It seems a little sad that most international visitors will make tracks to London and not venture beyond this great capital. There are so many other locations in Britain which are well worth a visit, from ancient monuments that are shrouded in mystery to thriving cities which are home to large numbers of fascinating attractions. Here are three places that are worth a second look, so be sure to rent a car and hit the road during your stay.

Stonehenge

What better place to soak up some of the mysticism of ancient Britain than this stunning monument? It’s located in Wiltshire, a beautiful county that lies to the west of London, and it attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year, but especially during the summer months. Doubt still surrounds the actual meaning of Stonehenge to this day, although there are plenty of opinions on the subject. Even how it was built is something of a mystery.

Stonehenge, England, UK by Rupert Jones

Chester Zoo

The north-west of England is an area that doesn’t always feature on visitor itineraries, but it should. Chester Zoo is close to the border with Wales, and it’s a fascinating attraction that has remained something of a hidden gem to overseas tourists. In the UK it’s certainly not a secret, however; it attracts more visitors every year than the famous London Zoo at Regents Park. Be sure to set aside a whole day for Chester, because there is so much to see and do.

Chester Zoo, England, UK by Nigel Swales

Edinburgh Castle

The city of Edinburgh is the iconic and beautiful capital of Scotland, and it’s home to a large number of superb attractions and landmarks. Towering over them, both physically and metaphorically, is the city’s wonderful castle. It’s located at the top of the Royal Mile, and visitors can enjoy some spectacular views of the whole city from the walls. Be sure to bring a camera with you, because you’ll want to take dozens of images when you get to the summit.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK by Lisa Nichols

David Showell is from the UK and is a regular traveller. He works for www.CompareCarHire.co.uk.

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If you are planning a vacation to Northern Scotland, make sure to set aside some time during your stay to view the Duncansby Stacks. Let this serve as your guide to touring the area, finding nearby attractions and choosing the best accommodations.

History of Duncansby Stacks

Most British residents believe that the northernmost location in Britain is the coastal location known as John o’ Groats. John o’ Groats is a popular tourism destination and has been one for decades. However, it is wrongfully coined as the northernmost spot in Britain. In reality, the title belongs to Duncansby Head.

A view of Duncansby Stacks / BillC

Just off the coast from Duncansby Head lies several rock formations that jut out of the water and provide incredible views. The mystical atmosphere has led many to believe that this area is the basis for Mordor, the mythical land in Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Although it is not nearly as popular as John o’ Groats when it comes to visiting tourists, those in the know appreciate the Duncansby Stacks as the northernmost tip of the nation.

Travelling to the Area

There is no denying that this destination in Scotland is off the beaten track. Most visitors arrive by car to Duncansby Stacks. The journey from Edinburgh is nearly 300 miles, so keep in mind that you will almost certainly have some extensive travel coming from further south in England or even Wales. Although there are no direct trains, buses or flights that bring to Duncansby Stacks or the surrounding settlements, there is extensive public transport throughout much of the Scottish Highlands. International Visitors should fly into the Inverness Airport for the nearest location.

Visitor’s Information

In order to visit the Duncansby Stacks, you will first need to visit John o’ Groats. From there, a small road winds along the coast for just over a mile. You can drive or take the local bus until you arrive at Duncansby Head. From here a short walk is required to get a view of the stacks, and the path is clearly signposted the whole way. There is no admission fee associated with visiting Duncansby Stacks.

Nearby Attractions

There are a large number of attractions throughout the Scottish Highlands for visitors to explore. The Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most popular in the region and was featured in several feature films such as Highlander and The World is Not Enough. Other interesting attractions include hiking along famed paths like the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way. Just a few miles from Duncansby Stacks is the Castle of Mey, a beautiful structure that was once home to the late Queen Mother. If you are looking for the attractions of a large city, the nearest option is Inverness. Here you will find the Inverness Castle, the Old High Church and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

A view of Great Glen Way / Draco2008

Accommodation Options

Accommodations in the area around Duncansby Stacks are quite limited. There are just one or two small guesthouses within a mile or two, although there are a number more within driving distance. Some great holiday ideas for visiting this region include camping in the summer or finding villas to rent that offer privacy, exclusivity and surprisingly affordable prices outside of the busiest summer months.

View A Guide to Duncansby Stacks United Kingdom in a larger map

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Prague can be found situated along the banks of the Vltava River in the Northwestern part of the country. It offers a unique and interesting climate with warm mild summers and chilly winters. There are more than 2 million people who live in the metropolitan area that surrounds the city of Prague. Prague is also one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe, and as a result more than 4 million people from all over Europe and the world make their way to the city every single year.

Charles bridge, Prague, The Czech Republic / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

For more than 1100 years, the city of Prague has been the cultural, economic as well as political center of the Czech state. The city was first established during the Holy Roman Empire words that as the permanent seat for two different Roman emperors prior to becoming the capital of the Czech Republic. Today, the historic town centre is designated an UNESCO world heritage site.

For the most part, the city of Prague survived much of the destruction associated with both world wars. And thanks to this the city is home to numerous attractions and monuments; many of which are centuries old. The most popular of these attractions of course is that of Prague Castle. Then of course there is the old Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, Kampa, the city’s old historic town square, as well as Petřín Hill.

Old town square, Prague, The Czech Republic / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

Anyone who chooses to visit the city of Prague will also find that there are 10 different major museums that can be found within the city, as well as numerous theatres, cinemas as well as art galleries and other historically important exhibits. Of course there is no need to walk around the city because there is an excellent and very modern public transportation system that can get you to any destination within the city.

There are many historically important destinations which can be found within the city of Prague. And thanks to the fact that it survived the wrath and destruction of both world wars, most of the destinations and attractions within the city have been well preserved since their initial construction centuries ago. After all, there is a reason why Prague is the sixth most visited city in all of Europe.

Once you choose Prague for your holiday destination (which I always recommend), here you can find Top 15 places to see in Prague! The list has been prepared by me as the current Prague resident.

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