50 Famous UK landmarks to add to your bucket list

Planning a trip to the UK and looking for some inspiration? Here’s my guide to 50+ famous UK landmarks. These landmarks are some of the most visited attractions in Britain.

For such a small country, there is an incredible wealth of famous places in the UK. Many UK landmarks are renowned throughout the world, especially the most famous London landmarks like Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral.

In our guide to the 50 best British landmarks we explore all four countries that make up the UK, covering all corners of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland along the way. Read on to discover 50 of the very best places to see in Britain. 

Location: Westminster, Central London, England

What is it: It’s the most commonly used name for the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament. But Big Ben is actually the bell within the Tower

Big Ben is officially the name of the bell within the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament, but many use the name to refer to the entire tower.

It’s possibly the most famous of all landmarks in the UK, and one of the most graceful, dominating the views of the River Thames between the Waterloo and Lambeth bridges in London.

It’s part of one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London. Westminster Abbey, St Margaret’s Church and the rest of the Houses of Parliament are also included in the Westminster World Heritage Site.

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

What is it: A historic fortress on a volcanic rock, serving as a royal residence and military stronghold

The greatest of all Scottish castles sits high on a volcanic outcrop above the capital, besieged and bombarded many times over yet surviving 900 years since its founding by David I in the 12th century. 

It has been a royal residence and military stronghold, and houses the oldest building in Edinburgh, the simple 12^th century St Margaret’s Chapel. The 16^th century Great Hall is another survivor from medieval times – much of the Castle has been rebuilt since the 19^th century.

Good to know: Edinburgh Castle is also home to the Scottish National War Memorial and National War Museum of Scotland.

Top Tips: For a spectacular experience visit during August when it is the backdrop to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Website: Edinburgh Castle

Location: Gower Peninsula, Wales

What is it: A stunning three-mile long beach frequently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Rhossili Bay is the best-known beach on the Gower Peninsula, the first part of the UK to be declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Wales. It’s the westernmost of the Gower beaches, a three-mile (5 km) curve of glorious golden sand that’s far too large to get even remotely crowded.

Top tip: One of the easiest Gower walks takes you along the fairly flat clifftop path to the end of the headland looking out to the tidal island of Worm’s Head, one of the most striking coastal landmarks in Britain.

See Also: 20 Things To Do In The Spectacular Gower 

Location: County Antrim, Northern Ireland

What is it: A natural wonder with around 40,000 basalt columns formed by volcanic activity.

The Giant’s Causeway is probably the best-known of the main Northern Ireland landmarks, a geological wonder formed by a volcanic eruption.

The Causeway is a series of around 40,000 basalt columns of varying height, shape and size formed as lava cooled, cracking in a similar way to mud.

According to Irish legend, giant Finn MacCool built the causeway over to Scotland where he confronted the Scottish giant Benandonner. It’s located on the Antrim coast, a few miles from two other Northern Irish landmarks in this article. 

Location: London, England

What is it: The official London residence of the British monarch.

Buck House’ is the official London residence of the reigning British monarch and one of the most familiar London landmarks throughout the world.

It’s the first place in royal London most visitors head for, to see the centuries-old ceremonial Changing of the Guard, and to visit the State Rooms for ten weeks a year between July and September.

The Palace is at the end of The Mall, a tree-lined processional avenue along which the King and royal retinue march during the Trooping the Colour ceremony held on the second Saturday of June. 

Good to know: Changing of The King’s Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace at 10:45am and lasts for about 45 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You should arrive early to get the best view. It may be cancelled in bad weather. You can check this site for the Changing the Guard schedule.

Top Tips: Book in advance if you wish to tour the State Rooms in summer.

Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP

What is it: A combined bascule and suspension bridge over the River Thames.

One of the foremost landmarks in England and icons of London, Tower Bridge is magnificent, a combined suspension and bascule bridge over the river Thames. It’s a wonder of late 19^th century Gothic Revival architecture, its twin towers like gateways to a fairytale world.

It also does the more prosaic job of raising its central section to allow shipping above a certain height to pass through safely. It was designed by Horace Jones and completed in 1894, and is one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe, if not the world. 

Top Tip: Visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition for stunning views and glass floor experience.

