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Sky News
5 days ago
- Science
- Sky News
Fragmented and febrile - is threat of nuclear war worse than ever?
Why you can trust Sky News Eighty years ago today, an American B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It was the dawn of the atomic age, but the birth of the bomb can be traced beyond the deserts of New Mexico to Britain, five years earlier. A copy of a hand-typed document, now in the Bodleian library in Oxford, is the first description of an atom bomb small enough to use as a weapon. The Frisch-Peierls Memorandum was written by two nuclear physicists at the University of Birmingham in 1940. Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls don't feature in the film Oppenheimer, but their paper is credited with jump-starting the Manhattan Project that ultimately built the bomb. Both Jewish scientists who had both fled Nazi Germany, they built on the latest understanding of uranium fission and nuclear chain reactions, to propose a bomb made from enriched uranium that was compact enough to be carried by an aircraft. The document, so secret at the time only one copy was made, makes for chilling reading. Not only does it detail how to build a bomb, but foretells the previously unimaginable power of its blast. "Such an explosion would destroy life in a wide area," they wrote. "The size of this area is difficult to estimate, but it will probably cover the centre of a big city." Radioactive fallout would be inevitable "and even for days after the explosion any person entering the affected area will be killed". Both lethal properties of the bombs that would subsequently fall on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing around 100,000 instantly and more than 100,000 others in the years that followed - most of them civilians. 'The most terrifying weapons ever created' Those bombs had the explosive power of around 16 and 20 kilotonnes of TNT respectively - a force great enough to end the Second World War. But compared to nuclear weapons of today, they were tiny. "What we would now term as low yield nuclear weapons," said Alexandra Bell, president of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which campaigns for nuclear disarmament. "We're talking about city destroyers…these really are the most terrifying weapons ever created." Many of these "high yield" nuclear weapons are thermonuclear designs first tested in the 1950s. They use the power of nuclear fission that destroyed Hiroshima to harness yet more energy by fusing other atoms together. Codenamed "Mike", the first test of a fusion bomb in 1952 yielded at least 500 times more energy than those dropped on Japan. Impractically devastating, but proof of lethal principle. Variants of the W76 thermonuclear warhead currently deployed by the US and UK are around 100Kt, six times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Just one dropped on a city the size of London would result in more than a quarter of a million deaths. The largest warhead in America's current arsenal, the B83 has the explosive equivalent of 1.2 megatonnes (1.2 million tonnes of TNT) and would kill well over a million instantly. But modern intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are designed to carry multiple warheads. Russia's Sarmat 2, for example, is thought to be capable of carrying 10 megatonnes of nuclear payload. They're designed to strike multiple targets at once, but if all were dropped on a city like London most of its population of nine million would be killed or injured. If that kind of power is incomprehensible, consider how many nuclear warheads there now are in the world. Nine countries - the US, Russia, China, France, the UK, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel - have nuclear weapons. Several others are interested in having them. The US and Russia have around 4,000 nuclear warheads each - 90% of the global nuclear arsenal and more than enough to destroy civilisation. According to analysis from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China us thought to have around 600 warheads, but has indicated a desire to catch up. Beijing is believed to be building up to 100 new warheads a year and the ICBMs to deliver them. Five more nuclear powers, including the UK, plan to either increase or modernise their existing nuclear stockpiles. The nuclear arms race that created this situation was one imagined by Frisch and Peierls in their 1940 memorandum. Given the mass civilian casualties it would inevitably cause, the scientists questioned whether the bomb should ever be used by the Allies. They wrote, however: "If one works on the assumption that Germany is, or will be, in the possession of this weapon… the most effective reply would be a counter-threat with a similar bomb." What they didn't believe was that the bomb they proposed, and went on to help build at Los Alamos, would ever be used. Devastated by its use on Japan, Peierls disavowed the bomb and later campaigned for disarmament. But that work is now as unfinished as ever. Non-proliferation treaties helped reduce the expensive and excessive nuclear arsenals of Russia and the US, and prevent more countries from building nuclear bombs. 'Everything trending in the wrong direction' But progress ground to a halt with the invasion of Ukraine, as nuclear tensions continued elsewhere. "After all the extremely hard, tedious work that we did to reduce nuclear risks everything is now trending in the wrong direction," said Alexandra Bell. "The US and Russia refuse to talk to each other about strategic stability. "China is building up its nuclear arsenal in an unprecedented fashion and the structures that were keeping non-proliferation in place stemming the spread of nuclear weapons are crumbling around us." 'New risks increasing the threat' The world may have come closer to nuclear conflict during the Cuban missile crisis of 1963, but the fragmented and febrile state of geopolitics now is more dangerous, she argues. Conflict regularly flares between nuclear armed India and Pakistan; Donald Trump's foreign policy has sparked fears that South Korea might pursue the bomb to counter North Korea's nuclear threat; some states in the Middle East are eyeing a nuclear deterrent to either nuclear-wannabe Iran or nuclear armed Israel. Add to the mix the military use of AI and stressors like climate change, and the view of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists is the situation is more precarious than in 1963. "It's more dangerous, but in a different way," said Alexandra Bell. "The confluence of all these new existential risks are increasing the threat worldwide."
