The most-visited tourist spots in the UK in 2024

In 2024, tourism in the United Kingdom saw a strong recovery, with a noticeable rise in the number of visitors to various attractions across the country.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), the British Museum in London was the most visited location, with over 5.8 million people passing through its doors, marking a 42% increase from the previous year.

This growth was largely driven by the success of its exhibition "China’s Hidden Century," which ran from May to October 2023.

Close behind, the Natural History Museum in London recorded around 5.7 million visitors, achieving its best-ever attendance. Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, which includes the Crown Estate, attracted around 5.5 million visitors, ranking third.

Other prominent sites included Tate Modern, which saw 4.7 million visitors, and the Southbank Centre, which welcomed over 3.1 million.

Beyond London, several other locations also experienced significant increases in popularity. Cornwall, renowned for its scenic coastline and charming villages, was named the top destination for UK holidays in 2024, surpassing other long-standing favorites like Yorkshire.

This shift was highlighted in a survey by Sykes Holiday Cottages, which showed Cornwall's growing appeal to both domestic and international tourists.

In Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh was the top tourist spot, drawing in around 2.2 million visitors. Edinburgh Castle and the National Gallery Scotland also saw impressive foot traffic, with 1.9 million and 1.8 million visitors, respectively.

These figures illustrate the UK's wide-ranging appeal, with a mix of cultural landmarks, historical sites, and natural wonders drawing millions of visitors throughout 2024.