These three gems have been shining symbols of power, monarchy and religion in London since the 11th century. Probably Britain's most recognisable landmark, the Palace of Westminster is the country’s political hub, famed for being the site of the failed Gunpowder Plot and many historic protests. Just behind on Parliament Square is the gorgeously Gothic Westminster Abbey, a royal church for thousands of years. Its abbey has hosted royal coronations, burials and weddings. Alongside the abbey is St Margaret’s Church, a charming parish church dating back to the 12th century.
Set within South Wales, the area around Blaenavon is one of the best-preserved examples of a landscape carved out by the Industrial Revolution. Rich in the raw materials used to make pig iron including ironstone, coal and limestone, during the late 18th and early 19th century, Blaenavon was one of the world’s leading oil and coal mining sites. Today, the structures from the once booming industry are dotted across the landscape including mines, boiler rooms and engine houses. The biggest attraction is Big Pit, Blaenavon’s last working coal mine up until 1980 now home to a mining museum. It was awarded World Heritage status in 2001.
Often considered the birthplace of the factory system, this impressive group of mill complexes can be found in Derbyshire along the River Derwent. Although the first mill building, the Silk Mill was built in 1721 by John and Thomas Lombe, it wasn’t until industry pioneer Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered spinning mill in the late 18th century that business boomed. Arkwright’s mills became a blueprint for factory production across the UK and around the world. Today, the incredible structures are some of the best preserved examples of the Victorian cotton mill industry in Britain and have been a World Heritage Site since 2001.
A World Heritage Site since 1987, Bath has been a place for pleasure and relaxation for centuries. Characterised by its warm mineral-rich waters, the city rose to fame after the Romans founded the town Aquae Sulis near the banks of the River Avon in the 1st century AD. The Romans built bathhouses and a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva which transformed Bath into a popular spa town. With its honey-coloured buildings, well-preserved Roman ruins and famous Thermae Bath Spa, the historic city is one of the most picturesque places in England.
In the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh’s Old and New Town have been UNESCO-listed since 1995. A maze of cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and narrow alleyways, the Old Town is the oldest part of the city. Characterised by medieval architecture and buildings, at its heart is the Royal Mile, a stunning street of Reformation-era tenement buildings from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Inspired by the Scottish Enlightenment, the neat grid of New Town feels like a world away from the Old Town. Built during the 18th and 19th century, its streets feature fine Neoclassical and Georgian architecture. The two contrasting areas give the city its unique charm.
An important religious site in Kent for centuries, Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and Church of St Martin have been UNESCO-listed since 1988. Built in AD 597, the beautiful Canterbury Cathedral (pictured) is one of the oldest Christian churches in England and Canterbury’s most recognisable landmark. Created as a burial place for the Anglo Saxon kings of Kent during the Middle Ages, St Augustine's Abbey was once one of the most significant religious houses in Northern Europe. Just outside the city walls, dating back over 1,400 years, St Martin’s Church is known as the oldest church in the English-speaking world.
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Framing its historic namesake city, Durham Castle and Cathedral are among the greatest monuments of the Norman Conquest of Britain. The crown jewels of Durham’s World Heritage Site, the city’s breathtaking castle has been occupied continuously for thousands of years. Built in the 11th century under the orders of William the Conqueror, the castle is now one of the city’s most notable landmarks. Durham Cathedral was constructed between 1093 and 1133 to house the shrine of St Cuthbert and is considered one of the finest Romanesque churches in the world.
Once stretching over 3,107 miles (5,000km) from the Atlantic Coast to the Black Sea, the Frontiers represent the border of the Roman Empire at its height and consists of Hadrian’s Wall, the Limes in Germany and the Antonine Wall in Scotland. Possibly the most famous fortification, Hadrian’s Wall was built in AD 122 on the orders of Emperor Hadrian and stretches for 73 miles (117.5km) from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. Constructed in AD 142 by Emperor Antoninus Pius, the Antonine Wall trailed around 37 miles (60km) across the central belt of Scotland. With its well-preserved forts, milecastles and barracks, the Frontiers are some of the most incredible Roman ruins in the UK.
Slicing across Shropshire’s picturesque wooded landscape, the spectacular bridge that towers over its namesake gorge is considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Overlooking the River Severn, Ironbridge was the first bridge made of iron in the world. Built in 1779, its ground-breaking creation marked a shift in English design during the Industrial Revolution, with many structures being constructed out of cast iron that followed. An impressive feat of engineering, the magnificent bridge looms over its namesake town and became one of the UK’s first World Heritage Sites in 1986.
