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.
It now excludes places and things of interest in the North of England, including Yorkshire.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in England’s East Midlands are currently being moved to ABAB’s Places.
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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
40 Sandycoombe Road
St Margarets
Twickenham
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.
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.
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.
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.
Westminster
The only visible remains of White Friars Priory, the medieval London home of the Carmelite order, can be found behind glass under an office block. The priory used to stretch from Fleet Street to the Thames, bounded by the River Fleet in the east and the Temple in the west. Access to the crypt may be possible on a heritage open day.
Bouverie Street
The William Morris Gallery is housed in William Morris’ childhood home, a Georgian house set in Lloyd Park in Walthamstow. It contains the world’s largest collection of this iconic Victorian designer and craftsman’s work, including tapestries, furniture, tiles, wallpaper, embroidery and paintings. The museum was opened in 1950 by the then Prime Minister, Clement Attlee.
Forest Road
Walthamstow
This is the world's most famous, and oldest, grass tennis competition. It was first held in 1877 - women were invited to join in 1884. All of the world's top-seeded players compete and, for a fortnight at the end of June and beginning of July, many people are glued to their TVs following the action. The big problem with Wimbledon fortnight, unfortunately, is often the rain...
Tickets can be obtained by ballot long in advance, or by taking a risk and queuing on the day - or by an official supplier. Check the official website for details - do not buy tickets from unofficial sources.
If you're using sat nav, you are advised to use the following post codes for navigation - SW19 5AG and SW19 5AF. However, the easiest way to travel to Wimbledon is by public transport.
Church Road
Wimbledon
Most people walk past the sparse remains of the once enormous London Palace of the Bishops of Winchester. Not much to see - but an amazing history.
The ruins are managed by Bankside Open Spaces Trust on behalf of English Heritage.
Bankside
Southwark
One of London’s most famous pubs, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (not to be confused with the plain, common or garden, 'Cheshire Cheese' nearby) has allegedly been supped at over the centuries by the likes of Pepys, Wren, Johnson, Dickens and Wodehouse. It was restored after the Great Fire of 1666, so its heritage goes back beyond that. It’s a bit of a labyrinth and needs to be explored – the lower vaults are probably extremely old – as well as basic and sometimes rowdy, but generally friendly. In days gone by, it had a resident parrot (Polly), whose stuffed remains are apparently still there somewhere. T’is also said that, once upon a time, selected visitors were offered a free pipe of tobacco. None of that these days – and mobile phones are actively discouraged.
Other 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' pubs are available.
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.