Things to do in Aylesbury

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is the actual filming location for all eight films in the "Harry Potter" series. After filming wrapped, the production team preserved a large number of original sets, props, and costumes, displaying them to the public across two purpose-built soundstages and a backlot. Visitors can step into iconic scenes such as the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Dumbledore's office, and the Gryffindor common room, board the original Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾, stroll through Diagon Alley and Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and also see up close landmark sets including the Knight Bus, the Weasley family's flying Ford Anglia, and Hagrid's hut. In addition to scene recreations, this place also reveals the behind-the-scenes secrets of film effects and prop production, including animatronic creatures and special makeup techniques, allowing visitors to understand how the visual magic from page to screen is achieved. During the tour, you can taste Butterbeer at the backlot, and the entire visit is a self-guided walking experience, so it is recommended to set aside about three to four hours to savor it in detail. Unlike replica sets at other theme parks, this location preserves the original props and sets actually used in the films, offering a unique appeal for Harry Potter fans. △Arriving at the set of "Harry Potter" △Get up close with original magic props from the film series △Take a photo with your favorite scene △Walking tour of the filming locations and behind-the-scenes stories from the movie series

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Windsor Castle

• Stroll through the family castle of the Windsor dynasty • View the exquisite treasures in the state suite • Enjoy the audio guide and savor the beauty of the castle Windsor Castle sits on a hill on the south bank of the Thames and is one of the official residences still in use by the British royal family today. The castle was first built by William I in the 11th century, and after subsequent expansions and renovations by many monarchs, it blends a variety of architectural styles, including a Norman fortress, a medieval palace, and Georgian state apartments, and is also one of the few medieval castles in Europe that are still inhabited today. The castle is divided into the upper, middle, and lower wards. The upper ward centers on the state rooms, which display famous paintings, armor, and fine furniture collected by monarchs over the centuries, including works by masters such as Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens; the Waterloo Chamber was built by George IV to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon, and its walls hang portraits of allied monarchs and commanders. The upper area also houses Queen Mary's Dolls' House, created by architect Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, with exquisitely detailed interiors that even include electricity and running water. The central area is marked by a round tower, which was originally built of wood and later rebuilt in stone. Today, it houses royal documents and a photography collection, and the moat garden below the tower is planted with roses and other flowers. St. George's Chapel in the Lower Ward is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, founded in the 15th century and renowned for its magnificent stone fan vaulting and stained glass windows—looking up at the vaulting is an unmissable experience when visiting. The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, has hosted numerous royal weddings, and is the burial place of several British monarchs.

No. 19 of Best Things to Do in United Kingdom

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is located in Oxfordshire, England. It was commissioned by Queen Anne as a reward for the first Duke of Marlborough's military achievements in the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Construction began in 1705 and was completed in 1722, designed by Vanbrugh in the English Baroque style. It is one of the few non-royal, non-ecclesiastical country houses in England to be called a "palace." The palace is still inhabited by the Duke of Marlborough's family and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, along with its gardens. In 1874, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was born here, which is why it is often referred to as "Churchill's birthplace." This magnificent palace boasts over 300 years of history to share and houses one of Europe's most significant and extensive collections. Its cultural highlights are diverse, complemented by a rich program of special activities and exhibitions year-round. You can explore the state rooms with an audio guide, admiring portraits, tapestries, and exquisite furniture while learning about the palace's three-century history. Stroll through the gardens and admire the charming English landscape, keeping an eye out for historical landmarks such as the victory column, the bridge and the temple of Diana along the way. Explore various formal gardens, including the rose garden, the water terrace and the secret garden. You can also take the miniature train to the walled garden, where you'll find the adventure playground, the Marlborough maze and the butterfly garden. Your palace, gardens and admission ticket include year-round activities and exhibitions. From jousting tournaments, food festivals and flower shows to Halloween daytime entertainment and Easter egg hunts, there's something for everyone. Inside the palace, you can explore breathtaking state rooms and immersive exhibitions that bring 300 years of history to life. Outdoors, you can discover over 2000 acres of Brown-designed landscapes, 150 acres of award-winning formal gardens, and the iconic rooftop restoration project. Whether visiting with friends or planning a family outing, your admission ticket will take you through unforgettable seasonal moments at this magnificent British palace.

Waddesdon Manor

The manor's architecture showcases the grandeur of the French Renaissance style, exuding an elegant French charm. Its interior is lavishly decorated with an extensive collection of 17th to 19th-century French porcelain and furniture, Renaissance-era European masterpieces, tapestries, wall panels, carpets, and chandeliers. These artworks not only reflect the Rothschild family's refined collecting taste but also embody the artistic styles and cultural ambiance of Europe during that period.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

The British Museum

The British Museum's collection spans artifacts from civilizations across the world, with a total of approx. 8 million items, covering regions including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The museum has approx. 60 permanent galleries, and the items on display represent only a very small fraction of the total collection, with its ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, and Asian collections being particularly renowned. The south facade of the main building features an Ionic colonnade, and the main entrance is topped by a sculpted pediment. Entering through the main entrance leads into the Great Court, a public space designed by Norman Foster with a white color scheme, where the massive semi-transparent glass roof ensures ample natural light even on London's overcast days. The Great Court was originally part of the British Library; after the library relocated, it was converted into a covered plaza, and the court displays authentic sculptures including a stone statue from Easter Island. The Rosetta Stone bears a decree of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh inscribed in three scripts, serving as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization and ranking among the museum's most notable exhibits. The Elgin Marbles are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, dating back over two thousand years, and are now displayed in Room 18. The Portland Vase is renowned for its dark blue glass and white cameo relief decoration, displayed in Room 70. The Tang dynasty copy of Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies survives with nine scenes and holds significant artistic and historical value, though it is not on permanent display. The Chinese collection is concentrated in Rooms 33, 33b, and 95, arranged chronologically by dynasty with artifacts ranging from Shang and Zhou bronzes to Ming and Qing porcelain, among which the Song dynasty Cizhou ware "circus pillow" and the Yuan dynasty blue-and-white dish with fish and aquatic plant design are particularly worth a closer look. The ancient Egyptian galleries are famous for their mummy exhibits and are among the most visited areas in the museum.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

London Eye

Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.

Natural History Museum at Tring

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

University of Oxford

Oxford University, located in Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the UK. There are no school gates and walls here. More than 30 quaint and solemn college buildings are scattered on the streets of Oxford City. The cobblestone streets pass through the campus, full of literary and elegant atmosphere.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and the venue for the royal family's state events and major ceremonies. The palace has nineteen state rooms used to receive visiting heads of state and hold official ceremonies, furnished with paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, and exquisite Sèvres porcelain and English and French furniture. The tour route connects magnificent halls such as the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room, and the Green Drawing Room. The gallery linking these rooms is about 50 m long and hangs paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer, making it the essence of the Royal Collection. The highlight of the entire tour is the Throne Room. The archway and canopy were designed by architect John Nash, inspired by his experience in theater set design, creating a highly dramatic visual effect. The pair of thrones in the hall were used in the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III respectively, and the official portraits specially created by painters of the King and Queen are also on permanent display here. The Throne Room once served as the backdrop for the wedding photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and to this day remains the venue for court ceremonies such as investitures. The changing of the guard ceremony in the palace forecourt is equally captivating. During the ceremony, a detachment of guards marches from Wellington Barracks to the palace accompanied by music, relieving another detachment to become the King's Guard—a classic scene for experiencing British ceremonial tradition.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Westminster Abbey

• Visit the site on the north bank of the Thames where kings were crowned and royal weddings took place • Stroll through the UK's royal burial sites and visit the resting places of royal family members and legendary figures like Newton and Darwin • Explore magnificent, solemn, and serene Gothic architectural masterpieces Westminster Abbey, located on the north bank of the Thames in London and adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, is a Gothic-style royal church in Britain. Magnificent and grand, it is a sacred site in the UK and holds a prominent status among the country's many churches. The Henry VII Chapel is located at the rear of the church, featuring ornate decorations and surrounded by numerous chapels. Above the west door stand ten statues of 20th-century Christian martyrs, installed in 1998, representing figures from around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.