A survey of 2,000 adults has found that more Britons have visited the Eiffel Tower (55%) than some of the UK's most iconic landmarks, including the Tower of London (54%), Tower Bridge (53%) and Trafalgar Square (52%). The research, commissioned by Railcard.co.uk, also showed that people were better at identifying foreign landmarks than those closer to home.
Landmark Recognition
More than three quarters (78%) of respondents could identify the Eiffel Tower, while 71% recognised the Leaning Tower of Pisa and 61% could identify Rome's Colosseum. By contrast, fewer people were able to recognise St Paul's Cathedral (58%), Westminster Abbey (53%) and Edinburgh Castle (52%).
Sand Sculpture Unveiling
To highlight these findings, Railcard.co.uk collaborated with 'Sand in Your Eye' to create a 12-tonne sand sculpture of Britain's top five bucket-list locations, unveiled on Blackpool promenade and available for public viewing until the weekend. The sculpture showcases the Tower of London (22%), Edinburgh Castle (18%), Stonehenge (18%), Eden Project (18%) and Loch Ness (18%).
Encouraging Domestic Travel
Catherine Lyver from Railcard.co.uk said: "It's easy to overlook the iconic landmarks and hidden gems on our doorstep, yet Great Britain is full of incredible places to explore." She added: "We're encouraging people to do a third more with their break, making it easier and more affordable to tick off some of the bucket-list-worthy destinations closer to home."
Barriers to Exploring
The survey found that 79% of respondents would like to discover more British landmarks, but the cost of living (43%) and lack of time (33%) are the primary obstacles. Among those visiting British landmarks, 23% travel by train, citing relaxation (59%), convenience (46%) and not having to worry about parking (43%).
Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Britain
- Tower of London
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stonehenge
- Eden Project
- Loch Ness
- The British Museum
- Buckingham Palace
- Lake Windermere
- Windsor Castle
- Jurassic Coast
