If you’re visiting the United Kingdom, it’s always wise to do some research beforehand. That’s why people read travel guides about Southampton and check out places to stay. The United Kingdom is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. There are many amazing places to visit, from ancient castles to busy cities. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the UK, so you can choose your exciting itinerary.
London
This is the capital city of England, and there’s an abundance of places you can visit. It’s worth going to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. If you’re looking for a more modern experience, head to Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. There are also art galleries and museums scattered all over the city. If you’re looking for some international cuisine you can have Indian, Thai, Italian or Mexican, or alternatively, you can try a traditional English breakfast.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It’s home to two universities, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. The city was once a centre for traditional industries such as shipbuilding and linen manufacture but has since become more diverse with sectors including aerospace engineering, digital technology and life sciences.
Belfast is full of history and has a lot of things to see and do. You can choose to spend all your time here, or make the most of being in Ireland and explore other places too. During your visit, treat yourself to some delicious cuisine and sample the food of some of the best Irish chefs. Check out Square Meal IE for the best recommendations and to book your table.
There are many train stations around London, plus the underground Tube system. If you’re looking for cheap train tickets there are websites that can find you split tickets for savings. You can also discover the advantages of booking early, travelling off-peak, travelling as a group and adding a Railcard.
Brighton
This is a popular seaside resort on the south coast of England, being part of the City of Brighton and Hove. It’s especially known for its Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion. The pier is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brighton, featuring an amusement arcade, roller coaster, restaurants, and bars. The Royal Pavilion was built as a seaside palace for King George IV. It’s been used as a civic building and First World War hospital and is now a museum.
Other places to visit in Brighton include the Lanes, which are a series of narrow streets with shops and restaurants, and Churchill Square, which is a shopping centre. Brighton is also a honeypot for local entertainment and music.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and its largest city. It’s situated just north of Bristol on the south coast of Wales and is located near some beautiful beaches. There are many things to see and do such as the castle, the botanical gardens and the museum. Cardiff is also home to some great restaurants and pubs. You can encounter lots of amazing architecture and rich diversity of culture.
Besides going on guided tours around the castle grounds, you should visit the Cardiff bay area. It has many shops and restaurants as well as other attractions such as art galleries and museums.
The Lake District
The Lake District is one of the most astounding places in the UK. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, as it’s very rural and secluded. There are plenty of hikes and walks that you can do in the area, and also many lovely villages where you can stop off for lunch or dinner.
The Lake District was designated a national park and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s well known for its lakes, forests and mountains (or fells). Some of the highlights include Windermere, Derwentwater and Ullswater. This is a popular holiday destination and it has associations with William Wordsworth and other Lake Poets – plus Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and it’s a highly populated city, attracting multitudes of tourists every year. It’s home to the Scottish Parliament and the seat of HM monarchy in Scotland. Some of its notable buildings include Holyrood Palace, Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle. The latter is a fortress that dominates the skyline from its high position. It’s a distinguished visitor centre with an exhibition about its history and displays of the Scottish crown jewels.
You may also wish to visit Edinburgh Zoo or Greyfriars Kirkyard. There are also plenty of art galleries and museums to check out, such as the National Museum of Scotland or the Edinburgh Gallery. Be sure to try haggis – a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs – as well as whisky, which is produced in Scotland in abundance.
Liverpool
This is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It has some interesting museums, such as the Beatles Story and National Museums Liverpool. If you’re looking for a more modern experience, head to Albert Dock where there are plenty of bars and restaurants. You can also enjoy various art galleries here too.
Liverpool Cathedral is also not to be missed, being the largest cathedral in Britain – and the eighth-largest in the world.
Loch Ness and Stonehenge
Loch Ness is a truly amazing place, and it’s located in the Scottish Highlands. It contains more freshwater than all the English and Welsh lakes added together. It’s been made famous by the unconfirmed sightings of what some believe to be a prehistoric monster (affectionately named “Nessie“).
Stonehenge is a stone monument located in the English countryside, and it’s been around for over 2000 years. It still amazes people today that their ancestors could possibly have moved such heavy stones into place without modern technology.
Hopefully, these discussions have to whet your appetite for travel and inspired you to do some more research. Once you’ve booked your next visit, you’ll be able to look forward to the trip of a lifetime, and all the happy memories you will be gaining.
