40. Lake District National Park

What is the Lake District?

The Lake District is a mountainous region in the North East of England that includes the largest lake in England, Lake Windermere, and Scafell Pike, the highest peak. The Lake District National Park was created in 1951 and extends 40 miles north to south, and 51 miles from east to west.

What is the Lake District like?

It's stunningly beautiful. There are 19 fairly large lakes, as well as numerous smaller ones (called tarns), 4 mountains that exceed 3000 feet, and 7 sizeable towns including Grasmere, which was once home to William Wordsworth.

Where is the Lake District? 

Cumbria, England

When did we go? 

August 2019

How did we get there?

I drove up to Ambleside and around Windermere with my friend, Sarah-Jane. 

Worth noting

You can buy the best gingerbread in the world in Grasmere. The inventor was Sarah Nelson and Grasmere Gingerbread has been sold from her house in the village since 1854.

What was the Lake District's position in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist?

36. It dropped four places.

Does it deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet top 500?

Yes - it's a magnificent place in the world.

56. British Museum

What is the British Museum?

The British Museum was the first public national museum in the world, established in 1753. It contains 8 million items, many collected during the time of the British Empire.

What is the British Museum like?

It's beyond impressive. It's well organised and reasonably easy to find specific things (I was looking for the Sutton Hoo burial ship treasure), but just as pleasant to stroll around. The main attractions are the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures (aka the Elgin Marbles), the Lewis Chessmen and many, many more.

Where is the British Museum? 

London, England

When did we go? 

September 2019

How did we get there? 

I'd been to the British Museum several times with Pete - after we returned from our trip to Egypt (Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor Temple) we went to see the Rosetta Stone. On this most recent occasion, I went up on the Tube to Russell Square and walked from there.

Worth noting 

There are talks that take place in some of the popular galleries. I joined one in room 41 where the Sutton Hoo treasures are kept and the guide kept his presentation fast, interesting, and informal (and it was free). I loved it and highly recommend them.

Where was the British Museum located on the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List? 

15. It has since dropped 51 places.

Does the British Museum deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500?

Yes. And if you returned the items that other countries want back, it would still be a significant draw.

116. Jurassic Coast

What is the Jurassic Coast?

The Jurassic Coast stretches along the south coast of England, from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, a distance of about 96 miles. It is a World Heritage Site. 

What is the Jurassic Coast like? 

It would take a long time to get bored by the Jurassic Coast - it's 96 miles packed with seaside towns, natural wonders, beaches, museums and more. You can walk/cycle it in one go or break it up into chunks and do pieces at a time.

Where is the Jurassic Coast? 

England, UK

When did we go? 

October 2008 and May 2015

How did we get to the Jurassic Coast? 

We visited a few places along the Jurassic Coast. Our first visit was to Lyme Regis, a beautiful seaside town that should not be missed. We went by train and stayed overnight. Then in 2015 we visited several National Trust places in Dorset and stayed at a hotel near Studland Bay. 

Worth noting

As the name suggests, the Jurassic Coast is a fossil hunter's paradise. Mary Anning, the famous fossil finder, lived in Lyme Regis and is buried in a churchyard there.

Where was the Jurassic Coast on the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List? 

It was a new entry in 2020.

Does the Jurassic Coast deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500? 

I'm surprised it's so high on the list, but it deserves a place.

170. Victoria & Albert Museum

What is the Victoria & Albert Museum?

The Victoria & Albert Museum, or V&A as it is known, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. It opened in 1857 and was originally known as the South Kensington Museum, before being renamed in 1899. It has areas dedicated to architecture, ceramics, fashion, jewellery, furniture, glass, metalwork, photography, textiles and sculpture.

What's the Victoria & Albert Museum like? 

I've loved the V&A since I read Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild when I was little. The Fossil sisters live on the Cromwell Road and are taken to look at the dolls' houses in the V&A on wet afternoons. I was over the moon when my visit unexpectedly turned into a wet afternoon.

Where is the Victoria & Albert Museum?

South Kensington, London

When did we go?

May 2021

How did we get there?

I travelled to South Kensington on the Tube and walked from there - it's a 5 minute walk.

Worth noting

There's no star attraction at the V&A but the exhibitions are great so try and coincide your visit with one of those.

Where was the Victoria & Albert Museum in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

It was a new entry for 2020.

Does it deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500? 

I'm surprised it's so high up but yes.

219. Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs

What are the Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs?

The Seven Sisters are a row of chalk cliffs facing the English Channel. They have names, such as Flagstaff Bottom and Rough Bottom.

What are the Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs like? 

