Things to see and do United Kingdom

Another tourist guide, also quite complete.

Coiste organizes "political" tours of West Belfast's Republican neighborhoods by former Republican political prisoner guides. Many tours. Falls Road Mural Tour, to see the Falls Road murals. The Ballymurphy Story: an IRA stronghold during the conflict in which the population actively supported the IRA, a very personal tour by a guide who grew up in this neighborhood. Milltown Cemetery: the cemetery where all the great figures in the history of Irish Republicanism are buried. City Cemetery: another place where many heroes of the republican cause have found their final resting place. United Irishmen: a visit that looks back at the 1798 revolt of the United Irishmen Society for Irish independence. This society gave birth to Irish Republicanism as we know it today.

Another joint tour with a loyalist organization in Shankill Road. This tour involves 1.5 hours in the Falls Road area with a Republican guide and 1.5 hours in the Shankill area with a Loyalist guide. This is a unique opportunity to hear two versions of the recent conflict from people who were actively involved. These tours connect history and personal stories. The guides do not offer "the truth" about the events, but simply their view. Coiste Irish Political Tours is a social enterprise that works to defend the rights and reintegrate former political prisoners.

An open-top bus that takes you on a 90-minute, 8 km tour of the city, taking in the Titanic Quarter, Stormont, Shankill and Falls Road, Queen's Quarter and Clifton Street. Visitors can hop on and off the bus as they please to better appreciate the different sites and neighborhoods. During the journey, a guide tells you the history of the city through a microphone, with anecdotes, some funny (it seems, but you have to understand the Irish accent and humor for that!) and some not so funny.

The comprehensive museum presents the history of the city of Derry, from prehistory to the present day, as well as a section dedicated to The Derry Girls series. Upstairs is a second exhibition on the Invincible Armada, an ancient galleon wreck found not far from the Northern Irish city. The episode dates back to 1588, when Philip II of Spain decided to invade England to restore Catholicism. But as the Spanish fleet approached the coast, the ships capsized. Pieces recovered from the galleon are on display.

Downhill Demesne: this neo-classical palace was built in the 18th century by the Earl and Bishop of Derry, Frederick Hervey, on the heights of Castlerock. Magnificent and excessive at the time - it was one of the largest in Ulster -, it is now in ruins and opens its gaping arches on the sky and the ocean. However, it gives off a ghostly and theatrical atmosphere that is quite fascinating. It is a must to go and soak up this magical atmosphere!

Mussenden Temple : opposite Downhill Demesne, Mussenden Temple is a small circular temple, still standing today. It was built in the perspective of the palace, at the edge of the cliff, about fifty meters above the sea. Following the cliff on the right, we arrive at the Black Glenn and Pond, an oasis of greenery obtained by a dam having retained sea water to form an artificial piece of water. We can see, in low angle, the crenellations of the stone belvedere, camouflaged under a thick foliage. You can then go back up to it, and continue exploring this park full of trees and plants of different species. In good weather, the visit is really an enchantment for the walkers. Not to be missed!

Hezlett House: 17th century Irish cottage, one of the few still intact in Northern Ireland. Furnished with rustic Victorian furniture, it has an elegant and rustic atmosphere.

This natural park is a worthwhile excursion in the countryside east of Derry. It has wonderful old mills and money-laundering meadows, remnants of the flax industry, once flourishing in the valley. It was the first hydroelectric plant in Ulster (it opened its doors in 1886). Roe Valley is a popular place and walkers can learn about biodiversity and local history during the various courses. The centre visitor is a ecomuseum that explains the fauna and flora of the region.

55 ha of forest whose main attraction is the highest waterfall in Ulster. Marked and constructed paths, wooden bridges that circulate in a tree and moss vegetation.

Opened in 2007 by the Bloody Sunday Trust organization, and expanded in 2017, this museum is located in Free Derry, a self-proclaimed nationalist enclave between 1969 and 1972, in the historically charged Bogside neighborhood. It is a must-see for anyone wishing to understand and delve into the city's recent history and, by extension, the complicated history of Northern Ireland. It traces the historical and political context in which the neighborhood was born and puts Derry's past and the recent drama of Bloody Sunday in 1972 into perspective.

