United Kingdom

General information

The United Kingdom (UK) is a country in north-western Europe on the British Isles. It is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In addition, Great Britain owns several smaller islands. The country's sovereignty also extends to 14 so-called overseas territories and Crown dependencies: Guernsey and Jersey, two islands in the English Channel, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. British influence can be seen in the language, culture and political systems of many of its former colonies.

The British climate is characterised as temperate oceanic, meaning that rainy weather prevails. Rain has even become a subject of jokes among the British. They say that other countries have a climate, but they have three types of weather: rain in the morning, rain after lunch, and rain all day.

The western regions of the country receive the most precipitation, while the east is the driest. Summers in Great Britain are usually cool and wet, while autumns are long and rainy. Winters here are usually mild. If snow does fall, it only stays on the ground for a few hours.

The United Kingdom has existed as a kingdom since 1707, following the union of England and Scotland. In 1800, Ireland joined them, but the United Kingdom existed in this form for just over 120 years.

In 1922, a split occurred when the Irish Free State sought full sovereignty. Only a small part of the newly independent country remained within the kingdom – Northern Ireland.

Since then, Great Britain has been officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The country is ruled by Parliament and King Charles III. Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 to 2022, was the longest-reigning head of state. Parliament has the right to enact laws, and the king has the right to approve or reject them. The king also appoints and dismisses ministers and, if necessary, can dissolve Parliament. As Supreme Commander of the British Armed Forces, he also has the right to declare war on other states.

There is no single constitution as a document in the country. All legislative acts and other regulatory documents exist in the form of separate treaties, regulations and acts, many of which were adopted several hundred years ago and are still in force today.

Of particular importance to all branches of government are precedents – court decisions once made in various controversial cases – as well as constitutional customs – historically established rules of government. They have the status of full-fledged laws and are binding.

The official language is English. However, the native languages of each country of the Kingdom are recognised alongside it. In Scotland, this is Gaelic, in Wales – Welsh, and in Northern Ireland – Irish. The Cornish language, spoken in Cornwall, is also recognised.

Administratively, Great Britain has a different division. England consists of 48 counties, Scotland has 32 districts, Wales has 22 unitary authorities, and Northern Ireland has 26 existing districts, with 11 more recently created.

The capital of the entire Kingdom and England is London. Each of the other countries also has its own capital. In Scotland, it is Edinburgh, in Wales – Cardiff, and in Northern Ireland – Belfast.

Almost all of Great Britain's borders are maritime. In the southeast, it borders France: the two countries are separated by the English Channel. It shares a land border with Ireland, which runs through Northern Ireland. Britain is connected to Europe by a 50-kilometre undersea Eurotunnel, which is considered the longest in the world. The journey from London to Paris by high-speed train now takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Until 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom was part of the EU and the European Economic Area, although the national currency, the pound sterling, remained unchanged.

On the last day of that year, the United Kingdom left the European Economic Area.

Important Travel Update: In recent years, the UK government introduced the Electronic Travel.

Authorisation (ETA) scheme. As of 2025, all visitors from visa-exempt countries (including EU citizens) must obtain a digital ETA before boarding any flight, train, or ferry heading to the UK. The authorisation is easily applied for online or via an app and is digitally linked to the traveller's passport.

Where to stay?

Choosing a place to stay in the United Kingdom, as in any other country, directly depends on the purpose of the trip. If a tour of the country's cities is arranged through an agency, all accommodation issues are also resolved there.

It is a different matter if the trip is organised independently.

In England, Scotland and other countries of the kingdom, you can find accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Families with children and elderly couples will find many family-run guesthouses that are quiet and cosy. Restless young people and students will love the cheap and very affordable hostels.

Castle hotels

Those interested in British history will be particularly delighted. Castle hotels, many of which are over 200 or even 500-800 years old, will immerse you in the atmosphere of the Victorian era and allow you to experience the spirit of the Middle Ages.

British castle hotels are usually located in picturesque places, often near lakes and rivers. Most of them are in England and Scotland. They are usually family businesses: these hotels are owned by families who not only manage them but also take full care of the buildings and surrounding areas.

Some of the most visited castle hotels are: Amberley in Sussex (England), Stobo (Scotland), Barkaldine Castle in Benderloch (Scotland), Crossbacquet in Blantyre (Scotland).

