With summer on the horizon, many of us will be searching for the perfect holiday destination in the coming months. With some people still experiencing anxiety around travelling abroad, or simply not being able to afford to fly with the cost of living crisis, why not stay in the UK for the summer break? Luckily, MyLondon has discovered the best tourist destinations you can visit this year.
Car maintenance brand Prestone has created a guide showcasing the UK’s best castles, palaces and national heritage sites that can all be visited via car. What’s more, the Queen owns five of the best attractions in the UK! For the royalists among us, there are several attractions on the list with links to the monarchy, including the obvious Buckingham Palace and the more surprising Stonehenge.
The data factored in the average temperature and average rainfall of different regions to ensure Londoners have the best chance of finding a summer staycation with the best weather. Windsor Castle ranked top of the list, closely followed by Blenheim Palace. Bottom of the list but still rating highly was the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
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The scores for each destination
(Image: Prestone)
Top of the ranking Windsor Castle is owned by Queen Elizabeth II in right of the Crown. Similarly, the Crown owns Stonehenge which came in at number eight on the list. It is managed by English Heritage and the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.
Second best tourist destination Blenheim Palace was designated a world heritage site in 1987 by UNESCO. However, the Queen owns the land on which it is built and the managers pay her rent. However, the only payment required is a Blenheim Flag.
It is under the control of trustees as the late Duke of Marlborough’s heir – Jamie Spencer-Churchill – inherited his father’s title. The Crown Estate owns the Tower of London, third of the list, and fourth place Buckingham Palace too. Finally, the Queen owns Hampton Court, which took the penultimate place on the list.
Elsewhere, Hever Castle is privately owned. Warwick Castle is operated by Merlin Entertainments and Leeds Castle Foundation own Leeds Castle. Finally, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is owned by a non-departmental public body in UK.
According to the amount they are searched for, the rainfall, average temperature and rating, Prestone found the best tourism destinations in the UK. Here is the top 10, highlighting which are owned by the Queen:
- Windsor Castle
- Blenheim Palace
- Tower of London
- Buckingham Palace
- Hever Castle
- Warwick Castle
- Leeds Castle
- Stonehenge
- Hampton Court
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Got a story you think we should write? Get in touch beth.gulliver@reachplc.com
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