What makes Great Britain so great? Quite a lot. The UK is rich in history and culture. Such a wealth can be overwhelming for travelers. So, if you want to visit the UK and get the best feel of it, here are 10 places to visit at all costs.
1. Liverpool
Liverpool is enjoying a second life since becoming the Capital of Culture 2008. Its image shifted from a city if shell suits and moustaches to a creative hub for music, theatre, design and fashion.
When in Liverpool, be sure to visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Titanic hotel. The former showcases artifacts from RMS Titanic. The latter is located in the former White Star Line headquarters -the ill-fated vessel’s port of registry. Both celebrate Liverpool’s extensive maritime history.
Liverpool is also the birthplace of The Beatles and you shouldn’t miss the tour. It will take on the trail of the Fab Four passed the homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the Cavern Walks when their musical journey began. Liverpool is the perfect destination for music lovers across the globe!
2. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital offers breathtaking landscapes, famous Georgian architecture and centuries-old history. It also homes the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with thousands of daily shows. Held in August, the festival and its 20,000 artists attract a large international crowd.
Edinburgh is also the UK’s city of literature. JK Rowling wrote her Harry Potter novels in The Elephant House cafe. And the Scottish landscape inspired the fictional Hogwarts, the sorcerer’s academy. Among other famous writers inspired here: Robert Burns, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh.
One of the best times to visit Edinburgh has to be the New Year. The Hogmanay fireworks over Edinburgh Castle are astounding, and the perfect way to start a new year.
3. Cornwall
Many people don’t associate the UK with beaches. Too bad, because Cornwall has some of the best in the world. Dine on fish and chips as you walk across the beach town of Marazian, and be sure to visit a stunning medieval castle at St Michael’s Mount.
There is something for everyone in Cornwall. Surfers come here to enjoy their sports, especially by bad weather. Loving couples find it to be quite a romantic, quaint destination. Art lovers come to visit one of the only three Tate galleries in the UK.
Cornwall is also home to the world’s most famous open-air theatre, which is truly remarkable sight to behold. Visit during the summer time to admire the true beauty of its sight. The Minack Theatre in Land’s End runs a variety of dramas, musicals and operas between May to September.
4. London
London is most definitely the most popular tourist destination in the UK. England’s capital city has a rich history, a plethora of museums and a brilliant theatre scene. It’s also the home of Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, who resides in Buckingham Palace.
This much to see and do in London. Be sure to take a snap of Big Ben – the world’s most famous clock -, cross the iconic Tower Bridge in a double-decker bus, or visit the fantastic shops around.
5. Brighton
Brighton offer a treasure trove of exciting activities, amazing architecture and award-winning restaurants. This ancient city dates back to 1086 as Brighthelmstone. It became a seaside break for George IV in the 18th Century.
The King’s extravagant lifestyle transformed the city, commissioning the magnificent Royal Pavilion.
Enjoy yourself along the famous Brighton Marine Palace and Pier. There are funfairs, arcade halls and restaurants for your pleasure. There are also many beaches to choose from, including the nudist beach called Cliff Beach.
6. Snowdonia
There’s no park in the world quite like Snowdonia. Visitors come to relish on panoramic views of Welsh valleys, mountains and stunning coastline. In fact, on a clear and sunny day, you can even see Ireland.
Snowdonia also offers the highest mountain and lake in both Wales and England, and is the third largest national park in the UK. It is a Special Area of Conservation that’s the home of otters, the feral goat, polecats, osprey, ravens and the red kite. Be sure to take an umbrella, because it is one of the wettest parts of the UK, with an average rainfall of 4,473 millimetres per year.
7. Chester
Chester is more than 2,000 years old and the perfect destination for history buffs. The city is proud of its heritage of distinctive 19th century black and white Victorian and medieval buildings.
Visit Chester Zoo, one of the top zoos in the world. This zoo is one the only places to see more than 134 endangered species and 265 threatened plant species.
8. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, shrouded in mystery. Archeologists believe the site dates back circa 3000 to 2000 BC, and could have been a burial ground. Some believe it was a place of healing, whilst other suggest it was part of the ritual landscape connected to Durrington Walls. Durrington Walls was a place for the living, whilst Stonehenge may have been the place for the dead.
9. Lake District
The Lake District is a collection of lakes, hills and mountains that define the second largest National Park in the UK. Located in the county of Cumbria, it attracts millions of adventurers who come for hiking and climbing, for the most part. Nature lovers will enjoy the Lake District for its scenic, unspoiled landscapes.
Lake District homes some of England’s longest and deepest lakes and highest mountain: Scafell Pike.
10. Manchester
Manchester is one of the most vibrant cities in the UK, with its vibrant nightlife, and trendy restaurants. It is a booming destination for sport, fashion and art lovers.
Manchester is home to the Manchester International Festival and Manchester Literature Festival.
It’s now the host to some of the most exciting media companies in the UK, including MediaCityUK and Granada TV.
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Author bio
Elisabeth King is a writer and blogger for the Titanic Hotel.