The flourishing islands of the United Kingdom are known to the world as one of the leading economies in current times, but did you know that 5,000 years ago, the entire region was shrouded by thick shrubbery and tall mountains? The U.K. has long been a place of wonder, and with the delightful mix of culture and heritage comes a wide array of myths and legends. The elusive Loch Ness Monster, and the mysterious Holy Grail that was rumoured to be buried in Glastonbury since the beginning of time are just the tip of the iceberg.
Immerse yourself in the magic that the U.K. has to offer with 11 of the most intriguing places you would find:
1. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England
Don’t be surprised to see leafy figures peeking out from the grounds here at the Lost Gardens of Heligan (pronounced ‘h'LIG'n’, and not 'HEL-i-gun’), which had a rich history dating back to the 1500s. Owned by the Tremayne family, the lush sculptures you see here were carefully maintained throughout the 19th-century but fell into disrepair shortly after World War I. Rediscovered by a distant relative of the Tremayne bloodline, the gardens have since been restored to their original grandeur, making this a lovely place for a springtime walk.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Address: Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan Cornwall, England, PL26 United Kingdom
Price: from 6 USD
Opening Hours: Depends on seasons. Check website for more information
Website: The Lost Gardens of Heligan
2. Bask in the Fairy Pools in Highland, Scotland
Home to an abundance of Celtic myths and legends, the beauty of Scotland can be seen from its flourishing natural sights, but if one was to talk about the most ethereal of them all, the Fairy Pool in Highland takes the cake for the most scenic dip of your lifetime! Made up of many small waterfalls, the glimmering blue waters are almost unreal under the lustrous afternoon sun. Perfect for a summer escape, dive into the ice-cold currents during the searing summer months!
PS: Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Fairy Pools
Address: Near the Carbost Village on the West of Skye, head over to the road to Glenbrittle to start drive in.
Price: Free
Opening Hours: No closing hours
Website: Fairy Pools
3. A deadly tour around the Alnwick Poison Gardens in Alnwick, England
They say that curiosity killed the cat, but it couldn’t be more true here at the Alnwick Poison Gardens, where even the slightest whiff of the deadly herbs could result in a bloody death. Bolted in by a steel gate with the sign “These Plants Can Kill”, the eclectic collection of herbs are caged in and usually put under 24-hour security surveillance. Still, the lethal beauty of these plants are what makes it so appealing, as the vibrant colours are definitely a sight not to be missed during the springtime.
Alnwick Poison Gardens
Address: Denwick Lane Alnwick, England, NE66 United Kingdom
Price: from 4 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm during Spring, 10 am-6 pm during Summer
Website: Alnwick Poison Gardens
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4. Listen to the Singing Ringing Tree in Lancashire, England
Designed by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu in 2006, the 3-metre (~10 ft) tall sculpture held together by galvanised steel pipes is perched atop the steep Crown Point. With the surrounding hills as companion, the occasional eerie howls you hear reverberating in the area may remind you of wandering, lost souls wailing out for salvation, but the otherwise melodious tunes are quite literally, music to your ears!
Singing Ringing Tree
Address: Lancashire, England, BB11 United Kingdom
Price: Free
Opening Hours: No closing hours
5. Traverse across the scenic Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Home to a wide variety of wildlife, the scampering puffins are a familiar sight on the idyllic fields of Skomer Island. Famed as a haven for natural sights, the scenery of grey seals lazing by the shore during the spring and fall months are not an uncommon sight, and the occasional caw of the black-backed gulls soaring through the skies are a majestic sight to witness. Remember to say hi to the shy rabbits on the way back — their floppy ears are hard to miss!
Skomer Island
Address: Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA62 3BJ United Kingdom
Price: from 12 USD
Opening Hours: Boats to Skomer depart on Tuesday to Sundays at 10 am, 11 am and 12 noon. Return trips run from 3 pm and are allocated according to your outward journey.