The most recent landmark to make the World Heritage List in 2019, the Jodrell Bank Observatory overlooks Cheshire’s pretty landscape in northwest England. Established in 1945, the observatory is a world-renowned institution for scientific research and continues to be a pioneer in developing our knowledge of the universe. The observatory’s most famous sight is the Lovell Telescope, one of the biggest and most powerful radio telescopes in the world. For over 50 years, the telescope has been an internationally renowned landmark in the world of astronomy.
Also known as “the stream in the sky”, the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and its historic canal loom over the River Dee in Wales. Designed by engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop in the late 18th century, the canal is hailed as a spectacular symbol of the Industrial Revolution and took an eye-watering 10 years to construct. Today, the arched bridge and 11 miles of picturesque canal are used mostly by narrowboats and were awarded World Heritage status in 2009.
Lying just off the north coast of Scotland, this remote archipelago is steeped in prehistoric history. Built around 5,000 years ago, Orkney is dotted with ancient monuments that symbolise its history as a settlement. Its Neolithic monuments include Maeshowe, a large chambered tomb, two stone circles the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness and various excavated burial and ceremonial sites. Standing Stones of Stenness is the most recognisable monument, built around 1,000 years before Stonehenge, it is one of the earliest stone circles in Britain.
Encompassing a whopping 912 square miles (2,362sq km), the Lake District is the largest of England’s national parks and became a UNESCO-listed site in 2017. Characterised by its craggy mountains, picturesque hills and scenic coastline, the crown jewel of the park is Lake Windermere. Measuring 10.5 miles (17km) long, Windermere is the largest lake in England. With its unique and awe-inspiring landscape, the Lake District is the only national park in the UK with World Heritage status.
With nearly 1,000 years of history, this formidable fortress is one of London’s most spectacular sights and has been UNESCO-listed since 1988. Intertwined with stories of torture, tragedy and death, Henry VI was murdered here in 1741 and the children of Edward IV vanished within its walls in 1483. The castle was also where Anne Boleyn was killed. With famous sights including the enchanting Crown Jewels and the grisly Bloody Tower, the Tower of London is one of the world’s leading tourist attractions.
Overlooking the breathtaking River Clyde, this former cotton spinning mill village is one of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites. New Lanark was founded in the 18th century by David Dale, a banker and Richard Arkwright, the pioneer of industrial cotton spinning. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the village rose to fame, when new owner Robert Owen, David Dale’s son in law, transformed New Lanark into a prosperous industrial community with social, educational and workplace reforms. Much of the village’s distinct mill buildings built by Owen remain and it is a truly incredible sight.
Northern Ireland’s only designated World Heritage Site since 1986, this magical geological wonder that juts out of the north coast is one of the country’s best-known landmarks. Linked to two giants, legend has it that the basalt steps were built by Finn McCool a giant from Ireland as a pathway to his enemy giant Benandonner from Scotland. Today, the 40,000 basalt hexagonal-shaped steps are arguably Northern Ireland’s most jaw-dropping natural sight.
Possibly England’s most famous World Heritage Site, these mysterious stone circles in Wiltshire date back to prehistoric times. Both erected during the Neolithic period, although Stonehenge is considered the most architecturally sophisticated, Avebury is home to the largest stone circle in Britain, originally consisting of about 100 stones which enclose two smaller stone circles. The mystery of why these stone circles were created typically attracts visitors from all over the world and they remain two of the most impressive prehistoric monuments ever discovered.
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A stone’s throw away from the city of Bradford, Saltaire is a beautiful model industrial village in West Yorkshire. Built in the mid-19th century, Saltaire takes its name from its founder, Sir Titus Salt, and the River Aire, which zigzags through the village. A successful businessman of Bradford’s textile industry, Salt relocated his business and employees to build Saltaire. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance, the entire village was designed in a classic style. With the decline of the textile industry in the 1980s, Saltaire is one of the earliest, largest and best-preserved 19th-century 'model villages’ in the world.
Overlooking the River Thames in London, Maritime Greenwich is a stunning symbol of English artistic, scientific and educational endeavour. Dating back to the 17th century, the site has royal roots, its opulent Queen’s House was the first Palladian building in England while the Royal Observatory is Britain’s oldest scientific institution. In its heart lies the Royal Naval College, a former Tudor Palace turned into a state of the art naval training centre designed by esteemed architect Sir Christopher Wren. Together, Greenwich’s landscape and buildings are considered a cultural masterpiece.
Hidden in a secluded valley of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Studley Royal Park is one of the most picturesque spots in England. Dating back to the early 18th century, the garden was created by William Aislabie after inheriting the Studley Royal Estate from his father John. With its classical statues, pretty ponds and dreamy landscape, the water garden is a stunning example of an 18th century English garden. Founded in 1132 by Benedictine monks seeking to live a simple life, the impressive Gothic ruins of Fountains Abbey can also be found here. The park has been a World Heritage Site since 1986.
