The UK: London, Scotland and Historic Towns — Where to Go and What to Try

London

London is a city where history and modern life sit side by side. The Tower and Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the observation wheel on the banks of the Thames. Many of the major museums are free, and between walks you can take a break in Hyde Park or at Borough Market.

Scotland: Edinburgh and the Highlands

Edinburgh is a city with a castle on a rock, the medieval Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat, a hill rising above the city. In summer it hosts big arts festivals. Further north begin the Highlands — mountains, lochs such as Loch Ness, and roads lined with ancient castles.

Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds

Oxford is a university city with colleges of golden stone. Bath is famous for its ancient Roman baths and Georgian streets, and the Cotswold hills for villages of honey-coloured stone that look as if they've stepped straight off a postcard.

The Lake District and the coast

In the north-west of England lies the Lake District, with mountains, lakes and walking trails. And in the south there are chalk cliffs above the sea, seaside towns and the coastal paths of Cornwall.

What to try

British food is far more interesting than its reputation suggests.

• Fish and chips — fish in batter with chips.
• A full English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages and beans.
• A Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding at the pub.
• Scones with jam and clotted cream for afternoon tea.
• Scottish haggis and single malt whisky.
• Meat pies and local ale.

Good to know before you go

A few tips will help you feel confident in the UK.

• Entry requirements depend on your citizenship — check them in advance and sort out your documents before you travel.
• The UK has its own currency, the pound sterling, and you can pay by card almost everywhere.
• The power sockets here are a special type — you'll need an adapter.
• Train tickets are usually cheaper if you buy them in advance.
• In pubs you usually order at the bar rather than from a waiter.

Staying connected

In the UK you need the internet from the very first minutes: to open a map, check train times, find the right Underground station, or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.