Website: Skomer Island
6. Uncover the Ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East in London, England
A living testament to the damage done by the London Blitz, look beyond the moss-covered walls of these ruins and you may just catch a glimpse of the cracked walls that have withstood the test of time. Dating back to the Anglo-Saxon times of England, what used to be an English parish church was carefully preserved and rebuilt even throughout the Great Fire. However, after the Blitz left it’s mark, it has since been converted into a quiet park tucked away from the blaring city horns. A nice place for an afternoon stroll, don’t you think?
Ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East
Address: St. Dunstan’s Hill London, England, EC3R 8PP United Kingdom
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all year round from 8 am to 7 pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.
Website: Ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East
7. Weave through the Longleat Hedge Maze in Warminster, Wiltshire
Welcome to the world’s longest hedge maze! Stretching across 1.48 acres (0.6 hectares), those who love a good ol’ puzzle would love a trip to the Longleat Maze. Featuring several dead ends and multiple pathways for you to take, you could well spend an entire afternoon here! Owned by the Marquesses of Bath since the 1500s, the property has evolved from a mere house to one consisting of a Safari Park, where exotic animals roam free amongst curious tourists.
Longleat Maze
Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
Price: from 26 USD
Opening Hours: Opens at 10 am, closes at varying hours depending on season. Check website for more info
Website: Longleat Maze
8. Catch a glimpse of the consulting detective at 221B Baker Street in London, England
Fans of the detective series that have taken the world by storm would be over the moon to find out that the acclaimed 221B actually exists! Located on Baker Street, the room of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson has been crafted down to the finest detail — even the 17 steps leading to the sitting room, and the violin resting by the fireplace amidst a messy room makes it seem as though the visitor stopped by just as the crime-solving duo left for a case. Made even more popular by the recent BBC series Sherlock, you may just catch a glimpse of the long coat and funny hat lying around.
221B Baker Street
Address: 237 Baker Street Devon London, England, NW1 6XE United Kingdom
Price: from 10 USD
Opening Hours: 9.30 am - 6 pm
Website: The Sherlock Museum
9. Find your muse at the Puzzlewood in Coleford, England
The winding paths and fern covered stone steps of Puzzlewood are said to have served as an inspiration for Lord Of The Rings. The eerie silhouettes of stick-thin trees in Mirkwood and the lush glades found in the Old Forest could have well been born out of this place, as Tolkien was known to be a frequent visitor to this area. Roaming farm animals are also a popular sight. Tour the flourishing fields with the Shetland ponies as your companion, or watch as the cattle graze lazily on a slow Sunday afternoon.
Puzzlewood
Address: Perrygrove Road Coleford, England, GL16 8PX United Kingdom
Price: from 7 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Website: Puzzlewood
10. Embark on an adventure to Fingal's Cave on the Isle of Staffa, Scotland
The wonders of Mother Nature never cease to astound. The formation of Fingal’s Cave, where the 270-foot (~79 m) deep cave’s majestic silhouette is carved out by columns of basalt-lined pillars that seem to catch just a glimmer of light when the cascading waters hit the surface. The wispy echoes of the cave has earned its name The Cave Of Melodies, and is definitely one of nature’s best compositions.
Fingal's Cave
Address: Isle of Staffa, Scotland
Price: Tours start from 30 USD
Opening Hours: Varies, check website for different departure times
Website: Fingal’s Cave
11. Tread through the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland
What was meant to be planted as an impressive row of beech trees to welcome visitors to the Stuart family estate has instead turned out to be what seems like a pathway of impending death. The coiling trunks have been portrayed to be a ghastly creation, even becoming a filming location for the popular TV series Game Of Thrones. A lovely spot for an afternoon stroll, no?
The Dark Hedges
Address: Bregagh Road Northern Ireland, BT53 8TT United Kingdom
Price: Free
Opening Hours: No closing hours
The beauty of the world is all around you
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To the common man or woman, the dilapidated hut just behind the road may only be a pile of trash, but to the explorer, the rustic charms of a time-worn haven is a sight not to be missed!
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