See Also: 18 Famous Bridges In London

7. St David’s Cathedral, Wales 

8.Stonehenge, England 

9.Conwy Castle  

10. Roman Baths, Bath, England 

Location: North West England

What is it: England’s largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lake District of north-west England was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2017.  However, it’s about much more than the alluring Lakes, however – the area (a National Park since 1951) is also home to the highest mountains in England.

The landscape – from the pastoral lower slopes to the heights of Scafell Pike – was a great inspiration to the Picturesque movement of the 18^th century and the later Romantic movement, and the area has been uniquely conserved, with most trappings of the industrial world kept well away. It’s one of the great landscapes of England and, indeed, Europe. 

Location: Stretching from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset

What is it: England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Jurassic Coast is a 95-mile (153 km) stretch of Dorset and East Devon coastline that comprises England’s sole natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

It’s a unique and varied stretch of coast formed over the Mesozoic Era (250 to 65 million years ago, and is particularly fossil-rich.

Its name is a little misleading as the area also contains many miles of Triassic and Cretaceous (the eras before and after the Jurassic) coastline as well.

It contains several great coastal English landmarks, from the white chalk cliff stacks of Old Harry Rocks to the iconic Durdle Door sea arch, nearby Lulworth Cove, and Golden Cap, at 191 metres the highest hill and cliff on the south coast of England. 

Location: Near Fort William, Scotland

What is it: The highest mountain in the British Isles.

Ben Nevis has a special place among famous landmarks of UK, as it’s the highest mountain in Great Britain. It looms 4,413 feet (1,345 metres) above the town of Fort William and the west coast of Scotland.

The most popular route up the mountain is the Pony Track, and it’s by no means an easy option, criss-crossing scree slopes on its way up. The climb takes 4-5 hours in summer, and you need to allow at least 3 hours to descend.

The best views of Ben Nevis are from nearby lakes, including Loch Eil, just to the west of Fort William. 

Location: Gwynedd, North Wales

What is it: An Italianate style village

This whimsical fantasy village is surely one of the prettiest landmarks of the UK.  Built on a wooded hillside overlooking the sublime Dwyryd estuary in North Wales, it’s a village of ‘rescued buildings’ rebuilt along with an Italian-style belltower and cottages which was the setting for much of the 1960s TV series The Prisoner.

It’s open to visitors during the daytime, but one of the best things to do in Portmeirion is to stay overnight, in one of the two hotels – one of which is one of the best castles to stay in Wales – or holiday cottages around the main Piazza. 

See Also: 15 Delightful Villages In North Wales

Location: Falkirk, Scotland

What is it: Two 30-meter high horse-head sculptures, the largest equine sculptures in the world.

The Kelpies are a compelling pair of horse-head sculptures at the entrance to a new extended section of the Forth and Clyde canal which links east and west Scotland.

One of the newer Scotland landmarks, completed in 2014 by sculptor Andy Scott, they represent mythical shape-shifting creatures from Scottish folklore – some of which took on the form of horses – and also the actual horses used in the development of Scottish industry. 

Location: Blackpool, England

What is it: A 158-meter tall tower in the most famous British seaside resort.

Blackpool Tower is one of the most celebrated British landmarks, dominating the seafront of one of the most popular British seaside resorts.

The Tower soars high above the beach, piers and funfair below, and you can climb most of the way up this 158-metre (518 feet) landmark to take in superb views of the Lancashire coast.

The Blackpool Tower complex also includes the ornate Tower Ballroom, which hosts daily tea dances, a Circus and Dungeon. 

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

What is it: A museum dedicated to the RMS Titanic, which was built in Belfast.

Titanic Belfast is an impressive museum on the site of the old Harland & Wolff shipyards where the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic was built and launched from in 1912.

The striking building symbolises a series of ship prows, though some locals have nicknamed this newest of Belfast landmarks ‘The Iceberg’.

The interior of the building is a series of rooms, taking you through the shipyards, to a re-creation of cabins on board the Titanic, a gallery depicting the launch and another the fatal collision with an iceberg. 

Location: Mid Wales

What is it: A spectacular National Park and dark sky reserve

They are among the most scenic Welsh landmarks, yet the Brecon Beacons are made up of three distinct mountain ranges.

The central Brecon Beacons, including the tallest summit in southern Britain, Pen y Fan (886 metres or 2.907 feet), pull in the most visitors, while you can enjoy many of the gentler contours of the Black Mountains to the east in near-solitude.

The moorland Black Mountain to the west offers one of the most scenic drives in the UK and one of the most romantic castles in Europe, Carreg Cennen Castle, in the steep valleys below. 

