Best Places to Visit in United Kingdom

12 Best Places to Visit in The UK

Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) has long been one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The appeal of the country has much to do with its diverse scenery and rich cultural heritage. The best places to visit include everything from beautifully preserved country estates and palaces, to numerous world-class art galleries and museums.

However, one of the biggest pleasures of holiday in the UK is how easy it is to explore this fascinating and diverse country. Thanks to its size - the UK can easily get to the state of Texas (with spare space) - you can base yourself in cities like London or Liverpool and just take the train or bus to explore other areas.

From the country's capital, a 90-minute car ride is just a short drive to Salisbury, and a short bus ride or excursion takes you to one of the country's most famous attractions, Stonehenge. And if you want to explore between the Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, an hour's train ride will set you in the heart of the city.

Plan a sightseeing adventure with a list of the best places to visit in the UK.

London: The UK's All-in-One Destination

While it is possible to plan a trip to the UK without visiting London, it is certainly not advisable, as the country's diverse capital has many attractions to keep you busy. For those interested in learning more about the rich history of the UK, one of the main things to do in London is to visit the Tower of London. Located next to the magnificent Tower Bridge on the banks of the Thames River, this former castle and prison includes interesting events such as the 1,000-year-old White Tower icon, with impressive armor and armor displays, and Jewel House, home to the crown jewel.

Fans of the Royal Family will want to head to Buckingham Palace, the home of Royal London since the reign of Queen Victoria. Here you can enjoy the colorful delights of the Guardians or even visit the National Palace Room (be sure to book in advance as they are only open for a few weeks each year).

The Whitehall Road area of ​​the city is another must, where you'll find Big Ben and Parliament Buildings, as well as Westminster Abbey, the royal wedding scene. Another area to visit in London is South Kensington, home to the city's best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum, as well as the famous Harrods building. Also check out Trafalgar Square, the home of Colour Nelson icons and the National Portrait Gallery.

Edinburgh: Scotland's Capital

One of the most attractive cities in Scotland, the capital of Edinburgh is also one of the UK's most visited destinations. Popular for well-maintained historic buildings, Edinburgh is perhaps best known as the magnificent Edinburgh castle. Set on an old town on a rocky hill, this 13th-century royal fort includes highlights such as the One O'Clock Salute, held daily at Half Moon Battery; Jewels of the Scottish Crown at the Royal Palace; Scottish National War Memorial; and Stone of Destiny, only to return to Scotland after being detained for 700 years in London.

From this castle, it is easy to explore the city's most important historical sites, most notably the Royal Mile Old Town with good architecture, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries, as well as the beautiful old Holyroodhouse. Other Edinburgh highlights include the spacious Princes Street, popular for shopping and dining, as well as the Royal Botanical Garden and National Gallery of Scotland.

Roman-Era Bath

Despite being one of the smallest cities in the UK, Bath is more than small in size with lots to see and do. Named after the famous Roman Bath, this beautiful city has been attracting visitors to its healing waters for over 2,000 years. Flowing from three hot springs, the water is made up of 43 different minerals, so its curvature is about 3,048 meters at 275,000 gallons a day, before spilling at a consistent 46.5 degrees Celsius.

Although it is not possible to take a bath at the original Roman Bath, some nearby spas — most notably Thermae Bath Spa — offer special guests a chance to enjoy the city's famous waters.

In addition to ancient history, Bath is also famous for its beautiful Georgian architecture, the finest example of which can be seen throughout the curved Crescent Royal, with its palate towns. One of them, the No.1 Royal Crescent, is now a museum offering breathtaking views of contemporary Georgian life.

Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury

One of the oldest World Heritage Sites in the world, Stonehenge has been a pilgrimage site for over 4,500 years. It is believed to have been built as a place of worship, but today, the public is comprised of tourists drawn by the monumental scale of this monument to human intelligence.

It is a spacious site, covering an area of ​​more than 20 square kilometers and has a sophisticated visitor center, offering stunning views not only of Stonehenge's construction, but of its history ever since. Plan ahead and buy a scheduled ticket for your day of visit.