Here, ancient history is closely intertwined with modernity. Many rooms still have their original windows and doors, which are several centuries old, as well as antique fireplaces and furniture. They are complemented by adjacent spa salons and fitness centres, swimming pools and fashionable restaurants.

A wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway for two to one of these castles is a wonderful reason to go on a tour.

The United Kingdom also has regular hotels of various star ratings and service levels. Here are a few accommodation options in London and other cities:

1. 196 Bishopsgate is a four-star hotel in the City of London. It has 47 rooms, each with a television, refrigerator, air conditioning, bar, crockery and more.
2. North Lees Campsite is a decent campsite with tent pitches in Derbyshire, England. Ideal for lovers of outdoor recreation.
3. Thistle Glasgow is a wonderful four-star hotel near Glasgow Central Station in Scotland. It is located in the centre of the Scottish capital, but is a quiet and peaceful place. Clean, cosy rooms and delicious breakfasts.
4. The Osbourne Hotel is a two-star hotel in the centre of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The hotel is budget-friendly but quite cosy.
5. Wuthering Heights is a small campsite in Yorkshire, England. A 20-minute drive away is the Charlotte Brontë Museum, dedicated to the author of Jane Eyre. This small, cosy hotel is decorated in the spirit of old England. There is a camping area. Clean linen, delicious food, friendly staff.

For those who are planning to stay in the UK for a long time, it would be wiser to rent a room or flat. Renting a room is much cheaper, and you need a minimum of documents.

Bank statements and references from previous landlords are almost never required. There is one problem: there are usually ten times more people looking for a room than there are rooms available. Because of this, the search for accommodation can sometimes take months.

Renting an apartment is another matter: in London or any other large city in the country, it is difficult to do so, not because of a lack of offers. The reasons are the high cost of separate housing and the multitude of documents required by landlords. You need to provide a bank statement, a certificate from your employer, and recommendations from your previous landlord or management.

Modern London Landmarks: The capital's skyline is constantly evolving, blending ancient history with modern engineering marvels. Structures like the giant Ferris wheel The London Eye and the spectacular skyscraper The Shard have become new iconic symbols of the city, offering breathtaking panoramic views that contrast beautifully with the historic streets below.

What to see?

Ancient castles, bridges, cathedrals, churches, museums and national galleries – these are the things that attract travellers from all over the world to Great Britain. Here, everything inherited from the past is lovingly and carefully preserved.

Every city and town has its own landmarks – places that commemorate significant events or outstanding people.

It would take several months, if not years, to see even a fraction of the cultural heritage sites in the British Isles.

What to see first?

London

The British capital is a huge museum in itself, and some of the places here have long since become not just landmarks, but truly iconic structures.

Big Ben is the symbol of London and the most recognisable tower in the world. It was built in the mid-19th century in Westminster as a clock tower and was originally named after St Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

It was nicknamed ‘Big Ben’ by sharp-tongued builders in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the engineer who supervised the installation of the bell in the Clock Tower. The name stuck and became practically official.

Buckingham Palace is another recognisable London landmark. The official royal residence is visited by at least 50,000 tourists during the summer months alone. They come here specifically to attend royal receptions, which are held in luxurious gardens with artificial waterfalls.

Another reason to visit Buckingham Palace is to see the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony, which guards the residence of the British monarchs. During the warmer months, from April to August, the ceremony takes place every day, and every other day during the rest of the year.

The Tower is a famous London fortress built almost a thousand years ago during the reign of William I the Conqueror. The Tower is considered the oldest building in the British capital. Throughout its long history, it has been a fortress, a mint, a prison, and even a zoo.

Tower Bridge is an example of the triumph of 19th-century engineering. It combines technical solutions that were unique for its time with spectacular design.

The bridge combines suspension and drawbridge structures. It is opened up to five times a day, and the process is controlled by a real captain. He is assisted by a team of sailors.

Madame Tussauds is London's most famous and most visited museum. It houses a collection of full-length wax figures that replicate the physical characteristics and clothing of the world's most famous people down to the smallest detail. The museum's collection includes over 1,000 figures. It takes about three months to make one.

Stonehenge

Who hasn't seen photos of this strange structure with huge stones piled on top of each other in some mysterious way? One of the world's most enigmatic structures is located near the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.

