Britains Top 10 Tourist Attractions

It's no surprise that most of the top 10 visitor attractions in Britain are in our capital city, London. However, with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers bucking the trend, there's much to be seen outside of London. Why not take a look.

Britain's Top 10 Tourist Attractions

It's no surprise that most of the top 10 visitor attractions in Britain are in our capital city, London. However, with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers bucking the trend, there's much to be seen outside of London.

Between the top 10 attractions in Britain, they welcome over 33 million domestic and overseas visitors each and every year.

We've compiled a list of the top 10 free and paid visitor attractions, based on the number of visitors each year (2008 figures):

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

6,000,000+ vistors annually
Entrance Charge

Over 6 million visitors enjoy the rides and attractions of Blackpool Pleasure Beach every yearWith an astonishing 6m+ visitors each year, the Blackpool Pleasure beach deserves its number one spot on our list of top 10 visitor attractions in Britain.

Home to over 125 rides and attractions including the Big Dipper, Grand National and the Avalance white-knuckle roller coaster, it's Britains top tourist attraction yet again. Having celebrated its centenary in 1996, Blackpool Pleasure Beach continues to amaze thrill seekers and families. Open February-November.

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British Museum

5,932,897 vistors annually
Free Entry

The British Museum contains a huge collection of art and artefacts from across the world. Founded in 1753, it was the first national public museum in the world, and has always granted free public admission since its doors opened. The museum celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2003, which saw the restoration of the Kings Library and new permanent exhibitions. The museum is open every day, charges may apply for special exhibitions.

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Tate Modern

4,862,581 vistors annually
Free Entry

One of four Tate art galleries, the Tate Modern stands on the south bank of the River Thames in London, and houses some of the UK's collection of international modern art from 1900 to the present day. Situated in a disused power station, the gallery contains important works of art from Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Warhol and Magritte amongst other famous artists. Open every day apart from 24-26 December, the Tate Modern continues to attract visitors in their millions each year.

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The National Gallery

4,382,614 vistors annually
Free Entry

Over 2,300 works of art from many famous painters and artistsHousing the national collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries, the National Gallery contains over 2,300 works of art from many famous painters, including Van Gogh, Turner, and Van Eyck.

First opening in 1838, the National Gallery is committed to free entry to visitors so that its priceless collection of art can be enjoyed by everyone. Audio trails and tours are available.

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Natural History Museum

3,698,500 vistors annually
Free Entry

One of three large museums in the South Kensington area of London, the Natural History Museum contains some of the world's most important specimens in the areas of Zoology, Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, and Palaenotology. Famous for its permanent exhibitions of dinosaur skeletons, the Natural History Museum opened its doors and allowed visitors entry free of charge since 2001.

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London Eye

3,500,000 vistors annually
Entrance Fee

More visitors annually than the Pyramids of Giza and Taj MahalHaving attracted over 30 million visitors since it opened in 2000, the London Eye is one of the most iconic landmarks in London's skyline. Astonishingly, it receives more visitors annually than the Pyramids of Giza (3m) and the Taj Mahal in India (2.4m).

The 135m observation wheel now stands alongside some of the world's most famous attractions, and is an icon in its own right.

A new feature for 2009 is the 4D Experience (included within ticket price), which is a pre-flight 4D show of the flight. Located in Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is now the most paid tourist attraction in London.

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Alton Towers

3,100,000 vistors annually
Entrance Charge

Alton Towers is a world-class theme park and resort based in Staffordshire. With over 3 million visitors in 2008, it's the second most visited theme park in Britain, after Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Alton Towers is home to some of the fastest rollercoasters in the world, including Nemesis, Oblivion, Air, and Rita, Queen of Speed. With many new and proposed attractions on the cards for Alton Towers, the theme park continues to draw visitors from across the length and breadth of Britain for a totally thrilling day out.

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Science Museum

2,705,677 vistors annually
Free Entry

Renowned throughout the world for its collections of scientific artefactsFounded in 1857, the Science Museum in London is renowned the world over for historic collections of scientific artefacts, from aircraft to microchips.

Originally opened to house items of interest from The Great Exhibition in 1851 in Hyde Park, the collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical change since the 18th century. With over 300,000 objects on display, the collections represent social, cultural and scientific aspects of science.

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Tower of London

2,161,095 vistors annually
Entrance Fee

Built in the 1080's by William the Conqueror, The Tower of London's role has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its long and bloody history. Situated next to the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London, the Tower of London is famous for its stories of torture, executions and prisoners, which include Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyne and Queen Elizabeth I.

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Victoria and Albert Museum

2,065,300 vistors annually
Free Entry

Over 4.5 million works of art spanning more than 5000 years of historyOften abbreviated to the V&A, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is famous for housing the largest collection of decorative arts and design, with over 4.5 million objects of art, spanning 5000 years.

Objects include ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery, photographs, silver and ironwork. Devoted to temporary exhibitions of art, there are usually more than 10 different exhibitions held each year.

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Source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions http://www.alva.org.uk