All the constituent countries of Great Britain have their own national flavors and distinguishable features. Almost all the Britain destinations have a fascinating array of great architectural works, breathtaking landscapes, and modern attractions.
The cottages, dry stone walls, and hedgerows enrich many British destinations with a quaint charm that is unmatched. Some of the prominent Britain destinations include Glasgow, London, Wales, Manchester, Cambridge, Oxford, and Liverpool. The transportation infrastructure of Britain is so good that people from every corner of the world can access Britain’s destinations with ease.
England is the largest country in Britain. It is encircled by the Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, English Channel, North Sea, and the Celtic Sea. England receives a temperate climate with temperatures not much lower than below -5ºC (23ºF) in winter or not much higher than 30ºC (86ºF) in summer. England possesses a rich culture and heritage that covers elements both old and new. The English influenced the growth of science and culture. Heritage places, seaside resorts, and plush lanes are the main attractions in England.
The Principality of Wales is located in the southwest of Great Britain and is noted for its spectacular scenic beauty. The major tourist attractions in Wales include monasteries and other historical buildings. The various Welsh festivals, some of them ancient in their origin, also attract a large number of tourists every year to this quaint land. Wales has an illustrious literary and cultural heritage.
London is the largest urban region in Britain and is the capital of the UK. Tourists from all over the world come to London for its various royal parks, world heritage sites, and a large number of fascinating landmarks including Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. Some other tourist attractions in London include the British Museum, the National Gallery, big shopping malls, and nightlife. The Thames, the most famous river in England, flows through London. January is the coolest month and February is the driest month in Britain. September is the best time to visit London.
Some of the major tourist destinations in Britain are:
Channel Islands
A cluster of big and small islands, the Channel Islands, lies close to the English Channel and is an important part of Great Britain. Its prime location and virgin natural beauty attract tourists from all over the world.
The Channel Islands in Britain are easily accessible by air and water services. There are flights that operate to the various small islands of the Channel Islands, Britain. Other than that there are condor ferry services that link all the major islands of the Channel Islands.
The sun-kissed beaches, rugged hills, broken coastlines, and lush green vegetation make the Channel Islands extremely attractive to tourists. Jersey, Herm, Alderney, St Helier, Sark, and Guernsey are the islands that comprise the Channel Islands.
The island of Jersey is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and boasts of a unique conservation zoo. The Jersey Museum speaks about the history of the land. There is also the Jersey Lavender Farm that can be visited. Numerous lavender products are manufactured and processed on this farm.
Guernsey Island is smaller than Jersey and is equally beautiful to explore. Norman Castle and the house of Victor Hugo are the major attractions of the Channel Islands. Guernsey Bird Gardens boasts of more than 70 species of birds and the beaches of Guernsey are ideal destinations for water sports and marine activities.
Alderney, Sark, and Herm are the other beautiful islands of the Channel Islands. Various types of activities can be carried out on these beautiful islands. Adventure lovers can enjoy cycling, hiking, kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, and many more activities in the Channel Islands, Britain.
Being one of the most important tourist destinations, the Channel Islands offer a host of accommodation facilities for travelers. Channel Island offers hotels, hostels, lodges, cottages, and bed and breakfast services for business travelers as well as leisure tourists. Some of the popular destinations, where tourists seek accommodation are as follows:
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Lake District
Lake District is a popular holiday destination in North Western England. The place is particularly famous for its lakes and mountains. Lake District National Park is located in Cumbria and is one of the most visited destinations in England.
The Lake District can be best approached by availing flights from London to Blackpool airport. The other airports at Newcastle and Durham Tees valley are not far off.
From these airports, Lake District can be reached within merely 2 hours. A drive of 3 hours from Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow can carry tourists to Lake District. M6 Motorway provides a convenient route to drive to the region. The train services via Windermere station ensure a rail network connection with other parts of England.
The attractions at Lake District can be explored at any time of the year. The months of spring (April to June) bring the fragrance of a million blooms and the summer months (July and August) paint the landscape green. But the best time to visit Lake District is in autumn (September to November) when the place flaunts a unique look.
