Listings

Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword. This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out, to be replaced with ‘Places’.  You may find what you are looking for there. Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse.  If your […]

Britain, places to visit, attractions, heritage
Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.

This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out, to be replaced with ‘Places’.  You may find what you are looking for there.

Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse. 

The Clarence, Whitehall

A fairly traditional London pub, though undeniably targeted at the tourist trade, the Clarence's location on the corner of Whitehall and Great Scotland Yard makes it very convenient for central attractions, including Westminster. Easy to find, it's a good place to arrange to meet - and, as it's handy for 10 Downing Street, you never know who you'll spot supping a pint there. The beer can be really good, as can the food. Often crowded - inevitably.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
53 Whitehall
County
London
Post Code
SW1A 2HP
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square - you name it.
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
The Two Chairmen

The Two Chairmen is thought to be one of the oldest pubs in Westminster and is named for the porters who carried sedan chairs in the 18th century for the gentry to and from the cockfighting near Cockpit Steps, virtually opposite the pub. It is very handy for the Houses of Parliament and St James's Park and tends to be less crowded than the pubs closer to Trafalgar Square.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
39 Dartmouth Street
Westminster
County
London
Post Code
SW1H 9BN
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
St James's Park, Houses of Parliament
Primary Management
Other
TOWER HILL

To many people, Tower Hill is just an underground station on the District and Circle Lines, the station you get to visit the Tower of London, or walk from to get to the Dockland Light Railway. It is so much more than that.

Tower Hill was settled in the Bronze Age and was part of Roman London. There is a section of the 3rd century Roman Wall near the station.

It is also the location of the evocative Tower Hill Memorial, managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, commemorating the Merchant Navy and fishing fleet dead of the First and Second World Wars who have no grave but the sea.

Tower Hill was also one of several execution sites in London. In the south west corner is the site of the scaffold where an estimated 125 people were executed, mostly by beheading, between the 14th and 18th centuries. The last person executed there was Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, in 1747.

There are also good views of the Tower of London.

Region/Nation
County
London
Post Code
EC3N 4DH
Main Historic Period
All
Tip/Nearby
Tower of London, Tower Bridge
Primary Management
Local Authority
Tower of London

Arguably one of the best attractions in London, the Tower has been so many things - Norman fortress, medieval palace, prison, place of execution - even a zoo. There is so much to see, not least the Crown Jewels. Don't let the queues put you off, allow plenty of time and soak up the atmosphere.

Region/Nation
County
London
Post Code
EC3N 4AB
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Tower Bridge, Tower Hill tube station
Primary Management
Historic Royal Palaces
Trafalgar Square

Laid out in 1830-41 on the site of the earlier royal stables, Trafalgar Square in central London commemorates Admiral Nelson's naval victory in 1805 and has Nelson's Column as its main feature. There are four plinths for statues in the square: General Sir Charles James Napier, Major General Sir Henry Havelock and King George IV. The fourth plinth, empty for many years, now features contemporary works of art. There is an equestrian statue of Charles I to the south of the square, traditionally the original location for Charing Cross and the site of execution of the regicides after the restoration. Trafalgar Square, London's largest square, is surrounded by attractions - like the National Gallery - and has long been a location for meetings, protests and revels. Legend has it there is buried treasure beneath its paving stones...

Region/Nation
County
London
Post Code
WC2N 5DN
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Whitehall, Westminster, National Gallery, Covent Garden...
Primary Management
Local Authority
Turner's House

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775 – 1851), commonly referred to as J M W Turner, was one of Britain’s greatest painters. In 1813, he built a small brick villa, Sandycombe Lodge, on a large plot near the Thames at Twickenham. Turner designed the house himself, with the help of his friend, John Soane and it could be said that Sandycombe Lodge is his largest artwork. Turner installed his father, Old William, who tended the garden and kept house. The artist used this peaceful spot, with no other buildings nearby, to retreat from the pressures of the London art world, to walk and sketch along the Thames, to fish with one or two close companions, and occasionally to entertain larger groups of friends.

The location is a little more crowded now and much of the old garden has been built over. But the last resident, Professor Livermore, wanted to preserve the house for the nation and this vision has been realised by the Turner’s House Trust, which has restored the property and opened it to the public. It has been furnished and decorated based on the best evidence for how it would have looked in Turner’s day. Some of Turner’s work is on display, along with beautifully crafted models of ships, variations on those which Turner had in the house.

Opening times are limited – it is essential to check the website before travelling.

Photo - Turner's House

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Sandycombe Lodge
40 Sandycoombe Road
St Margarets
Twickenham
County
London
Post Code
TW1 2LR
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham Rugby Stadium
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
VICTORIA and ALBERT MUSEUM (The)

Directly quoting from the V&A's website: "The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance."

Entry is free - this is a national museum.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Cromwell Road
County
London
Post Code
SW7 2RL
Main Historic Period
N/A
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Science and Natural History museums adjacent.
Primary Management
HM Government
WALLACE MEMORIAL, Smithfield

This Wallace Memorial in London's Smithfield honours Scottish hero and patriot Sir William Wallace, who was executed nearby on 23 August in 1305. The memorial was set up in 1956.

Post code is approximate - memorial is on the wall of St Bart's Hospital.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
West Smithfield
County
London
Post Code
EC1A 9DS
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield Market
WELLCOME COLLECTION

The Wellcome Collection is a medical museum that grew out of the Wellcome Trust, a global charity which, amongst other things, is a huge funder of medical research. The Wellcome Trust was established by the will of Henry Wellcome, a US Anglophile who co-founded the pharmaceutical firm Burroughs Wellcome (later absorbed into GSK). Wellcome was also an avid collector - anything from mainstream artwork to the bizarre - many of his items are now in the Science Museum. The Wellcome Collection includes two permanent displays, 'Medicine Man' about Henry Wellcome, and 'Medicine Now'. Its temporary exhibitions include an eclectic mix of art, history and somewhat off-the-wall - all with a medical bent - check its website to see what's on. There is also access to the Wellcome Library, a collection specialising in medicine and its history which includes many rare and unique items.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
183 Euston Road
County
London
Post Code
NW1 2BE
Main Historic Period
All
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Almost opposite Euston Station - very handy for somewhere to visit just before you travel north or as you arrive in town.
Primary Management
Other
WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Westminster Abbey has been at the centre of English, and British, state occasions - coronations, weddings, funerals, services of commemoration - since William the Conqueror was crowned there on Christmas Day 1066. The Abbey was founded by King Edward the Confessor in the 11th century, though the present building is largely 13th-14th century, with the addition of 18th century towers. The interior of the abbey is breathtaking and contains the tombs of many of England's great monarchs, including Edward I and Elizabeth I, as well as memorials honouring heroes and poets - and the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. A sense of history is all around you.

However, entry is expensive and it can get incredibly crowded.  Photography is allowed, within reason.  However, you can download images from the Abbey's website - as shown here - which are copyright Dean and Chapter of Westminster.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
20 Dean's Yard
Westminster
County
London
Post Code
SW1P 3PA
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Opposite the Houses of Parliament
Primary Management
Church Authorities

If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch. 

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