News18
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
My Oxford Year X Review: Sofia Carson-Corey Mylchreest's Chemistry Keeps Viewers Invested
Here's what the internet has to say about Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest's tragic My Oxford Year. Viewers, spoiler alert ahead! Iain Morris' latest movie, My Oxford Year, is generating a rollercoaster of emotions on social media. The American romantic comedy film, which was released on Netflix on August 1, stars Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest in lead roles. Written by Allison Burnett and Melissa Osborne, the movie left viewers completely emotional. My Oxford Year, which is primarily shot in England, features filming locations including the University of Oxford at the Bodleian Library, Magdalen College, St Hugh's College and Hertford College, as well as Windsor. In one of the ending scenes, when the viewers realise Sofia Carson has been visiting all the places on her own without Corey Mylchreest, tears rolled out like a river. One user said, 'I thought #MyOxfordYear would be a romcom but it ended up destroying me." I thought #MyOxfordYear would be a romcom but it ended up destroying me Another mentioned, 'When you realize the romcom you were watching is actually not a romcom #MyOxfordYear." when you realize the romcom you were watching is actually not a romcom #MyOxfordYear — mel ℘ | we were liars era (@hcsiequake) August 1, 2025 A person wrote, 'You should never regret the things you do. You should only regret the things you don't do. #MyOxfordYear what a beautiful story, I laughed, I giggled & I weeped a lot. The chemistry b/w #coreymylchreest & #sofiacarson it's effortlessly beautiful." You should never regret the things you do .You should only regret the things you don't do. #MyOxfordYear what a beautiful story, I laughed, I giggled & I weeped a lot. The chemistry b/w #coreymylchreest & #sofiacarson it's effortlessly beautiful. — Shipra✨ (@Muggleonflee) August 1, 2025 'Corey Mylchreest when it comes to playing a character who falls in love & then reveals he's got a critical illness, which leads to heartbreak #MyOxfordYear," said an ardent fan. Corey Mylchreest when it comes to playing a character who falls in love & then reveals he's got a critical illness, which leads to heartbreak #MyOxfordYear — z (@2_0ha) August 1, 2025 Someone added, 'Stop crying, its just a scene. The scene: #MyOxfordYear." 'This parallel… I'm not crying I'M NOT CRYING #MyOxfordYear," read a tweet. this parallel… I'm not crying I'M NOT CRYING #MyOxfordYear — ray (@rayainalif) August 1, 2025 A person further elaborated, 'Well sorry to burst the bubble of innocent people like me who thought this would be just another college extra-fluff romcom most of us signed up for but turns out #myoxfordyear is not a romcom. I just finished watching it and honestly. I feel like jumping off a cliff right now." well sorry to burst the bubble of innocent people like me who thought this would be just another college extra-fluff romcom most of us signed up for but turns out #myoxfordyear is not a romcom. i just finished watching it and honestly i feel like jumping off a cliff right now. — desiburgerbacha (@shortiekiddo28) August 1, 2025 A movie buff shared a collage of images revealing that Sofia travelled to those places without Corey, and said, 'MY HEART IS COMPLETELY BROKEN #myoxfordyear." MY HEART IS COMPLETELY BROKEN #myoxfordyear — Sarah | my oxford year spoilers (@cloiskryptonite) August 1, 2025 'Netflix after baiting me in with hot academic rivals and banter just to hit me with a grief speedrun like this ain't a romcom it's a wellness check in 1080p #myoxfordyear," one more person stated. netflix after baiting me in with hot academic rivals and banter just to hit me with a grief speedrun like this ain't a romcom it's a wellness check in 1080p #myoxfordyear — sam ⋆˚꩜ (@tribbianisbae) August 1, 2025 'They said it was a romcom but the only comedy part was us being fooled that it might end well but it was still worth the pain #myoxfordyear," echoing the same sentiment said a person. they said it was a romcom but the only comedy part was us being fooled that it might end well but it was still worth the pain #myoxfordyear — My Oxford Year Cast Inspired by the novel of the same name by Julia Whelan, which was adapted from Burnett's original screenplay, My Oxford Year features Sofia Carson as Anna De La Vega and Corey Mylchreest as Jamie Davenport. The other cast members are Dougray Scott as William Davenport, Jamie's father, Catherine McCormack as Antonia Davenport, Jamie's mother, Harry Trevaldwyn as Charlie Butler, Hugh Coles as Ridley, Poppy Gilbert as Cecelia Knowles and Barney Harris as Ian, among others. My Oxford Year Plot Produced under the banner of Temple Hill Entertainment, the rom-com focuses on the life of an ambitious American student (Sofia Carson/Anna De La Vega) who travels to Oxford in England to fulfil her dreams. But her chance encounter with a charming local (Corey Mylchreest/Jamie Davenport) completely changes both their lives. view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 12:52 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time Out
