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If you are thinking about travelling to the UK for the first time, then you may be wondering what the main attractions are. In this article, you will find some of the top reasons to visit the UK and some of the things you can experience whilst you are here.

Historical Sites

Considering the United Kingdom has a small landmass in comparison to other countries, it is absolutely drenched in history. The fascinating thing about UK history is that it goes back a long way. In America, artefacts from the civil war in the 1800s are considered old history, but in the UK, some of the historical sites date back as far as 5000 years! There is a huge range of historical sites to visit including numerous castles, abbeys, and ruins that include roman forts and more! Stonehenge is one of the oldest historical sites in the United Kingdom. It is an arrangement of stones in a circle, and historians still differ in opinion as to its purpose. One thing they do agree on is that it is very, very old! The 5000-year-old monument has been considered to have many purposes over the years, the most likely being that it was a place of worship, but other theories have mentioned observatories and even a magical place created by Merlin the Wizard!

Stately Homes

In addition to the historical sites, the UK has some truly stunning stately homes to view. Some have even been used in film and TV shows such as “Downton Abbey”. Getting a glimpse into how the rich once lived, touring a stately home is a beautiful day out, often accompanied by stunning gardens.

Food

Food in the UK has in recent years become more elective and now boasts a range of cuisines such as Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Italian restaurants. However, traditional British food is still served in most parts of the UK. In England, the most common British meals include Sunday Roasts, English Breakfasts, Fish and Chips, and Mince & Dumplings. Puddings with custard are also commonplace in England. Cornwall is famous for Cream Scones, Pasties, and Ice Cream. In Scotland, you may want to try signature dishes such as Haggis. Each part of the UK has its own unique dishes and it’s worth sampling a few of them whilst visiting.

The British Seaside

English seaside towns are very quaInt, offering a combination of beaches, cold water, arcades, and ice cream stores. Shellfish in a small tub from a seafood stall is a treat whilst walking around, and a trip to a UK beach would not be complete without a generous serving of fish and chips! Whilst they are all very similar, each has their own unique charm. Many of them such as South Shields and Blackpool even have small outdoor theme parks so there is something for the kids to enjoy too.

Scenery

The United Kingdom is famous for its lush green scenery, primarily because it gets a good amount of rainfall, unlike some of its European cousins. There are some incredibly beautiful places to visit in the United Kingdom, some of the most incredible ones being Scotland and the Lake District. Both have beautiful peaks and bodies of water to explore, and if in Scotland, you may even catch a glimpse of the infamous Loch Ness monster! If you enjoy hiking, there are some absolutely breathtaking walks in the Lake District, the Peak District, and in other locations around the United Kingdom.

Theatre

Aside from Broadway, London has one of the most thriving theatre scenes in the world in the West End. You can catch a musical or a play every evening, and some afternoon matinees too. Many of the theatres themselves actually date back many years, with the oldest dating back to 1663. If you are a Shakespeare fan, you can even visit The Globe theatre where most of his early works were performed.

Shopping

There are plenty of large shopping centres in the UK, including the Metro Centre, which was once the largest shopping centre in Europe. In addition to this, Oxford Street boasts some of London’s most prestigious shops. The UK also has some wonderful markets to explore, including the famous Camden Market. Regardless of your preferences, you will find a shopping experience you love in the United Kingdom!

The Royal Family

The British monarchy is the 5th oldest ruling monarchy in the world. There are many wonderful sites to visit in relation to the Royal Family including Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Sandringham Estate, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral.

Summary

The United Kingdom has a lot to offer tourists and is a wonderful place to visit. Pre-booking trips in advance will save you time and money if you are travelling to the UK, so make sure you plan everything you want to do whilst in the country.

Historical Sites

Considering the United Kingdom has a small landmass in comparison to other countries, it is absolutely drenched in history. The fascinating thing about UK history is that it goes back a long way. In America, artefacts from the civil war in the 1800s are considered old history, but in the UK, some of the historical sites date back as far as 5000 years! There is a huge range of historical sites to visit including numerous castles, abbeys, and ruins that include roman forts and more! Stonehenge is one of the oldest historical sites in the United Kingdom. It is an arrangement of stones in a circle, and historians still differ in opinion as to its purpose. One thing they do agree on is that it is very, very old! The 5000-year-old monument has been considered to have many purposes over the years, the most likely being that it was a place of worship, but other theories have mentioned observatories and even a magical place created by Merlin the Wizard!

Stately Homes

In addition to the historical sites, the UK has some truly stunning stately homes to view. Some have even been used in film and TV shows such as “Downton Abbey”. Getting a glimpse into how the rich once lived, touring a stately home is a beautiful day out, often accompanied by stunning gardens.

Food

Food in the UK has in recent years become more elective and now boasts a range of cuisines such as Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Italian restaurants. However, traditional British food is still served in most parts of the UK. In England, the most common British meals include Sunday Roasts, English Breakfasts, Fish and Chips, and Mince & Dumplings. Puddings with custard are also commonplace in England. Cornwall is famous for Cream Scones, Pasties, and Ice Cream. In Scotland, you may want to try signature dishes such as Haggis. Each part of the UK has its own unique dishes and it’s worth sampling a few of them whilst visiting.

The British Seaside

English seaside towns are very quaint, offering a combination of beaches, cold water, arcades, and ice cream stores. Shellfish in a small tub from a seafood stall is a treat whilst walking around, and a trip to a UK beach would not be complete without a generous serving of fish and chips! Whilst they are all very similar, each has their own unique charm. Many of them such as South Shields and Blackpool even have small outdoor theme parks so there is something for the kids to enjoy too.

Scenery

The United Kingdom is famous for its lush green scenery, primarily because it gets a good amount of rainfall, unlike some of its European cousins. There are some incredibly beautiful places to visit in the United Kingdom, some of the most incredible ones being Scotland and the Lake District. Both have beautiful peaks and bodies of water to explore, and if in Scotland, you may even catch a glimpse of the infamous Loch Ness monster! If you enjoy hiking, there are some absolutely breathtaking walks in the Lake District, the Peak District, and in other locations around the United Kingdom.

Theatre

Aside from Broadway, London has one of the most thriving theatre scenes in the world in the West End. You can catch a musical or a play every evening, and some afternoon matinees too. Many of the theatres themselves actually date back many years, with the oldest dating back to 1663. If you are a Shakespeare fan, you can even visit The Globe theatre where most of his early works were performed.

Shopping

There are plenty of large shopping centres in the UK, including the Metro Centre, which was once the largest shopping centre in Europe. In addition to this, Oxford Street boasts some of London’s most prestigious shops. The UK also has some wonderful markets to explore, including the famous Camden Market. Regardless of your preferences, you will find a shopping experience you love in the United Kingdom!

The Royal Family

The British monarchy is the 5th oldest ruling monarchy in the world. There are many wonderful sites to visit in relation to the Royal Family including Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Sandringham Estate, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral.

Summary

The United Kingdom has a lot to offer tourists and is a wonderful place to visit. Pre-booking trips in advance will save you time and money if you are travelling to the UK, so make sure you plan everything you want to do whilst in the country.