See Also: Wales Bucket List

Location: Dover, England

What is it: Iconic white chalk cliffs and symbol of homecoming during WWII

The gleaming White Cliffs of Dover are among the most recognisable UK landmarks, a potent symbol of the country and homecoming, especially during the Second World War. 

They are visible from the north coast of France 22 miles (35 km )away, and stretch 8 miles (13 km) either side of the busy port of Dover. 

They were especially resonant during the 1940s Dunkirk evacuations, when troops could see the Cliffs across the English Channel. They were also immortalised by Dame Vera Lynn in her wartime song ‘(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover’. 

Cardiff Castle has become one of the most recognisable landmarks of Britain because it dominates the centre of the Welsh capital. You can’t possibly miss it, its extensive walls and Clock Tower close to some of the main Cardiff shopping streets.

One of the best castles in South Wales to visit, Cardiff has been a Roman fort and boasts an 11^th century keep, a 15th century gatehouse and – the main draw – some of the most extravagant Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and decoration you’ll find anywhere. 

Location: Near Llangollen, Wales

What Is It: The longest and highest aqueduct in Britain, a masterpiece of engineering from the Industrial Revolution.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the great landmarks of the UK from the Industrial Revolution period. It was built by the ‘Colossus of Roads’, the great civil engineer Thomas Telford, to carry the Shropshire Union Canal high above the scenic Dee Valley and on to the nearby town of Llangollen.

Narrowboats carrying visitors make up most of the traffic nowadays, and you can hire one yourself from Trevor Wharf on the north side of the Aqueduct. It was the third site in Wales to be accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009.  

See also : Things to do in Llangollen 

Location: Near Fort William, Scotland

What is it: A railway viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films

It has become one of the more famous Scottish landmarks over the last fifteen years or so, having appeared in four Harry Potter films, but the Glenfinnan Viaduct would have made our list no matter what.

It’s the highlight of one of the most spectacular rail journeys in Europe, the West Highland Line branch line to the remote fishing port of Mallaig. The line curves as it passes over the 21 arches, surrounded by an amphitheatre of rugged mountains and the waters of Loch Shiel below.

At the time of writing (April 2021), three trains pass in each direction between Glasgow Queen Street and Mallaig daily. 

Location: Dundee, Scotland

What Is It: Scotland’s first design museum.

The V&A Dundee is one of the newest Scottish landmarks, completed in 2018.  It’s Scotland’s first Design Museum, and the first ‘branch’ of the V&A outside London.

The building was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, and is said to have been inspired by the cliffs of the east Scottish coast. It’s a striking presence on the Dundee waterfront, especially combined with the RRS Discovery, the tall-masted ship which took Scott and Shackleton on their first voyage to the Antarctic. 

Location: Near Ballintoy, Northern Ireland

What is it: A famous rope bridge

You’ll find another of the most famous landmarks in Northern Ireland a few miles east along the scenic Antrim coast from Giant’s Causeway.

The current version of this rope bridge – linking the mainland with tiny Carrick-a-Rede Island – was completed in 2008, but the original is believed to have been raised in 1755 by local salmon fishermen.

Only eight people can use the bridge at any one time, and with clear views to the sea and rocks 30 metres (98 feet) below some can’t stomach the return journey and have to be helped off the island by boat. One to test your head for heights!  

Location: Caernarfon, Wales

What is it: A medieval fortress and one of the most impressive castles in Britain.

The sturdy, angular walls of Caernarfon Castle, possibly the most famous landmark in Wales, would have intimidated and most likely deterred any would-be attacker. 

Inspired by the walls of Constantinople, this mighty fortress is one of the most impressive castles in North Wales, and guarded the southern entrance to the Menai Strait, the body of water between mainland Wales and the isle of Anglesey.

Caernarfon Castle was built at enormous expense by English King Edward I to subjugate local Welsh rebels, and left him severely out of pocket.

Caernarfon was then captured by the Welsh before it was completed, and restored to English control a year later. The Castle’s defences had already been augmented by an imposing circuit of town walls.

The Castle came to worldwide attention in 1969 when it hosted the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. It is also home to one of the best military museums in Wales, the Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Regiment, in one of its towers.

Location: Near Chepstow, Wales

What is it: The ruins of a romantic Gothic church

Tintern Abbey – Abaty Tyndyrn in Welsh –  is one of the great British landmarks. And not just because it is one of the most beautiful, one of the finest English Decorated Gothic churches ever built.

