United Kingdom: Which Places Should You Definitely Visit in the UK?

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The United Kingdom comprises England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and is one of the most popular destinations in the entirety of Europe. It is a terrific place with a rich cultural heritage and some of the most amazing sights in the world to see. The scenery, as well as the people residing in the UK, are diverse and they are a welcome change to your everyday life. You could easily experience a slice from the past as you walk through the many streets of the UK. There are castles, exquisite pubs and cafes, superb restaurants, humongous estates, art galleries, and museums and so much more for you to explore in the UK. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, here are some of the places that you just cannot do without.

London

London is the capital city of the UK- you could avoid London altogether while planning your trip to the UK, but you shouldn't. London is one of the most impressive cities in the world with tons of artwork and rich cultural history. The Tower of London beside the Tower Bridge situated on the banks of the Thames River is one of the places that you have to visit in London. This palace, coupled with a prison, will give you a brief insight into the rich history of the UK through its display of armor and weaponry, the White Tower, and the Jewel House.

Buckingham Palace, the home of the Queen, is one of the most visited places in all of UK among tourists. The “Changing of Guard” at designated hours is an amazing sight to behold while you are traipsing through the palace. If you have booked beforehand, you can easily take a tour into the Palace’s State Rooms. The Parliament Buildings in Whitehall Road area is another point of interest in London that you have to visit. You will also find the iconic Bib Ben clock tower in this area. Westminster Abbey would gladly welcome you with some of the most terrific views, the place being the hub for royal weddings and ceremonies. The best museums in London would be found in West Kensington and this includes epic places such as the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and so on. Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery should also be part of your itinerary.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh s another one of the most traveled destinations in Europe. It is the capital city of Scotland and boasts of a quaint charm. One of the most majestic things to see as you are traveling through Edinburgh would be Edinburgh Castle. The fortress was built way back in the 13th century and has stood tall since then. The One O'clock Salute and the Scottish Crown Jewels are some of the impressive things to look for in the fortress. The Scottish National War Memorial is another stunning place to look out for in the region along with the Stone of Destiny which was held in London for 700 years before being dutifully returned to the original owners.

There are many other important historic places to visit while in Edinburgh. The best thing is that these places are very easy to explore from the castle. The Royal Mile in the old town is the place where you will find all kinds of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, and so on. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is a significant structure to behold in the Royal Mile. The exquisite architecture of the place is going to leave you spellbound. If you want to shop for anything, particularly souvenirs, Princess Street is the place for you to be. You should also keep the Royal Botanical Garden as well as the National Gallery of Scotland in your itinerary.

Bath

Bath is one of the smaller cities in the UK but the number of things to see and do here surpasses many of the big cities. There are many famous Roman Baths in the region from where the city gets its name. it is an exquisitely built city with healing waters that have been bringing in visitors for more than 2,000 years.
There are 3 major hot springs in the region from where the water travels upwards for about 3km. the water is loaded with 43 mineral constituents which give it healing properties and flows out at a rate of 275,000 gallons every day. When the water spills out, it has a comfortable temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius allowing one to easily use the baths. The ancient Roman baths are inaccessible nowadays. However, if you want to enjoy a calming dip, several outlets have been constructed, the most famous of which is the Thermae Bath Spa.

Bath also features an impressive Gregorian style of architecture which makes the city even more beautiful. The Royal Crescent has a display of palatial townhomes offering the best insight into the architecture. No. 1 Royal Crescent is among the homes that you see and is now featured as a museum taking you down the lane to Gregorian times.

Stonehenge

Who hasn't heard about Stonehenge?! It is regarded as one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also was of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed that Stonehenge was erected as a place for rituals and worship and holds a mysterious charm, mostly because of how immense it is.

The Stonehenge expands over an area of 20 km2 wherein you not only get to see the magnificent structure but also delve into its equally intriguing history. It is a wondrous sight and should not be missed at any chance as you are visiting the UK.

16 km towards the southern side of Stonehenge is the ancient city of Salisbury. As you are visiting this remarkable place, you should also make time to visit Salisbury. The city has one of the oldest cathedrals in the UK which dates back to the early 13th century and also features a Magna Carta. The old city center is a beautiful place to explore via walks as you gaze through the terrific architecture and the many churches.

Windsor

Windsor is a short distance away from London and you can reach the place through a lovely train ride. Windsor Castle is one of the most famous castles in all of the UK and is a lovely place for you to visit. The city also boasts of a romantic ambiance with its river-side setting along the Thames, the cobbled streets, and a multitude of ancient, half-timbered buildings.

Talking of Windsor Castle, it is the largest of the inhabited castles in the UK and has been a summer home to the British Royalty for thousands of years. It was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror and features many impressive structures such as the Queen's Gallery and St. George's Chapel. The castle grounds are also remarkable to behold and stretches for a length of 10 km. you could get some of the best views of the castle from various spots within the ground.

Royal Ascot in Windsor is the most famous venue for horse races in the UK and is worth your time. You could also visit Legoland Windsor if you want to spend some amazingly fun time with your family.

Cotswolds and the Lake District in England

Cotswold is a haven for anybody who wants to immerse themselves within nature at its best. If you want to get a taste of rural English life, this is the place for you to be. The pristine scenery that Cotswolds offers is unmatched and this is one of the most photographed places in Europe. It is also very easy to reach from London, Bath, and Bristol and features some of the most impressive sections of the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.

Cotswolds offers one all that is required to enjoy some peaceful time away from the crowd. It has a 16km long trail called the Cotswolds Way that takes you through the many amazing sceneries in the place. You could also go for such activities as horse riding, biking, and so on. You could also visit market towns like Tetbury or Castle Combe and soak up their history.

The Lake District is situated towards the northern side of Cotswolds and another mesmerizing place to find yourself in. there is a national park covering a 1,448 km2 area. The region gets its name from the 12 lakes found in the region and is a lovely place to explore via hiking. Scafell Pike, the highest mountainous point in England, stands tall at 978 m in this region.

University Towns

The UK has been a center for learning and education since time immemorial and has two of the most famous universities worldwide. Just 128 km away from London, towards the north are the two universities- Cambridge and Oxford- who have been rivals since the time they have existed. The rivalry is fun and exciting and despite that, there are so many attractive places to see in both places.

While visiting Cambridge, you could get guided tours of some of the university buildings. There are 31 university buildings in the region and you get tours in only a handful of them. You should visit the banks of River Cam and visit the old town center.

Oxford, on the other hand, has 38 colleges and features stunning architecture. There are chapels, dining halls, courtyards, accommodations for students, and so much more. The Carfax Tower in Oxford gives you a brilliant view of the entire city.