An itinerary for a culture trip in UK

World
Europe

The ongoing Brexit chaos has led to the overall weak pound, making the UK a more affordable tourist destination. According to VisitBritain, the UK's official tourism website, the favorable exchange rate tends to draw more overseas visitors to the UK, especially those from India, China, USA and Canada.

This makes it a good time to embark on a journey to Britain. When traveling in the UK, visitors are often amazed by the mix of its popular landmarks and hidden gems. From world-famous spots, historic sites, cathedrals, museums, national parks, pubs and shopping malls, there is simply something for everyone.

Follow CGTN and get ready to take in the best Britain has to offer. We've picked six beautiful places for a short journey to learn more about Britain's culture and history which will certainly give you some clues for your getaways in the near future.

Travel route. /CGTN Photo

As shown above, our journey starts with Britain's greatest city, London, and we'll stop by at the iconic Stonehenge before moving onward to the historic city of Bath. Then we'll pay a visit to Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and head further north to the idyllic Lake District for a nice break. Finally, we strike out to Scotland's most popular and dynamic city – Edinburgh.

London

London is one of the world's most multicultural cities characterized by its brilliant history, splendid art, grand architecture and popular culture. You can spend as long as you want here in London and never get bored.

Tower of London. /VCG Photo

Tower Bridge. /VCG Photo

A view from a cable car of the London Eye. /CGTN Photo

For first-comers, the world-famous landmarks of the capital are on the must-visit list. Tower of London, a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, takes you back to the Roman times. Once served as a royal residence, treasury, royal mint, prison and arsenal, now it is home to the Crown Jewels of England.

Apart from that, the list simply goes on – Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, though the bad news is that Big Ben is still under renovation. Take a few pictures with the famed spots, and you've got something to brag about on social media.

The British Museum. /VCG Photo

Victoria and Albert Museum. /VCG Photo

Tate Modern. /VCG Photo

Her Majesty's Theatre. /CGTN Photo

If you feel like lingering longer, then a variety of museums, galleries, and theatres will keep you occupied for days. Aside from the generalist exhibitions of renowned British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, there are some with specific themes, such as the Imperial War Museum, London Transport Museum, Natural History Museum. More importantly, most of the museums are free.

For art galleries, the National Gallery is on top of the list with around 2,300 European paintings on display including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Van Gogh. Tate Modern, on the other hand, features international and modern art forms.

A night spent in the theatre appreciating the plays or operas will get you exposed to the popular culture and art of London. Remember to book ahead as the tickets for some of the shows are in great demand.

Speaking of the UK, most visitors are curious about the British royal family. The widely-reported royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on May 19, 2018, in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, May 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

If you're interested, the transportation system is very convenient; it can take you on a one-day trip to the nearby Windsor Castle from central London. Here you'll see the chapel where the royal wedding took place as well as the ancient occupied fortress with majestic views of battlements and towers.

Stonehenge

Welcome to Britain's most iconic ancient site and one of the world's wonders. The mysterious and captivating ring of monolithic stones has been attracting numerous visitors for the last 5,000 years, from poets, philosophers, to pilgrims. Now it is still a mystical and ethereal place.

Stonehenge. /VCG Photo

Here you can get closer to the Neolithic ancestors and explore the ancient landscape on foot. The archaeological mystery gives you a strong sense of historical context. An early morning or evening tour is recommended, and mind that it operates by timed tickets, so you need to book the tickets in advance.

Bath

Among various cities of England, the city of Bath simply stands out with its unique and nation's grandest Georgian architecture. It was founded in the 1st century AD by the Romans who used the natural hot springs as a thermal spa, hence its name.

The Georgian architecture in Bath. /CGTN Photo

Roman Baths. /VCG Photo

The whole city of Bath was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Royal Crescent are the top attractions where you'll pick up something about the Georgian architecture, Roman ruins, and sweeping crescents.

Stratford-upon-Avon

There are numerous brilliant figures in the history of British literature. The birthplace of the nation's best-known dramatist – William Shakespeare is one of the hottest spots.

The birthplace of Shakespeare. /CGTN Photo

Stratford-upon-Avon. /CGTN Photo

Stratford-upon-Avon. /VCG Photo

Shakespeare's Birthplace allows you to visit the house where the world's most famous playwright was born and grew up to discover more about his early years. Also, don't miss the wonderful shows at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lake District

Before leaving England, we couldn't wait to take you to its most popular national park – Lake District. The natural landscape once inspired William Wordsworth as he wrote: “No part of the country is more distinguished by its sublimity.”

Lake District. /CGTN Photo

For centuries, poets, writers and painters have been flocking here in search of inspiration and escape. Now it's still the nation's favorite place to revel in the majesty of the English landscape.

You can avoid busy crowds when you visit here in the early spring or late autumn. Cruising is highly recommended during your trip to get immersed in the tranquility.

Edinburgh

Famous for its festivals and especially lively in the summer, Edinburgh is a hub that seamlessly blends old and new, offering visitors a fascinating place to experience the charm of the vibrant city.

Edinburgh Castle. /CGTN Photo

A view from the top of the Edinburgh Castle. /CGTN Photo

Edinburgh Castle. /VCG Photo

A panoramic view of Edinburgh. /VCG Photo

Edinburgh Castle played a crucial role in Scottish history. Once served as a royal residence and a military stronghold, today it is the iconic Scottish tourist attraction.

The superb National Museum of Scotland invites you to explore more about Scottish history and culture. There is also a guided bus tour around the city's main destinations.

May brings good weather, flowers and cherry blossoms and even better with no crowds, whereas August is normally the festival time, crowded and mad but irresistible.

Good to know:

1. London's underground system makes it convenient to get around. If you plan to stay more than a few days in London, get an Oyster Card. Credit or debit card with a contactless function or Apple Pay also works.

2. Britain's electrical plugs are unlike those in many other countries, so bring a UK-specific plug adaptor.

3. It's good to compare travel money companies online and choose the one that gives you the most cash to spend on holiday.