17 Queens Square
Belfast BT1 3FF, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Closely resembling London's Big Ben, this 34-meter (113-ft) clock tower was completed in 1870. The tower was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, and a looming statue of Albert himself stands before it. The design of the tower utilizes a mix of French and Italian Gothic styles, and it stands in Queen's Square, not far from the Customs House. Known locally as "the leaning tower of Belfast," it was originally built on unstable, muddy marsh, which has caused the subsidence of the foundation over the years and sent the tower leaning more than a meter (4 ft) to one side. 

Trinity Road
Aston, Birmingham B6 6JD, England, United Kingdom

Built from 1618 to 1635, Aston Hall is a grand Jacobean manor house designed by John Thorpe. After being purchased by Birmingham City Council in the mid-19th century, Aston Hall now serves as a museum and public garden. Visitors can tour more than 30 rooms such as Long Gallery, King Charles’ chamber, a butler’s pantry, and servants’ hall. Other impressive sights include the Great Stairs and decorative ceilings. Outside, guests can explore Lady Holte’s Garden. There also is a café and gift shop available. Guided tours are offered, including torchlit ghost tours.

Antrim Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

This stately castle has been situated on the slopes of Cave Hill in North Belfast since 1870, when the Donegall family commissioned it to be built as their family estate. The gray sandstone structure, which was designed by Charles Lanyon, is everything one would expect a castle to be, with a towering keep and long windows. A popular venue for weddings and conferences, the castle is also open to visitors. A number of rooms styled in period furnishings give visitors an idea of how the Donegall family might have lived within its walls. You can dine in a noted restaurant on-site. Cave Hill Country Park, which sprawls for several kilometers around the castle, offers some wonderful hiking trails and picnic spots.

Donegall Square
Belfast, United Kingdom

This grand building is the centerpiece of Belfast. In 1888, Queen Victoria bestowed city status upon Belfast and, to celebrate, the building was erected and completed in 1906. Built in the baroque revivalist style, the most distinctive features of the building are its domes, which, like most copper structures of its time, are now covered in the lovely light green tones of verdigris from exposure to the elements. Long grassy lawns sprawl out from every side of the building in neat rectangles, and this has become a popular place among locals for picnicking or relaxing on a nice day. Admission is free to the public, and complimentary tours are given every weekday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Off of Bridge Street, Palace of Westminster
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Big Ben, which is actually a nickname for the clock's main bell (the Great Bell), is a turret clock tower designed in Victorian Gothic style at the northeastern end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The tower, completed in 1858, was part of a design for a new palace after the Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834. A major part of the 96-meter-high (316 feet) tower is in brickwork with stone cladding, while the upper part is a spire of cast iron. The clock, renowned for its precision and reliability, has four faces, with a main bell and four quarter-hour bells. The tower was officially known as the Clock Tower until 2012 when it was renamed to the Elizabeth Tower.

Off of Oxford Road/A44 Woodstock
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Built between 1705 and 1722 by amateur architect Sir John Vanbrugh, this magnificent palace is a classic example of English Baroque architecture and has the distinction of being the birthplace and ancestral home of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The dramatic entrance to the palace is guarded by two splendid wooden doors, which lead into the great hall with Thornhill's painted ceilings and stone carvings by Gibbons. The staterooms are equally imposing with their rich collection of portraits, tapestries, Sevres porcelain, and Boulle furniture. The Churchill exhibition, which includes his lively letters, a fine collection of stamps commemorating him, and fascinating photographs of his great life, is an important attraction at Blenheim.

17 Cottown of Balgownie
Scotland AB23 8JQ, United Kingdom

Originally known as the Bridge of Don, Scotland’s oldest medieval bridge crosses the River Don near Seaton Park in Old Aberdeen. Dating to the 13th century, the bridge features a single Gothic arch made of granite and sandstone. Students from the nearby University of Aberdeen are known to take a celebratory jump from the bridge upon graduating as a rite of passage called tombstoning.  

