Brit’s a Mystery – we haven’t explored the nation’s most iconic landmarks

Despite tourists from across the world flocking to the UK’s attractions each year, one in five Brits (21%) admit they don’t take advantage of what the UK has to offer. New research from GetYourGuide, the booking platform for unforgettable experiences, shows that Brits prioritise international travel, with 68% more likely to have revisited the same destination abroad than experienced an iconic part of British culture.

International explorers, the average Brit has visited eight countries outside of the UK, and more have been to the Eiffel Tower (35%) than The Shard (23%) or Brighton Pier (26%). Despite being on their doorstep, over half of Brits (57%) have never visited Buckingham Palace, and 78% have never seen Stonehenge with their own eyes. A further 78% have never visited the Yorkshire Dales or explored the beauty of the Peak District (78%).

The capital has some of the UK’s most iconic sights, yet 63% of Londoners have never visited the Houses of Parliament, and 61% have never been to St Paul’s Cathedral. In Scotland’s capital, one in five (22%) Edinburgh locals have never visited Edinburgh Castle, and amazingly, 41% of Brightonians have never set foot on the famous Palace Pier.

With over one in four (28%) usually travelling abroad for their breaks, it’s clear Brits haven’t fully discovered what the UK has to offer, with 41% admitting to this. Regardless of how famous they are, 26% admit they don’t know the history behind any of Britain’s top attractions, and one in 10 (11%) have never visited any of their closest cultural sights.

However, the enforced lockdown of the past year has made for a more curious nation, with 35% of Brits admitting that it has made them appreciate there’s more to discover in the UK than they originally thought. GetYourGuide, the booking platform for unforgettable travel experiences, is encouraging Brits to step out of their comfort zone and discover more of what’s available right on their doorstep this summer. With restrictions in the UK lifting, the travel platform has curated a list of 20 unmissable experiences for Brits to add to their UK bucket list – none of which require a passport or getting on a plane!

Jo Fennell, UK General Manager for GetYourGuide said:

“The UK has some of the most unforgettable experiences on offer – whether that’s discovering a part of British history in Westminster Abbey, or taking in the wonder of Stonehenge up close. Many of us are guilty of passing these iconic parts of our culture while we’re out and about but now is the time to truly explore our own towns and really get under the surface of the UK’s famous landscape.

With another summer on home soil looking likely for most, this is the perfect time to step out of the comfort zone of our annual travel routines and discover some of the best bits of the UK. Our local partners have been working hard to provide visitors with a safe and welcoming experience – so now it’s time to get back out there!”