The United Kingdom in the short UK is one of the most famous European tourist destinations of the world. As the UK is composed of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are many places to go in the UK. Tourist attractions in the UK include beautiful countryside, excellent museums, historic cities, and wonderful theaters.
There are numerous things to do in the UK like visiting medieval castles to grand mansions and the breathtaking scenery of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. UK holiday destination also offers cities like Cambridge, Chester, and London. Here is our list of the best places to visit in the UK for your enjoyment.
Contents
Best Places to Visit in the UK:
10. Cambridge
UK holiday destination offers you the college town Cambridge. This charming English city is located on the River Cam just north of London. Cambridge is home to one of the world’s top universities, the University of Cambridge and it is one of the best places to visit in the UK. The city has all of the cultural and entertainment options you might expect from a college town. You will find the King’s College Chapel, one of the most visited sites in the city, along with Trinity, founded by Henry VIII and St. John’s, with its crenelated Great Gate.
As one of the top tourist attractions in the UK, the King’s College Chapel is considered a fine example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and famed for its chapel and choir. There are also many beautiful museums and art galleries. Exploring the quaint passages set around the historic marketplace and colleges; relaxing in the many beautiful pubs, restaurants, and cafes; catching a show at the Art Theater or seeing live music or comedy at the Corn Exchange is among the best things to do in the UK. Cambridge is truly one of the best places to visit in the UK.
9. Lake District
Among the many places to go to the UK, Lake District is a region and national park. It is the second largest National Park in the UK. Lake District is located in North West England in the county of Cambria. As one of the best places to visit in the UK, the Lake District features lakes, mountains, and hills carved by glacial erosion that provides spectacular and exciting scenery.
There are market towns such as Keswick, Kendal, and Ambleside. This town acts as bases for exploring the area and also home to traditional inns, galleries of local art and outdoor gear shops. One of the best things to do in the UK is to go hiking and climbing in the Lake District. Among the best places to visit in the UK, about 14 million tourists visit the park each year.
8. Snowdonia
Snowdonia is one of the best places to visit in the UK. Located in North West Wales, Snowdonia is the third largest national park in the United Kingdom. The park is the home of Wales’s highest mountain, Mount Snowdon. The historic Snowdon Mountain Railway of the park climbs to the summit of the mountain offering views across the sea to Ireland.
There is no way to describe the dazzling 360-degree views of the mountains, valleys, and coast below from the summit. One of the top tourist attractions in the UK, Snowdonia is also home to the largest lake in Wales, a widespread network of trails, over 100 lakes and craggy peaks like Cedar Idris and Tryfan. Truly it is one of the best places to visit in the UK.
7. Chester
One of the most amazing places to go in the UK is Chester. The city of Chester lies on the River Dee in Cheshire, England. Not far from the border with Wales, it is one of the best places to visit in the UK. More than 2,000 years old, the city is known for its extensive, well-preserved Roman walls made of local red sandstone.
So, visitors can enjoy plenty of history, culture, and architecture spanning several eras. There is much distinctive 19th-century black-and-white revival architecture throughout the city. A Roman amphitheater is located just outside the old city’s walls. The Roman and medieval walls encircling Chester city are one of the best places to visit in the UK.
6. Cornwall
Cornwall is a famous UK holiday destination. Cornwall is a county located on the jagged southwestern tip of England. One of the best places to visit in the UK, Cornwall forms a peninsula that encompasses natural moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches, concluding at the legendary cape Land’s End. Cornwall is charismatic and quaint, yet rugged and isolated.
As one of the best places to visit in the UK, Cornwall offers rocky cliffs overlooking the sea on its northern side and golden sand beaches that are loved by tourists on the south. The south coast of Cornwall, more commonly known as the Cornish Riviera, is home to charming harbor villages like Fowey and Falmouth. For surfing, the north coast of Cornwall is the best.
5. York
York is one of the best places to visit in the UK. Located where the River Foss meets the River Ouse, York is a walled city with a rich heritage founded by the ancient Romans. Nowhere in northern England says medieval like York. There are a remarkable number of attractions packed into the wall of this ancient city. Its enormous 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster is one of the top tourist attractions in the UK.
This commanding stone cathedral is filled with remarkable works of art that include medieval stained glass and 2 functioning bell towers. As one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe, getting around without transport in York is not difficult. York is one the best places to visit in the UK if you want to experience medieval England.
4. Edinburgh
Among the numerous places to go to the UK, visitors to Edinburgh need to be prepared to experience history. Edinburgh is steeped in history from the cobblestone streets to Edinburgh Castle that is symbolic of Scotland’s capital. There are more than 4,500 historic buildings and sites between the Old and New Towns of the capital. One of the best places to visit in the UK, the Old Town of Edinburgh is home to Edinburgh’s most famous street, the Royal Mile that connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyrood house.
It is also home to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park with extensive views from its peak. The elegant Georgian New Town dates back to the 18th century and is best known for its neoclassical architecture and beautiful gardens. The city is also festival-happy. As one of the best places to visit in the UK, the city exhibits several annual celebrations of art, theater, music, and comedy.
3. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the best places to visit in the UK and also one of the most famous sites in the world. Located in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. Some of the most important Neolithic and Bronze Age finds and structures in the UK can also be found here. There are also some 200 scheduled monuments in Stonehenge.
Neolithic and Bronze Age man started to bring Bluestones and Sarsen stones from Wales and the Marlborough Downs from about 2500BC. Stonehenge came to be completed around 1600BC. There is a National Trust Walking Trail around the Stonehenge landscape that visitors can use to explore and try to unravel the mystery of the Stonehenge. It is truly one of the best places to visit in the UK.
2. Scottish Highlands
Among the best places to visit in the UK, the Scottish Highlands is the rugged northern and northwestern portion of Scotland. The Highlands are the historic region of Scotland. This is Scotland conjured up by visions of tartan, lochs, kilts, and Braveheart. The region became culturally discernible from the Lowlands from the later middle ages into the modern period.
With many mountain ranges dominating the region, the area is very sparsely populated. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain is situated here. As one of the best places to visit in the UK, the Scottish Highlands features a real picture postcard, Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness, the most famous lake in Scotland. One of the things to do in the UK is to cruising in the Loch Ness Lake.
1. London
Set on the River Thames, London is the capital city of England and one of the best places to visit in the UK. London is a mesmerizing city laden with history, full of beautiful green parks, museums and art galleries, a vibrant theater scene, fantastic shopping, and dining and of course, royalty. At the center of London stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower, probably the world’s most famous clock and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations.
London is truly a city that has it all. Visitors can enjoy unforgettable things like watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace as is watching the minutes tick away at Big Ben. One of the most exciting things to do in the UK is riding a double-decker bus across Tower Bridge over the Thames River. London is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in the UK.