Researchers still argue about the purpose of this architectural monument, built in the 30th century BC. Some consider it a Druid sanctuary, others a necropolis, and still others an observatory. In any case, this mystical place is definitely worth a visit: it will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Canterbury Cathedral

One of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world, built in the early 11th century, located in Canterbury, Kent. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The cathedral is renowned for its incredibly beautiful architecture, stained glass windows depicting biblical themes, four-manual organ and choir accompanying services.

What to eat?

British cuisine is often considered too simple, lacking in extravagance. This is partly true: most traditional dishes are prepared from the simplest ingredients, avoiding complex processing.

Interestingly, there is no ‘common’ cuisine in the country: each region has its own rules for cooking and its own signature recipes.

British cuisine is divided into Scottish, English, Welsh and Gibraltarian, each with its own unique characteristics.

In a Scottish restaurant, for example, you will definitely be offered a hearty, filling lunch. It will consist of thick soup with grains, meat or fish, a generous portion of stewed meat with a side dish of oatmeal or boiled vegetables. For dessert, hot tea is served with sweets – biscuits or muffins.

Welsh cuisine abounds in fish recipes, reflecting its proximity to the sea, but meat is also widely consumed here. An essential ingredient in most first and second courses is leeks, which are considered a national symbol of Wales.

Welsh people most often eat lamb, sea fish, scallops and prawns. It is worth trying their cawl – a very thick soup with meat, vegetables, herbs and oatmeal. It is very hearty and aromatic – a real calling card of this region of Great Britain.

For dessert, the Welsh usually serve tea and pastries – pancakes, muffins and pies. Every home has its own family recipes that have been passed down for decades.

‘Oatmeal, sir!’ – this humorous phrase from a well-known anecdote vividly characterises the traditional English breakfast menu. Oatmeal is an essential component of it, along with a slice of well-fried bacon and scrambled eggs. These dishes are often served with pâté, tea or coffee with milk.

First courses in English cuisine are never as thick and rich as in Scotland or Wales. Most often, it is a cup of meat broth, which is simply drunk with croutons.

Sandwiches are not a snack, but a full lunch dish. There are many variations: with slices of cold meat and fish, with cheese and seafood, vegetables and sauces.

Fish and chips is another favourite British dish, eaten during the lunch break. Fried fish and chips have remained unrivalled for decades among people of all ages.

Five o'clock tea is a legendary British tradition known throughout the world. In fact, tea time for the English is not just a light snack of a cup of tea and sweets.

It is a full meal: tea is served with hearty sandwiches, raisin buns, and plates of cheese, fish and meat cold cuts. However, this tradition is becoming less and less common in cosmopolitan Great Britain: the changed pace of life and the influx of immigrants are taking their toll.

The Modern British Palate: This influx of diverse cultures has dramatically transformed British cuisine. Today, the UK is highly multicultural, and dishes with Indian roots, such as Chicken Tikka Masala, are widely celebrated as modern national treasures. Furthermore, the UK has evolved into a leading global hub for innovative vegan and plant-based dining, ensuring that modern British food is anything but boring.

Britain also has its own drinking traditions, the pinnacle of which is the pub, where you can always enjoy a pint or two of the freshest beer.

This is usually lager, a type of light beer, or Irish Guinness, a dark, thick drink. It is drunk with crisps and salted nuts, and a visitor to the establishment can easily drink a dozen glasses in an evening.

A pub is more than just a beer bar, it is almost like a home. The British come here not so much to drink as to socialise. Interestingly, they can only communicate with some of their long-standing acquaintances here – in their favourite pub – and never outside its walls. People often choose one pub – once and for life.

In addition to numerous varieties of beer, the British enjoy drinking Scotch whisky, gin and tonic with the inevitable ice cubes, and Pimm's — a cool summer drink made with gin, lemonade, mint, ice and, for some reason, cucumbers. It is quite strong, so you need to be careful with it in the summer heat.

The British are a people about whom many legends circulate: they are said to be mannered, cold and closed. All this is only partially true: in reality, they are simply people who love their homes very much and are willing to let only the best people in — those they trust unconditionally. They love animals so much that they are sometimes willing to sacrifice their own lives to save their smaller brothers.

The British are also considered eccentric because of their love of established traditions, but their sense of humour is considered the gold standard around the world.

This is Britain, the descendant of a great empire and a country where there are only three types of weather: rain in the morning, rain at lunchtime and rain all day long.