Ultimate family weekends – from outdoorsy getaways to fun-packed city breaks, the best British trips
Travelling by train makes it even more fun for the whole family, and with a Railcard (there are nine to choose from including the Family & Friends Railcard) users can save up to a third off most rail travel around Britain, it pays for itself in no time. With such great discounts as well as great offers like 2FOR1 and a third off selected attractions when you travel by train with National Rail's Days Out Guide – you can squeeze in even more enjoyment for less this summer. Find the one that's right for you at railcard.co.uk.
Enjoy the coast with the most in Cornwall
Beautiful beaches, buzzy seaside towns and world-class attractions make Cornwall a classic family destination – and there's no better way to arrive than by train. Head to St Ives and you can enjoy one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the country en route. The town has plenty to keep you busy, from outdoor adventures like seal spotting and a picturesque working harbour to cultural attractions like Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Gallery. Another great weekend destination is St Austell, where you'll be a short bus ride from both the lush environs of The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, beautiful romantic gardens that were rediscovered 33 years ago and have been lovingly restored since.
Nearest stations: St Ives, St Austell – both a few minutes walk from the town centre
Go fully rural on a farm break
Kids will love getting to stay on a working farm where they can get off their screens and get involved with activities like feeding lambs, watching cows being milked and even walking alpacas. Featherdown Farms offer a variety of farm stays throughout Britain that offer the perfect off-grid family break – many of which are accessible by train. There's East Shilvinghampton Farm on Dorset's stunning Jurassic Coast (close to Weymouth, Upwey and Dorchester stations), Moor Farm in the beautiful Cotswold countryside (five miles from Gloucester station) or College Farm in Norfolk (ten minutes from Beccles station).
Nearest stations: Various – see above
Step back in time in historic York
Not only is York a beautiful city, packed with historic buildings, green spaces and atmospheric streets, it's also extremely walkable, making it easy to take in the attractions – of which there are many. Walking the mediaeval city walls is a must, as is climbing York Minster and strolling narrow cobbled lane The Shambles – believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Children and adults alike will love the huge collection of locomotives at The National Rail Museum and the immersive experience of the Jorvik Viking Centre. Take a spooky walk through 2000 years of history at the York Dungeon, where you can get a third off entry with your train ticket (pre booking essential). When you travel by train you can also take advantage of National Rail 2FOR1 offers at York's Chocolate Story, York Army Museum and on City Cruises down the River Ouse.
Nearest station: York, about a 10 minute walk to city centre
Explore the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast
Use the picture perfect town of Tenby, with its colourful houses, sandy beaches and quaint harbour, as a base to explore this stunning stretch of coastline. Board a boat to Caldey Island, hit the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path for breathtaking views or simply enjoy one of the town's three beaches. Just a couple of miles from the town centre are The Dinosaur Park and Manor House Wildlife Park. If you're feeling brave, go on a guided ghost walk unveiling haunting secrets and local mysteries, and be sure to make a trip to Fecci's, which has been serving up delicious fish and chips since 1935.
Nearest station: Tenby, about a five minute walk from town centre
Go glamping
With everything already set up and no camping gear to lug with you, it's easy to arrive by train for a weekend of glamping — and there are plenty of options within easy reach of train stations. In the Yorkshire Dales, Ribblesdale Pods are walkable from the station (Horton in Ribblesdale) and have large family friendly options, as well as dog-friendly pods and ones with hot tubs. Adhurst Yurts in Hampshire are a ten minute taxi ride from Petersfield Station and offer extras like guided nature walks and the option to learn skills like bushcraft, fly fishing and basketry. The eco-friendly cabins at Little Menherion in Cornwall feel like they're in the middle of nowhere – but are just three miles from Redruth station. If you want to keep the kids happy then North Hill Farm with its quirky selection of glamping options is a 15 minute taxi journey from Watford Junction – where you can also catch a shuttle bus to the Harry Potter Studios.
