871 Best Sights in England

This repository of fascinating and thought-provoking manuscripts, personal items, and watercolors by John Ruskin illuminates his thinking and influence. There is also a focus on speedboat racer Donald Campbell, whose Bluebird K7, dragged up from Coniston Water, is on display. It will be fitted with an engine so it can run again on Coniston Water in 2026. Good local-interest exhibits include copper mining, geology, lace, and more. Upstairs, the Dawson Gallery occasionally hosts high-profile artists.

Perched on East Cliff, this lavish late-Victorian villa overflows with sculpture, paintings, and artifacts, including cases of butterflies and an exquisite suit of Japanese armor—just a few of the treasures collected from around the world by Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes, a widely traveled Victorian couple. The house, a combination of Italian Renaissance and Scottish Baronial styles, with added Moorish-, Japanese-, and French-themed rooms, was designed to showcase the collection. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and has a small landscaped garden and café. 

If there's one poet associated with the Lake District, it is Wordsworth, who made his home at Rydal Mount from 1813 until his death. Wordsworth and his family moved to these grand surroundings when he was nearing the height of his career, and his descendants still live here, surrounded by his furniture, his books, his barometer, and portraits. You can see the study in which he worked, his sister Dorothy's bedroom, and the 4½-acre garden, laid out by the poet himself, that gave him so much pleasure. Wordsworth's favorite footpath can be found on the hill past White Moss Common and the River Rothay. Spend an hour or two walking the paths and you may understand why the great poet composed most of his verse in the open air. A tearoom in the former saddlery provides cakes and drinks; in winter, it moves into the dining room.

Down the hill past Church Square, Ypres Tower—pronounced "Wipers" by locals—was originally built as part of the town's fortifications (now all but disappeared) in 1249; it later served as a prison. A row of defensive cannons is fixed to the rampart overlooking the (disappointingly industrial) edge of Rye and several miles of flatland beyond. When they were installed, however, the canons pointed directly out to sea. Inside the tower is the Rye Castle Museum (RCM), which has displays on the city's history, from medieval floor tiles to 15th-century suits of armor, as well as an interesting exhibition on 1830s life as a female prisoner in the "women's tower."

A second (free to enter) outpost of the RCM at nearby 3 East Street has more exhibits, including examples of Rye pottery, for which the town was famous, and a fire engine that was built in 1745 and served the town for 120 years.

This excellent open-air folk museum on 6 acres explores the rural way of life from the Iron Age to the 20th century through more than 20 historic buildings (some restored, some reconstructed) including a medieval crofter's cottage; a 16th-century glass kiln; a full-scale reconstructed Iron Age Roundhouse; an Edwardian daylight photography studio (the oldest in the country); and workshops for traditional trades like blacksmiths, cobblers, wheelwrights, and saddlers. Kids can try out activities like calligraphy and pottery, practice driving a child-size tractor, and feed the sheep and rare breed pigs in the farm area. All entry is weather-permitting.

Charles Saatchi, who made his fortune in advertising, is one of Britain's canniest collectors of contemporary art, credited with discovering the likes of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. His current gallery, still largely devoted to contemporary art by emerging artists, is in the former Duke of York's HQ, just off King's Road. Built in 1803, its grand period exterior belies an imaginatively restored modern interior transformed into 15 exhibition spaces of varying size and shape. There is no permanent collection other than a few ongoing site-specific installations; at any one time, there are between one and three concurrent, imaginatively curated exhibitions that normally run for up to six months. There's also an excellent café, which is open late.

Showcasing the work of both established and emerging British and international artists such as Sarah Lucas and Martine Syms, this all-white and light-filled modern art space and gallery overlooking busy Regent Street is a major expansion for respected British gallerist Sadie Coles. A second Sadie Coles exhibition space operates nearby at Davies Street in Mayfair, while a third is also found close by across Piccadilly on Bury Street in St. James's. 

