U.K. is a northern European island nation which offers tourists bustling cities, beautiful nature and fascinating culture. The country’s capital, London, is familiar to most travelers, but there are plenty of other interesting travel destinations in the UK.
On the shores of the North Sea, north of France, the United Kingdom, officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The largest region of England in the United Kingdom is located in the south of the British Isles. Wales is the westernmost part of the island, while the north is Scotland. In addition to these, the United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland.
Standing for United Kingdom according to abbreviationfinder, the UK is a versatile travel destination that is ideal for both urban and active holidays. Fascinating big cities, stunning nature, interesting villages and spectacular beach resorts offer the traveler endless things to do. The UK is also a great car destination for its scenery and destinations – if the traffic on the left is not terrible!
The country’s most famous attractions include not only the capital London but also the interesting Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Stonehenge in the south of England, for example, is also a popular and interesting destination.
In the UK, you can’t go without jumping on a double-decker bus.
Good destination all year round
The UK is a great destination no matter the month, as the country always has to prepare for similar weather, regardless of the season: the temperature is around ten degrees and the threat of rain is realistic. There are exceptions for both extremes as well, as in the UK you can enjoy even high heat readings in the summer, while in the winter snow and frosts can surprise you at the destination.
The warmest is in July – August, when the average temperature is slightly below 20 degrees. That’s when you’re most likely to get to enjoy the heat in the south of the UK. In Scotland, the climate is much wetter.
The best time to travel to the UK is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are still quite comfortable but there are not as many tourists as in midsummer. However, London is also a great destination in the winter, when handsome Christmas lights and the atmosphere they bring take over the whole city.
A varied holiday in the UK
Traveling to the UK is most typically a city break to London, but there is also much more to see in the country. Other interesting city destinations include Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Car travelers will enjoy the UK perfectly, as there are plenty of potential route options around the country. The endless stream of points of interest can make it difficult to choose a route, but a car journey from England to Scotland, for example, offers interesting sights. The only challenge for a Finnish motorist is left-hand traffic in Great Britain, but an experienced driver gets used to it in less than a unit of time.
You can also spend a relaxing beach holiday in the UK, as the island nation has plenty of coastline. Although the country is not known for its scorching heat, it is possible to enjoy the warm sun in summer. The popular seaside towns of Brighton and Bournemouth in the South are good options for a UK beach holiday, not forgetting the country’s island destinations.
Polite British culture
Great Britain is an easy travel destination for Finns, as the local culture is very similar to Finland. There are no major cultural differences, but the traveler quickly notices differences in the ways of courtesy: for example, opening doors to others is a very common habit that cannot be overlooked.
In the UK, English is spoken, and the tourist does a great job with the language skills acquired at school. In London, for example, you come across many people who have moved to the city and do not speak perfect English, and a Finn should not be ashamed of the lack of language skills when communicating with locals.
In different parts of the UK, English may be spoken in very different dialects, which is why the traveler may have little difficulty in understanding the speech of the locals. Scotland, for example, is well known for its special accent.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Located in England, Stonehenge is one of the most fascinating destinations in the UK.
Good flight connections
From Finland, there is a direct flight several times a day to London, which is served by Finnair, British Airways and Norwegian. Flight prices can vary widely, and at their cheapest you can get round trips to the UK capital for less than a hundred euros.
The flight time from Helsinki to London is about three hours, so you can only pop in the city during the day.
Travelers to London should be careful with the airports, as international flights operate from the outskirts of the city to three different destinations. Heathrow is one of the largest airports in the world and is used by most airlines. It is located about 20 km from central London. London’s second largest airport is Norwegian-operated Gatwick, about 40 kilometers from the city center. Gatwick Airport, up to 60 kilometers from the heart of London, is used by Ryanair, for example.
Variable housing
The level of accommodation in the UK varies considerably. Many destinations offer quality luxury hotels in return for very modest kopecks.
The capital, London in particular, is known for its poor value for money. Right in the city center, accommodation prices are high and rooms are often very small. If you are looking for a cheap hotel, you should stay a little further away from the city center.
In addition to hotel chains, the tourist should also check out bed and breakfast accommodation options. In small family businesses, the service is usually friendly and accommodation can be obtained more cheaply in large hotels. Home accommodation and hostels are also very common in London.
Moving around the UK
Folding longer trips within the island is possible by flying. For example, low-cost airlines Easyjet and Ryanair operate several domestic routes. It is also easy and cheap to get from one city to another by train or bus.
In cities, public transport games generally work quite well. In London, for example, the metro network is very comprehensive. However, the traveler should avoid peak times when the carriages are crammed full. Due to the relatively old equipment, it is also worth preparing for occasional delays.
When visiting London, the tourist should also try the flagship public transport double-decker, ie a double-decker bus. Cycling is also popular in London, and the city has easy access to rental bikes around London.