The list of World Heritage Sites in the UK consists of 33 sites. 28 of these sites are cultural, 4 are natural and 1 is mixed site. In 1986 Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast, Durham Castle and Cathedral, Ironbridge Gorge, Studley Royal Park and the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites and Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd were recognized as First World Heritage Sites in UK.
In this article, we will cover the list of World Heritage sites in the United Kingdom, their year of recognition, and their type.
About World Heritage Sites
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place or landmark recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having outstanding cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance. This designation is given to several types of sites and landmarks. Certain locations are safeguarded and conserved for the future, as they are deemed to possess intrinsic value. Important landscapes, historic towns, natural reserves, cultural monuments, and archeological sites are a few examples of the diverse places that might be designated as World Heritage Sites.
Read: List of Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
List of World Heritage Sites in the UK
A list of all the World Heritage Sites in the UK is described below:
|
World Heritage Site
|
Recognition Year
|
Type
|
|
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
|
2000
|
Cultural
|
|
Blenheim Palace
|
1987
|
Cultural
|
|
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church
|
1988
|
Cultural
|
|
Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd
|
1986
|
Cultural
|
|
City of Bath
|
1987
|
Cultural
|
|
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
|
2006
|
Cultural
|
|
Derwent Valley Mills
|
2001
|
Cultural
|
|
Durham Castle and Cathedral
|
1986
|
Cultural
|
|
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
|
1987, 2005, 2008
|
Cultural
|
|
Gorham’s Cave Complex
|
2016
|
Cultural
|
|
Heart of Neolithic Orkney
|
1999
|
Cultural
|
|
Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda
|
2000
|
Cultural
|
|
Ironbridge Gorge
|
1986
|
Cultural
|
|
Jodrell Bank Observatory
|
2019
|
Cultural
|
|
Maritime Greenwich
|
1997
|
Cultural
|
|
New Lanark
|
2001
|
Cultural
|
|
Old and New Towns of Edinburg
|
1995
|
Cultural
|
|
Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church
|
1987
|
Cultural
|
|
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal
|
2009
|
Cultural
|
|
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
|
2003
|
Cultural
|
|
Saltaire
|
2001
|
Cultural
|
|
Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
|
1986
|
Cultural
|
|
Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey
|
1986
|
Cultural
|
|
The English Lake District
|
2017
|
Cultural
|
|
The Forth Bridge
|
2015
|
Cultural
|
|
The Great Spa Towns of Europe
|
2021
|
Cultural
|
|
The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales
|
2021
|
Cultural
|
|
Tower of London
|
1988
|
Cultural
|
|
Dorset and East Devon Coast
|
2001
|
Natural
|
|
Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast
|
1986
|
Natural
|
|
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
|
1995, 2004
|
Natural
|
|
Henderson Island
|
1988
|
Natural
|
|
St Kilda
|
1986, 2004, 2005
|
Mixed
|
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is located in Wales. It preserves the rich industrial heritage of the area. It encompasses coal and iron mines, quarries, railways, and the Blaenavon Ironworks, which played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is located in Oxfordshire, England. It is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. It was built in the 18th century. It is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and shows architectural details, ornate interiors, and extensive landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church are collectively designated as World Heritage Site. These are located in Kent, England. Canterbury Cathedral. These are some of the oldest and most famous Christian structures.
The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward
The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd, in Wales, includes a collection of medieval fortifications built during the reign of King Edward I. These structures, including castles like Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris, and Harlech, along with fortified towns, exemplify military architecture and strategic planning of the late 13th century.
The City of Bath
The City of Bath in Somerset, England, is famed for its well-preserved Roman-built baths and Georgian architecture. The site encompasses the Roman Baths, featuring ancient bathing and temple complexes, and the elegant Georgian buildings lining its streets.
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape in southwest England, showcases the historical legacy of mining activities from the 18th to early 20th centuries. The landscape features engine houses, mines, ports, and settlements, highlighting the technological innovations and social impact of the mining industry.
Derwent Valley Mills
Derwent Valley Mills in Derbyshire, England, encompasses a series of industrial mill complexes along the River Derwent. These mills played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, showcasing innovations in water-powered cotton spinning and weaving.
Dorset and East Devon Coast
Dorset and East Devon Coast along the English Channel, spans 95 miles of coastline. It showcases stunning geological formations, including cliffs, arches, and stacks, representing 185 million years of Earth’s history.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Durham Castle and Cathedral in County Durham, England are iconic landmarks. The cathedral, built in the Norman architectural style, houses the Shrine of St Cuthbert. The castle, a Norman fortress turned college, overlooks the cathedral and River Wear.
The English Lake District
The English Lake District is located in Cumbria, England. The region inspired famous poets and writers like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
The Forth Bridge
The Forth Bridge in Scotland, spans the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh. Completed in 1890, it is a masterpiece of engineering, showcasing innovative construction methods and materials of the Victorian era.
The Frontiers of the Roman Empire
The Frontiers of the Roman Empire, encompass Hadrian’s Wall in England and the Antonine Wall in Scotland. These frontier walls, built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, symbolize their military strategy and cultural influence.
Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast
Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast, in Northern Ireland, is renowned for its unique geological formations. The site features hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Gorham’s Cave Complex
Gorham’s Cave Complex, in Gibraltar, comprises four caves: Gorham’s, Vanguard, Hyaena, and Bennett’s. These caves preserve a wealth of archaeological evidence, including Neanderthal occupation dating back over 125,000 years.
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
Gough and Inaccessible Islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, are part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. These remote islands boast unique ecosystems, including seabird colonies, endemic plants, and marine life.
The Great Spas of Europe
The Great Spas of Europe comprises 11 spa towns across seven European countries, including Bath (UK), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), and Baden-Baden (Germany).
The Heart of Neolithic Orkney
The Heart of Neolithic Orkney in Scotland’s Orkney Islands includes iconic sites such as Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar. These Neolithic monuments, dating back over 5,000 years, showcase remarkable stone-built structures, ritual sites, and ancient settlements.
Henderson Island
Henderson Island is an uninhabited coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean. Located within the Pitcairn Island group, it boasts remarkable biodiversity and pristine ecosystems.
The Historic Town of St George
The Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications in Bermuda is founded in the early 17th century, St George’s Town preserves colonial-era architecture, including the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the New World.
Ironbridge Gorge
Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, England, is known as the “Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.” It features the Iron Bridge, the world’s first bridge constructed of cast iron, and a collection of industrial monuments and museums.
Jodrell Bank Observatory
Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, England, is one of the world’s leading radio astronomy facilities. Home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, it has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the universe since its establishment in the 1940s.
Maritime Greenwich
Maritime Greenwich in London, England, encompasses historic landmarks like the Royal Observatory, the Queen’s House, and the Old Royal Naval College. It is renowned for its maritime history, including its association with the Royal Navy and the development of Greenwich Mean Time.
New Lanark
New Lanark in Scotland, is a beautifully preserved 18th-century cotton mill village. Founded by social reformer Robert Owen, it exemplifies early industrial architecture and social innovation.
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh in Scotland’s capital, represent contrasting architectural styles and urban planning. The Old Town features medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey
The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, with Saint Margaret’s Church, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London, England. The Palace of Westminster is the seat of the UK Parliament, while Westminster Abbey is a Gothic masterpiece and the traditional site of coronations and burials for English monarchs.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in North Wales is a remarkable feat of engineering designed by Thomas Telford. Completed in 1805, the aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee, standing 38 meters high.
The Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, in Kew in London, England, is one of the world’s leading botanical gardens and scientific research institutions. Founded in 1759, it boasts an extensive collection of plants from around the world, including rare and endangered species.
St Kilda
St Kilda is an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Scotland. It comprises the main island of Hirta and several smaller islands.
Saltaire
Saltaire in West Yorkshire, England, is a Victorian model village built in the 19th century by industrialist Sir Titus Salt. It exemplifies urban planning and social reform ideals of the time, featuring impressive Victorian architecture, workers’ housing, public buildings, and green spaces.
The Slate Landscape of Northwest
The Slate Landscape of Northwest in Wales encompasses six quarries and landscapes in Gwynedd. These quarries were central to the production of slate, which played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution.
Stonehenge, Avebury
Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites in Wiltshire, England, encompass a collection of prehistoric monuments dating back over 5,000 years. These include Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, and numerous burial mounds and earthworks.
Studley Royal Park
Studley Royal Park, including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, is in North Yorkshire, England. It combines the picturesque water gardens of Studley Royal with the atmospheric ruins of Fountains Abbey, a Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London in London, England, is an iconic fortress and royal palace with a history spanning over 1,000 years. Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has served variously as a royal residence, prison, and treasury.
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Summary – List of World Heritage Sites in the UK
From ancient stone circles and Roman baths to towering industrial marvels and dramatic coastlines, the UK boasts 33 diverse UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Journey through 2,000 years of history, marveling at cultural gems like Bath and Canterbury Cathedral, natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway and Dorset’s coast, and industrial giants like Ironbridge Gorge and Cornwall’s mining landscape. Unveil Neolithic mysteries at Stonehenge and Orkney, marvel at modern marvels like the Forth Bridge, and soak in the spa towns’ grandeur.
FAQ on List of World Heritage Sites in the UK
How many World Heritage Sites are in the UK?
There are 33 World Heritage Sites are in the UK.
What are the 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London?
The Tower of London, The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church, Maritime Greenwich are the 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London.
What is England’s first natural World Heritage Site?
The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is England’s first natural World Heritage Site.
Where is Stonehenge located?
Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire, England.
What is the name of the historic city known for its Roman baths?
City of Bath is the historic city known for its Roman baths.
Which city in Scotland has both an Old and New Town recognized by UNESCO?
Edinburgh has both an Old and New Town recognized by UNESCO.
Which UK city is home to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site?
London is home to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
Which cathedral city is recognized for its medieval architecture?
Durham is recognized for its medieval architecture.
What is the significance of the Ironbridge Gorge?
Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
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