THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Ben Nevis
Scotland’s northwest is a dramatic region of glacially hewn
glens and splendid mountains. Look up at Britain's highest mountain, at 1,344m
(4,409ft), Ben Nevis, at 1,344m (4,409ft) from Fort William www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk. From here, the spectacular Great Glen
stretches from Neptune’s Staircase (a series of canal locks) via Loch Ness to
Inverness. To the north, remote Torrid on is a walker’s utopia.
Burns country
Southwest Scotland was home to the nation’s bard, Robert Burns.
Explore his birthplace cottage and adjacent state-of-the-art museum in Alloway,
Ayrshire. Also open to visitors are Ellis land Farm and the Robert Burns House,
his former homes in Dumfries and Galloway. In Dumfries itself, you can sit in
his old chair at The Globe Inn.
Cairngorms National Park
This mass of un-spoilt countryside features the UK’s highest
mountain range, rivers, lochs, forest and oodles of wildlife, including pine
martens, red squirrels, badgers and wildcats. As well as hiking and mountain
climbing, you can enjoy bird watching, beautiful camping grounds, and great
skiing in the winter.
Chepstow Castle
Located in the Wye Valley, in picturesque South Wales, the
construction of Chepstow Castle began in 1066 just after the Battle of Hastings
for William the Conqueror, and was the first castle in Britain to be built
entirely of stone. The castle opened its doors to tourists for the first time
in 1953 and today welcomes guests with life-size models of its former
inhabitants and rulers. The award-winning Chepstow Museum is in the
18th-century Town House located opposite the castle car park and tells the long
history of the region.
Enjoy a pint
Belfast’s most famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon www.crownbar.com is a splendidly ornate Victorian gin palace
renowned for its glittering decor, its long history (it dates back to 1826) and
its wide selection of real ales. Order a pint, find a nook and let the worries
of the world drift away.
Gardens of La Seigneur
The Royal Horticultural Society ranked these gardens as among
the finest in the Channel Islands. The gardens are open every day from the
beginning of April to the end of October.
Giant's Causeway
Ireland's most famous World Heritage Site is a natural wonder,
an otherworldly rock formation of some 40,000 basalt columns. Located on the
Antrim coastline, the Giant’s Causeway www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com draws visitors in droves – try being here at
sunset for fewer crowds and spectacular photo opportunities. There’s now a
brand new visitor center.
Malt whisky trail
Sample Scotland's favorite export, whisky. Between Inverness and
Aberdeen you can follow the malt whisky trail www.maltwhiskytrail.com and visit working distilleries to learn
about this national icon. You can also watch whisky barrels being crafted at
the UK’s only working cooperage in Duff town. You might need to draw straws to
decide whose driving.
Prehistoric Guernsey
Dolmens (Neolithic tombs) are common on the island. Among them
are Déhus Dolmen, near the yacht marina in the Vale, and La Catioroc, on a
mound overlooking Perelle Bay (reputedly once a witches' meeting place).
Ride the rails
Take a ride in a reclaimed London Underground carriage with the
Alderney Railway www.alderneyrailway.com. It's the only railway on the Channel Islands.
Ride the rails
The Isle of Man is known for its narrow-gauge railways, but even
those not sporting an anorak and carrying a notebook will enjoy a scenic ride
on the variety of railways that trundle around the island. Snaefell Mountain
Railway climbs to the summit of Man's highest peak.
Sailing
Yacht and boats lovers are drawn to Sark and Herm Island for the
splendid sailing. Moorings are located at Havre Gosselin on the west coast of
Sark, and at La Grave de la Ville bay on the east coast.
St Anne's Church
St Anne's focal point is the town church, often referred to as
the 'Cathedral of the Channel Islands' as it is one of the largest in the
Channel Islands. It is also the home of the Alderney Society Museum, which
documents the island's history from Neolithic times.
