an Iron Age hillfort, “Old Sarum” was occupied by Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. The original cathedral was consecrated in 1092 but was damaged by a storm just five days later. The present-day cathedral was built two miles away in “New Sarum” in 1221 and is a masterpiece of Early English architecture. The spire is the tallest in the UK at 123 metres and the faceless clock (1386) is one of the oldest mechanical clocks in the world.
The old town is within 14th century walls and still holds a market. Look out for the Poultry Cross with its flying buttresses which once marked the poultry section of the market. Browse the shops on Butchers Row and visit Salisbury Museum in the 13th century King’s House. It includes a Stonehenge gallery with interactive displays and a 90kg meteorite.
Don’t miss:
Nestled in the South Downs, Chichester us a delightful rural town with noteworthy Georgian architecture. The conservation area encompasses the original Roman town and many listed buildings within it. The four main streets (North St, South St, East St and West St) intersect at the landmark Chichester Cross, built around 1501 by Bishops Edward Story. This octagonal Scheduled Ancient Monument is covered in carvings, finials, clocks and inscriptions.
Surrounded by gardens, Chichester Cathedral was built in 1075 to replace an earlier cathedral. Look out for the freestanding mediaeval bell tower (campanile). The cathedral has a preserved Roman mosaic pavement, mediaeval tombs, many tapestries and stained glass windows including one by Marc Chagall.
Don’t miss:
The sedate seaside town of Bournemouth was founded as a health resort in 1810. Situated on the mouth of the River Bourne, the town centres on the Lower Pleasure Gardens. Bournemouth has mainly Victorian architecture along with the spired St Peter’s Church, a local landmark. The golden sandy beach and pulsating nightlife continue to attract over 5 million visitors each year.
Stroll along the promenade from Boscombe Pier (“Britain’s coolest pier”) to Alum Chine, a secluded ravine containing Argyll Gardens. In total, the promenade runs for 10 miles from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head – popular for cycling outside the busy months of July and August. Visit 838-foot long Bournemouth Pier which has reinvented itself with a zip line ride from the pier to shore. It also has shops, cafés and a thrilling Rock Reef climbing attraction.
Don’t miss:
The self-acclaimed “London-by-the-Sea”, Brighton is a lively south coast resort famous for its piers, The Lanes shops and LGBT community. The stony beach has a promenade which runs to the 1899 Palace Pier with its amusements. The i360 Tower on the seafront is a great way to see the whole town and coast from the enclosed panoramic viewing platform.
Brighton’s main landmark is the Royal Pavilion, an extraordinary Indo-Gothic style palace, built for the Prince Regent in 1787, and later extended. Designed by John Nash, it has a central rotunda surrounded by many decorative onion domes and minarets. The interior is no less surprising with its oriental furnishings, wall paintings and richly colourful banqueting room. Now a Grade 1 listed building, Brighton Pavilion sits in magnificent restored Regency gardens. The royal stables which once accommodated 60 horses have since been converted into an Arts venue known as the Brighton Dome.
Don’t miss:
Just 55 miles southeast of London, Sissinghurst Gardens are one of the most famous in the world. Now maintained by the National Trust, they are a must-see for keen gardeners and horticulturalists.
Developed around the Elizabethan Manor with its twin turrets, Sissinghurst Gardens were the lifetime creation of eccentric writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband, Harold Nicolson. They bought the property in the 1930s and set about creating gardens within gardens, each with their own particular theme, colour or plant family. The South Cottage Garden is particularly colourful with climbing roses and colourful plantings.
Visit the ground floor room of the castle which Vita used for writing and entertaining. Explore the Rose Garden, the breathtaking White Garden and the Herb Garden in this serene oasis. Beyond the formal gardens, there is a 450-acre estate for walking. Explore the Moat Walk, The Orchard, the Lime Walk and the Wealden countryside. The outbuildings include tea rooms and a plant shop.