Nearest station: Various – see above
Enjoy a kid-friendly culture trip in Liverpool
Packed with museums, galleries, iconic buildings and a buzzy waterfront, Liverpool has plenty to entertain visitors of all ages. Kids will love the dinosaurs in the World Museum, and the interactive Museum of Liverpool. Hop on a ferry across the Mersey and you'll find Eureka! Science + Discovery, aimed at igniting kids' interest in science and technology. Music lovers will enjoy the British Music Experience, a huge museum dedicated to the history of UK pop music. And if you're into the Fab Four, you can also take advantage of 2FOR1 entry to The Beatles Story Museum when you travel by train. If this doesn't hit the right note for you, there are lots more Liverpool offers for you to enjoy on Days Out Guide. Football more your bag? There's 2FOR1 tickets available for rail travellers when you take a tour of Anfield, too.
Nearest stations: Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central, both in the city centre
Hang out with wildlife in the New Forest
Step off the train in the New Forest and before long you're likely to find yourself up close with wild ponies, who roam the streets, moorland and woodland there freely (as do wild pigs). The national park is full of walking and cycle trails, so it's easy to explore the beautiful scenery by foot or hire bikes to reach attractions like the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. With eight stations in the New Forest you can also hop around easily by train. Brockenhurst is a good entry point, but from there you can explore destinations like the pretty village of Sway, or Ashurst, where you'll find the New Forest Wildlife Park. You can also easily reach the coastal town of Lymington.
Nearest station: Brockenhurst, in the centre of Brockenhurst village
Stay in a castle
Warwick Castle – located just a 15 minute walk from Warwick station – is one of the country's best family-friendly attractions. But did you know you can also stay there, too? It offers various accommodation options, including a hotel, lodges, mediaeval themed glamping and exclusive suites in the 14th century castle tower. During the day there loads going on to keep everyone entertained, including jousting experiences, the UK's biggest bird of prey display and live shows in the castle dungeon. Even if you don't opt to stay on-site, day visitors who travel by train can get a third off entry.
Nearest station: Warwick, about a 15 minute walk from Warwick Castle
Have a family-perfect city break in Edinburgh
From taking in historic attractions like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket to enjoying outdoor adventures like climbing Arthur's Seat and exploring Holyrood Park, the Scottish capital has so much to offer visitors. You could lose a day alone in Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, a five-floor attraction with over 100 interactive exhibits. Other family friendly attractions include Edinburgh Zoo, the Edinburgh Dungeon (where train travellers can enjoy a third off entry alongside their discounted rail fare when they travel by train with a Railcard and prebook through daysoutguide.co.uk) and, of course, a Harry Potter walking tour. Another great thing about a city break in Edinburgh? It's only 10 minutes on a train from the city centre to Portobello Beach – so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley in the city centre
Enjoy some old-school seaside fun in Blackpool
Blackpool's popularity as a holiday resort soared when the town's railway station opened in the 1840s – and to this day it remains a fabulous seaside destination to discover by rail, with a perfect blend of old school charm and modern attractions. The seven mile stretch of beach has three Victorian piers, with the Central Pier home to the town's famous Big Wheel. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has roller coasters and rides to suit both big thrillseekers and little adventurers. The Blackpool Tower is an iconic British landmark (and home to the equally iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom) and rail travellers can get a third off tickets to climb it when they prebook. There's a third off other attractions too, including SEA LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and The Blackpool Tower Circus.
Nearest station: Blackpool North Station, about a 10 minute walk to main attractions
Enjoy great value British adventures by train
From stunning nature and the Great Outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there's no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there's never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.
