Unique Travel Experiences in United Kingdom
Erected by Neolithic peoples in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge is believed to be built over the course 2300 years, and dates back to 2200BC. The entire area around Stonehenge is painstakingly stunning and contains many other sites from the Neolithic period and Bronze age, most notably Stonehenge Cursus, King Barrows Ridge, The Avenue, Woodhenge and Durrington Walls. In total this World Heritage Site is over 2000 hectares.Stonehenge is said to be one of the most impressive archeological sites in Britain, being just on the edge of the Salisbury plain it boasts expanses of beautiful rolling hills and soft valleys that make for excellent stress-free hikes. Stonehenge's original purpose when built was a calendar and center for religious rituals, to this day it is still visited by ...
One of the dirtiest weekends in sports is held every August in the smallest town in Britain, Llanwrtyd Wells, population 606, and the cause is none other than the Bog Snorkeling World Championships. The racecourse is no more than a trench on the outskirts of Llanwrtyd, roughly 150 feet long and four 4 deep. Each year it draws over 100 participants from all over the world to compete for this coveted quirky championship title. To add to the hilarity, fancy dress and costumes are encouraged and rules govern against using conventional swimming strokes.
Enjoy the quiet sounds of summer as you punt along the River Cam. This simple pleasure preserves an old English tradition initially used for cargo transport in Cambridge, it is now used purely for pleasure and the occasional race. This relaxing row will allow you to indulge in some beautiful views of weeping willows along the banks of some the most treasured archeological buildings in England such as the University of Oxford, the oldest english speaking University started in 1249. Punting the Cam River costs about £10, and you can hire this service at any of the following locations Jesus Green , Trinity College, Grantchester, Silver Street bridge, Mill Lane, and Magdalene Bridge. The first two weeks of June offer an even finer experience as ...
On the last Tuesday of January, the tiny village of Lerwick bursts into a blazing effigy, filling the dark winter skies with fire and smoke. The event is Up Helly Aa, Europe's largest fire festival and the location is the Shetland Islands - an area considered very remote even by Scottish standards. The Up Helly Aa festival is not to simply provide heat on a cold night; it provides the citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their strong spirit and willingness to carry on tradition. Visitors bathed in light and heat so intense it's hard to believe they are in the wilds of the near-Arctic, appreciate the sense of history and understand the strong ties that the Shetlands have with Norse (Scandinavian) and Viking legends. The ...
When I was 12-years old, I became fascinated by the Legend of King Arthur after watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While touring Cornwall years later, I heard that Tintagel Castle, on the northwestern coast of the county, was believed to be the birthplace of the legendary King. It was my chance to finally discover the mythical site and live the Legend. Tintagel Castle can be reached by a Land Rover taxi service from the village of Tintagel; but I opted for the coastal footpath. Starting from the impressive thousand-year-old St Materiana’s Church, then passing the slanting Celtic and Christian crosses scattered in the graveyards, I then followed the trail snaking along the cliff. Tintagel Castle was built on Tintagel Head, a rocky headland ...
London is a long-standing magnet for talented artists from around Europe and further afield; and the city's Tate Modern is consistently voted among the continent's top modern art galleries. Innovatively housed in the former Bankside Power Station, located along the River Thames' South Bank district, the Tate Modern provides a cavernous, dynamic space for international modern and contemporary exhibitions. The Tate Modern is ideally placed for anyone staying in the old town district (known as the City of London area) where you'll find St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye and London Bridge. Just take a stroll across the Millennium Bridge and see some great art. Aside from the art, the best draw of all to the Tate Modern is the free admission (apart from some ...
The city of Edinburgh features beautiful parks and gardens, remarkable buildings, and the marvellous Edinburgh Castle. It may seem surprising, but this charming city has a grisly past that sets a spine-chilling stage for the notorious Edinburgh ghost tours. Edinburgh has been called one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and there are several companies ready to prove its reputation. Mercat tours, Auld Reekie tours, and Black Hart Entertainment are some of the most popular Edinburgh ghost tour companies; and each of these companies offer a variety of tours to suit your individual ghost-hunting needs. Some Edinburgh ghost tours take place during the day and are aimed at younger children. Other ghost tours take place late at night in order to make use of ...
Cardiff Castle is part medieval castle, part Gothic mansion, and is a mixture of old and new, enchanting the eye and exciting the imagination. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Castle is the Norman Keep, a medieval dungeon or fortress structure dating back to the 12th century. The remains of a fireplace and a set of stairs are visible within the stone Keep, and if you ascend the stairs you will reach the top of the Keep, which offers a lovely view of the grounds. Norman Keep is encircled by a water-filled trench, and this miniature moat is often occupied by ducks. Standing atop the Keep and taking in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, it is difficult to imagine that this was once ...
During the American Revolution, whiskey was used as a form of currency. But it wasn't until the maiden voyage of the S.S. Bushmills in 1890 that the famous Bushmills brand made its debut in the United States from the shores of Ireland. As the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, the Old Bushmills Distillery has been in operation for more than 400 years, and has built a solid reputation for producing high quality Irish whiskey. As such, in Northern Ireland's Country Antrim, the Bushmills Distillery tour attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually, who come to savour the smooth whiskey and glimpse into the secrets of traditional distilling. The Old Bushmills Distillery was officially licensed by English King James I in 1608. Many believe, despite ...
Loch Ness is more than the name of an alleged sea monster. It is a Scottish lake, the site of the historic Urquhart Castle, and an area of towns and villages. The term “loch” is a Gaelic name for lake, so Loch Ness would roughly translate to “Lake Ness”. It is located in the Scottish Highlands, and is arguably the best known of the Scottish lochs due to its legendary association with the Loch Ness Monster. Some people claim that it is the most famous lake in the world. Nessie aside, Loch Ness pulls in many second place records. It is both the second largest and second deepest of all the Scottish lochs, but the most voluminous in terms of water held (Loch Ness contains ...
:
Find out what's happening where using our interactive 3D globe!