It's a lovely area - there's a lot of opportunity for walks along the South Downs.

Where are the Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs?

Eastbourne, England

When did we go? 

February 2015

How did we get there?

We drove down from London and focused mainly on Birling Gap - the National Trust has a cafe there and I needed to visit for my project to try the National Trust scones. 

Worth noting: 

The Seven Sisters are often used as the body double for the White Cliffs of Dover, for example in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The Seven Sisters have remained very white and undeveloped, whereas Dover is a busy port. 

Where were the Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist?

They were a new addition to the 2020 edition.

Do the Seven Sisters Chalk Cliffs deserve a place in the 2020 top 500?

If I'm being very honest, and if you look at the list of other places not included, then not really. Sorry, cliffs.

227. Stonehenge

What is Stonehenge? 

It's 5000 years old - great big standing stones arranged in a circle. Nobody knows why they're there and nobody knows for sure how they got there (some of the stones came all the way from Wales).

What is Stonehenge like? 

I'll be honest; Pete hated Stonehenge. He thought it was a massive rip-off. But you can't deny that it's an icon and it's astonishing.

Where is Stonehenge?

Wiltshire, England

When did we go?

April 2007

How did we get there?

We drove there from London - it's less than two hours drive.

Worth noting

The view of Stonehenge from the road is almost better than the view from a feet feet away. But I'd still recommend going to the site itself.

What was Stonehenge's position in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List? 

62

Does Stonehenge deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planey Top 500?

It's baffling that that it's not in the top 100.

 

267. Roman Baths, Bath

What are the Roman Baths?

The Roman Baths in Bath can be found on the site of hot springs that have been venerated over the years. The Celts built a shrine here, but it was the Romans who built a temple and then an elaborate bathing complex that has been preserved so you can see it today.

What are the Roman Baths like? 

The Baths are impressive, there's a really good museum, and the city of Bath itself is great.

Where are the Roman Baths?

Bath, England

When did we go?

November, 2007

How did we get there?

We went for the weekend and stayed in a nearby hotel. It's very easy to get around Bath as it's not that big.

Worth noting 

The Pump Room was built in the 18th century to allow people to 'take the waters' and you can still drink the hot waters from the spring today.

Where were the Roman Baths in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelguide?

164

Do the Roman Baths deserve their position in the 2020 Lonely Planet top 500?

They totally deserve to be on the list. Bath has many layers of history and the Roman Baths themselves are well worth seeing. 267th seems a little low. 
  

283. Tower of London

What is the Tower of London? 

It's a castle in London that was established in 1066 after the Norman Conquest, when William the Conqueror built the White Tower. It was extended over the years and used as a royal home, a prison, an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels.

What's the Tower of London like?

It's hugely historic - the list of people in history who have been incarcerated in the Tower is very long, from the future Queen Elizabeth I to Guy Fawkes. If you then add the Crown Jewels on to that, plus the Beefeaters and the ravens, it's a fascinating day out.

Where is the Tower of London?

London, England

When did we go?

October 2019

How did we get there?

I took my godsons - we went on the Tube.

Worth noting

Ronnie and Reggie Kray were held at the Tower in 1952 for failing to report for military service. One of the last people to be actually imprisoned there as a state prisoner was Rudolf Hess, the second in command to Adolf Hitler in the Nazi Party. He was captured in 1941 when he parachuted into Scotland and was held at the Tower for a few days. A German spy called Josef Jakobs was the last man to be executed at the Tower, by firing squad in 1941. 

Where was the Tower of London in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

467. It went up 184 places.

Does the Tower of London deserve its place in the 2020 top 500?

Yes, definitely.

291. St Paul's Cathedral

What is St Paul's Cathedral?

St Paul's was built in the 17th century after the Great Fire of London, although there has been a church on the site since 604 AD. 

What's St Paul's Cathedral like?

It's iconic. The view of St Paul's from the other side of the Thames means so much to English people; if you ever went to see a Dick Whittington pantomime as a kid, the backdrop would have been of St Paul's. If you watched any Thames Television programmes in the 80s, St Paul's was the graphic. Inside it's equally as impressive. The Whispering Gallery is probably its greatest attraction - go up 250+ steps and whisper into the wall on one side and a person stood at the other side of the dome will hear it. 

Where is St Paul's Cathedral? 

London, England 

When did we go? 

I cannot for the life of me remember when we went there. The photo was taken at a later date as I didn't take any when we visited - the photo is definitely 2012.

How did we get there?

It was a quick day trip up on the Tube as we live in West London.