With Railcard, whether you're travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With 9 different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What's more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail's Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
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Times
3 hours ago
- Times
A gentle five-mile trail around Killerton Park in Devon
It was the first wet day in weeks as we set out to explore Killerton Park. We'd managed to find a break in the rain, but ragged grey clouds still peppered a blue sky, sunlight piercing through, air heady with petrichor. At the chapel, a grade I listed building built for Sir Thomas Dyke Acland in 1841, a bridleway swung off the road and into the estate. Home to the Acland family for 300 years, Killerton's distinctive peach-painted, wisteria-draped house and formal gardens — a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian influences — are now part of the National Trust. But the wider woods and parkland, which is home to 1,500 veteran and ancient trees, is open access, free to wander on a sprawling network of paths. • Read more wildlife & nature stories We walked through Deer Park and Back Park, verdant vales dotted with oaks, some more than 600 years old. The still air rang with birdsong: blackbirds, thrushes, robins and wrens giving forth with heart-wrenching generosity. From the 15th-century Ellerhayes Bridge, a former carriage drive led up through Park Wood, tracing the course of the River Culm through its wide valley. The longest tributary of the River Exe, the Culm — whose name means 'knots' or 'ties' due to its meandering course — flows through floodplains north of Killerton before joining the Exe. Part of a nature recovery scheme since 2021, new scrapes and ditches provide habitat while gentle longhorn cattle graze the scrub. Nature is returning rapidly and, as we made our way along the leafy fringes of Columbjohn Wood, we spotted herons and egrets down by the water. Otters are also regularly sighted here. From the valley we climbed a path through sycamore, beech and birch; red campion and buttercup colourful against layers of green. Part-way up are the deep foundations of a lost mansion, commissioned in 1775 by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland but never completed. As we paused to imagine the scale of such a house, the temperature started to drop, the air grew heavy, the woods darkened. • We spent our honeymoon on the Salt Path — these are our top 15 walks The rain began as we neared the top, pattering at first, then gaining momentum, splashing in huge, wet drops. It was, in Terry Pratchett's words, 'the kind of rain that is so much wetter than normal rain … the kind of rain that is merely an upright sea with slots in it'. We soon found ourselves in an alpine valley, tall deodar cedars rising from its steep slopes. Inspired by the picturesque movement and foreign travel, the Aclands had intended to install mountain boulders in the valley, but these never made it to Devon. Highland cattle watched through rain-matted fringes as we crossed the Plains, heading for the summit of Dolbury Hill. Known locally as The Clump, this igneous knoll and Iron Age hillfort boasts grand views across the Exe Valley on a clear day — but was now entirely swallowed by cloud. As we made our way down the rain stopped at last and the skies began to clear, warm sunshine flooding the landscape. We walked past the house, through fields bright with buttercups and orchids, to the café where we sat with cups of tea, steaming gently. How hard is it? 5 miles. Easy: paths, tracks and minor roads Start Killerton car park, EX5 3LE (OS ref SS976001) Getting there Trains to Pinhoe, bus 1A/1 towards Tiverton, alight at Killerton turn. Road — follow signs from the M5 via the B3181. Alternative non-NT parking at Ellerhayes Bridge Walk From main car park turn left onto lane, bearing left onto larger road for short distance uphill (NT members can avoid the road by following signs to chapel). At chapel bear left through gate onto bridleway, through parkland to Ellerhayes Bridge. Turn left, following track around edge of Park Wood with River Culm on right. At path junction (961002) take sharp left uphill through Columbjohn Wood. At top bear left signed Deodar Glen, then left signed Park Wood and Ellerhayes Bridge, then right signed The Plains and The Clump. Go through Irishman's Gate and across The Plains then right, uphill to The Clump. Head downhill along edge of garden boundary, through Bluebell Gate and into Front Park Bank, following signs to Stables Café to finish. Lunch Stables Café, Killerton ( Accommodation Killerton Park Cottage (3-night min; 0344 800 2070, More information Visit Devon (
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Dizzying coastal paths, quiet beaches and dolphins': readers' highlights of the UK coastline
