World Heritage Sites

The UK is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which can be found in each of the countries in the UK, including Stonehenge & Avebury, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Palace & the Tower of London in England, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and St Kilda in Scotland, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in Wales and the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland and many more. There are over 20 sites to explore across the UK, each of the sites has its own rich history and heritage offering visitors the opportunity to visit sites deemed as making an outstanding contribution to world heritage and culture.

England includes some of the best known world heritage sites the sites in London including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace attract many visitors each year and each has its own fascinating history and storey to tell. In Durham the WHS includes iconic historic buildings including Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral important for their cultural, historical and architectural importance. The famous site at Stonehenge and Avebury are among the best known and most visited world heritage sites in England, regarded as being outstanding prehistoric monuments. Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City located in the city covers areas of the city that recognise its importance as a commercial port and areas of historical, social and cultural significance.

Scotland includes the WHS in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Old and New Towns, visited by many tourists the site is testament to the history, architecture and planning of the city. New Lanark is located in South Lanarkshire, the 18th century cotton mills and restored village are a popular attraction for visitors. The site is regarded as a fine example of a model for industrial communities. St Kilda is a volcanic archipelago located to the west of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, the islands have great importance for wildlife and are home to endangered and rare species.

Wales includes a number of WHS including the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in south Wales showing a great example of the industrial landscape in the production of iron and coal. The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd include the famous castles at Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, and Harlech showcasing military architecture. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct located in north east Wales regarded as a great feat of civil engineering of the Industrial Revolution and architecture.

Northern Ireland currently has one site inscribed as a WHS, the Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coast. The Giant’s Causeway is established as a favourite destination for visitors to Northern Ireland, visitors can see the impressive, scenic causeway coast. The site is regarded of being of outstanding value historically and environmentally. The coast has some unspoilt beaches and scenery while the Giant’s Causeway has been described as a marvel of nature.