Find the best United Kingdom Hotels

History experts say there is evidence people lived in the four nations which comprise the United Kingdom at least 5,000 years ago. Ancient monuments like Stonehenge, historic castles, royal palaces and fabulous museum collections show the United Kingdom’s passage through time. Beach destinations like Cornwall, the stunning vistas of the Lake District plus London, Liverpool and Manchester are among the numerous reasons the nation attracts 40 million tourists a year. The United Kingdom’s attractions are only a 12-hour flight away from Thailand.

The Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, a stunning collection of 140 objects used by Britain’s Royal Family during coronations and other state occasions, and is probably the capital city’s most visited attraction. Other unmissable draws in London are the British Museum, a huge collection of over eight million objects first established in the 18th century; and Covent Garden, a district of central London once home to a huge fruit and vegetable market but now housing cafés, pubs, shops, and opera house. Other draws are the Science Museum in South Kensington, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye, an enormous Ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames that offers unparalleled views over London. Until 1066, Winchester was the capital of England and boasts a lovely cathedral and two ruined castles.

Fish and chips are the United Kingdom’s most famous culinary speciality and the dish is high up on the list of must tries. There are fish and chip shops in all towns and cities, but the freshest fish is found in seaside resorts ranging from Bournemouth to Whitby. Other typical dishes are Cornish pasties, full English breakfasts and haggis from Scotland. Beer is an important element of British culture and no trip would be complete without sampling traditional ale.

Museum tours, sightseeing trips aboard double-decker buses and cruising the River Thames are the top London activities. Bath, Oxford, Cambridge and Winchester are daytrip options. Elsewhere in the country, other premium destinations include the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness, the Lake District for hiking and cruises, seaside resorts like Brighton and Blackpool for sunbathing, and Cornwall for rock climbing and surfing.

London is the United Kingdom’s top shopping location and is home to the stores of Oxford Street, Covent Garden’s boutique shops and market, and Harrods of Knightsbridge. Standard London souvenirs are models of Big Ben and red buses, tartan cloth, and T-shirts and tea-towels with Union Jack flag logos. Other top shopping locations are Birmingham, Manchester and York.