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The rock stacks along the coast are a great place for spotting cormorants, fulmars and kittiwakes among others. No matter the weather I love to walks these paths and feel the fresh sea breeze through my hair. A wonderful Guardian Travel readers' tips Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage - Fife is a glorious peninsula bordered by a brilliant coastal path that takes in a variety of beaches, fishing villages and is an area rich in wildlife and diverse landscapes. The area from Crail to St Andrews is of particular beauty, with several gorgeous places to stop for lunch, such as Cambo Gardens cafe near Kingsbarns and the Cheesy Toast Shack at East Sands in St Andrews. There are loads of places to stay and use as a base to explore the region. The larch-clad cabins at Kinkell Byre offer the opportunity to rest in style. And farther north are the wonderful forest trails and sand dunes of Tentsmuir. Stevie Kirkwood Wander the banks of the River Fal and Helford River in south Cornwall, through ancient Celtic rainforest, where the trees meet the sea. This rare habitat gives us a glimpse of prehistory, with lichen-laden branches, crisp, damp air and some of the UK's rarest wildlife. It feels otherworldly, yet oddly familiar. Amy Penmon Point on the easternmost point of Ynys Môn is a great place to watch for sea birds. The stunning Trwyn Du lighthouse looks out to Puffin Island, and if you're lucky, one might fly right past you. But we have seen even more magic there when it gets dark. If conditions are just right, the waves light up electric blue with bioluminescent plankton as they crash over the pebbles. For refreshments, the Pilot House Cafe is nearby and has a fantastic view from its garden. Chris Jones You need to consult your tide tables before visiting Sunderland Point on Morecambe Bay. This extraordinary place of sea-sucked mudflats, salt marsh and vast skies is cut off daily at high tide. I cross the causeway in May when the sea pinks (sea thrift) are flowering and the air is bright with the cries of birds – oystercatchers, curlew and redshanks. It feels remote, but in the 18th century Sunderland Point was a bustling port for Lancaster's transatlantic trade, which brought prosperity but also inhumanity. A walk round the peninsula leads to the grave of an unknown child slave abandoned here in 1736, now adorned by visitors with painted stones. Its bleak beauty will break your Reavley Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion I've been walking my dog on the same stretch of coast for four years and I never tire of the sheer strangeness of it. Culmore Point is where Derry's River Foyle meets the North Atlantic. Some days you can see a line in the water where the silt-filled Foyle meets the sea. Beautiful old-money houses look out across the water to a power station and chemical plant. Farther downstream the weird treeless landscape of the reclaimed land of Eglinton Embankment catches the eye. Spare a thought too for the young men who trained on these river beaches in May 1944 for the Normandy assaults a month From West Kirby on Wirral, you can walk across the tidal flats of the Dee estuary to the red sandstone formations of Little Eye, Middle Eye, and Hilbre Island, a string of uninhabited islands offering naught but spectacular nature. In summer you can spot grey seals hauling themselves on to sandbanks, and three types of terns (common, little and sandwich) darting past. Listen out for skylarks and meadow pipits too. For an extra challenge, search for the Triassic-era Chirotherium footprint. Always check tide times carefully, and for extra awe, time your return to the sun setting low, framed by the distant Welsh Cycling along the North East Coastal Trail from Portsoy to Macduff in Aberdeenshire is my idea of heaven. In stunning coastal countryside you cycle through charming fishing villages with historic harbours. I've spotted dolphins, porpoises and seals on the route. On a rocky coastline just beyond Macduff, there's an old tidal pool at Tarlair. Though no longer used for swimming, its beautifully restored art deco tea pavilion is the perfect spot to refuel before your journey back. While there, take a short wander to the secluded Salmon Howie beach tucked behind the cliffs – it's such a beautiful Diender When, as a child, I read Z For Zachariah, I imagined a landscape with the exact fin-du-monde energy of the East Yorkshire beach from Ulrome to Bridlington. On this stretch of Holderness, you'll find neither the Norfolk chalk boards of iced latte and shakshuka nor the monastic ghosts of farther north. But if six miles of uninterrupted beach walk – in the company of nothing more glamorous than pure air, weather and proper decay (not the genteel sort) – is your thing, this is a place you should visit. Morcheeba soundtrack optional. Tired legs and a cleansed soul Ainley
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
The most beautiful places in London you have to visit – from museums to parks and gardens
