Discover United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is comprised of the island of Great Britain, the Northern Island and hundreds of smaller islands that make up the regions of England, Wales and Scotland. While the United Kingdom is a part of the European continent, it is separated from Europe's mainland by the English Channel and the North Sea. Apart from having one of the oldest monarchies in the world, the United Kingdom is also one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to industrial economies.

The landscape found within the United Kingdom is extremely diverse. The southern region of England is comprised of rolling green fields. On the eastern region in Scotland, the United Kingdom is filled with flat, marshy Fens. The northern region of England, on the other hand, is characterized with mountains and windswept moors and fells. Along the region comprising of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom has undulating pasture as well as low coastal mountains. Its diverse landscape makes viewing the country of the United Kingdom from the air, one of the top tourist attractions for travelers visiting the country. From the air, the country provides a neat patchwork of color which is broken by farms, villages and country roads. Along its coastal regions, the United Kingdom is lined with rocky inlets and cliff, particularly on the southwestern region of England while pristine sandy beaches can be found along the southeastern region.

Just as the landscape is diverse, so is the tradition and customs that are practiced and observed throughout the United Kingdom. After all, the United Kingdom is home to the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish, each having their own customs, traditions, and languages. While the economy status of the United Kingdom does provide the locals with a good standard of living, poverty still exists and can be observed in many of the inner cities within the country.

The United Kingdom is one of the most visited regions in Europe. Each year, thousands of tourists visit the United Kingdom, especially the island of Britain. With the rich historical and cultural heritage, travelers visiting the United Kingdom are treated to a number of different tourist attractions, many of which are found in the major cities of the United Kingdom, such as the cities of London and Edinburgh.

If you are planning to visit the United Kingdom for the first time, venture away from the common tourist spots and major cities and head into the other districts where you would be greeted by a unique blend of the various cultures that have thrived in the United Kingdom. One of the lesser known tourist attractions that will definitely worth visiting is the Notting Hill Carnival. Held in the suburb of Notting Hill, the carnival features a diverse range of food, art, music and other festivities in honor of the multi-cultural society that thrives within this suburb from the different countries in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. For a dose of the great outdoors, head out to the regions of Scotland, Wales and the Lake District which are known for its wild sceneries, leaving travelers breathless and in awe.

Are train tickets really that variable? Yes. Advance tickets are tied to a specific train and are much cheaper than the flexible Off-Peak and Anytime fares. Book long-distance legs as soon as the dates are fixed; leave local journeys to the day.

Can I walk across private land? In England, on public rights of way -- footpaths and bridleways -- yes, as a legal right, and you may also roam on open access land including mountains, moors, heaths, downs and common land. Scotland has its own, broader access rights.

Why do the rules keep changing between Scotland, Wales and England? Because transport, health, tourism, national parks and licensing are devolved. The Scotland Act 1998 and the equivalent settlements moved exactly the things a visitor deals with to the national governments.

Should I drive in London? No. The congestion charge and the ultra-low emission zone both apply to most vehicles entering the centre, both are camera-enforced, and parking costs more than either. The rail and Underground network makes a car unnecessary.

Has anything changed since Brexit? Yes, for arrivals: separate passport queues, different allowances, and no reciprocal health arrangement for EU visitors. Check current entry requirements rather than assuming the pre-2020 position.