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United Kingdom

A four-in-one destination (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the U.K. offers beautiful, memorable, and accessible nature, some of the best museums in Europe, and a flourishing food scene far beyond mushy peas or beans on toast. Its landscapes are unparalleled and diverse—think craggy mountain peaks, ancient forests dripping with moss and ferns, and cool glassy lakes increasingly popular for wild swimming.

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Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to the United Kingdom.

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Monachyle Mhor in Scotland’s Trossachs National Park
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Resources to help plan your trip
Travel Tales
For One Traveler, London’s Carnival Becomes an Unexpected Home
Author Louis Chude-Sokei was born in Nigeria, spent part of his childhood in Jamaica, and came of age in L.A. This mix of places and cultures shaped his life—but also left him feeling unmoored. Until he stumbled upon London’s Notting Hill Carnival.
July 06, 2021 11:29 PM
 · 
Louis Chude-Sokei
Tips + News
U.K. to Resume International Travel, Adding Several Countries to “Green List”
Several of the approved destinations—like Australia and New Zealand—still won’t let travelers in.
May 07, 2021 03:43 PM
 · 
Associated Press (AP)
Art + Architecture
The Most In-Depth “Alice in Wonderland” Exhibit Ever Will Debut in London This Month
Opening March 27, 2021, the themed exhibition will explore how the fantastical tale inspired global culture and influential creators, including Walt Disney, Salvador Dalí, and Tim Burton.
March 16, 2021 12:47 PM
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Sarah Buder
A Perfect Day in London
A perfect day in London starts with breakfast at the elegant Delaney or Borough Market. Walk past London culture, history and street life along Southbank. Enjoy a birds-eye view of London from a capsule on the London Eye, the top of the Tate or outside the dome of St. Pauls. Indulge in a pint or afternoon tea before ending your perfect day at one of London’s West End shows.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Emma John
If You Only Have Three Days in London
Trying to plan a perfect three days in London? Although three days is never enough time, here’s what we suggest. Spend two days in the city’s heart; peruse Picassos and borrowed treasures at London’s best museums. Row through a royal park. Dig through kitchy Portobello Market. Spend a day taking in iconic London sights from Southbank before heading to East London for a taste of urban hip. End your three days with a sky-high cocktail and fabulous view over London.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Emma John
The Best Places to Take Tea in London
It’s hard to choose the best place to take tea in London. Should you take afternoon tea in the lush, sophisticated surroundings of London’s best hotels, with a view over London’s iconic landmarks or in Soho’s secret tea room? No matter the setting, you’ll spend afternoon tea enjoying tiny sandwiches, warm scones, tiny cakes and pots of jam and clotted cream.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Emma John
The Best Markets in London
Some of London’s markets are age-old. Others, like the Southbank, are almost brand-new. But as long as the weather’s fair, they’re a great place to hang out—and maybe grab a bargain.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emma John
The Best Bookshops in London
London has been a literary hub for hundreds of years. These bookshops are wonderful places to search through the spines—and keep the independent bookstore alive.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emma John
The Best of Glasgow
Glasgow, on the banks of the river Clyde, is the largest city in Scotland. Many people come for the vibrant live-music scene—but if club-hopping isn’t your thing, the contemporary arts, theater, and revitalized cuisine will keep you occupied.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
People Make Glasgow: Wendy H Gilmour’s Guide to Glasgow
Wendy H Gilmour blogs on Thankfifi.com about fashion, travel, and life in Glasgow with furry friends Mr. K & Tux. Among Gilmour’s favorite things about her city is the architecture, from the curved streets in Park Circus to The Glasgow School of Art and Gallery of Modern Art. She also loves the people: “Glaswegians are friendly and bend over backwards to help one another - I love that and think it’s unusual in a city.”
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Architecture and History in Glasgow
In Glasgow, architecture and history often go hand-in-hand—but a spate of architects have enlivened the city’s landscape with beautiful modern buildings, too.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Danielle Walsh
The Best of Summer in Glasgow
Scotland’s notoriously unpredictable weather may not always come up with the goods during the summer months, but when it does you can be assured that Glaswegians are receptive to the heat. The city comes alive as bars and restaurants dust off their outdoor seating and festivals and al fresco events spring up all over town. The summer months are also a great time to venture into the great outdoors and with Glasgow in close proximity to the coast and the Highlands the possibilities are endless.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Duncan Forgan
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