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The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays
TRIPADVISOR has revealed the winners of its annual 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do awards and it's UK 15 top UK attractions could surprise. 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
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
National Trust reveals its top family-friendly attractions for May half term with fairytale castles and ‘book jungles'
HALF term holidays are nearly here and before you know it, the summer holidays will have arrived. With this in mind, you might be looking for different things to do as a day out. 5 Tom Freshwater, head of visitor programming at The National Trust has rounded up the top family-friendly attractions in the UK. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex Bodiam Castle is one of the most popular family attractions in 1066 Country in Hastings. Tom said: "The castle looks like a classic storybook castle complete with a moat, but through the massive door and beneath the imposing portcullis, and it's basically an empty ruin. "Meaning this is a place where you let your imagination run riot. "Windows where arrows were once loosed, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights." Bodiam also hosts a range of events, so always check the website to see what's on. Upcoming activities include, medieval encampment, have-a-go archery, storytelling, crafts, living history performances, and a How to Train Your Dragon trail (perfectly timed for the film which comes out 9 June). It is also home to wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities by the car park, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths. Sutton Hoo, Suffolk Sutton Hoo is England 's Valley of the Kings and the Anglo-Saxon ship burial found in the King's Mound is the richest burial ever found in northern Europe. "Tales of kings, mysterious mounds and buried treasure make Sutton Hoo, Suffolk the site of one of Britain's most important archaeological discoveries, a must-visit for families," commented Tom. The pretty pink UK castle that is loved by Disney and Britney Spears Around 1,400 years ago, a king or great warrior of East Anglia was laid to rest in a 90ft ship, surrounded by his extraordinary treasures. "Its discovery revolutionised understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period and provided a lens through which to examine this fascinating era of history," explained Tom. "There's a great mix of indoor and outdoor experiences to enjoy. The courtyard, paths to Tranmer House and the route to the Royal Burial Ground are all pushchair and buggy-friendly." Visitors can walk around the atmospheric Royal Burial Ground and enjoy views from the 17-metre viewing tower to discover the history of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions. They can also discover the archaeological work that took place at the site in the 1930s in Tranmer House - the former home of Edith Pretty. At the High Hall there is also an exhibition to see replica and original objects. 5 5 Tom added: "Again, events bring Sutton Hoo to life – Anglo Saxon Storytellers, Costume Making, Sand Tray Archaeology and Gruesome Graves Tours to name a few. "And for older kids/parents and carers there's a chance to catch Time Team Live (19 May, finishing on 13 June) and The Dig: A Story Unearthed is a new temporary exhibition at Sutton Hoo and tells the untold stories of the real people featured in Netflix's The Dig. "It will feature some of the original costumes, jewellery and props used in the film." The site also has a quiet hour on the first Sunday of every month, where the sounds are turned down for those who enjoy a more peaceful and relaxed visit. There is a quiet play area available during school holidays and at weekends and is located in the Old Stables, where you can find soft play toys and books to read. The King's Mound treasure is now displayed in Room 41: Sutton Hoo and Europe, AD 300-1100 at The British Museum in London - the 27-metre Anglo-Saxon ship no longer exists. The Children's Country House at Sudbury, Derbyshire Staff and volunteers worked with 100 young ambassadors, aged up to 12 years, to devise and test ideas for The Children's Country House. 5 "Step inside the historic country home of the Vernon family a place where grand architecture and history mix with interactive activities for the whole family to get involved in," said Tom. "Practice your deportment and pose for your own portrait in the Long Gallery, partake in some dancing in the Saloon, and have a game or two in the Drawing Room." There are different spaces in The Children's Country House Museum - which celebrate the escapades and challenges of childhood across the centuries. Visitors can take a lesson in a Victorian Classroom and learn about childhood through the ages, or head to The Book Jungle - a second-hand shop selling pre-loved items, such as books, toys and clothing. There is also the Mystery Rooms Experience, which is a child-led escape room based during World War Two. The Sun also recently revealed The National Trust's best free attractions to visit this summer – from sky gardens to 'city oasis' parks. Plus, the top 25 activities for a perfect day out, according to kids – including going in a hot air balloon & 'riding to the Moon'. 5
