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Virtual tours of the National Gallery

Wherever you are in the world, take a tour of the National Gallery.

Our virtual tours allow you to step inside the Gallery and explore one of the greatest collections of paintings, from the comfort of your home.

Experience the Gallery in virtual reality through your desktop, phone or VR headset.

The Director's Choice virtual exhibition

Visit a virtual space showing a selection of paintings chosen and narrated by our Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi.

Take the Director's tour

Fit for a Queen virtual exhibition

Visit our virtual gallery of 28 paintings which celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Find out more about 'Fit for a Queen'

Fruits of the Spirit virtual exhibition

Visit our virtual exhibition that juxtaposes nine works of art from the National Gallery’s collection with nine works of art from partner institutions across the UK.

Find out more about 'Fruits of the Spirit'

'Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’, mobile edition'

Immerse yourself in the world of Gossaert’s masterpiece and its awe-inspiring intricate detail.

Step into Gossaert's 'Adoration'

Google virtual tour

Take a tour of some of our Renaissance masterpieces with Google

Take the tour

Visit the UK's biggest landmarks from the comfort of your sofa

Apr 6, 2020 • 4 min read

If you're currently sitting at home and wishing you'd travelled more, maybe to see the Giant's Causeway, or nose around Buckingham Palace, then wish no more! You can now virtually visit  the UK 's biggest landmarks from the comfort of your own home with these online tours. So make a cuppa and get comfy, before scrolling your way around these iconic sites. 

1. Buckingham Palace

Perhaps the most famous home in Britain, Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as Queen Elizabeth's London pad. If you fancy a poke around without tackling busy tubes and tour ticket prices, the royal palace is just a click away and even includes a  personal guide .

2. Stonehenge

Stonehenge , a prehistoric cultural icon, is believed to date back as far as 3000BC. Explore this World Heritage Site with just the click of a finger with this 360° online tour .

3. Edinburgh Castle

A historical fortress, Edinburgh Castle 's elevated position allows it to dominate the city's skyline. Sitting on top of Castle Rock, it initially served as a royal castle and is an important monument in Scottish heritage.  This 360 aerial tour  not only takes you around the castle itself but also provides an opportunity to see across the whole of the capital! 

4. Tower of London

Known for being a prison, treasury and even a zoo, the Tower of London is synonymous with British history. The tower was founded in 1066 and expanded on throughout the centuries to follow. The abundance of stories that are attached to the landmark can be heard through  this 360 degree tour of the castle and its grounds . 

5. The Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is a collection of around 40,000 interlocking columns and sits on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. The natural wonder has previously been named one of the best sights in the UK and gets its name from stories claiming Irish giant Finn McCool formed it in an attempt to cross the Irish Sea! Marvel at this formation without leaving your cosy home with this tour . 

6. Chatsworth House

An iconic stately home, Chatsworth House has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549 but opened its doors to the public in 1708. Set in beautiful parkland and backed by forest, a visit to Chatsworth is memorable for both its gardens, the incredible house and the artwork it holds. 

7. York Minster

One of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals, York Minster is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.  Pay a virtual visit to see its unusual handcrafted stone and medieval stained glass windows, telling the story of Christ, whilst the architecture blows you away. 

8. Hadrian's Wall

Serving as a defence for the Roman Empire, Hadrian's Wall dates back to 128 AD and stretches 73 miles from coast to coast, making just the thought of seeing it exhausting enough.  English Heritage's virtual tour  of the structure is a little more accessible, providing an insight into the landmark's historical significance that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home come rain or shine.

Read more:  Walking Hadrian's Wall: a coast-to-coast hike across England

9. Abbey Road Studios

This notorious studio has been the go-to for some of the biggest artists of all time, and has become an icon of the British music scene. The crossing made famous by the Beatles Abbey Road album has been a tourist hot spot since 1969, and now you too can pop inside the studios without having to belt out a chart topper.

Read more:  Beatles' Abbey Road crossing repainted during London lockdown

10. Bath's Roman Baths

Bath 's namesake attraction serves as one of the most popular historical sites in the UK with 1.3 million people visiting them each year. The Roman Bath's were redeveloped in the middle ages after being destroyed upon the fall of the empire and now serve as a glimpse into hygiene habits of the past. Have a virtual look at the ancient tubs for yourself.

11. The Brontë sisters' homes

The countryside of  Yorkshire and Derbyshire played a key role in inspiring the Brontës, the famous 19th-century literary family, to produce some of their most famous texts, including Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre . Why not take an online tour of the sisters' homes  and see if the experience gets your creativity flowing as well. 

12. St Paul's Cathedral

This Anglican cathedral dominates London's skyline and serves as one of the capital's most recognisable landmarks, opening its doors to over 2 million visitors every year. Take a look around the inside of this iconic monument and avoid the crowds with  this virtual tour .

13. St Ive's

Calling artists from all over the world, St Ives is a hub of creativity, cobblestone streets and independent food and drink havens. Set up a picnic in the living room and pan through this virtual tour of the St Ives beach .  

You might also like: Visit Bristol and see Bansky's street art, virtually! Three couples on their new destination weddings plans under COVID-19 25 surprising travel facts that'll change your view of the world  

This article was created with Parkdean, see the full blog post here .  Make the most of your travel with  sightseeing tours and activities  from our trusted partners.

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• London Walks
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Virtual Tours of Britain

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Here are Quicktime® VR's of some of the many historic sights in Britain which you can visit on our personal tours. The Beatles' Abbey Road, Leeds Castle, Gloucester Cathedral, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Oxford and many more 

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You may like, anne hathaway's cottage, arundel castle, banksy 'one nation under cctv', the barbican, buckingham palace, beatles' abbey road, bodnant garden, brecon beacons, camden town, little venice, chatsworth house, white horse of cherhill, christ church, denmark street, dr martens shop, dr johnson's house, duxford air field, 'the gherkin', gloucester cathedral, haddon hall, second-hand book store, hampton court palace, king's guard chamber, harlech castle, hidcote manor garden, historic hotels in england, ickworth house, imperial war museum, jack the ripper alleyway, artillery passage, jane austen's house - chawton, leadenhall market, leeds castle, leeds castle, henry vlll banqueting hall, lost gardens of heligan (giant's head), paternoster square & st paul's cathedral, penrhyn castle, pentre ifan, portmeirion, post office tower, the roman baths, salisbury cathedral, scotney castle, sir john soane's museum, st paul's and millenium bridge, st michael's mount, stokesay castle, stonehenge at dawn, stourhead gardens, sulgrave manor, the mousetrap, st martin's theatre, the tower of london at night, tower bridge and the tower of london, waddesdon manor, windsor castle across the thames, york minster, the shambles, york, sissinghurst, broadway tower, hever castle, headington shark, stonehenge on a misty dawn, hever castle, courtyard, warwick castle.

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Read our blog for news and special interest touring ideas!

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I Heart Britain

23 of the Best 3D Virtual Tours of British Museums, Castles, Churches, & Stately Homes

It's a great time to be alive! In the past, those who couldn't travel were forced to content themselves with nothing more than books and the occasional (but relatively rare) glimpse of places on television. Today, we have an almost incomprehensible amount of information at our fingertips, including a surprising number of immersive 3D tours.

