United Kingdom: Overview

Why go?

The past is not another country in the tradition-led lands of England and Wales but at least the plumbing has improved. Once the despair of travellers for its obstreperous hoteliers, dingy beds and ration-led breakfasts (and this is where B&Bs were invented!), the UK has now firmly taken advantage of its historic housing. Grand but down-to-earth manors, comfortable lived-in castles, redoubtably cheery roadside inns, spiffed-up townhouses – the range is as varied and stimulating as the landscape.

Whether you’re ambling through ‘green and pleasant’ Devon, hiking Yorkshire’s wild and windy moors or charging through the throngs of London, there’s a very good chance you’ll come home to an affable host who’ll serve a terrific smoked haddock paté with an excellent Chablis and be pleased to discuss the Euro, after which you’ll slumber heavily in a cushiony double duvet. You’ll wake up to the sound of tea being poured and rain pouring down, but then, some things never change.

Any downsides?

The weather. It’s a wet island and not always warm. It’s pretty crowded too, especially in London where tubes and trains seethe with travellers. Motorways are often clogged with cars and if you’re coming from North America or Europe, remember to drive on the left!

Current weather/time:

London

Activities

Sightseeing

London: the list is endless - begin with traditional Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, soar over the city in the Eye and people-watch in the newly pedestrianized Trafalgar Square
England and Wales: there’s plenty of sights outside the capital - primitive Stonehenge, medieval Leeds Castle, soaring Salisbury Cathedral, and the beautiful cities of Bath and Oxford are a good start

Scenery

Yorkshire moors, Devon valleys, the Lake District, Cornwall’s coast – there’s no shortage of stunning landscapes in this country

Walking & Hiking

Rambling is a way of life in the UK and there’s plenty of pathways to peruse, from cliffwalks by the Atlantic to good ol’ muddy tramps in the Fens…the more adventurous can attempt Mount Snowdon or the Pennine Way

Culture

London: must-do museums include the Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert, the British and the Science (for the kids); the West End has loads of world-class musicals and plays
England and Wales: country culture includes Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare of course, Glyndebourne for opera, Glastonbury for mad-for-it festival music and genteel classical concerts in the smaller towns

Food & Drink

The pint and the pub is inescapable so drink and enjoy, look out for ‘gastropubs’ – their runaway success is due to the UK’s food revolution: tired fish n’ chips are a thing of the past and modern British cooking is now fresh and trendy and quite tasty… cheers!

	Overview
	Places to Stay
	What's Where
	London
	Scotland
	Northern England
	Wales
	South West England
	South East England
	East Anglia
	Central England
	Background Info
	Travel Tips
	Getting There
	Getting Around