United Kingdom
Top sights and places to visit in the United Kingdom span historic landmarks, castles, and diverse landscapes. London offers Big Ben, the Tower of London and world-class museums, while Scotland, Wales and the English regions add ancient sites such as Stonehenge, dramatic coastlines, and centuries of history.
General information
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, occupying the British Isles off the north-western coast of Europe. London is the capital and English the main language, and the country combines world-famous cities with green countryside, rugged coasts and historic castles. The UK left the European Union in 2020, so non-EU travellers should check current entry, visa or ETA requirements before visiting. Traffic drives on the left, and the weather is mild but famously changeable.
Transport and how to get there
London is served by several airports, led by Heathrow (LHR), one of the world's busiest, along with Gatwick (LGW), Stansted, Luton and London City. Regional gateways include Manchester (MAN), Birmingham (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI) and Glasgow. An extensive National Rail network links the cities — booking in advance brings much cheaper fares — and long-distance coaches such as National Express and Megabus are the budget option. Within London, the Underground and buses make a car unnecessary.
Prices
The currency is the pound sterling (GBP), and the UK — especially London — is relatively expensive. Budget hotels and hostels cost roughly £40–90 a night, mid-range hotels about £90–180, with London at the higher end. An inexpensive meal is around £12–18, a pub main £14–20, and a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant £50–80; a pint of beer is £5–7 and a coffee £3–4. A single London tube fare with contactless is about £2.80. Many national museums — the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate — are free, while paid attractions such as the Tower of London run £25–35. Prices are approximate.
Main attractions
London alone offers the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and the British Museum. Beyond it lie the prehistoric stones of Stonehenge, the Roman baths of Bath, and Edinburgh with its castle and Royal Mile. Nature lovers head for the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness, the Lake District and the Welsh coast, while Oxford and Cambridge showcase historic universities. Windsor Castle, the walled city of York, the medieval castles of Wales and Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway round out a remarkably varied country.