The Top 5 UK Holiday Destinations

The United Kingdom is a country rich in history. There is something exciting going on throughout the United Kingdom at all times so it is hard to decide what to see and do when taking a holiday there.

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world and leads the list of top five cities to see in the United Kingdom. It is rich in both history and culture. Walk through some of the numerous museums and galleries that can be found here. Enjoy some time at the British Museum or the famous Tate Gallery. Step back in time as you walk through the Tower of London. Stop for pictures on the Tower Bridge. Stand next to celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Continue your visit to London with a stop at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy the tradition of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This takes place at eleven thirty in the morning every other day and lasts for thirty minutes. Mayfair offers some of the best places to shop for chocolates, cigars, and antiques while Harrods’s is simply fantastic. Finish up a fun filled day with a show or concert. There are over one hundred theaters to choose from including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The original Globe burnt down and was re-opened in 1997 as an open air theater. The hotels and restaurants in London cater to every taste and budget. There are five major airports in London as well as an underground and great bus system. All this combines to make a great holiday in London.

For those who love William Shakespeare, a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon should be the second city to visit. Walk the same streets as Shakespeare. The half- timbered houses have not changed since the sixteenth century. Imagine living in a thatched roof home as you visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Enjoy the beauty of Hall’s Croft as you stroll through the delightful gardens that can be found here. Take the children to the National Teddy Bear Museum with over one thousand exhibits to look at. Enjoy the impressive collection of Chippendale Furniture in Ragley Hall. Built between 1679 and 1693, it also houses works of art by Rubens and Reynolds. Meissen and Sevres porcelain decorate many of the rooms as well. Book a romantic weekend at one of the many bed and breakfast or guest houses located here. Remember to book early as they fill quickly during Shakespeare’s birthday and Mother’s Day.

Third on the list of top five cities to visit in the United Kingdom is the Roman city of Chester. This wonderful medieval city is located on the River Dee on the lowlands of North Wales. Gaze at the historic houses on Lower Bridge Street. Many were built during the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Walk through Abbey Gate which was constructed during the fourteenth century. Take pictures at the Old Kings Head Hotel and the Bear and Billet which is a four story half-timbered inn constructed in 1664. Take in the charm of the Rows which are walkways and stores built on ancient Roman ruins. Walk to the port to enjoy horse racing at Roodee. Horses have run here since 1609. Be amazed at the Chester Amphitheater which is the largest in Great Britain. The Toy Museum in Chester has the largest collection of Matchbox cars in the world and is a fun place to spend an afternoon. The hotels in Chester cater to every budget. There are luxurious spas to indulge in as well as many hotels for the more budget minded.

Number four of the top five cities to see in the United Kingdom is the city of Bath. Bath is known for having the only natural hot springs in all of the United Kingdom. These incredible baths were built over two thousand years ago by the Romans. Walk through the changing rooms, saunas, heated rooms and plunge pools that the ancient Romans once enjoyed. Marvel at the Pump Room and sip some of the restorative waters that are suppose to cure all ailments. Finish off with a plunge in the heated rooftop pool. Visit Bath during the Christmas season and enjoy the eleven day Christmas market.The entertainment and decorations will be a delightful way to begin a holiday. Take advantage of some of the famous sites located near Bath. Stonehenge is only thirty five miles from Bath. See if there is really a witch at Wookey Hole, an underground cave, located twenty four miles away and enjoy some time at the Longleat Stately Home and Safari Park just twenty miles from Bath.

The United Kingdom is known for its natural beauty. One of the most beautiful places to hike or bike around is the Island of Skye located off the west coast of Mainland Scotland.The incredible landscapes of Skye makes this one of the top five cities to visit while in the United Kingdom. As one hikes on the island it is possible to see Red Deer, Otters, and even the Golden Eagle. Wild flowers are everywhere as you walk through the hills or along the coast. Look for dolphins and sharks on one of the boat tours that sail around the Island. Spend another day visiting the seal colony or shopping at one of the many wonderful craft shops that can be found here. There is accommodation on the Island of Skye that will fit every budget.

There is so much to see and do in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom offers a vast history, incredible scenery, and a culture that is rich in tradition. One visit to the United Kingdom will never be enough to see all the wonders that can be found here.