Opposite the cathedral's west front, this excellent museum of regional history is in the King's House, parts of which date to the 15th century (James I stayed here in 1610 and 1613). The history of the area from prehistoric times through the Norman Conquest is explored in the Wessex gallery, which houses some of Britain's most important archaeological finds and also has Stonehenge-related exhibits that provide helpful background information for a visit to the megaliths. Also on view are collections of local costumes dating back 250 years, outstanding British ceramics, and Turner watercolors, all dwarfed by the 12-foot Salisbury Giant, a 13-century pageant figure, and his companion hobbyhorse, Hob Nob. A cozy café is in one of the oldest sections of the building.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Saltaire was built as a model village in the mid-19th century by textile magnate Sir Titus Salt, who, aspiring to create the ideal industrial community, decided to relocate his factories from the dark mills of Bradford to the countryside. The Italianate village (the main building resembles a palazzo) is remarkably well preserved, with its former mills and houses now turned into shops, restaurants, and galleries, as well as private homes. The largest factory in the world when it was built in 1853, today it contains an art gallery, along with crafts and furniture shops. A narrowboat provides 30-minute trips along a stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool canal.

An exquisite 18th-century home with many of its original furnishings, Saltram was built around the remains of a late-Tudor mansion. Its jewel is one of Britain's grandest neoclassical rooms—a vast, double-cube salon designed by Robert Adam and hung with paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, who was born nearby in 1723. Fine plasterwork adorns many rooms, and three have original Chinese wallpaper. The outstanding garden includes rare trees and shrubs, and there's a cafeteria and a tearoom. Saltram is 3½ miles east of Plymouth city center; if you're driving, it's best to use "Romilly Gardens" rather than the postal code for satnav (GPS) purposes.

About 4 miles from Windsor Castle, the main horticultural delight of Windsor Great Park consists of 35 acres of ornamental gardens with impressive displays of 2,500 rosebushes and a tremendous diversity of trees and shrubs. The Savill Building, easily recognizable by its undulating roof in the shape of a leaf, holds a visitor center, restaurant, and terrace where you can dine overlooking the garden, as well as a large shopping area with plenty of gifts, cards, and original artwork.

England's highest mountain at 3,210 feet, Scafell (pronounced scar-fell) Pike is visible from Seatoller. One route up the mountain, for experienced walkers, is from the hamlet of Seathwaite, a mile south of Seatoller.

On a promontory commanding a view of the North and South bays, the site of this castle appears to have been strategically significant since prehistoric times. Archeological digs here have uncovered evidence of fortifications dating from 500 BC, and there's some stonework from a 4th-century Roman structure thought to have been used to guard against sea raiders.

In 1136, a cliff-top stone fortress was built by the earl of Albermarle, and, in 1158, Henry II added the massive keep that dominates the ruins. Enormous curtain walls made the castle virtually impregnable, and it remained largely unscathed until Cromwell's cannons did their worst during the Civil War. Further demolition came in 1914, when German warships shelled the town, and again in 2012, when local vandals significantly damaged the Roman stonework. The castle also has a spectacular panoramic view of the coast.

With attractions ranging from entertaining to educational exhibits—like the Wonderlab interactive gallery, where kids can perform their own scientific experiments—the Science Museum brings the subject alive for visitors of all ages. Highlights include Puffing Billy, the oldest steam locomotive in the world; Watson and Crick's original DNA model; and the Apollo 10 capsule. The Information Age gallery, devoted to communication networks from the telegraph to the Internet, was opened in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II, who marked the occasion by sending her first tweet. The Winton Gallery, all about mathematics and its applications, has more than 100 math-related objects, such as a 17th-century Islamic astrolabe and an early version of Alan Turing's Enigma machine, while Power Up, a family favorite, is a hands-on exhibition devoted to video games and consoles from the last 50 years. An Energy Revolution gallery surveys green energy technologies, both existing and imagined.

Overshadowed by a three-story blue-glass wall, the Wellcome Wing is an annex to the rear of the museum, devoted to contemporary science and technology. It contains a 450-seat IMAX theater with 3D presentations devoted to terrestrial life, undersea life, and Antarctica as well as a virtual reality simulator that lets you pilot the ISS's Soyuz capsule. The entire first floor has been transformed into five galleries devoted to the history of medicine, and the family-friendly Wonderlab (£12) is full of interactive exhibits, live science shows, and demonstrations. There are also free after-hours-themed events on the last Wednesday of every month meant for adults only. Just note that most of the interactive exhibits have an additional charge and the museum can get very crowded during school holidays.

