United Kingdom

Museums & Galleries

Welcome to the UK travel and tourism guide with Cultural Attractions – A guide to archaeological and historical sites, museums & Galleries in the UK

What is the UK’s most visited museum?

Natural History Museum
Most Visited UK Museum in 2021 | Natural History Museum
London
The British Museum (London) The British Museum has a collection focusing on human history, art and culture. Its permanent collection is one of the largest in the Western World.
Free entrance is standard practice in all UK National Museums, although some exhibits do require an admission fee to view. Several of the museums have more than one location throughout the UK.
How many museums are there in the UK? It is estimated that there are about 2,500 museums in the UK, depending on what you include. Almost 1,800 museums have been accredited.
The Ashmolean came into existence in 1682, when the wealthy antiquary Elias Ashmole gifted his collection to the University. It opened as Britain’s first public museum, and the world’s first university museum, in 1683.
London, only the City of London and the two largest authorities in terms of museum numbers (Camden and Westminster) are included.
Entry to the gallery is free – there’s no need to book. Booking a ticket is recommended for exhibitions but some tickets may be available at the door. Members enjoy unlimited free entry to exhibitions with no need to book. Our collection displays show art made in Britain, arranged by date.

World Heritage Sites

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They are listed by UNESCO. There are currently 33 recognised sites in the UK, and we look after places at nine UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List 33
  • Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (2000)
  • Blenheim Palace (1987)
  • Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church (1988)
  • Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (1986)
  • City of Bath (1987)
  • Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (2006)
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK
  • The 31 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the United Kingdom.
  • 1 | Blaenavon Industrial Landscape.
  • 2 | Blenheim Palace.
  • 3 | Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.
  • 4 | City of Bath.
  • 5 | Frontiers of the Roman Empire.
  • 6 | Ironbridge Gorge.
  • 7 | Maritime Greenwich.
1. Dover Castle, Kent. The ‘Key to England’ for over 900 years, Dover Castle boasts a long and immensely eventful history – meaning there’s nearly a millennium’s worth of secrets, scandals, intrigue and mystery to discover on your next visit.

National Parks

Globally, there are 6,555 protected areas covering one million square kilometres. There are 15 National Parks in the UK – 10 in England which cover 10% of the land area, three in Wales (covering 20% of the land area) and two in Scotland (7.3%).
England – Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales. Wales – Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia. Scotland – Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
England has 10 National Parks: The Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, the New Forest, Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District, the South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales. Scotland has 2 National Parks: Cairngorms and Loch Lomond
The Cairngorms
The Largest Park in the UK
The Cairngorms is part of an international family of National Parks and is the largest in the UK, at 4,528 sq km (1,748 sq miles).
The most beautiful national parks in the UK
  1. Peak District National Park. Best for: cycling.
  2. Snowdonia National Park. Best for: adventure. …
  3. Cairngorms National Park. …
  4. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. …
  5. Lake District National Park. …
  6. Brecon Beacons National Park. …
  7. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. …
  8. Dartmoor National Park. …

LONDON TOUR

The British Museum

The British Museum in London houses around eight million artifacts, making it difficult to sift out the must-sees on a first-time or short visit. This small-group tour does the work for you, with a guide to show you around some carefully curated highlights. View important pieces such as the Mummy of Katebet, Lewis Chessmen, and more, as you uncover their significance and history. Entrance to the British Museum is free.
MADAM

Madame Tussauds Museum

Immerse yourself in glamour and spectacle at Madame Tussauds in London. Head to the world-famous venue and spend some quality time with remarkable wax replicas of Her Majesty the Queen, Eddie Redmayne, or take a selfie with Kim Kardashian. Enjoy access to the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Exhibition (additional charge), Spirit of London taxi ride, and then meet classic Star Wars heroes like Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia.

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BRITISH MOTOR MUSEM

British Motor Museum Entry Ticket in Gaydon

Immerse yourself in the country’s rich automotive history—and come face to face with one of the world’s largest collections of historic British cars—when you visit the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire. Book tickets before you travel, arrive at a time that suits you best, and explore the galleries at your own pace. As you discover the vintage vehicles, you’ll also learn more about the local motor industry and manufacturing history.

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The Postal Museum

Whether you’re a rail enthusiast, traveling with kids, or a lover of underground London, don’t miss the extraordinary narrow-gauge underground railway at the Postal Museum: the Mail Rail. Save time and beat the lines by prebooking Postal Museum tickets with a dedicated time slot for your Mail Rail ride. Then discover the colorful past of Britain’s postal service, featuring everything from an escaped lioness to a 5-wheeler cycle.

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Westminster Abbey and Self-Guided Audio Tours in London

With its 700-year-old history and regal associations, the UNESCO-listed Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most popular landmarks—and this package takes all the hassle out of exploring the ever-popular sight. Book tickets before you travel for seamless logistics; upon arrival, have the freedom to explore at your own pace. This package also includes access to five London audio walking tours, available via your smartphone.

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Galleries

Below we have listed some of the best art galleries in the UK

National gallery2

National Gallery in London, England

The National Gallery in London is home to some of the world’s most precious works of art. In its vast collection, you can find masterpieces from different countries and epochs. Displayed in chronological order, they help you travel through time and observe the evolution of art with its various movements. The tour with an in-app audio guide is for the one who wants to listen to the story of Trafalgar Square’s main highlight creation, explore various artistic movements and dive into different epochs of art evolution, learn about geniuses and their sources of inspiration, see the best masterpieces of the National Gallery’s collection.
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National Art Gallery

Inspire a love of art in your kids with this family-friendly guided tour through London’s famed National Art Gallery. With this private museum experience designed to encourage collaboration between kids and parents, you can explore the collection with your guide, slow down to really appreciate one or two works of art, and participate in family-friendly interactive activities perfect for fostering a youthful curiosity in the arts.

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tate modern1

Tate Modern Gallery

Discover art in its diverse expressions with Tate Modern Gallery. This tour was created by us using the materials that were kindly provided by Tate Modern. We respect Tate’s guide to copyright and donate 20% from each tour sale to the Tate for caring for the collection and Tate Learning Programme. It includes depictions of artists’ studios as well as abstract works that draw attention to the complex nature of perception. You will listen to curators, conservators, and artists themselves talk about key artworks in this display. The mobile app helps you explore the Tate Modern Gallery with a private audio tour (included). All you need is a mobile phone. Download tours in advance to listen without WIFI. The audio guide on the mobile app is the best way to enjoy the tour at your own pace. The WeGoTrip app is available on the App Store and Google Play and works offline.

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Museums & Tours in Wales

HENSOL CASTLE

Hensol Castle Distillery

Hensol Castle Distillery is located in the cellars of the historic Hensol Castle, a 17th century castle located in the beautiful Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan. Our gin tour lasts 90 minutes and gives an in-depth insight into the history of Hensol Castle, many of its previous owners having links to the tasty spirits, as well as the history of gin and how it became the popular spirit it is today. You will then be taken to our botanical room where you will discover over 50 unique and wonderful botancials from all over the world. You will be able to touch, smell and taste them before enjoying a gin tasting with our three delicious Hensol Castle gin. Finally, enjoy a G&T of your choice in our bar at the end before browsing our shop for some gin-tastic items

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Culture Tours in Wales

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Cultural Tours in Wales?

The best Cultural Tours in Wales according to Viator travelers are:

snowdonia2

Snowdonia & The 3 Castles Tour

Explore Snowdonia National Park and it’s three most famous castles—Conwy, Dolbadarn, and Caernarfon—on this single day tour from Llandudno. Round-trip transportation means that you can enjoy the scenery and relax instead of focusing on driving and directions. Learn about the park’s history, flora, and fauna through guided commentary as you travel.

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Places to visit in the UK

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Historical Tours in Scotland?

The best Historical Tours in Scotland according to Viator travelers are:

WALKING

Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

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Cultural Tours in Scotland

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Culture in Scotland?

The best Culture in Scotland according to Viator travelers are:

EDINBURGH14

Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English

Skip the line on your visit to one of Scotland’s most popular attractions on this Edinburgh Castle walking tour. Walk up the Royal Mile toward to the castle with your guide while they share insight into the significance of the fortification in Scottish history and introduce you to some of the key characters associated with it. Once inside, explore the main buildings as your guide provides further details about such elements as the one o’clock gun, the Argyle Battery, and the castle dungeons.

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Arts & Art Tours in Scotland

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Art & Culture in Scotland?

The best Art & Culture in Scotland according to Viator travelers are:

STREETART 1

Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour

Art enthusiasts hoping for a cultural experience beyond the traditional gallery setting shouldn’t miss this Glasgow street art excursion showcasing the city’s intriguing urban artists. Follow your guide through alleys and beneath bridges to discover Glasgow’s public murals and hidden artistic gems. As you go, you can learn about the city’s artists, uncover Glasgow’s culture and creative industries, and see the Glasgow School of Art.

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Archaeology Tours in Scotland

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Archaeology Tours in Scotland?

The best Archaeology Tours in Scotland according to Viator travelers are:

Museums in Scotland

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the best Museums in Scotland?

The best Museums in Scotland according to Viator travelers are:

PRISON

Peterhead Prison Museum Ticket

Visit “Scotland’s Alcatraz”, long the country’s only high-security prison, without the hassle of waiting in line at the ticket office. Head straight inside and follow the audio tour to learn about the 125-year history of the former HM Convict Prison, including the infamous 1987 siege and Britain’s first state-owned railway. Walk through the galleries and halls as you listen to the stories of prison officers for a fully immersive experience.

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