The UK has 35 properties on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, four of them in its overseas territories. They range from prehistoric monuments to industrial mill towns and a peat bog in the far north of Scotland. If you only have time for a handful, these five cover the widest sweep of British history, from the Neolithic to the modern monarchy, and all of them can be reached by public transport.

Contents

1. Stonehenge
2. The Tower of London
3. Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster
4. Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns
5. Hadrian’s Wall
6. Close contenders

1. Stonehenge

Stonehenge was inscribed in 1986, together with Avebury, as part of the World Heritage Site “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites”. According to English Heritage, which manages it, the monument was built in stages: a circular ditch and bank came first, around 3000 BC, and the stones were set up in the centre around 2500 BC. Two kinds of stone were used, the large sarsens and the smaller bluestones. Activity on the site continued until at least 1800 to 1500 BC. For the full story, read our Stonehenge guide.

Managed by: English Heritage
Booking: Advance booking is recommended and saves 15% on the gate price. Tickets can also be bought on arrival.
Members: English Heritage and National Trust England members get in free.
Opening hours (7 September 2026 to 16 March 2027): daily, 9.30am to 5pm, last entry 3pm. Closed 25 December. Hours can differ around the solstices.
Opening hours last checked: October 2026
Where to book: English Heritage: Stonehenge tickets

2. The Tower of London

The Tower of London was inscribed in 1988. Historic Royal Palaces, which cares for it, describes the site as almost 1,000 years old. At its heart is the White Tower, a major example of Norman architecture. The Crown Jewels are kept here, and a tour with a Yeoman Warder (one of the Tower’s ceremonial guards, often called “Beefeaters”) is included in the ticket.

Managed by: Historic Royal Palaces
Nearest station: Tower Hill, on the London Underground (the “Tube”)
Time needed: Historic Royal Palaces recommends at least three hours, including the Crown Jewels.
Best time to go: After midday, which is quieter.
Access: Surfaces are uneven, worn and sometimes slippery.
Where to book: Historic Royal Palaces: Visit the Tower of London

3. Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster

UNESCO inscribed this site in 1987 under the name “Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church”. It brings together the Houses of Parliament, the Abbey and the small parish church beside it. The Abbey is a working church, so it closes to sightseers for services and special events. Among the objects on display is the Coronation Chair.

Tickets: Can be booked in advance online.
Passes: The Go City London Pass is accepted with no pre-booking, subject to capacity.
Worth knowing: Entry for private prayer is free. Check the day’s entry times before you go, as closures for services are common.
Where to book: Westminster Abbey: Prices and entry times

4. Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were inscribed in 1995. For most visitors, the obvious starting point is Edinburgh Castle, which stands at the top of the Royal Mile. Inside, you’ll find the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish crown jewels), the medieval siege gun Mons Meg and the Scottish National War Memorial. The castle is also home to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each summer. For another side of the city, see our Calton Hill guide.

Managed by: Historic Environment Scotland
Booking: Book ahead. Tickets often sell out well in advance, especially in summer, and once they sell out online, none are sold at the castle.
Getting there: Waverley, the city’s main station, is a short walk away, but it’s uphill all the way. There’s no public parking at the castle.
Where to book: Historic Environment Scotland: Edinburgh Castle tickets

5. Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall was inscribed in 1987. It is now part of the transnational World Heritage Site “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”. English Heritage dates the start of construction to AD 122. The wall was finished by the end of Hadrian’s reign in 138 and was garrisoned by nearly 10,000 men. Housesteads Roman Fort, known to the Romans as Vercovicium, sits on a high ridge in Northumberland and is the easiest place to see the wall and a fort together.

Managed by (Housesteads): English Heritage
Booking: Book online by midnight the day before to get the advance discount. Tickets are also sold on the day at full price and are valid all day.
Getting there: The AD122 bus runs all year between Hexham and Haltwhistle and stops at Housesteads and Chesters Roman Fort. Showing your bus ticket gets 20% off a walk-up ticket.
Where to book: English Heritage: Housesteads prices and opening times

Close contenders

Two sites only just missed this list. The City of Bath was inscribed in 1987, and in 2021 it was also included in “The Great Spa Towns of Europe”, a site shared with ten other spa towns across Europe. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in west London, were inscribed in 2003. For the full list of all 35 UK properties, see UNESCO’s United Kingdom page, and browse all our UNESCO World Heritage Site guides.