For those who can't travel – which is pretty much all of us right now – we've pulled together some of Britain's best virtual tours. You can visit them on smartphones, tablets, or regular computers, but we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better viewing experience. If you have a VR headset and it doesn't make you completely sick to use it, that will give you an even more immersive experience.

So, without further ado, let's look at those tours…

Castles & Stately Homes

Hever castle.

Location : Hever, Kent (about 30 miles southeast of London)

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and today it's a tourist attraction, hotel, and wedding venue. It's also been used as a filming location for productions like The Princess Bride , The Great (upcoming), Inkheart , The Darling Buds of May , Lady Jane , King Ralph , and Secrets of the Six Wives (with Dr. Lucy Worsley).

Visit the 3D tour HERE | Website

Dundas Castle

Location : Dalmeny, West Lothian, Scotland

This Scottish Castle is a castle wedding and events venue, and it occasionally plays host to TV and film crews. If you remember the 2000 film, The Little Vampire , that one was set at Dundas Castle. 

Visit the 3D tour HERE | Dundas Castle

Achnagairn Castle

Location : Kirkhill, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Achnagairn Castle is not far from Inverness, and it's one of the top wedding venues in the entirety of the UK. 

It's also worth noting that this particular tour is a Google Maps tour rather than a Matterport tour. It's still fun, but not of the same quality you'd get with a Matterport tour.

Warwick Castle

Location : Warwick, Warwickshire, England

This medieval castle was originally built by William the Conqueror around 1068, and it sits on the banks of the River Avon. Originally a wooden motte-and-bailey structure, it was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century.

It's also been used as a filming location for The Virgin Queen and a number of smaller productions.

Elmore Court Mansion

Location : Elmore, Gloucestershire, England

This Grade II listed mansion dates back to sometime between 1564 and 1588, and it enjoys views out over the Cotswolds and the River Severn. Today, it offers a slightly less stuffy space for weddings and events. 

Anne of Cleves House

Location : Lewes, East Sussex, England

This East Sussex building was owned by Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, and it now serves as a historic site and Tudor museum. Interestingly, she never actually visited the property. It was part of her annulment settlement in 1541.

Visit the 3D tour HERE

Nymans House

Location : Handcross, West Sussex, England

Nymans is a National Trust property in West Sussex, and it's best known for its gardens. It was once home to Anne Messel, mother of Princess Margaret's husband, Lord Snowden (formerly Anthony Armstrong Jones). 

This virtual tour takes you on a tour of the house.

Lewes Castle

Originally called Bray Castle, this 1000-year-old Norman castle offers views across Sussex. It's managed by the Sussex Archaeological Society, and they are a charity ( you can support them HERE ). These days, the site offers tours and activities, and it's also a wedding venue. 

3D Museum Tours

Oxford museum of natural history.

Location : Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

I love this Matterport tour, but the only major downside is that it's a bit old, and it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some of the more recent ones (like the bullseye symbols that let you zoom in on signs or small items). It's still very much worth a view, though, particularly if you can't make it to the museum or you ARE headed to the museum but your time is limited and you want to get the lay of the land.

Pitt Rivers Museum

Location : Oxford, Oxfordshire (only accessible via the Oxford Museum of Natural History)

Part of the University of Oxford, this museum houses the archaeological and anthropological artifacts from their collection. 

View the 3D tour HERE

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Location : Bristol, England

This museum features a treasure trove of archaeological artifacts, art, (including some by famed local Banksy), and even a Romany caravan.

Sigmund Freud Museum

Location : London, England

Sigmund Freud's London home has been transformed into a museum of his life and work. Sadly, the images aren't of a high enough quality that you can always read all signs, but it's better than nothing when you're not able to physically visit.

Bletchley Park National Museum of Computing

Location : Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England

Whether you're a WWII buff, an amateur codebreaker, or just someone who enjoyed The Bletchley Circle , you'll enjoy this virtual tour of the computer museum now housed at Bletchley Park.

Charles Dickens Museum

From 25 March 1837 to December 1839, Charles Dickens lived in a Georgian terrace house at 48 Doughty Street in Holborn, London Borough of Camden. Today, it's a museum celebrating the beloved Brit's life and work. 

Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum

Location : Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

This museum gives you a chance to take a look at Andrew Carnegie's life and rise from rags to riches. Though Carnegie's actual birthplace is a tiny cottage adjacent to the museum, the museum is a lovely hall built by his wife in 1928. 

Fun fact: Andrew Carnegie is believed to have been a strong influence on the character of Scrooge McDuck (currently voice by David Tennant ).

3D Tours of Religious Sites

Salisbury cathedral.

This massive Anglican cathedral in Wiltshire is regarded as one of the leading examples of Early English architecture. It's also home to Britain's tallest spire and the best preserved Magna Carta. 

If you're a bird lover, you can also check out their nesting peregrines HERE . 

Location : Salisbury, Wiltshire, England | Website

Saint Leonard's Church, Streatham

One of the creepier tours on the list, I highly recommend going down to the crypt. Due to some fires, the majority of the church looks quite new. The crypt, however, is old and creepy and everything you'd hope for in a crypt.

Location : Lambeth, London, England | Website

Michelham Priory & Gatehouse

Home to the country's largest medieval, water-filled moat, this former priory has 800 years of history – including use as an evacuee shelter during WWII. Today, it serves as a museum and historic site for all to enjoy. They survive on admission fees and charitable donations, so if you feel so inclined, you can make a donation to the site's preservation HERE . 

Location : Upper Dicker, East Sussex, England

Visit the 3D tour HERE | Visit the Gatehouse tour HERE | Visit the Barn tour HERE | Website

Newstead Abbey

Location : Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire, England

Best known as the ancestral home of Lord Byron, this site was formerly and Augustinian priory. Today, they offer weddings, group visits, corporate hire, and educational trips. 

Westminster Abbey

Perhaps the most famous religious site in England, Westminster Abbey is available to tour on Google Street View. Unlike the usual spotty tours with just a few images and tourists scattered everywhere, they prepared for this and brought in professionals, resulting in a high-quality virtual tour. 

3d Tours of Other British Attractions & Historic Sites

Fishbourne palace.

Location : Fishbourne, West Sussex, England

Fishbourne Palace was the largest residential Roman building discovered in Britain, and also one of the oldest. It was built somewhere around 75 AD, roughly 30 years after the Roman conquest of Britain.

Nature Discovery Centre

Location : Thatcham, Berkshire, England

Though most 3D walkthroughs focus on indoor locations, this one takes you to a nature centre positioned on Thatcham Lake, a flooded gravel quarry. 

The Old Ship Hotel Cellar

Location : Brighton, East Sussex, England

The Old Ship Hotel is a historic hotel in Brighton, England. It's the oldest hotel in Brighton, believed to have been built in 1559, and it contains the Old Ship Assembly Rooms. In the 1700s, they hosted card evenings on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the hotel has played host to people like Niccolo Paganini and Charles Dickens.

Unfortunately, the tour below only covers the cellars – which now serve as a cocktail bar (Brighton's ONLY underground cocktail bar, in fact). You can also rent the venue.

What's Your Favourite Virtual Tour in England, Scotland or Wales?

Feel free to share your favourites in the comments. We'll definitely be adding more virtual tours to this list as we find them.

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We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

12 virtual tours of the UK's most famous landmarks to enjoy from your sofa

From Buckingham Palace to Stonehenge...

We might not be able to visit them in person, but these virtual tours mean you won't miss out. Grab a cuppa and take a look at the virtual tours below...

Buckingham Palace

Why not have a nosy around Her Majesty's abode with this virtual online tour? You'll even get your own tour guide...

Take in the unforgettable historic site of Stonehenge from your sofa with this 360-degree virtual tour. It's known as one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments.

TAKE A TOUR

St Ives beach

You might not be able to head to the beach in St Ives, Cornwall , at the moment, but that doesn't mean you can't immerse yourself in its beauty. Pan through this virtual tour of the beach.

Edinburgh Castle

Want to brush-up on your Scottish history? This virtual tour takes you around Edinburgh Castle and gives you stellar views.

Tower of London

Enjoy the Tower of London without the crowds and endless queues, thanks to this in-depth virtual tour.

Giant's Causeway

Explore the 40,000 interlocking columns and idyllic views of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland with this virtual tour. Pop the kettle on and enjoy.

Chatsworth House

Immerse yourself in the gardens and interiors of Chatsworth House from your living room. Set in a beautiful parkland and backed by stunning woods, this tour is certain to provide some lovely afternoon viewing.

Explore the deep, fresh waters of Loch Ness with Google's virtual tour.

York Minster

Take a peek inside one of the world's most beautiful cathedrals with this virtual tour. Marvel at the incredible ornate ceilings, stunning artwork and impressive history.

Abbey Road Studios

Music lovers will adore stepping into the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London.

Hadrian's Wall

Stretching 73 miles coast to coast, Hadrian's Wall in Carlisle is rich in history.

St Paul's Cathedral

Soak up the beauty of St Paul's Cathedral from the comfort of your own home, thanks to this online virtual tour.

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11 virtual tours of London’s top museums & landmarks

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

If you are planning to visit London I am sure there are many of its famous landmarks and museums you are considering adding to your itinerary. It can be overwhelming to decide exactly which ones to visit.

Luckily many of the most popular London bucket list attractions have virtual tours accessible online so it is possible to take virtual walkthroughs and tours on our laptops, mobiles, and other devices. This is a great way to research London and prepare for your visit ahead of time.

In this article, you will find links to London museums, galleries, and landmarks that offer an online experience. if you are planning your visit to London we have a guide to buying London attraction tickets with tips and advice to ensure you see everything you want in the city.

Buckingham Palace

Tower of london, houses of parliament, 10 downing street, hampton court palace, the british museum, the natural history museum, the british library, the national gallery, imperial war museum – the churchill war rooms, enjoy the virtual tours of london, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks).

Famous London landmarks

Would you like to take a stroll through the halls of Buckingham Palace? Well now is your opportunity to take a peek inside the Queen’s official London Residence.

The State Rooms are only open during a few months of summer (and you have to book ahead as it’s so popular) but now you can take a virtual tour of the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Drawing Room and the Blue Drawing Room.

I wouldn’t like to have to keep all those carpets clean!!

Click here for Buckingham Palace or here to read about the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Take an audio and accompanying virtual tour of the Tower of London . The tour is a great way to learn about the history of the Tower before your visit.

For example do you know why ravens are kept at the Tower of London? Or which famous names from history were executed on Tower Green?

You can find out the answers to these questions during the virtual tour!

Click here for the Tower of London virtual tour or here for our complete guide to visiting the Tower of London

Order! Order! Take a stroll through the halls of Westminster and explore the House of Commons and House of Lords where laws have been debated for centuries.

The Palace of Westminster offers a 360-degree virtual tour of the building with lots of interesting information to read along the way.

The artwork and architecture is beautiful – I found it interesting to explore such an iconic building from the inside! We are all familiar with it from the outside but how many of us have actually set foot inside the Houses of Parliament? Having taken a virtual exploration it will definitely be on my London itinerary to do so when I next visit!

Click here for the Houses of Parliament

10 Downing Street is the official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 1735.

It may be familiar to fans of the rom-com Love Actually (one of a number of movies shot in London ) which has scenes featuring the staircase and a number of rooms in the house including the Prime Minister’s office. (though it has to be mentioned these were actually filmed at Shepperton Studios and not in 10 Downing Street!)

If you want to see whether the filmmakers got it right take a virtual tour to find out!

Click here for 10 Downing Street

Reputed to be Henry VIII’s favourite royal palace Hampton Court is also popular with tourists from around the world with nearly 1 million people visiting every year.

Built in the early 16th century by Cardinal Wolsey Henry eventually took it over for himself and transformed it into the Mar-a-Lago of its day.

After Henry VII’s death, subsequent Kings and Queens added to the palace. In 1838 Queen Victoria opened it up to the public for all to enjoy.

Take a virtual tour of the Great Hall, Great Watching Chamber and Great Kitchen in 360 degrees.

Click here for Hampton Court Palace

Museums & Art Galleries

Take a virtual tour around one of the best museums in the world.

You can search over 4 million object records online on the British Museum collection database. Choose from curated collections including the themes of Americas; Animals; China; Death and Memory; Desire, love and identity; Egypt; and Africa.

You can find detailed information about each of the galleries in the museum plus take a virtual tour of Prints and Drawings and Oceania.

The British Museum is just one of many museums and galleries in London which offer free entry . This is worth remembering when you are planning your trip – this and other money-saving tips can be found in my budget travel guide to London.

Click here to visit the British Museum

Take a tour of the wonderful Natural History Museum and explore using their interactive online guide.

There are a multitude of ways to explore the museum online enabling you to, “Delve into the Museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough.” (source Natural History Museum website)

Click here to visit the Natural History Museum

I didn’t find this the easiest website to navigate but once you get into it there are some interesting things to look at. Being a fan of maps and globes I found the 3D article about European globes of the 17–18th centuries quite fascinating!

There are some online exhibitions including Harry Potter: A Brief History of Magic and Alice in Wonderland that are worth taking a look at.

Click here to visit the British Library

The National Gallery situated on Trafalgar Square in the heart of London has one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.

With over 2,300 works by artists including Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Titian the collection is free for public viewing.

The Gallery offers a number of virtual tours including around the Sainsbury Wing (which houses Early Renaissance paintings and a virtual tour of 18 rooms showcasing over 300 paintings in the collection.

Click here for the National Gallery

Read more – 10 UK landmarks and sights you can visit on a virtual tour

The Victoria & Albert Museum is the world’s leading museum of art and design. It was founded in 1852 and named after the then King and Queen – Victoria and Albert.

Take a virtual tour through the Gallery of Fashion and discover how clothing design has changed throughout history.

Other online exhibitions include Balenciaga: Master Craftsman; Indian Textiles: Nature and Making; The politics of Fashion and Ann West’s Patchwork.

Click here for the V & A Museum

The Churchill War Rooms are part of the Imperial War Museum in London . Located deep beneath the Palace of Westminster the rooms were used during WWII by Churchill and his ministers to meet and plan wartime tactics and strategies.

If you have an interest in history this is a fascinating virtual tour of the rooms. The 3D virtual floor plan is excellent and there is much to read and learn as you explore.