Don’t miss:
UNESCO-listed Canterbury is an ancient cathedral city and former place of pilgrimage in Kent. It is one of the most-visited cities in England due to its many attractions ranging from the Marlowe Theatre to St Lawrence Ground, home of Kent County Cricket Club. The Roman Museum has rare mosaic pavement in-situ and the massive Westgate is large enough to be a museum when the building was a jail. Other fascinating cultural attractions include The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge.
This pint-sized city is focused on Canterbury Cathedral, the Mother Church of Anglicism. Founded in 597AD and rebuilt in the 11th century, it has an impressive vaulted choir and stunning cloisters. It is highly decorative both inside and out with a beautiful font and choir screen. The best way to enjoy the many historic and architectural features is on a guided tour. The ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey has been partially excavated and includes a Roman Mound and the grave of St Augustine who brought Christianity to England in the late 6th century.
Don’t miss:
Famous for the battle of the same name, Hastings is a fishing settlement (no harbour), seaside resort and was one of the mediaeval Cinque Ports. Sea has eroded the sandstone cliffs, taking most of the castle with it. The beach is mainly shingle and there is a refurbished pier.
The start of the Norman Conquest began when William the Conqueror overcame Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The events are famously depicted on the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry. Senlac Hill is the site of the Battle of Hastings and is now an atmospheric attraction with the ruins of Battle Abbey and a Visitor Centre with a film and interactive displays
As well as the battle site, places to visit include:
Don’t miss:
The county town of Sussex, Lewes is a delightfully historic place to visit with many unique attractions. Stroll through the streets and you will come across most of the main landmarks including the historic Crown Court building and the Anne of Cleves House. Many of the traders have their own currency, the Lewes Pound, introduced to stimulate local spending. These banknotes make an interesting souvenir.
At the top of the High Street is the mediaeval Lewes Castle and Museum with far-reaching views across the town. The well-preserved castle was built in 1069 and was gifted to the Sussex Archaeological Society by the owner, Sir Charles Thomas-Stanford, in 1922. Admission includes the “Sussex Past” exhibition along with access to the neighbouring Barbican House Museum of Sussex Archaeology, so there’s plenty for history lovers to enjoy.
In 1264, the town was the site of the Battle of Lewes, a conflict between a number of barons led by Simon de Monford and the royalist forces of Henry III. The site is marked by an urn-like monument.
Don’t miss:
A former royal hunting ground, the New Forest National Park is a 219 square-mile area of ancient woodlands and open heathland within a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest. Many areas still have commons rights for people to graze their ponies, cattle and sheep. Some of the forest has trees that are over 1000 years old. In contrast, the New Forest runs down to the Solent where salt marches, shingle beaches and lagoons have a long maritime history.
The New Forest is perfect for scenic drives, peaceful walks, biking, horseriding and bird watching. It is a particularly important area for wading birds during the breeding season. Walkers should keep dogs on a lead and stay on the path as many birds are ground-nesting. You may sport lapwings, curlews, oystercatchers, redshanks, plovers, snipe and woodcocks among other more common varieties of birds.
Don’t miss:
The Norfolk Broads National Park is a peaceful water-based nature haven. The series of navigable rivers and lakes were formed by flooded peat workings covering 117 square miles in Norfolk and Suffolk. Most of the 63 Broads are less than 4 metres deep.
The best way to explore this scenic area is by boat. Sightings include historic windmills and restored flat-bottomed “wherries” that once carried cargo. The banks are lined with thatched cottages, boathouses and waterfront properties, some raised on pillars or piles. Houseboats are popular with holidaymakers and ply the waters along with sailboats, motor launches, solar-powered boats and tour boats. The reed beds are an ecological nature reserve for waterfowl and migratory birds. Expect to see coots, moorhens, herons, grebes, terns, greylag geese, Canada geese, cormorants, warblers and common cranes.
Don’t miss:
Visit the Sandringham Estate, the Queen’s country residence. Self-guided tours of this famous family home are available and docents provide information in each room. The sitting room and drawing room are surprisingly cosy and the royal family still dine by candlelight. Check out the menus in French and the table linen woven in flax produced on the estate.
The house includes furnishings, tapestries, clocks and paintings of the extended royal family along with more personal items. The gun lobby leads to a 60-foot ballroom added in 1883. When not in use for entertaining, the room is used as a home cinema by the royal family with a projector on the balcony.
The gardens are an open park dotted with discreet sentry boxes and a lake, a haven for wildlife. Sandringham Museum exhibits include the history of the estate, royal genealogy, china collections and informal photographs of the Queen on walkabout. You can also see vintage cars and carriages used by the royal family.
Don’t miss:
The ancient university city of Cambridge sits on the River Cam and is just 50 miles north of London. The world-famous university was founded in 1209 and the college buildings dominate the town. The best way to get a look at the town highlights, including the university campuses and inner courtyards is on a guided walking tour of the city.
Discover King’s College Chapel with its fan-vaulted ceiling and mediaeval stained glass. Visit the Great Gate entrance to Trinity College and learn the story behind the figure of Henry VIII wielding a chair leg! See the Great Court, depicted in the film Chariots of Fire. The Great Court Run is a 400-yard race around the court in the 43 seconds it takes for the clock to stroke 12 noon.
The city also has excellent shops, museums, botanical gardens and cafés.
Don’t miss:
Turn back time as you explore the narrow streets of Bury St Edmunds around the old Buttermarket. The hub of the town is the striking Moreton Hall by Robert Adam, situated in Market Cross. The Grade II listed property now houses a private preparatory school. The ancient abbey, ruined remains of the defensive walls, and the beautiful Gothic Revival Cathedral with its cloisters are set in an extensive green park known as Abbey Gardens. Founded in the 7th century, the abbey became a place of pilgrimage to the burial site of Edmund, the last king of East Angles who was killed by the Vikings in 869AD. It led to the name St Edmundsbury which later evolved into Bury St Edmunds.
The town is famous as the home of the Greene King Brewery and Silver Spoon sugar factory. Moyse’s Hall Museum is one of the oldest buildings in East Anglia and now houses a museum of art, local history and witchcraft.
Don’t miss:
The charming mediaeval village of Lavenham is remarkably well preserved. The triangular Market Square is lined with 15th century buildings, shops and cottages, all appropriately crooked and uniquely charming. Several buildings are now owned by the NT including the Guildhall, Little Hall Museum and the Priest’s House. Several restored Tudor buildings now house the National Trust Gift Shop and a lovely tea room with tables in the cottage garden when weather permits.
The Guildhall is a must-see with its attractive timber-framed architecture. Look for the carved “Dragon’s Post” on the corner of the building. Self-guided tours of this historic two-storey building include exhibits about some of the people who lived in the building when it was a jail and workhouse. Outbuildings include a primitive jail cell and a mortuary.
Don’t miss:
One of Cambridgeshire’s largest and most noteworthy properties is Wimpole Hall. Set is 3,000 acres of parkland and farms, the National Trust-owned estate includes a grand country house built by Sir John Cutler in 1640 on an earlier estate.
It was later the home of the Earls of Hardwicke and the Viscounts Clifton before falling into disrepair. Much of the more modern renovations were done by Captain George Bainbridge and his wife Elsie. She was the only child of Rudyard Kipling and poured her inheritance into buying, restoring and furnishing the neglected hall and gardens. They lived there from 1938, when they purchased the property, to 1976 when Elsie bequeathed it to the National Trust on her death.
The naturalised landscaping and pleasure gardens were designed by Capability Brown and later modified by Humphry Repton. Highlights of the Wimpole Estate include:
Don’t miss:
Dominating the flat fens, Ely Cathedral rises above the land on what was once the Isle of Eels before the area was drained. Aptly nicknamed the “Ship of the Fens”, the knoll was once the site of a monastery founded in 673AD by St Etheldreda. The splendid cathedral and its unique setting make for a memorable day in one of England’s smallest cities (the cathedral gives it this status).
Ely itself is a charming place to find tearooms and small independent shops. Look out for the local Babylonware pottery which is highly collectable. St Mary’s Vicarage is one of the Grade II listed buildings. It is now a tourist attraction better known as Oliver Cromwell’s House as he lived there from 1638 to 1646 after inheriting it. The charming half-timbered house is furnished in the period of the mid-17th century. Standing on nearby Cherry Hill is the remains of Ely Castle, a Norman motte-and-bailey construction.