The event that set off the fire was the commemoration, in 1969, of the Apprentice Boys episode, which itself dates back to the 17th century and relates to the siege of the city by the Protestants, to fight against the arrival of a Catholic military garrison. In an already tense political climate, the passage of the procession near Bogside was considered a provocation by its inhabitants. Hostilities began, in an atmosphere of guerrilla warfare and barricades. The next day, soldiers of the British army were sent to guard the place, which only made the situation worse. This escalation culminated a few years later in the tragedy known as Bloody Sunday. A particularly striking piece in the museum is the film William McKinney made from the roof of a building that day. Surprised with his camera, he was killed on the spot. A museum, like a place of memory, obviously touching, hard too, but essential to the understanding of the neighborhood, the city and the country. The Museum of Free Derry was really necessary to restore the order of things and the truth. The deep and moving purpose of this museum is also to free the word and educate the public so that such events do not happen again and the truth is never suppressed in this way. The panels at the end of the exhibition on the role of the press in the treatment of Bloody Sunday are chilling and thought-provoking. We must go beyond appearances, keep our critical mind and defend above all justice and freedom. This is the vital message of the museum. To visit it at best, you can download an application to get explanations in French. It is a very interactive museum with archival videos, audio testimonies of survivors. Don't hesitate to ask questions to the museum staff, most of whom have lived through these events and will be happy to explain them to you in the most accurate way possible.

The Armagh Panetarium dome is a true three-dimensional digital theater. The planetarium's projection system perfectly recreates the beauty of the night sky and will delight the whole family. The show offers views of the planets, stars and constellations with panoramic scenes projected at 360°. Near the observatory, you can also enjoy exhibitions and audiovisual presentations related to astronomy. A visit that will delight astronomy enthusiasts.

At the foot of the hill is the information center. The building with the glass entrance proposes an interactive presentation of the life of the saint who would be buried not far from there (the scholars still discuss this probability). There is a 20-minute Imax projection of St. Patrick's journey through Irish history and an art gallery with painted scenes of his life, as well as objects related to him. There is also a craft store and a restaurant, which opens onto a garden.

Just 20 minutes from the city center is this unspoiled and protected natural area with its caves and cliffs, its biodiversity and prehistoric sites, its circular fort and its hill that is said to resemble Napoleon's nose! Cave Hill is 368 meters high and, on a clear day, it is possible to see the Mourne Mountains, Strangford Lough and the important buildings of Belfast. For walks, there are signposts from the castle parking lot. It is possible to walk to the zoo, the castle and Cave Hill.

The Belfast Botanic Gardens are a true institution and have existed since 1828. They are the result of a Victorian passion for horticulture and particularly exotic plants, with large beds of green herbs ideal for families and students who regularly come to walk around. On site: large majestic trees, a labyrinth of roses, landscaped areas to stroll while enjoying nature ... Outdoor concerts are also organized. You can also visit the Palm House of 1839, which is the bold work for the time of Charles Lanyon and Richard Turner. It is an imposing greenhouse of cast iron and glass with a magnificent dome of curved glass under which tropical plants live. It has a charming old-fashioned feel to it, and inside the plants radiate in a most pleasingly organized jumble. You can also come and see Tropical Ravine, a smaller greenhouse with a simple design, carefully preserving a collection of old varieties of plants (lilies, orchids, banana trees...) that you can discover from an elevated walkway. The Tropical Ravine was recently completely restored and offers new educational panels on flowers and fruits, ideal for children. A walk in the botanical gardens is a must in Belfast, you will spend a great time among the plants. In the spring, the tulips shine by hundreds, coloring the flowerbeds in the most beautiful way.

Outside the city, on the road to Killylea, Navan Fort, also known as Emain Macha, is the main archaeological site in Ulster. It was the legendary capital of the ancient kings of Ulster 6,000 years ago. The visitor center explains its history and legends, as well as the work of archaeologists. It is one of the best museums in Ireland. Airy, warm, well laid out, maps, panels and audio explanations in several languages including French; this is a museum that, at the end of the visit, does not make your head hurt!

Between the th and th centuries, the economy of the Ulster region was based on the flax industry. It teaches that beetling is the last operation in the manufacture of flax: the fabric is hammered with pilon to give it a united and glossy finish. The beetles (drumsticks) of the Filature spinning have been restored.

We visit the family house of the ancestors of Andrei Simpson Grant, 18 ^th President of the United States (1869-1877), completely remodelled as a genuine farm of times, only the furniture is not original.

TheCuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (ex-Marble Arch Caves), protected by Unesco, are among the most beautiful caves in Europe. Extending over 11.5 km, these caves are the longest in the country. The 1 hour and 15 minute tour, accompanied by guides, begins with an underground boat ride to admire the stalactites and stalagmites. This is followed by a walking tour of a series of limestone caves. The visit ends with a trip along an underground river on boats.

Castle built by Sir James Balfour in 1618.

In Killadeas is Bishop's Stone, a stone carved between the th and th centuries, representing the transition between pagan and Christian culture, with one side and the other a bishop.

Built in the 15th century, this Anglo-Norman style castle was a stronghold of the Gaelic Maguire chiefs, then a Plantation era stronghold and finally a barracks for an infantry regiment. Now transformed into two museums, the castle houses exhibits on the history, wildlife and landscape of County Fermanagh, and an exhibit on Enniskillen's military past. Cross the Castle Bridge to the other side and enjoy the view.

Museum where you can see a beautiful collection of printing presses dating from the th century and a film depicting the history of printing.

Here, we take you on a tour of Queen's Island, home to the shipyards that built, among others, the legendary Titanic. The tour includes a visit to the Harland & Wolff cranes, a tour of the buildings where the architects drew up the plans for the Titanic, a chance to walk on the famous Titanic's Dock, as well as a visit to the Pump House and a film (and a half-hour break for lunch at the Pump House café; please note that this is not included in the price).

Gallery of contemporary photography with a quality program. The management wishes to promote exhibitions on topical, political or social issues, in a committed approach that goes back to its origins. Indeed, the gallery was founded in 1983 by local photographers to represent the conflicts experienced in Belfast from the inside, and not from the media point of view. Today, it features both renowned international artists and art students. Over half a million photographs are archived here.

Located right next to the cathedral, this tiny museum commemorates the role of the cities of Belfast and Derry in the First and Second World Wars. There are archival images to view on screens, following an interactive index that categorizes them by theme. An important section is also dedicated to the American army, which came to help the Irish. Don't hesitate to talk to the museum staff who will be happy to explain it to you. Events are also regularly organized here.

Part of this huge park is designed for the blind, and a maze is suitable for people with disabilities. The smells are particularly delicious.

Marischal College, founded in 1593 and the second University of Aberdeen, and King's College, founded in 1495, merged in 1860 to form the Modern University of Aberdeen. Construction of the present Marischal College building began in the 1830s and was completed in 1906. It is the second largest granite building in the world. Teaching and research now falls within the domain of the Foresterhill and King's College campuses. The Marischal College building is leased to Aberdeen City Council, where it has been the seat since 2009.

This charming little museum will attract all those interested in the history of Aberdeen. Just a short walk from the town's harbour, the visit tells the story of its connection with the sea and more particularly the development of the oil industry off the coast of Aberdeenshire. The oil industry is a huge generator of activity for the whole region, employing a large proportion of the local population and affecting almost everyone from near and far. The replica of an offshore platform is particularly impressive. The interactive content is particularly instructive.

This important cultural centre has a rather prestigious collection of paintings from the 19th (Pre-Raphaelite, English and Scottish painters) and 20th centuries. It has a fabulous collection of fine art, but not only that. You will also see a collection of decorative arts (15,000 pieces), covering all facets of this art. It also features maritime history, the city's industrial history, an archaeology collection and a numismatic collection. Its renovation was recently completed (2017), providing a successful transformation.

The Perth Museum & Art Gallery traces the history of the city and the region, from geology, social facts, art, the environment... The statues, sculptures and paintings are interesting and some archaeological objects are more than 10,000 years old. There is also a collection of photos on local life that plunges into the past and temporary exhibitions all year round. The lovely neo-classical building alone is worth the trip.

Located in the Balhousie Castle, this is the museum of the Black Watch Regiment. Weapons, uniforms, medals, paintings, photographs, notebooks: the very complete collection plunges into the history of this military corps. Founded in 1725, it has been involved in every war and conflict since its creation. The visit breaks down into seven major chronological periods and ends with the current deployments of the Black Watch. History buffs will enjoy both the exhibition and its setting.