Set on 10 acres in a forested park 12 miles southwest of Guildford, this outdoor art gallery is a wild, fanciful place where you're as likely to see a mosaic flower bursting out of the ground as you are to see a naked bronze woman riding a giant resin dinosaur. Everything is for sale; inquire at reception, where you can also get a map before following signposted paths (many accessible) to hundreds of bold, ambitious, and inventive sculptures by global artists. Keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems hung from trees, nestled in bushes, or floating on lakes. The woodland setting is idyllic and there are benches galore, so bring a picnic and make a half-day of it. If you have time, follow the footpath beside the little car park outside up to the Devil's Jumps, a ruggedly beautiful spot with views over the South Downs. The name derives from local folklore: one night the devil stole a cauldron from a witch, who gave chase on her broomstick; with each leap, the devil kicked up huge clods of earth, which in turn became hills—hence "jumps." 

Near Brighton Pier, this aquarium is the oldest in the world (it opened in 1872), with thousands of sea-dwelling creatures—from sharks to seahorses to starfish—in more than 30 marine habitats. There's a glass-bottom-boat experience, a humid rainforest adventure, and an extraordinary coral reef exhibition that shows how the ecosystem changes between day and night. Check online for the daily feeding schedules, all of which are accompanied by free talks, including turtles at 11 am and sharks at 2 pm. Book online at least a day in advance for big discounts.

The curved, colonnaded, neoclassical former County Hall that once housed London's municipal government is now home to a superb three-level aquarium where you can walk above sharks and stingrays and view more than 600 other aquatic species, both common and rare. There are also hands-on displays. It's not the biggest aquarium you've ever seen, but the educational exhibits are particularly well arranged, with theme zones devoted to a stunning coral reef, a "jellyfish experience," and rain-forest aquatic life. Admission at peak periods is by 15-minute timed entry slot, but for an additional £16 you can purchase flexible priority-entry tickets that also avoid the long lines.

This aquarium and marine sanctuary is a great—if rather expensive—way to entertain the kids for an afternoon. You can see marine habitats and creatures from around Britain and farther afield: otters, penguins, jellyfish, loggerhead turtles, and octopuses. The rescued seal pups are particularly popular. Admission is by pre-booked online ticket only.

For a good introduction to Britain's Roman history, dip into this museum, which includes the remains of the substantial Roman fort of Segedunum, built around AD 125, as well as the easternmost section of the original Hadrian's Wall (there's a reason this part of town is called Wallsend) and a reconstructed Roman bath complex. Start your tour at the rather ugly observation tower for a good overview of the site, as well as an exhibition on local shipbuilding, before heading down to ground level. The collection of artifacts covers the whole 300-year period of Roman occupation in the region, and it includes pieces of weaponry, armor, and a Roman stone toilet—the only one surviving in the country. The site is a 10-minute Metro ride east of the city center.

On the aptly named Whitesand Bay, Sennen Cove is a gorgeous expanse of creamy soft sand. When the tide is coming in, the waves attract legions of surfers. When the tide's out, kids paddle in the tidal pools, and the sand stretches as far as you can see. Cafés are nearby, and surfing equipment is for rent on the beach. Sennen is off A30 less than 2 miles north of Land's End, and can be reached on foot on the South West Coast Path. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Taking its name from the artificial recreational lake that curves its way through Hyde Park, the Serpentine South Gallery, housed in a brick 1930s tea pavilion in Kensington Gardens, is one of London's foremost showcases for contemporary art. Just about every reputable modern artist has exhibited here, including Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Kruger, Marina Abramović, and Gerhard Richter to name a few. A permanent work on the gallery's grounds—eight benches and a carved stone circle—commemorates the gallery's former patron, Princess Diana.

The Serpentine North Gallery, a second exhibition space in a converted Georgian gunpowder storeroom just across a small bridge, has a dramatic extension designed by Zaha Hadid as well as a stylish restaurant. If you're in town between May and September, check out the annual Serpentine Pavilion, where each year a different leading architect is given free rein to create a temporary structure, always with imaginative results. Past designers have included Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind, and Jean Nouvel.

It comes as somewhat of a surprise to see the blue onion domes and miniature minarets of Sezincote, a mellow stone house and garden tucked into a valley near Moreton-in-Marsh. Created in the early 19th century, Sezincote (pronounced see-zincot) was the vision of Sir Charles Cockerell, who made a fortune in the East India Company. He employed his architect brother, Samuel Pepys Cockerell, to "Indianize" the residence with Hindu and Muslim motifs. Note the peacock-tail arches surrounding the windows of the first floor. The exotic garden, Hindu temple folly, and Indian-style bridge were favorites of the future George IV, who was inspired to create that Xanadu of Brighton, the Royal Pavilion. If you come in spring, glorious aconites and snowdrops greet you. Children under 10 are allowed inside only at the owners' discretion.  House tours must be prebooked via the website. 