London is a city that hums with indefatigable energy: its winding, warren-like streets and sprawling neighbourhoods are steeped in history and pomp, shaped by characters as infamous as Jack the Ripper and as iconic as Winston Churchill. Amid the movement and noise, there are plentiful pockets of beauty: stately homes and grand buildings serving as museums, carefully tended parks that feel far removed from the city's hustle, and elevated viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas of the ever-shifting skyline. It's a city where centuries-old history collides with the contemporary: every alley and square whispers a different story, offering an inexhaustible number of things to see, do and explore. Whether you're a lifelong Londoner or visiting for the first time, you'll no doubt have an endless list of sights to tick off. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Location: Richmond Price: £22 (prices depend on season) Closest Tube station: Kew Gardens station Arguably London's most famous gardens, Kew's Royal Botanic Gardens were originally designed as a destination for royal enjoyment only. Happily, since 1840, members of the public have been welcomed to wander the plant-filled paradise, which demands at least a day for exploring. Spread across 300 acres in southwest London, this Unesco World Heritage Site is a living tapestry of the world's most remarkable plants, with over 50,000 species to discover. Wander beneath soaring Victorian glasshouses, spying tropical palms and rare orchids, or stroll through woodland glades and colourful flowerbeds that shift with the seasons. Whether you're here to observe the flora or picnic on the lawns, Kew is a verdant sanctuary for reconnecting with nature – and just a short hop from the city's bustle. Somerset House Location: Aldwych Price: Free, unless visiting specific exhibitions Closest Tube station: Temple Straddling The Strand just steps away from the River Thames, this neoclassical masterpiece designed by Sir William Chambers dates back to the 18th century: an architectural landmark of Georgian grandeur that's all honey-hued facades, stately columns, and trickling fountains set around a central courtyard. While originally fashioned as a palatial government building, Somerset House is no less impressive today, functioning as a creative and cultural hub as much as it is a popular Instagram destination. Visit for ever-evolving art exhibitions, open-air concerts, and a spectacular ice rink in the winter months. If you're hungry, you can fuel up on elegant Anglo-Italian fare at Spring or slurp expertly poured flat whites at WatchHouse, both of which sit within the Somerset House estate. Kyoto Garden Location: Holland Park Price: Free Closest Tube station: Holland Park Tucked within the walled confines of leafy Holland Park, you'll stumble upon the tranquil Kyoto Garden, which was gifted to the park by the city of Kyoto in 1991, commemorating the longstanding relations between the UK and Japan. Designed by renowned Japanese gardener Shoji Nakahara, and modelled after the traditional gardens typically found across Kyoto, the compact enclosure features a tiered waterfall and stone lanterns framed around a central, koi-filled pond. Visit in autumn when the leaves on the maple trees turn a distinctive auburn hue, or in spring when the cherry blossoms reach full bloom. There's an instantly calming atmosphere to this serene pocket of greenery, which feels like it was transplanted directly from Japan; it's a space to slow down and disconnect from the pace of the city. Old Royal Navy College Location: Greenwich Price: £17.50 Closest Tube station: Island Gardens or Greenwich (DLR) Set along a peaceful curve of the Thames, the Old Royal Naval College is one of Greenwich's most breathtaking architectural ensembles: ostentatiously grand, perfectly symmetrical, and a proud landmark of maritime history. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, its domed buildings and stately colonnades once formed the training grounds for naval officers, but now serve as a monument to Britain's seafaring past. You'll want to wander the manicured lawns and head up to the Royal Observatory for panoramic views across London, but the must-see highlight here is undoubtedly the Painted Hall (often dubbed the 'Sistine Chapel of the UK'). Baroque murals sweep across the ceiling in dizzying detail, with the expansive space often playing host to fancy dress film tours, yoga classes, and even silent discos – worth booking into if you'd rather experience the hall through a unique lens. Primrose Hill Location: Primrose Hill Price: Free Closest Tube station: Chalk Farm This affluent neighbourhood in northwest London shares its name with the leafy park that crowns it. It's from the top of this grassy rise that you'll find one of the most iconic vistas of the city skyline: a wide sweep of London's rooftops and spires that's especially striking at sunset. But there's more to see here than just the view. Pootle along picturesque Chalcot Crescent, where pretty, pastel-painted townhouses curve like a film set – reminiscent of Notting Hill but minus the tourists. Independent boutiques, charming cafés, and quiet streets make the