10 Weird Tourist attractions in the United Kingdom

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

10 Weird Tourist attractions in the United Kingdom

Welcome to the United Kingdom, the land of famous novelist William Shakespeare and The Rolling Stones, one of the most famous rock bands in the world. The UK has long been one of the top tourist destinations for travellers from Europe.  

Many outstanding museums such as the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the National Gallery hide beautiful paintings and other artworks that will mesmerize you.

Beautifully preserved estates are also high on everyone’s list. Centuries-old castles will enchant you with their timeless beauty, such as the must-visit Windsor Castle, the royal residence in Berkshire, and Warwick Castle, near Birmingham

However there are also weird tourist attractions from bear wrestling to a church for dragon slayers, the history of England is suffused with peculiar attractions and traditions. A 2015 book Bizarre England pulls together some of the most curious, introducing readers to some of the oddest and most interesting sights in England.

Below is a list of 10 weird tourist attractions.

1.  The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – Cornwall

Image by Ethan Doyle White from Wikimedia

Tucked away in the village of Boscastle right by the harbour, this small but fascinating museum is filled with witchcraft-related artefacts, exploring how they played a role in British history.

The museum also offers a glimpse into the magical practice and beliefs from around the world through educational exhibitions, and drawing upon the insights of magical practitioners.

2.  Alnwick Poison Garden –  Northumberland

Image by Steve F from Wikimedia

Fancy a walk among 100 toxic species of plant? Alnwick Poison Garden is the perfect place to visit. Just remember not to touch, smell, or taste anything. One of England’s more unusual days out.

The Alnwick Garden is home to the small but deadly Poison Garden with the black iron gates only open on guided tours.

Visitors are strongly forbidden from touching, smelling or tasting any of its 100 toxic and narcotic species. Run by the Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy, this garden rests behind large black iron gates and is a very unusual day out in England.

3. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation –  Dumfries, Scotland

Zig-zag steps. Garden of Cosmic Speculation. Image by Flexdream from Wikimedia

You’re sure to be mesmerised by one of Scotland’s most unusual places – a 30-acre garden inspired by modern physics.

With five main areas, you will explore snail-shaped grass mounds, twisting DNA helix sculptures and undulating waves of rhododendrons which make up the awe-inspiring open space of bridges, gardens sculptures and unique architecture!

So let the kids free to explore the highs and lows of this beauty, and get some well-needed fresh air. 

4.  Ghost Bus Tour – Edinburgh

Image by David Drummond from Pixabay

Edinburgh has heaps of world-famous sights and attractions, but for something a little different you may want to hop onto this spooky bus tour.

Hear ghoulish tales from the city’s history including the ghost piper of Edinburgh Castle, the cold-blooded murder that took place at the former home of Mary Queen of Scots, and the infamous body snatchers Burke and Hare.

The very brave can even stop off at one of the world’s most haunted graveyards…

5. Conquer O2 Arena

Image by Kev from Pixabay

O2 Arena is one of the most-visited concert halls in the world. It is located on the banks of the River Thames in southeast London. In addition to music events, it also hosted the Olympic Games, tennis tournaments, and other exciting events.

This time we are not taking you to a concert, but to an exciting adventure of climbing to the roof of the O2 Arena!

With a special suit, short training, and guide instructions, you will embark on an expedition to conquer the 52-meters high platform on the top of the O2 Arena. In an hour, during this journey, you can experience London from a completely unusual perspective.

There are daytime, a sunset, and a night tour. Each tour has its charm, as evidenced by the 100,000 people who bravely board this adventure every year.

6.  Mother Shipton’s Cave – North Yorkshire

Image by Chris Gunns from Wikimedia

Mother Shipton’s Cave is located in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, near the River Nidd. Nearby is the dreaded well, also known as the stop well. The latter is the oldest tolling tourist attraction in England, and has been operating since 1630.

If black magic and one of England’s oldest attractions take your fancy, head to Mother Shipton’s Cave in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire.

Be sure to visit the ‘Petrifying Wall,’ a geological phenomenon whose water turns objects into stone! A truly unique experience.

7.  The Gnome Reserve – Devon

Image by Ethan Doyle White from Wikimedia

For a brilliantly bizarre day out, you can journey through the enchanted wood, home to over 1,000 gnomes and pixies. Wander the four enchanted acres of The Gnome Reserve whilst wearing your very own gnome hats!

This attraction is exceptionally popular. Deep in the mystical woods, you’ll find an enormous collection of gnomes and pixies. They hide in unusual places along the pathways and peek behind the trees, so can your little ones spot all of them.

Walk through a picturesque wood and discover hundreds of little gnomes who can’t wait to say hello. Enjoy a cheap and quirky adventure, devour real Devon cream teas, and make memories you’ll never forget.

8.  Glasgow Necropolis – Glasgow

Image by Patricia van den Berg from Pixabay

The Necropolis was one of the few cemeteries to keep records of the dead, including profession, ages, sex and cause of death. In July 1878 the visitors’ book shows that 13,733 people visited the Glasgow Necropolis – 12,400 citizens and 1,333 other visitors.

Glasgow’s Necropolis has been dubbed a ‘mega-cemetery.’ And when you visit, it’s easy to see why! There are around 50,000 people buried there, but only about 3,500 headstones. Even fewer are named. It’s an eerie experience, yet one that’s well worth having.

9. Forbidden Corner – North Yorkshire

Image by Emmanuel Giel from Wikimedia

For a spooky experience visit to The Forbidden Corner. The site is open to the public with four acres of all-out weird.

Little adventurers are encouraged to explore tunnels, mazes, a creepy mausoleum and hidden passages at a large garden where getting completely lost is all part of the fun.

You will have a checklist of things to track down, but there’s not a map to be found. You will be served up a barrage of tricky challenges, including the occasional spray of water!

Just keep your eyes peeled for the secret brass circles which reveal hidden markings and direct you on your mission.

Children will have a good time-solving problems and grown-ups will fall in love with the garden’s wit and imagination.

10.  The Hunterian Museum – London

Image by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin from Wikimedia

London’s Hunterian Museum is filled with unsettling curiosities, biological oddities and slimy specimens in jars, this is not a museum for the faint-hearted.

At the heart of the museum is the extraordinary collection of the 18th-century surgeon and anatomist John Hunter (1728–93). Boasting 15,000 human and animal specimens.

Hunter’s original collection was bought by the government in 1799. It was later donated to the Company (later Royal College) of surgeons. During his lifetime, Hunter used his remarkable collection for teaching. As a fellow of the Royal Society, he stressed the relationship between human and animal anatomy.

In 1941, during the Second World War, around 6,000 of Hunter’s unique specimens were destroyed when the museum was hit by a bomb blast. Onlookers were reportedly confused to see bizarre pickled body parts salvaged from the scene on stretchers.

Highlights include kangaroos brought back from James Cook’s very first voyage to Australia in 1768; early carbolic sprays created by surgical antiseptics pioneer Joseph Lister; and a mummy’s foot.