I spent a lot of time alone in England, Scotland and Wales. Much more than I originally planned. I went to Europe without a Plan, lived for months in two different cities in England and used them as a base to explore the country.
I never thought that Britain would become one of my most remote countries. Back then, I was more interested in hotter, attractive, more exotic destinations — the UK seemed so boring as Thailand, Italy or South Africa. And yet I fell under his spell.
Traveling to the UK is considered an “easy” option. I can not deny it-this is one of the easiest countries for beginners. But this does not mean that experienced travelers can not enjoy it. I think Britain is one of the most interesting countries I have visited! If you speak the local language and live in a similar culture, you can delve deeper into the nuances that make the culture unique.
If you want to travel alone in England, Scotland or Wales-or all three!—you’re in the right Place. This Guide lists everything You need to know.
Why travel to the UK?
First, let’s talk about the terms that are best to use. The United Kingdom or Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales—not Northern Ireland. The British Isles cover all of Great Britain plus Ireland. Oh, and don’t let me start on the Channel Islands, which are part of some of these groups but not others…
For the ease of this article, I will focus exclusively on England, Scotland, and Wales. I will ride Northern Ireland in a future Ireland travel guide. There are no political reasons behind this; it is purely for geographical reasons.
People travel to the UK because it is a destination they already have an idea of. Everyone knows that London is at least foggy and has bridges. Scotland has kilts and bagpipes. The whole of Britain is covered with castles and villages. And they love tea, and they have a queen.
Many people grow up as English speakers and dream of one day experiencing culture for themselves. People come to the UK for history. Many North Americans come to the UK for reasons of ancestry to see their family roots. And some just want to learn what it’s like to drive on the left.
But I think the real charm of Britain is knowing people and culture on a deeper level. You can do this by spending time in a pub or taking part in a meeting with many locals. You can absolutely get there by participating in a festival! This will show you that Britain goes far beyond its stereotypes.
There is more in England than in London!!!
This is my biggest UK travel tip of all. I cannot tell you how many people I have heard that they want to go to “London and Ireland” or “London and Scotland” while ignoring the rest of England. Or maybe, maybe add a short trip to Stonehenge before leaving English territory.
I was one of those people. I met four friends from the North of England (which is culturally very different from the South of England) on a trip to Vietnam. They told me where they were from, Chester and Oldham. I asked, “Oh, is it near London?and all four visibly contracted.
Believe me, England has so much more to offer than London. If you come to England and only visit London, you have not found some truly wonderful destinations. See below for more on where to go in England.
