Listly by Linda Hurren
Here are a list of the most popular tourist attractions that foreign students must visit to have the best time in the UK
Step aboard the London Eye, Europe’s tallest observation wheel in the centre of London, and see the city’s world famous landmarks from above.One of London’s most recognisable landmarks, and the most popular ticketed tourist attraction in the city. Spectacular 360° views of London, up to 40km on a clear day
See Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Shard and much more. All capsules are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible
Enjoy a fun pre-flight 4D movie experience, taking you on a thrilling journey high above London
London isn’t short of spectacular – and spectacularly tall – viewpoints, but The View from The Shard is supreme. At 310 metres, The Shard isn’t only the tallest building in London, it’s the tallest in the whole of Western Europe, and offers guests a sensational experience, starting when you enter on the ground floor. Access to three different viewing platforms, including 360° views on Level 69 and the open-air floor on Level 72. Nearly twice the height of London’s next tallest viewpoint. View stretches to 40 miles (64km) on a clear day. No time restrictions – stay as long as you like
Kew Gardens is one of the most renowned botanic gardens in the world, showcasing millions of exotic plants. London’s largest World Heritage Site
Enjoy an aerial view of the immaculate gardens from the Xstrata Treetop Walkway. Visit the lush tropical forest inside the humid Palm House. See Madagascan baobab trees, central American orchids and carnivorous Asian plants of the Princess of Wales Conservatory
Step inside the picturesque Kew Palace, the smallest of the Royal Palaces
One of just four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city, the Tower of London is one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Used variously throughout its history as a royal palace, an armoury, a prison, an execution chamber, a zoo, a barracks and a jewel house, this working royal castle offers a stunning insight into 1,000 years of history.
See the magnificent Crown Jewels on display, made up of nearly 24,000 gems. Enjoy special exhibitions, guided tours from the famous Beefeaters, and live re-enactments of historic moments. Explore the towers to discover what imprisonment was like for the ‘upper classes’ of previous centuries.
Special tours and activities available for children and families. Flexibility - tickets are open dated and can be used any time on any day
Whether they're furry, feathered or scaly, whether they walk on two, four, or even eight legs, they're all here for you to see when visiting ZSL London Zoo - there are over 12,000 animals! The Zoo a great excuse for a big day out, especially since the new Tiger Territory and Gorilla Kingdom opened.
Experience St Paul’s Cathedral - London’s architectural masterpiece and place of national celebration. Step inside and enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior, uncover fascinating stories about its history and climb the world-famous dome for spectacular views of London.
Located in the O2 Arena Greenwich, The British Music Experience is an interactive museum combining cutting-edge audio-visual technology with some of the most coveted music memorabilia.
Highlights include: David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust outfit, Noel Gallagher’s Union Jack guitar, Ginger Spice's Union Jack dress and Ozzy Osbourne’s stage cape.
A tour of the stunning Wembley Stadium is a great way to get a sense of the enormous size and scale of the venue. It is the largest stadium in the UK and the second largest in Europe, and the ‘new’ Wembley completed in 2007 replaces the iconic twin towers of the old stadium with the huge and distinctive Wembley Arch, curving high above the roof of the stadium.
Wembley has played host to many different types of events throughout the years but the name remains synonymous with the England football team, making football an apt focus of the stadium tour! Tour includes access to England dressing room, players’ tunnel and press room. Plenty of photo opportunities from the stadium’s most coveted seats. Guests can enjoy the new Exhibition of Champions, showcasing 57 years of UEFA Champions League Finals
Check out the epic rides you'll experience at the nation's Thrill Capital on your THORPE PARK break, including some of Europe's most extreme and gut-wrenching rollercoasters. Brave the UK's first winged rollercoaster, THE SWARM, face your fears on SAW — The Ride and take on the 'Unholy Trinity' of Stealth, Colossus and Nemesis Inferno.
Why not cool off on one of the fun-filled water rides? Whether it's Tidal Wave, Storm Surge or Logger's Leap, a serious drenching is guaranteed! For the ultimate adrenaline fix, grab your mates and head to THORPE PARK for an awesome short break.
Take a tour of the childhood abode of Queen Victoria, the beloved home of Princess Diana and the current residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton for a fascinating insight into royal life. Flexibility - tickets are open dated and can be used any time on any day
Visit an exhibition exploring Queen Victoria’s life, through letters, jewellery and clothes. Take traditional afternoon tea in glorious garden surroundings at Queen Anne’s Orangery. Step inside the sumptuous King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and see the impressive tapestries, ornaments and artefacts of Georgian royalty. Enjoy the famous Luminous Lace art installation at the centre of the palace
Take a stroll down the ‘Wiggly Walk’ in the immaculate landscaped gardens
One of London’s newest and most exhilarating attractions invites visitors to boldly explore new heights with a guided climbing expedition over a raised walkway on the roof of the famous O2 Arena, formerly known as the Millennium Dome.
Enjoy unrivalled 360° views of London and its landmarks including Canary Wharf, the Olympic Park and the River Thames. Take on the adventure of a 28° ascent on a walkway 380m long and 52m above the ground. Star in your own movie with the help of motion trackers
The London Eye River Cruise Experience departs from the pier at the London Eye, great for taking in all the views of the River Thames. See St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge. Enjoy the live commentary as you cruise the Thames in comfort.
The oldest Tudor palace in England, Hampton Court provides a magical journey through 500 years of royal history. With beautiful architecture, colourful gardens and plenty of family activities, it provides an unforgettable day out for everyone.
At Whipsnade Wild Animal Park you can watch lions, tigers, elephants, hippos and giraffes. Enjoy the huge outdoor enclosures. Hop aboard the Safari Bus or ride the Jumbo Express. Take in the keeper talks and animal displays. A great day out for the whole family.
The Banqueting House, set in the heart of historic Whitehall, is one of London's hidden treasures. Now used as the great ceremonial chamber of the court and the scene of grand receptions for foreign embassies. Marvel at the Rubens ceiling and the fine Palladian architecture.
At LEGOLAND® Windsor, children can take to the road, soar through the skies and sail the seas in complete safety. Set in 150 acres of parkland and featuring nearly 55 million LEGO® bricks, there are over 50 interactive rides, live shows and building workshops. More fun than you can imagine for children and their families!
The Royal Edinburgh Ticket gives you admission to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia – three must-see destinations favoured by monarchs past and present. The ticket is valid for 2 days from first use. It also includes 2 consecutive days of unlimited travel on Edinburgh Hop-On-Hop-off Bus Tours.
Often called the eighth wonder of the world, Cornwall’s Eden Project is a series of bubble-like ‘Biomes’ nestled in a crater surrounded by breath-taking scenery. One of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, explore all this dramatic global garden has to offer including rainforests, mangrove swamps and treetop gardens!
Berthed in Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a 5-star visitor experience that is not to be missed. The captivating audio handset tour, available in 21 languages, takes you round five decks at a leisurely pace and is a rare glimpse into the public and private lives of the British Royal Family
Experience hundreds of years of London’s dark and gruesome history at one of the city’s most popular and entertaining attractions.