10 Reasons Why the UK Should Be Your 2017 Travel Goal

Laura
Posted on 6 Apr 2017

1. It's more affordable than ever

The value of the pound is low. When you compare the pound and the dollar, it’s around 20% cheaper to visit this year than it was at the same time last year. That means you won’t feel as guilty when you splash out on your indulgent four-course holiday celebration dinner.

2. Small journeys, big sights

It doesn’t take long to get places in the UK. Britain is around half the size of the State of California or half the size of Spain. And you might think this small country should be homogeneous, but this isn't the case. The UK is a country of great contrasts: there's an incredible array of accents, architecture, and landscapes. The fact that it's all concentrated in a relatively small space allows you to rapidly and easily move from one place to another, making the most of your holiday time.

3. Four for the price of one

Visit the UK and put four pins on your world map. Handy, isn’t it? If you wonder how can this can be, the short explanation is that England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are countries. The UK is the name used to refer to this union of countries.

4. Step into the past

The UK oozes history. You can be transported back in time to Stonehenge, to medieval times, to the Age of Enlightenment, or to the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge. And that’s just the start. Every little lane seems to lead to either an ancient fortress or an impressive palace.

5. Lovely landscapes

If you enjoy nature and wildlife, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the UK. From the White Cliffs of Dover and The Lake District in England, to the Scottish Highlands and the isles of Skye and Mull in Scotland, or to Giant’s Causeway and Mourne Montains in Northern Ireland. And if the unique geographic wonders aren’t enough, even the flat plains of the green, green grass are a pleasure to behold.

6. Take a break from driving

The UK gives you the perfect excuse! They drive on the wrong side of the road, which takes some practice to get used to. So why don’t you leave that stressful part of the journey to a local person (also avoiding getting lost). Quite convenient, isn’t it? UK readers, please, don’t feel offended. I come from a country where we drive on the right, and for me the 'right' will always be the 'right' side of the road…

7. Mystery

Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot… Can you guess what these British novels have in common? Mystery, magic, and intrigue, right? This isn’t a coincidence. The British atmosphere has something that inspires you in that way. Imagine a foggy evening in a remote British village while you walk back to your accommodation after dinner by the fireplace of the local pub. It’s chilly, the air is pure, and a faint light hardly illuminates the streets. You walk in silence, and all you can hear is the sound of your feet on the cobblestone street. Scenes like this inspire many of the great British novels.

8. Quaint, quaint, and even more quaint

I will just give you a few names here, because the names won't do these places justice. The Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall, Stratford on Avon, Tobermory, Isle of Arran. Just Google them! Are these shots worth a postcard back home or not?

9. Perfect weather

Well, maybe not. If you’re looking to sunbathe on the beach while having a piña colada, the UK might not be the right place for you. However, if you fancy a friendly chat next to a fireplace enjoying a glass of whisky or a pint of craft beer (poured to you in the proper way) after a day of touring all around, then the UK is for you.

10. English spoken here

This can make things easy. English is the third largest language globally (as a first language), but it's believed to be the first when combining native and non-native speakers. Even though certain parts of the UK have their own language (Wales, Scotland, and Northern IReland), English is spoken all around the country.