United Kingdom

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Why visit the United Kingdom?

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom or the UK) A constitutional monarchy comprising much of the British Isles; a union of more than 300 years old comprises four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland and most of the remaining British Isles. The UK today is a diverse mix of native and immigrant cultures, possessing a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential in the wider world. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, the UK is still an overwhelmingly popular destination for many travelers. Its capital and largest city London is often reckoned to be one of only two cities of truly global importance (the second is New York) but many come to see old-fashioned villages and the beautiful and quickly changing countryside.

What does United Kingdom bring in mind?

Roman Baths

The Roman Baths give visitors the ability to still see how public bathing was done in the 19th century. Guests can check out the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and the other buildings on its street level however, the bath themselves are located below the modern street level. This area receives around 1 million visitors per year and was featured in the 2005 TV Program “Seven Natural Wonders” as one of the wonders of the Western world.

Soho of London Soho will always be a word connected with live entertainment, sumptuous food and pulsing nightlife. It is the main location for celebrations in London and contains quirky shops. Tourists can go on a walking tour and relax in the Soho Square. It is also a place to locate luxurious hotels and the place to find delicious and cheap snacks as well as fine dining restaurants in London. Soho of London is likewise a place to check live theatre and performance; the place to see big budget musicals and important plays as well as some smaller stand up acts.

Chinatown in London At the start of the 20th century at the East End of London, a lot of Chinese immigrants set up their businesses in order to cater to Chinese sailors who were frequently in the docklands. However, due to damage from the WWII Blitz; growing popularity of the Chinese cuisine; and an influx of immigrants from Honk Kong, it led to an increase of Chinese restaurants being opened elsewhere. Today, you can still find London’s finest and most authentic Asian cuisine off of Shaftesbury Avenue.

Tower of London

Also known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, it is a historical castle located on the North bank of the River Thames in central London. It was founded at the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. It served as a royal residence and contains a complex of several buildings within the two concentric rings of defensive walls. Throughout history it has been besieged several times and has been used as a treasury, menagerie and at the same time an armory.

Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City Visitors can check out the six areas in this historic center and docklands. It tells the story of how the UK developed all throughout the centuries. This dock holds the story of the mass movement of people, slaves, and immigrants that came from northern Europe to America. Today, it is a picture of modern dock technology complete with transport systems, port management and the home of significant commercial, civic and public buildings like St. George’s Plateau. However, due to its modernization, it has been labeled as an endangered World Heritage Site, one of only two in Europe.

Hadrian’s Wall

This place was once a defensive fortification in Roman Britain. They began constructing the area in AD 122, during the time of Emperor Hadrian. The region served as a military fortification, a customs post, and levy taxation area. Visitors are still able to see a significant portion of the wall that has been rescued through the efforts of John Clayton during the 19th century

Lizard Peninsula The name “Lizard” according to some researchers is a corruption of the Cornish name “Lyds Ardh”, which means high court. The name Lizard Peninsula must have come from a Celtic name and was formed during the Iron Age and Roman Period. In the past, it was often called as the “Graveyard of Ships” due to the fact that this place is dangerous to shipping. Historical information claims that the area was previously inhabited with the discovery of burial mounds and stones.

Durham Castle

This castle has been occupied since the 1840′s by the University College, Durham. Today, this place is open to the general public, but only with the help of guided tours since it is still being used as a working building by over a hundred students. This lovely castle sits on top of a hill in the River Wear on Durham’s Peninsula and is opposite the Durham Cathedral. This castle was first built in the 11th century as a way to project King Norman’s power and prestige in the north of England.

Royal Observatory Greenwich This place has played a significant role in the history of navigation and astronomy. It is located on the hill in Greenwich Park, and is overlooking the River Thames. The Royal Observatory has been commissioned by King Charles II for the special purpose of “rectifying the motions of the heavens and the places of the fixed stars and in order to find the desired longitude of places in order to master the art of navigation.”

Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is a large, Gothic Church located in the City of Westminster, London. It is where coronations occur and is also the burial site for the English and later the British monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. According to historical accounts by Sulcard in the 1080, the Abbey was first established in the time of Mellitus, Bishop of London. Up to the present time, the Fishmonger’s company still gives a salmon a year in the area since this was a community act during the early 1970s.

Shakespeare’s Hometown Every writer and literature lover in the world are sure to be thrilled to visit Shakespeare’s hometown. The place has surprisingly been well-preserved and will show some of the remnants of the life of the English poet and playwright who has been regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.

Warwick Castle

Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, it was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century but was originally made of wooden motte-and bailey.
It is considered one of the best symbols of 14th century military architecture and was also used as a stronghold in the 17th century. In its previous look it consisted of a mound, which was usually used as a keep or a tower and a bailey with an enclosed courtyard.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum A famous wax museum in London that has branches in different major cities, it was created by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. It contains the lifelike likenesses of historical and royal figures, film stars, models, sports stars and infamous murderers. Marie Tussaud was able to model famous people like Jean- Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin during their time. She was even able to model prominent victims in the French Revolution and made wax models of decapitated heads.

Canterbury Cathedral The most popular Christian Structure in England, it is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the main leader of the Church of England and considered the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion. The church was rebuilt from 1070 to 1077 and was made larger. It was then renovated to have a Gothic style in 1174 in order to be able to house pilgrims who are visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket.

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

This is included in the list of World Heritage Sites on the English Channel along the coast of Southern England. In historical records during World War II, some of the sections of the Jurassic Coast became the property of the Ministry of War and were used as a military training ground.

Things you shouldn’t miss in United Kingdom!

• See Stonehenge at dawn

• Fish and Chips on the beach

• Hunker down in a remote cottage

• Waterloo Sunset

• Shakespeare at the Globe

• Tea on the Green Harrogate is a quaint old spa town full of history and fine architecture. But most people settle for afternoon tea at Betty's: bone china, finest leaf blends and a pyramid of dainty cakes.

• Cliff-top Drama Perched on the edge of cliffs overlooking the magical bay of Porthcurno on Corn wall's south-westerly tip, Minack theatre is one of the world's most spectacularly located open-air auditoriums. Performances run from late May to the end of September.

• Go gastro in the shadow of the Black Mountains, a culinary explosion is transforming South Wales. Take your pick of the highly rated gastro pubs

• Romance in Brighton: The setting for seafront fights in Quadrophenia and Graham Greene's gangster mob in Brighton Rock, today Brighton rocks for romance.

• Have a cocktail on Burgh Island: High tide cuts the island off from the mainland at Bigbury- On-Sea, so there's nothing for it but to relax in a Lloyd Loom chair in the Burgh Island Hotel and admire the restored art deco splendour over a dry martini.

• Treat yourself to Fresh Oysters: Every July 25, the fishermen's boats and the sea at Whitstable, Kent, are blessed in a ceremony to mark the beginning of the English oyster season. Two local restaurants are considered equally blessed year round: Wheelers Oyster Bar and The Royal Native Oyster Stores.

Top cities of United Kingdom

London

One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history to culture, art to architecture. London is as much about high-density, sight-packed exploration (the West End, South Bank, the City) and urban dynamism as it is about wide-open spaces and leafy escapes. Central London is where you will find all the major museums, galleries and most iconic sights, but escape to Hampstead Heath or Greenwich Park to flee the crowds and put the city’s greener hues into gorgeous perspective. Or venture even further out to Kew Gardens, Richmond or Hampton Court Palace for effortlessly good-looking panoramas of riverside London.

Liverpool

When visitors think of Liverpool, the Beatles come immediately to mind. And, of course, there's plenty to do that's Beatles related like a visit to the famous Cavern Club. In 2008, the mantle of European Capital of Culture landed on Liverpool, revitalizing this city in England's northwest, as the award often does. Liverpool's Albert Docks area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in the maritime history of Britain's. The spotlight on the dock's history has also brought trendy clubs, hotels, shopping, dining and a Liverpool branch of the famous Tate Gallery to the immediate surrounding area.

Manchester

Manchester is often called the first modern city. In the 18th century, this Northwestern city, 30 miles from Liverpool, was the cotton making capital of the world and one of the breeding grounds of the industrial revolution. Its entrepreneurs and industrial tycoons endowed it with museums, galleries, theatres and libraries as well as outstanding civic architecture. A devastating IRA bomb in 1996 created the need for city center regeneration resulting in a new, dramatic 21st century cityscape. Today, some of the most exciting architecture in Britain can be found in Manchester and the nearby Salford Quays area. Among the highlights are Bridgewater Hall, home of Manchester's Hallé Orchestra; Urbis, a glass curtain-walled exhibition center, and the Imperial War Museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

Edinburgh

Scotland's capital and the seat of its Parliament, Edinburgh combines the young and modern sensibilities of a great University’s city and national capital with a historic and dramatic setting. Here you will find the world's biggest performing arts festival, a 1000 year old castle and a mountain -Arthur's Seat- right in the middle of town. And, Edinburgh's annual New Year's celebration -Hogmanay- is four-day street party to end all street parties.

Birmingham

A combination of entrepreneurial daring and engineering know-how made Birmingham the manufacturing engine of Britain through the 19th century and most of the 20th. James Watt first commercially manufactured his steam engine here; the transatlantic cable and the Orient Express were Birmingham built, and this was the heartland of the British motor industry. Birmingham also has several tasty claims to fame.