Worth noting

There are 200 memorials in the crypt. Wren was the first person to be interred there in 1723 and was followed by Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Lawrence of Arabia, and Florence Nightingale among others. 

Where was St Paul's Cathedral in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

118. It dropped 173 places.

Does it deserve its place in the Lonely Planet 2020 Top 500?

Yes - it's iconic and impressive.

314. Christ Church

What is Christ Church?

Christ Church is one of the 39 colleges that make up Oxford University. A number of things make it special: first, it contains the Cathedral of the Oxford diocese, which doubles as the college chapel. Second, it was founded by Cardinal Wolsey and was initially known as Cardinal College until Henry VIII had him arrested for treason - Henry then took over and renamed it Christ Church in 1546. It is also one of the biggest colleges and its famous Hall was used as the inspiration for the Hogwarts Dining Hall in the Harry Potter films.

What is Christ Church like?

It's a working college within the university - you can't access the Hall at lunchtime, for example, as the students are eating in there. You can go inside at other times though, along with the cathedral and the cloisters. On the exterior, you walk past the largest quadrangle in the university (or Tom Quad as it's known) and admire Tom Tower, which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and contains a bell called Great Tom that is still sounded 101 times every night. 

Where is Christ Church? 

Oxford, England

When did we go? 

October 2021

How did we get there? 

I went by train and walked from the station to Christ Church Meadow to the visitor centre. The walk took about 15 minutes and the audio tour around the college took around 30 minutes. 

Worth noting 

As well as inspiring the Hogwarts Dining Hall in the Harry Potter films, Christ Church actually makes an appearance: the staircase leading to the Hall was used in the scene when Professor McGonagall meets Harry, Ron and Hermione for the first time. Famous alumni of Christ Church include Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (better known as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland), Gladstone (four-times Prime Minister), W.H.Auden, and William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania.

Where was Christ Church located on the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist? 

It was a new entry for 2020.

Does Christ Church deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet top 500?

Probably.

340. Tate Modern

What is the Tate Modern?

It's the UK's national gallery of modern art, located in a former power station on the South Bank of the Thames.

What's the Tate Modern like?

I really wanted to like the Tate Modern. I had been twice and came away disappointed both times, so I went back. But it just seems so confusing - there's a lot of space but no real direction on where to go or what to look at. I spent £1 on a map which told me where the restaurants were without really telling me what artworks I could or should see. It also seems extremely pleased with itself. I'm sorry.

Where is the Tate Modern? 

London, England

When did we go? 

September, 2019

How did we get there? 

I travelled by train to Waterloo and walked along the South Bank, which is a lovely walk. You can also come via the pedestrian bridge from St Paul's Cathedral. 

Worth noting

It attracted 5.8 million visitors in 2018.

Where was the Tate Modern in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List? 

52. It dropped 288 places. 

Does the Tate Modern deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500?

No, in my opinion.

349. Natural History Museum

What is the Natural History Museum? 

The Natural History Museum is home to 80 million items from five collections; botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology. It was originally part of the British Museum (56) but more space was needed and a new museum was built in South Kensington. It opened in 1881.

What's the Natural History Museum like?

The building is almost as impressive as the contents. The entrance hall (now containing the skeleton of a blue whale) is one of my favourites spaces in the whole world - somehow it manages to be stunning while also inviting you inside. It's like a cathedral to nature combined with a library.

Where is the Natural History Museum?

London, England 

When did we go?

September 2019

How did we get there? 

I went on the Tube.

Worth noting

As well as the major showstoppers (the dinosaurs and the skeleton of the dodo and the slice of giant sequoia are always in my top ten), they have good temporary exhibitions. The Museum of the Moon was on when I went and it left a huge impression - an enormous model of the moon combined with lights and music created a very atmospheric experience.

Where was the Natural History Museum in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Travel List? 

239

Does the Natural History Museum deserve its place in the Lonely Planet 2020 top 500?

Yes, definitely. 

352. Hadrian's Wall

What is Hadrian's Wall?

It's a wall that the Romans built in 122-128 across the top of England, to keep the Scots out of the Roman Empire. In its day it had forts, milecastles, and turrets, but after it was abandoned the stones were pillaged for other uses. A lot of it is still in place though - it's 73 miles long and still the largest remaining Roman artefact in the world.

What's Hadrian's Wall like?

I had wanted to see Hadrian's Wall since I was a child (along with the Giant's Causeway at 102) so it was hugely exciting for me to finally get there. I absolutely loved it. We only visited bits of it - Housesteads Fort and Vindolanda - but I would have loved to have walked the whole thing.

Where is Hadrian's Wall?

From Newcastle to Carlisle, England

When did we go?

