England, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, the British Isles…whatever you call it, making the decision to visit is always the right call.
It can be confusing when it comes to differentiating all the different terms for a place that many people simply call ‘England’. But there are nuances that are important here, especially when it comes to where you choose to visit (and more importantly to Brits, where they are from!).
England is actually a country that forms part of Great Britain, the island that also includes Scotland to the north and Wales to the South. But Great Britain also includes Northern Ireland (on its own island to make things even more confusing). The term United Kingdom is pretty much synonymous with Great Britain and includes them all. And when speaking about the British Isles, this generally refers to the outlying islands such as the Isle of Wight. Whew.
Not surprisingly, visiting all the countries and places that make up Great Britain is about as varied as you can imagine, geographically, historically, and of course linguistically. The capital cities alone can keep a visitor entertained and engaged for weeks, nevermind the beautiful countrysides and coasts.
Regardless of whether you choose to explore the urban or rural aspects of the UK, one thing is certain: Great Britain’s impact on global culture, history, science, industry and exploration is profound. So whether you come here to enjoy an afternoon tea, take in a theatrical performance, or explore historic castles and palaces, plan on returning. Because one visit is nowhere close to enough to take in everything that makes Great Britain, well, so great.
READ MORE ARTICLES ON GREAT BRITAIN BELOW:
Queen Mary’s Dollhouse: Living Large in Miniature
It may only take up about 25 square feet, but Queen Mary’s Dollhouse at Windsor Castle is more than just a priceless example of miniature real estate. It’s also a showcase for British craftsmanship from the early 1920s and its contents and the details that went into each tiny item are mind-boggling.
King Henry VIII Palaces: What to See at Hampton Court Palace
Over the course of his lifetime and 38-year reign as King of England, Henry VIII owned a staggering 55 palaces scattered around his kingdom. And some of these, like Hampton Court Palace about an hour from London, became a favourite for entertaining and hosting visitors, as well as for collecting and displaying art. Here’s what to see at Hampton Court Palace, perhaps the most magnificent of Henry VII’s palaces.
Where to Find the Most Beautiful Villages in the Cotswolds, UK
Let’s just start off by saying that anything deemed to be ‘the most beautiful’ is clearly subjective, as we all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you are visiting the Cotswolds in England for the first time, you will definitely want to explore some of the characteristic communities that are part of what is designated as a ‘National Landscape’, (formerly described as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”) by the government itself. Having done a fair bit of research before visiting this area, Henk and I visited places that we agreed were three of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, plus a couple of Honourable Mentions, and one specific village that is best avoided (at least in high season).
