1. London

The capital as well as most visited city in the United Kingdom is that of London. It is the largest and most industrialized city in the UK as well as being the largest in the European Union. There are literally thousands of historical sites and monuments in the city including its original medieval town centre.

London, England, UK by André Zehetbauer

2. Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in the UK. It is a historical city with countless buildings and monuments that date back through the ages. Both the medieval town centre as well as the new town districts are considered to be the world heritage sites.

Edinburgh, Calton hill, Scotland, UK by baaker2009

3. Blackpool

Located in the northwestern part of England, the city of Blackpool can be found along the shores of the Irish Sea. There are eleven kilometres of golden sand beaches in Blackpool which has made it an attractive tourist destination since 1781 when the first road was paved between the city and Manchester.

Blackpool, England, UK by Gidzy

4. Manchester

The city of Manchester is the third largest in the United Kingdom. Originally founded back in 79 A.D. by the Romans, the city has grown into a bustling metropolis over the millennia. There are a number of buildings and sites in the city that date back through the centuries including the Manchester Ship Canal which was built back in 1894.

Manchester Cathedral, England, UK by mark.watmough

5. Glasgow

The Scottish city of Glasgow is the largest in the country and one of the most popular destinations in the United Kingdom. The city can be found along the banks of the River Clyde where it has grown over the years to become one of the largest seaports in the region. The historic town centre of Glasgow is a must-see attraction of this interesting city.

Glasgow Harbour, Scotland, UK by baaker2009

6. Liverpool

Located along the eastern edges of the Mersey Estuary, you will find the city of Liverpool that dates back to the early 13th century. Today it is one of the largest cities in England as well as in the United Kingdom. There are a number of sites within the city to visit and explore. One of the most important facts about that city is that it is a birthplace of The Beatles.

Liverpool town hall, England, UK by Boing! said Zebedee

7. York

The city of York is an ancient city that dates back to the days of the Vikings. It can be found along the banks of where the Ouse and Foss rivers merge. The walled city is known as being one of the most haunted locations in all of England and countless people make their way to York every single year to visit the city’s most haunted places.

York, Minster, England, UK by visitingeu

8. Birmingham

The second most populated city in England as well as in the entire United Kingdom is the city of Birmingham, which can be found in the West Midlands. It was a large market town throughout the middle ages which grew into a bustling metropolis as a result of the industrial revolution.

Birmingham, England, UK by West Midlands Police

9. Bath

The city of Bath can be found in the southwestern part of England. It was back in the first century that the town was first established by the Romans on account of the natural hot springs in the area. Throughout the centuries Bath grew to become one of the most popular spa destinations in England.

Bath, England, UK by Nigel Swales

10. Brighton

Situated in East Sussex, the city of Brighton is a popular resort town in England. Since the 11th century, people have been making their way to the city to bathe in the waters along the city’s seashores. There are several important and historical sites that can be found throughout the city.

Brighton, England, UK by Ilya Schurov

11. Torquay

The seaside town of Torquay is a popular destination in England. There are several resorts and hotels that can be found within the city which are needed to accommodate more than 100,000 visitors who make their way to the city’s shorelines every summer. Torquay is also known as being the birthplace and lifelong home of Agatha Christie.

Torquay, Devon, England, UK by Stephen

12. Cardiff

The city of Cardiff can be found in Wales. There are a number of historical sites that can be found within the city including the local castle which has attracted countless visitors over the years. Its picturesque landscape has led it to be ranked at the top of the National Geographic’s list of worldwide destinations.

Cardiff England, UK by Candy Schwartz

13. Bournemouth

The resort town of Bournemouth can be along the coastlines of Dorset, in the southern part of England. Over the centuries, the town has become a popular summer destination in the country. There are many resorts and hotels that can be found along the town’s beautiful coastlines.

Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK by Christophe.Finot

14. Bristol

You will find the city of Bristol in the southwestern part of England, along the banks of the River Avon. It is a bustling metropolis which is home to more than a million people. It is also a historical city that dates back well before the 12th century. The beautiful historical town center has attracted countless visitors over the years.

Bristol, England, UK by Arpingstone

15. Inverness

The city of Inverness can be found situated within the Highlands of Scotland where it is nestled along the banks of the River Ness. The picturesque landscapes which surround the city are one of the biggest attractions for the countless people who are visiting this historically important and strategically located city.

Inverness, Scotland, UK by Anne-Lise Heinrichs

16. Belfast

You will find the city of Belfast located in the northern part of Ireland. While being only the fourteenth largest city in Britain, it is considered to be one of the largest in the island. It is here, in the local shipyards of Belfast that the infamous RMS Titanic was built. There are a number of sites and monuments that can be found within the city as well as in the surrounding countryside.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK by Macnolete

17. Cambridge

The city of Cambridge can be found nestled along the banks of the River Cam, just north of the nation’s capital. There are a number of archeological sites in the area which has uncovered countless Roman and Viking artifacts over the years. It is also the home of the famous 13th century University of Cambridge which is considered to be one of the best in the world.

18. Oxford

The town of Oxford can be found in the southern part of England. While there are a number of important and historical sites in the city to visit, Oxford is most well-known on account of its university which is the oldest in the country as well as in the English speaking world.

Oxford, England, UK by Duncan Hull

19. Newquay

The seaside resort town of Newquay can be found situated along the Atlantic coastlines as well as the banks of the River Gannel. Over the centuries the area has grown into a popular destination in the United Kingdom due to the beautiful beaches that can be found within the city. It is also

Newquay, England, UK by Kicior99

20. Scarborough

You will find the town of Scarborough situated along the coastlines of the North Sea. It is a historical town which sits upon limestone cliffs overlooking the bounding seas. While the main industry in the town is fishing, during the summer months the population explodes as countless people make their way to the eastern coastlines of the country.

Scarborough, England, UK by EOS_3

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The Clock Tower above Balmoral Hotel at the Waverly Station

You can always keep track of time whenever you visit Princes Street owing to the big clock tower standing on the ex- North British Railway Hotel, at the Eastern side of the Street. This hotel was constructed as a section of the Waverly Station which was Edinburgh’s central terminal with links to Glasgow and other cities in England.

The Clock Tower above Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by Michael Coghlan

Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

To come up with the design for this structure, a competition was held in 1837 and it managed to attract a total of 55 entrants. George Meikle Kemp was crowned the winner and he came up with a gigantic Victorian Gothic tower to envelope Sir Walter Scott’s statue. Scott was born in Edinburgh, and was a famous author across English speaking nations, having written novels such as “Rob Roy” and “Ivanhoe.” The construction of this historical monument was complete in 1846.

The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by Schatir

Nelson Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh

This monument was mounted on top of the Calton Hill, from the period ranging 1807-1815, as a commemoration of Horatio Nelson’s 1805 triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar. Its design resembles the shape of the famous telescope that Nelson once owned. In the year 1853, a time ball was erected at the tip of the monument by the same people who constructed London’s time ball at the Greenwich Observatory.

Bank of Scotland, Head Office

The Bank of Scotland, which towers over the Princes Street Gardens, is an attractive spot, particularly during the night when the floodlights are switched on. Most people believe that the Baroque building was constructed as an integrated plan, but it was actually constructed in phases for the duration of over 60 years, starting with Richard Crichton and Robert Reid’s initial building done in 1806. In the 1860s a copper clad dome, relatively similar to the one in Karlskirche Vienna, was added to both the top and the side wings. The face of the monument, seen in the current time, is a tribute to one of its designers, David Bryce, who is credited for adapting the 60 year old building into an entirely new work of art.

Bank of Scotland, Castle and Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by Matt Riggott

St. John’s Church Tower

This building was constructed for three years (1815-1818) to the designs of William Burn. It is largely inspired by the Early English and Norman Gothic architecture. However, its design does not resemble those of the Perpendicular Revival Gothic churches of the 1800s which are normally characterized by lofty towers with spires piercing into the skies. Instead, the St. John’s Tower resembles the buildings of the University of Cambridge, Oxford or the Magdalene College.

Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse

This facility was also constructed by different architects during its different stages of development. Work on the building began in 1854 by the architectural designer, George Rae, as a one-storey building. It was later expanded in 1866 and 1882 as it was, on both occasions, deemed too small to serve its purpose. The final work was done in 1900, and it is still what we see today.

Rob loves his camper van and he loves to travel – so visit us here at travelersguidetobritain.com for some top tips from this seasoned travel blogger as he writes from the back of the camper and beyond.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by baaker2009

It’s now easy to get cheap flights to Glasgow and see how the city has reinvented itself with eclectic and cutting-edge bars and shopping. You will not leave disappointed by the personality of Glasgow. This Scottish city has preserved its rich history while celebrating innovative design through art, food and architecture.

Sights Of Glasgow

Make sure you take time to visit the Glasgow Tower. Scotland’s tallest building has a steely façade and a stark contrast to the beautiful Victorian architecture around the city. The Glasgow Tower is also the only building in the world with the ability to turn 360 degrees from the ground up. At the very top, visitors will be surprised by the striking views of the city that stretch out as far as the Loch Lomond.

The Glasgow Cathedral is definitely a site to behold. The medieval site is truly special as it’s one of the few Scottish medieval churches to have survived the Reformation period. The walls and turrets are steeped with history of volatile religious periods.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Miller

An attractive neoclassical building houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Situated on the Royal Exchange Square, visitors can enjoy taking in the distinguished Scottish art and an extensive selection of international exhibits.

Grow your appreciation for fine art at the Kelingrove Art Gallery & Museum which has free admission. Spend the day musing over the Museum’s newest exhibition, 500 Years of Italian Art. The exhibition is open until 12 August 2012 and the beauty of Italian art and delicate Venetian glass objects will astonish you.

Food and Shopping in Glasgow

Glasgow has resurfaced with extensive dining options. Not far for George Square, dine at Fifi & Ally for a fresh take on Scottish produce. Scotland is said to have the best salmon in the world, so why not try the self-assembly of salmon and cream cheese bagel. If you’re partial to an ethnic lunch, the city is awash with quality Japanese and Indonesian restaurants.

Retail therapy doesn’t go a miss in Glasgow. In fact, the cosmopolitan city has some of the best shopping in the United Kingdom. Take a look at Buchanan Street and be astounded by the range of high street stores and boutiques. No doubt you will leave with lighter pockets. For souvenirs and gifts that are anything but mediocre, try The Lighthouse on Mitchell Lane. Tojo Design stocks fun lifestyle products like angular clocks and serving trays in punchy colours. GmBH bookshop has a trove of specialised books that will definitely come in handy on the long flight home.

Author: Rebecca Parish+ – is a freelance journalist who is passionate about travel and a great lover of food and culture.

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