ArcaneAtlas's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Gwynedd, Wales

Portmeirion Village

A miniature Italianate fantasy village on the coast of Wales and the set of ITC classic "The Prisoner."
Florence, Italy

Buontalenti Grotta

A large grotto built in the 16th century amidst Florence's famous Boboli gardens.
Florence, Italy

Babae Wine Window

Drink wine handed out through a window as part of an age-old tradition.
Banff, Alberta

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

The natural hot spring that was integral to the creation of Canada's first national park.
Banff, Alberta

Grizzly House

Try the alligator at this fondue spot, which has been catering to "lovers and hedonists" since 1967.
Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Hunterian Museum

A 200-year-old collection of oddities and medical paraphernalia.
Falkirk, Scotland

Falkirk Wheel

Old-fashioned knowledge and modern engineering create the world's only rotating boatlift.
North Berwick, Scotland

Ruins of Tantallon Castle

The one-time stronghold of the noble Douglas family, now home to ghost sightings and nesting birds.
Wilkieston, Scotland

Jupiter Artland

Large-scale contemporary artworks tower over fields and lurk in forests around a Jacobean manor house.
Roslin, Scotland

Rosslyn Chapel

A church that bred legends, and served as an inspiration for the Da Vinci Code.
York, England

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

One of the shortest streets in York has an especially odd name.
York, England

York Minster Astronomical Clock

This memorial to World War II's fallen airmen shows us the movements of the stars that once guided them.
York, England

The Snickelways of York

This network of narrow, medieval passages has the most delightful name.
York, England

Cat Statues of York

A century-old tradition has culminated in a small but singular collection of feline effigies.
Toronto, Ontario

The Monkey's Paw

A book collector's dream, this Toronto bookstore has the world's first "Biblio-Mat," a random book vending machine.
Woking, England

'The Martian'

An enormous alien invades Woking, England, as an homage to the H.G. Wells classic 'The War of the Worlds.'
Manchester, England

The Manchester Bee

Be on the lookout for the symbolic insect all over the city.
Oxford, England

Folly Bridge

The spot where Oxford garnered its name was also home to a medieval philosopher and includes a house covered in statues.
Oxford, England

Martyr's Mark

The spot where three Protestant clergymen were burned at the stake during the reign of "Bloody Mary."
Oxford, England

The Alfred Jewel

One of Oxford's greatest treasures likely belonged to the legendary King Alfred the Great.
Oxford, England

The Sheldonian Theatre

A theatre built to house the rowdy Oxford graduation ceremonies became the stage for a debate about God's existence.
Oxford, England

The Bear Inn

This centuries-old pub boasts a collection of more than 4,500 snippets of neckties from around the world.
Oxford, England

The Norrington Room

Once one of the largest rooms full of books in the world, this bookstore basement is still a treat for bibliophiles.
Oxford, England

'Alice Door'

Inside this church is an obscure piece of art carved by the famous Alice Liddell.