For every visitor planning their trip to Europe, one question arises: Does the United Kingdom live up to all the fuss – and is it really worth the money? Given the UK’s capricious climate, its reputation for being costly, and the historical enmity between London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, many visitors wonder if traveling to the UK will be worthwhile. However, this is the reality: no other country boasts such a wealth of history, culture, and landscape within such a tiny space. Whether it’s the bright lights of London’s Soho district or the rugged scenery of the Scottish Highlands, there is nothing like the UK.
A landing at any of London’s big airports can be hectic, but efficient transportation immediately alleviates the hassle. Coming off a long flight, the last thing you need is to feel disoriented. For instance, arranging for a pre-booked Taxi to heathrow Terminal 5 means avoiding the hassles of train connections and luggage handling, and getting dropped off right at your hotel in less than an hour. This smooth start is indicative of the way things run in the UK: hectic, but efficient. From there on out, the fun starts.
Rarely will one find oneself in a country where they can spend an afternoon within the walls of a medieval castle and then an evening in a modern art gallery on the same day. The Tower of London, Stonehenge, and the Roman Baths are just a few of the historical landmarks that are surrounded by modern marvels such as the Shard, Tate Modern, and the Eden Project. Each cobbled street in York tells stories of Vikings, while the industrial warehouses of Manchester are now teeming with technology firms and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Tourists may tend to ignore the beauty of the UK’s wild spaces in favor of visiting London. This would be a terrible oversight. The Lake District’s reflective waters inspired Wordsworth. The sharp cliffs of Snowdonia provide an exciting climb at any time of the year. The strange rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway, located in Northern Ireland, resemble something out of another planet with their hexagonal basalt structures. Even the less known sites, such as the Jurassic Coast’s fossil-filled cliffs or Galloway Forest Park’s dark skies, compete with the best national parks in North America or Europe.
Of course you know about British pubs. However, you have never really known what community means unless you spend some time at a coaching inn dating back to the 16th century, complete with real ale and a ploughman’s lunch. Pubs are the living rooms of the UK, where strangers turn into friends, where Sunday lunches are considered a tradition, and where one can discuss politics and football without offending anyone. Each pub, whether trendy gastropub in Bristol or a thatched-roof pub in the Cotswolds, has its unique soul.
Another issue that hinders tourism is the means of travel within the country. Although train strikes sometimes grab the headlines, the UK’s public transportation system is extensive. From buses to trams and trains, all villages can be reached by these modes of transport. For airport transfers and night travel, there are always local options available. As an example, booking a Hemel Hempstead to Luton Airport Taxi only takes 20 minutes and costs less than a meal out for two people. There are taxis, ridesharing services, and companies like National Express to get you everywhere.
Whereas other nations have to pay to access their best pieces of culture, there are no charges in the United Kingdom for visiting its top museums. There’s no charge at the British Museum (the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles), the Natural History Museum (dinosaur skeletons, earthquake simulator), or the National Gallery (Van Gogh’s Sunflowers). Admission is free also at the National Museum of Scotland, the National Waterfront Museum of Wales, and the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
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Forget about the notion of boring food. The UK has become a top-notch place in terms of cuisine over the last ten years. London, for example, has more Michelin stars than Paris does. However, it is not all about London; the real treasure lies in regional cuisine – from fresh Scottish salmon to Welsh lamb, Cornish pasties, Lancashire hotpot, and curry houses in the Balti Triangle of Birmingham which can compete with any curry houses in Mumbai.
While London’s West End rivals Broadway, theatre fans can watch performances at affordable prices in smaller towns such as the Royal Exchange in Manchester and the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon. Music enthusiasts can walk down Abbey Road’s zebra crossing, catch concerts at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, or participate in Glastonbury. Literary tourists can retrace the steps of Jane Austen in Bath, the Brontë sisters in Yorkshire, and Harry Potter in Edinburgh.
Is the UK expensive? Indeed, very much so, especially London hotels and train tickets if booked at the last minute. However, smart tourists manage to reduce expenses through such methods as living in university dormitories over summer vacation, buying lunch from vendors, using railcards to save one-third of ticket prices, and visiting free places. Northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are much cheaper than the southeastern regions. For example, a pint in Newcastle usually costs only half as much as in London.
Brits are known to be quite reserved. But, in truth, they are friendly, self-deprecating, and extremely helpful once they open up to you. If you ask for directions, you may end up having a 10-minute discussion on the history of the road. When you sit in a pub bar by yourself, you won’t have to wait long until somebody comes up to talk about the weather, which is apparently the topic of their lives. The jokes will be witty, the sarcastic comments cutting, and the friendliness genuine.
Unlike large countries that require months just to begin scratching the surface, the United Kingdom is one country that you can make good use of in a short period of time. In just two weeks, you will be able to visit London for four days, do a day trip to Oxford and Bath for two days, travel by plane or train to Edinburgh for three days, visit the Scottish Highlands for three days, and then come back through York or Lake District in two days.
Of course. It’s not perfect in the UK; bring an umbrella, expect some transport mishaps, but what it has to offer is more than enough. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans, wander through the same scenery that inspired poets, and drink pints of beer with people who will make you burst out laughing. The past, nature, culture, and hospitality blend in one place, smaller than Oregon. No matter whether you travel alone or with your family, as a backpacker or luxury traveler, there is something here for everyone. Buy your ticket, arrange your airport transfer, and see why so many people leave pieces of their heart here.
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