Discover UNESCO sites via illustrated map

Ignite your summer adventures and discover the Isle of Man alongside 57 UNESCO sites in the UK thanks to a new illustrated map, now available to download for free from the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

From expansive mountain ranges and stunning coastlines to vibrant cities and rural landscapes - the UK's UNESCO sites are destinations of world-class natural and cultural heritage. For the first time a map, designed by the creative cartographer Tom Woolley, brings together Biospheres, Creative Cities, Global Geoparks and World Heritage Sites across the British Isles that are waiting to be discovered.

Visitors to the sites are invited to immerse themselves in the spectacular vistas of the slate landscape of North West Wales or the Scottish Highlands. Dive into the literary heritage of Manchester or Edinburgh. Scale the mountains of the English Lake District or the peaks of Fforest Fawr. Uncover legends and folklore along the Giant's Causeway or Stonehenge. Breathe in the sea air of Brighton and Lewes, North Devon or the English Riviera. Tackle the northernmost frontiers of the Roman empire by foot or by bike. Stroll around one of the great spa towns of Europe in Bath or a landed estate at Blenheim Palace. And dance the night away in an iconic concert hall in Belfast or at a festival under the stars at one of the world's largest deep space observatories at Jodrell Bank.

The map includes 29 World Heritage Sites, 13 Creative Cities, nine Global Geoparks and seven Biospheres that, together, cover 13% of the UK and Crown Dependencies’ landmass.

Most of the sites are free to enter and conveniently accessible by public transport offering the public new experiences to discover UNESCO sites and mark this summer with a visit to one of the world’s most special places.

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: 'This new UNESCO map will inspire people for places to visit. It shows at a glance the breadth of amazing natural, cultural and built heritage designated by UNESCO as internationally significant in the UK/Isle of Man. This great map highlights places to explore, on your doorstep and further afield, both the famous and those to discover for the first time.'

Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture and Vice-Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, said: “It is great to have, for the first time, a map that illustrates and connects all the UNESCO designations across the UK and Isle of Man. Congratulations to all who have produced and supported it. I hope people will visit our Biosphere when exploring our fascinating UNESCO sites, and we hope to commission an Isle of Man specific map to complement this exciting project.'

The map was produced by the UK National Commission for UNESCO as part of its Local to Global project, made possible with the GREAT Campaign and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Local to Global aims to develop a resilient network for UNESCO designated sites in the UK.

The interactive map can be viewed/downloaded from the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man website and from the UNESCO UK website.