Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) has long been one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The country's appeal has much to do with its diverse scenery and rich cultural heritage. The best places to visit in the UK include everything from beautifully preserved country estates and castles, to its many world-class art galleries and museums.
One of the greatest pleasures of a UK vacation, however, is just how easy it is to explore this fascinating and diverse country. Thanks to its size - the UK could easily fit into the state of Texas (with room to spare) - you can base yourself in cities such as London or Liverpool and simply take a train, bus, or ferry to explore other areas.
To give you some insight into the top places to visit in the UK, we explore our top 4 picks of each country in the United Kingdom.
1. The Cotswolds, England
Covering almost 1,287 square kilometers of pristine countryside, the beautiful Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the most photographed corners of England. Its unrivaled pastoral scenery has earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, ranking highly on many a traveler's bucket list.
One of the most popular ways to do this is via the area's extensive trail network, including the excellent 16-kilometer-long Cotswold Way. Other fun things to do include horseback riding and biking, or simply soaking up the history of popular market towns such as Castle Combe or Tetbury.
2. Loch Ness & Inverness, Scotland
Despite the fact that the legends of mythical monsters have largely been debunked (just don't tell the locals), spectacular Loch Ness remains an extremely popular tourist attraction for travelers heading to Scotland. While it's unlikely you'll encounter any monsters, you will, however, be rewarded with seeing some of the UK's most beautiful scenery.
A little further north is Inverness. This lovely city boasts numerous excellent attractions, including Inverness Castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and the late 19th-century St. Andrew's Cathedral.
3. Snowdonia, Wales
Not only does the Snowdonia region boast some of the most remarkable scenery in Wales — and that’s saying something, as it really is a beautiful country — it’s also home to the UK’s second largest national park: Snowdonia National Park. Spread across nearly 830 square miles, the park is as big a draw for adventurers as it is those seeking a pleasant and not-too-exhausting day trip.
Considered one of the world’s top scenic railways, the journey starts in Llanberis before tackling steep inclines up to the “Eryri” visitor center at the top of Snowdon.
4. Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
It's sometimes a little too easy to forget that the UK includes a tiny little piece of Ireland. Northern Ireland, consisting of the northeast corner of the "Emerald Isle," can easily be included on a trip to either country, and is well worth taking the time to explore. By far the best-known of Northern Ireland's attractions is the magnificent Giant's Causeway, a stunningly beautiful natural feature that looks anything but natural.
Just a short drive from the capital of Belfast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of unusual columns of layered basalt that jut upwards out of the sea and shoreline like some giant's staircase, hence their name. All told, there are some 4,000 of these polygonal-shaped steps to see and clamber over. Formed over 60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity, it's a truly impressive sight, and easy to see how local legends of giants could so easily have sprung up as a result.
Repurposed via Brian Dearsley + Unsplash
