Erected by the Romans in AD 122 to keep the ‘barbarians’ out under the orders of Emperor Hadrian, this mighty stone wall once stretched nearly 80 miles (128km) from coast-to-coast in the north of England. It took three legions of men at least six years to complete. Now part of a 150-mile (241km) UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the country’s most spectacular and important Roman monument. It’s not just a wall though – various forts, milecastles, barracks and ramparts with museums can be found along it.

Discover the secrets of the world's most famous walls

No matter how many times you see the mighty circle of stones rising from the Salisbury Plain, you'll always be awestruck by them. The most famous prehistoric monument in Europe, it was erected in the late Neolithic period in around 2500 BC and is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Avebury. The mystery of how and why the enormous sarsen stones and smaller bluestones were transported and erected here has fascinated people for centuries.

Why not visit Stonehenge as part of a Great West Way road trip?

The fairy-tale turrets on the bridge that stretches from the Tower of London to the Shad Thames on the South Bank have made it one of London’s most recognisable structures. Built in the late 1800s, it's open to both cars and pedestrians. There’s also a museum in the towers and you can visit the Victorian engine rooms as well as admire the views from its high-level walkways that include a spine-tingling glass section.

Explore London: the top things to see, where to stay & what to eat

A beacon of London’s enduring spirit, famously standing strong during the Blitz, Sir Christopher Wren’s domed structure replaced the original Gothic cathedral that was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Inside, you can climb up the 259 steps to the Whispering Gallery within the dome’s interior or dare to venture up to the Golden Gallery on the outside for sensational city views. Don’t forget to duck down to the crypt to see the resting place of Wren himself.

Standing high above the historic city of Edinburgh on the volcanic plug known as Castle Rock, this mighty fortress is one of Scotland’s most visited attractions and rightly so. It was built during the 12th century by David I, son of Saint Margaret of Scotland, and was the main Scottish Royal residence until the union of the crowns in 1603. It now famously hosts the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Planning a trip? Take a look at our guide to Edinburgh

The political epicentre of Britain has sat at this location in some form since the 11th century, when Danish king Cnut the Great built a palace on the river. In its 900-year history, it has been the site of infamous trials (William Wallace and Sir Thomas More), survived the notorious Gunpowder Plot and been the focus of pivotal political rallies such as those by the suffragettes. The current Palace of Westminster was designed by architect Sir Charles Barry after a huge fire destroyed the previous palace in 1834.

One of the most popular Roman sites in Britain, this ancient bathing complex is slap-bang in the centre of picturesque Bath next to the beautiful medieval Bath Abbey. It was constructed around natural hot springs in the first century AD in a Roman settlement that was then known as Aquae Sulis, along with a temple dedicated to the goddess of the springs Sulis Minerva. The magnificent Great Bath forms the centrepiece, but the ruins are extensive and the museum incredibly informing.

For the best of Bath, take a look at our handy Bath guide

If walls could talk, this ancient stronghold would have us all aquiver. Steeped in tales of death, torture and bloodthirsty intent, this is where the Princes in the Tower disappeared under the reign of Richard III and Anne of Boleyn met her grisly end. Dare to enter the Bloody Tower, see Traitor’s Gate (where Tudor prisoners were brought by barge), chat to the beefeaters (also known as Yeomen Warders), who still guard the grounds, learn about the legend of the ravens and ogle at the Crown Jewels.

The three distinct chalk stacks that rise out of the sea at the furthest western point of the Isle of Wight are the Solent isle’s most famous landmark. Surrounded by gorgeous coastal habitat and within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, you can hop on a chairlift down to the beach and see the coloured sand cliffs of Alum Bay or admire the spectacular rock formations and adjacent red and white striped lighthouse as you stroll along the cliffs.

Explore more of the Isle of Wight with our useful guide

Another of the UK’s amazing prehistoric sites, Avebury near Stonehenge is a vast Neolithic complex which includes the largest stone circle in Britain, originally made of about 100 stones. The ceremonial site was built and altered over six centuries from around 2850 BC and includes banks, ditches and three stone circles.

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From watching the changing of the guard to catching a glimpse of the royals on the balcony at state occasions, the Queen’s official HQ is a top tourist spot. But its status as the official royal residence is relatively recent. Originally, a townhouse built by the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, it was first acquired by royalty in 1761, when George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte. The architect John Nash transformed it into a grand palace, but George died before he could move in and Queen Victoria became the first monarch to live in it.

Feel dwarfed by nature and history on this beautiful 95-mile (153km) stretch of coast known as the Jurassic Coast. The layers of sedimentary rock tell the history of Earth over 185 million years with the cliffs and beaches peppered with fossils. The West Bay is more recently known for appearing in the hit detective drama Broadchurch, starring Olivia Coleman and David Tennant. The incredible coastline, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also features some of Britain’s most famous natural rock formations such as Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks.

