11 classic attractions to tick off your list in 2023

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Built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, The Tower of London is a cornerstone of London’s history and intrigue. Where else can you eye up the Crown Jewels, befriend the ravens and see where Elizabeth I, Guy Fawkes and the Kray twins all did time? Listen to the captivating stories of pain and passion, treachery and torture, whilst asking yourself how the Bloody Tower got its name.

With the world’s largest under-sea glass tunnel teeming with turtles and tropical fish and a glass-bottom boat tour complete with circling sharks beneath, the world's oldest working aquarium is a must-see. Set under ornate Victorian arches that are lit in a kalescope of colour, this seaside attraction is one of the best places to destress as you encounter soothing seahorses, fantastical jellyfish and oh-so smart octopuses. 

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Set on London’s South Bank, the lastminute.com London Eye is now an integral part of the capital’s skyline. Opened to mark the new  Millennium, it has 32 capsules that symbolise the city’s different boroughs. A half-hour trip takes you up to 135 metres with jaw-dropping views of up to 40 kilometres on a clear day.

Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric monument in Britain, erected around 2500 BC and dramatically framing Wiltshire’s Salisbury Plain. Even more intriguing, the mystery of the mammoth stones remains unsolved. Was it built by a band of giants? Is it supernatural or even extra-terrestrial? If there was ever a place for your imagination to run wild, then Stonehenge is it.

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Jazz hands at the ready for ‘The Vegas of the North!’ Delighting visitors since 1894, from the depths of the Blackpool Tower Dungeon right up to the heights of the Blackpool Tower Eye, take in this northern icon from top to bottom. Don’t forget to buy your stick of rock and brave the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Theme Park while you’re there.

Big Bus London ticks all the boxes when visiting London. Not only is it one of the easiest ways to see the Capital, but it’s also wallet-friendly. You can get on and off whenever you fancy, and your ticket includes plenty more of London by foot, including Jack the Ripper and Changing of the Guard walking tours.

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Discover both the icons and hidden gems of Bath on a walking tour designed specially for small groups. Walk in the footsteps of Romans at the famous Baths, an elaborate spa facility and then step through time across the georgian Pulteney Bridge which houses cafes and shops. Other sights include the breath-taking Bath Abbey, The Royal Cresent - a sweeping row of pristine georgian houses - and tvarious Bridgeton filming locations.

Head to pretty Stratford-upon-Avon, and you’ll find it really isn’t ‘Much ado about nothing’. Make the most of it with a guided walking tour to discover The Bard himself. It doesn’t get more special than seeing one of his plays in his hometown, so add a Royal Shakespeare Company production in the riverside theatre to your visit. While you’re there, pay a visit to the Tudor classroom where Shakespeare first developed his talents.

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St Paul’s Cathedral has stood on the highest point of the City of London for more than 1400 years. Sir Christopher Wren designed the present Cathedral after the Old St Paul’s was destroyed by the Great Fire of London. A tour of this incredible edifice, taking you through its history from the impressive dome, down to its crypt with tombs and monuments of heroes, will leave you feeling inspired.

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Get the ultimate Anfield experience with a stadium tour and museum combo ticket. See the pitch and the Kop end from multiple angles, walk beneath the iconic ‘This Is Anfield’ and imagine yourself as manager of the Reds by taking Jurgen Klopp's seat. Afterwards, learn more about the history of the club and its legendary players in The Liverpool FC Story, an interactive on-site museum.

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Did you know Westminster Abbey is not technically an Abbey, but a ‘Royal Peculiar’? The final resting place of saints and royalty and the scene of every coronation since 1066, see a different side to this most famous of churches and its gothic parliamentary neighbour through insider knowledge on an inspirational guided tour.