As the cost of living continues to shape holiday plans, many families are opting for unusual historical attractions over expensive theme parks, according to new research from LNER (London North Eastern Railway).
The rail operator has revealed that around 12 million UK adults are planning to embrace Britain’s weird and wonderful attractions this summer, with destinations ranging from ancient witch trial sites to Viking history and eerie underground vaults proving increasingly popular.
Cost of Living Is Changing the Way Britain Explores
Research commissioned by LNER found that 33% of Brits say the cost of living has influenced the activities they choose this summer, encouraging many to seek out affordable experiences closer to home.
Historic attractions are becoming a favourite alternative, with 23% of respondents saying they are drawn to heritage destinations. Meanwhile:
- 26% want to explore local myths and legends.
- 19% are fascinated by crime and punishment stories.
- 17% are interested in Britain’s history of witch trials and darker historical events.
Despite the wealth of attractions across the UK, 59% admitted they’ve never visited fascinating historical sites located near where they live.
Britain’s Top 10 Unusual Attractions
According to the survey, these are the UK’s most popular quirky attractions:
- Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Cornwall (14%)
- The Shambles, York (12%)
- Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh (11%)
- Dracula Experience, Whitby (11%)
- The Smallest House in Great Britain, Conwy (11%)
- Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire (11%)
- Lake District Pencil Museum, Cumbria (10%)
- The Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire (10%)
- JORVIK Viking Centre, York (9%)
- The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh (9%)
Yorkshire dominates the rankings with four attractions making the list, while Whitby appears twice thanks to its links with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Train Travel Makes Hidden Gems More Accessible
LNER’s research also found that 66% of people are more likely to visit attractions if they’re easy to reach by train, highlighting growing interest in sustainable and convenient domestic travel.
The findings have inspired the launch of The History Gossip’s Hidden Journeys with LNER, a new digital content series hosted by historian and creator Katie Kennedy, better known online as The History Gossip.
The series begins in York before exploring lesser-known destinations across the LNER rail network, uncovering hidden stories, forgotten landmarks and unusual attractions that many travellers overlook.
Katie Kennedy said Britain is full of extraordinary stories hiding in plain sight.
“Some of our most fascinating places are hidden in plain sight – from Viking settlements and witch trial sites to underground streets, mysterious caves and attractions that have inspired centuries of myths and legends.”
Families Looking for Memorable Days Out
The research suggests travellers are becoming increasingly curious about unique historical experiences.
A quarter (25%) said they’d visit an attraction simply because they’d never heard of it before, while 22% said learning an unusual story from British history would encourage them to make the trip.
For families searching for affordable adventures during the school holidays, hidden historical attractions are proving to be an appealing alternative to traditional tourist hotspots.
LNER Encourages Brits to Explore More
Colette Casey, Customer Experience Director at LNER, said people are looking for experiences that create lasting memories rather than expensive days out.
She explained that rail travel allows visitors to discover destinations across Britain without worrying about driving or parking, making the journey itself part of the adventure.
Whether exploring York’s medieval streets, Edinburgh’s underground vaults or Whitby’s gothic heritage, Britain’s hidden history is becoming one of the biggest travel trends of summer 2026.
For more information, visit the official LNER website: https://www.lner.co.uk/
