The United Kingdom is such a diverse country with a lot of great places to visit. If you want to travel around the UK during your time here but aren't sure where to go, read on!
London
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v London really is an amazing city, and how lucky you are to be able to visit it so easily during your time at Essex! From Colchester North station, it takes just 50 minutes to London Liverpool Street, so you can spend a whole day in the capital without having to leave ridiculously early to get there and back. I'm sure you're familiar with the main London attractions and already have an idea of what you want to see, but there is more to see than just the tourist attractions. Don't be scared to roam the streets and discover parts that you would never get to see by sitting on the tube or taking the bus everywhere (you'll never end up too far away from a tube station anyway!). There are plenty of parks to stroll through, or equally you can rent a 'Boris Bike' for the day; you can hand-feed squirrels (St James Park), see herds of deer (Richmond Park) and go rowing on the lake (Hyde Park). Whichever part of London you're in there is so much to do and see there are so many different cultures and so much history that you will quickly realise just how amazing London really is.
United Kingdom
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Wherever you go in the UK, it's never the same. It's really difficult to pinpoint specific towns and cities that are worth a visit as there are so many! Different regions offer different experiences, so here is a quick regional guide to help you decide where else you might be interested in visiting and links that will give you more information on the main cities and attractions in those regions.
v Scotland: Scotland is home to the Loch Ness Monster, Haggis and bagpipes, so if you're at a loose end during the holidays you might want to consider a trip up north. Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow have a lot to offer, and you can also visit the beautiful highlands that Scotland is renowned for. Just make sure you prepare for cold and wet weather!
v North-West England: In the North-West of England you will find Manchester and Liverpool (home of The Beatles), two very important cities in England. Blackpool, famous for its pleasure beach and illuminations, is also in this region, as well the Lake District in Cumbria, England’s second largest county, which has 15 lakes and England’s highest mountains. If you want to experience Northern hospitality, this is the region to visit.
v Yorkshire and The Humber: In the east of England you will find miles and miles of picturesque English countryside, with dales and foothills covered in heather. This is the place to go to if you like long walks and beautiful landscapes.
v East of England: There's a lot of great heritage in this area of the UK, so dedicate a day at a time to specific towns in this region, as it's so close that you don't have to plan any trips too far in advance. Essex is already in the East of England, so cross over the border into Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, counties home to Ipswich, Cambridge and Norwich respectively. The East of England offers great coastlines, pebble beach’s, quaint English villages, it’s also home to the Queen (who lives in Sandringham Palace) and there's also a great Christmas Market every year in Norwich. When you haven't got much planned on the weekend and don't fancy another trip into London, this is an ideal region to visit.
v Wales: Wales has more to offer than just rugby, sheep and leeks. You might see and hear a funny sounding language if you visit Wales, as they still speak the Celtic language Cymraeg (Welsh), as well as English. There are over 600 castles which are perfect for indulging in some history, Snowdonia National Park, which is 3,650ft at its highest point, and a rather strange event called Bog Snorkelling... The capital city, Cardiff, is also a great place to visit. A city where old meets new, once you’ve explored the city centre you can walk along the waterfront of the bustling Cardiff Bay.
v Southwest of England: If you have a list of things to do before you leave the UK, you'll be able to tick off many if you visit the Southwest. In the northern area you will find the Cotswolds, an area known for its beauty and typically English sleepy villages. Head down south a bit and you will get to Bath, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site world-famous for its Roman baths, Thermae Bath Spa and for being the home of Jane Austin. As you go further into the Southwest you will reach the prehistoric monument Stonehenge, which is very mysterious and worth a visit. In an area called the West Country, you will find the counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, where you will discover a slightly different identity and culture, especially in Cornwall, than other parts of the UK. Embrace it, as you will be able to try traditional cider, delicious clotted cream tea with scones and walk through villages where people live in cottages with thatched roofs. If you like surfing, Newquay (Cornwall) is the perfect place to go, so long as you don't mind the cold Atlantic Ocean!
There's a lot of information to get through, but use it as a rough guide when you're not sure what to do next or where else to visit. If you have any questions about absolutely anything, even where to get a nice coffee, don't hesitate to ask! Take advantage of your spare time, if there's something you want to do, do it. Before you know it, the year will be over and it will be time to go back home, so make sure you leave with no regrets!
Enjoy yourselves,
Amy
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