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UK Explorers

United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain, which contains England, Wales, and Scotland - as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. Other major cities include Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester in England, Belfast, and Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, and Swansea and Cardiff in Wales.

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Flags of the United Kingdom

The national flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Jack.  The design of the Union Jack dates back to the Act of Union 1801 which united the Kingdom of Great Britain. The flag consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the Cross of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of  Scotland).  Wales is not represented in the Union Flag by Wales's patron saint, Saint David, because the flag was designed while Wales was part of the Kingdom of England.

Flag_of_England.svg

England

The St George's Cross

Scotand

The St Andrew's Cross

Wales

Cymru or Y Ddraig Goch, meaning 'The Red Dragon'.

Northern Ireland

St Patrick's Cross (however, there are a number of other flags for Northern Ireland).

England

  • England is the largest country in the United Kingdom (UK).  England is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the West.
  • England's bustling capital, London, was recently voted the second-most-visited city in the world with 20 million international visitors.
  • For a small country, England has a big population – in 2016 it was estimated to be about 55 million!
  • There are 51 cities (including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield) and 935 towns in England. 
  • There are lots of different landscapes in England, including forests and moorland. England also has a very long coastline – nowhere in the country is more than 75 miles from the sea!
  • The River Thames flows through London and is the longest river in England at 346 kilometres long.
  • In the 21st century England still has a monarch who reigns over the country but does not rule and govern it. This is called a constitutional monarchy.
  • You will find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House in the Tower of London. They are still worn by the Queen today for important ceremonies.
  • Traditional English food includes Sunday roasts (beef, lamb, pork or chicken), fish and chips, a full-English breakfast (sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, tea and toast), Yorkshire pudding and pies! Different parts of England have their own traditional cakes and biscuits but Victoria sponge is enjoyed everywhere.  It is named after Queen Victoria. A cream tea is a pot of tea and some scones, served with cream and jam. Devon and Cornwall are particularly famous for their cream teas.

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Famous English Landmarks

The London Eye

The London Eye was a controversial addition to the English capital's skyline when it first opened on the South Bank in 1999, but today the city is unimaginable without this giant Ferris wheel twirling above the Thames. It has 32 capsules representing the city’s boroughs that can each hold up to 25 people as it loops around, offering up incredible 360° views of London's sprawl. The structure is now world-famous as the backdrop for the capital’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Tower Bridge

The bridge stretches from the Tower of London to Shad Thames on the South Bank have made it one of London’s most recognisable structures. Built in the late 1800s, it's open to both cars and pedestrians. Within the Victorian engine rooms, there’s a museum exploring the history of the bridge.

Big Ben

Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the  most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet.  Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells first struck across Westminster in London.

The Tower of London

This ancient stronghold is steeped in tales of death, torture and bloodthirsty intent, the Tower of London is where two princes disappeared under the reign of Richard III and Anne of Boleyn met her end. Highlights from the foreboding fortress include the Bloody Tower, Traitor’s Gate where Tudor prisoners were brought by barge and it is where the Crown Jewels are kept.

Buckingham Palace

From watching the changing of the guard to catching a glimpse of the royals on the balcony at state occasions, the Queen’s Head Quarters is usually a top tourist spot.  

The White Cliffs of Dover

The startlingly white chalk cliffs on the Kent coast are one of Britain’s most distinctive natural features. Known as the gateway to Britain, they were the first sight of home for troops returning across the English Channel from the World Wars.

Stonehenge

The most famous prehistoric monument in Europe, it was erected in the late Neolithic period, around 2500 BC, and is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Avebury, Wiltshire.

The Eden Project

A vast tropical garden built in an old Cornish clay pit, the Eden Project’s striking geodesic domes have become a world-famous attraction in south Cornwall. Conceived and designed by Sir Tim Smit, the groundbreaking complex first opened in 2001. The biomes are filled with thousands of different species of plants and trees 

Windsor Castle

Windsor, Berkshire

The Queen’s typical weekend retreat in the home counties. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s, high above the River Thames, it is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle.   Inside, the State Apartments with their gold-trimmed walls and spectacular artwork are some of the most lavish rooms in the castle. Its famous St George's Chapel has hosted 17 royal weddings, including most recently Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, both in 2018. 

The Angel of the North

Gateshead, North East England

Antony Gormley’s colossal steel sculpture is a modern masterpiece. Looming over the A1 road on the mound of an abandoned coal mine in Gateshead since 1998, the extraordinary and once controversial piece of public art has become a cherished landmark in England’s northeast. Its wingspan is nearly as wide as a Boeing 747 at 177-feet (54m) across and it stands 66-feet (20m) tall.

York Minster

This grand Gothic structure is northern Europe’s largest medieval cathedral. York Minster is especially renowned for its remarkable windows, including the vast Great East Window which dates back to 1405 and is the world's largest example of medieval stained glass. A whopping 275 stone steps takes visitors to the top of the Minster’s mighty tower, offering a remarkable perspective on this picturesque Yorkshire city. 

