The UK is a great place to visit. In fact, England, Scotland, Wales and the Offshore Islands all offer great holiday and holiday destinations with something for everyone: singles, couples and families.
Whether you’re planning to cross an ocean, take a cross-country train ride, or just drive off the highway for your next travel vacation, here are some good reasons to visit England and the rest of the UK.
1. Great view and great landscape
Nature’s forces – of wind, sea and ice – have combined to give this relatively small island kingdom an astonishing variety of landscapes – all within fairly short distances of each other. No one in the UK has ever been more than two hours from the sea. There are mountains and ranges of majestic hills, rolling farmlands, wild moors and heaths, beautiful lakes and lakes, and gentle, sweet valleys and streams. Start with some of these:
- The Lake District
- The most beautiful beaches in England and Wales
- The Jurassic Coast
- A quick guide to Orkney
- Glencoe – Scotland’s most romantic Glen
- Mount Snowdon and Snowdonia National Park
2. Urban adventures in large cities and towns
Everyone knows that London is one of the world’s largest cities, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. British towns and villages have a lot to offer visitors – from Manchester’s hip indie scene to Birmingham’s great Balti food, from Oxford’s dreamy spiers and York’s medieval corridors to Glasgow’s vibrant art scenes. Edinburgh Castle looks down on the vibrant capital of Scotland and Liverpool drives along the Mersey. Check out these cities and towns:
- Edinburgh Travel Guide
- Liverpool travel guide
- Birmingham
- Manchester travel guide
- An Oxford Walk
- Find Medieval York
3. The multi-layered Great British History
From prehistoric British, Gaels, Celts and Picts to Vikings, Romans and Normans, wave after wave of conquerors and migrants has shaped the UK – and most have left fascinating traces for visitors to explore. Consider these for starters:
- Stonehenge like you’ve never seen it before
- Heart of the Neolithic Orkney, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The castles of William the Conqueror
- Roman ruins in Britain
- Top British stone circles and ancient locations
4. The Great British Pub
The best British pubs are more than places to eat and drink; they are continuity milestones that have existed in the same place for hundreds of years. Their names tell stories, often related to local history, bandits, wars and customs. Their architecture – whether it be timber framing, thatched roofs or bricks – adds to the character of their villages. But not all pubs are created equal and some are frankly terrible if you are not a local.
- Find out how to choose a pub that’s right for you and take a look at some we liked:
- The Turf TavernTen recommended pubs for Christmas lunch
- An easy walk to the five horseshoes
5. World-class major festivals and events
Some of the world’s biggest decor events draw visitors to the UK year after year. In England, just about everything stops two weeks before Wimbledon, tennis’s biggest grand slam tournament. In Scotland, everything seems to be on the road for the entire month of August, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as thousands move from one event to another during the Edinburgh Festivals, the world’s largest performing arts festival. And there are more:
- Wimbledon Fourteen days
- The Edinburgh Festivals
- Royal Ascot
- The Glastonbury Festival
- The Chelsea Flower Show
- The Henley Regatta
- The Grand National
6. Great traditions and eccentricities
The British are masters of the weird and the crazy. From cheese rolls in Gloucestershire and fireballs in Scotland to Morris Men dancing and beating sticks, or hobby horses that terrorize villages on May Day, there are wonderfully eccentric traditions all over the British Isles. Most have lost their origin in ancient times. Nobody cares how they got around – it’s about having a good time:
- The Olney Pancake Race
- The lusty month of May
- The Fire Festivals of Scotland
- Guy Fawkes
- Hogmanay
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