A vast tropical garden built in an old Cornish clay pit, Eden Project’s striking geodesic domes have become a world-famous attraction in Cornwall. Conceived and designed by Sir Tim Smit, the ground-breaking complex first opened in 2001. The biomes are filled with thousands of different species of plants and trees – follow canopy walks around the enormous Rainforest Biome, which is twice as tall as the Tower of London.

Take a look at the best places to visit in south Cornwall, including the Eden Project

The former 1950s Bankside Power Station on a once scruffy stretch of the Thames is now one of the most admired buildings in London and a world-class modern art gallery. The vast industrial space was put to impressive use by architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, who won a competition to design the new Tate Gallery in Giles Gilbert Scott’s original building. The Turbine Hall, a huge exhibition space that hosts large-scale sculptures and installations, is especially awe-inspiring.

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Visible from 23 miles (37km) away, this 560-foot-tall (171m) tower on Portsmouth’s historic harbour was conceived to celebrate the new millennium. Various delays meant it didn’t open until 2005 but the striking structure has been a hugely popular attraction ever since. You could argue the design, which suggests sails billowing in the wind, looks like it belongs in Dubai, but you can’t deny the views are awesome as you survey the Solent and beyond from its vertiginous Sky Deck.

Here's how to plan the perfect long weekend in Portsmouth

With numerous landmark castles to choose between, Caernarfon Castle is often cited as one of Wales’ most impressive and has a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Built under the orders of Edward I in the 1200s, the mighty medieval fortress perches at the end of the Menai Strait and is particularly renowned for its hefty walls and unusual polygonal towers.

For the perfect Welsh escape, explore our Gwynedd weekend guide

The pleasure palace of the infamously extravagant Henry VIII sits on the banks of the Thames in west London. Originally, the home of Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century, Henry transformed it into a grand Tudor palace. Get a glimpse of what life was like in his court in the tapestry-clad Great Hall and discover the lavish banquets they feasted on in the brilliantly restored Great Kitchens – at one point, they served up to 1,600 meals a day here. The gorgeous gardens, including the Maze and the Great Vine, are also must-sees.

The Queen’s weekend retreat in the home counties is far from a humble one. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s high above the river Thames and on the edge of a Saxon hunting ground, it is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle. Watch the daily changing of the guard in spring and summer and step inside to see the State Apartments, Queen Mary's dolls' house and St George's Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on 19 May 2018.

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Stretching across the River Severn in Shropshire, this was the first iron bridge in the world, giving the name to the town that grew around it. Famous as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the hundred-foot (30m) structure was built by Abraham Darby III, based on a design by local architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard. It opened in 1781 but was closed for crossing in 1934 until the restoration of the bridge was completed in June 1019 – you can find out more about its history and the conservation project at the museum.

In a city stuffed with historic buildings, the striking circular dome of the Radcliffe Camera is arguably the most distinctive. It was built by the architect James Gibbs between 1737 and 1749 to house a new scientific library. The Latin word ‘camera’ means ‘chamber’ and it was named after the royal physician Dr John Radcliffe, who bequeathed funds to Oxford University. Today, it's the main reading room of the Bodleian Library.

Explore more of Oxford's stunning sights with our guide

A potent symbol of reconciliation in post-war Britain, Coventry’s cathedral is a striking modernist structure, rising above the ruined shell of the old one that was destroyed in the Coventry Blitz. The city suffered huge losses on 14 November 1940, when 1,200 people were killed and hundreds of its medieval buildings destroyed. The haunting words “Father forgive” are etched above the altar of the ruined medieval church, which remains hallowed ground.

The towering mass of Mount Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, in Snowdonia National Park is a majestic sight. According to a Celtic legend it is the tomb of the giant Rhitta Gawr and is the highest mountain in Wales (and dwarfs any in England) at over 3,560 feet (1,085m). A popular peak for climbing, there are six different walking trails to choose from – all are challenging so inexperienced walkers are best taking the scenic mountain train up to the summit, which has been running since 1896.

Once the site of a Saxon fortification built to defend against invading Danes and later a motte and bailey castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle has evolved to become one of Britain’s finest and most complete medieval fortresses. An imposing sight on the banks of the River Avon, the castle is now a popular tourist attraction with a range of fun medieval-themed activities and accommodation.

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More commonly known as the bronze bull, this six-tonne sculpture by Laurence Broderick has become a much-loved landmark in Birmingham. Installed in front of the new Bullring shopping centre in 2003, it is twice the size of a real bull and was intended to capture the bullish spirit of this Midlands city.

One of Britain’s greatest architectural treasures and one of the world’s tallest Gothic structures, Lincoln’s lofty cathedral is a must-see. Yet another legacy of William the Conqueror, it was consecrated in 1092. The later addition of a central spire in 1311 made it the tallest building in the world until 1549, when the spire collapsed.

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Antony Gormley’s colossal steel sculpture is a modern masterpiece. Looming over the A1 on the mound of an abandoned coal mine in Gateshead since 1998, the extraordinary and once controversial piece of public art has become a cherished landmark in England’s northeast. Its wingspan is nearly as wide as a Boeing 747 at 177-feet (54m) across and it stands 66-feet (20m) tall.

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Part of Liverpool's historic waterfront, the Albert Dock features the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the whole of the UK. Established in 1839, the prosperous port became one of the world’s most important trading centres before closing in 1972. A huge regeneration program in the 1980s transformed the derelict warehouses into one of the country’s liveliest cultural hubs. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For all the must-dos of Liverpool explore our handy guide

Soaring above the twisting, ancient laneways of York, this grand Gothic structure is northern Europe’s largest medieval cathedral. The York Minster is especially renowned for its remarkable windows including the vast Great East Window, which dates back to 1405 and is the world's largest example of medieval stained glass. It’s well worth clambering up the Minster’s mighty tower too for a remarkable perspective on this picturesque Yorkshire city.

For a family-friendly tour of the city, check out our guide to York with kids

The rugged Lake District National Park in northwest England is dotted with dramatic beauty spots from craggy mountains and deep forests to shimmering lakes, but Lake Windermere is its most famous. At 10 miles (16km) long, Windermere is England’s largest lake and has inspired the work of numerous poets and authors, including local lad William Wordsworth and Arthur Ransome of Swallows and Amazons fame.

With its design based on the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the unveiling of the magnificent steel and granite structure that linked Newcastle and Gateshead took place on 10 October 1928 with King George V and Queen Mary in attendance. Hundreds of people lined the quay to watch the royal party cross the bridge in their horse-drawn Ascot landau.

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Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 in a distinctly Spanish Baroque building – be sure to use the grand entrance from Kelvingrove Park to appreciate its ornate exterior. There are 22 galleries and highlights of the permanent collection include Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross, alongside works by Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Discover Glasgow on a weekend break with our handy guide

The legendary home of one of Britain’s favourite folklore heroes, Robin Hood, the ancient royal hunting ground is arguably the UK’s best-known woodland. It’s smaller than it once was, but it's still a magnificent place to lose yourself on a stroll under the ancient oak trees. Don't miss the Major Oak – an enormous age-old tree that’s said to be where the famous outlaw and his merry men hid out.

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In each corner of Trafalgar Square is a plinth: three have statues of decorated military officers – Henry Havelock, Charles James Napier and King George IV – while the fourth, intended for a statue of William IV, stayed empty for 150 years as the government ran out of money. Cue the Royal Society of Arts, who launched the Fourth Plinth Project in the 1990s. Since March 2018, Michael Rakowitz's The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist has been on display.

Also known as the Holy Island, this small tidal island off the wind-whipped Northumbrian coast is one of the earliest centres of English Christianity. It was first settled by Irish monks in AD 635 and was home to a monk named Cuthbert, who eventually became the most important saint in northern England in the Middle Ages as well as the Lindisfarne Gospels – one of the most remarkable examples of early medieval art. Abandoned after vicious Viking raids in AD 793, the ruins there today are from a priory built in the 12th century, when the monks returned.

Originally a collection within the British Museum in Bloomsbury, it was only in the 1850s that the natural history department’s superintendent Richard Owen pushed for a bespoke space of its own. The result was this grand Romanesque building in South Kensington that took nearly eight years to build and opened in 1881 to great acclaim. Particularly admired is its stunning Hintze Hall, which housed the skeleton of a Diplodocus from the 1970s until 2016, when it was replaced with that of a blue whale.

Britain is awash with stately homes, but the stunning seat of Duke of Devonshire is surely a standout. Surrounded by vast parklands, the estate has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549. It was propelled to wider fame as Pemberley in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley. Inside, the grand house is stuffed with antiques and one of the most important art collections in the country.

Take a look at the world's most stunning stately homes you can actually explore

Stretching across the Avon Gorge and the River Avon in Bristol, this masterpiece of Victorian engineering was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he was just 24 years old. Construction began in 1831 and after several setbacks, the bridge finally opened in 1864. Despite being designed for horse and carts, it’s still in use today and you can join a free tour of the bridge on weekends and Bank Holidays from Easter to October.

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