Click here for the Churchill War Rooms

Ready to plan your visit to London? You will find these posts helpful with lots of tips for making the most of your trip:

• How To Get Around London On Public Transport
• London Accommodation Guide
• First time visitors guide to London
• 12 Best Day trips from London by train (+logistics, tips & maps)
• The 9 Regions of England (An essential guide for itinerary planning

Find lots of more inspiration for your trip to London in my London Travel Guide which has lots of tips, itineraries and more to help you plan your perfect itinerary.

With homes throughout Central & East London, you'll find your perfect property with Petty's

17 virtual tours of the uk to enjoy during lockdown.

We may not be able to travel at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore some of the UK’s biggest attractions! Many of the biggest tourist hotspots across the country have excellent virtual tours and webcams in place, and they offer the perfect distraction during lockdown.

Here’s 17 of our favourites...

Houses of Parliament

A full 360° tour of the world famous seat of British government is available for all. Here you’ll be able to work your way through the Peer’s Corridor and take a peek at the Robing Room before spinning around in the Central Lobby.

The Roman Baths

Moving away from the capital for a moment, we head to Bath for an incredible look at the city’s most famous attraction...the Roman Baths. Steeped in history, this virtual tour takes you across the terrace and into (not literally) the Great Bath. 

Natural History Museum

The wonderful Natural History Museum in Kensington has an entire virtual museum to explore. Interactive talks, behind-the-scenes exclusives, and even a brilliant narration from the one and only Sir David Attenborough are all just a click away. 

Stonehenge is one of those places many of us may have on our must-visit list, yet we never seem to get round to going. Well, now’s your chance to explore the magical stone structure digitally, with a virtual tour from inside the stones.

Tate Britain

Not so much a virtual tour, more of a walkthrough of British art, this page from the Tate has 12 different rooms to traverse, taking you from 1540 right up to the 1960s. A wonderful distraction from home schooling or the working day.

Chester Zoo

Fans of the fantastic TV show, The Secret Life of the Zoo, will be delighted to learn that Chester Zoo has opened its virtual doors for all. There are live streaming events, and ways to catch up if you miss them, all at the end of your fingertips.

The RAF Museum is an amazing place to find out more about our Royal Air Force and to experience some of the ways in which their existence has changed and shaped our lives. While the tour isn’t comprehensive, you’ll still get the chance to hang out in Hangars 4 and 5, as well as the Grahame White Watch Office.

Shakespeare’s Globe

For those with a more thespian outlook, Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s South Bank may be more up your street. This beautiful circular, 16th century playhouse oozes character and charm...even when viewed online. There’s also a downloadable app available from the page. Go check it out.

Tower of London

Possibly one of the most famous of London’s many amazing attractions, The Tower of London is always packed to the gunnels with tourists from near and far. Fancy taking a more sedate look around the Crown Jewels? Now’s your chance.

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is a favourite amongst gig goers from around the globe. Whether their musical preferences err towards classical, rock, or something in between, the Royal Albert Hall has a special place in people’s hearts. Have a look around this iconic auditorium yourself. 

Hampton Court Palace

Take a wander through the Great Hall into the Great Watching Chamber and onto the Great Kitchens with this virtual tour of Hampton Court Palace, home of Henry VIII. 

British Museum

The British Museum has a whole page dedicated to exploring the central London attraction from home, and it is fantastic. On top of the virtual galleries that are available to all online, there’s also the museum podcast, audio tours, and learning resources aplenty. Well worth a look.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is another must-see virtual tour in our opinion. For those lucky enough to have a VR headset at home, full immersion in Early Renaissance paintings is available, but there’s much, much more for the rest of us. An excellent way to while away an afternoon.

Giant’s Causeway

The National Trust has a number of Giant’s Causeway tours listed online for you to explore. This dramatic coastal landscape has been an inspiration for many artists over the years, but what will the virtual tour stir up for you? Only one way to find out...

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most visited attractions in the UK, and it’s been that way since the Middle Ages. Don’t let lockdown stop you exploring this incredible place of worship.

Lake District

The Lake District National Park covers an astonishing 912 square miles of beautiful British landscape and has 10 mountains above 2,900 feet within its borders, so it’s little wonder we flock there in droves all year round. Take a look at some of the best spots with these webcams.

The Wonders of Wanstead

Come on! You didn’t think we’d leave E11 off of our list, did you? Here’s our homage to the place we call home...

With all this virtual chat, it would be remiss of us not to mention the fact that we are now conducting both virtual valuations and viewings. To find out more about these services, please click here .

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Virtual Museum: 13 ways to explore from home

Delve into the Museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

1. Stroll around the Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature exhibition

Although the exhibition at the Museum closed on 3 January 2022, you can still step into an online world full of fantastic real-life and magical beasts. There are highlights, stories and games galore. 

Walk around the exhibition from home with a 360° virtual tour on Google Arts & Culture.

2.  Take a deep dive into the life of a blue whale

Explore the rich history of Hope, the blue whale suspended from the ceiling in Hintze Hall. In this online interactive, see what her life was like in the ocean, find out how she got to her home in the Museum and get a behind-the-scenes peek of the Museum's collections.

Go one step further by viewing the skeleton in augmented reality (AR) with Google Arts & Culture. 

3. Hang out with scientists online

Catch up on all the Nature Live Online talks featuring topical discussions with our scientists and cutting-edge research. 

Free event recordings. 

Image:  NASA .

4.  Sound choices: listen to these podcasts

Every year the Museum attracts millions of curious visitors eager to learn about the natural world.

Bring that curiosity home, and learn more about natural history, science, and the world around you with these great podcasts. 

5.  Let Sir David Attenborough guide you around Hintze Hall

Sir David's unmistakable voice and expertise on all things nature make him the perfect person to take you on a tour of Hintze Hall's star specimens (including the blue marlin), all from the comfort of home.

6.  Go on a virtual tour of the Museum

Google Arts & Culture gives you access to 300,000 specimens within the Museum's collections, along with 35 digital exhibitions , virtual tours and an interactive gigapixel photo (so enormous you can zoom in on the tiniest detail) of Hintze Hall's gilded canopy. 

7.  Flick through Wildlife Photographer of the Year images

Explore the exhibition at your own pace in this online gallery filled with stunning nature photographs. 

8.  Watch us on the small screen

The Museum's stunning architecture has made it a popular choice as a filming location for everything from blockbuster movies to TV dramas.

Discover which films and television shows feature the Museum.

Paddington (2014)

9. Examine a 3D model of Dippy's skull

Get up close to the skull of the Museum's iconic Diplodocus cast produced by our Imaging and Analysis Centre. See more 3D models on Sketchfab , including Darwin's fossil mammals and the Crystal Palace sculptures .

10. See illustrations from HMS Endeavour

Our collection of botanical illustrations from HMS Endeavour make up some of the most scientifically significant artworks in our archive. It features works by Sydney Parkinson .

11.  Browse the Library and Archives digital collections

Dig deep into the archives, where you'll find scientifically important art, books, prints and manuscripts, including drawings by William Smith and brothers Franz and Ferdinand Bauer.

12. Uncover highlights from the collections

We've wrapped up some of the highlights from the collections on display including specimens from space , the spirit collection , Charles Darwin and the Treasures gallery .

Discover more stories from the collections  including stories from the Museum at Tring .

