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 North East England.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse.
The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, part of the Lakeland Arts Trust, explores the unique history, customs and traditions of the Lake District. The museum features recreated period rooms, original items and realistic displays. There is a special exhibition on Arthur Ransome (1884-1967), author and journalist best known for the Swallows and Amazons series of children's books set mostly in the Lake District and Norfolk Broads. The Museum is housed in the former stable block of Abbot Hall Art Gallery.
Refurbishment project due for completion in 2022.
Chester Zoo is Britain's most visited zoo with some 2 million visitors every year (pre-pandemic figures). It has impressive conservation credentials, covers 128 acres, holds in excess of 20,000 animals and employs more than 1,000 people. The zoo was founded in 1931 by George Mottershead (1894-1978). George had a childhood dream of creating a zoo without bars.
Like many other zoo, Chester Zoo is a relatively expensive place to visit.
Chester
Former radar station converted to a Cold War Regional Government HQ (RGHQ), abandoned in 1992 and opened as a museum in 1998.
Off the A530 Whitchurch Road
Nr Nantwich
Working on cosmic rays from the University of Manchester after the Second World War, Sir Bernard Lovell (1913 – 2012) established Jodrell Bank Observatory in a rural area, away from the radio interference he was experiencing in a busy city. His observatory is still in operation and is home to the famous giant Lovell Telescope. Jodrell Bank has had substantial scientific impact in understanding meteors and the moon as well as the discovery of quasars, quantum optics, and the tracking of spacecraft. UNESCO says, “This exceptional technological ensemble illustrates the transition from traditional optical astronomy to radio astronomy (1940s to 1960s), which led to radical changes in the understanding of the universe.” So, this is the place to learn all about life, the universe and everything - well, the universe, anyway. In addition, there are 35 acres of gardens which include an arboretum and a playground.
University of Manchester
Macclesfield
Lyme is a large estate that was owned by the Legh family from 1388 - 1946. The house dates from the late 16th century, but is mainly 17th and 18th century in style. The library displays the Lyme Caxton Missal - an early printed book published by William Caxton in 1487. Outside are huge formal gardens, surrounded by an enormous deer park. Plenty to see, plenty of places to walk. Lyme featured as 'Pemberley' in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in which Colin Firth emerges from the lake.
Stockport
Abbot Hall Art Gallery is one of Britain’s preeminent small art galleries, run by the Lakeland Arts Trust and set in a restored Grade I-listed Georgian house on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal. The gallery holds an exceptional collection of 18th-20th century fine art, including (allegedly) works by George Romney, John Ruskin, JMW Turner, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, LS Lowry and Graham Sutherland. The gallery also runs a temporary exhibition programme throughout the year.
A gallery refurbishment project is due to be completed in 2022.
Kendal
Acorn Bank offers an attractive garden and partially open 17th century red sandstone manor house. The estate at Acorn Bank dates back to the medieval order of the Knights Hospitaller. The main attraction now is the 17th century walled garden, with its fascinating medicinal and culinary herbs, pretty formal area, traditional orchard, woodland walks and industrial past complete with restored working watermill dating from the 16th century.
Nr Penrith
Arnside was a tiny fishing village until it grew as a holiday destination in Victorian times. It is located on the estuary of the River Kent on the north-eastern corner of Morecambe Bay, within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is predominantly residential. There's a small pier, a collection of shops and cafes, a couple of pubs and easy walks along a modest promenade with lovely views of the Cumbrian mountains. The tides at Arnside go out a long way, and turn very quickly creating a tidal bore when the water floods back. It is also highly dangerous to venture onto the sands. Nearby Arnside Knott, a limestone hill, provides woodland and open hillside walks and is famous for its views over Morecambe Bay - and its butterflies and flowers. On the Silverdale side of Arnside Knott is Arnside Tower, a Pele tower built as a defence against border (Scottish) raiders. The railway (Furness Line) between Lancaster and Carlisle via Barrow-in-Furness crosses the River Kent via the Arnside viaduct.
A limestone/sandstone hill offering grassland, meadow and woodland walks, with great views over the Kent estuary and Morecambe Bay. Famous for wildflowers and butterflies. Nearby Jack Scout's cliffs are good for bird watching and sun sets. Limited parking. Signposted from Arnside.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery in the attractive village of Hawkshead holds a collection of the author's original drawings and exhibits these in an annually changing exhibition. The building is 17th century and was once the office of her husband, local solicitor William Heelis.
Hawkshead
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.