Be sure to also spend some time exploring the city of Salisbury, a medieval town located just 16 kilometers south of Stonehenge. Here, you will be rewarded for visiting one of the most famous cathedrals in the country, dating back to 1220 and returning to the original Magna Chart. After that, be sure to wander around the old city center with lots of good churches and historic medieval architecture.

Wonderful Windsor

The historic city of Windsor, located on a short train trip to west London, offers plenty of fun for tourists. In addition to the picturesque Thames side and many medieval buildings erected along the ancient stone slopes, it is home to the magnificent Windsor Castle, the most famous royal palace in England.

The old castle served as the summer residence of the British royalty for more than a millennium (it was started by William the Conqueror in 1078) and is the largest castle in the world. Highlights include beautiful State Apartments featuring the Queen's Gallery and dining hall, each with beautifully painted ceilings and wood carvings, and St. Paul's Chapel. George, known as the Knights' residence and the Ladies of the Order of the Garter.

Once you have completed these historic buildings, be sure to spend some time exploring the large, beautiful area of ​​the castle, which is almost 10 kilometers long. Here you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Windsor and the castle.

Other interesting places to visit include Legoland Windsor, a fun family resort located on a 150-acre park and just a short bus ride from the city center, and Royal Ascot, the most famous horse racing spot in the UK (try it for a while) your trip coincides with the Royal Meeting held every June).

Idyllic England: The Cotswolds and Lake District

Covering nearly 1,287 square kilometers of pristine countryside, the picturesque Cotswolds are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating corners of the UK. Conveniently located to the west of London and close to tourist attractions in Bath and Bristol, the Cotswolds include some of the best parts of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.

Tourists flock here to experience the true sense of English life in the countryside, and discover many delicious countryside vegetables and beautiful pasturelands. One of the most popular ways to do this is through a wide network of trails, including the 16-kilometer Cotswold Road. Other fun things include horseback riding and biking, or just covering the history of popular market towns like Castle Combe or Tetbury.

Just north of the Cotswolds and covering an area of ​​1,448 square kilometers is another beautiful view of England: Lake District National Park. Including the 12 largest lakes in the country (Windermere and Ullswater are the largest), this is another great region in the UK to explore on foot thanks to over 3,218 kilometers of trails. Highlights include visiting Scafell Pike, in the 978 meters of England's highest mountain, as well as exploring beautiful cities, including Grasmere.

Medieval York and its Minster

One of the most popular tourist destinations in northern England, the medieval city of York, long ago the church of the Church of England, has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country. The largest medieval church in the world, York Minster can trace its roots back to the spread of Christianity in the 3rd century, though this beautiful Gothic structure was built nearly 1,000 years later.

Highlights of the tour include a chance to see 14th-century glass windows, plus a choir and northern transept. Also worth a visit is the tomb, which contains some of the original 11th-century church buildings of the cathedral.

Another landmark to explore is the Old City Wall, which stretches nearly five kilometers around the medieval city center and offers excellent views of The Shambles, a 14th-century narrow street, famous for its wooden framed buildings fine, which mostly hangs in the street below. It is also a popular area with many restaurants and teas, as well as many boutiques and galleries.

York also has several major museums, the most popular being the National Railway Museum. Highlights of the museum's collection include many old steam engines dating back to 1820, plus a unique Royal Trains collection.

The University Towns of Cambridge & Oxford

The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of the most famous university cities also positioning themselves as tourist destinations. An easy trip to north London — and just 128 kilometers outside — Cambridge and Oxford has for centuries been competing for the title as the nation's leading academic organization, a competition celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race, which takes place every spring on Thames River.

While this competition is generally vibrant, each location offers many attractions to make it a worthwhile addition to your UK travelitinerary. The importance of a visit to Cambridge includes an opportunity to tour the UK's largest preserved historic building, most of it within walking distance of 31 Cambridge University colleges, the oldest being founded in 1284.

In addition to visiting the amazing college area (only a few university buildings offer tours), visitors to Cambridge should also take a punt along the Cam River, as well as explore the old city center.

Oxford's 38 colleges are equally impressive, each located around the quadrangle and several indoor areas along with chapels, dining halls, libraries, and student accommodation (some even offer unique tourist accommodation packages). Oxford attractions include the Carfax Tower, with beautiful views of the city center, and many old buildings on the city's High Street.

