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Are you thinking about heading off to the UK sometime soon? Maybe it’s your first time to the British Isles and you’re wondering where you should check out. No problem! We have you covered! Check out this ultimate guide to the UK – with everything you need to know about visiting the British Isles along with top destinations to add to your itinerary, regardless of how long you’ll be in the area.
London
London, the capital city of the UK, is a huge bustling metropolis that stretches from the very centre of the city near Westminster all the way out to the areas around the M25. Even parts of places like Richmond, Slough and Windsor are considered parts of outer London. London was originally an old Roman settlement, and many of the artefacts from Roman London can be found in museums around the city such as the British or London museums. Did we mention that all the museums (with the exception of a handful) are free in London? It’s a great concept that makes learning about British history that much easier!
If you want a real treat though, check out the Jack the Ripper tours in Whitechapel – a look back at one of London’s most prolific serial killers by walking the same routes he did to the sites where the bodies of his victims were found. Usually around 2 hours in length, it’s a great way to spend a couple hours on a gloomy London night. Book a cheap flight to London today to get a head start on your exciting UK holiday.
Bath
One of the country’s most beautiful cities, Bath is a gem that stands out in what seems to be a field of emerald. Of course it’s just that white bath stone that many of the buildings are made of that give it that off-white look surrounded by such lush greenery of the Somerset valley it sits in. Bath is most notably home to the Roman Baths, an impressive Roman-era bathing complex that visitors can explore to look back in time at how Romans of the area lived. The museum is a truly magnificent display of different artefacts that have been found throughout the course of the history of the complex, including ‘curse tablets’ that ancient Romans wrote and left in the spring, dedicated to the goddess Minerva, something of a petition to get revenge on people who had wronged them in some way. Bath is also home to Thermae Spa – a luscious spa complex that you can visit for treatments and bathing, not far from the Roman Baths, an opportunity to bathe in the same mineral rich thermal waters they did thousands of years ago.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a beautiful part of northern Wales, home to the tallest mountain in Wales, Mount Snowdon. Wales is a beautiful part of the British Isles, and particularly Snowdonia, with lush green valleys, featuring beautiful, old-world style cobbled villages built over streams and creeks. The climb up Mount Snowdon itself can be daunting depending on which route you take, but the view from the top is worth it. The Miner’s Track is one of the easier routes, however it requires almost a straight climb to the summit at the end. Likewise, the Pyg Track is a bit more difficult with some areas of scrambling, but it’s a bit more of a steady and gradual incline.
Other things to see in Snowdonia that make this a great spot to stop off in include the small village of Beddgelert – home to the grave of Prince Llewellyn’s noble hound, a story of which you won’t soon forget. It’s also home to some unique and beautiful little mountain towns such as Betws-y-Coed which are prime for exploring by foot. Don’t miss the lakes of Capel Curig where you can catch a bus for £1 from Betws-y-Coed to swim in the lakes and have an enjoyable day if the weather holds out. If you fancy a proper beach day though, consider hopping the train to the likes of Prestatyn on the north coast for lush beaches and amusements that will keep you entertained for a day or two.
Whether it’s your first time or your fifth time to the UK, it seems there’s always something exciting to see or do in this country, and with welcoming, friendly locals, you can be sure that you will have an amazing time with plenty of unique and memorable experiences.
