The top 10 Instagrammed spots in the UK

Sites from Glasgow to Brighton have made the list

Author: Rory GannonPublished 16th Nov 2021
Last updated 16th Nov 2021

Throughout the UK, there are many places that provide that perfect Instagram moment to give all your friends and family travel envy.

If you are looking for some inspiration, the top 10 Instagrammed places have been revealed, including castles, cathedrals and museums.

New research from travel company WeThrift has compiled the top 10 city break attractions in the UK, based on the number of Instragram hashtags.

There are so many places to take pictures, so if you're looking for the next hit Instagram post, here are the best places you can go:

1. The British Museum, London

The British Museum in London is by far and away the most hashtagged place in the UK, with over 152 million hashtags for the iconic landmark. Containing artefacts from across the world thousands of years ago, the museum is one of the most visited attractions in the UK, with 5.9 million people came to enjoy the various exhibitions on display.

2. Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester

Home to Manchester United, Old Trafford similarly attracts millions of football fans and tourists alike to marvel at the stadium. On Instagram, the stadium has been hashtagged just under 17 million times, making it one of the most sought after attractions in the North of England. This is reflected when Manchester United had the highest average attendance of all 20 Premier League clubs in the 2019/2020 season.

3. Anfield Stadium, Liverpool

Anfield is the home ground for Liverpool F.C. and, like Old Trafford, is one of the most searched stadiums in the UK, with over 15 millions hashtags on Instagram. The stadium has seen a decrease in footfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, in the 2019 season, 340,000 people visited the arena on tours - double that when tours at Anfield began in 2017.

4. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Reaching just under million hashtags on Instagram, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most visited attractions in Scotland. The 12th-century fort sits atop Castle Rock in the centre of Edinburgh, giving tourists a unique 360 degree view of the cityscape. Before the pandemic, an average of 10,000 people would visit the castle on the hill, but these numbers have fallen to as low as 150 people a day due to restrictions.

5. Cadbury World, Birmingham

Based on the site of the Bourneville factory in Birmingham, Cadbury World is heaven to lovers of chocolate. Providing self-guided exhibition tours and interactive displays, the attraction tells the story of how Cadbury's chocolate has come to dominate British confectionery. On Instagram, the former factory has received 8.2 million hashtags, with over 600,000 visitors to the estate per year.

6. University of Glasgow, Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is primarily located in the northwest of Scotland's second largest city, but also spreads out across the area. Established in the 18th century, the buildings of the university have attracted thousands of visitors to regale in the Gothic-style architecture. The university has managed to garner 7.4 million hashtags on Instagram.

7. Brighton Beach, Brighton

Amassing 7.2 million hashtags on Instagram, Brighton Beach serves as the poster of a typical British day at the seaside. Spanning 5.5 miles in length, the pebbly beach can be packed with both holidaymakers and locals in summer soaking up the heat. In addition to the iconic seafront, the Palace Pier provides amusements for the entire family - including an entire rollercoaster.

8. Cabot Tower, Bristol

Located in the parkland of Brandon Hill in the west of the city, Cabot Tower is a 105-foot tall tower to commemorate James Cabot's journey from Bristol to North America at the turn of the 1500s. Reopening to the public in 2011 following renovation, the tower is regularly cited as one of the most visited attractions in Bristol. On Instagram, the tower has been hashtagged nearly 6.3 million times.

9. Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds

Kirkstall Abbey is the remains of a monastery in the northwest of Leeds city centre. Established in the 12th century, the monastery was dissolved under the rules of Henry VIII. In modern times, the ruins still stand and - together with the park they are located in - are open to the public, with the ruins available for hire for events. Over 5.8 million hashtags have been made to the Abbey, making the Abbey the most Instagrammed locations in the Leeds area.

10. York Minster, York

York Minster is the second largest Gothic-style cathedral in Northern Europe and is home to several burials of the Archbishop of York, the second-in-command to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Grade I listed building is also one of the most visited churches, with over 700,00 visitors in 2019. On Instagram, York Minster has attracted 4.6 million hashtags.

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