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
My Oxford Year: inside the filming locations behind the Netflix's latest romcom
This summer, Netflix is in the mood for transatlantic love. First, there was the Lena Dunham series Too Much, which follows a New Yorker seeking love in London. Now the streamer offers more romcom catnip, this time with an Oxford Blues- meets- Sabrina flavour. Fans a trip to the City of Spires, from the town's literature-rich universities, libraries, and even a fast food shop or two. What is My Oxford Year about? Based on Julia Whelan's novel of the same name, My Oxford Year is a new romance with an old-school flair, the kind of love story that is built on flirting over Tennyson and crying over Sylvia Plath. Sofia Carson stars as ambitious American Anna, a self-made girl who is already smart enough for a Goldman Sachs job waiting for her. But because banking isn't as romantic as poetry, the romcom ships Anna off to the dreaming spires of Oxford, where signs up for year studying literature. Once there, she crosses paths with the extravagantly wealthy Jamie (Corey Mylchreest), a charming local who also happens to be her professor (don't worry, he's a twentysomething professor). Where was My Oxford Year filmed? It doesn't take an Oxford-level genius to guess the film's main setting. As Anna and Jamie's love blossoms, audiences embark on a scenic journey through Oxford's hallways and libraries with some brief detours to Windsor, London and beyond. For Londoner Mylchreest, My Oxford Year is a nostalgic reminder of his uni days when he frequently visited the cathedral city to visit a friend studying there. Carson deliberately avoided visiting Oxford before filming to evoke a genuine first-time reaction. These are all the locations where the duo acted out this life-changing Oxford year. Magdalen College, Oxford The crown gem of the University of Oxford, Magdalen College features prominently throughout the Netflix film. This is where Anna attends most of her classes, dwarfed by the campus's central tower, a gothic landmark of the city. As the camera pans out to the lawns and surrounding buildings, the campus also presents an eye-pleasing fusion of other architectural styles, from the Palladian-style 'New Building' to Neo-Gothic quadrangles like St Swithun's Quad and Longwall Quad. It's easy to see how the college's grandeur might have inspired alumni like Oscar Wilde and our humble protagonists. Bodleian Library and Duke Humfrey's Library, Oxford Early on in My Oxford Year, Anna confesses that a long-standing 'library fetish' lay behind her dreams of studying in Oxford. Naturally, then, the Bodleian Library is on her travel checklist. It's one of the oldest libraries in Europe, dating back to 1602, and the second largest in the UK, after London's British Library. But being the Oxford native that he is, Jamie woos Anna by guiding her through the varnished 15th-century shelves of Duke Humfrey's Library, the Bodleian's oldest reading room. Anna's inner library nerd is awakened when Jamie leads her to a first edition copy by American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, a move that makes Anna gasp. They also share their first kiss on the library grounds. King Neptune Fish and Chip Shop, Windsor The royal town of Windsor also features on the locations. It's at an unassuming chippy in the town that Jamie and Anna meet for the first time. Anna struggles to differentiate between haddock and cod as she places her order, while Jamie appears to be a cocky lad in his silver Aston Martin. Radcliffe Square, Oxford Oxford's cobbled square comes alive at night as Anna and Jamie have a wholesome rendezvous that ends at a kebab truck. Jamie assures Anna that trying out a doner is a quintessentially British experience, and sure enough, the initially skeptical Anna is wowed by her first kebab. Radcliffe Square is a portal to a medieval past, attracting tourists and film crews alike. Recent films shot at the square include Wonka, Tolkien, and Saltburn. Clarendon Building, Oxford In the heart of the city lies Clarendon Building, an 18 th century neoclassical edifice that backdrops several scenes in the movie. Look out for Anna walking past it as she rushes into neighbouring spots like the Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre. Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford No film set in Oxford is complete without the semi-circular, Roman-style theatre where all university students set foot into to graduate. From hosting recitals and lectures to annual graduation ceremonies, the Sheldonian Theatre is inseparable from the legacy of Oxford. The film features the Sheldonian's painted ceilings and gilded boxes as the university chancellor invites a new batch to step up, reminding them that they might forget their Oxford friends and the parties, but not their Oxford education. Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford Showcasing the anthropological collections of the University of Oxford, Pitt Rivers Museum is famous for its vast displays of human skulls, shrunken heads and masks that stare into your soul. The museum has often faced questions around the ethics of displaying remains and ritualistic items from across the globe. However, My Oxford Year takes a light-hearted approach as the museum is where Anna discusses her love life with her friends. Her snarky classmate Charlie (Harry Trevaldwyn) hilariously points at a mask collection, asking which of these eyebrow-raising faces resembles his exes. Cue a montage of the museum's collection of Japanese Noh (a dance-drama) masks. Hammersmith Bridge, London A longstanding tradition for Oxford and Cambridge students has been the annual boating race, an aquatic standoff that passes several bridges over the River Thames in London. A dramatic leg of the race plays out in the backdrop of the Hammersmith Bridge. The green-and-gold bridge has featured in many London movies, but remains closed to motor traffic since repairs began in 2019. Rothamsted Manor, Hertfordshire Oxford's time capsule nature means that even the students can be found living in accommodation that's easily a few centuries old. One such spot is Rothamsted Manor, a red-brick building where Anna's medical student friend Tom (Nikhil Parmar) lives. The only catch is that the manor is located in Hertfordshire county and not Oxford. Knebworth House, Hertfordshire My Oxford Year features a 750 th anniversary ball (or 'septicentennial and 50 ball', as Jamie calls it). It's a big invite-only party at Knebworth House, the grandiose Tudor stately home that now hosts open-air rock concerts and film shoots. Here, the house grounds host a vibrant carnival, complete with Ferris wheel and carousel. Knebworth House has a rich cinematic history, doubling as Bruce Wayne's manor in Tim Burton's Batman, with its exteriors also featured in 28 Days Later and The Mummy Returns. In both The King's Speech and some episodes of The Crown, Knebworth stood in for Balmoral Castle. Hatfield House, Hertfordshire My Oxford Year 's connections with Tim Burton's Batman continue with Hatfield House, a lavish Hertfordshire establishment dating back to the 17 th century. Jamie drives Anna to his family's grand, Saltburn -esque estate. His familial home is a showy estate with sprawling gardens, chequered-floored galleries and armouries, and a labyrinth of a wine cellar. Hatfield House has served as a filming location in Batman, Sherlock Holmes, Paddington, Bridgerton, The Crown, Enola Holmes, and even MasterChef Australia. Was My Oxford Year also filmed outside England? Brief yet pivotal moments of the film also play out further afield. The dreamy-eyed Jamie tells Anna about embarking on a classic 'Grand Tour' across Europe that includes spending a night on the gondolas of Venice, wandering around the Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea in Greece, and paying a visit to the red-light district in Amsterdam. For the latter, Jamie's intentions aren't sexual, as he desires a pilgrimage to the historic and elegant Oude Kerk (Old Church), the Dutch capital's oldest structure. While this pan-European journey is just discussed earlier, My Oxford Year actually incorporates these locations for an emotional rollercoaster in the third act. Who stars in My Oxford Year? Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest lead the cast as Anna and Jamie. Breaking out with Disney's Descendants franchise, Carson is a Netflix regular with roles in originals like Carry-On, Purple Hearts, and The Life List. Mylchreest, on the other hand, played King George III in the Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte. The ensemble also includes Dougray Scott (Ever After, Mission: Impossible 2) and Catherine McCormack (28 Weeks Later, Braveheart) as Jamie's parents. Anna's ragtag bunch of classmates includes Harry Trevaldwyn (The Acolyte, How To Train Your Dragon), Esme Kingdom (Fallen), and Nikhil Parmar (The Rig, Foundation). Is there a trailer for My Oxford Year? Yes, and you can watch it below. When is it streaming? My Oxford Year is available to stream on Netflix from Friday, August 1.
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays
TRIPADVISOR has revealed the winners of its annual 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do awards and it's UK 15 top UK attractions could surprise. With so many attractions across the country, let alone the rest of the world, it can be hard to know what to choose to do for a day out. Advertisement 10 Tripadvisor has named the top attractions to visit in the UK Credit: Getty Now, Tripadvisor has rounded up the top 15 attractions across the UK based on visitor reviews including a dark city cemetery with famous graves and a number of free places to explore. 1. Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh The Royal Yacht Britannia has been named as the number one tourist attraction in the UK, according to Tripadvisor. This historical vessel allows visitors to see behind the scenes of the luxury liner used by the British royal family for their travels. Tripadvisor said: "Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace, now docked in the capital's Leith harbour district, boasts over 18,000 five star reviews." Advertisement Read more on travel inspo Tickets cost from £20 per person. 2. Bodleian Library, Oxford First opened in 1602, the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and houses more than 13million printed items. The Weston Library is free to enter, however if you want to see the Old Library or Radcliffe Camera - Britain's first circular library - you will need to book onto a guided tour. Tours of the library costs from £10 per person. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Breaking 3. Highgate Cemetery, London Third on the list is a rather unusual choice for a day out, but still fascinating to explore. I'm a mum and here's '10/10' free day out near Glasgow I swear by for summer hols Highgate Cemetery in North London is a burial site for around 170,000 people. Many travellers head to the Grade I listed cemetery to explore the unique architecture by Stephen Geary but for most it is the famous names laid to rest that are the reason for a visit. Historic figures buried in the cemetery include philosopher and father of modern communism, Karl Marx, as well as the founder of Crufts dog show Charles Cruft. Advertisement Also buried in elaborate graves are the wife of author Charles Dickens, Catherine Dickens and novelist George Eliot. It is also the last resting place for the legendary singer-songwriter George Michael. Tickets to visit Highgate Cemetery cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. 10 Highgate Cemetery was named third and is home to many famous graves Credit: Alamy Advertisement 4. The British Museum, London Another free spot on the list is the British Museum in London. The museum is home to a permanent collection of eight million works - making it the largest in the world. Across the entire museum, it tells the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The museum also hosts many free additional exhibitions and events throughout the year. Advertisement 5. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Up in Scotland again, Edinburgh Castle makes up the final spot in the top five UK attractions. Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. And even the rock it stands on has a grand history . 10 In Scotland, Edinburgh Castle features panoramic views across the city Credit: Alamy Advertisement Castle Rock dates back to the Iron Age and there has been a castle on the rock since the reign of Malcolm III in the 11th century. It then continued to be a royal residence until 1633. Tickets to the castle cost from £21.50 per adult and £13 per child. 6. Tower Bridge, London One of the capital's Advertisement Spanning the But for a sky high view, climb the North Tower to stroll across the high-level walkways 137ft above the Thames or brave the glass floor that allows a thrilling view of the traffic passing on the bridge below. Tickets to 7. The Roman Baths, Bath Heading to Advertisement 10 The Roman Baths in Somerset are home to natural thermal springs used by people of Roman Britain Credit: Alamy The baths feature natural thermal springs which were used by the people of Roman Britain to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva. Tickets cost from £28 per adult and £21 per child. 8. National Maritime Museum, London Back in the capital, the National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Advertisement Across different galleries and displays, visitors can discover ships and boats, relics from the Running until January is also a great exhibition for kids who love pirates. The Pirates exhibition explores piracy in popular cultures including fictional characters such as Captain Hook and Admission to the museum is free, but if you want to head to the Pirates exhibition it will cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. Advertisement 10 There are also a number of free museums to visit on the list, including the National Maritime Museum Credit: Alamy 9. Natural History Museum, London Another of London's free museums to feature on the list is the Natural History Museum. in South Kensington. Hope the blue whale soars over mighty dinosaur skeletons and Darwin's personal collection. See priceless gems, ancient meteorites, and the first bird fossil, revealing Earth's incredible history. Advertisement Right now, the museum is hosting 'Our Story with David Attenborough' - a 360-degree cinematic experience. Tickets to the experience cost from £20 per adult and 10. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Jumping back to Edinburgh again, this time to a free museum with the National Museum of Scotland securing the tenth spot on the list. 10 One free spot that featured in Edinburgh is the National Museum of Scotland Credit: Alamy Advertisement The museum documents Scottish history and culture with thousands of objects across numerous galleries. The unique architecture of the museum is just as fascinating, make sure to check out the expansive hall at its heart with a glass ceiling. 11. Stonehenge, Wiltshire Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous places, according to Historic England . The mysterious Advertisement At the site, there is also a Neolithic village to explore with houses and historical information on the area. Tickets cost from £30.90 per adult and from £20 per child. 10 Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is known worldwide and is thousands of years old Credit: Alamy 12. York Minster, York York Minster in York is a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture and stunning stained glass. Advertisement The cathedral dates back to 627 and features an ornately decorated Gothic nave and The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. One of the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe, the Central Tower soars up 325ft and visitors who climb the 275 steps to the top are rewarded with fabulous views across the city. Children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for adults cost £20. 10 York Minster is one of the largest cathedrals of its kind in the UK Credit: Alamy Advertisement 13. National Railway Museum, York Also in York is the National Railway Museum which celebrates its 50th birthday this year - and the 200th anniversary of the railway. Completely free to enter, visitors can marvel at record-breaking locomotive legends like Mallard and Japan's Bullet Train. Explore opulent royal carriages and Stephenson's Rocket, a working replica of the 1829 loco that set the template for steam engines. For children, there are also a number of Advertisement 14. Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth Soaring over the coastal city of The tower has three viewing decks, including a glass Sky Walk, with panoramic views. 10 In the seaside city of Portsmouth, travellers can access three viewing decks at the Spinnaker Tower Credit: Getty There are also a number of interactive displays and a cafe. Advertisement Tickets cost from £18.95 per adult and £14.95 per child. 15. Eden Project, Cornwall Securing the final spot on the list is the Eden Project in Cornwall. Set in a reclaimed china clay pit, this spectacular global garden features two giant domes housing the world's largest indoor rain forest and a fragrant Mediterranean landscape with thousands of plants . Tickets cost from £38 per adult and £12 per child. Advertisement Full list of top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor THE top UK experiences have been named by Tripadvisor, including walking and taxi tours. London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket The Manchester City Stadium Tour Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour Air Raid Shelter and St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour in Bristol Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh Tennent's Brewery Tours Ticket in Glasgow Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour, Scotland Cab Tours Belfast Famous Black Taxi Tours London Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness The Deathly Dark Tour of York A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour Tripadvisor has also revealed the Plus, The Sun's Alice Penwill tried out the new 10 The Eden Project makes up the final spot on the list Credit: Supplied
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays
Plus, the full list of the top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor GET OUT The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRIPADVISOR has revealed the winners of its annual 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do awards and it's UK 15 top UK attractions could surprise. With so many attractions across the country, let alone the rest of the world, it can be hard to know what to choose to do for a day out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Tripadvisor has named the top attractions to visit in the UK Credit: Getty Now, Tripadvisor has rounded up the top 15 attractions across the UK based on visitor reviews including a dark city cemetery with famous graves and a number of free places to explore. 1. Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh The Royal Yacht Britannia has been named as the number one tourist attraction in the UK, according to Tripadvisor. This historical vessel allows visitors to see behind the scenes of the luxury liner used by the British royal family for their travels. Tripadvisor said: "Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace, now docked in the capital's Leith harbour district, boasts over 18,000 five star reviews." Tickets cost from £20 per person. 2. Bodleian Library, Oxford First opened in 1602, the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and houses more than 13million printed items. The Weston Library is free to enter, however if you want to see the Old Library or Radcliffe Camera - Britain's first circular library - you will need to book onto a guided tour. Tours of the library costs from £10 per person. 3. Highgate Cemetery, London Third on the list is a rather unusual choice for a day out, but still fascinating to explore. I'm a mum and here's '10/10' free day out near Glasgow I swear by for summer hols Highgate Cemetery in North London is a burial site for around 170,000 people. Many travellers head to the Grade I listed cemetery to explore the unique architecture by Stephen Geary but for most it is the famous names laid to rest that are the reason for a visit. Historic figures buried in the cemetery include philosopher and father of modern communism, Karl Marx, as well as the founder of Crufts dog show Charles Cruft. Also buried in elaborate graves are the wife of author Charles Dickens, Catherine Dickens and novelist George Eliot. It is also the last resting place for the legendary singer-songwriter George Michael. Tickets to visit Highgate Cemetery cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. 10 Highgate Cemetery was named third and is home to many famous graves Credit: Alamy 4. The British Museum, London Another free spot on the list is the British Museum in London. The museum is home to a permanent collection of eight million works - making it the largest in the world. Across the entire museum, it tells the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The museum also hosts many free additional exhibitions and events throughout the year. 5. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Up in Scotland again, Edinburgh Castle makes up the final spot in the top five UK attractions. Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. And even the rock it stands on has a grand history. 10 In Scotland, Edinburgh Castle features panoramic views across the city Credit: Alamy Castle Rock dates back to the Iron Age and there has been a castle on the rock since the reign of Malcolm III in the 11th century. It then continued to be a royal residence until 1633. Tickets to the castle cost from £21.50 per adult and £13 per child. 6. Tower Bridge, London One of the capital's iconic landmarks also makes the list - Tower Bridge. Spanning the River Thames in the centre of London, travellers can wander across the bridge for free. But for a sky high view, climb the North Tower to stroll across the high-level walkways 137ft above the Thames or brave the glass floor that allows a thrilling view of the traffic passing on the bridge below. Tickets to Tower Bridge, including access to climb the towers, discover the Victorian Engine Rooms and cross the glass floors cost from £16 per adult and £8 per child. 7. The Roman Baths, Bath Heading to Somerset, the Roman Baths are home to "one of the great religious spas of the ancient world", according to Tripadvisor. 10 The Roman Baths in Somerset are home to natural thermal springs used by people of Roman Britain Credit: Alamy The baths feature natural thermal springs which were used by the people of Roman Britain to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva. Tickets cost from £28 per adult and £21 per child. 8. National Maritime Museum, London Back in the capital, the National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Across different galleries and displays, visitors can discover ships and boats, relics from the Titanic and even the uniform Nelson was wearing when he was shot at the Battle of Trafalgar. Running until January is also a great exhibition for kids who love pirates. The Pirates exhibition explores piracy in popular cultures including fictional characters such as Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow to real pirates from historical events. Admission to the museum is free, but if you want to head to the Pirates exhibition it will cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. 