Browsing: United Kingdom

Foula is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the UK, situated 20 miles west of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Its isolated location, amidst rugged seas and dramatic cliffs, paints a beautiful yet challenging picture of life removed from pace and place.  Foula’s history is as fascinating as its geographical features. The island’s name is thought to derive from the Old Norse “Fuglaey,” meaning “bird island.” Its abundant seabird populations and Norse heritage …

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File under “One more thing your travel advisor will be telling you about next time you visit the UK.”

Beginning January 8, travelers to the United Kingdom from non-European nations, including the United States and Canada, will need to take an extra step as the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system rolls out.

Whether just passing through a UK airport or planning a stay of six months or less—for tourism, family visits, business meetings, …

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Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England, hosts a mystical and otherworldly forest. Wistman’s Wood, one of Britain’s highest-altitude oak woodlands, is what remains of the ancient wildwood that once covered much of Dartmoor’s landscape thousands of years ago. The woodland occupies a steep-sided valley near Two Bridges, situated at an elevation of approximately 380-410 meters above sea level. The name “Wistman’s” is believed to derive from the Saxon word “wisht,” meaning eerie, uncanny, or haunted …

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The former home and setting of two novels by Jane Austen, Bath has been a sought-after location for centuries. A spa resort set up by the Romans in 43 AD, it sits just south of the Cotswolds in England. Here, the architecture is charming and delicate all at once. Everywhere the traveler looks are examples of a culture-rich city – while having spas and thermal baths readily available is an undeniable plus.

The Romans used …

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Southwest England has some of the most iconic shores in the United Kingdom and nearby coastal countries. The craggy coasts are mystical, with rocky cliffs often obscured by fog. This area juts from the mainland into the Lizard Peninsula, where the ceremonial county of Cornwall sits. Recognized as one of the Celtic areas of the UK, Cornwall has kept a distinct identity from the lands next door for the traveler to discover. With prehistoric and …

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You cannot move ten feet in this country without bumping up against some striking reminder of a long and productive past. Wherever you turn you are confronted with wondrous and interesting things – 20,000 scheduled ancient monuments, 600,000 recorded archaeological sites, 140,000 miles of public footpaths, 280,000 miles of hedgerows, 100,000 war memorials, 6,000 listed bridges, 15 National Parks, 86 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 4,000 sites of Special Scientific Interest, 20,000 ancient parish …

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Liverpool is by far one of the most original, cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in England. The edgy downtown cobbled area around Seel Street is undergoing massive regeneration and is bursting with people having fun at the hipster bars and trendy restaurants.

Towards the end of Seel Street, in a row of historic terraced warehouse styled buildings, is the Nadler Hotel, which, in recent years, has undergone a £14m renovation. In its former life, this 19th …

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Despite jokes about accents and what, exactly, a chip is, London remains a popular destination for American travelers, which has no shortage of tourist staples: Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the House of Parliament, but London’s appeal doesn’t lie only in its architectural and cultural treasures. It’s the jaw-dropping views across the city, taking in most of the Big Five landmarks, which are most memorable.

It’s only a credit to the capital …

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The medieval market city of Norwich is situated on the River Wensom in the beautiful county of Norfolk in England.  Located around 100 miles north-east of London, Norwich is known as ‘The Fine City’, a phrase coined by 19th century local writer, George Borrow.

With over 1,500 medieval buildings and 33 historic churches within its crumbling mid-14th century walls, Norwich has a higher intensity of ancient architecture than elsewhere in Northern Europe. The …

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Not only is Edinburgh a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also Scotland’s capital city and home to phenomenal festivals, which have the city buzzing with a sense of excitement all year round.

Packed with medieval tenements, narrow streets through the Old Town, and a sweeping elegance that swathes the Georgian New Town, there’s no question that Edinburgh deserves its reputation as one of the most stunning and enthralling cities in the world.

Sightseeing in Edinburgh …

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If you know better, you avoid London’s Victoria and Albert Museum like the plague when it rains, especially if that rain happens to be falling on a Sunday afternoon when most of the world finds itself at the start of Spring Break. You especially avoid the V&A if a new exhibit has just opened up, all the more so if it’s an exhibit that’s going to be popular with artist-types and design students who are …

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Although the name Glastonbury is synonymous with one of the world’s most famous music festivals, there is more to the tiny Somerset town than the annual gathering of peace and love at nearby Worthy Farm. With a population of approximately 9,000, Glastonbury brims with myths and legends. It’s a meeting point for some of England’s most important “ley lines” – the metaphysical connections which link ancient spiritual sites around the world.

In addition to tourists, …

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Hadrian’s Wall is a historically significant monument representing the northern frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain. Constructed under the rule of Emperor Hadrian, the wall’s purpose, dimensions, and preservation efforts make it a fascinating subject of study for historians, archaeologists, and tourists alike.

Hadrian’s Wall was built by Roman legions under the rule of Emperor Hadrian, who ascended to the throne in 117 AD. During his reign, he visited Britain in 122 AD and, …

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Situated a mere fifty minutes from London by train, the cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton is perfect for a day trip or weekend break from the capital. Alternatively, for those who prefer a more laid-back vibe than London offers, Brighton makes an ideal base from which to explore both the capital and the beautiful surrounding countryside of Sussex.  

The city itself is known for its free-spirited attitude and vibrant nightlife combined with a big dose …

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