Most popular UK tourist attractions revealed

According to a new survey, Trafalgar Square tops the list of UK attractions for international visitors.

A new poll by First Rate Exchange Services found that for visitors from France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the US, the Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace rounded out the top three attractions.

The three attractions, combined with the wide array of museums in London, made the British capital the main destination for 72 per cent of international visitors.

Most Americans indicated that a visit to Buckingham Palace was a must, with more than half reporting that the Queen’s home was at the top of their list of places to see.

Irish tourists reported that Oxford Street was their favoured destination, and a trip to Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Centre also featured in their top ten things to do in the UK.

French visitors are the most likely to travel beyond London, with Edinburgh Castle, Oxford University and the White Cliffs of Dover high up on their lists of must-sees.

The top 10 attractions, according to the poll, are, in order: Trafalgar Square; Tower Bridge; London Museums; Buckingham Palace; Oxford Street; London Eye; Windsor Castle; Edinburgh Castle; Stonehenge; and Globe Theatre, London

Toluna conducted the research on behalf of First Rate Exchange Services, with 2,500 inbound tourists in April 2009 participating.