This year, we have welcomed hundreds of people from across the globe to all corners of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and there are some things nearly everyone wants to see. Here is our list of the top ten UK attractions people have visited with us in 2022, along with our tips on how your clients can get the most out of their time at each place. There’s plenty here to suit everyone’s bucket list!

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the world’s most recognisable prehistoric sites and the famous image of the huge stone circle is an icon of England. For many, it is the ancient spiritual heart of the country and people travel from all around to celebrate the summer solstice here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, there really is nowhere else like it, and it’s as good in real life as in the photos. A selfie here is something your clients will be sharing for years to come! Discover many more prehistoric sites on our ancient history tours.

Top tip: Your clients can make it to Stonehenge and back from London in a day, and two or three hours is all they will need at the site. You don’t need to pre-book, but as Stonehenge attracts almost a million visitors a year, it makes sense to if your clients want to avoid the queues, and we can make the arrangements for you.

Windsor Castle 

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in Europe and, as we have seen recently, one of the focal points for Britain’s royal occasions. Just a short hop from London, it’s no trouble at all to get to, and when there you can see the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the Changing of the Guard. You don’t have to be a royalist to be impressed by the stunning architecture, sumptuous décor and vast grounds! Explore more of England's royal palaces.

Top tip: Windsor Castle is a working castle, so opening times can vary throughout the year, often at short notice. If you book with us, we will keep an eye on opening hours and adapt your clients' itinerary if needed.

Bath Roman Baths 

The incredible Roman Baths, in the historic English city of Bath, are amongst the best-preserved Roman ruins anywhere in the world. Dating back over 2,000 years, a temple and baths were built on the site of Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with natural hot water today. Explore the Roman Baths complex, see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva and discover more about life in Roman Britain in the fantastic museum. Your clients can find out more about Roman Britain on one of our dedicated tours.

Top tip: Bath is also known for its Georgian architecture and Regency social scene, made famous by Jane Austen and more recently Bridgerton, so why not encourage your clients to spend more time in the city? They could even stay long enough to enjoy their own thermal spa experience!

Edinburgh Castle

Scotland’s most iconic landmark, Edinburgh Castle is a must-visit on any trip to the Scottish capital. Perched high on Castle Rock, overlooking the wonderful city of Edinburgh, the castle tells the tale of 1,000 years of Scottish royal history and is one of the most important historic sites in Europe. Voted the UK’s top heritage attraction, visitors can see the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Royal Palace and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Scotland, as well as the National War Museum.

Top tip: With two million visitors a year, the castle can get very busy at peak times, especially in August, when the Edinburgh Festivals and Royal Military Tattoo are taking place. It pays for your clients to choose their time carefully and to book well in advance – we can advise!

Tower of London 

The Tower of London has been at the heart of British history for almost 1,000 years, when construction was started by William the Conqueror. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower of London is the best example of a royal Norman castle anywhere in Europe. Officially a royal palace to this day, the Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London and the UK. See the glittering Crown Jewels, explore the infamous Bloody Tower, meet the distinctive Beefeaters, and discover centuries of royal imprisonment and intrigue.

Top tip: The Tower of London gets incredibly busy at times, so we recommend that your clients get there early in the day – or, even better for groups, we can book a private evening tour for them.

Blenheim Palace 

The ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is the most spectacular stately home in Britain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim is a Baroque masterpiece, which stands in a 2,000-acre romantic park created by famous 18th century landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. See where Winston Churchill was born, tour the state apartments and experience life ‘upstairs and downstairs’ in a grand palace. Your clients can uncover Britain's wartime history on one of our Churchill tours.

Top tip: Allow at least half a day to do the palace and grounds justice. Blenheim can be reached by car or coach in a little over two hours from London, but for your clients to make the most of their visit, they could stay in the nearby Cotswolds, or in the ancient university city of Oxford, just ten miles away.

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways 

Recently voted Europe’s best scenic railway, the Ffestiniog Railway, and its sister the equally spectacular Welsh Highland Railway, should be a key part of any trip to North Wales. The Ffestiniog is the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway and stretches for almost 14 miles through the dramatic mountain landscape of Snowdonia. The 25-mile Welsh Highland Railway runs from the foot of Caernarfon Castle, past Mount Snowdon, to the harbour at Porthmadog. Unbeatable for heritage railway fans, these railway lines offer a great day out for everyone.

Top tip: Train journeys are generally half day or full day return including a stop and, with set departure times, we build your clients' itinerary around the train journey, to make sure they get there in good time.

York Minster 

York Minster is not only one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, it is one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe. The existing Minster dates back to the 1400s, but the site has been at the centre of Christianity in northern England since the 7th century. Enjoy panoramic views from the central tower, admire the incredible stained-glass windows, discover treasures in the crypt and marvel at the awe-inspiring cathedral organ, which can be heard at weekly services. The city of York itself is also a must-see on any trip to England.

Top tip: To truly appreciate the glory of York Minster, why not encourage your clients to attend one of the regular concerts and performances? We can advise what’s on when and make all the necessary arrangements.

Titanic Belfast 

Titanic was perhaps one of the most famous ships ever, known the world over for its ill-fated maiden voyage. On the site of the shipyard in Belfast where it was built, Titanic Belfast is one of the leading attractions in Northern Ireland and tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception, through construction and tragedy, to its subsequent place in history. Extending over nine galleries of interactive, multi-media and hands on displays, this really is one of the UK’s most amazing visitor attractions.

Top tip: Your entrance ticket also gives you admission to SS Nomadic, Titanic’s tender ship and the last remaining White Star Line vessel in the world – don’t miss it, as it really brings to life the age of transatlantic ocean travel.

Caernarfon Castle

It’s a bit of a close-run thing between Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle in North Wales, as both are magnificent and many people visit both on our tours, but this year for us, Caernarfon just pips it. However, as both are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd’, along with Beaumaris Castle and Harlech Castle, they really are all worth a visit! Together, the castles and town walls are described by UNESCO as the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. Find out more about the greatest castles in Wales.

Top tip: Your clients should allow a couple of hours to explore the castle and not arrive too late – last entrance is 30 minutes before closing time, and in winter months the castle closes as early as 4pm.

Cardiff Castle - just outside our top ten!

Our list might be limited to ten, but some of the other most popular attractions this year were Cardiff Castle, one of the most visited destinations in Wales, which dates back over 1,000 years; Salisbury Cathedral, one of Britain’s finest medieval cathedrals, which is home to the best preserved copy of the original Magna Carta and has Britain’s tallest spire, and Jorvik Viking Centre, an incredible museum which allows visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of 10th century Viking York.

As well as those above, there are many other fabulous attractions in the United Kingdom, so please do contact our friendly team and we will put together the perfect tailor-made itinerary for your clients!