Researchers from Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland polled the nation to discover the most cutting edge, historic, beautiful and iconic buildings across the UK, with Buckingham Palace (24 percent), St Paul’s Cathedral (21 percent), York Minster (18 percent), Westminster Abbey (16 percent) and Warwick Castle (13 percent) all making the definitive list.
Buckingham Palace’s origins can be traced back to 1703 when it was home to the Duke of Buckingham and referred to as Buckingham House. In 1837, the iconic palace became the official London residence of the UK’s sovereign and is today the administrative headquarters of the Monarch, attracting over a million visitors a year.
One in ten (10 percent) love The Shard in London, which was built in 2009, while a further 10 percent think that the biomes of The Eden Project (10 percent) are a wonderful addition to the Cornwall skyline.
Built in 1787, the Indo-Saracenic style Royal Pavilion in Brighton (nine percent) also appears on the list, alongside The Royal Crescent in Bath (nine percent), featuring a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent, the iconic Blackpool Tower (seven percent), which receives over 650,000 visitors a year and Caernarfon Castle (seven percent), built by Edward I in 1283.
The 30 strong list, which was compiled by leading hotel group, Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, brings together both modern and historic designs with Kings Cross Station (six percent), which was in redevelopment between 2006 and 2013, and the newly renovated The Great Court at the British Museum (five percent), sitting alongside buildings such as 16th century Highclere Castle in Hampshire (four percent), made famous in Downton Abbey, and one of the oldest libraries in Europe, Bodleian Abbey in Oxford (3 percent).
It's no surprise that two thirds (67 percent) agree that the UK has some of the most beautiful buildings in the world, with 71 percent admitting that they forget how beautiful the country is.
The survey also revealed that over half (65 percent) of us are planning a staycation in the UK this year, with the average Brit taking four UK-based holidays. 74 percent are having more holidays in Great Britain now compared to three years ago.
In fact, the nation has driven as far as 288 miles for the perfect staycation, with 44 percent admitting they have made lots of unscheduled stops to look at the stunning buildings on the way.
Just over a fifth (21 percent) admit they ALWAYS pick a holiday location based on its beautiful buildings. Four in ten (37 percent) go a step further and say that looking at the stunning buildings is one of the best things about being on holiday.
62 percent prefer historical buildings, while 10 percent of Brits think modern buildings are best.
Over half (54 percent) think the beauty of a staycation is finding new places that you’ve never visited before, while just over a third (34 percent) believe that holidaying in the UK is one of the best things in life.
Suzanne Cannon, Head of Marketing at Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, who commissioned the study, said: “It’s clear to see that the UK is home to so many stunning buildings, both new and old, and it’s great that so many Brits recognise it as a beautiful staycation spot.
For those who are planning to enjoy a staycation, then look no further. Our 49 hotels across the UK are perfectly situated in city centres, just a stone’s throw away from some of Brits’ favourite buildings and iconic landmarks, making them the perfect place for those who are looking for a truly memorable experience. Guests can also save a fantastic 15% off when they extend their break to three days or more until July 2025.”
Six in ten (60 percent) believe that there is a huge amount to see in the UK, including the stunning scenery (46 percent) and fantastic heritage and history (33 percent).
Over a third (35 percent) admit they love exploring our fair shores, as it is easier to get around (34 percent), cheaper (32 percent) and less stressful (30 percent).
It’s no surprise that 56 percent think it is easier to stay in the UK than fly abroad.
BRITAIN'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS:
To book your UK getaway with Leonardo Hotels, visit www.leonardohotels.co.uk.
Research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland and was conducted by Perspectus Global in August 2024.
Notes to Editors:
For further media information please contact the PR team at SEC Newgate: leonardohotels@secnewgate.co.uk / 0203 757 6800
About Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland
Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland is a leading hotel group that operates 56 centrally located hotels and over 11,000 rooms. As one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in Europe, it has four brands - Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, Leonardo Limited Edition Hotels and NYX Hotels across a growing portfolio.
All hotels offer a unique experience and are recognised for their prime city centre locations, dedicated and welcoming staff and their comfortable and contemporary rooms, as it looks to create a world leading superior hotel group across corporate, leisure and M&E. Its vision is to deliver exceptional customer experiences through the support of over 4,000 colleagues.
Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland is part of Fattal Hotels, an entrepreneurial and expanding international hotel group, which owns and operates over 200 hotels in over 100 destinations, with plans to rapidly expand its global presence. In Europe, it has over 150 hotels across 86 cities and 14 countries.
