One of the best things about studying in the UK is seizing the chance to explore the rich history and culture of the British Isles. The United Kingdom is a fairly small place, which means that you can get around easily. Here are some great places we recommend visiting to get the most out of your time as an international student in the UK.
1. London
A visit to the UK wouldn’t be complete without seeing its legendary capital city. London City is bursting with life and activity, and it is literally impossible to pack everything into one visit.
One absolutely must-see place to check off the list is Buckingham Palace with its world-famous balcony, where the Queen appears on official occasions. If the flag is up that means she is in residence so you might even get a wave from the window!
You can meet the Queen’s guard, the famous Beefeaters, as they lead you through a tour of the Tower of London.
To get incredible panoramic views of the city check out the Sky Garden – a great place to take pictures of the city at sunset! As an alternative, take a ride on the London Eye to catch a new perspective of the city.
2. Manchester
It’s not grim up north! Not only is Manchester a great city to study in, with its internationally renowned university, but it’s also famed for its northern spirit.
Historically the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, these days it’s more known for its vanguard music scene and giant football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City. With such a buzz about the place, it’s no wonder the city’s symbol is a bee.
3. Northern Ireland
Ireland is a truly beautiful country bursting with history and culture. A visit should be on everyone’s bucket list.
The North of Ireland is home to breathtaking natural beauty spots like Giant’s Causeway, a perfect place to enjoy stunning views across the coast and take a selfie for your Instagram feed.
Close by you’ll find Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, a hair-raising rickety bridge that transports you between the coastal rocks amid the raging Irish Sea (not for the faint hearted!)
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan make sure you check out some of the locations where scenes were filmed. There are some walking tours that can show you where each scene was recorded.
Ireland is famed for its traditional folk music, so a trip to a local pub to see live bands playing is a great way to get an authentic taste of the Emerald Isle.
4. Wales
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Wales, a land overflowing with natural beauty and lively student cities like Cardiff. Cardiff is known as the ‘castle capital’ of the UK and you can see why. You can watch medieval knights jousting at the majestic Cardiff Castle or be inspired by the fairy-tale Castell Coch.
Catch a game of Wales’ national sport rugby at the Cardiff Principality Stadium or enjoy Victorian shopping arcades bustling with independent shops and cafes.
Snowdonia National Park is well worth a visit, and if you’re into hiking you must see the views from the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales.
Anglesey should also be on the list of places to see, with its animal sanctuaries and nature reserves.
5. Edinburgh
Fans of history and culture will love Edinburgh. This picturesque Scottish city is dominated by the beautiful Edinburgh Castle, with the Royal Mile at its foot (so-called because it was the traditional processional route for kings and queens in the past!)
Throughout the year Edinburgh also hosts a plethora of arts festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe and Edinburgh Tattoo, a spectacular military parade with live bagpipe music.
Edinburgh is also internationally famous for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, known locally as Hogmanay.
You can now choose from some of the best student flats in Edinburgh. Check out the amazing Silk Mill or Huxley Studios provided by Novel Student accommodation. What better way to make the most of Edinburgh’s numerous festivals dotted throughout the year than by having a base there? Get in touch today.