joanjoyce's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Southend-on-Sea, England

Southend Pier Railway

This charming, narrow-gauge railway in the Thames Estuary is sometimes referred to as the "Train to Nowhere."
York, England

Hidden Wonders of York Minster

Semaphore saints, a golden dragon's head, and a stone carved with religious warnings all call this cathedral home.
York, England

York Minster Astronomical Clock

This memorial to World War II's fallen airmen shows us the movements of the stars that once guided them.
York, England

Shambles of York

Follow the original medieval paths that wind through this intriguing section of the city.
Oxford, England

The Alfred Jewel

One of Oxford's greatest treasures likely belonged to the legendary King Alfred the Great.
Oxford, England

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Used as an example in one of the first dictionary entries for "museum" in 1706.
Oxford, England

Pitt Rivers Museum

Ancient Egyptian wigs, South American feather headdresses, a bounty of anthropological artifacts in Oxford.
Oxford, England

Oxford Museum of the History of Science

An extraordinary collection of scientific instruments - and Einstein's chalkboard - inside the world's oldest purpose built museum building.
London, England

Wellington Arch

Once designed as the entrance to Buckingham Palace, this structure was later relocated and stands as a victory arch.
London, England

Pudding Lane

The Great Fire of London and the regulation of one-way streets both started in this alley.
London, England

Replica of the Golden Hinde

This one has sailed five times as far as Sir Francis Drake's famous ship.
London, England

Traitors' Gate

The watery entrance for condemned prisoners heading to the Tower of London is still visible along the Thames.
London, England

Broad Street Cholera Pump

The John Snow Memorial marks the epicenter of London's 1854 cholera epidemic.
London, England

The Tower Ravens

Six ravens are kept captive (but well-fed) at the Tower of London to prevent the fall of the Crown.
London, England

Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

In this cobwebbed old operating theater, you can practically hear the screams of the unanesthetized patients.
London, England

The London Dungeon

One part local history, 99 parts gruesome haunted house.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Mons Meg

A six-ton wedding present for the King of the Scots.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Arthur's Seat

This extinct volcano rises above Edinburgh and is special for its panoramic views over the city.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Greyfriars Bobby

The most loyal of little dogs, or a Victorian era publicity stunt?
Edinburgh, Scotland

Remains of Dolly the Sheep

The taxidermy remains of the first mammal ever cloned from an adult cell are on display in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Rooftop Terrace at the National Museum of Scotland

There are plenty of wonderful panoramic vistas in Edinburgh, but not many are hidden smack in the middle of the Old Town.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Surgeons' Hall Museums

A book bound in the skin of an infamous criminal, along with countless other specimens.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

360° views of the city plus five floors of optical illusions and hands-on science.
Blaenavon, Wales

Blaenavon Ironworks

This former Welsh metal factory is now a lovely abandoned relic but was once one of the industry's world leaders.