13. Zoom in on beetles

Open the drawers and zoom in on 16 Coleoptera collections held at the Museum including those from Thomas Broun (1838-1919), David Sharp (1840-1922) and Charles O. Waterhouse (1843-1917).

Find out more about the  Entomology collections .

Virtual expeditions with our scientists

What is it like to go on a dino dig?

Explore an interactive story about Museum experts' adventure to Wyoming, USA, when they went off-grid in search of Jurassic dinosaurs.

Explore a 360 panorama of Antarctica

Join Dr Adrian Glover as he journeys to the site of a collapsed Antarctic ice shelf. Experience the awe-inspiring view from the ship deck.

Online events

Whether you want to try your hand at crafting or join our virtual yoga - there is something for everyone. 

Find out more

Let the exploration continue.

Enjoy nature on your doorstep

Find activities and ideas to occupy yourself and family at home, in your garden or local outdoor space.

Try this at home

Discover more stories from the collections

Uncover colourful stories behind the specimens, meet collectors and curators past and present and read about their contributions to our understanding of the natural world. 

Teaching resources

A range of downloadable educational curriculum-linked resources that you can adapt for home use.

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UK attractions with virtual tours so you can explore without leaving your house

Best virtual tours of UK attractions including Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge so you can explore without leaving the house

• 11:55, 26 Mar 2020
• Updated 11:57, 26 Mar 2020

Staying at home is important right now, but binge-watching Netflix or batch cooking can quickly get boring.

However, sitting on your sofa doesn't mean you can't do some exploring.

In fact, a host of major UK attractions offer virtual tours you can take, whether you want a sneak peek of Buckingham Palace's grandiose interiors, or views of the breathtaking landscapes in the Lake District.

We're not suggesting it's the same as visiting the real thing of course, but it can make for a welcome distraction.

So grab a cup of tea, settle into your sofa and let yourself be transported to some of the UK's brilliant attractions and destinations...

1. Stonehenge

The English Heritage site boasts an official virtual tour that offers 360 degree views, as if you were standing in the middle of the mysterious stone circle.

It's an interactive offering, so you can click on specific points and learn more about the history, without missing out on highlights that a guided tour would have pointed out.

Check out the virtual tour here .

2. Buckingham Palace

The Queen 's residence offers 360 virtual tours of iconic rooms including the Throne Room, Grand Staircase and the White Drawing Room. You can click on information points to learn more about the history and key spots not to miss.

3. Lake District

The Lake District is renowned for its spectacular scenery but you can get a taste on the region's official website thanks to the various webcams which have been strategically placed to overlook some of the prettiest scenery.

Highlights include Lake Windermere, Coniston Water and Derwent Water.

The website also offers a gallery of beautiful pictures if you're in need of some extra escapism.

Check out the webcam footage here .

4. The Roman Baths

Bath's most famous attraction offers a virtual 'walkthrough' of the iconic Roman baths and architecture. Explore the Great Bath, heated rooms and plunge pools and the terrace, or learn more about the fascinating history with a virtual tour of some of the museum exhibitions.

5. Giant's Causeway

National Trust offers a 360 degree panoramic virtual tour of the spectacular landmark in Northern Ireland, with the added bonus of it being during one of those picture-perfect sunsets.

Want to find out more about the natural highlight? We've picked out 8 interesting facts about the Giant's Causeway you might not know - including where its name comes from.

6. The Globe

Theatre and history fans can get their fill with a virtual tour of the iconic London theatre where Shakespeare's plays were performed.

Check out the theatre as a spectator or enjoy the same view as the actors on stage, head backstage in the Tiring-House or discover the Musicians Gallery.

7. Palace of Holyroodhouse

One of the Queen's UK residences , the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland offers a virtual tour with highlights including The Great Staircase, the Morning Drawing Room and the King's Bedchamber.

8. Canterbury Cathedral

Get a sneak peek of the cathedral's incredible architecture and beautiful artefacts in this extensive tour which offers a floor plan where you can select the rooms you're interested in for 360 degree camera views.

Highlights include the Bell Harry Tower and the Crypt.

9. The National Gallery

Get a dose of art and culture thanks to the virtual tour on offer from the National Gallery in London. Tour the rooms and wings, and zoom in on the artwork to see some of the highlights (and no need to face the crowds of visitors which usually flock here).

10. British Museum

Forget facing crowds to see the British Museum's amazing collections - on this virtual tour you can check out the highlights at your own leisure.

The museum teamed up with Google Earth for the tour. It's worth noting that it doesn't offer a walkthrough experience, but it's a great way of getting a taste of what will be on offer the day you can go and check it out in real life.

MORE ON Buckingham Palace Days out UK holidays

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Virtual Visits 

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Key information

Session times.

Workshops are held every weekday: 10.45–11.45 12.30–13.30 14.00–15.00

Booking information

Free, for UK schools only, booking online essential. Read the  privacy policy . Cancellation and no-show policies apply. See  terms and conditions .

Connect your class to the British Museum for a free live interactive workshop. For UK school children aged 7–11, these workshops cover areas of the history curriculum from prehistory and ancient Egypt to the Indus Valley, Greek temples and Roman Britain.

Through live activities, interactive quizzes and thought-provoking questions your class will enhance their knowledge and understanding of the past.

Our expert will help to develop your students historical inquiry skills and challenge them to think critically. Find out more about how a Virtual Visit works below.

Book now to join the tens of thousands of students who have been taught through the SDDC's Virtual Visits since 2011.

Thank you for your interest.

Virtual Visit

Take your class on a fascinating journey through time with a Virtual Visit.

Explore our current programme.

Virtual Visit: Peek into prehistory

Virtual Visit: Touring Greek temples

Virtual Visit: Roman Britain treasure challenge

Virtual Visit: Myth-busting ancient Egypt

Virtual Visit: Indus Valley investigation

How it works, how do i make a booking.

All Virtual Visits are free. 

Only bookings made directly by UK schools will be accepted. We don't accept bookings from third parties. 

Before you book your Virtual Visit online, please ensure you have read the privacy policy and have the following information ready: 

• Your school address
• Your school email address and phone number
• Your choice of workshop
• Your group's access requirements

Booking confirmation should be within two weeks. Book now

How do I book multiple classes?

You can book multiple dates and times for different classes or all your classes can join at the same date and time. 

As each Virtual Visit is taught live and is interactive, the fewer the number of classes attending each session, the greater the likelihood of our experts being able to engage directly with more individual students. 

If you'd like to make bookings for multiple dates and times, these must be booked separately.

To make it easier for you to manage your bookings, you can assign different teachers to different bookings using their professional contact details when booking. 

What happens during your Virtual Visit?

You'll join the meeting on the video conferencing platform Zoom, using the details sent to you by email after your booking confirmation. If your students are joining from multiple locations, you can share these details with them. A British Museum expert will be in the Museum and will lead the live workshop. You and your students will be the only participants during the workshop, it's just for you.

At least one teacher will need to remain present during the workshop, either in your physical classroom or as a participant on the call if students are joining from multiple locations. If at any point our staff believe the teacher is no longer present, they will end the event as we can no longer adhere to the Museum's safeguarding policy. 

How do you connect your class to the Museum?

