The UK is second only to the US in popularity as a tourist destination. The UK sees many people globally who wait and plan to visit the gorgeous countryside. Over the past two years, since Brexit and the pandemic, there has been an increase in people looking to shift to the UK permanently. This change directly resulted from the shortage gap in skilled labour caused by the modification in immigration laws post Brexit, when a mass exodus of EU nationals left the UK and searched for employment in their home countries.
This opened up the tourism sector of the UK and gave rise to several highly skilled professionals visiting the UK and seeing the country as a possible future home. Many professionals managed to apply for the visas (after working in the UK previously) and realised they were ILR eligible (indefinite leave to remain eligible). Others applied to businesses with a sponsorship licence and excellent job opportunities for international professionals.
This change in the hiring process and global movement led to an increase in people wishing to come to the UK beforehand to see the place, identify possible career changes, look for employment, and see the countryside. Many tourists also took this time to see the best schools, universities, social life, and housing options.
If this sounds interesting, or if you simply want to see the UK through the eyes of a tourist, we have you covered. There are several beautiful destinations in the UK you can visit as a tourist. Let us take a look at some.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is undoubtedly one of London’s most popular destinations and is one of four royal parks. It is close to Kensington Palace and was used as a significant hunting ground in the middle ages about the 1600s. Hyde Park is still one of the most popular places to visit during the day and is excellent for film shootings and period dramas.
Hyde Park is famous for music concerts and has hosted artists like Pink Floyd and Queen; it is well connected to the London Underground Tube system and is gorgeous for most parts of the year. Autumn is one of the few seasons when many families spend the day at Hyde Park with a picnic basket.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a treat for the eyes. The ruins are a Neolithic site dating back to nearly 3000 BC. It has a state-of-the-art visitor centre and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Archaeologists and historians still have to identify whether Stonehenge was an astronomy site or burial ground, and this mystery makes it so remarkable. The entire Stonehenge area is surrounded by neolithic burial sites and old monuments. This significance makes it one of the UK’s most popular tourist sites, and you can find companies offering Stonehenge Tours from London, and other locations around the country, to take people straight to the site. Visitors are not allowed in the circle of stones during the day, but there are special passes for early morning or late evening viewing.
Given its importance to astronomers, the chance to view an eclipse, even a partial one, at Stonehenge is a very special one indeed. Should you be fortunate to do this, you will want to have something like these ISO certified eclipse glasses on hand to protect your eyes and enable you to appreciate the event fully.
Windsor Castle
The home of the British Royal Family, mainly Queen Elizabeth and her late husband, Prince Philip, Windsor Castle is definitely one of the most visited places in the UK. Located in Berkshire, Windsor Castle has been the home of the British monarchy since it was first built in the 11 century. Since then, the castle has been revamped and renovated several times to keep with the technological advances and modernisations.
The architecture is medieval and Gothic in style, with several historians and art majors striving to perfect the manner of the design. Windsor Castle has been in the news several times, offers guided tours to a few visitors, and has hosted many celebrities and famous political figures.
London Eye and Big Ben
When tourists think of London, the first few images that come to mind are the London Eye and Big Ben. The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel that offers unfettered views of London, the Thames, and riverside properties. It is 140 meters tall with 32 capsules.
Big Ben is the name of the clock tower near Westminster Abbey in London. Designed by Augustus Pugin, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands 100 meters tall. Big Ben and London Eye get thousands of tourists each year. Big Ben is also used to represent the UK by countless artists globally. London Eye is especially popular amongst couples because of the fantastic views and the observation points and is a famous place for wedding proposals. When you’re there, don’t be surprised to find a happy couple celebrating their upcoming nuptials!
