The Queen, the Union Jack, lively pubs, red double-decker buses, historic castles and rolling green hills are some of the classic images of the UK. But beyond the obvious and the clichés, the UK has a rich history and wonderfully diverse landscapes, cultures and traditions. Made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the UK is a popular destination. Most flights to the UK arrive in London, England's thriving capital. The English countryside is a delight to explore, from the university town of Oxford and the stunning Lakes district to the north, to the seaside town of Brighton or picturesque villages such as Cornwall. Those seeking a little more adventure can head to the mountainous terrain and hiking trails of Wales.
While Edinburgh and Glasgow are always fascinating cities to visit, venture further north for a taste of traditional Scottish countryside in Perthshire and the Grampian hills of Angus. In the counties of Northern Ireland you can go fishing or rock climbing in Down, or take a stroll through apple orchards in Armagh.
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The UK has a temperate climate and is generally mild by European standards, but it varies across the region. Summer temperatures range between 14 and 30 degrees Celsius. Wales and the west gets more rain than the east; it snows in Scotland and the north of England and the south east enjoys some sun and mild, dry weather. As the weather is changeable, BYO umbrella.
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Peak Season:
The UK is a busy year-round destination, but the busiest time is the peak summer months, especially in London and the major tourist centres.
Shoulder Season:
In spring and autumn, the tourist season is just gearing up (or down) and the weather can be sunny and warm. May and September, in particular, can enjoy very good weather.
Off Season:
Winters in the UK are cold (average temperatures about one-two degrees Celsius) and generally colder the further north you go.
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The main airlines connecting UK cities include BA, easyJet, bmi, bmibaby and Flybe. Air Southwest operates services to the south west of England. ScotAirways connects Scottish cities and Eastern Airways links the east with Scotland.
Train services are decent, though expensive. London's underground rail network (the Tube) is efficient and comprehensive. Get an Oyster card at any Tube station to get around more cheaply. Several cities including Manchester, Sheffield and Croydon have trams, while the resort town of Blackpool, in Lancashire, boasts the UK’s only surviving traditional tramway.
National Express buses are an economical and efficient way to get around the UK. London's regular buses connect the capital 24 hours. All major cities have good bus services, while the nationwide Postbus service covers more than 200 routes, mostly in remote areas.
All major car hire companies are represented at airports and in cities around the UK.
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- London's West End is the largest theatre district in the world, continuing a proud British theatre tradition. On London's Bankside, the reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe theatre's annual season runs from May to October and also hosts exhibits and educational programmes. Outside London, the open-air Minack Theatre in Cornwall has been going strong for 75 years.
- Walk or cycle along Britain's oldest road, Ridgeway National Trail, in southern central England. From the World Heritage site of Avebury, you can reach a massive stone circle about 5,000 years older than Stonehenge. Other sights close to Avebury include the white horses – five large white horses cut into the chalk downs (another giant chalk figure is the Cerne Giant in Dorset).
- The seaside Tintagel Castle in the picturesque town of Cornwall is said to be King Arthur’s birthplace.
- You may well get a peek at the Royal Family when visiting Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, two of the Queen’s official residences. Royal watchers can also spy them at Balmoral in Scotland during the summer, going to Sunday morning church services at Crathie Parish Church or attending the Highland Games in Braemar in September.
- While most things are expensive in London, culture vultures will love the free entry to many museums and galleries, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, Royal Academy, Tate Britain and Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Imperial War Museum. Outside London, football fans will appreciate the National Football Museum in Preston while art lovers can visit the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead or the national museums of Scotland and Wales.
- Beaches in the UK? Weather permitting; the top seaside resorts include Whitby in Yorkshire; Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk; Swanage in Dorset; Frinton-on-Sea in Essex; and Sidmouth, in Devon. Nature lovers can visit the stunning Holkham beach.
- Edinburgh is the festival city, with most festivals taking place in August. The renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the biggest international arts festival, featuring music, opera, dance, theatre and the best comedy in the world. The city also hosts the famous Military Tattoo in August.
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There are several airports, which helps when finding cheap flights to the UK. Some of the largest are:
Heathrow (LHR) (London)
Gatwick (LGW) (London)
London City (LCY)
Luton (LTN) (London)
Stansted (STN) (London)
Birmingham (BHX)
Manchester (MAN)
Edinburgh (EDI)
Glasgow (GLA)
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