Off of Constitution Hill and Spur Road
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

The palace, which is the centerpiece of Britain's constitutional monarchy, traces its roots to Buckingham House, a modest family house bought by George III for his wife. In 1820, George IV, who succeeded his father, expanded the house in French neoclassical style, with an Edwardian façade, and by the turn of the century, several additions and restorations had been made. At present, there are more than 1,000 rooms around the central quadrangle, and the palace houses a rich collection of art. Besides being the official London residence of the British monarch, the palace is the venue for royal ceremonies, state visits, and investitures, as well as the famous Changing of the Guard.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Providing some of the Scottish capital's most iconic views, the 106-meter-high (348-foot-high) Calton Hill is the home of Nelson's Monument, a telescope shaped tower built in the 19th century to celebrate the naval victory over the French at Trafalgar and commemorate the passing of its maritime hero, Horatio Nelson. At the top of the tower is a ball weighing 762 kilograms (1,680 pounds), which was dropped at 1 p.m. daily, synchronizing with the firing of the Edinburgh Castle gun and enabling ships in the Firth of Forth to set their clocks correctly. Other landmarks on the hill include the National Monument, an unfinished series of Parthenon-style columns built to honor dead soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars. In Calton Burial Ground, adjoining Waterloo Place on the southeast corner of the hill, is the Lincoln Memorial. At the end of April, the hill is the location for the Celtic fire festival of Beltane.

Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts
Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom

Founded in 597 CE by St Augustine, this cathedral was the site of the murder of the Archbishop Thomas Becket under Henry II, and the stories told by a fictional group of pilgrims on their way here make up Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The disposition of the buildings shows a remarkable resemblance to the Benedictine abbeys of the 12th century. The church is at the center of the monastic ensemble, and to its north lie the cloisters and group of buildings used for monastic life. On the west and east are halls and chambers devoted to guests. The crypt of this church is supposedly the largest of its kind in England.

Customs House Square
Belfast, United Kingdom

Seated on the very edge of the Cathedral Quarter, this magnificent structure was yet another brainchild of the famous Belfast architect, Charles Lanyon. Built in 1856, the Customs House is a much more stoic structure than other Belfast buildings, with its Italian Renaissance-style grand staircase. A bronze statue of a man with his arms raised in the air stands at the south corner of the staircase, his shouting pose reflecting the historical use of the square as a place for public debate. Carved along the eastern façade of the building are images of Neptune, Mercury, and Britannia, symbols of Belfast's success as a commercial center.

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This fortress-castle, atop Castle Rock, is one of the most ancient castle complexes in Scotland, with one of its structures, St Margaret's Chapel, dating back to the early 12th century. The castle is the official headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and 52 Infantry Brigade, and hosts the regimental museum of the Royal Scots. The castle's military legacy continues today, albeit for ceremonial purposes. Entry to the castle is through a gatehouse and a courtyard known as Crown Square, and there is a magnificent set of drum-shaped defenses called the Half Moon Battery. Other awe-inspiring structures of the castle include the royal apartments, crown room, great hall, and war memorial.

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It is alive with exciting tales of its time as a military fortress, royal residence, and prison of war. When you climb Castle Hill, you will walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two. Follow an itinerary, hire an audio tour, or allow an expert guide to show you around. Highlights are open to visit including the Royal Palace, Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the One o’clock Gun. Visitors will need to plan ahead and do advance booking online to see the castle. Gift and food shops, including one selling whisky, are on site at the castle grounds.

– Information provided by Edinburgh Castle

Great Victoria Street
Belfast, United Kingdom

This 1970s high-rise hotel would be rather unremarkable were it not for the dubious distinction of being the most-bombed hotel in Europe. Opened in 1971, the Europa was for years Belfast's most stylish hotel and the city's only four-star accommodation. As such, it was also the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries and politicians, especially those from Britain, which of course made it an important target for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The hotel was bombed more than 30 times during The Troubles and eventually became a hotspot for journalists in search of a dramatic story.

Castle Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Consecrated in 1136, this tall, dark church was the only Scottish cathedral to survive the Reformation unscathed. As mobs ravaged the country looking for ornamentation to demolish, Glasgow's trade guilds armed themselves to defend their prized cathedral. The result is this exceptional exemplar of Gothic architecture. Enter the church and your eyes are drawn down the 87-meter (285-ft) length of the nave, and upward to the wooden roof, some of whose timbers date back to the 14th century. Don't miss the decoration in sculpture, woodcarving, and stained glass. Look out for birds and branches-both references to the city's patron saint, St. Mungo, who preached across the British Isles and once made a pilgrimage to Rome. The Millennium Window, installed in 1999, is also splendid-a glass triptych in sapphire blue.

167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

As well as being a celebrated and prestigious art school, this Garnethill structure is hallowed ground for international architects. It is the most famous work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the wunderkind designer who won the commission to plan this structure before his 30th birthday. Why is it so special? Because everything in the building is unified, from the desks in the library to the lampshades above them, from the shape of the skylights to the iron rose decorations attached to the walls. Even the streetlamps outside the building (streetlamps!) were designed by Mackintosh. Although this is a working educational institution, it is still possible to take guided tours (call ahead to confirm times). The art school's list of alumni is nearly as impressive, including an array of creative Scots such as actor Robbie Coltrane, painter Peter Howson, and director Alexander Mackendrick (The Ladykillers).

Off of Hampton Court Road / A308
East Molesey, Surrey, United Kingdom

Built in 1515 by Thomas Wolsey, then the Archbishop of York, this palace, laid out in Italian Renaissance style, was built on the site of a 14th-century manor house. Wolsey had to give up control of the palace to Henry VIII after he fell from favor, and the palace, particularly the Tudor section, was refurbished. In 1604, King James I and representatives of the Puritans held the historic Hampton Court Conference here. Costumed guides and audio tours breathe life into the castle, and tales of the sightings of the ghosts of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn lend an air of intrigue to the place.

Palace of Westminster, off of Bridge Street
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Born out of anti-royal rebellion against 13th-century King John, the British Parliament is one of the birthplaces for modern democracy. The current buildings were designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, and built in the Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1840, and although most of the site was completed by 1870 (by which time both leading architects were dead), some of the interiors were still being finished in the 20th century. Parliament Square includes statues of Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli, and Abraham Lincoln, while the heritage collection includes World War II timber from a jetty used to evacuate British troops from Dunkirk. Visitors can attend parliamentary debates, watch committee sessions, and tour Parliament on Saturdays and during the summer opening (usually around August). 

Union Street
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The intriguing history of the "Mither Kirk," or Mother Church, represents in brick and stone the story of Aberdeen. Parts of this edifice date back to the 12th century, although the building was not completed until the 16th century. As with other Scottish churches, the Reformation proved damaging to St. Nicholas Kirk; in 1574 the city fathers ordered the church to destroy its organ, fearing that the music would distract congregations from godly worship. In 1745, the church suffered again, when "Butcher Cumberland," the general whose army killed the Jacobite dreams of Bonnie Prince Charlie, stabled his horses in the kirk. Ten years later, the church governors put their foot down again, banning a visiting choir from performing and forbidding music "in all time coming." Look out for the elegant nave design by James Gibbs, the celebrated church architect who gave the plans to his hometown for free.

St. Martin's Lane
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Opened in 1904 and designed by the famous theater architect Frank Matcham, the Coliseum is one of London's largest and most modern theaters. The English National Opera bought the freehold of the Coliseum in 1974 and undertook extensive renovations in early 2000, bestowing the building with the widest proscenium arch in London and the first revolving stage in Great Britain. With a seating capacity of 2,358 laid out on 4 levels, the theater’s early repertory was mostly vaudeville (a theatrical medley of songs, pantomime, and dances), which declined in popularity by the 1930s, forcing the theater to turn to the more popular genre of the times, musical comedies.

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road
Lambeth, London, United Kingdom

Located on the banks of the River Thames, the London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) is the world's tallest observation wheel. Built in 2000, this structure rises to a height of 135 meters (443 feet) and offers unparalleled views of London. The wheel carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned capsules that allow passengers to see as far as 40 kilometers (25 miles) in all directions. The speed of rotation is very slow (about 0.9 kmph or 0.5 mph), and each revolution takes 30 minutes. In recent times, the wheel has become something of an icon, serving as the backdrop for many films and television productions and a site for fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Victoria Street
Manchester, United Kingdom

Built in the late 15th century under the wardenship of James Stanley, Manchester Cathedral is filled with beautiful decorations, furnishings, and objets d'art. Its nave roof supported by minstrel angels is a classic example of perpendicular gothic architecture. Its mercy seats date back five centuries and are considered some of the finest in Europe. The huge bells, which weigh nearly a metric ton, are rung every Sunday, a quite overwhelming and amazing experience for visitors. Refresh yourself in the one-of-a-kind restaurant built into the medieval-era Hanging Bridge, a building that was not publicly displayed for 100 years. Admission to the cathedral is free, but donations are welcome. You can book a tour guide in advance of your visit.

20 Tib Lane
Manchester, United Kingdom

Watching over Albert Square like an menacing guard, Manchester Town Hall is regarded as a masterpiece of Victorian neo-gothic architecture. Celebrated local artist Ford Madox Brown designed its floor mosaics, which depict bees, a symbol of Manchester's industry. With its statue of the Roman Governor Agricola, the Town Hall looks back even further into the past, to the time when Manchester was Mamucium (or Mancunium), a Roman fort used to repel the "barbarians." While you are welcome to take a look round the Town Hall by yourself, a preferable option is a guided tour, which will help you to get the most out of your visit.

Justice Street
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Situated in the Castlegate, the old medieval gateway to the city, this marketplace monument (the word derives from Market Cross) was the traditional site for proclamations and announcements. It was also the location for executions, not a total surprise given that it can be found at the junction of Gallowgate and Justice Street. Many Scottish towns have similar market structures, though Aberdeen's dates back to 1686, when it was constructed by architect John Montgomery (it was later restored during the 19th century). Hexagonal in structure and measuring six meters (21 ft) in diameter, it is decorated with a series of 12 panels depicting Stuart kings, including James VI of Scotland, the northern monarch whose succession unified the thrones of England and Scotland. Look out for the figure of a unicorn on the central pillar, the traditional symbol of royalty.

Yardley Wood Road
Moseley, Birmingham B13 9JX, England, United Kingdom

R. R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, moved to the Birmingham village of Sarehole with his widowed mother in 1896. A nearby nature reserve known as Moseley Bog is believed to be Tolkien’s inspiration for the setting of his books, which is a lush fantasy world called Middle-Earth. Featured in The Lord of The Rings as a mill in Hobbiton, Sarehole Mill also is a real place near the author’s childhood home. Today, visitors can explore the bog on trails.

21 Talbot Street
Belfast, United Kingdom

Situated on a side street right behind St. Anne's Cathedral, this memorial opened in 2007 to honor the Northern Irish soldiers who lost their lives fighting in World War I and World War II. The memorial consists of a black marble wall commemorating the deceased, as well as a granite name wall listing each of the lost servicemen. Several displays containing letters and other memorabilia sit below a series of copper friezes of life-sized figures wearing period uniforms. A stained-glass window designed by Stanley Murray Scott forms the memorial's centerpiece.

322 Ordsall Lane, Salford Quays
Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom

If you've ever wondered what it's like to set foot in a haunted house, then Ordsall Hall is a must-visit. The ghost of Margaret Radclyffe, who died of a broken heart in 1599, is said to haunt this gorgeous moated Tudor mansion. To add to the intrigue, Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby are rumored to have planned the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 here, which sought to destroy Parliament. Today, Ordsall Hall is a fascinating attraction, its architectural details now more visible thanks to recent renovation. Outside, you can enjoy the scent of the lavender hedges that line the moat and explore the old dovecote and mill.

Canongate
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

There has been enough morbid scheming in this royal house to put the "skull" into skullduggery single-handedly. A former Augustinian monastery, Holyroodhouse Palace (rood simply means "cross") became preferable to chilly Edinburgh Castle for 15th-century Scottish kings. But it was a Scottish queen who made the place notorious. Mary, Queen of Scots, the ill-fated monarch whose lineage threatened Elizabeth I of England, lived here. Be sure to view the tiny chamber where her ambitious secretary Rizzio was stabbed by her jealous husband, Lord Darnley. (Darnley himself met a similar end a year later.) Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles II, and Queen Victoria have also enjoyed stays here. George V started a tradition, which is still going strong today, of hosting a summer garden party in the grounds, inviting 8,000 guests from up and down Scotland. The official royal Scottish residence of the reigning monarch, Holyrood Palace hosts Queen Elizabeth II the beginning of every summer-if you visit when she's in town, be aware security on the grounds is greatly increased.

18 Greenside Place
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Amid all the 19th-century structures in the New Town, one of the most beloved is a 20th-century building. The theater was designed by Glaswegian architect John Fairweather, who was inspired by American picture houses, in particular the Roxy in New York City. Though it looks small (the facade is only two stories high), it backs onto a hill and actually holds slightly more than 3,000 people. It opened for business in 1929; the first film screened was The Doctor's Secret, based on a story by J.M. Barrie of Peter Pan fame. Plummeting audiences presumably doomed the Playhouse in 1973, but Edinburgh citizens weren't willing to lose their beloved theater and collected nearly 30,000 signatures to save the building from the wrecking ball. Refurbished in 1993, it is now one of Scotland's most successful theaters, primarily hosting live theater and music acts.

Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow, United Kingdom

The Maxwell family has owned this estate for nearly seven centuries. In 1966, the family bequeathed to Glasgow the house and its priceless collection of Golden Age Spanish paintings. It can be hard for visitors to this National Trust property to pick between the art and architecture. On one side is a classic Georgian structure designed by William Adam, a sturdy study in Palladian thinking and gray stone. On the other side, works by Spanish masters including El Greco, Bartolomé Murillo, and Francisco Goya collected by William Stirling Maxwell, a writer, art historian, trustee of the British Museum, and breeder of Clydesdale horses. For many visitors, it's the interiors of this house (and the renowned restaurant, The Kitchen) that grab the attention. Tour the commodious servants' quarters, then compare it with the luxury above-by the final days of the Maxwells' occupation, there were rumored to be 48 servants to support the estate and a family of three.

48-50 Shiprow
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Occupying a pair of 16th-century townhouses near the harbor, this Category A listed building takes its name from Provost John Ross, who held the civic position in Aberdeen from 1702 to 1712. Originally constructed in 1593 by master mason Andrew Jamieson, it is the second oldest structure in the city (the oldest is Provost Skene's House on Guestrow) and combines heavy stone walls with four-story construction and diminutive windows. Threatened with demolition in the mid-20th century, this medieval townhouse was restored with funding from the National Trust for Scotland, which now runs the property. Opening to the public in 1954, it features several elements dating back to the provost's era: fireplaces, low wooden beamed ceilings, and the original kitchen. In 1984, it became the home of Aberdeen Maritime Museum, although that institution now occupies a purpose-built site next door.

Guestrow (between Broad Street and Flourmill Lane)
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Aberdeen's oldest townhouse was first mentioned by city chroniclers in 1545, although it takes its name from Sir George Skene, a Baltic market trader who held the post of provost in the 1670s. With its high walls, robust stone construction, and small windows, it is a good example of medieval Scottish architecture, although it came close to destruction during World War II. It wasn't Axis bombers that threatened Provost Skene's House, but Aberdeen's own city hall, which slated the building for demolition in 1940. Saved by a public campaign, the house became a museum in 1953. It includes furnishings and fittings across three centuries, with a 17th-century great hall, an 18th-century mahogany dining room, and a Regency-era parlor representing the 19th century. A costume gallery features a constantly changing display of clothing from the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum's collection.

Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Built several decades after the granite mile of Union Street, Rosemount Viaduct was a construction project that opened up the north and west ends of Aberdeen. The most famous trio of buildings on the street are the City Library, St. Mark's Church, and His Majesty's Theatre. They are respectively known to Aberdonians as "Education, Salvation, and Damnation." The library dates from 1892, when it was opened by the Dunfermline-born Andrew Carnegie, who went on to become a steel magnate and one of 19th-century America's greatest industrialists. St. Mark's Church, completed in the same year, was designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. Visitors will recognize the portico and dome plan-St. Mark's is deliberately based on Sir Christopher Wren's grand design of St. Paul's in London. Younger than its two neighbors, His Majesty's Theatre was designed in Kemnay granite by Frank Matcham. It opened to theatergoers in 1906 with a production of Little Red Riding Hood.

124 Oxford Road
Manchester, United Kingdom

This conservatory is perhaps Manchester's best free attraction. Not only can you tour the vast building and admire its modernist architectural style, you can listen to recitals by some of the 700 students. Orchestras perform in the period concert hall while soloists and small ensembles grace the attached St. Ann's Church every Wednesday at lunchtime. The only music college in Britain to be named a center of excellence for teaching and research, the RNCM also sells sheet music and CDs recorded by its Symphony Orchestra and Brass Band. Younger travelers may be interested to hear that children are invited to attend a special music workshop held every Saturday morning, where they can learn the basics of musicianship and play their instruments with others.

6 The Close
Salisbury, Wiltshire County, United Kingdom

This Anglican cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675, incorporates a single architectural style, early English Gothic. Built of limestone quarried from Chilmark and Purbeck, the church has the tallest spire in the UK, the largest cathedral cloister in England, and the oldest working clock (1386) in England. Other firsts include the first to have a girls' choir (1991). The octagonal chapter house has a central pillar and decorative frieze depictions of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The chapter house also preserves one of the four surviving original Magna Cartas from 1215. The cathedral has been extensively painted by John Constable and was featured in William Golding's novel >em>The Spire.

Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

How many cities have railroad stations named after books? Waverley Station illustrates the affection that Edinburgh has for Sir Walter Scott, the writer memorialized by this distinctive rocket-shaped monument. Situated in the heart of central Edinburgh, directly opposite Jenners department store, the smoky black monument was erected in 1846, rising to a height of 61 meters and featuring a viewing deck from which visitors can gaze down on Princes Street Gardens (after climbing the 287 steps!). It was designed by George Meikle Kemp, a carpenter who applied for the commission under a false name, fearing that his lack of architectural qualifications might disqualify him.

Horse Wynd
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

A groundbreaking home suitable for Scotland's political representatives or a costly white elephant? Many Scots took opposing sides on the debate after Queen Elizabeth II opened the award-winning Scottish Parliament building in 2004. Costing a staggering US$600 million to complete (10 times the original estimate), it was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. Miralles envisaged a structure connected to the very fabric of the nation, a building that "should arise from the sloping base of Arthur's Seat and arrive into the city almost surging out of the rock." Look for Miralles' leaf decoration on the Garden Lobby roof, and grand windows from which debaters can see Salisbury Crags. The architect used local materials, including gneiss and granite in the floors, and Scottish oak and sycamore in the furniture. Undoubtedly, it serves as a stately home for Scottish statesmen, whether you fancy it a fitting monument to Scottish democracy or an overly modern and expensive eyesore.

Donegall Street
Belfast, United Kingdom

Home to the biggest Celtic cross in all of Ireland as well as a number of beautiful mosaics and stained-glass windows, this Anglican cathedral provides the centerpiece of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, just north of City Hall. The main structure was completed in 1925, but other sections have been added through the years, including the ambulatory in the 1950s and the Chapel of Unity and organ loft in the 1970s. Finally, in 2007, a 40-meter (131-ft) spire was added to the top of the church. The huge Celtic cross is visible along the outer north façade of the building. Go on a Sunday to catch one of two performances by the renowned Cathedral Choir.

St Paul's Courtyard
London, United Kingdom

This Anglican cathedral, laid out in a late Renaissance style, has been in existence from the 17th century and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral's impressive dome, inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, rises 108 meters (365 feet). The cathedral has three domes that are equally imposing and hold three circular galleries (the internal whispering gallery, the external stone gallery, and the external golden gallery) under them. Services to celebrate, mourn, or commemorate important people and events have been held since the cathedral's first service in 1697. The American Memorial Chapel, a symbol of gratitude to the American victims of World War II, stands behind the high altar.

Colmore Row
Birmingham, United Kingdom

While most renowned for its Burne-Jones stained glass windows, the cathedral itself, built in 1715, richly rewards a second look. Designed by Italian-influenced British architect Thomas Archer, it is a good example of the English baroque, built in brick and faced with stone. Unusually for a church, the name actually honors a secular individual: Robert Philips, the landowner who donated the plot upon which the church now stands. Edward Burne-Jones, the artist who created the famous windows, was born nearby. Educated at the city's much-respected King Edward VI grammar school, he intended to become a churchman, but Arts & Crafts movement legend William Morris dissuaded him from that staid occupation. His Pre-Raphaelite designs, though added late in the 19th century, lend light and color to the interior. Removed by the Birmingham Civic Society during World War II, they survived the Luftwaffe bombings that gutted the cathedral, and returned to the renovated structure in 1948.

Off of A303
Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Believed to have been erected in 2200 BCE, this icon of prehistoric mystery still draws throngs of visitors to the circular standing stones. The latest archaeological findings indicate that the location was used as a burial site in its earliest days, even though the giant stones weren't erected until 500 years later. The entire complex had several construction periods that spanned no less than 3,000 years, potentially even 6,500 years. Folklore and many legends are attached to the monument, including reference in the tales of King Arthur. Many pagan and druid practitioners along with New Age adherents have associations to Stonehenge in their philosophies. The English Heritage Association, which manages the property, however, now carefully controls any ritual uses of Stonehenge following a confrontation between police and a New Age convoy in 1985. Stonehenge is open to to the public, but visitors may not touch the stones, which are roped off to prevent erosion. No access is permitted to the center circle during normal opening hours, however, Stone Circle access visits can be arranged outside of normal visitor opening times. Additionally, the English Heritage Association does allow access during the summer and winter solstice and the spring and autumn equinox.

Tower Bridge Road/A100
Over the River Thames
London, United Kingdom

This bridge, which spans the River Thames, has existed since 1894 and is one of the most famous bascule bridges (drawbridges using counterweights) in the world. The bridge was constructed to ease the flow of traffic east of the London Bridge and consists of two massive piers sunk into the riverbed and over 11,000 tons of steel that provide the framework for the towers and walkways. The Tower Bridge Exhibition offers information relating to the bridge's construction and displays the original steam engines that used to power the bridge lifts. The view-room affords spectacular views from the high-level walkways. The bridge has four special venues to host corporate or private events.

Off of Tower Hill/A100
London, United Kingdom

This historic monument is a complex of several buildings laid out within two rings of defensive walls and a moat. The tower was primarily used as a fortress and prison for royal members, including Queen Elizabeth I. The tower houses the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and a fine collection from the Royal Armories. The Norman white tower, with its massive walls, battlements, and turrets, stands at the center of the building complex, while the white tower situated in the inner ward behind a wall with 13 of its own towers. The most infamous of the smaller towers is called the Bloody Tower because of the legend that Princes Edward and Richard were murdered there in 1483.

Castle Hill/A425
Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Home to one of the earliest earldoms in England, the Warwick Castle overlooks the river Avon and is a member of the Treasure Houses of England. The castle was on the forefront of Victorian technology with its innovative use of hydro power to generate electricity for the household. The castle was wired to a generator installed in the Mill and Engine House of Avon, which had been using hydroelectricity to grind grain. The technology is kept alive to date. The castle also has the ruins of a fortification built to protect the Kingdom of Wessex.

20 Dean's Yard
Westminster, London, United Kingdom

This Gothic church, dedicated to St Peter, has been the official church of the British sovereign. Every monarch, starting with William the Conqueror (1066), has been crowned under the cathedral’s roof in a grand ceremony steeped in tradition and history. The church has also been the burial site of English monarchs, famous poets, politicians, and aristocrats. The earliest foundations of the church are traced to the Benedictine monastery founded by St Dunstan in 909. The church, as it stands now, has a cruciform plan. Its flying buttresses and nave show a strong French influence, and its ring of chapels represents the only complete chevet in England.

Castle Hill
Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom

This castle, located high above the Thames and dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, is one of the principal official residences of the British sovereign. Its development is inextricably linked to the 900-year-old history of the British monarchy. During peaceful times, large and grand apartments were added onto the castle, while times of war witnessed the addition of heavy fortifications. The castle occupies a floor area of 45,000 square meters (484,000 square feet), and its imposing battlements loom large against the London skyline. Visitors are privy only to the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the Castle Exhibition, and the Drawings Gallery.