10 There are also a number of free museums to visit on the list, including the National Maritime Museum Credit: Alamy 9. Natural History Museum, London Another of London's free museums to feature on the list is the Natural History Museum. in South Kensington. Hope the blue whale soars over mighty dinosaur skeletons and Darwin's personal collection. See priceless gems, ancient meteorites, and the first bird fossil, revealing Earth's incredible history. Right now, the museum is hosting 'Our Story with David Attenborough' - a 360-degree cinematic experience. Tickets to the experience cost from £20 per adult and The Sun recently visited to see if it is worth the money. 10. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Jumping back to Edinburgh again, this time to a free museum with the National Museum of Scotland securing the tenth spot on the list. 10 One free spot that featured in Edinburgh is the National Museum of Scotland Credit: Alamy The museum documents Scottish history and culture with thousands of objects across numerous galleries. The unique architecture of the museum is just as fascinating, make sure to check out the expansive hall at its heart with a glass ceiling. 11. Stonehenge, Wiltshire Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous places, according to Historic England. The mysterious stone circle is believed to have been created thousands of years ago by prehistoric people. At the site, there is also a Neolithic village to explore with houses and historical information on the area. Tickets cost from £30.90 per adult and from £20 per child. 10 Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is known worldwide and is thousands of years old Credit: Alamy 12. York Minster, York York Minster in York is a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture and stunning stained glass. The cathedral dates back to 627 and features an ornately decorated Gothic nave and The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. One of the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe, the Central Tower soars up 325ft and visitors who climb the 275 steps to the top are rewarded with fabulous views across the city. Children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for adults cost £20. 10 York Minster is one of the largest cathedrals of its kind in the UK Credit: Alamy 13. National Railway Museum, York Also in York is the National Railway Museum which celebrates its 50th birthday this year - and the 200th anniversary of the railway. Completely free to enter, visitors can marvel at record-breaking locomotive legends like Mallard and Japan's Bullet Train. Explore opulent royal carriages and Stephenson's Rocket, a working replica of the 1829 loco that set the template for steam engines. For children, there are also a number of interactive exhibits to discover bringing the science and stories of the railway to life. 14. Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth Soaring over the coastal city of Portsmouth, the Spinnaker Tower is a 170metre architectural marvel close to the harbour. The tower has three viewing decks, including a glass Sky Walk, with panoramic views. 10 In the seaside city of Portsmouth, travellers can access three viewing decks at the Spinnaker Tower Credit: Getty There are also a number of interactive displays and a cafe. Tickets cost from £18.95 per adult and £14.95 per child. 15. Eden Project, Cornwall Securing the final spot on the list is the Eden Project in Cornwall. Set in a reclaimed china clay pit, this spectacular global garden features two giant domes housing the world's largest indoor rain forest and a fragrant Mediterranean landscape with thousands of plants. Tickets cost from £38 per adult and £12 per child. Full list of top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor THE top UK experiences have been named by Tripadvisor, including walking and taxi tours. London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket The Manchester City Stadium Tour Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour Air Raid Shelter and St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour in Bristol Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh Tennent's Brewery Tours Ticket in Glasgow Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour, Scotland Cab Tours Belfast Famous Black Taxi Tours London Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness The Deathly Dark Tour of York A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour Tripadvisor has also revealed the top UK experience - and it is a pub crawl. Plus, The Sun's Alice Penwill tried out the new Race Across the World experience – fans of the BBC TV show will love it.