Tintern Abbey also played a major part in inspiring the birth of British tourism. In the late 18th century, the Wye Tour – a two-day boat trip down the river from Ross-on-Wye to Tintern and Chepstow, a few miles downstream – was the ideal opportunity for visitors to appreciate the Picturesque.

They would stop at several places each day to paint riverside scenes, and word of mouth soon made the Wye Valley one of the most famous places in Britain. The Abbey was the highlight of the Tour, and to this day it’s one of the most beautiful places to see in Britain. 

The steep forested gorge of the Wye is a magnificent sight at any time of year, and is perhaps at its best on a still autumn morning, the mists rising from the river and swirling around the arches and empty windows of the great ruined church, just as the sun peeks over the forested hillside behind. One of the most evocative places to visit in the UK.

See Also: Best Places to Visit in Wales in Autumn

Location: Bristol, England

What Is It: A remarkable suspension bridge spanning the Avon Gorge

The best-known of Bristol landmarks, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is the defining symbol of this great city in the south-west of England.  Designed by master engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it spans the Avon Gorge, connecting Clifton Village with Leigh woods and nearby Ashton Court.

Back when I lived in Bristol, I regularly walked the short distance from my flat to the Bridge to gaze at the twinkling lights of the city below.  The bridge is an awesome sight at any time of day or night, and you can walk across it for free (when I lived there, pedestrians had to pay a modest 2p – less than 3 US cents – to do so).

Clifton Village is very close by and is well worth exploring for its Georgian architecture, some of which is on a par with that of nearby (and more widely renowned) Bath.

Much of Caledonia Terrace, for example, is let as student accommodation. Stop off for a drink at the Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin as the lights are turned on a t dusk to get the full effect of this magical spot. Then head around the corner for a drink at the Coronation Tap, a legendary Bristol pub.

See Also: 20 Most Beautiful Bridges In Europe

Location: London on the north bank of the River Thames

What is it: Historic Royal Castle in the City of London

The Tower of London is one of the oldest castles in England and Britain, indeed one of the first stone castles to be constructed in the British Isles. It was commissioned by William the Conqueror to defend London, capital of his newly-acquired kingdom of England, after his victory in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

William’s Castle is now known as the White Tower, and is one of the most famous landmarks in England. Although it’s dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the City of London, it’s still a formidable edifice, impressive from the Thames and its namesake Tower Bridge and up close.

The Tower is surrounded by impressive outer walls, and within these are fascinating precincts the size of a small village, with the Museum housing the Crown Jewels, the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, not to mention the famous Yeomen Warders, better known as Beefeaters and the resident ravens.

It rivals Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square as one of the most iconic places in London.

Location: London

What is it: An iconic feature of the London skyline and the most beautiful building of the English Baroque period.

The famous domed St Paul’s Cathedral isn’t just one of the great UK landmarks, it’s also a building of immense symbolism to Londoners and the British alike.

It was built in the late 17^th and early 18^th centuries to replace the gigantic Gothic Old St Paul’s, which like most of London was consumed by the Great Fire of 1666. 

It came to represent renewal and revival as a new, very different city emerged from the lost medieval one.

During World War Two, its splendid Baroque dome stood firm and unscathed in famous photographs of the London Blitz, with buildings burning all around.

It came to symbolize the resistance and courage of Londoners and British as they were subjected to weeks of intense bombing by the Luftwaffe.

St Paul’s is the most famous legacy of its architect, Sir Christopher Wren, who built 50 churches in London in all.

Around 20 of these survive – many of these were destroyed during the Blitz, including St Augustine’s Watling Street, whose lone tower at the east end of St Paul’s survives, showing how close St Paul’s itself came to destruction.

Location: Caerphilly, South Wales.

What is it: The second largest castle in Britain now with fire’ breathing dragons.

The second largest castle in the UK – and the largest in Wales – was state-of-the-art when it was built in the 1260s. It was built on the low-lying land of the Caerphilly basin, surrounded by 1,000 feet high hills a few miles north of what is now the Welsh capital, Cardiff.

Norman lord Gilbert de Clare built Caerphilly Castle to dispel the threat from local Welsh warlords, who promptly sacked and destroyed the original in 1267. Its replacement, however, was a far tougher nut to crack.

