The Countryside

The UK’s countryside is incredibly diverse. The green and idyllic Cotswold Hills stand in such stark contrast to the wild moorland of the Yorkshire Dales that it’s hard to believe they are in the same country. The UK is full of national parks and outstanding areas of national beauty: Snowdonia, the Lake District, Dartmoor and the Scottish Highlands to name only a few. It’s possible to visit them all and have your breath taken away every time. There are hundreds of footpaths and cycle routes (the National Trails website is a good place to start if you’re looking for more information) so it’s ideal for hikers and cyclists. It’s on foot that the UK countryside is best appreciated: they give you ample time to take in the view, and what a view it is.

A stunning scene at Derwent Water in the Lake District

The Castles

The UK’s many castles epitomise just how well preserved the country’s history and heritage is. Sprawling royal residence Windsor Castle has over 1000 rooms, and Alnwick Castle in the far north was used as a stand in for “Hogwarts” during filming of the Harry Potter film series. The pick of the bunch is Warwick castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068. It’s the perfect location for a family day out, and has something for everyone.

Don’t get thrown in the Dungeon: Warwick Castle

The Coast

There are many who would argue that the UK is best experienced through its coastline. It has sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and pretty fishing towns, all of which have an unmistakable atmosphere that you can’t find anywhere else. Some of the UK’s most famous attractions are found on the coast: the white cliffs of Dover, Brighton pavilion and Blackpool’s pleasure beach can all be discovered on a coastal tour. The Northumbrian coast is particularly break taking, and if you could only visit one UK coastal attraction then the stunning Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne would be my recommendation. It’s a small island connected to the mainland via a sandy causeway, and the variety of wildlife that can be spotted around the island is simply something else. If you’re looking for more information, local holiday cottage company Stay Northumbria are familiar with the area and have put together a comprehensive list of Northumbrian coastal wonders.

A puffin spotted at the Farne islands in Northumberland.

The Culture

If you’re an art connoisseur, music aficionado or simply someone that likes to sit in a bar and enjoy the ambience, there’s no better place to be than the UK. Edinburgh in Scotland and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne near Northumberland are both cultural hubs with more art galleries and concert venues than you can shake a stick at. Coming out top though is London, with so much to see and do that even lifelong London residents have often barely scratched the surface of this massive city. It can be overwhelming at first, but sites like Visit London can give you a good idea of where to begin.

Westminster Palace in the evening.