Designed by William Adam in 1750, the House of Dun is an elegant Georgian-style country house set in the middle of a beautiful park of gardens and woods. This house is the architectural embodiment of the ideal of an 18th century laird. Nothing is left to chance. Everything is aesthetics, geometry, symmetry and classical art, down to the smallest detail, from the floors to the ceilings and all the ornamental and decorative elements. The kitchen was, for its time, ultra modern, which is what makes it so attractive today.

Built in 1953 and equipped with a refraction telescope, it is the only observatory in Great Britain where an astronomer is permanently present. Exhibitions on space exploration are organized there.

History : The Mills Observatory was established by a bequest from John Mills in 1935, a wealthy flax farmer, who left the observatory a legacy of fertile land. Designed by the town's architect, McLellan Brown, in collaboration with Professor Ralph Sampson, it is built in sandstone and has a rather atypical dome 7 m in diameter. It was built for the sole purpose of popularizing science to the general public! Its main telescope measures 400 mm in diameter and offers quality images of the Moon and the planets. However, it has another, much more prestigious and older instrument, a 250 mm telescope made by Thomas Cooke of York in 1871. Alas! due to its age and condition, it is hardly used anymore. When this observatory opened its doors on October 28, 1935, it housed a 450 mm mirror telescope built by Grubb Parsons of Newcastle. What remains of this equipment can still be seen today in one of the observatory's rooms. An astonishing mixture of classicism (the buildings and old telescope) and modernity (the telescopes in which visitors usually observe), this observatory is still worth the trip, as it is located in a pleasant wooded park that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding residential areas.

This historical museum is located in a building with beautiful neo-gothic architecture. It would be ideal to visit on arrival in Dundee to better understand the city. Two floors and eight galleries tell the story of the city and the whole region over some 400 million years. The first men, the Victorian era, the whaling industry and many others are the subject of much attention, with the help of numerous period objects of great heritage and aesthetic value. An audioguide allows you to enjoy a complete visit in French.

This huge space dedicated to contemporary art is one of the great pride of the city. On five floors, it offers two exhibition galleries, but also two cinemas and a very trendy café. Many of today's British artists are represented here, as well as some international names. It is one of the cultural lungs of Dundee and will delight all lovers of innovation and creativity. Don't forget to check out the website for the latest news about the venue, which boasts a programme that is as eclectic as it is dense.

The waterfalls in the village of Clashnessie are a pure gem. From the beach, it takes about 45 minutes round trip. It is not far, but the path is muddy and close to a river. The waterfall is about 15 meters high and is worth a visit. From Lochinver, you have a loop to drive around the peninsula. Many stops are to be expected, including Clashnessie Waterfall. After the waterfalls, you can drive down to the beach. Strategic place to park your car.

For train enthusiasts and novices alike, a highly accessible and interactive museum that's sure to delight everyone. Inside, you'll find an exhibition room with photos and models of historic trains, while outside you'll find vintage locomotives that you can visit, and a miniature train on which you can take a ten-minute ride through the surrounding countryside. Finally, there's a comprehensive specialist store to round off your trip.

This museum reconstructs a Victorian-era printing press. It shows the oldest printing presses in the United Kingdom and allows visitors to visit the office of Robert Smail, the printer, which has hardly been modified since 1866. This museum is a rare opportunity to see a press from this period in operation. A must for book lovers and industrial tourism enthusiasts, especially since the museum was awarded in 2017 as "Best Heritage Tourism Experience".

It is a two and a half hour circuit at 20 km/h in old cars pulled by a steam locomotive. It is one of the oldest narrow-gauge railway tracks in the world: no more than 70 cm wide! Its line runs eleven kilometres from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol, near the village of Abergynolwyn. Now a tourist attraction, this line, opened in 1866, transported slate from the Bryn Eglwys quarries to Tywyn. In 1951, it became the first tourist railway in the world to be maintained by volunteers!

In a former 17th century mill, in the heart of beautiful nature, National Coracle Museum is a museum is dedicated to the coracle. A coracle is a somewhat primitive boat from the era still used in some parts of the world. It is a kind of round boat like a half coconut that was used by the Celts for river fishing. It is still used today by some fishermen around Cenarth and - above all - excursions are organised for the curious. It takes about 45 minutes to visit the site, including the tour.

One hour walk on 6 km on board a steam train along the lake.

The Standing Stones of Stenness would have been erected 5,000 years ago. They belong to a series of domestic and ritual monuments. There were twelve standing stones on this site, but only four remain today. Their forms and stature are absolutely stunning and the highest is 6 m high. A path perpendicular to the road and parallel to the field where they are located leads in a short time to Barnhouse Village, another site to visit if you are interested in Prehistory.

Dunninald Castle is a neo-Gothic style castle built in 1824. You can discover it on guided tours (approx. 40 min per tour). Beyond the castle we see today, the site has more than 1,000 years of history, and several fortified sites preceded the superb present building. The great wealth of the place also lies in its enclosed garden, at the height of its beauty in July. The walk in the surrounding woods (1 mile) offers beds of daffodils and hyacinths in the spring.

This space, which also serves as a tourist office, is freely accessible and free of charge. It offers curious visitors the opportunity to discover the history of the Caledonian Canal, but also the particularities of the region and its great sites, such as the Great Glen or Loch Ness, of course. You will learn all about the construction of the canal and Queen Victoria's passage. In fact, the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain, just a few steps away, is a testament to the village's sympathy for her. The Caledonian Canal Centre also has a shop and a very friendly café.

Cape Wrath is the north-western tip of Scotland, delivered to the power of the elements. Here are some of the most striking coastal landscapes in the country. Its end is topped by a lighthouse built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the famous author, and all around are stacks and cliffs, including the highest on the island of Great Britain: Clo Mor (281 m). Cape Wrath is separated from the rest of the region by the Kyle of Durness and there are no roads leading to it. You can get there by ferry and minibus, or by following the end of the Cape Wrath Trail.

Famous for his in situ interventions in important British cities, the London sculptor Antony Gormley has installed a set of human silhouettes carved in the River Leith. The first is buried shoulder-deep in front of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the other five are in the water. You can be surprised by their presence as you take a pleasant walk along the green banks of the river, which you catch up with from the museum, to Dean Village and to the port of Leith, where the last sculpture is located.

Legend attributes the discovery of this source to Bernard de Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order. This water would have cured him. Later, chemical analyses attest to its medical interest in soothing intestinal disorders. In 1788, a lord bought the spring and built a small neoclassical-inspired temple dedicated to the goddess of health, Hygieia. This picturesque building has been the subject of many paintings. Steps lead up to a terrace below the temple, from which there are beautiful views of the river.

A picturesque atmosphere emanates from this group of workers' houses, built between 1861 and 1911, structured in lines along the Leith River. Each walkway has been assigned to a trade that can be guessed by observing the work instruments carved in low relief on the wall of the houses overlooking Glenogle road. Their front door is located on the first floor, clearing the pediment of the houses to shelter lovely gardens.

Fans of art, crafts and design will come here to stroll through the former Victorian baths, which have been converted into a vast exhibition space. Popular artists come to present their work and creators are constantly working on it. Ceramics, pieces by cabinetmakers and glassblowers, contemporary furniture, jewellery, paintings and many others are displayed on several bright floors. The Tapestry Studio showcases the contemporary art of hand-woven tapestry and is world-renowned.

The National Library regularly exhibits a selection of manuscripts, engravings and other works on paper on various themes. Two temporary exhibitions are scheduled during the year. The John Murray Archive is on permanent display. Other famous manuscripts include Charles Darwin's original Origin of Species, but also rare books in gaelic scottish and Lowland scots, as well as old maps.

What better place than the base of a former volcano to erect a museum in honour of Earth sciences? Our Dynamic Earth opened in 1999, in memory of local geologist James Hutton, whose work was taken over by Darwin himself. The long white curve of the structure that appears to answer the stony rock on Salisbury Hill Hill is reminiscent of a shell. Behind its walls, videos, light cards, 3 D animation and interactive screens make the Big-bang, galaxies, world history, its glaciations, mountains, volcanoes, tectonic plates and natural disasters. Our beautiful blue planet will have no secrets for you.

Edinburgh's celebrity does not rest solely on its ghosts, but fortunately also on its illustrious writers! Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson are evoked with humour and panache by Clart and McBrain, a duo of actors who take up the role. They walk you between the houses, courtyards and pubs where these personalities lived, got drunk and wrote their prose. Please note: the tour includes a pub crawl, minors (under 18 years old) are not allowed and the price of consumption is extra.