Liverpool and Manchester

Thanks to its international airport, Manchester is often the first stop for many visitors planning to explore the north of England, Scotland, or Wales. Highlights include Castlefield, famous for its Victorian homes, canals, and Roman ruins, as well as many old warehouses that now serve as stylish shops, hotels, and restaurants. Other attractions include Manchester Cathedral and the historic Town Hall, as well as rich cultural scenes including museums (Museum of Science and Industry), galleries (Manchester Art Gallery) and entertainment (Chinatown).

Liverpool, an hour by train, offers plenty of cultural fun, not least because of its association with The Beatles. Music lovers are drawn here for "Fab Four" related attractions such as The Beatles Story in the renovated Albert Docks area; The famed Cavern Club, where the group made its debut in 1961; as well as former John Lennon and Paul McCartney houses (many walking tours and bus tours on the Beatles site are also available).

Other great reasons to visit Liverpool include many historic buildings; beautiful gardens and gardens; as well as great museums like the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Liverpool Museum, and world-class art galleries like the Walker Art Gallery and the Tate Gallery.

Canterbury

Take a tour of the historic Canterbury in Kent, and you'll soon find out why this beautiful city continues to be a tourist attraction for the UK. An easy train ride from central London (or just minutes from EuroTunnel), Canterbury has been attracting pilgrims for more than 1,500 years, since St. Augustine first converted the pagan Anglo Saxons to Christianity here in 597 AD.

The most famous attraction in the city is Canterbury Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this spectacular cathedral offers so much to see, from its exterior carved stone exterior to its magnificent interior, one of its highlights is a magnificent chorus with statues of six English kings. Also of note is the magnificent Windows Miracle, dating from the 12th century and depicting scenes from the life of Archbishop Thomas Becket who was assassinated.

After that, be sure to spend some time exploring the interior of Old City Canterbury with preserved, historic, and timbered buildings, especially along Mercery Lane. Other must-sees include Canterbury Tales, breathtaking views of the life and times of renowned English poet Geoffrey Chaucer (aka "Father of English Literature"), and the magnificent Roman Canterbury Roman Museum, built around the remains of the original Roman home and unique mosaic.

Cardiff: The Capital of Wales

Although much smaller than Scotland and England, Wales is home to some of the UK's top attractions and fun things to do, from exploring the breathtaking scenery and enjoying outdoor adventures to the national parks to visiting its historic palaces.

One of the best places to try some of what Wales has to offer is the capital, Cardiff, with most tourists embarking on their visit to Cardiff Castle. Located in the heart of the city and built on the ruins of an ancient Roman fortress, some parts of the present structure date back to 1090, most of which were restored in the 1800s. Highlights include a State Apartment, Clock Tower, Chapel, and Banqueting Hall with its delicate murals.

After that, be sure to spend some time exploring the city's many medieval shopping arcades, the best available around The Hayes. Also worth checking out is Cardiff Bay. One of the largest redevelopment projects in the UK, the area is now home to many restaurants, theaters, galleries, and shopping opportunities, mostly housed in the former warehouse on the beautiful Mermaid Quay.

Cardiff Bay is also where you'll find the World of Boats, with a unique collection of ships from around the world, and Techniquest, a fun science center featuring planetariums and theaters.

Loch Ness and Inverness

Although giant mythological legends have been largely disputed (just don't tell locals), the stunning Loch Ness remains a very popular tourist attraction for tourists heading to Scotland. While it's unlikely you'll encounter any monsters, you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful UK scenery.

Highlights include the ruins of Urquhart Castle, overlooking the loch, one of the largest forts in Scotland (the current structure dates from the 14th century). For those who want to know more about the area's history, the Loch Ness Center and Exhibition tells its history, along with its monsters, including details of ongoing search for elusive creatures.

A little further north is Inverness, which offers many great attractions, including Inverness Castle, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and St Cathedral. 19th century Andrew.

History travelers should also check out the Culloden Warfare Center and Visitors Center. It was at Culloden in 1746 that the British and the Scots fought in their last battle and where the fate of Scotland as British dominance was determined. Also interesting are the warriors of the Scottish clan, as well as the six-meter-long Cairn Memorial erected in 1881 to commemorate the battle.