Berry - Lonely Planet Discover Great Britain

This Is Great Britain

Few places pack so much into such a tiny space as Britain. Its barely 600 miles from Englands south coast to Scotlands northern tip so you can cross the island in a day, but you could spend a lifetime exploring and only scratch the surface. This proportionally challenged island manages to cram more sights into each square mile than a country 10 times its size.

History is undoubtedly one of the major highlights of a visit here. From clifftop castles and medieval cathedrals to stone circles and Roman ruins, the British landscape recounts a story that stretches back 5000 years. On your journey, youll encounter a collection of kings and courtiers, heroes and villains, engineers and inventors, not to mention a host of writers, poets, painters, architects and artistic visionaries.

The landscape is another jewel in the nations crown. Encompassing everything from green fields to isolated islands, rolling plains to wild hills, and sandy beaches to snowcapped mountains, the British landscape is astonishingly varied. Iconic cities such as London, Manchester, York, Bath and Edinburgh are stuffed with amazing architecture, captivating culture and hundreds of historic sights. And beyond the metropolises are 15 stunning national parks which now cover over 10% of the landscape, as well as countless quaint villages, hamlets and market towns all of which make exploring this green and pleasant land an unbridled pleasure.

Of course, Britain isnt actually one country at all its three rolled into one. Some of the differences between the nations of England, Wales and Scotland are obvious (particularly the accents of the people), but others are more subtle, and getting to grips with their individual quirks is a fundamental part of what makes travel here so fascinating. Its called Great Britain for a reason, you know and youre about to find out why.

Few places pack so much into such a tiny space as Britain.

St Pauls Cathedral (), London
CHRIS HEPBURN/GETTY IMAGES

Great Britains Top Experiences

Stonehenge

Mysterious and compelling, Stonehenge () is Britains most iconic ancient site. People have been drawn to this myth-rich ring of bluestones for the last 5000 years, and were still not sure why it was built. Most visitors get to gaze at the 50-ton megaliths from behind the perimeter fence, but with enough planning you can book an early-morning or evening tour and walk around the inner ring. In the slanting sunlight, away from the crowds, its an ethereal place an experience that certainly stays with you.

PETER ADAMS/GETTY IMAGES

Edinburgh

Scotlands capital city is famous for its summer festivals, but even outside festival time, this is a fascinating city to explore full of winding lanes, hidden courtyards and architectural sights. The top draws are the citys clifftop castle and the palace of Holyroodhouse, but Edinburgh () is a city of subtle pleasures, whether that means a picnic in the grounds of Holyrood Palace, a pint in an Old Town pub or a stroll along the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh Castle
M J TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES