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The United Kingdom is an amalgamation of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is an island nation in North-western Europe. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole.

The United Kingdom is truly picturesque. It is home to beautiful countryside, sandy shores, historic landmarks, wilderness, and traditional pubs. Are you already dreaming to visit this charming destination? Let me be your travel guide for now and let’s explore some hidden gems of the UK!

SCOTLAND:

Commencing from Scotland, the northern part occupying one-third of the island of Great Britain. Scotland derived its name from the Latin term Scotia, land of the Scots, a Celtic people from Ireland who settled on the west coast of Great Britain. Visit Scotland to experience the buzzing cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the off-the-beaten-track beauty of the Highlands and islands, untouched by time, explore the pristine beaches, hiking majestic mountainscapes. The Loch Ness region in Inverness is famous for its mythical Loch Ness monster, dolphin spotting, and hiking.

Here are some of the hidden gems in the Scotland.

Cairngorms National Park: It is UK’s largest National Park, in the Scottish Highlands. It is a pilgrimage for outdoors-lovers with all sorts of sporting activities on offer, on the mountain, down in the valley, on the golf course, or on your bike. There is something for everyone. Loch an Eilein is a jewel of a loch with a 13th-century island castle.

Loch an Eilein.

Stonehaven: It is ‘The Coastal Gem’ in the North East of Scotland. It was formerly called Stonehive. Stonehaven is a pretty harbor town south of Aberdeen, famous for its Hogmanay fireballs ceremony. Perched on high cliffs jutting out into the waves two miles to the south is the dramatic ruined Dunnottar Castle, one of the finest in Scotland. Check out the reasons to visit this undiscovered place.

SeaCliff Beach: This private beach is largely unspoiled and attracts surfers, dog-walkers, and summer picnickers all year round.

Discover the tiny sandstone harbour thought to be the smallest in the UK, and enjoy the splendid views of Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle.

ENGLAND

England is the largest country in Britain and covers fifth-eights of the nation’s land mass. Bordering Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, it is separated from Northern Ireland by the Irish Sea. England occupies more than half of the islands of Great Britain.

Visit the historic Houses of Parliament in London, explore Liverpool’s dynamic art scene and delve into the mysterious pagan history of Stonehenge, relax on Cornwall’s sun-drenched beaches, sing your heart out at Glastonbury music festival and lose yourself in poetry in Manchester, UNESCO City of Literature, from sipping award-winning wines in the tranquil vineyards of Sussex to savouring a beer brewed in the heart of London’s dynamic East End, whatever you want to experience, you’ll find it on a trip to England.

Check out some stunning beaches, idyllic islands and national parks in England.

  • Man O’ War: Man O’ War is a very popular beach of sand and fine pebbles on the east side of Durdle Door beach. This section of coastline, including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which starts at Studland in Dorset and ends at Exmouth in Devon.
  • Northumberland National Park: Northumberland National Park is home to England’s cleanest rivers, clearest air, the darkest skies, and The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.
  • Isles of Scilly: The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago off the Cornish coast, in southwest England. The principal islands are St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes, and Bryher.

WALES

Wales is bordered by England to the east and the Irish Sea to the north and west and covers less than a tenth of Britain. In Wales, beauty is everywhere.! With cascading waterfalls, rolling hills, dramatic mountains, hundreds of castles, rare flora and fauna, and a coast path that runs along the entire coastline, Wales has it all!

Wales has its own language and identity, both of which are held in high esteem by Welsh people. Did you know Wales is also called ‘The Castle Capital of the World?’. It sounds impressive, isn’t it? This is a little known fact; Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. With over 600 castles, it definitely is the Castle Capital.

Check out these charming hidden gems in Wales.

Brecon Beacons National Park: Brecon Beacons National Park lies on the border between Mid Wales and South Wales & covers an area of 520 square miles. The area includes the Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark and is an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Waterfall in Brecon Beacons National Park.

Carreg Cennen Castle: This Castle is in ruins since 1462 and is now in the care of Cadw, the Welsh Government historic environment service.  It is situated near the River Cennen, within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Despite being damaged by Yorkists during the War of the Roses, the Grade I listed castle is perched atop a limestone outcrop, making access to any of its four sides extremely difficult for invaders. 

Carreg Cennen Castle.

Ramsey Island: Ramsey Island is a spectacular isle lying off the coast of Pembrokeshire. It is the fourth largest island in Wales.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland is a land of famous poets, writers, artists. It is renowned the world over for its music and song. There’s very rarely a dull moment in Northern Ireland. The spirits are high. It is always buzzing! Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland.

For all you GOT (Game Of Thrones) fans out there, Northern Ireland is a place you must visit. Many  Game of Thrones episodes is shot in the stunning coastline and countryside of Northern Ireland for over eight glorious years. They have Game of Thrones tours conducted. You could also take an aerial tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are tours for foodies and cosplay fans where you banquet like a Baratheon. Or you could take a self-guided tour by simply using the Filming Locations app.

Giants Causeway.

Besides the famous Giants Causeway, here are some of the hidden gems in northern Ireland.

Glenoe Waterfall: This impressive 30-foot waterfall in a deep gorge is in the small village of Glenoe between Larne and Carrickfergus.

Boa Island: Boa Island is home to an ancient ring fort and several cairns, as well as the two statues that are the island’s biggest draw. The Boa Island Janus Statue dates from between 400–800 AD, and it sits in the graveyard on Boa. It is the largest island in Lough Erne, approximately 8 km long, and relatively narrow. 

Janus Statue, Boa Island.

Have you travelled to any of the above-listed gems? Do share your travel stories with me.


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