What are the best places to visit in the UK?
The United Kingdom is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are definitely worth checking out. These include:
Ah, the United Kingdom. Not just one country to explore, the UK consists of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, making it one of the top travel destinations on the planet, as well as one of the destinations that will give you countless places to find your next adventure.
Because the UK is so diverse and has so much to offer to travelers, those who have never been there before might find that planning a trip could become overwhelming. After all, with so many interesting places to see throughout these countries, where do you even begin? Well, whether you’re in search of historic castles or modern attractions, the guide below hones in on what you need to know before you go to the UK.
The United Kingdom is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are definitely worth checking out. These include:
When in Scotland, tourists flock to attractions that include The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (fun fact: golf was invented in Scotland), Loch Lomond, the Isle of Arran, the Isle of Skye, the Northern Highlands, Loch Ness, and the Castle Trail.
Wales offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to dive into some of the world’s most beautiful places, including Snowdonia, Devil's Bridge and the Hafod Estate, the Pembrokeshire Coast, the Isle of Anglesey, Llandudno, and Brecon Beacons National Park.
Some of the best tourist attractions in Northern Ireland include The Glens of Antrim, Carrickfergus Castle, Londonderry (also known as Derry), the Ards Peninsula, and The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
There are quite a few beautiful beaches to choose from throughout the UK if you are hoping to have some fun in the sun and lounge on the sand to relax your cares away.
A few of the top rated beaches are below:
Many travelers decide to head into London when they travel to the UK, as this is a central place where you can begin exploring. Three airports—Heathrow, Stanstead, and Gatwick—serve London.
Once you have arrived and settled in, you can then use the vast train network to get just about anywhere in the United Kingdom. This is a form of public transportation that is easy to use, and taking a trip from London to Glasgow or to Bath will give you a chance to see the beautiful English countryside, which is definitely a plus.
When taking the train, however, you should anticipate potentially cramped conditions and delays, which could be avoided by traveling during off-peak hours. It’s also recommended that you avoid the train system on Sundays, during which delays could be more common due to maintenance.
If you decide that you want more control over your ability to get around while you are staying in the UK, there are plenty of rental cars to choose from. Just remember to drive on the left side of the road if you come from a country where that isn’t the norm. It takes some getting used to, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time! Also, manual transmission is preferred in the UK, so be sure to ask for automatic transmission when renting a vehicle if you don’t know how to drive with a gear stick.
The weather in the UK can be unpredictable, and rain could happen when you least expect it. That’s why it is a good idea to pack an umbrella that you can easily take with you on your daily excursions.
In terms of clothing, you can get away with casual attire throughout the UK, unless you are planning on visiting a fancy restaurant or venue. You could pack some jeans, swimwear if you are going to be traveling during the summer, and a heavy coat, sweaters, gloves, and warm hats if you are going to be traveling in the winter between November and March.
Comfortable shoes, such as a good pair of sneakers, is a must for whenever you are exploring the great outdoors or making your way from one attraction to the next in big cities like London. And waterproof gear, such as boots and a coat, are great for hiking in the countryside, as the weather could change quickly.
Power sockets in the UK are type G, and the standard voltage will be 220-240 V, while the standard frequency will be 50 Hz. If you are heading to the UK from the United States, you will need to pack a power plug adapter and a voltage converter.
The currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling. Since the Brexit vote, the pound has been quite volatile, so using a currency converter calculator will help you figure out how much your currency will be worth against the pound.
Even though the UK is still a part of the European Union until Brexit is complete, the euro was never adopted. However, some of the large retailers in cities like London might take the euro, and you might find that their products feature prices both in euros and pounds. Also, some of London’s large department stores, which are popular amongst tourists, may accept a variety of currencies, such as the US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the euro. Also, in England, Scottish notes aren’t considered official legal tender, but you might be able to use them in order to pay for things at various shops in the country. But if you are planning on using a currency other than the pound in the UK, be aware of exchange rates, especially in a post-Brexit world.
One of the easiest ways to pay for things while you travel is by using your credit card. The problem, though, is that credit cards will likely charge you a foreign transaction fee because your currency will need to be converted into pounds. Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can avoid these fees. For example, you could start by applying for a fee-free credit card before your trip so that you can take it with you and pay for things without getting hit with fees in the process.
If you are planning on taking cash out of an ATM in the UK, make certain that it is within your bank’s network will also help you save money and avoid excess fees. Also, avoid converting your money at the airport while you travel, and have vendors put charges through on your credit card in the local currency. Or you could simply open an account with OFX to use bank-to-bank transfers to pay for things while avoiding high bank margins and fees.
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