6 UNESCO world heritage sites in the UK that are not to be missed

Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscapes, ENGLAND
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, many parts of Cornwall and West Devon were transformed into mining landscapes due to the rapid growth of tin and copper mining techniques; the substantial remains of deep underground mines, engine houses and foundries are testimony to the region's contribution to the world of mining and the Industrial Revolution. Ten areas make up the World Heritage Site, and one of the best is Cornwall's St Just Mining district, which can be accessed via the south west coast path near the village of St Just. Here, the coastal track skirts past the picturesque engine houses of the Crowns Shaft of Botallack Mine perched far below on a rocky outcrop. The workings once stretched well under the sea and it was said that the miners could hear the boulders rumbling over the seabed while they worked.

Giant's Causeway & Causeway Coast, NORTHERN IRELAND
Legend has it that Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site - the spectacular Giant's Causeway, made up of thousands of hexagonal pillars that climb out of the Atlantic Ocean - was created by Finn MacCool, an Irish giant who lived along the Antrim Coast. The logical and less romantic version is that about 60 million years ago, there was intense volcanic activity along the coast, after which the lava cooled very quickly. The uneven cooling rate resulted in the basalt contracting into the characteristic hexagonal and octagonal pillar shapes you can see today. The Giant's Causeway may be the star of the Causeway Coast, but other attractions include the stunning Carrick-a-Rede swinging rope bridge that spans a gaping chasm between the coast and a small island used by fishermen, the haunting ruins of 16th-century Dunluce Castle perched precariously on the edge of a rocky headland, and Old Bushmills (established in 1608) - the oldest licensed distillery in the world.

Hadrian's Wall, ENGLAND
One of the 'frontiers of the Roman Empire', Hadrian's Wall is a World Heritage Site of epic proportions, marching 73 miles from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian between 122 AD and 128 AD, it is a striking example of a defensive fortification from ancient Rome. Some additional facts about Hadrian's Wall: the manpower required to construct it was three legions (around 16,000 men); there are 80 milecastles, 160 turrets and 16 forts dotted along its length, with the best preserved example being Housesteads Roman Fort situated near Haltwhistle, among the main concentration of sights in the central section of the wall. A great way to experience this engineering feat up close, and enjoy panoramic views along the way, is to walk the designated 84-mile Hadrian's Wall Path, or sections, if you don't have the time to do the full route.

Saltaire, ENGLAND
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, Saltaire (situated 9 miles west of Leeds and 4 miles north of Bradford) was recognised as one of the world's best-preserved 19th-century industrial villages and for its international influence on town planning. Conceived and built in 1851 by wealthy wool merchant and philanthropist Sir Titus Salt (1803-76), Saltaire's textile mills, public buildings and workers' housing are constructed in a harmonious classical style of high architectural standards. Neat rows of honey-coloured cottages on a hillside above the River Aire and Leeds Liverpool Canal overlook what was once the world's largest factory and today is Saltaire's main draw - Salts Mill. Housed inside this splendid building is a permanent exhibition of artworks by Bradford-born artist David Hockney, plus an enticing array of independent shops, cafés and restaurants.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, ENGLAND
Any travel itinerary to the north of England would not be complete without visiting Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, two of Yorkshire's most beautiful attractions that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled in a secluded wooded valley known as Skelldale, 4 miles south-west of Ripon, are the atmospheric ruins of 12th-century Fountains Abbey, where you can imagine what life would have been like for the devout monks who once lived here. The remains of Britain's largest and most complete Cistercian abbey is the centrepiece of the estate known as Studley Royal, a beautifully preserved 18th-century designed parkland landscape, featuring spectacular Georgian water gardens, elegant temples, statues, follies and a deer park; it's home to Red, Fallow and Sika deer that roam freely among ancient oaks, limes and sweet chestnuts.

Stonehenge & Avebury, ENGLAND
Britain's most iconic prehistoric monument and haunting echo of its ancient past, Stonehenge (situated 8 miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire) is the most architecturally sophisticated stone circle in the world and has been attracting pilgrims, mystics and travellers for the past 5,000 years. The stones are arranged in a particular pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored, and the debate continues as to how Neolithic people constructed this masterpiece of engineering using only basic tools and methods. Try to time your visit for early morning or late evening when the slanting light and silhouetted stones help to create a mystical aura. Adding to the Stonehenge experience is a visitor centre - housing museum-quality exhibitions, five Neolithic Houses, a shop and café. Still part of the World Heritage property and situated 25 miles north of Stonehenge is the impressive and less visited Avebury Stone Circle - the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world.