Three Major UK Landmarks to Visit

While many of us might prefer to take our holidays overseas, it’s fair to say that the UK has an enormous amount to offer the average traveller. If you’re planning a road trip in the country, then you’ll want to see whether you’re passing a major landmark. By stopping off, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse at the sights that define the countryside – the ones that are always shown on establishing shots in television shows.

Before setting out on your trip, you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle is in good condition – and this typically means planning an interim car service, depending on how many miles the car has already put in.

Let’s take a look at some of the standout landmarks, and why we might want to pay them a visit.

The Angel of the North

You can find the Angel of the North just south of Newcastle. It’s one of the few modern outdoor statues that have truly embedded themselves into the public consciousness. Everyone knows what the Angel looks like; but not everyone has seen it in person.

The statue is an impressive feat of engineering and artistry. Its wingspan is about the same as that of a jumbo jet, and its body stands around twenty metres tall. It’s actually tied to a 20-metre stack of concrete embedded in the earth beneath it.

You can see the Angel by taking junction 66 off the A1 at Gateshead. Visit at dawn or dusk, and you’ll be treated to the amazing silhouette.

Another Place

Another more recent landmark is the series of statues installed on Crosby Beach. Entitled ‘Another Place’, these statues are made from cast iron and are based on the body of the sculptor, Antony Gormley. They all face the Irish Sea, and they look very different depending on when you visit. At low tide, they’re exposed; at high tide, they’re half-submerged. You might come away with an entirely different impression of the exhibit, depending on which version of it you saw.

From outside Liverpool, the easiest way to get to Crosby Beach is via the M58 and M6.

The Kelpies

If you’d prefer a more animalistic artwork, then the Kelpies are easy to appreciate. These are enormous 30-foot sculptures of rearing horse heads, which pay tribute to the working horses that helped to build Scotland. If you visit at night, you’ll see them lit up, which makes them even more spectacular.

If you’re travelling up from England to Scotland (or down in the other direction), then you can stop at Helix Park, between Falkirk and Grangemouth, where the sculptures are located. It’s well worth the trip!