Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
London
Pound Sterling (GBP)
English
MayβSep
GMT (UTC+0) / BST (UTC+1)
Welcome to the United Kingdom, a country where ancient castles, rolling countryside, and vibrant cities reflect centuries of storied history. London's iconic landmarks, from Big Ben to the Tower of London, showcase a city rich in royal and cultural heritage. Scotland's Highlands offer dramatic lochs, misty mountains, and centuries-old castles steeped in legend. The Lake District's rolling hills and serene lakes inspired generations of poets and writers. Wales's rugged coastline and medieval castles reflect a proud, distinct Celtic heritage. Traditional afternoon tea, historic pubs, and countryside villages reflect timeless British charm. Stonehenge's ancient stone circle remains one of the most mysterious and enduring monuments on Earth. The United Kingdom invites travelers to experience a country of deep history, dramatic landscapes, and enduring tradition.
Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of United Kingdom's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Fish and Chips is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Sunday Roast is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Full English Breakfast is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Shepherd's Pie is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Bangers and Mash is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Cornish Pasty is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Chicken Tikka Masala is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Sticky Toffee Pudding is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Trifle is a well-known part of United Kingdom's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
The United Kingdom is made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own distinct cultural identity, and in the case of Scotland and Wales, its own devolved parliament with certain independent governing powers. The country is home to Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, whose massive stones were transported from as far away as Wales, roughly 150 miles from the monument's location in southern England, using techniques still debated by archaeologists today.
The UK is also the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century and fundamentally transformed manufacturing, transportation, and global economic systems, setting the template that industrializing nations around the world would later follow. London's Underground, opened in 1863, is the oldest underground metro rail system in the world, predating similar systems in most other major global cities by decades.
The United Kingdom has produced an outsized share of globally influential cultural exports, from Shakespeare's plays to The Beatles, and the country's historical empire once covered roughly a quarter of the entire world's land area at its peak in the early 20th century, making it the largest empire in recorded history.
