Culturally remarkable and naturally significant, the UK now has over 30 World Heritage Sites. Here are Dixe Wills’ essential picks to visit
For more than 50 years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has helped conserve some of the planet’s most remarkable and important places.
Chosen for their cultural or natural significance and because they ‘enrich our lives and illustrate the diversity of the planet and its inhabitants’, the following 10 are arguably the pick of an extraordinary bunch – a priceless inheritance to pass on to future generations.
TOP 10 UK World Heritage Sites
Durham Castle, County Durham
William the Conqueror’s brutal response to Saxon rebellion in northern England, known as the Harrying of the North, resulted in an estimated 100,000 civilian deaths, mostly from famine. To solidify Norman control, construction of Durham Castle began shortly after, evolving from a motte and bailey structure to a formidable fortress over the centuries.
Today, visitors can tour Durham Castle, including the magnificent Norman Chapel dating from around 1080. The castle is now part of University College, Durham, and offers public B&B accommodation in student rooms during holidays. Some rooms require climbing over 100 steps, so be prepared for a potential workout.
Tours are available year-round, but check for specific times and booking requirements. For more information, visit Durham Castle.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about Durham Castle.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most famous geological feature, consists of about 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity around 55 million years ago.
As the formations appear to be giant stepping stones leading from the cliffs into the sea, it gave rise to the myth that the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) built the causeway as a bridge to Scotland to fight the giant Benandonner.
The National Trust manages the site, offering guided tours and exhibits, though the causeway itself remains free to access.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about the Giant’s Causeway.
Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, the gorge is renowned for its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. In additition to being rich in natural resources like iron ore, coal, and limestone, it was also the site of the world’s first cast-iron bridge, constructed in 1779 over the River Severn.
Often thought to have been designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this engineering marvel, was built by Abraham Darby III, and not only solved a critical transportation problem but also showcased the potential of cast iron in construction.
Today, visitors are given a glimpse into the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution through the various museums in Iron Bridge, including Blists Hill Victorian Town, which offers an immersive experience of 19th-century life.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about Ironbridge Gorge and walks around Ironbridge.
New Lanark, Scotland
Robert Owen, a Welsh industrialist and social reformer, was a pioneering figure who sought to improve the lives of workers during the Industrial Revolution – much like Sir Titus Salt (see Saltaire Village below).
In 1799, he purchased New Lanark mills on the River Clyde near Glasgow, Scotland, transforming them into a model of enlightened industrial management. Unlike many factory owners of his time, Owen provided decent housing, good sanitation, and even established Britain’s first infants’ school in 1817.
Today, New Lanark is a UNESCO World Heritage site and interactive museum where visitors can step back in time to experience life as it was for the mill workers and their families. You can explore restored buildings, participate in historical activities, and even stay overnight in the converted New Lanark Hotel or self-catering Waterhouse Cottages.
Don’t miss a stroll along the riverside footpath to the picturesque Falls of Clyde, which once powered the mills and are a beautiful reminder of this historic site’s industrial heritage.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about New Lanark.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
This ambition design by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, makes the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct a marvel of civil engineering in north-east Wales.
Completed in 1805 after a decade of construction, it stands as the world’s highest canal aqueduct at 126 feet above the River Dee. This 336-yard-long structure consists of a cast-iron trough supported by 18 stone arches, and replaced the original plan for a more conventional series of locks and an embankment-style crossing.
The aqueduct is now a popular attraction on the Llangollen Canal, offering a unique experience for narrowboats and pedestrians alike. Despite its narrow 12-foot width, which allows only one boat to cross at a time, it remains a testament to the ingenuity of the Industrial Revolution.
Visitors can walk along the towpath or take a boat trip across this UNESCO World Heritage site, enjoying breathtaking views of the Vale of Llangollen and appreciating one of Britain’s most impressive feats of 19th-century engineering.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
St Kilda, Scotland
St Kilda, an archipelago 41 miles west of the Western Isles, is a place of remarkable distinctions. It boasts the UK’s highest cliffs, the nation’s largest puffin colony, and the world’s largest northern gannet colony.
Despite its extreme isolation, evidence suggests human habitation since the Bronze Age, and in more recent times, the islands’ harsh conditions and isolation led to the evacuation of its last 36 inhabitants in 1930, leaving behind a crescent of ruined houses as a poignant memorial to their way of life.
St Kilda is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for both its natural and cultural significance. It hosts a small transitory population of Ministry of Defence and National Trust for Scotland employees, along with scientists studying the unique Soay sheep.
Visitors can explore this remote wonder via boat trips from neighbouring Outer Hebrides islands during summer months, experiencing its distinctive wildlife, including endemic wrens and an unusually large subspecies of mouse.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about St Kilda.
Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Sir Titus Salt, a visionary industrialist, created Saltaire in the 1850s as a model village for his workers – much like Robert Owen’s New Lanark (above).
After becoming Bradford’s largest employer through innovations in wool processing, Salt chose to consolidate his mills near Shipley by the River Aire. The village he built included not only housing for workers but also a hospital, school, alms-houses, library, concert hall, and bathhouses, reflecting his commitment to improving living conditions for his employees.
Visitors to Saltaire can enjoy walking tours with costumed guides, attend historical talks, ride a funicular tramway, and explore shops and eateries. The village hosts annual events such as February’s Potato Day, May’s Arts Trail, and September’s Saltaire Festival, offering a blend of history and modern attractions. Salt’s legacy lives on in this well-preserved example of 19th-century industrial philanthropy.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about Saltaire and a walk from Saltaire to Bingley
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Kew Gardens, a stunning green oasis in west London, is home to the world’s largest botanical collection, featuring over 50,000 living plants and an herbarium with more than 8.5 million preserved specimens.
The gardens include the Temperate House, the largest Victorian glasshouse, which shelters 1,200 species, some of which are extinct in the wild. With four Grade I-listed structures and 36 Grade II buildings, Kew is not only a place of beauty but also a vital centre for botanical research and conservation.
Visitors can explore the gardens through various walking paths, enjoy dining options that feature produce grown on-site, and participate in seasonal events throughout the year. The gardens also offer educational programs and exhibitions that highlight their extensive collections. For those looking to delve deeper into Kew’s offerings, guided tours are available, providing insight into its rich history and significance in plant conservation.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Forth Bridge, Scotland
Designed by Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker, it opened in 1890 and remains an engineering marvel. Its distinctive red colour and impressive structure have made it one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, featured in various films and on Scotland’s banknotes and coins.
Visitors can experience the Forth Bridge by train, boarding at Dalmeny Station (South Queensferry) or North Queensferry Station. For a closer view, boat trips from South Queensferry offer tours under the bridge.
The nearby Forth Road Bridge provides pedestrian and cyclist access with spectacular views of both the Forth Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing. A new Forth Bridges Trail offers a circular tour of the bridges and surrounding area, with viewpoints, a coffee kiosk, and toilets available at the South Queensferry end.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about the Forth bridge
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace, one of England’s largest houses, was built between 1705 and 1722 as a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Set in 554 acres of parkland designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, this English Baroque masterpiece is renowned for its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Visitors to Blenheim Palace can explore the opulent state rooms, extensive gardens, and the world’s second-largest hedge maze. The palace offers various tours, including those focused on Winston Churchill’s life and the palace’s role in World War II.
Seasonal events, exhibitions, and family activities are held throughout the year. The grounds feature walking trails, a miniature train, and adventure playground for children. Cafes and restaurants on-site offer refreshments, some featuring produce grown in the palace’s own gardens.
- Want to know more? Check out our in-depth feature about Blenheim Palace