This small market town, the model for "Shaston" in Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure, sits on a ridge overlooking Blackmore Vale—you can catch a sweeping view of the surrounding countryside from the top of Gold Hill, a steep street lined with cottages so picturesque it was used in an iconic TV commercial to evoke the quintessential British village of yore. There's an information hub in Morrisons Daily Supermarket on Bell Street. Shaftesbury is 20 miles west of Salisbury and 15 miles east of Sherborne.

A half-timber house typical of its time, the playwright's birthplace is a much-visited shrine that has been altered and restored since Shakespeare lived here. Passing through the modern visitor center, you are immersed in the world of Shakespeare through a state-of-the-art exhibition that includes evocative audio and visuals from contemporary stagings of his plays. The house is across the garden from the visitor center. Colorful wall decorations and furnishings reflect comfortable, middle-class Elizabethan domestic life. You can view his father’s workshop and also see the room where Shakespeare was born. Mark Twain and Charles Dickens were both pilgrims here, and the signatures of Thomas Carlyle and Walter Scott are scratched into the windowpanes. In the garden, actors present excerpts from his plays. A café and bookshop are on the grounds. The birthplace can get extremely busy, so avoid holiday and weekend visits.

Dating from the early 15th century, this is where a young Shakespeare went to school and where he was allegedly first introduced to the world of theater. Once the administrative center of the town, it now serves as a heritage center where visitors can see medieval wall paintings, including two of the oldest surviving Tudor roses in England, plus take part in a lesson in the room where Shakespeare was taught. Visitors can don period costumes and try writing with a pen and quill. In the 16th century, the Guildhall was where the city council once sat, including John Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s father, who was town mayor in the 1560s. Around this time it also became home to the King’s New School, and shortly afterward William Shakespeare attended as a pupil. On the first floor is the Guildhall proper, where traveling acting companies performed to obtain their licenses. Many historians believe that it was after seeing the troupe known as the Earl of Leicester’s Men in 1587 that Shakespeare got the acting bug and set off for London. 

One of York's landmarks—and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval shopping streets—Shambles has half-timber buildings with overhangs so massive you could almost reach across the narrow gap from one second-floor window to another. Once a hub of butchers (meat hooks are still fastened outside some of the doors, and the street was deliberately kept narrow to prevent sunlight from reaching the meat), today it's lined with boutiques and cafés and is still highly atmospheric.

The Brontës aren't the only literary lions to have emerged from this part of Yorkshire. In his eccentric, satirical novel Tristram Shandy, Laurence Sterne experimented with the techniques of postmodern fiction in 1760, long before the traditional novel form had even emerged as a literary genre. Despite the book's often bawdy humor, Sterne was the local vicar, living and writing in this charming 15th-century house with 18th-century additions. Restored in the 1990s, it contains the world's largest collection of Sterne's work and memorabilia. Admission is by guided tour (11:30 am and 2:30 pm) or by advance appointment. There are also 2 acres of notable gardens.

From 1906 to his death in 1950, the famed Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw lived in the small village of Ayot St. Lawrence, 9 miles northeast of St. Albans. Today, his small Edwardian home, Shaw's Corner, remains much as he left it. The most delightful curiosity is his little writing hut, which is in the garden and which can be turned to face the sun. Visits to the house must be pre-booked. 

This fabulously ornate theater is where Oxford's impressive graduation ceremonies are held, conducted almost entirely in Latin. Dating from 1663, it was the first building designed by Sir Christopher Wren when he served as professor of astronomy. The D-shaped auditorium has pillars, balconies, and an elaborately painted ceiling. The stone pillars outside are topped by 18 massive stone heads. Climb the stairs to the cupola for the best view of the city's "dreaming spires." Guided tours take place a few times per week; call in advance for details.

Outside Baker Street Station, by the Marylebone Road exit, is a 9-foot-high bronze statue of Arthur Conan Doyle's celebrated detective, who "lived" around the corner at number 221B Baker Street—now a museum to all things Sherlock. Inside, Mrs. Hudson, Holmes's housekeeper, guides you into a series of Victorian rooms where the great man lived, worked, and played the violin. It's all carried off with such genuine enthusiasm and attention to detail that you could be forgiven for thinking that Mr. Holmes actually did exist.