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UNESCO launch a new illustrated map of the UK’s top heritage sites

UNESCO launch a new illustrated map of the UK’s top heritage sites

Illustrated map showing 58 UK UNESCO sites
The UNESCO illustrated map, showing 58 heritage sites across the UK. Credit: Tom Woolley / UNESCO

National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £10,000 to £250,000

St James's
Westminster
UK National Commission for UNESCO
£249900
Designed by Birmingham-based creative cartographer Tom Woolley, the map shows all 58 sites, cities and natural landscapes, helping to bring to life the huge variety of heritage on people’s doorsteps.

Using the map, people can find world-class natural and cultural heritage destinations, from expansive mountain ranges and stunning coastlines, to vibrant cities and state-of-the-art attractions.

It includes 29 World Heritage Sites, 13 Creative Cities, nine Global Geoparks and seven Biosphere Reserves that cover 13% of the UK’s landmass.

The map was created as part of a wider project to encourage new and diverse audiences to enjoy UNESCO’s Geoparks, Biospheres and World Heritage Sites.

This great map highlights places to explore on your doorstep and further afield, both the famous and those to discover for the first time.

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO

Explore heritage by area

A selection of heritage sites featured on the map, supported by National Lottery funding, include:

London and South, England

  • Canterbury Cathedral: discover 1,400 years of history
  • Bath: stroll around one of the great spa towns of Europe

Midlands and East, England

  • Nottingham: dive into the remarkable literary heritage of Nottinghamshire
  • Ironbridge Gorge: embark on a journey through time at the symbol of the Industrial Revolution

North, England

  • Jodrell Bank: be in awe of space at a world-leading deep space observatory
  • North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: discover the natural landscape

Northern Ireland

  • Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark: go outdoors to the dunes, mountains and shores of the newly designated geopark
  • Belfast: dance the night away in iconic venues in the 'City of Music'

Scotland

  • Scottish Highlands: absorb the incredible views in this mountainous landscape
  • Antonine Wall: visit the 37-mile long landmark that marked the edge of Roman rule

Wales

  • Menai Strait: enjoy the stunning sites of Caernarfon and visit Cei Llechi site on the banks of the Strait
  • Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways: take in the spectacular vistas of the Slate Landscape of North West Wales on a scenic train ride

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: “[The map] shows at a glance the breadth of amazing natural, cultural and built heritage designated by UNESCO as internationally significant in the UK. This great map highlights places to explore, on your doorstep and further afield, both the famous and those to discover for the first time.”

Download the map for free on UNESCO’s website.

 

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