Stonehenge
Erected between 3000 and 1600 BC, Stonehenge is a giant stone
circle that stands on Salisbury Plain and is considered today to be one of the
most famous surviving sites from the ancient world. The stones, which stand at
6.7m (22ft) high, attract hundreds of visitors every day, who come to marvel at
the ingenuity of those who engineered the construction of the site and the
techniques used to move and position the stones. There are also many burial
mounds nearby, as well as long barrows from the Neolithic Age, the most famous
of which is West Kenneth Long Barrow. Visitors can also look forward to seeing
the new Visitor's Centre where guests will be able to virtually 'stand in the
stones', see 300 other prehistoric objects on display, and check out the museum
detailing the various theories about how Stonehenge came to be.
Whale watching
Basking sharks and dolphins love the waters around the Isle of
Man and can frequently be seen, often within one kilometer of the coast. The
best time to see them is from mid-May to mid-August.
These
range from budget chain hotels to boutique city hotels to luxurious country
manors. Hotels tend to be more expensive in large cities, especially London.
Grading: Visit Britain, the AA
and RAC (as well as Visit Wales and Visit Scotland) have now agreed common
standards for quality assessment. Hotels and guesthouses are classified by use
of a star-rating system.
There
are guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation throughout the country.
The quality, however, varies greatly and it is always worth seeing the rooms
first.
There
are camping and caravan sites throughout the UK, for short and long stays. Some
sites hire out tents or caravans to those without their own equipment. Most
sites offer basic facilities, while some have playgrounds, clubs, shops, phones
and sports areas. The Camping and Caravanning Club www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk has a wide selection, although aimed more at
caravanners than independent campers.
There
are over 300 youth hostels in the UK. Standards vary greatly, from very basic
night-time accommodation for hikers and cyclists, to modern hostels and motels
which are often used by families and groups. Prices are very reasonable.
These
offer accommodation, food and a full range of leisure activities generally at
an all-inclusive price. They provide good holidays for families, and some run
babysitting and children's clubs. Well-known names include Center Parcs www.centerparcs.co.uk and Butlins www.butlinsonline.co.uk.
Cottages
and flats to suit all budgets and tastes can be rented in areas around the
country. Heritage charity The Landmark Trust www.landmarktrust.org.uk has almost 200 unusual self-catering properties,
ranging from cottages to castles. Local tourist boards, or relevant section in
local and national papers can often be a good place to find this sort of
accommodation.
The UK is not a risky
destination but travelers should still take appropriate precautions. Summer
temperatures in England rarely reach above 30°C (86°F), but on hot days there
is still risk of sunstroke and it’s advisable to wear sunscreen, as well as
appropriate clothing. The same goes for winters, during which weather can be
very changeable. Waterproofs (or at least a strong umbrella) are mandatory at
any time of year. Those hiking in the mountains should come prepared, with
appropriate gear and maps if needed but the biggest danger comes from those who
disregard warning signs or poor weather.
If you’re planning to
walk in wooded or heath areas such as in the Scottish Highlands, it’s worth
taking precautions against tick bites: ensure you wear long-sleeved tops, tuck
your socks into your trousers and wear insect repellent. Ticks are known to
spread Lyme disease which, although fairly rare in the UK, can affect your
skin, joints, heart and nervous system. Symptoms include: a pink or red
circular rash which develops around the bite up to 30 days after a person is
bitten; flu-like symptoms; headaches; and muscle or joint pain. If left
untreated, symptoms can become more serious.
Midges are a hiker’s
and camper’s nemesis, especially in the northwest Highlands during the summer.
While they’ll do no worse than cause a multitude of unbearably itchy bites,
it’s definitely worth covering up and dousing yourself in insect repellent to
ward off these persistent beasties.
The weather in Scotland can change in an instant. If you’re walking, skiing or
climbing in the hills, it’s vital to be prepared for all weathers. It’s not at all
uncommon to go for a walk on a beautifully sunny day, only to find yourself
surrounded by mist and drizzle with little warning. Make sure you’re equipped
with a map, compass, extra food, layers and waterproofs, and always tell
someone where you’re heading before you set out. Scots and visitors alike also
find themselves unexpectedly caught out by the sun – you might not need it
often, but pack some sunscreen.
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