UK Wonders

40,000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns rising from the sea. Formed by volcanic eruption 60 million years ago — or by a giant called Finn MacCumhail, depending on who you ask. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only one in Northern Ireland.

England's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 16 lakes, 150 peaks over 600m, and the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike, 978m). The landscape that inspired Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and the entire Romantic movement.

Britain's last true wilderness. Glencoe's volcanic valley, Ben Nevis (1,345m — the highest peak in the UK), Loch Ness, and the North Coast 500 driving route. Red deer, golden eagles, and landscapes that look like they belong in Iceland or New Zealand.

95 miles of coastline spanning 185 million years of Earth's history. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Durdle Door's limestone arch, Lulworth Cove's perfect circle, and fossil beaches at Lyme Regis where Mary Anning discovered the first ichthyosaur.

Britain's biggest gorge — 137m deep, 3 miles long, carved by meltwater during the Ice Age. Limestone cliffs, Britain's oldest complete human skeleton (Cheddar Man, 9,000 years old), and the caves where cheddar cheese was originally aged.

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) at 1,085m is the highest mountain in England and Wales. Nine mountain railways, glacial lakes, and the world's fastest zip line at Zip World. Also home to the village with the longest place name in Europe: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

The most dramatic island in the UK. The Old Man of Storr pinnacles, Fairy Pools with crystal-clear waterfalls, the Quiraing landslip, and Kilt Rock sea cliff. Connected to the mainland by a bridge since 1995 — before that, you had to take a ferry.

The world's most famous prehistoric monument. Built in stages from 3000 BC to 1500 BC. Some stones weigh 25 tonnes and were dragged 150 miles from Wales — 700 years before the wheel arrived in Britain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site aligned precisely with the midsummer sunrise.

A fortress perched on an extinct volcano, continuously occupied since the Iron Age. Home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the oldest building in Edinburgh (St Margaret's Chapel, 1130). The entire Old and New Towns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The northwest frontier of the Roman Empire, built in AD 122. 73 miles from coast to coast. The best-preserved sections are at Housesteads and Vindolanda — where the Vindolanda tablets were found, the oldest handwritten documents in Britain, including an invitation to a birthday party.

The only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Roman baths fed by a natural hot spring that still flows at 46°C today. Georgian terraces by John Wood the Elder and Younger, including the Royal Crescent — the Circus is based on Stonehenge's dimensions.

The most impressive of King Edward I's "Iron Ring" of castles. Built in 1283 as a military fortress and a seat of government. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969. The polygonal towers and banded masonry are unique in Britain.

The largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Construction took 250 years (1220–1472). The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world — the size of a tennis court. You can climb the 275 steps of the central tower for views across the city.

A tidal island with a medieval castle and church, cut off from the mainland twice a day by the sea. You can walk across the causeway at low tide or take a boat at high tide. Managed by the National Trust — the same family has lived here since 1659. The only other tidal island castle in Britain is Mont-Saint-Michel's twin in Normandy.

An avenue of 150 beech trees planted in 1775 by the Stuart family. The tangled branches have knitted together overhead to form a natural Gothic tunnel. Famously featured in Game of Thrones as the Kingsroad. Best visited at dawn or dusk when the light filters through the branches.