If students are learning in your classroom, you'll need: 

• A computer with the ability to join a meeting on Zoom. This is how we'll connect your classroom to the Museum.
• A smartboard, large screen or projector connected to the computer running Zoom. This is how your students will see the live video.
• Speakers, often built into smartboard, screens and projectors connected to the computer running Zoom. This is how your students will hear the live video.
• A webcam connected or built into the computer running Zoom. This is how your students will be visible to the Museum's expert.
• A microphone connected or built into the computer running Zoom. This is how your students will be heard by the Museum's expert.

You can test all of the above equipment prior to booking by joining a test Zoom meeting. Instructions are available on Zoom's website .

Students learning remotely will each need a computer with the ability to join a meeting on the video conferencing platform Zoom.

How do I cancel or amend my booking?

If you're not able to attend a session you must inform the Box Office at least 14 days before the session date.

For further information see the  cancelling your booking section of our terms of use .  

What safety measures are in place?

In addition to the Privacy policy and the Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy , the Museum also has a risk assessment for Virtual Visits.

How can these workshops be tailored for specific access requirements?

We aim to make our workshops as accessible as possible, for example:

• We ensure our staff speak clearly and slowly
• We provide session support notes in advance
• We send all worksheets in advance so they can be printed as required

If you have specific access requirements for your group, you can communicate these when booking, and we we'll endeavour to meet them.

How do your students take part in the online quiz?

You'll need:

• One or more devices (smartphone, tablet or computer) in addition to the computer running Zoom. This can work with up to one device per student or even only one device for the whole class. We recommend as many as possible.
• The ability to open Kahoot on devices. This is how students will answer during the interactive quiz. We recommend opening this link on all devices prior to the start of the workshop.

You can test Kahoot with your students by doing this short Pre-Virtual Visit Quiz  with them.

What happens to my data?

• Personal data which is provided by you as part of your booking will be held in accordance with our privacy policy  and will be securely deleted as soon as the purpose for which it has been collected has been fulfilled.
• The British Museum will never take screen shots or make audio or visual recordings of any Virtual Visits without consent. 
• The Virtual Visit will be hosted using a video conferencing platform which is used under license by the British Museum. Your unique meeting invitation and passcode will be shared by email only with you. We won't share any of your personal data with the video conferencing platform and you may need to register with the platform in order to use the service. Any personal data which you provide to the platform in order to register will be held according to their terms and conditions and privacy policy. The British Museum will not have access to this information.  

What happens after the workshop?

You'll be emailed an evaluation survey to the same address you used to book. Completing the survey is optional. Your feedback in the survey will help to develop and improve the workshops.

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

What can you do if your question is not answered here?

Contact the Box Office. If they can't answer your question directly, they should be able to pass your question onto someone who can.

Email: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8181

Keep in touch

For the latest resources and educational events at the British Museum, sign up for our School newsletter.

Supported by

Samsung Electronics is proud to sponsor the Digital Discovery Centre at the British Museum, as part of our global commitment to youth and education. We have been working together in partnership since 2008, developing an innovative digital learning programme offered to schools and families. We are delighted that over 20,000 visitors every year are using Samsung's latest technology to explore and discover the Museum's collection in new ways. By introducing our advanced technology into a learning environment, we hope to open the door to a world of possibilities.

Find out more about Samsung 

Sponsorship case study: Samsung 

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School visits

14 Of London’s Very Best Virtual Museum And Exhibition Tours

Chances are you’re twiddling your thumbs, aching to go out.

Join the club. But there are still lots of ways you can pass the time, while also feeling like you’re out in the heart of London culture. While there are countless virtual tours that you can dive into around the world , many of the most wonderful online museums, exhibitions and walking tours can be found on London soil. We’ve rounded up some of the best.

1. Greenwich Painted Hall

The beautiful Greenwich Painted Hall only reopened after works a year ago . So, only a lucky percentage have seen it in all its glory in recent years. Nevertheless, keen art-lovers can still catch the marvellous paintings online. You’ll get beautiful 360-degree views of the hall, including the stunning benches, windows and full-wall murals.

Check out Greenwich Hall with the full stunning surfaces right here.

2. British Museum 

View this post on Instagram

Take a scrolling stroll around the British Museum and head through their virtual time-capsule. You’ll make Marty McFly look like a fool with this one, as the tool lets you look at artefacts from as far back as 5000 BC. This site gives you a tour of any year, whether it’s 1400 AD or 2000 BC. It beckons the nation to come out of the lockdown as well-rounded, esteemed historians.

Take the scroll of your life through the British Museum right here.

3. Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum was one of the first London museums to close its doors , before all the others were ordered to follow suit. But, if Ben Stiller taught us anything, it’s that life lives on in museums regardless of human movement inside. The dinosaurs, the blue whales and the scary skulls are all on hand to provide us with a cracking virtual display. The museum’s website gives a host of options on ways to interact with all things natural and historic. The pick of the bunch, however, has to be a guided interactive tour of Hintze Hall led by none other than Sir David Attenborough .

Check out the vast array of museum tour opportunities right here. 

4. Yayoi Kusama’s world-renowned Infinity Rooms, which were due to hit the Tate Modern

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Broad (@thebroadmuseum) on Apr 1, 2020 at 7:12pm PDT

Yayoi Kusama’s spectacular Infinity Rooms have gripped the public as they make their way to different stops around the globe. Kusama’s Infinity Rooms are chambers just big enough for three people, filled with stunning beams of light for a unique, individual experience. They were due to hit the Tate Modern on 11 May , but sadly have been halted due to COVID-19. Never fear, Instagram is here. The Broad Museum has provided an interactive view of Kusama’s room via the app , which aims to transport you from your sofa to the radiant glow of infinity.

5. Jack The Ripper walking tour

Take yourself out to the spooky spots that Jack The Ripper once roamed through… all from the safety of your own home. In this thrilling tour, you’ll learn about London’s most notorious serial killer, his victims and even investigate other alleged perpetrators. The historical tour displays the Whitechapel crime scenes and lets you draw up your own conclusions about the never-caught killer himself. It’s the most detailed and all-consuming virtual tour you can experience from lockdown.

Find out more about the spooky tour and grab your tickets right here.

6. The Postal Museum

As the magic of the  Postal Museum  remains behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, virtual visitors are able to hop on board the museum’s star attraction: the famous Mail Rail. “Passengers” on the virtual tour will explore the hidden subterranean world of the 100-year-old Post Office Railway, chugging its way through the original tunnels.

Read all about it and get involved here.

7. The National Gallery

The National Gallery provides detailed virtual tours of their different wings. See everything from early renaissance paintings, to 360-degree views of Holstein and Titian. It’s a world to get lost in and immerse yourself in the best art the capital has to offer.

Check out the virtual tours of The National Gallery on offer here.

8. The London Transport Museum

If you’ve got time to kill, this is an excellent, detailed walking tour of the London Transport Museum. As it was filmed this time last year, the crowds in the museum might make you pine for the days where you could join them. It’s a great way to get to grips with London’s historic travel company.

9. Houses of Parliament

While they’re normally bellowing away here, even the MPs are mostly working from home. No matter how you feel they’re handling this ongoing crisis, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a feel for the historic buildings they normally grace. This 360-degree virtual tour lets you wander through the Commons, the Lords and the lobbies, halls and galleries that make up the Houses Of Parliament.

