The most captivating Unesco World Heritage sites in the world has been named, with beauty spots like the Rocky Mountains, the Galápagos Islands, and the Taj Mahal on the list.
With such big landmarks on the list, you probably think the UK didn’t even get a look-in – but weirdly, we came out in the number one spot?
That’s right. One of the UK’s 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites managed to nudge ahead of all the others to be named the ‘most captivating’ in the entire world.
The crown has gone to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in Wales, a former feat of Industrial Revolution engineering from which is now a tourist attraction where you can kayak across its top, 38 metres in the air.
The most captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site is also, handily, just an hour’s drive from Manchester.
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The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct placed first, ahead of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks in Canada, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
It was also the only UK site to make it in the top 20.
This list of winners has been drawn up by Explore Worldwide, who used eye-tracking technology to see which site held people’s attention for the longest.
And apparently we just couldn’t look away from the big aqueduct in Wales.
They said of the aqueduct, easily reachable in a day trip from Manchester: “Leading the pack of most eye-catching UNESCO sites, that promise to leave you spellbound, is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in the United Kingdom.
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“This extraordinary feat of civil engineering, which floats over the River Dee, claimed the top spot. The Welsh landmark is the highest and longest navigable aqueduct in the world, attracting visitors thanks to its stunning views and historical significance.”
The most captivating UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct an hour from Manchester has been named the most captivating UNESCO World Heritage site in the world
1) Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, United Kingdom
2) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Canada
3) Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea, Brazil
4) = Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
4) = Maloti-Drakensberg Park, South Africa
5) Island of Mozambique, Mozambique
6) Ancient City of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
7) = Angkor Wat, Cambodia
7) = Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, Mexico
8) Sceilg Mhichíl, Ireland
9) Petra, Jordan
10) Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities), Japan
11) Yellowstone National Park, United States
12) Taj Mahal, India
13) Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
14) Rapa Nui National Park (Easter Island), Chile
15) Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy
16) Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration (Mount Fuji), Japan
17) Historic Centre of Lima, Peru
18) Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa, China
Train ticket prices slashed by more than 50% as huge rail sale returns across UK
Emily Sergeant
The Great British Rail Sale is returning in the new year, and train ticket prices will be slashed by up to 50% or more.
Millions of discounted train tickets for half term activities, weekend getaways, and even commuting will be up for grabs next week, as the week-long rail sale – which is set to run from 6 to 12 January 2026 – will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.
The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.
Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the entire country.
For example, those who may be planning a quick getaway abroad over the next couple of months will be able to save quite a few pennies, as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.
You can get up to 50% off train tickets next week / Credit: Northern | Transpennine Express
This is the fourth year of the Great British Rail Sale, with last year’s sale selling more than one million tickets and saving passengers around £8 per journey, as well as generating £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry.
“The Rail Sale is back,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. “And that means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.
“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions.”
This year’s sale comes as the Government aims to ‘ease the cost of living’ for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.
If you weren’t aware, the Government is also in the process of bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – which is the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway uniting together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind.
Adventurous Mancs needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Daisy Jackson -
8th October 2023 