neighbourhood feel like a self-contained village, and from here you can wander through nearby Regent's Park or stroll along the Regent's Canal, which winds its way peacefully past houseboats and tree-lined banks. St Dunstan in the East Location: The City of London Price: Free Closest Tube station: Monument Hidden among the winding lanes of the City, St Dunstan in the East is a whisper-quiet sanctuary where history and unchecked nature intertwine. After bomb damage during the Blitz destroyed all but the shell and graceful arches of the medieval church that once stood here, its ruins were transformed into a public garden. Today, ivy and wisteria spill over ancient stone walls, and lush greenery fills the nave. Visit in spring, when the garden blooms with colour, or find a bench beneath the Gothic windows for a quiet moment of reflection. This is an unexpected place of refuge in the heart of London's financial district, and somewhat of a time capsule amid the city's ever-changing landscape. Leadenhall Market Location: The City of London Price: Free Closest Tube station: Monument Sandwiched by office blocks and swanky shops in the city's financial district, Leadenhall Market feels like a secret slice of old London hidden beneath a canopy of ornate ironwork and glass. Dating back to the 14th century, this covered market was once the bartering place for meat and game; today, it's home to boutique shops and elegant eateries. The cobbled walkways and richly painted facades give it a timeless charm – so much so that it's been the backdrop for plenty of film sets. Visit at golden hour when you'll rub shoulders with city workers clamouring for drinks at the chi-chi wine bars, or head here on weekends when vintage markets and craft fairs spill across the street. Hampstead Heath Location: Hampstead Price: Free Closest Tube station: Hampstead Sprawling Hampstead Heath (or 'the Heath' as the locals lovingly refer to it), offers a wilder, rugged slice of London that's less manicured than the city's royal parks, and all the more charming for it. Sprawling across 800 acres, this ancient heathland feels a world away from the rest of the city, with wild woodlands and open meadows for rambling across. Climb to the top of Parliament Hill for one of the most panoramic views of the city skyline, or head for the Heath's famed swimming ponds, where hardy locals take brisk dips year-round. History buffs should make sure to visit Kenwood House, a neoclassical villa framed by tranquil gardens, which sits on the border of the Heath and features an impressive collection of sculptures and artworks. Nearby Hampstead village is worth pottering around too: discover plenty of ivy-covered pubs, cobbled lanes, and independent boutiques. Natural History Museum Location: South Kensington Price: Free, unless visiting specific exhibitions Closest Tube station: South Kensington This is one of London's most iconic landmarks and museums: a cathedral-like masterpiece designed by Alfred Waterhouse that sits on South Kensington's Cromwell Road. Originally built to house the British Museum's overflowing collections, today the Natural History Museum is just as much as a household name. From the exterior, the museum's Romanesque façade is all terracotta tiles and arches – and once through the doors, you're greeted by Hintze Hall's soaring ceilings and the dramatic blue whale skeleton that dangles directly above the entrance. The museum's collections span hundreds of millennia, encompassing everything from glittering gemstones and dinosaur skeletons to rare fossils. There are also interesting one-off events such as the current Tank Room Tour, where you can see specimens, including some collected by Darwin, preserved in jars of fluid, or a tank, in the case of Archie the 8.92-metre giant squid. Wander through the interactive exhibits (which are equally as inspiring for children and adults), and you'll find yourself lost among the natural wonders of the planet. The Barbican Location: The City of London Price: Free, unless visiting specific exhibitions Closest Tube station: Barbican Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if stark Brutalist architecture is more up your street, the dark, monolithic facade of the Barbican is a sight to behold. Commissioned in the sixties, the Barbican's arrival breathed new life into an area previously devastated during the Blitz. This maze of concrete terraces and Jenga-like staircases houses over 2,000 flats, several schools, and even a library - alongside the Barbican Centre itself, one of Europe's largest arts hubs. This destination-worthy cultural centre (dubbed 'one of the wonders of the modern world' by Queen Elizabeth II on its opening in 1982) houses continually-evolving art, music, film, and theatre exhibitions – and is home to concert halls, cinemas, and gallery spaces. There are unexpected pockets of greenery hidden among the concrete too; wander through elevated walkways and discover the impressive Barbican Conservatory: a lush, glass-roofed haven home to over 1,500 species of plants and trees.
