The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays
With so many attractions across the country, let alone the rest of the world, it can be hard to know what to choose to do for a day out.
10
Now, Tripadvisor has rounded up the top 15 attractions across the UK based on visitor reviews including a dark city cemetery with famous graves and a number of free places to explore.
1. Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh
The Royal Yacht Britannia has been named as the number one tourist attraction in the UK, according to Tripadvisor.
This historical vessel allows visitors to see behind the scenes of the luxury liner used by the British royal family for their travels.
Tripadvisor said: "Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace, now docked in the capital's Leith harbour district, boasts over 18,000 five star reviews."
Tickets cost from £20 per person.
2. Bodleian Library, Oxford
First opened in 1602, the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and houses more than 13million printed items.
The Weston Library is free to enter, however if you want to see the Old Library or Radcliffe Camera - Britain's first circular library - you will need to book onto a guided tour.
Tours of the library costs from £10 per person.
3. Highgate Cemetery, London
Third on the list is a rather unusual choice for a day out, but still fascinating to explore.
Highgate Cemetery in North London is a burial site for around 170,000 people.
Many travellers head to the Grade I listed cemetery to explore the unique architecture by Stephen Geary but for most it is the famous names laid to rest that are the reason for a visit.
Historic figures buried in the cemetery include philosopher and father of modern communism, Karl Marx, as well as the founder of Crufts dog show Charles Cruft.
Also buried in elaborate graves are the wife of author Charles Dickens, Catherine Dickens and novelist George Eliot.
It is also the last resting place for the legendary singer-songwriter George Michael.
Tickets to visit Highgate Cemetery cost £10 per adult and £5 per child.
10
4. The British Museum, London
Another free spot on the list is the British Museum in London.
The museum is home to a permanent collection of eight million works - making it the largest in the world.
Across the entire museum, it tells the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.
The museum also hosts many free additional exhibitions and events throughout the year.
5. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Up in Scotland again, Edinburgh Castle makes up the final spot in the top five UK attractions.
Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
And even the rock it stands on has a grand history.
10
Castle Rock dates back to the Iron Age and there has been a castle on the rock since the reign of Malcolm III in the 11th century.
It then continued to be a royal residence until 1633.
Tickets to the castle cost from £21.50 per adult and £13 per child.
6. Tower Bridge, London
One of the capital's iconic landmarks also makes the list - Tower Bridge.
Spanning the River Thames in the centre of London, travellers can wander across the bridge for free.
But for a sky high view, climb the North Tower to stroll across the high-level walkways 137ft above the Thames or brave the glass floor that allows a thrilling view of the traffic passing on the bridge below.
Tickets to Tower Bridge, including access to climb the towers, discover the Victorian Engine Rooms and cross the glass floors cost from £16 per adult and £8 per child.
7. The Roman Baths, Bath
Heading to Somerset, the Roman Baths are home to "one of the great religious spas of the ancient world", according to Tripadvisor.
10
The baths feature natural thermal springs which were used by the people of Roman Britain to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva.
Tickets cost from £28 per adult and £21 per child.
8. National Maritime Museum, London
Back in the capital, the National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world.
Across different galleries and displays, visitors can discover ships and boats, relics from the Titanic and even the uniform Nelson was wearing when he was shot at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Running until January is also a great exhibition for kids who love pirates.
The Pirates exhibition explores piracy in popular cultures including fictional characters such as Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow to real pirates from historical events.
Admission to the museum is free, but if you want to head to the Pirates exhibition it will cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child.
9. Natural History Museum, London
Another of London's free museums to feature on the list is the Natural History Museum. in South Kensington.
Hope the blue whale soars over mighty dinosaur skeletons and Darwin's personal collection.
See priceless gems, ancient meteorites, and the first bird fossil, revealing Earth's incredible history.
Right now, the museum is hosting 'Our Story with David Attenborough' - a 360-degree cinematic experience.
Tickets to the experience cost from £20 per adult and The Sun recently visited to see if it is worth the money.
10. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Jumping back to Edinburgh again, this time to a free museum with the National Museum of Scotland securing the tenth spot on the list.
The museum documents Scottish history and culture with thousands of objects across numerous galleries.
The unique architecture of the museum is just as fascinating, make sure to check out the expansive hall at its heart with a glass ceiling.
11. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous places, according to Historic England.
The mysterious stone circle is believed to have been created thousands of years ago by prehistoric people.
At the site, there is also a Neolithic village to explore with houses and historical information on the area.
Tickets cost from £30.90 per adult and from £20 per child.
10
12. York Minster, York
York Minster in York is a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture and stunning stained glass.
The cathedral dates back to 627 and features an ornately decorated Gothic nave and The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
One of the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe, the Central Tower soars up 325ft and visitors who climb the 275 steps to the top are rewarded with fabulous views across the city.
Children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for adults cost £20.
10
13. National Railway Museum, York
Also in York is the National Railway Museum which celebrates its 50th birthday this year - and the 200th anniversary of the railway.
Completely free to enter, visitors can marvel at record-breaking locomotive legends like Mallard and Japan's Bullet Train.
Explore opulent royal carriages and Stephenson's Rocket, a working replica of the 1829 loco that set the template for steam engines.
For children, there are also a number of interactive exhibits to discover bringing the science and stories of the railway to life.
14. Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
Soaring over the coastal city of Portsmouth, the Spinnaker Tower is a 170metre architectural marvel close to the harbour.
The tower has three viewing decks, including a glass Sky Walk, with panoramic views.
There are also a number of interactive displays and a cafe.
Tickets cost from £18.95 per adult and £14.95 per child.
15. Eden Project, Cornwall
Securing the final spot on the list is the Eden Project in Cornwall.
Set in a reclaimed china clay pit, this spectacular global garden features two giant domes housing the world's largest indoor rain forest and a fragrant Mediterranean landscape with thousands of plants.
Tickets cost from £38 per adult and £12 per child.
Full list of top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor
THE top UK experiences have been named by Tripadvisor, including walking and taxi tours.
London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
The Manchester City Stadium Tour
Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen
Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour
Air Raid Shelter and St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour in Bristol
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London
The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh
Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum
Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh
Tennent's Brewery Tours Ticket in Glasgow
Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness
The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour
Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour, Scotland
Cab Tours Belfast Famous Black Taxi Tours
London Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour
Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness
The Deathly Dark Tour of York
A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour
Tripadvisor has also revealed the top UK experience - and it is a pub crawl.
Plus, The Sun's Alice Penwill tried out the new Race Across the World experience – fans of the BBC TV show will love it.
10
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
37 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
It's great to be here, I love standing on the soil of Scotland, Trump says
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Donald Trump received a warm welcome (Ben Whitley/PA) Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Hundreds gathered at Prestwick Airport as the president landed (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. US President Donald Trump was taken to Turnberry via motorcade (Robert Perry/PA) Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
It's great to be here, I love standing on the soil of Scotland, Trump says
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
It's great to be here, I love standing on the soil of Scotland, Trump says
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