Don’t miss:
Newmarket offers an interesting day out in Suffolk for racegoers and horse lovers. As well as the famous racecourse, Newmarket is considered the birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing and is the hub of racehorse training in Britain. Racing at Newmarket dates back to 1174 and has been patronised by royalty throughout the ages.
Head out to the heath to see future Derby winners and other race horses being exercised on the 50 miles of turf gallops. There are special traffic-free routes to the gallops so that horses can reach the area in safety. The prestigious racing stables surrounding the town have stables for approximately 3,000 racehorses which provide a host of employment for the area. The wider area has many stud farms and all-weather training grounds.
Museums to visit in Newmarket include the National Horseracing Museum and the British Sporting Art Trust in Palace House with race-themed artworks by George Stubbs and John Singer Sargenat among others.
Don’t miss:
The extensive Blickling Estate is an unforgettable red brick manor house in Jacobean style. Home of the Boleyn family (Anne Boleyn was born at Blickling and became the second wife of Henry VIII), the 4,600-acre estate includes four centuries of English history. You can just imagine the house parties that were hosted by Lord Lothian in the impressively furnished rooms prior to the outbreak of war.
See the portraits of generations of residents that enjoyed a privileged life in Blickling. You can also listen in to what the servants thought in an interesting recording. The house includes the largest National Trust library collection of over 12,500 books housed in the magnificent Long Gallery Library.
Explore the well-tended formal gardens or stroll in the parkland of the wilderness estate which includes a Temple Folly eye-catcher.
Don’t miss:
One of the most unique National Trust properties in Eastern England, Oxburgh Hall has several unique features. This old castellated country house is surrounded by a real moat, filled with swans and water lilies. The house itself is still lived in by the Bedingfeld family who built the manor in 1482 and obtained an unusual license to crenellated it. The central courtyard is guarded by two polygonal towers. The house itself is welcoming and comfortably furnished.
Highlights include:
Climb the circular staircase in the tower for stunning views of the parterre garden, estate and countryside beyond from the open rooftop. Stroll around the gardens and enjoy the vibrant colours of the unusual double-sided herbaceous border.
Don’t miss:
This 12th century Abbey was converted into a country house which is furnished in comfortable 1930s style. Bought by Lord Fairhaven, he filled it with travel souvenirs from his Grand Tours of Europe. He loved to attend the races and the house has many statues and memorabilia from past races. One of the most unique features at Anglesey Abbey is the library windows. Etched into the glass using a diamond-tipped pen are the signatures of many visiting royals who came to Oxburgh before or after the racing at nearby Newmarket. Signatures include Prince Charles, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother.
The National Trust owned manor also has restored Coronation robes with their ermine trim. They were worn by the family who attended the coronations of both George VI and Queen Elizabeth II in 1937 and 1953 respectively.
Outside, the pleasure continues in the gardens which include beautiful herbaceous borders filled with summer and autumn colour. There’s also a rose garden and a dahlia collection.
Don’t miss:
The elegant city of Bath is the home of Britain’s only natural hot springs, which made it popular with the Romans who built their own bathhouse around the steaming pool. Victorians also loved bathing in mineral-rich waters which are believed to have many health benefits. An audio-guided tour of the King’s Bath takes you to the source of these thermal waters and the remains of the monastic bath and Georgian Spa. See the Roman Temple of Sulis Minerva, goddess of the springs and learn how the 18th century Pump Room was the meeting place and hub of Bath’s social scene.
Bath has many other attractions to easily fill your day. Go shopping, visit the Bartlett Street Antiques Centre or tour Number 1 The Crescent. See how wealthy aristocrats lived in 18th century Bath and admire the Palladian architecture in the 500-foot-long Royal Crescent.
There are several unusual museums including the Fashion Museum, Bath at Work Museum and the Postal Museum.
Don’t miss:
Situated on the River Tamar on the Devon-Cornwall border, the maritime city of Plymouth has a long and esteemed history. Famous as the city of seafarers including Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake, it was the departure point of the Mayflower, carrying pilgrims to their new life in America. All these events are celebrated on Plymouth Hoe, a green park and promenade overlooking Plymouth Sound and Drake’s Island.
Don’t miss:
Just east of Minehead, the North Devon village of Dunster grew up around the 11th century Dunster Castle which sits on the top of The Tor. It originally housed a Benedictine Priory and the Priory Church of St George, the tithe barn and the dovecote still remain from that era. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the castle was home to the Luttrell family from the 14th century until 1976 when it was given to the National Trust. Over time, it was remodelled as a graceful turreted manor house with an impressive entrance through the 14th century Great Gatehouse. The estate includes a working watermill.
Dunster Village has several interesting buildings including the Nunnery and several pubs. George Luttrell built the village Yarn Market for the wool and cloth trade. The charming building is now a landmark of the village
Don’t miss:
The lively university city of Exeter is predominated by the towering Cathedral in a pleasant green park. Built in Norman Gothic style between the 11th and 14th centuries, the exterior is covered in statues – the largest surviving collection of 14th century statues in England. The lavish interior has a striking ribbed ceiling. The Bishop’s Throne is over 700 years old and the Exeter Book of Old English Verse is even older!
The High Street has the usual array of chain stores interspersed with older buildings such as the 800-year-old Guildhall with its pillared frontage which survived the bombing in May 1942.
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) has free admission to the world-class exhibits. It’s well worth booking a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent. Galleries cover prehistoric Devon, global exploration, an Egyptian coffin and mummy and natural history collections. The beautifully ornamented Gothic Revival building also houses a café and gift shop.
Don’t miss:
One of the best-known villages on Bideford Bay, Clovelly is a postcard-pretty traffic-free village with thatched wattle-and-daub cottages and several pubs. The steep cobbled main street rises 120 metres (400 feet) in shallow steps from the harbour to the Visitor Centre. Donkeys were the main mode of transport, hauling goods up the steps on special sledges. Privately owned by the Hamlyn family since 1738, the village is a major tourist attraction and there is an admission fee.
This former fishing village is a delightful place to explore. Tea rooms and small shops offer a range of Devon produce, souvenirs and gifts. There is a field of donkeys for petting and the late Norman All Saints Church which has several interesting monuments.
Clovelly Court Gardens are well worth visiting as are the two local museums. The harbour has a lifeboat station and a small beach at low tide. It often hosts festival and events during the summer months.
Don’t miss:
Escape the rat race and take a day trip to Lundy Island, a remote granite rock in the Bristol Channel with timeless appeal. This largely unpopulated island is known for its puffin colony and seals but it also has 42 scheduled monuments and listed buildings. Day trips depart from Bideford or Ilfracombe Pier aboard MS Oldenburg which has been making the journey each summer since 1958. The vessel has original brass features, a bar, buffet and heated saloons making the two-hour trip very comfortable and pleasant.
Lundy Island is three miles long and ½ mile wide. “Lund-ey” is Viking for “Puffin Island” and archaeological discoveries show that it has been inhabited for over 3000 years. Its isolation has made it a natural habitat for seabirds and wildlife. Today it is popular with walkers, bird watchers, divers, historians, geologists and archaeologists. The island includes the ruins of a mediaeval castle, a Georgian lighthouse and the Victorian Church of St Helen to explore.
Don’t miss:
Located near St Austell in a former china clay pit, the Eden Project is a unique Cornish attraction combining nature and conservation with science and activities. Giant biomes create different climatic conditions which house a flourishing indoor rainforest and a dry Mediterranean climate. The rainforest biome is the largest indoor jungle in the world and has over 1000 plant varieties. Walk the rope bridge over through the treetops and see how pineapples, bananas, cocoa, rubber and oil palms grow. Enjoy orchids and a typical Malaysian house. The Mediterranean biome is filled with acid-loving plants such as olives, aloes, citrons, chilli peppers and cork trees.
Stroll through the outdoor gardens and spend time in the Visitor Centre learning more about how the biomes were constructed. You can even attend a festival or summer concert in this unique setting.
Don’t miss:
Authentic home of tasty Cheddar cheese. Cheddar Gorge and Caves is a dramatic natural attraction with lots to see and do. Awe-inspiring cliffs and prehistoric caves provide an awesome setting for this delightful village. Go caving, rock climbing and walking or just stroll through the village seeing what’s on offer.
Thirty independent shops and businesses demonstrate many crafts including how sweets are made the old-fashioned way. Stock up on fudge, boiled sweets, luxury chocolates, tasty pies, jams and biscuits. If you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of fish and chip shops and cafés serving lunch, cream teas and ice cream.
An all-inclusive Explorer Ticket gives you admission to all the attractions including Gough’s Cave. This amazing cavern is the star of the show with its rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites and natural chambers. An audio guide provides plenty of interesting facts and figures. Learn about the early cave dwellers in Cox’s Cave, a fabulous multi-media experience, and visit the Museum of Prehistory to learn about the Ice Age in this area.
Don’t miss:
Many tours start or end at Land’s End, the most westerly point of mainland England a total of 838 miles from John O’Groats in NE Scotland. The peninsula can be a breezy place, popular for rock climbing, geology, bird watching and offering dramatic sea views. Take a walk along the cliffs and visit the 17th century First and Last Inn. It has many tales to tell of smuggling and shipwrecks in the past. The nearby West Country Shopping Village includes nautical souvenirs and a studio with local artworks.
Don’t miss:
Dominating Mount’s Bay is St Michael’s Mount, a rocky 57-acre island reached by boat or a man-made causeway at low tide. Now managed by the National Trust, it includes a small community around the port, tropical rock gardens, an impressive castle and 15th century chapel with a turret, used as local navigational aid. The Visitor Centre on the Quay has many plans and information boards.
Climb the cobbled footpath and keep an eye open for the Giant’s Heart stone. Self-guided tours through the rooms include mediaeval hunting scenes and family furnishings.
The island had an 8th century monastery and the current 12th century buildings have been home to the St Aubyn family since 1650. The island, a site of pilgrimage, has survived a 15th century siege and a tsunami in 1755. It is frequently used in films including Dracula and James Bond’s Never Say Never Again.
Don’t miss:
Standing on the Quay in Falmouth harbour, the National Maritime Museum is in an award-winning purpose-built building with several floors including an underwater viewing window. The collection includes the National Collection of Small Boats which range from coracles, punts, dinghies and fishing boats to Waterlily, a Thames steamboat (1866) and the Olympic winning boat Rita used by Ben Ainslie to achieve gold in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
The rest of the museum has a variety of galleries devoted to Cornish fishing, boat-building, wrecks and a Survival Zone with some hairy tales of life at sea. Try your hand at navigation and weather forecasting is one of the hands-on interactive exhibits and learn about tides in Falmouth. Outside, the Pontoon has an ever-changing array of boats for you to step aboard and explore. The surrounding historic town is well worth a walk around. This natural harbour stands on the estuary of the Fal with the deepest docks in Europe.
Don’t miss:
The county town of Cornwall in Truro, a genteel city that was once a stannary town for tin mining and a busy centre of trade from its port during the 18th and 19th centuries. The primary attraction is Truro Cathedral with its town spires. It is one of England’s newest cathedrals, built in 1910 on the site of a 600-year-old St Mary’s Church, although it looks like it has been at the heart of the city forever. Built in Gothic Revival style, it rises 76m above the city as a landmark.
The Georgian architecture and narrow cobbled streets accommodate a wide choice of department stores, book shops and speciality shops. There’s an indoor pannier market and many places to find lunch and refreshments.
The Royal Cornwall Museum is the county’s main museum and has interesting exhibits detailing Cornish history, archaeology, art and life. Don’t miss the Arthur Stone (Artognou Stone) which was uncovered in Tintagel and has 6th century inscriptions.
Legendary home of King Arthur and his knights, the ruins of Tintagel Castle and the quaint town surrounding it are on the Atlantic Coast of Cornwall. Excavations of the 12th century castle reveal it was once a Celtic monastery, fortress and trading station dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries. Roman oil and wine jars excavated from the castle site are now part of the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro along with the Artognou Stone (Arthur’s Stone) with its 6th century markings.
Look out for:
Don’t miss:
Stretching from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, the 96-mile Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique geological composition and fossils. Coastal erosion has revealed strata on cliffs that cover the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Fossilized remains of many sea and marsh creatures can be found pressed into the rocks.
This scenic coastline has many natural sea arches, pinnacles and rock stacks including Old Harry Rocks - three chalk formations marking the easternmost point of the Jurassic Coast.
Highlights include:
Don’t miss:
Said to be one of England’s prettiest coastal villages, Beer is close to Seaton on the edge of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Facing Lyme Bay, it is part of the Jurassic Coast with a cove and caves that were once well used by smugglers bringing contraband ashore. However, there is no harbour and boats are winched up the pebble beach.
The picturesque cliffs including Beer Head are part of the South West Coast Path. With a population of just over 1300, the village is small and easy to explore on foot.
Look out for:
Don’t miss:
Located on the North Cornwall coast, Bude is a small resort at the mouth of the River Neet with two golden sandy beaches. Nearby Summerleaze Beach has a large sea pool which is popular for swimming and paddleboarding. The beaches are pounded by waves and are popular for surfing. Bude Castle was built in 1830 for Victorian inventor Si Goldsworthy Gurney. It is now an interesting Heritage Centre with free admission and plenty of local exhibits.
Bude Canal is a popular place to walk or cycle. Built by the Bude Canal Company, it once ran as far as Launceston using inclined planes although it is now much shorter. It was built with a sea lock to provide sheltered moorings to improve the harbour.
Highlights of Bude include:
Don’t miss:
One of the most visited gardens in Cornwall, the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey have a unique history. Part of a thriving estate in the 19th century, the gardens where filled with plants collected by the Tremayne family from all over the world. The sheltered ravine and coastal position allowed many tropical species to thrive. Post World War I, many staff did not return and the gardens lay neglected until business entrepreneur Tim Smit led an ambitious plan to restore them in the 1990s.
The gardens are now a showcase of huge rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas which are a colourful show in late spring. The Italian Gardens have a tranquil pool and summer house. Flower gardens and vegetable gardens are well tended and include restored glasshouses, melon and pineapple pits and the tool shed. The Jungle is a wild area filled with tropical bamboos and a series of pools. A raised boardwalk allows visitors to explore this remarkable wild garden. The Georgian Ride has paths for walking around the edge of the estate with distant glimpses of the sea.
Don’t miss:
The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are on the edge of Exmoor National Park with Lynton at the top of the cliff and Lynmouth 200 metres below. The villages are connected by a Cliff Railway which provides superb sea views as it transports visitors up and down the steep cliff. Lynmouth sits on the confluence and estuary of the West Lyn and the East Lyn Rivers. The geographic location proved deadly when unprecedented rain fell on Exmoor in August 1952. It caused a torrent of flood waters that swept away much of the village including 100 homes, 28 bridges and 38 cars.
The restored village is a place of charm with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, small shops, a pretty harbour and a beach. It has had many famous visitors including poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and artist Thomas Gainsborough who honeymooned in the village and described it as “the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast”.
Don’t miss:
Ilfracombe was a grand Victorian seaside resort and remains a thriving community known for its arts festivals and cultural entertainment. The harbour is the centre of activity for fishing boats, pleasure craft and boat trips. The MS Oldenburg regularly sails to Lundy Island from here. The harbour is surrounded by shops and restaurants rising up the steep hillside to the High Street. There is a mix of shops, studios and cafés housed in the mainly Victorian buildings.
Highlights to look out for include:
The best beach in the area is the privately owned Tunnels Beach. Accessed from the South West Coast Path, visitors must walk through four tunnels which were hand-carved through the cliffs by miners. There is an admission fee to use the beach which has a tidal pool and many interesting rock pools.
Don’t miss: