What to do in Great Britain

Activities, attractions and tours
London featuring a monument, skyline and a square or plaza

Great Britain Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Great Britain has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Great Britain, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Great Britain with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Great Britain

Great Britain is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Great Britain, and make it a breeze to explore Great Britain and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Great Britain to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Great Britain, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Great Britain.

Great Britain attractions

Great Britain has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Great Britain to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Great Britain.

Looking for things to do in Great Britain can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Great Britain or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Great Britain attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s largest and most well-known parks. The park connects with Kensington Gardens and the two combined cover 630 acres (253 hectares). Together they form the centrepiece of a network of parks known as “London’s Green Lung.” Once the private hunting grounds of King Henry VIII, today the park is filled with heritage sites, monuments and events to attend all year-round.
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Hyde Park showing a city, a garden and a pond

2. Southampton Cruise Terminal

Spend some time watching cruise liners and freight ships come and go from the Southampton Cruise Terminal. Afterwards, make the short walk into Southampton City Center to see historic landmarks and discover a lively bar and restaurant scene. Southampton Cruise Terminal is among the most important marinas in the United Kingdom and welcomes some 2 million passengers every year.
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One of the busiest cruise ports in England is just a few steps from the historical and entertainment attractions of Southampton.

3. Buckingham Palace

The official home of British royalty since 1837, Buckingham Palace is the epicenter of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. It’s walls have witnessed innumerable state decrees, lavish banquets and foreign dignitary receptions.
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Buckingham Palace which includes a castle, a city and heritage architecture

4. O2 Arena

The O2 Arena is an award-winning complex that hosts many types of events, such as sports and music. It has a seating capacity of about 20,000 and has held the title as the busiest arena in the world with more than 2 million ticket sales in a calendar year. It was designed with excellent acoustics to prevent echoing.
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O2 Arena featuring modern architecture

5. Big Ben

Catch a glimpse of Big Ben across the River Thames and you’ll know you have truly arrived in London. Featured in British films, such as “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually,” Big Ben is best viewed from the Thames’ east bank or while strolling along Westminster Bridge, on route to see the Houses of Parliament.
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Big Ben featuring a city, heritage architecture and a monument

6. Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus garnered its peculiar name from Roger Baker, a tailor famous for making men’s piccadills, the frilled collars fashionable in the 17th century. The word “circus” refers to the circular motion of traffic, which whisks around beneath the statue of the Greek god Anteros. Today, the name represents flashing lights, entertainment and the exuberance of a city on the move. Piccadilly Circus has become a must-see spectacle, which draws locals and tourists day and night.
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Piccadilly Circus showing heritage architecture, a city and signage

7. Tower Bridge

For London locals, Tower Bridge is a vital part of the city’s infrastructure, ushering 40,000 vehicles safely across the Thames daily. However, for many visitors, the sight of the dual Gothic towers rising above the skyline is a must-see.
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Tower Bridge showing a bridge, heritage architecture and a river or creek

8. Tower of London

The Tower of London is among Britain’s top tourist attractions. Although it’s mainly known as a place of imprisonment and execution, this remarkable building has also served as palace, mint, archive, armory, barracks and royal menagerie over the years. See the legendary crown jewels and learn about the tower’s often brutal history.
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Tower of London showing château or palace and heritage elements

9. London Eye

The 360-degree view from the top of the London Eye is a spectacular way to orientate yourself in London. Below, the River Thames meanders through the teeming metropolis, and on a clear day the views stretch to Windsor Castle, almost 25 miles (40 kilometers) away.
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London Eye showing a city, a skyscraper and modern architecture

Recommended things to do in Great Britain

Number of things to do
67
Things to do from
£5
Cheapest thing to do
Bristol: Self-Guided Craft Beer Tour with Optional Tasting
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

Popular places to visit

Image for Hyde Park

Hyde Park

4.5/5(1,861 reviews)

Once the private hunting grounds of a king, London's most famous park is today a place where everyone can enjoy gardens, monuments and music performances.

Hyde Park
Image for Southampton Cruise Terminal

Southampton Cruise Terminal

4.5/5(216 reviews)

One of the busiest cruise ports in England is just a few steps from the historical and entertainment attractions of Southampton.

Southampton Cruise Terminal
Image for Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

4.5/5(1,004 reviews)

Britain’s most famous home, the luxurious personal residence and workplace of Queen Elizabeth II, is open to all.

Buckingham Palace
Image for O2 Arena

O2 Arena

4.5/5(625 reviews)

Attend music and sports events, see a movie or go bowling in one of the busiest arenas in the world, situated inside this iconic dome by the River Thames.

O2 Arena
Image for Big Ben

Big Ben

4/5(1,061 reviews)

One of London’s most resounding landmarks is a treasured emblem of England.

Big Ben
Image for Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

4/5(1,953 reviews)

Often billed as the British version of Times Square, this iconic traffic hub is the perfect starting point for your London adventure.

Piccadilly Circus
Image for Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

4.5/5(1,137 reviews)

An engineering marvel, this London icon spans both the River Thames and the ages.

Tower Bridge
Image for Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium

4.5/5(558 reviews)

Catch an event at Wembley Stadium during your trip to Wembley. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Wembley Stadium
Image for Tower of London

Tower of London

4.5/5(910 reviews)

One of the world’s most well-preserved medieval castles, this historic building is known for its fascinating and gruesome history.

Tower of London

Explore areas of Great Britain

Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Iconic landmarks, a world-famous theater district, lively nightlife zones and superb shopping and art museums await in the heart of England’s capital city.

London City Centre
The City of London which includes a skyscraper, a city and modern architecture

The City of London

4.5/5(668 area reviews)

Discover a compelling blend of modern culture and rich heritage in London’s financial heart.

The City of London
Albert Square featuring a city, street scenes and a square or plaza

Manchester City Centre

4/5(2,171 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Manchester City Centre. Check out top attractions like Manchester Art Gallery and St. Peter's Square, and jump on the metro at St Peters Square Station or Mosley Street Station to see more of the city.

Manchester City Centre
Admiralty Arch showing heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(2,564 area reviews)

Once separate from London, this fascinating borough features many of the city’s most important buildings and famous sights, as well as galleries and parks.

City of Westminster
London showing heritage elements, markets and signage

Covent Garden

Get lost in the cobblestoned labyrinth of boutiques and bars, or simply find a spot to enjoy the street performers in one of London’s most entertaining districts.

Covent Garden
Old Town showing heritage elements and street scenes

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic center to discover the hidden delights of an area that also encompasses some of the city's top attractions.

Old Town Edinburgh