20 Famous Landmarks to Visit in England
If you are looking for inspiration for your travels in England you will find it in this post! This article will help you identify which famous places to include in your itinerary.
You will find at least 2 for every region in England.
1. The Lake District
The Lake District would always be my number one place to visit in the north west. If you enjoy beautiful scenery including lakes and mountain, long walks, quaint English villages and good food and drink the Lake District has it all – lashings of it!
Of course the Lake District is synonymous with Beatrix Potter and a trip to Hill Top farm is a must for fans of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck.
2. Chester
With bags of character, this historic city is perfect for a weekend break.
Don’t miss the “Rows” which is a shopping district comprised of 2 level arcades and Tudor buildings or the city walls dating back to Roman times.
Other famous landmarks in the north west include the Blackpool Tower which is basically a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
3. Whitby
If you fancy a bit of sea air and the best fish and chips anywhere in the UK then Whitby is the place to go! Famous for its connections to Dracula and Captain Cook plan a day at least to explore this lovely coastal town.
4. York (The Shambles / Minster)
York is a favourite destination for so many reasons. I absolutely love the train museum and the historic sights in York.
You canalso enjoy shopping (the Shambles is a must!) and the food – I always seem to have a great meal in York. Afternoon tea at Bettys Tea Rooms is a wonderful experience – book ahead though as it is very popular!
5. Warwick Castle
While there are many fantastic castles to visit in the UK Warwick Castle is one of my favourites. The medieval castle you see today was originally a wooden fort built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. Obviously there have been some serious renovations through the centuries.
With loads of activities on during the summer months including jousting tournaments, the dragon slayer show, birds of prey shows and more this is an absolute must visit for all the family.
Warwick is an easy day trip from London by train.
6. Bath
Bath is known for its wonderful historic and literary connections. The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Jane Austen Visitor Centre and the Royal Crescent are all attractions to include in your itinerary when you visit Bath.
7. Stonehenge
The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is located near Amesbury in Wiltshire and is one of the UK’s most popular landmarks.
8. Cotswolds
No list of the most beautiful landmarks to visit would be complete without the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Cotswolds.
With many quaint and picturesque towns and villages to explore (best by car or on a tour) the Cotswolds are the perfect destination.
Other famous landmarks include St Michael’s Mount, Tintagel and the Eden Project.
9. Brighton Pavilion
Brighton is a vibrant city located on the south coast and really is a lovely place to visit on a day trip. If you do plan a trip I highly recommend visiting the Brighton Pavilion.
Construction of the Pavilion commenced in 1787 as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales. Built to reflect George’s love of India and Chinese decor its domes and minarets and lavishly decorated interior are an absolute joy to explore.
10. Arundel Castle
This restored medieval castle and stately home are located in magnificent grounds which boast of wonderful flower displays throughout the spring and summer.
Don’t miss its annual Tulip Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world.
The white cliffs of Dover, Blenheim Palace and the Brighton Palace Pier are other famous landmarks in England that are located in this area.
11. Cambridge
Cambridge University is one of the most famous learning institutions in the world and a visit to this beautiful city is a must.
12. Hadrian's Wall
The North East is one of the most beautiful regions of England and I think a bit of a well kept secret!
With more castles than any other county and a stunning coastline Northumberland has much to attract visitors.
Famous landmarks include Hadrian’s Wall which was built nearly 2000 years ago by the Romans and marked the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire.
13. Lindisfarne Castle
The North East is one of the most beautiful regions of England and I think a bit of a well kept secret!
With more castles than any other county and a stunning coastline Northumberland has much to attract visitors.
Famous landmarks include Hadrian’s Wall which was built nearly 2000 years ago by the Romans and marked the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire.
14. Albert Docks in Liverpool
For music lovers the cities of Liverpool and Manchester are a natural destination.
Liverpool is of course the birthplace of the Beatles. With numerous tours, sights, museums and themed experiences it is the perfect destination for fans. (Don’t miss a trip to the legendary Cavern Club!)
And you absolutely can’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage Albert Docks when you visit Liverpool. These historic docks consisting of Grade 1 listed buildings are now home to numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, museums and attractions.
These include the Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story, the Slavery Museum and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Plan to visit Liverpool for at least a day but to make the most of your stay (especially for Beatles fans) I suggest two days.
15. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Park
UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Park.
For history lovers the ruins of one of the largest abbeys in England (founded in 1132 by Benedictine monks) is a perfect example of the impact of Henry VIII’s decision to enact the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539.
Stroll around the park and enjoy the Royal Water Park. Created by a father in son in the 18th century the beautiful gardens and water park are the perfect destination on a warm summer’s day.
16. Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon is a perfect addition to any trip to the Cotswolds as it is less than 20 minutes from the start of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also the birthplace of the Bard himself – William Shakespeare.
17. Ironbridge
Ironbridge… which is a bridge but is also the name of the town where this bridge is located!
The bridge is in fact the world’s first iron bridge and the town itself is recognised as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is fascinating to visit with museums, galleries and the beautiful valley and gorge to explore.
18. Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House tops my list of attractions in the East Midlands an area consisting of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, most of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.
Chatsworth is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. In fact it has been the home of 16 generations of the Cavendish family since 1549!
The house and gardens located near Bakewell in the Derbyshire Peak District are a must-visit with lots of activities and events throughout the year. “Christmas at Chatsworth” is particularly popular when the house is transformed with Christmas displays and decorations.
19. Peak District National Park
If you are visiting Chatsworth you will already be in the Peak District National Park. Don’t miss the pretty market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne.
Matlock, Buxton, Eyam, Edale, Castleton, and Tissington are all beautiful Peak District towns and villages worth exploring and certainly should be included in any planned stay or road trip through this area.
20. King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester
For hundreds of years, the remains of one of England’s most controversial Kings was unknown. Richard III succeeded the throne of England after the death of his brother Edward and the subsequent disappearance of Edward’s two young sons and heirs. (Two small skeletons discovered in the Tower of London in 1674 are thought to be the remains of the 2 boys – murdered perhaps on their Uncle Richard’s orders??)
King Richard III himself was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Until recently his remains were lost. However in 2012 following an archaeological excavation under (of all places) a car park in Leicester his remains have been found and reburied in Leicester Cathedral.
To discover more about this incredible story head to the award winning King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester.
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