Caerphilly Castle occupies 30 acres of land, and is surrounded by a series of lakes, giving it a picturesque feel.

It is also famous for its leaning tower, which tilts further from the perpendicular than its more famous counterpart in Pisa. Explanations for its partial destruction range from it being blown up by gunpowder to being used by locals as a quarry (the nearby 16th century manor house on the hill was a highly likely culprit).

The most important moment in Caerphilly Castle’s history came in the 14^th century when fugitive English king Edward II briefly sought refuge there. It also saw action in the early 15^th century when it was besieged by Welsh rebel prince Owain Glyndwr, and again during the English Civil War.

See Also: Castles in South Wales

Location: Southbank of the River Thames, London

What is it: A giant Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of London

The most enduring of the millennium London landmarks,  the London Eye – originally also known as the Millennium Ferris Wheel – quickly became established as one of the most famous UK landmarks.

The flight takes you over 500 feet above the River Thames, offering an amazing view of the Houses of Parliament on the opposite bank, and the western part of central London.

Location: Kew, West London

What is it: UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the largest botanical and mycological collection in the world.

One of the best things to do in West London is to spend a few hours – or indeed a full day – exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.  They cover a vast area – around 300 acres – of land close to the River thames, and were founded in 1759.

Kew Gardens are one of the most famous places in England, with a collection of over 50,000 species of plants, flowers and trees from around the world. These include some of the most famous buildings in London, such as the stunning Palm Court, Kew Palace and the Great Pagoda.

Location: Westminster, London

What is it: One of the most famous churches in Britain and the site of royal coronations

The coronation church of kings and queens of England is one of the most famous buildings in England and greatest churches in Europe.

Visiting Westminster Abbey takes you on a journey through the last 1000 years of English and British history. One of the oldest sights you’ll see is the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, whose disputed succession led to the Norman Conquest in 1066, and one of the most recent is the memorial to one of Britain’s greatest scientists, Stephen Hawking.

Architecturally Westminster Abbey is superb, from the soaring Gothic arches and vault of the narrow nave to the exquisite fan-vaulting from the late English Gothic Perpendicular period in the Lady Chapel in the east end of the church.

Westminster Abbey, St Margaret’s Church next door and the Houses of Parliament – one of the great squares in London – comprise one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London.

Location: Windsor, Berkshire

What is it: The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

Windsor Castle, just west of London, has been the residence of reigning English kings and queens for over 900 years. 

It was originally built by William the Conqueror in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, and been in use ever since – initially as a defensive fortification, but mostly as a vast royal palace. It was the principal residence of Queen Elizabeth II from 2011 until her death in 2022.

It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Great Britain, and the largest Castle in the British Isles. It’s also one of the most complete architecturally, with elements from the Norman / Romanesque (Round Tower), Gothic, and Perpendicular Gothic (the stunning St George’s Chapel), as well as furnishing and decorations all the way through to the 19^th century.

Top tip: If you visit, try to make time for a walk in Windsor Great Park to get an idea of the sheer scale of the place. 

Location: Gateshead, North East England

What is it: A contemporary sculpture and one of the most recognisable pieces of public art ever made.

The Angel of the North is one of the most famous landmarks of England. It’s believed to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world, at a height of 20 metres and a wingspan of 54 metres. 

It’s one of the most famous pieces of public art in Britain, created by sculptor Antony Gormley, who was initially sceptical about the project. It occupies a small knoll between the main A1 road and the A167, on the outskirts of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Since its completion in 1998, it has gradually become less visible as trees surrounding it have grown – this was the original intention, eventually showing it in a largely woodland setting.

Location: Cornwall, South West England.

What is it: The most westerly point of mainland England.

Land’s End is one of the most famous English landmarks, the westernmost point of mainland England and the island of Great Britain.

It’s also a full-blown tourist attraction, with film shows, a farm ideal for nature-loving kids as well as the iconic Land’s End signpost, the First and Last Inn and First and Last House, now a craft and souvenir shop.

The highlight, however, is the spectacular coastal scenery, and the walks along the South West Coast Path – south to Enys Dodnan Arch and the lovely coves at Porthgwarra and Nanjizal, and the wide, sandy swathe of Sennen Cove Beach.

Location: Firth, East of Scotland

What is it: A symbol of Scottish engineering.

The Forth Railway Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Europe, and at the time of its opening in 1890 was the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world. It’s 2,467 metres long,and carries the Edinburgh to Aberdeen railway.

