Brits more likely to see abroad landmarks than British ones

According to a survey, 55% of UK adults say they have seen the Parisian icon, compared to 54% for the Tower of London, 53% for Tower Bridge, and 52% for Trafalgar Square.

The research, commissioned by railcard.co.uk and based on a poll of 2,000 adults, also found that people are more likely to identify famous sites abroad than those at home.

78% recognised the Eiffel Tower, 71% the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and 61% the Colosseum in Rome—while only 58% could recognise St Paul’s Cathedral, 53% Westminster Abbey, and 52% Edinburgh Castle.

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.

Railcard.co.uk worked with sand sculptors to create the ‘Mount Rushmore’ of British landmarks (Image: Dave Phillips/PinPep)

"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.

"Whether you’re still looking to tick off historic favourites like the Tower of London or have added the modern Eden Project to your list, there are plenty of opportunities to make your summer go further when you travel by train."

To celebrate the incredible range of landmarks and attractions across Britain, railcard.co.uk worked with sand sculptors to create a ‘Mount Rushmore’ of British landmarks on Blackpool promenade.

The sculpture used 12 tonnes of sand, took three days to complete, and featured the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge, the Eden Project, and Loch Ness.

These sites topped the public’s wishlist, with 22% keen to visit the Tower of London, and 18% naming each of the other four landmarks as must-sees.

Other natural wonders like Lake Windermere (16%) and the Jurassic Coast (16%) also made the top 10.

A 12-tonne sand sculpture of Britain's top five bucket-list locations, commissioned by railcard.co.uk, has been unveiled in Blackpool to inspire people to explore more of Britain by train for less this summer (Image: Dave Phillips/PinPep)

Here are the 10 must-visit attractions in Britain:

1. Tower of London
2. Edinburgh Castle
3. Stonehenge
4. Eden Project
5. Loch Ness
6. The British Museum
7. Buckingham Palace
8. Lake Windermere
9. Windsor Castle
10. Jurassic Coast

Yet only 21% have seen northern icons such as Hadrian’s Wall or the Angel of the North.

Despite this, 79% expressed a desire to explore more of the UK, though many are held back by the cost of living (43%) and lack of time (33%).

Travel inspiration comes mainly from family (40%), friends (32%), and social media (29%).

When it comes to visiting UK landmarks, 23% prefer to travel by train, citing relaxation (59%), convenience (46%), and avoiding parking hassles (43%) as key reasons.

What is your favourite British landmark? Let us know in the comments.