There are many famous landmarks in England. England is an iconic destination on many people’s bucket lists. Whether it’s to explore the green hills, rocky coasts, spectacular castles, or perhaps, to hear the chimes of Big Ben.
Popular And Famous Landmarks In England
If you are lucky enough to find yourself visiting England, take a look at our list of top attractions to visit.
Yes, as expected, some are in London, and some are included in our popular Day Trips From London guide.
Others are slightly further afield, but as England is such an easy country to travel to, you shouldn’t find any destination too tricky.
Stonehenge
This is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments and is top of many visitor lists. Located in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge was built by Neolithic builders, and it is believed that this monument took almost 1500 years to build. One of the key features is a ring of roughly 100 standing stones that weigh about 25 tons. The peculiar thing about these stones is that they’ve been arranged in a circular pattern.
This landmark is regarded as a special British cultural icon and was once commonly used as a burial ground. It also served other purposes; however, those aren’t quite known.
You can visit Stonehenge as part of an organised tour or make the journey yourself via car or public transport.
Visit English Heritage to find out more about Stonehenge.
Windsor Castle
A trip to London is incomplete without paying a visit to the famous Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, located in the county of Berkshire but easily accessible from London.
For over 1,000 years, Windsor Castle has been an official home to the British Royal family, with kings and queens using it as their weekend home. If the Royal Standard is flying when you visit, it means that Queen Elizabeth II is home.
The most striking feature of Windsor Castle has to be its magnificent size, which is exactly 5.3 hectares/13 acres. The castle was built during the 11th century and now serves as a tourist spot with numerous areas to explore.
Don’t miss: changing of the guards!
Aside from visiting Windsor Castle and its grounds, the surrounding area is also worth exploring.
Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are a popular tourist attraction located in the City of Bath in the county of Somerset. Bath is a World Heritage Site, owing to its collection of incredibly well-preserved Roman remains – the Roman Baths are one the most impressive religious spas of the ancient world. Impressively, the Baths still flow with natural hot water due to the city’s thermal springs.
The history of the Roman Baths is fascinating, and this site is the perfect location to learn all about it.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace requires little introduction – it’s one of the most popular landmarks in England. Known the world over, the popularity of the official home of the Queen can be witnessed by the many visitors that stand outside it every day.
The palace has a total of 775 rooms that include bathrooms, guest bedrooms, offices, staff rooms, and many others. If you’re in London and you’ve not visited Buckingham Palace yet, head straight there!
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
This has to be one of the most famous and renowned buildings of all time! It is set right in the heart of parliament square, making Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament extremely iconic and significant for the whole of Britain, if not the world. Big Ben, as we all know, is the clock tower located right next to the Houses of Parliament. The deep, thunderous chimes of Big Ben boom across the city every hour, and they are heard loud and clear by every single person.
On the other hand, the Houses of Parliament was home to the British Monarchs and is also often referred to as the ‘Palace of Westminster.’
Eden Project
Many people describe the world’s eighth wonder, so the Eden Project is a must-visit site that you shouldn’t miss during your trip to the UK. It is situated in Cornwall, England, and is housed in tropical biomes that reside in a huge crater, covering an area as large as a total of 30 football pitches!
It serves as an educational charity and a dramatic global garden that offers deep insight into how humankind heavily depends on plant life. It is an absolutely stunning site that lets you experience all kinds of sights, smells, and feelings like nothing else can.
Tower Bridge
Often confused with London Bridge, Tower Bridge is an iconic symbol in London and is clearly a more beautiful sight than the former.
It is super famous all over the world and caters to thousands of fascinating visitors every holiday season. The bridge was opened in 1894 and is topped with two neo-gothic towers.
It has a very medieval look and feels to it, mainly because it was built with the help of huge grey stones. Tower Bridge allows visitors to walk along the walkway atop the bridge and create some special memories.
White Cliffs of Dover
This is an official icon of Britain and part of Kent’s coastline in England.
The main reason why it’s such an iconic landmark is the dazzling white chalk faces of the cliffs that reach almost 110 meters above sea level.
The cliffs are largely characterized by thick layers of lush, wild grass that look absolutely gorgeous against the whiteness of the cliffs. It is home to some of the world’s most unique flora and fauna that you’ll only find here and nowhere else.
More than that, they hold such a special place in the world because they have witnessed very dramatic and important moments in English history. These cliffs are considered to signify freedom, hope, security, and optimism.
York Minster
Also known as the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, York Minster is one the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe.
It is one of England’s most famous attractions, mainly because it is filled with some of the most extraordinary and unique carvings and the best and the largest collection of Medieval stained glass windows.
Another interesting bit about this inventive architectural masterpiece is that it took over 250 years to be built and finished from scratch. It is a majestic site that is full of grandeur!
The British Museum
Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, the British Museum is a place where you can learn more about the special events of two million years of human culture and history.
It is one of the world’s most important and largest museums and is home to as many as seven million objects or more from this planet’s continents.
The museum was opened back in 1759, becoming the third most popular museum in the world over time. What makes it such a must-visit landmark is the fact that the museum showcases documents and illustrations of every single story that took place in the history of culture and art.
Westminster Abbey
From royal weddings and coronations to the presence of Kings, Queens, Heroes, and Villains, Westminster Abbey is one of those landmarks in England that has touched the lives of so many people.