It has become one of the great icons of Scotland, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  one of six in Scotland, since 2015.

Location: Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

What is it: Freshwater loch best known for alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster

Loch Ness is a vast lake, up to 23 miles (36 km) long, south-west of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It’s the second largest lake in Scotland by area, but because of its depth – 230 metres at its deepest point – it is the largest by volume, containing more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.

The loch has long been famous for what is said to be lurking somewhere in its depths – Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Some have been convinced it’s a plesiosaur, others more prosaically believe it’s nothing more exciting than a large piece of driftwood.

Photographs have been dismissed as hoaxes, and there is no proof such a creature exists. Nonetheless, the myth draws visitors back year after year.

Location: Stirling, Scotland.

What is it: One of the largest and most important castles in Scotland.

Stirling Castle is one of the most imposing castles in Great Britain, and has played a pivotal role in Scottish history. It has served both as a fortress and palatial royal residence.

It changed hands several times during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the late 13^th and 14^th centuries, and overlooks the site of the famous Battle of Bannockburn, where the Scots defeated English forces in 1314.

Most of the present Castle buildings date from the rebuild between 1490 and 1600 by the Stewart dynasty, under which James VI assumed the English throne in 1603 following the death of Elizabeth I, the last of the Tudor line.

Location: London

What is it: A 95-story supertall skyscraper with extraordinary views.

The Shard skyscraper in Southwark, London is the tallest building in the UK, towering 309 metres (1,016 feet) above the Borough High Street and London Bridge railway and Tube stations

It is shaped like a glass spire, and makes surrounding buildings look tiny. You can take a lift 72 floors to the viewing gallery at The View From The Shard, from which you can see as far as 40 miles (63 km) away, to the Thames estuary in the east and countryside and satellite towns outside London.

The outdoor viewing deck is open air, with glass screens providing protection from the elements.

The Shard is also home to the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, several restaurants and offices.

Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales

What is it: A national trail in Wales, famous for its breathtaking coastal scenery.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a 186-mile, 299 km trail around the county of Pembrokeshire in West Wales. It runs from Amroth, on the coast of Carmarthen Bay in the south-east, to the village of St Dogmaels in the north-west of the county.

The path is now part of the longer Wales Coast Path, which runs the entire 870-mile length of the Welsh coast. However it remains one of the most popular sections of the coast path, passing along the four glorious Tenby beaches, the dramatic scenery of the Stackpole Estate and the gorgeous St Davids Peninsula.

My favourite section is the northernmost, from Newport Pembrokeshire, an exhilarating 13-mile trail along spectacular undulating cliffs, with barely a soul in sight.

Location: County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

What is it: An atmospheric, tree-lined road made famous by the TV series Game of Thrones.

The Dark Hedges are a famous avenue of beech trees between Stranocum and Armoy in Northern Ireland. The trees have become famous as a result of being used as a location in the Game of Thrones TV series, and it has become a regular stop for day tours of Northern Ireland which also visit nearby Giants Causeway.

Roughly 150 trees were planted around 1775 by landowner James Stuart on the road leading to his new house, Gracehill. The branches of the trees either side of the road have formed an archway, which makes a very atmospheric and impressive entrance to the estate.

Vehicles are no longer allowed to travel along the Dark Hedges, but there is a car – and coach – park a two-minute walk away.

Location: Brighton, South England

What is it: Famous English seaside Pier

Also known as Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Pier is one of the best -known landmarks on the south coast of England. It was originally the third pier in the city, built to replace the earlier Chain Pier, which collapsed in 1896. It was originally home to a theatre, which was replaced in the 1980s by a large amusement arcade.

The seaward end of the Pier is home to a funfair with traditional rides ranging from the Turbo roller coaster to a haunted house and, for the more sedate among us, a revolving teacup ride.

Location: Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales.

What is it: World-class arts centre with outstanding accoustics.

The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay is one of the most iconic British buildings of the last twenty years. As its name suggests, it was conceived as one of many millennium projects around the UK, but only opened in November 2004.

Its façade is unmistakable, with two phrases by poet Gwyneth Lewis – one in English, ‘In these stones horizons sing’ and one in Welsh, ‘‘Creu gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen’’. The latter translates as ‘Creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration’.

The Wales Millennium Centre was definitely worth the wait – the main auditorium, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has possibly the best acoustics we’ve ever encountered worldwide. There are also several smaller performance spaces, and ongoing events well worth seeing.