Hailed as one of the world’s first major steel structures, the breathtaking Forth Bridge is one of Scotland’s best-known landmarks. Measuring 8,297 feet long (2,529m) in total, the bridge was designed by John Fowler and Benjamin Baker and was the longest of its kind until Canada's Québec Bridge opened in 1919. Today, the magnificent rust-coloured structure is considered one of the most impressive cantilever truss bridges in the world, a shining beacon of Scotland and became a World Heritage Site in 2015.
Stretching for a whopping 95 miles (153km) from East Devon to Dorset, the Jurassic Coast is England’s most breathtaking coastline. As one of the richest sites in the world for prehistoric remains, the coast became England’s first natural World Heritage Site in 2001 due to its incredible geology dating back millions of years. Hundreds of prehistoric species have been unearthed on its cliffs and beaches. Dotted with magnificent rock formations including the famous sea arch Durdle Door, it is one of the UK’s most impressive natural wonders.
Situated in Gwynedd in northwest Wales, Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech are some of the most magnificent castles in the country. Completed between 1283 and 1330, the castles were built by King Edward I and at the same time in Caernarfon and Conwy, new towns were also constructed, flanked by massive walls. Today, the impressive castles and formidable town walls are some of the finest surviving examples of late 13th century military architecture in Europe and were awarded World Heritage status in 1986.
Situated in a scenic pocket of southwest London, Kew Gardens is one of the most famous green spaces in the world. Founded in 1759 by Princess Augusta as a botanical garden, King George III inherited the Kew estate in 1772 combining it with the royal estate in Richmond. Today, the incredible 300-acre site has one of the biggest and most diverse plant and fungal collections in the world. Its biggest draw is Temperature House, known as the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse, it has been Kew’s most famous landmark for more than 250 years.
Known as the UK’s only mixed World Heritage Site, St Kilda is an awe-inspiring archipelago of the Outer Hebrides near Scotland. Consisting of five remote islands – Hirta, Soay, Borerary, Dun and Levenish, St Kilda was UNESCO-listed in 1986 for its natural and cultural value. For at least 4,000 years, a community existed here up until 1930 when the final residents were evacuated. Now uninhabited, St Kilda’s is home to Atlantic puffins, the largest seabird colony in the northeast Atlantic. With its craggy cliffs, towering sea stacks and tranquil waters, St Kilda is an unspoiled Scottish paradise.
Located in Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is one of the most breathtaking country manors in England. Built in the early 18th century, the palace was a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, after he won the Battle of Blenheim. Created in an English Baroque style, the mansion has nearly 200 rooms, including various opulent state rooms while its perfectly manicured gardens were designed by Lancelot 'Capability’ Brown, one of Britain’s most famous landscape architects. The palace is famed for being the birthplace and home of England’s former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill and has been a UNESCO site since 1987.
Now we take a look at the listed sites of the British Overseas Territories. Although these are not physically in the UK, they're just as important. Dating back over 400 years, the town of St George in Bermuda is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied British settlement in the New World. Founded in 1612, St George and the surrounding area are filled with beautiful historic sites and fortifications of English military engineering from the 17th to the 20th century. Some notable sites include the eerie Gothic ruins of the Unfinished Church and Their Majesties Chappell, St Peter’s Church, which is thought to be the oldest continuously operating Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere.
Situated within the South Atlantic are two incredible uninhabited oceanic islands that have remained relatively undisturbed. Thought to be one of the largest cool-temperate oceanic islands in the world, Gough Islands’ pristine landscape is home to more than eight million breeding birds from at least 24 different species. Inaccessible Island is equally important in terms of wildlife, the world's smallest flightless bird, the Inaccessible Island rail can be found here. With their rugged natural beauty and ecological value, the two islands, that form part of the British Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, became UNESCO-listed in 2004.
Covering some 28 hectares on the eastern side of Gibraltar from sea level to the top of its famous Rock, the Gorham’s Cave Complex is a striking cluster of caves and rugged landscape. The ancient caves contain archaeological remains including abstract rock engravings that provide rare evidence of early modern occupation in Gibraltar over a period spanning roughly 120,000 years. With its importance in understanding human evolution and adaptation, the cave complex was awarded World Heritage status in 2016.
Discover more Brilliant British Islands that aren’t in Britain
Located within the middle of the South Pacific, Henderson Island forms part of the Pitcairn Islands Group which is one of Britain's Overseas Territories. Its remote setting means that Henderson is one of the world’s least disturbed raised coral islands. Measuring just 14.3 square miles (37sq km) the tiny island is home to 73 plant species, nine of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and is also popular with nesting seabirds. Despite the early Polynesian occupation, Henderson Island has stayed virtually unspoilt and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.