 

Lake Windemere

The Lake District

The rugged Lake District National Park in northwest England is dotted with dramatic beauty spots from craggy mountains and deep forests to shimmering lakes, but Lake Windermere is one of the most famous. At 10.5-miles (17km) long, Windermere is England’s largest natural lake and has inspired numerous poets and authors, including local William Wordsworth and Arthur Ransome who wrote Swallows and Amazons.

Transport, travel and landmarks of London  - William Whiskerson

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Scotland

Famous for kilts, bagpipes, haggis and outstanding natural beauty, Scotland is a country that boasts much culture and tradition.  Scotland has an amazing coastline as well as many lakes, mountains and an abundance of islands off its mainland – over 790 to be precise! It is also home to the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and a capital city, Edinburgh, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

Scotand can be roughly divided into three areas – lowlands, Highlands and islands. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the islands for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views.

With so many habitats, there’s plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. You’ll find river dwellers such as  otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests.

Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as puffins.

Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks – the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there.

Official name: Scotland, Alba

Form of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital city: Edinburgh

Largest city: Glasgow

Population: around 5.2 million

Monetary unit: Pound sterling (GBP)

Official languages: English/Gaelic/Scots

Area: 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi)

Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands

Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde

Ben Nevis is Scotland’s highest mountain, standing at a height of 1344 metres (4409 feet). It is also the highest mountain in Great Britain. Every year around 400,000 people visit the mountain and 100,000 of them climb to the top!

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Hadrian's Wall

Erected in AD 122 to guard the northern frontier of the Roman Empire under the orders of Emperor Hadrian, this mighty stone wall stretched 73 miles (129km) from coast-to-coast in the north of England. It took at least six years to complete. Now a UNESCO-listed site, it’s the country’s most spectacular and important Roman monument. It’s not just a wall though – various forts, milecastles, barracks and ramparts with museums can be found along it.

Edinburgh Castle

Standing high above the historic city of Edinburgh on the volcanic plug known as Castle Rock, this mighty fortress is one of Scotland’s most-visited attractions.

Ben Nevis

The loftiest peak in all of the British Isles, towering a staggering 4,411 feet (1,345m).  Once an active volcano that exploded and collapsed into itself millions of years ago, Ben Nevis is set in the northwest Highlands, near the town of Fort William. The landscape here is incredibly dramatic with numerous walking trails up or around the huge mountain that lead past picturesque lochs and glacial valleys.

Loch Ness

The lure of the legend of the Loch Ness monster has drawn tourists from around the world for decades to this scenic loch, hoping to catch a glimpse of it. Holding more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined, it is Scotland’s second-largest and deepest loch at around 700 feet (213m). 

Fingal's Cave

Situated just off the coast of the Scottish island of Staffa, Fingal’s Cave is a memorable sight. Dating back millions of years, the geological wonder was formed by lava flow.  At 72 feet tall and 270 feet deep, what makes this sea cave so visually astoundingly is the hexagonal columns of basalt, shaped in neat six-sided pillars that make up its interior walls. These fractured columns form a crude walkway just above the water level so that visitors can go far inside and explore the cave. 

The Forth Bridge

One of three magnificent bridges that cross the Firth of Forth, this russet-hued cantilever railway crossing is one of Scotland’s most beloved landmarks. It was built by Sir John Fowler, Benjamin Baker and over 4,500 men to link Queensferry and North Queensferry in the late 19th century. The immense steel structure became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, which recognised it as an "extraordinary and impressive milestone in bridge design and construction".

Scott Monument

Created to commemorate the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, this soaring and intricate Victorian Gothic monument on Princes Street is one of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks. Its narrow spiral steps lead to four separate viewing platforms offering breathtaking panoramas of the city. A marble statue of Sir Walter and his beloved hound Maida sits at the base.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 and quickly became one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. Within its distinctly Spanish Baroque building, there are 22 galleries housing one of the finest art collections in Europe. Highlights of the museum’s permanent collection include Salvador Dalí’s Christ of St John of the Cross, alongside works by Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt

Visiting the Caledonian Forest - William Whiskerson

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Wales

Cymru, the Welsh name for the country, is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north, St George’s Channel to the west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It is a country famous for its hills and mountains with Mount Snowdon being the highest and most well-known peak.  Wales has its own language and its capital city is Cardiff. 

Wales covers an area of 20,742 square kilometres.

Wales has a population of just over 3 million people.

The Welsh language (Cymraeg) is the oldest language in Britain; it could be up to 4,000 years old.

The longest and fastest zip wire rides in Europe are in Bethesda, North Wales.

The Welsh national game is rugby.

Wales is well known for its hills and mountains, with the highest mountains found in the northwest of the country. Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest mountain in Wales and England, 1085 metres (3560 feet) high.

The Clwyd, Conwy, Taff and Usk are some of the rivers found in Wales.

The climate of Wales is mild and damp and the more mountainous regions have a high rainfall.

The Welsh are descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, known as Celts.

People like to sing in Wales! There is a strong tradition of choral singing in the country and many famous singers like Tom Jones and Charlotte Church were born there.

The special festivals of Wales, known as eisteddfodau (pronounced eye-steth-vod-eye) celebrate Welsh literature and music.

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Cardiff Castle

Snowdon

The towering mass of Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, in Snowdonia National Park is a majestic sight. Towering over 3,560 feet (1,085m), it is the highest mountain in Wales and according to a Celtic legend it is also the tomb of the giant Rhitta Gawr. A popular peak for climbing, there are six different trails to its rocky summit as well as a scenic mountain train which has been running since 1896.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd, is often cited as one of Wales’ most impressive and has UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Built under the orders of Edward I in the 1200s, the mighty medieval fortress perches at the end of the Menai Strait and is particularly renowned for its hefty walls and unusual polygonal towers. 

Henrhyd Falls

Nestled on the western border of Brecon Beacon National Park, plunging around 90 feet (27m), Henrhyd Falls is the highest waterfall in South Wales. Cascading into a wooded gorge and bordered by pretty woodland, the falls are one of the park’s most picturesque attractions. Known for its secluded setting, Henrhyd Falls has doubled as the famous Bat Cave in Christopher Nolan’s film The Dark Knight Rises.

The Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons is a national park in Mid Wales.  Pen y Fan and Corn Du are the two highest peaks of the central Brecon Beacons. They dominate the landscape for miles around, and make up one of the most recognisable skylines in the UK.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Dubbed “the stream in the sky”, the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct towers over the River Dee in Wales. Designed by engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop in the late 18th century, it took a staggering 10 years to build and is considered a pioneering masterpiece of the Industrial Revolution. Today, the stone and iron arched bridge and 11 miles of picturesque canal are a UNESCO-listed attraction, mostly used by narrowboats but can also be crossed on foot.

St David's Cathedral

Considered one of the most breathtaking places of worship in Wales, St Davids Cathedral can be found in its namesake city, in Pembrokeshire. Built on the site where St David founded a monastery around AD 600, the present-day purple-stoned cathedral dates back to the 12th century. With its incredible chapels, medieval artwork and breathtaking architecture, the cathedral is a shining beacon of the tiny city.

The Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes

Approximately 5km long, Newton Beach is home to the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, great for exploring wildlife – and racing down and jumping off for the thrill chasers amongst you! What’s more, these dunes claim fame to the second highest sand dune in Europe, known locally as the ‘big dipper’!

Northern Ireland

  • Northern Ireland is the smallest country in the United Kingdom. It makes up part of the UK along with England, Scotland and Wales, but is situated on an island in Western Europe called Ireland.
  • Northern Ireland takes up one-sixth of Ireland, while the rest of Ireland is an independent nation, the Republic of Ireland.
  • Despite its small geographical size, Northern Ireland is a country of culture, producing famous writers like Seamus Heaney and C.S. Lewis as well as noted actors like Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and Kenneth Branagh.
  • Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but it makes its own laws. The Parliament buildings of the Northern Irish government, in Belfast, are called Stormont.
  • After Scotland, Northern Ireland is the second most sparsely populated country in the UK.
  • In 1921 the island of Ireland was divided into two parts. Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom and the rest became known as the Republic of Ireland.
  • Sometimes Northern Ireland is called Ulster, the ancient name of that part of Ireland.
  • Northern Ireland is divided into six counties: Antrim, Armagh, Derry (Londonderry), Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Down.
  • Lough Neagh is a huge lake in Northern Ireland – in fact it's the biggest lake in the British Isles and every county except Fermanagh touches the shores of the lake!
  • The Giant's Causeway is a famous rocky area of the coast in County Antrim. It's made up of thousands of hexagonal blocks of rock, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.
  • Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. The land that Belfast occupies has been occupied since the Bronze Age!
  • The population of Northern Ireland is about 1.8 million.
  • Northern Ireland is clearly home to the young! Almost 46% of the total population of Northern Ireland are under 30 years old.
  • As in the rest of Ireland, there are no snakes or toads in the country!

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The Giant's Causeway

UNESCO declared it as a world Heritage site in 1986. Since then, many people from all over the world have come to Northern Ireland to learn more about this fascinating natural wonder. The Giant Causeway has about 40,000 interlocking columns made from basalt. The columns have a unique hexagonal shape.

Stormont

Parliament Buildings, often referred to as Stormont because of its location in the Stormont Estate area of Belfast, is the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Sperrin mountains

The Sperrins or Sperrin Mountains (from the Irish Speirín 'little pinnacle') are a range of mountains in Northern Ireland and one of the largest upland areas in Northern Ireland.  The region has a population of some 150,000 and is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural beauty.

The Titanic Museum

The world-famous ship the Titanic was built and launched from Belfast Harbour. At the time it launched, it was the largest man-made moving object on Earth! The Titanic was built by the Belfast shipyard Harland & Wolff in 1911. The RMS Titanic sadly sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15 1912, on her very first voyage.