Location: Bath, Somerset, South West England.

What is it: Magnificent Abbey and former Benedictine monastery

Bath Abbey church was built in the early 16^th century in the English Perpendicular style. It’s one of the most beautiful examples of its kind, and one of the finest churches in England.

It’s a wondrous sight from outside – it dominates the view from the Roman Baths across the square – but its greatest beauty lies within.

Its intricate soaring fan vaults are stunning, on a par with those in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The present church was begun over 900 years after the first monastic foundation at Bath (in 675 AD). Within a few decades of completion, the new Church was ruined after Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, and its first restoration then took another half a century.

Bath is one of the best historical places in England to visit, with the Roman Baths and 18^th century Pump Room restaurant very close by. Much of the city also has two UNESCO World Heritage Site designations – for its Georgian architecture and as one of the Great European Spas.

See Also: Famous Landmarks in Bath and 12 Famous Streets In Bath

Location: Porthcurno, near Land’s End in Cornwall, South West England.

What is it: Superb open-air theatre jutting into the sea .

The Minack Theatre, built into cliffs a few miles south of Land’s End in Cornwall, is one of the most spectacular theatres in the world.

It was founded by Rowena Cade, who moved to Porthcurno after World War I, buying a house at Minack Point. The idea of a theatre at the site was conceived after a performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by a local group in 1929, and she offered the land below her garden for a production of The Tempest the following year.

The theatre now runs up to twenty performances each year, in the summer season between May and September. You can also visit the theatre during these months – and while you’re there, don’t miss amazing Porthcurno beach.  

Location: Isle of Anglesey, North Wales

What is it: Famous working lighthouse and breathtaking sunset spot.

South Stack Lighthouse is one of the best-known North Wales landmarks, and familiar to many who have made the sea crossing from Dublin to nearby Holyhead. It’s the most famous of the five working lighthouses on Anglesey, on an islet at the foot of soaring, forbidding cliffs that are also among the most important seabird nesting sites in Wales.

It’s the one Anglesey lighthouse that you can visit, albeit after a 400-step descent and a steep climb back up. South Stack is also renowned as a great sunset spot for much of the year -our shot is from the summer.

Location: Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales.

What is it: A medieval castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Harlech Castle is one of the great Welsh castles, and one of the four that comprise the Castles of King Edward I in Gwynedd UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It has one of the most dramatic settings of any Welsh castle, with the peaks of Snowdonia just to the north and one of the best Cardigan Bay beaches, Harlech Beach, just a mile (1.6 km) away.

Harlech is smaller than Conwy or Caernarfon, but presented a formidable challenge to any attacker. The rocky precipice on which it stands was a sea cliff, but the sea has retreated over the ensuing seven centuries.

The Castle saw action several times, withstanding an early siege by Welsh prince Madog ap Llywelyn before being captured over a century later by another Welsh prince, Owain Glyndwr.

It was later besieged for seven years during the Wars of the Roses, inspiring the famous song ‘Men of Harlech’. It also saw service during the English Civil War.

Location: The island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland.

What is it: One of the oldest and most important religious centres in Western Europe.

The humble stone church of the Abbey of Iona is located on the island of the same name, just off the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. It was one of the main centres of Celtic Christianity in the British Isles, and the monastery founded by St Columba in 563 AD played a huge role in converting the Scots and Picts to the faith.

This remote island was a major centre of learning, and in between Viking raids its monks produced the world-famous Book of Kells, which is now held in Dublin. The church and abbey fell into ruin after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537, and the church was only rebuilt in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Iona Abbey was also reconstituted, this time with nuns living there, and the island has become an important pilgrimage site over the last few decades.

I hope you have enjoyed my guide to the best 50 UK landmarks, and that some of them have given you ideas for a trip soon.

If you have enjoyed this article, check out some of my more detailed articles on landmarks in Britain. My article on famous London landmarks covers 50 locations around the capital.

If you enjoy the likes of Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, then check out my guide to the best 25 churches in London to visit.

Meanwhile, my article on the best landmarks in England introduces more great places to visit. And for somewhere smaller (and beautiful) take a look at my articles on landmarks in Bath and the most beautiful streets in Bath.

If you’re thinking of heading west, then take a look at my guides to the best landmarks in Wales, and the most famous landmarks in Cardiff.

You can read more of my articles on famous landmarks in Europe below: