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
Social media beauty spots and selfies blamed for record rise in mountain rescue callouts
Daisy Jackson
There’s been a record rise in the number of young people needing help from mountain rescue teams – and social media has been blamed for luring unprepared people into potentially dangerous situations.
As well as these viral beauty spots – such as Mam Tor – the rise in call-outs has also been attributed to ‘poor-quality map apps’ which can stop functioning when in areas with poor phone service.
According to an exclusive report in The Guardian, it’s now tourists under the age of 24 who are most likely to need mountain rescue’s assistance while out walking.
The data provided by Ordnance Survey said that the number of call-outs from this age group has almost doubled between 2019 and 2024.
Overall rescues increased by 24% over a similar period.
A spokesman for Mountain Rescue said that young people are drawn to places like the Lake District after seeing images on social media, but are often not dressed or equipped properly for the conditions.
Nick Giles said people are often ‘too reliant on mobile phones’ and unprepared for the changes in weather and terrain that come with hiking.
Mike Park, chief executive of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, told The Guardian: “We know from incident reports that more and more people are tempted into risky locations by Instagram posts and the navigation apps being used aren’t always suitable for an outdoor environment.
“Add to that a tendency to follow popular routes online without knowing the hazards and context, and it’s not surprising that those likely to be relying most on their phones are the ones getting into difficulties.”
Before you head out on any hike or walk, you should make sure you’re prepared and equipped – see Mountain Rescue’s tips HERE.
You can rent your own ski chalet-style lodge – with an Irish pub in the garden
Daisy Jackson
Nothing screams Alpine Lodge quite like a game of darts in an Irish pub, eh? And at this staycation you can have that apres-ski combo for yourself.
Oh, and your own Irish pub in the garden is just the beginning – if you rent this lodge you also get your own Tiki Bar too.
Chalet du Lac is a boutique home themed around the ski chalets of Val D’Isere in the French Alps, including oak-clad walls, sheepskin throws, and retro ski paraphernalia on the walls.
With five bedrooms for up to 10 guests, and a beautiful kitchen-living room area complete with log burning fireplace, the insides are impressive in their own right.
But the outside will really knock your socks off… even without those snowy Alpine views.
Chalet du Lac overlooks Rudyard Lake on the edge of the Peak District National Park, from a sunny south-facing terrace.
That terrace is also home to a private sunken hot tub so you can soak in those views while having a soak of your own.
Chalet du Lac comes with its own Irish pub. Credit: AirbnbIt also has a Tiki barIt also has a Tiki barHot tub at Chalet du Lac
And to the rear of the property you’ve got your own Tiki Bar, decorated with multicoloured festoon lighting, bright flowers and both indoor and outdoor seating.
As if one novelty themed bar wasn’t enough, there’s also an Irish bar inspired by Dublin’s legendary Temple Bar.
The sizeable space is kitted out with everything from Guinness barrels to a huge TV screen, plus a pool table, dartboard and log burner.
You’ll also have access to your own wood-fired pizza oven.
Guests can make the most of their position near the lake – the property also has a kayak for exploring the water, with direct access to the lake.
You can find out more about Chalet du Lac and book a stay HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
8th October 2023 