This World Heritage Site holds thousands of years of history, making it one of the most notable historic religious buildings of all time. It wasn’t just a place for coronations but also a burial site for many British Monarchs.
The Cotswolds
Known to be a very special place, the Cotswolds is a huge 800-mile area in South Central and southwest England that runs through a total of five counties.
The counties include Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
The best part about the Cotswolds is that you get to explore so many areas, each with a unique identity of its own. However, one feature is common in all areas: the golden stone with the rolling hills, also called the ‘wolds.’
Canterbury Cathedral
Also a part of the World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral is one of England’s oldest and most popular Christian structures. It was also a very important pilgrimage centre in Medieval England and held major political and religious significance during those times. Interestingly, the cathedral is often referred to as ‘England in Stone,’ mainly because of the way it is linked to the country’s history.
Hadrian’s Wall
Also commonly known as Roman Wall, or Vallum Hadriani in Latin, Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles from one coast to another. It served as the ultimate guard of the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire for almost 300 years and was first built on the orders of the emperor Hadrian. Hadrian’s Wall is also regarded as the Roman Empire’s most famous frontier, eventually being turned into a World Heritage Site in 1987.
It took six years to complete by the Roman Army and was later abandoned in 138 AD following Hadrian’s death, who was then replaced by a new emperor that came to power.
There are plenty of attractions to visit in the area, too; there are English castles, ruins and monuments galore. Visiting this area would work perfectly with a trip to Scotland or the Lake District.
Find out more about Hadrian’s Wall.
The Lake District
This is a popular vacation destination in Cumbria in northwest England, mainly renowned for its rugged fell mountains, versatile market towns, historic sites, and beautiful glacial ribbon lakes. It is also home to many villages, towns, and valleys that you must visit during your trip to this national park.
There are so many things to do in the Lake District, such as getting on the water, attending county shows and festivals, and discovering the art sculptures of the Grizedale forest, to name a few. It is an excellent vacation spot for adults and children alike, and it also ensures that you will have a great time!
Jurassic Coast
Located on the English Channel coast of southern England, Jurassic Coast is one of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in all of England, which is why it became a World Heritage Site in 2001.
This site is home to 185 million years of geological history across 95 miles of coastline.
What makes it such a special landmark in England is that it’s like a little cinema that shows you back-to-back movies, a trilogy of three of the most important geological time periods, including the Triassic, Jurassic, and the Cretaceous.
The best part is that you get to see extra scenes with added memories as well on this geological landscape.
Stratford upon Avon
Also known as ‘Stratford,’ Stratford upon Avon is a market town in the county of Warwickshire in England. It is located on the River Avon, which is approximately 91 miles northwest of London.
This town is home to a thriving community brimming with unique shopping experiences, a wide variety of leisure opportunities, and comfortable accommodations.
However, the main reason for its massive popularity is that it is the birthplace and grave site of a well-known poet and playwright, William Shakespeare!
If you are a fan of English Literature and Shakespeare’s work, you should visit Stratford upon Avon.
Lake Windermere, Cumbria
Lake Windermere is a stunning body of water located in the English county of Cumbria. It is the largest natural lake in England and has been a popular tourist destination for centuries.
Lake Windermere is located in the heart of the Lake District National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The lake is 10.5 miles long, 220 feet deep, and has a maximum width of one mile.
Lake Windermere is located in the heart of England, about two hours northwest of Manchester by car. The drive will take about four and a half hours if you’re coming from London. Once you arrive in Cumbria, there are several different towns and villages located around the lake where you can stay.
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy during your visit to Lake Windermere. If you enjoy hiking, there are several walking trails that wind their way around the lake. Or, if you prefer to stay on dry land, you can rent a bicycle and explore the area that way. Boat tours are also available if you want to get out on the water and take in the scenery from a different perspective.
Lake Windermere is home to the world’s longest steam-powered passenger vessel, the MV TSS Raven. The boat has been operating since 1845 and can carry up to 600 passengers.
The lake is also home to the world’s oldest surviving motorboat, the Gondola. She was built in 1859 and is now a museum ship.
In 2008, archaeologists discovered an ancient wooden boat near the shores of Lake Windermere. The boat is believed to be at least 3,000 years old and is thought to be the oldest surviving canoe in Europe.
Lake Windermere is said to be the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s book “The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck”. Potter lived near the lake for many years and was a frequent visitor. Fans of Beatrix Potter can visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction to meet their favourite characters and explore Peter Rabbit’s Garden.
The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
The Radcliffe Camera is one of the most iconic landmarks in Oxford. This beautiful neo-classical building, designed by James Gibbs, is a working library and part of the Bodleian Library.
The Radcliffe Camera was built between 1737 and 1749 and was originally founded by Dr James Radcliffe, a successful physician.
The building is affectionately known as ‘Rad Cam’ or ‘Radders’.
The Radcliffe Camera has been photographed countless times and has also been used as a filming location for several films, including the Golden Compass and Young Sherlock Holmes.
The Radcliffe Camera was built between 1737 and 1749 and was designed by James Gibbs in a neo-classical style. The building was commissioned by Dr James Radcliffe, a successful physician who wanted to create a reading room for the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library.
Today, the Radcliffe Camera is still used as a reading room and working library by the University of Oxford members. It is also possible to take part in an organised tour to see inside this beautiful building.
So there you have it, our round-up of the most famous landmarks in England. What’s your top pick?