Comprised of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the United Kingdom definitely has dozens of reasons worth leaving home for. Mountains, valleys, hills and dales, forests and gardens, oh and no less than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered throughout, are but a few. You will find a slew of cathedrals, castles, palaces and country houses spanning history. Centuries of inspiring the world, influencing the arts, and forming natural beauty have developed this land into one great nation.
Few places cram in as much scenery, history and culture as the United Kingdom. It’s a busy, eccentric and unique destination – a land of daft humour, tea-and-cake cliches and a thousand and one different personalities; a land where thrusting cities like London, Glasgow and Manchester share map space with the peaks of Snowdonia and the colossal slopes of the Highlands. As a country, of course, the UK’s urban centres are just one part of its allure. Britain is often extremely beautiful.
Seaside towns, national parks and honey-stoned villages still fill the guidebooks, and the scenic pull of areas like the Cornish coast, Giant’s Causeway and the Lake District is as strong as it’s ever been. Once you factor in the endless cultural associations that Britain throws up – from Henry VIII to Hogwarts, The Beatles to Braveheart, male voice choirs to Monty Python – it stands as a country very much its own.
Here you can find an expert, candid and comprehensive travel guide to the UK including where to go, what to see, how to prepare and everything else you need to know about England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Explore all top-rated destination inlands and enjoy a memorable holiday!
England
Pin England on your bucket list, because the country is the perfect destination for both compact city breaks and extended journey around the land of the greener grass, the most picturesque scenes and great architecture. Vibrant megacities like London and Manchester, the living fairy tale of the royal family, small villages with luscious nature and the Beatles’ inspiration, England offers everything in one place!
Northern Ireland
Living under the shadow of England for a long time, Northern Ireland is today reborn and recognized as a great tourist destination for first-time travellers and experienced wanderers. Northern Ireland has its own character and individuality that are blended in harmony with the cultural influence of neighbour’s lands. A scene for great music festivals, manifesting nature’s heritage, a place for outdoor activities in abundance and cultural treasures, Northern Ireland can be rough and urbanized at the same time.
Scotland
Scotland is a country of highlights and scenic landscapes, never standing under the shadow of England, offering its own individual and characteristic sort of tourism and experience. Whether you decide to explore the idyllic island beaches, raw and wild places, historic cities, quirky folk music festivals or travel by train like Harry Potter because the school of magic Hogwarts is situated in Scotland. We can help you enjoy the best this country has to offer. After all, there really is something magical about Scotland, a place on Earth blessed with majestic ancient landscapes that leave you awed by the vastness, cultured cities, mist-shrouded ruined castles and great whiskey.
Wales
Deep down in the green and luscious valleys, romantic remote beaches and enigmatic castles, you will find Wales to be a stunning opportunity for an unforgettable journey. Passing through medieval towns with tongue-twisting names that hold treasures of the past, thriving cultural scene, hospitable cities and virgin undiscovered landscapes, every next turn in Wales is reflecting the dream of the photographer and the tourist. For such a small country, Wales is jam-packed with tourism opportunities from all sorts and adrenaline-pumping scenes. Now spin the globe and point Wales with a finger, because this is the next destination we explore together!
Top 10 Places to Visit in the United Kingdom
1. London – The capital city of England is, of course, the UK’s all-in-one destination and probably the most visited one in the United Kingdom. Practically, it is simply impossible to plan to visit the UK and missing on enjoying the dynamic and eclectic vibe of London. London is a treasure chest if you are looking for culture, history, shopping, and culinary from all over the world. Some of the must-sees in England’s capital include the Tower of London, the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the Thames, the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Parliament Buildings, Westminster Abbey.
2. Edinburgh – Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and, indeed, one of the most attractive, curious, and dynamic cities in the country. Edinburgh is mainly popular as a treasure chest of a great number of well-preserved historic and cultural sights including the majestic Edinburgh Castle perched above the Old City on a rocky promontory, which is a home to some Scottish highlights such as the One O’Clock Salute, the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the infamous Stone of Destiny.
3. Bath – Bath is one of the smallest cities in the UK and still one of the most beautiful out there. As the name of the city suggests, the little city attracts many visitors every year mainly because of its famous healing waters that come from three hot springs and consisting more than 40 different minerals. Besides the amazing spa experience, Bath also offers a bunch of amazing Georgian architecture, museums, and more.
4. Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury – The ancient place built for worship and believed to have a strong spiritual energy, the ancient Stonehenge is one of the most popular sites in the UK and one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. Stonehenge has been a place of pilgrimage for almost 5 centuries. The nearby medieval city Salisbury also deserves some attention. In Salisbury, you can explore one of the country’s most famous cathedrals that is a home to the original Magna Carta.
5. Windsor – Windsor is a historical town and one of the main destinations in the UK outside the capital cities that is conveniently located just a short ride on the train from London. The Thames-side setting of the town makes it just a perfect and very laidback destination for long walks. Some of the highlights of the town include the infamous Windsor Castle that has served as a summer residence of the British royal family for a millennium. The Windsor Castle is also the world’s largest inhabited castle. Other places worth visiting in Windsor are Legoland Windsor and the UK’s most popular horse racing venue Royal Ascot.
6. The Cotswolds and the Lake District – The beautiful Cotswolds are, indeed, one of the most picturesque areas in the UK covering almost 1300 square kilometres of fertile and lush countryside with a breath-taking beauty. Just an easy and enjoyable day trip from London, this area is proximately close to other popular tourist destinations such as Bath and Bristol. The Cotswolds feature some of the most picturesque and idyllic parts of the countries Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. To the north of Cotswolds is where another idyllic and beautiful area of England lies – the Lake District National Park, which features 12 of the country’s largest lakes, Scafell Pike, and some charming little villages such as Grasmere.
7. York – York is yet another popular tourist destination in the UK. York is a medieval city, a capital of the English Church for a long time, and it is a home to some of the most beautiful and magnificent cathedrals in the country. York Minster is the country’s largest and medieval church that can trace its roots back to the 3rd century, pretty fascinating, right? Other landmarks worth exploring in York are the ancient City Walls, the 14th-century roadway The Shambles, the National Railway Museum, and more.
8. The University Towns Oxford and Cambridge – In case you are a diehard fan of Harry Potter you will be more than excited to dive into the authentic atmosphere of the wizarding world. Even if not a fan of the wizards and magic, you are definitely going to enjoy the university towns Oxford and Cambridge and their special and unique atmosphere. While Cambridge and Oxford have been rivals for many years for the title of the UK’s most respected academic authority, both towns deserve your attention for sure.
9. Liverpool and Manchester – Both a dynamic, lively, and curious cities in England, Liverpool and Manchester have a lot to offer to the visitor. From the modern-day joys like unique restaurants, cafes, and stores, to more cultural hubs, both Manchester and Liverpool are a popular tourist destination in the UK. Highlights in Manchester include Castlefield, the Manchester Cathedral, the historic Town Hill, many museums, galleries. Liverpool is mostly popular for being the hometown of The Beatles but make sure to visit the historic buildings, lovely gardens, parks, and museums.
10. Cardiff – Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and the best place to sample all the joys and charms that the quirky and unique Wales has to offer. Some of the highlights of Cardiff include a visit to the Cardiff Castle that is built on the ruins of a Roman fort and located right in the heart of the city. When visiting the castle do not miss the State Apartments, the Clock Tower, the Chapel, and the stunning Banqueting Hall.