unitedkingdom tourist places

Recently I took a short tour in the UK to see some of the most attractive places to visit for tourists, both British and from around the world. Below are my tips on what to see and the attractions of each place I visited.

London

If you haven’t been to London, then you haven’t been to the UK. London is seat of cosmopolitan British culture. What’s more, you can get to visit the home of the world’s most loved monarch, the Queen of England. I loved it!

There are so many things to see and experience in the British capital and it should definitely be part of yourtour of the UK. You can see the famous Buckingham Palace or visit the Tower of London for a glimpse of the Crown Jewels. Alternatively, you can visit one of the many museums open to the public: British Musuem, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Science Museum etc. A more thrilling way though is to use the London Eye. For 30 minutes, you will be treated to an aerial view of the city, and be able to pick out some of London’s finest landmarks.

1. Llanberis Pass, North Wales

LLanberis village is located in the popular Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Nearby, twin lakes cut through a vast mountain range creating the ‘Llanberis Pass’. The Lllanberis Pass is a truly impressive place noted for its wild and rugged beauty and well as its extraordinary tranquility. The unique glaciated valley and world class climbing spot is extremely popular with drivers, ambitious rock climbers and photographers.

2. The Jurassic Coast, East Devon to Dorset

A world heritage site which can be found on the southern coast of England and easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in UK. The 140 million year old Jurassic coast, voted the 5th greatest natural wonder in Britain, is a popular tourist destination. The area is home to both the natural limestone arch of Durdle Door – the coast’s most photographed landmark and Lulworth Cove – one of the finest coves in England. The Jurassic coast is also used for many film scenes including the big screen adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and ‘Wilde’ starring Stephen Fry.

3. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

The university town of Cambridge epitomises quintessential Englishness and here punting on the river and sipping Pimms on the perfectly manicured lawn is an enduring local summer pastime. The beautiful buildings are well preserved and the timeless city seems straight out of the scene form the 1950s – the preppy look seems de rigueur and most people travel everywhere by bicycle. Try the omnipresent punting as one of the most romantic ways to see the main historical highlights.

4. Richmond Park, South West London

A place where most Londoners go to get their green space fix, historical Richmond Park is a 2,500 acre site of special scientific interest. Originally established by Charles I in 1637 as a hunting area, the park with its ornamental gardens, ancient oaks and 600 red and fallow deer roaming freely, still manages to retain a medieval feel. A very popular spot especially in summer, locals and out-of-towners come here for summer picnics, quiet walks, lazy scenic drives and of course, obligatory deer watching.

5. Hope Valley, Peak District

The Peak District is the second most visited national park in the world. The area is characterised by wild rugged landscapes, pretty villages, grand historic houses and dark caverns. Hope Valley is a large area in the centre of the national park which offers unusual and dramatic landscapes and some of the most beautiful scenery in the England. In the pretty village Castleton – also known as the ‘Gem of the Peak’ – you will find traditional stone Peak District Cottages, an imposing mountain, show caves and an atmospheric ruined Norman castle. The nearby ancient village of Hathersage has associations with both the legend of Robin Hood and Charlotte Bronte’s famous novel Jane Eyre and also makes for an interesting stop.

6. Glen Nevis, Scotland

Arguably one of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, Glen Nevis is an exceptionally beautiful part of the United Kingdom. The stretch of ancient unspoilt scenery, overlooked by Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain), is perfect for peaceful walking and truly getting away from it all. This area is also great for wildlife watching and film location visiting – many key scenes from Braveheart, Rob Roy and Harry Potter were shot here. In fact all of the Scottish Highlands are outstandingly beautiful and if possible you should take your time to explore its clear lochs, ancient castles and unspolit coastline.

7. Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s only Unesco World Heritage site, Giant’s Causeway is an intriguing beauty spot and a popular tourist haunt. With a large area of coastline covered in neatly arranged stone columns it’s easy to see why this unique natural wonder is surrounded by mythical legends. The Antrim coast is also popular for cliff top walks – it offers some of the finest and atmospheric cliff scenery in Europe.

8. Polperro, South East Cornwall

The southwest counties are especially popular with holidaymakers, but tourism still hasn’t managed to spoil the chocolate box pretty villages that reside here. Polperro (located in South East Cornwall) with its narrow winding streets and cottages perched on steep slopes overlooking a tiny harbour is everyone’s idea of a picturesque Cornish fishing village. Sheltered from time and tide in a cliff ravine, Polperro is often cited as the prettiest village in Cornwall – which given the competition is quite an accolade.

9. Lake District, North West England

The Lake District is a mountainous region in North West England and a very popular holiday destination. Most visitors flock to the tourist areas of Keswick, Windermere and Kendal but also consider but the deepest lake in England – Wastwater. It’s the most remote lake but many believe it’s easily worth the extra effort to get to. Once voted Britain’s ‘favourite view’ Wastwater is hemmed in by some of the highest peaks in England and surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most impressive scenery.

10. Little Venice, London

The affluent district of South Maida Vale is is interspersed with picturesque waterways and the area where the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals meet is affectionately known as Little Venice.  The London backwater idyll is dotted with colourful houseboats, waterside pubs and some superb restaurants – a peaceful oasis in an otherwise very busy city. Take a walk along the tow path, picnic along the banks or charter a narrowboat for a perfect afternoon out