February 2014

How did we get there?

The trip was my 40th birthday present. We got the train to Newcastle, stayed overnight in the city, and then hired a car to drive around various sights of the North East. We stayed at the amazing Langley Castle. It was a brilliant, brilliant trip.

Worth noting 

You can walk the length of the Wall on Hadrian's Wall Path - if you join a tour it takes 6-10 days to do the whole thing. I would LOVE to do it.

Where was Hadrian's Wall in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

398. It moved up 46 places.

Does Hadrian's Wall deserve its place on the 2015 Lonely Planet Top 500?

Yes, without a doubt - I'd put it at least 200 places higher up.

394. Royal Albert Dock

What is the Royal Albert Dock

The Royal Albert Dock is a set of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool. It was first opened in 1846 and was the first structure in Britain to built with no wood within its structure. Today it is home to many attractions, including the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story and the Tate Liverpool. 

What's the Royal Albert Dock like?

It's a very vibrant and lively place today with lots to see, including the Liver Building and the Beatles statue. But it retains its sense of history. 

Where is the Royal Albert Dock?

Liverpool, England

When did we go to the Royal Albert Dock? 

March 2022

How did we get to the Royal Albert Dock? 

I travelled up to Liverpool on the train from London.

Worth noting: 

The complex was officially opened in 1846 by the man it was named after; Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. It was the first time that a member of the Royal Family had made a state visit to Liverpool. However, for most British people who were around in the 1980s, the Albert Dock will always be synonymous with the ITV show, This Morning, hosted by Richard and Judy. The weather presenter used a floating map in the dock to do the forecast. 

What position did the Royal Albert Dock hold in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

It was a new entry for 2020.

Does the Royal Albert Dock deserve its place in the 2020 edition of the Lonely Planet top 500?

I am quite surprised it was included but it does deserve a place.

443. York Minster

What is York Minster?

It's the second-largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. It was built from 1220 to rival Canterbury (the archbishop of York is the second most important title in the Church of England after the archbishop of Canterbury).

What's York Minster like?

It's very impressive. It's mind-blowing to think that it was even conceived of in the 13th century, never mind built.

Where is York Minster?

York, England

When did we go?

October 2011

How did we get there? 

We went to York on the train from London, stayed overnight, and visited the Minster. We then hired a car and drove out to Goathland for two nights and Whitby for one night.

Worth noting 

York itself is well worth a visit - it has fantastic history involving Vikings and Romans and much more besides.

Where was York Minster in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

189. It dropped 254 places.

Does York Minster deserve its lower place in the Lonely Planet 2020 Top 500?

I'm very surprised that it dropped so much, but Canterbury Cathedral was removed altogether so it's probably lucky!

Canterbury Cathedral

What is it: Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 597, although it was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077. In 1170, the bishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the cathedral by four of Henry II's soldiers. This made it a place of pilgrimage, as described by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales.
What's it like: It's enormous and impressive. Canterbury itself, on the other hand, is small and quaint.
Where: Canterbury, England
When: I cannot remember for the life of me.
How: We went to Canterbury for a weekend - went down by train on Saturday morning and came back Sunday.
Worth noting: Thomas Becket's bones were destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538 who also unsainted him. 

Place in the 2015 edition: 219
Does it deserve to lose its place in the top 500: No - so much history!

Avebury Stone Circle

What is it: It's a Neolithic henge monument that was built between 3000-2400 BC (we think). Nobody knows why it was built or what it was used for. The site consists of a henge (a circular bank with an internal ditch), an outer stone circle (one of the largest in Europe), two inner stone circles, and an avenue of stones. 
What's it like: You can walk right up to the stones at Avebury - unlike Stonehenge (227) where it's all cordoned off and reverential, Avebury is very informal. It's spread out, so you don't get the visual impact that Stonehenge provides, but it's all the better for being something you can touch. 
Where: Wiltshire, England  
When: March 2014 
How: It's a long story: Pete and I joined the National Trust in 2013 but had failed to get any value out of our membership as we never went anywhere. So I started a blog - National Trust Scones - to force us to get out and about and visit a few places. Avebury is a National Trust property - read about the Avebury scones - plus it was one of the 50 places that made it into the Book of Scones, a book that the NT published using excerpts from the blog. We drove there for the day and thought it was well worth the trip. 
Worth noting: Silbury Hill is also worth a visit - it's only a couple of miles away and it's the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe. Nobody knows why it was created. 
Place in the 2015 edition: 404

Did it deserve to lose its place in the 2020 top 500: I'm not sure. It's an impressive place but not as impressive as some of the others.