Atlas Obscura's Ecliptic Festival - April 5-8, 2024 - Hot Springs, Arkansas

Buy Tickets
All United Kingdom

The Atlas Obscura Guide To United Kingdom

2,911 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the United Kingdom

Updated February 16, 2024

Email

Countries & Constituents

Top Countries & Constituents
All Countries & Constituents
  1. England
  2. Gibraltar
  3. The Isle Of Man
  4. Northern Ireland
  5. Scotland
  6. Wales
  7. The United Kingdom

Unusual Attractions in United Kingdom

See All 2,911 Things To Do in United Kingdom

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in United Kingdom

See all 10 Places to Eat in United Kingdom
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland : Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Culture, history, and scenery with a globe-trotting bagpiper.

Learn More

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Hidden Edinburgh

Crowds clog Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the main artery between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The road is dotted with stores selling Nessie trinkets and lined with bagpipers and street performers pulling off dazzling tricks. But look beyond the tartan tourist traps, and you’ll discover tucked-away gardens, remnants of the city’s medieval past, and much more.

View Itinerary

Explore the United Kingdom

History & Culture 397
History 297
Ruins 202
Art 195
Military 172
Architectural Oddities 171
Sculptures 159
Churches 157

The United Kingdom Leaderboard

Recent United Kingdom Activity

Stories About the United Kingdom

Imbolc, Groundhog Day, and Brigantia All Celebrate the Coming Spring

Whatever you call it, early February's cross-quarter day reconnects us with ancient astronomical timekeeping traditions.
by Rebecca Boyle
To ride these contraptions, riders need bravery, tights, and a vest.

The Quirky Victorian Invention That Inspired a Risky Race

Competitors battle it out from seven feet in the air.
by Indi Bains
The deathwatch beetle found in the United Kingdom, Xestobium rufovillosum, was once considered an omen of death.

The Truth Behind the Deathwatch Beetle's Creepy Tap-Tap-Tapping

In the United Kingdom, the insects were once considered omens of death—they're actually much more destructive.
by Roxanne Hoorn
A greater mouse-eared bat takes flight.

The Mysterious Return of Great Britain's Loneliest Bat

Missing for two years, an elderly greater mouse-eared bat has been the island's only known member of the species for decades.
by Patrick Barkham
The handball court in Nelson, South Wales, August 8, 1969. The three-walled court and home to Pêl-Law, the Welsh version of the game, has stood in the town since 1860.

Can Welsh Handball Bounce Back From the Brink of Extinction?

The ancient sport of Pêl-Law hangs on, barely, at the last court of its kind. A campaign to revive a related game may help bring it back.
by Ewan Morgan
Edward Jenner's letter to John Glover Loy.

Vaccination Could Easily Have Been Called 'Equination'

A recently sold letter from medical pioneer Edward Jenner provides some insight as to why.
by Matthew Taub
Sacred Stones's modern Soulton Long Barrow, in Shropshire.

Why Prehistoric Barrows Are Back in Funerary Fashion

The United Kingdom is experiencing a revival of interest in an ancient burial method.
by Matthew Taub
TK

Remembering the London Refuge for South Asian Nannies Far From Home

Abandoned by their employers after a months-long sea voyage, countless women found shelter here.
by Radhika Iyengar

Lists Featuring the United Kingdom

Charles Goodwyn, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection, with copies of world's first stamp
Lock & Co.
Plaque marking the Texan Embassy
The Lioness and the Lesser Kudu.

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near Buckingham Palace for Curious Travelers

11

Including The Royal Philatelic Collection, Lock & Co. , and The Embassy of the Republic of Texas

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More