The Lake District is famous for scenic destinations and opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities. The festivals and events of the Lake District are as colorful as the place itself. Two wildlife centers, a sheep and wool center, and an aquarium in the region attract tourists from all age groups. Slate mine exploration is another activity that can be enjoyed with the entire family. The art and craft galleries, gift shops, and design studios offer unlimited shopping opportunities. Grizedale Forest flaunts a leisure center, climbing wall, and a high-wire adventure opportunity that is favored by extreme sports enthusiasts.
The tourists never miss out on the opportunity to visit the Lake District National Park. The natural beauty can be relished to the maximum in this park. In this region, visitors can explore the highest mountain in England – Scafell Pike. The deepest lake in England – Wastwater can also be found in this region.
A wide choice of hotels and guest houses around the Lake District offers a high standard of accommodation, catering, and leisure facilities. Tourists get real value for their money. The hotels are tastefully decorated and render world-class services. Some of the best-known options for accommodation in the Lake District are:
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Some of the important towns in the Lake District include Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick, and Ambleside.
Devon
Devon is geographically the fourth largest English county located in South West England. To its west lies Cornwall and to its east lies Dorset and Somerset. The unique features of Devon in Britain are the two different coastlines of the county – the first along the English Channel and the other along the Bristol Channel.
The County of Devon is nestled cozily on the bends of the North Saskatchewan River. The colorful county, with its vibrant people, remains a favored holiday destination all throughout the year. The year-round mild climate of Devon is comfortable for travelers.
Devon tourist attractions are a great source of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Tourists also enjoy various sporting activities in and around Devon. The Shalom Park, 10 minutes east of Devon is one of the world’s top 10 water-ski resorts. Picnics at the River Valley West Park are great fun too. The tourists can enjoy a boat lunch here as well. Rabbit Hill Snow Resort is a popular winter destination for adventure tourists. The Devon Lions Campground is a must-see for local sightseers. It is located adjacent to the Devon Golf and Conference Center, on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. It is a camping ground and is an ideal venue for reunions, weddings, camping, and barbecue parties. Other tourist attractions are the Canadian Petroleum Discovery Center, Castrol Motorsports Park, Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, and the Devon Golf and Conference Center.
As a popular destination, tourists can bask in the warmth of various accommodation facilities in Devon. Hotels and cottages are located in the quiet countryside with beautiful natural surroundings. Few of the renowned Devon hotels include:
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The cross-country rail routes connect Devon to the major cities of Britain. An efficient network of public transport is available in Devon. Exeter Airport is the nearest airport, approximately 13.2 miles away. The nearest railway station is Teignmouth.
Cornwall
Cornwall is an English county on the peninsula of River Tamar. The extensive and wild moorlands and mild climatic conditions make this small county in South West England a coveted tourist destination. The historical mining landscape in Cornwall in Britain is a world heritage site.
The many castles, gardens, and exotic churches are a part of Cornwall’s tourist attractions. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Lammoran Gardens, and the Caerhays are some of the famous gardens located here. The churches of Cornwall date back to the Norman or the pre-Norman era. These medieval churches have a simple and minimalistic architectural style. The famous churches of Cornwall are the Truro Cathedral, Altarnun Church, and Callington Church. This county is dotted with numerous castles. The Bossiney Castle, Bottreaux Castle, and Cardinham Castle are some of the more important ones. The other attractions of Cornwall include the Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Bodmin and Wenford Railway, Goonhilly Earth Station, and the Charlestown Harbor and Museum.
Cornwall restaurants are well-known for their delectable cuisines. The food lovers should not miss the Cornish pastries and the Cornish wine. Padstow, Rick Steins Fish Restaurant, Golant Cormorant, and the Newquay Corisande Manor Hotel are some of the specialty restaurants providing dining facilities in Cornwall. Hotels replete with modern amenities provide plush accommodation to travelers.
Some of the renowned Cornwall hotels include:
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Cornwall in Britain is connected to other cities by air, rail, and road. Fast train services connect it to Paddington and other mainline stations of Britain. The nearest airport is Exeter Airport.
Cornwall in Britain, with its wealth of folklore and the beauty of the rugged coastal cliffs, is a land of contrasts, which every tourist would like to visit once in a lifetime.
Great Britain Geography