Durham Cathedral

Well. What a whopper. This category saw a landslide of votes for the magnificent cathedral, which has stood resplendent on the banks of the River Wear for nearly 1,000 years.

At 66m tall, the central tower offers splendid views of the surrounding landscape. The cathedral attracts millions of admirers every year, who come to marvel at its fine Norman features and stone vaulted ceiling. Bill Bryson says “I am delighted that Durham Cathedral has won. It is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings anywhere.”

Second place: Skara Brae

Despite its remote location on Orkney, the pre-historic settlement of Skara Brae has many fans. This stone-built Neolithic settlement was uncovered by a storm in 1850, and comprises eight surviving houses, complete with stone furniture, that date back 5,000 years.