Best 6 Places To Visit In the UK As An International Students
Going to a country that you are not a citizen is a grace that is not sufficient to all. As an international student in the United Kingdom, you would love to visit some places to have fun and also take pictures, so that you can have what to show to your people when you get back home.
That will also be saved as an unforgettable memory for you and also what you have been able to achieve during your stay in the country. There are numerous spectacular places to visit in the United Kingdom. In this article, you will be given detailed information about the best places to visit in the United Kingdom (UK) as an international student.
1. Medieval York and its Minster
One of northern England’s most popular tourist destinations, the medieval city of York, long the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England, boasts one of the country’s most magnificent cathedrals. The country’s largest medieval church, York Minster can trace its roots back to the spread of Christianity in the 3rd century, although the splendid present Gothic structure was built almost 1,000 years later.
Highlights of a tour include the opportunity to view its 14th-century stained-glass windows, plus the richly decorated interiors of the choir and north transept. Also, worth a visit is a crypt, which contains parts of the original 11th-century church the cathedral now stands on.
Other landmarks worth exploring are the ancient City Walls, which stretch almost five kilometers around the old medieval city center and offer excellent views over The Shambles, a narrow 14th-century roadway, famous for its fine old timber-framed buildings, many of which hang over the street below. It’s also an area known for its many restaurants and tearooms, as well as its many boutique shops and galleries.
York also boasts a number of major museums, the most popular being the National Railway Museum. Highlights of this museum’s vast collection include many fine old steam engines dating as far back as 1820, plus a unique collection of Royal Trains.
2. London: The UK’s All-in-One Destination
While it’s possible to plan a trip to the UK without visiting London, it’s certainly not to be advised, as the nation’s sprawling capital boasts plenty of attractions to keep you busy. For those interested in learning more about the UK’s rich history, one of the top things to do in London is to visit the Tower of London.
Located beside the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames, this former palace and prison include highlights such as the iconic 1,000-year-old White Tower, with its fascinating displays of armour and weaponry, and the Jewel House, home to the Crown Jewels.
Fans of Britain’s Royal Family will want to head to Buckingham Palace, London’s Royal home since Queen Victoria’s reign. Here, you can enjoy the colorful pomp of the Changing of the Guard or even take a tour of the Palace’s State Rooms (be sure to book in advance as they’re only open for a few weeks each year).
The city’s Whitehall Road area is another must, where you’ll find Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings, as well as Westminster Abbey, scene of many a royal wedding. Another area to visit in London is South Kensington, home to the city’s best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum, as well as the famous Harrods department store.
3. Wonderful Windsor
The historic town of Windsor, conveniently located a short train ride west of London, offers plenty of fun things to do for tourists. In addition to its lovely Thames-side setting and the many medieval half-timbered buildings along its quaint old cobblestone laneways, it’s also home to spectacular Windsor Castle, the most famous of the UK’s royal castles.
This grand old castle has served as the summer residence of British royalty for more than a millennium (it was started by William the Conqueror in 1078) and is the world’s largest inhabited castle.
Highlights include the splendid State Apartments containing the Queen’s Gallery and dining hall, each with magnificently painted ceilings and woodcarvings, and St. George’s Chapel, famous as the home of the Knights and Ladies of the ancient Order of the Garter.
When you’ve had your fill of these historic buildings, be sure to also spend time exploring the castle’s large and beautiful grounds, which are almost 10 kilometers long. Here you’ll enjoy some truly memorable panoramic views over Windsor and its castle.
Other area attractions worth visiting include Legoland Windsor, a fun family resort set on 150 acres of parkland and just a short bus ride from the town center, and Royal Ascot, the UK’s most famous horse-racing venue (try to time your trip to coincide with the Royal Meeting held each June).
4. Edinburgh: Scotland’s Capital
One of Scotland’s most attractive cities, the capital city of Edinburgh is also one of the UK’s most visited destinations. Popular for its many well-preserved historic buildings, Edinburgh is perhaps best known as the home of the majestic Edinburgh Castle.
Perched high above the old city on a rocky promontory, this 13th-century royal fortress includes highlights such as the famous One O’Clock Salute, held daily at Half Moon Battery; the Scottish Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace; the Scottish National War Memorial; and the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone), only returned to Scotland after being held for 700 years in London.
From the castle, it’s easy to explore the other most important historic sites in the city, most notably the Old Town’s Royal Mile with its fine architecture, boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries, as well as the splendid old Palace of Holyroodhouse. Other Edinburgh highlights include broad Princes Street, popular for its shopping and dining, as well as for the Royal Botanical Garden and the National Gallery of Scotland.
5. Loch Ness and Inverness
Despite the fact that the legends of mythical monsters have largely been debunked (just don’t tell the locals), spectacular Loch Ness remains an extremely popular tourist attraction for travelers heading to Scotland. While it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any monsters, you will, however, be rewarded with seeing some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.
Highlights include the ruins of Urquhart Castle, overlooking the loch, one of Scotland’s largest fortifications (the current structure dates from the 14th century). For those wanting to learn more about the area’s many legends, the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition recounts its history, along with that of its monster, including details of ongoing searches for the elusive creature.
A little farther north is Inverness, which boasts numerous excellent attractions, including Inverness Castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and the late 19th-century St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
History buffs should also check out the Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre. It was in Culloden in 1746 that the English and Scots fought their last battle and where the fate of Scotland as a British dominion was determined. Also of interest are the gravestones of warriors from the Scottish clans, as well as the six-meter-high Memorial Cairn erected in 1881 to commemorate the battle.
6. The University Towns of Cambridge & Oxford
The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of its most famous university towns also ranking highly as tourist destinations. An easy commute north of London-and just 128 kilometers apart-Cambridge and Oxford have for centuries been rivals for the title as the country’s top academic establishment, a rivalry celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race, which takes place each spring on the River Thames.
Despite this generally good-spirited rivalry, each location offers plenty of attractions to make them worthwhile additions to your UK travel itinerary. Highlights of a visit to Cambridge include the chance to wander the UK’s largest collection of preserved historic buildings, many of them located within an easy walk of Cambridge University’s 31 colleges, the oldest of which was founded in 1284.
In addition to touring the stunning college grounds (only a handful of the university’s buildings offer tours), visitors to Cambridge should also take a punt along the River Cam, as well as explore the old town center.
Oxford University’s 38 colleges are equally attractive, each set around a quadrangle and several inner courtyards along with chapels, dining halls, libraries, and student accommodations (some offer unique tourist accommodation packages, too). Oxford highlights include the Carfax Tower, with its fine views over the city center, and the many fine old buildings of the town’s High Street.
Wow! You have seen it yourself that the United Kingdom as all it takes to make you feel comfortable. I know you wouldn’t love to go back soonest because of the spectacular things you have seen and discover about the country. But, you don’t have a choice since you are not a citizen.