Saturday, March 22, 2025 Tourism in the UK has seen a significant shift in the post-Covid era. While some major attractions, especially in London , are thriving, the majority of the country’s tourist sites are still struggling to regain pre-pandemic visitor numbers. This trend reflects a challenging recovery for the tourism industry, with 400 attractions experiencing a decline in visitor traffic, which has decreased by 8.
8% compared to 2019. This is a stark reminder that, despite the efforts to recover, a substantial portion of tourists are not returning, and the industry must adjust accordingly. London Continues to Dominate the UK Tourism Scene As expected, London remains the focal point for the UK’s tourism.
Most of the top ten most-visited attractions are located in or near the capital. The British Museum holds the top spot with 6.48 million visitors, marking a 4% increase from pre-Covid numbers.
Similarly, the Natural History Museum experienced a rise of 16% over five years, attracting 6.3 million visitors. These museums’ performances highlight the enduring appeal of London as a tourism hub.
Other popular London-based attractions include Windsor Great Park , which secured third place with 5.67 million visitors, and major institutions like the Tate Modern , V&A , National Gallery , Somerset House , Tower of London , and the Science Museum . Even the V&A South Kensington witnessed its busiest summer since 2018, driven partly by the Taylor Swift Songbook trail , which .
