Great Britain: World Heritage, Coasts and Mountain Landscapes
Accommodation in Great Britain
Great Britain combines outstanding World Heritage with distinctive coastal formations, protected landscapes and historic cities. The particularly impressive range extends from prehistoric monuments and Gothic Revival architecture to volcanically formed basalt columns and glaciated valleys.
Culture and History
Great Britain’s World Heritage includes the “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites” World Heritage property. It preserves Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial and funerary monuments. Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, while Avebury has the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world.
In London, the Palace of Westminster remains the seat of Parliament and is also an important monument of Gothic Revival architecture. Monarchs are crowned, married and buried in Westminster Abbey. The Tower of London is the most complete surviving example of an 11th-century fortress palace in Europe; the Crown Jewels have been kept there since the 17th century. The “Old and New Towns of Edinburgh” World Heritage property combines a medieval Old Town with a neoclassical New Town.
Engineering achievements also form part of the cultural profile. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal extends over 18 kilometres. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a pioneering masterpiece of engineering and monumental architecture by Thomas Telford. The “The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales” World Heritage property comprises six components: quarries, mines, historic settlements, gardens, ports, railways and roads.
Nature and Landscape
The “Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast” World Heritage property comprises around 40,000 regularly shaped polygonal basalt columns. The Giant's Causeway was formed around 50 to 60 million years ago through volcanic activity and has been a visitor attraction for at least 300 years. Footpaths at the Giant's Causeway provide views of the coast from the cliffs as well as access to geological features at close range.
The English Lake District is a mountainous landscape with glaciated valleys and narrow lakes. It preserves agropastoral traditions based on local sheep breeds and communal grazing of upland pastures. The English Lake District provides access and opportunities to experience its distinctive qualities.
The United Kingdom has protected landscapes that are safeguarded because of their natural beauty as well as rare animals, plants and geological features. Thus, alongside the well-known cultural sites, landscapes and natural features are also central, with their protection closely linked to their distinctive character.
Trails and Activities
The national parks of the United Kingdom offer walks, hikes and extensive trails for different abilities and interests. They also have traffic-free byways, bridleways and cycle paths for easy bike rides.
The United Kingdom’s visitor offering includes coasteering along the rocky coast of Wales. Stargazing is also part of the visitor offering in the Scottish Highlands. Scotland offers landscapes, lochs, islands and mountains as natural places to visit and experience.
Northern Ireland combines World Heritage sites and Game of Thrones filming locations with impressive landscapes. Cultural points of reference and a striking natural backdrop are therefore directly connected thematically.
Regions and Travel
Regional differences are also reflected in the rail connections. Most larger cities in England and Wales can be reached by train from London in no more than three hours. Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland can be reached from London in less than five hours.
Standard visitors can normally stay in the United Kingdom for up to six months.
For the higher-level travel overview: Europe.
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