Check out the Houses Of Parliament virtual tour here.

10. Buckingham Palace State Tour Rooms

As it’s the Queen’s birthday this week (April 21), it would be remiss of us not to let you know about the Buckingham Palace virtual tours . Check out the majestic throne room, the grand staircase, the drawing-room and much more. Truly the most royal you can feel at a time like this.

Check out the Buckingham Palace State Room tours right here.

11.  Courtauld Gallery

The Courtauld Gallery has past experience in getting this kind of thing to work. It closed its doors temporarily in September 2018, and offered viewers a virtual tour. This has, of course, come in handy for the current situation. Anyone can gawk at the beautiful work of Manet, Van Gogh and plenty more with a virtual display of every single room.

Check out the full Courtauld Gallery tour right here.

12.  Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Tutanhkamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh‘ exhibit

The Tutankhamun exhibit was one of the hottest tickets in town prior to lockdown—and one of the final chances to see the artefacts before their permanent move to Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum—so news of the online tour is welcome indeed. The gallery invites you to “Enter The Tomb” where you’re able to check out prized artefacts such as vases, coffinettes, and statues.

13. Andy Warhol at Tate Modern

Mainly down to the brilliant weather that London has so typically experienced as soon as everyone got forced inside, this is one that hurts a lot. A day out on the sunny Southbank topped off by cooling down at this Andy Warhol exhibition sounds like complete heaven. Nonetheless, the Tate Modern has ensured that we don’t completely miss out. A full video of the excellent Andy Warhol exhibition can be found online, along with a detailed commentary that explores the exhibition room by room.

14.  NOW Gallery’s “Slices Of Time” installation

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by emmanuelle moureaux (@emmanuellemoureaux) on Feb 3, 2020 at 2:50pm PST

Before the forced closures, NOW Gallery housed Emmanuele Moureaux’s first large-scale installation in the UK. Luckily though, the free exhibition, dubbed “Slices Of Time”, can still be found online. It’s the most brightly-coloured display on this list and is inspired by the artist’s time living in Tokyo among the neon lights. Slices Of Time takes on Moureaux’s invented concept of  shikiri,  which means ‘dividing space with colour’. The exhibition is a sight to behold and it’s available here for free .

See also:  The Netherlands’ Breathtaking Tulip Fields Are In Full Bloom, And You Can Explore Them Virtually

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5 castles in the UK you can tour virtually for a positively aristocratic 'vacation' from your couch

• Many of the UK's most famous castles can be toured virtually.
• Virtual "vacations" are on the rise amid travel restrictions due to the coronavirus.
• There are outright bans or strict rules in place for visiting some countries, including many in Europe.
• US citizens have to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the UK , while borders to the EU remain shut to US tourists .
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

It's that time of year — or at least, it's that time of the pandemic — when photos of Europeans going on vacation to Italy or the south of France take over social media.

It hurts only a little, especially as the borders to the EU remain closed to US tourists and a 14-day quarantine is mandated for those traveling to the UK. Many countries are keeping American travelers out because the outbreak is not considered contained in the US, with total reported cases approaching 5.5 million at last count — far more than any other country's reported case total.

Luckily, a few English and Scottish castles were nice enough to "open" their doors so anyone (including US citizens) can virtually take the holiday we all very much need. And though we can't actually sit in the gardens at Scotland's Blair Castle or walk the rooms of the Queen's Palace of Holyroodhouse — with a good internet connection, we can pretend that we're right there.

Too bad no one has recreated this virtual experience for the beaches in Portofino (yet, anyway). 

Here's how to access the online tour offerings for five stunning English castles that make for an ideal virtual-weekend escape.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland

Noted for being Queen Elizabeth II's official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse offers a free virtual tour of its Royal Dining Room, its Grand Stair, and its Morning Drawing Room. 

By touring the place and clicking the "I" icon that hovers over some objects in the rooms, people can learn more about this famous Edinburgh palace and its history.

For example, in the Morning Drawing Room, virtual visitors can learn about the cloisonné enamel copper incense burner, which was given to Queen Victoria in 1896 by Chinese Ambassador Li Hongzhang on behalf of the Emperor of China. The burner dates back to the second half of the 1700s .

Typically, the Palace of Holyroodhouse palace is open year-round to the public and even hosts garden parties. 

Access to Virtual Tours: HERE

Source:  Royal UK

Blair Castle & Gardens in Perthshire, Scotland

Located in Perthshire, Scotland, Blair Castle currently has free virtual tours of its gardens and a few of its rooms.

The castle is best known for being home to 19 generations of the Atholl Family , a prominent Scottish family whose members included politicians, entrepreneurs, agriculturists, scholars, and soldiers.

Each generation of the Atholl family has made its mark on the castle, and a tour of its grounds captures key moments in Scotland's history. 

Access to Virtual Tour: HERE

Source: Blair Castle

Sissinghurst Castle in the Weald of Kent, England

Located in Cranbrook, Kent, the Sissinghurst Castle offers numerous free tours of its gardens , courtyard , and libraries . It is part of the National Trust, a charity organization in the UK that seeks to preserve heritage monuments. 

In the 1930s, the castle underwent a massive transformation by writer Vita Sackville-West. Her husband, Sir Harold Nicolson, helped map out the garden rooms. The Sissinghurst Castle Gardens created by Sackville-West and her husband are among the country's most famous gardens today.

Previously, in the 1700s, the castle was a prison, before it went on to house the women's land army and later became a family home. The virtual tour of this castle also gives access to the top of its famous Tours, in which the entire 450-acre estate can be seen. 

Access Virtual Tour of Garden: HERE

Access Virtual Tour of Rose Garden: HERE

Access Virtual  Tour of Courtyard: HERE

Access Virtual Tour of Library: HERE

Source: National Trust

Buckingham Palace in London, England

Perhaps the most famous palace in the world, many parts of Buckingham Palace can be virtually toured for free from the comfort of one's home. 

The tours give access to the Grand Staircase, the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, and the Blue Drawing Room. Located in the Westminster area of London, England, Buckingham is best known as the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II.

Access All Virtual Tours: HERE

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England

Blenheim Palace, located in the Woodstock region of Oxfordshire, England, has been home to the Marlborough family for centuries. 

Through the palace's website, visitors can book specialist virtual tours with Blenheim's palace historian, Antonia Keaney.

Rich with history, people will be able to choose what type of experience they want to have and can dive into the storied background of the palace, including learning about Winston Churchill and his relation to the palace, what life was like at the palace during World War II, and the story behind the first Duchess of Marlborough who lived here.  

Each tour lasts about 45 minutes, and tickets can be purchased in advance.

Book Virtual Tour: HERE

Source: Blenheim Palace

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10 of the best virtual travel experiences for 2021

Travel the world through this new crop of virtual experiences, from online guide walks to film festivals, wine-tasting to birdwatching

See Amsterdam’s Canal district as never before

Starting from their artisanal chocolate shop in the De Wallen red light district, husband-and-wife team Ian and Salomé have devised a tour of Amsterdam that, right now, shows its canals quieter than you’re ever likely to see them in person. The tour is organised through Vancouver-based ToursByLocals, which has launched more than 150 virtual experiences since the pandemic began. Tours cover many destinations and topics, from ghost-hunting in Kyoto to African-American culture in Harlem. Sessions are livestreamed and 100% of the cost can be redeemed against the purchase of a future, in-person tour with the same guide. One-hour Amsterdam tour every Sunday; £70 for up to six screens, toursbylocals.com

Join an icy plunge in Helsinki

On a virtual trip to Helsinki, Intrepid tour leader Kati Pankka will guide you around a private lakeside sauna. Pankka’s insights into traditional Finnish spa rituals include her taking an ice swim which, combined with sauna in winter, locals believe is a mood-booster with potential health benefits. The tour is part of a recent launch of 15 interactive virtual experiences by Intrepid’s Urban Adventures team, intended to help support its cohort of local guides during the pandemic. Sessions are conducted on Zoom in real time, many of them in the guide’s home. Other options include Mandala art and meditation in Delhi, and Polish pierogi-making with a Kraków cook. Helsinki experience (group tour option) from £19.84 , urbanadventures.com

Birdwatching on Florida’s Paradise Coast

Peregrine falcons, pelicans and even bald eagles can be found among the more than 200 species of birds that use south-west Florida’s Tigertail beach. The tidal lagoon and mudflats it feeds into on Marco Island are also an important migratory winter stop-off, now open for exploration through a seasonal online birdwatching programme. During new 90-minute educational tours, the shifting array of birdlife can be viewed in real-time through virtual binoculars placed along the beach, supplemented by photos. Sessions will be held monthly until April 2021, hosted by biologists Adam DiNuovo of conservation organisation Audubon Florida, and Collette Lauzau of the local Rookery Bay research reserve. The next event is on 16 January, and this month you can combine a birdwatching tour with other online activities during Florida’s Festival of Birds . Tours $10 , rookerybay.org

Tour the Mary Rose, Portsmouth

Visit Portsmouth has launched a number of virtual tours since the start of the pandemic and its latest project is guaranteed to fascinate budding young historians. The new interactive photosphere of the Mary Rose rotates 360 degrees along a walkway between the vessel’s wooden carcass and the artefacts that were found with the 16th-century wreck – and provides a good second-best to visiting in person. The Mary Rose Museum holds the largest collection of Tudor artefacts of its kind in the world and the photosphere lays out all the key discoveries from Henry VIII’s favourite warship through rotating clickable icons. Free, maryrose.org

Catch a movie at the New York Jewish film festival

Many film festivals will be virtual this year, making global fringe cinema more accessible than ever. The New York Jewish film festival, which starts this week, will be streaming documentaries, shorts and features from the Lincoln Center. Highlights include Nir Bergman’s Here We Are , a moving tale of a dad and his autistic son, and Irmi, an inspiring documentary about the life of Irmi Selver, a Jewish refugee who fled her home town of Chemnitz in eastern Germany during the rise of nazism. 13-26 January, virtual tickets $12 or $125 for an all-access pass, virtual.filmlinc.org

Walk the medieval streets of Transylvania

Romanian tour guide Vlad Blaj spent last summer recording virtual tours for his small travel company, Romanian Thrills. In the Mysteries of Medieval Braşov tour, participants can take a guided walk with Blaj through one of the most important towns of Saxon Transylvania, augmented by old photos, illustrations and maps. Though prerecorded, the tour follows an interactive format that allows participants to choose different paths at various points in the recording, allowing you to focus, for example, on the history of Braşov’s Black Church or alternatively taste traditional Romanian chimney cake at a street stall. A similar tour of Sighișoara will launch at the end of this month, and on 30 January Romanian Thrills is also hosting a free virtual river cruise tour of the Lower Danube. Virtual tours £15 a download, romanianthrills.us

Taste volcanic wines on Lanzarote

After six months with no work during 2020, Wine Tours Lanzarote flipped its Canaries-based activity business in October to become a UK-registered import/export operation. As the first company capable of sending Lanzarote’s little-known volcanic wines to the UK, it is now offering virtual tours. Interactive tastings are conducted with up to five local wines and run by a Wine & Spirit Education Trust -accredited guide using presentation slides, photos and videos. Also, the company has free, livestreamed Lanzarote craft beer and brewing sessions on Instagram . The next one will be on 15 January. Virtual wine tours £90, plus £9 each for up to three devices, and £9 for each extra device after that. Wine from £57 for three bottles, including delivery, wineshoplanzarote.com

Get a preview of Menorca’s new Isla del Rey gallery

Private gallery Hauser & Wirth has launched a virtual reality preview of its forthcoming base on Menorca’s Isla del Rey. The extensive arts centre, due to open later this year, will span eight galleries in and around an 18th-century decommissioned naval hospital inside Mahón port. The gallery incorporates conservation work and native planting schemes, and has virtually launched with works from artists including Glenn Ligon, Mark Bradford and Louise Bourgeois, including the latter’s giant Maman spider sculpture. The preview has been created using technology applied in architecture, construction and video-gaming to make the virtual journey more lifelike. Free, vip-hauserwirth.com

Discover Indigenous Australian culture in the Northern Territory

One tour operator in the far-north’s Katherine region has transposed its Indigenous Australian culture experience on to live video. Launched in November and available as a prerecorded download – making it time-suitable for the UK – the 45-minute tour from Top Didj is hosted by Indigenous Australian artist and storyteller Manuel Pamkal. Complete with a wallaby encounter, viewers are treated to stories of Manuel’s childhood growing up in the bush and learn about hunter-gathering, spear-throwing and music culture. Pamkal’s demonstrations of starting a fire with nothing but two sticks is sure to be a hit with the kids. Tour is now half price, AU$10, topdidj.com

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East Midlands Railway Stations

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

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Parrot Key Resort

Sunseeker – 90 Ocean

Tranquility Bay Resort

Tranquility Bay Social Media

Teignmouth Golf Course Video

Heaven Beach Apartments

Arden University

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Belzona Polymerics

The Club Company

Old Signal House

Parrot Key Google Display Ad

National Space Centre

TLH Leisure Resort

Hartpury University

GAMA Healthcare

St George’s Ascot

University of Exeter

Phase 3 Kitchens

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Topsham Museum

Yeovil College

Kingland House Care Home

University of Europe

Berlin School of Business & Innovation

Inglefield Care Home

Oakfield High School & College

Sunseeker – 100 Yacht

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Sir Thomas Rich’s

(Coming Soon) University of Roehampton

Oktra Workspace

Plymouth College of Arts

West Herts College

Central Bedfordshire College

Kelvinside Academy

Newport Girls High School

Ferndown Upper School

Wedding Venue Video

Stately Home Aerial Video

Northwood College for Girls

Preston School

Quarry Mount Care Home

Northfield House Care Home

Mulberry House Care Home

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Kids Inc Nurseries

Axe Valley Academy

Osbourne Hotel

Knotel Workspace Architecture

Marjon University

Real Estate Video Tour

Point View Apartments

Visit Sidmouth Social Media

Tishman Speyer London

Stuart Line Cruises Video

Topsham Devon Drone Tour

Croyde Bay Resort Video

Rock House Cottage

High Meadows Care Home

Castellain Mansions

North Haynes Farm

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Devon Coast Tourism

Lavender House Hotel

Jeremy Fisher Holiday Cottage

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Plymouth Hoe Social Media

The Generator Hub

Riviera Centre

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