Pirates, Romans, remarkable landmarks and even the plague are all part of the UK’s rich history. Then there comes the monarchy, the diverse range of explorers, authors and scientists and before you know it, you are face to face with Stonehenge! In short, the UK is full of some incredibly exciting and one of a kind experiences that you simply can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Stonehenge, UK. UNSPLASH Inja PavlićFrom standing on the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe to donning your thinking cap in an escape room, there is a lot to like on the British Isles. Getting there shouldn’t be an issue, as many European tour packages include the UK as the centerpiece. Here’s our top 7 most unique experience in the UK to get you started on your next adventure:
1. Shakespeare’s Globe
Nothing is more quintessentially British than Shakespeare.
Take yourself to the iconic Globe Theatre in London, and you will find yourself standing slap bang in the middle of where some of the world’s most renowned plays took place over 500 years ago. Not only that, it is believed that Shakespeare wrote several of his plays in the very spot including Hamlet, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Othello and Antony and Cleopatra.
Today you can see some of the country’s top performers taking to the historic playhouse’s stage, and bringing Shakespeare’s works to life not too far away to how the plays would have originally been viewed.
Famed for its 360° auditorium, and no roof over the central yard, you can expect to dress for any weather! Come rain or shine; the show must go on!
2. Bathe like the Romans
Walking through the streets of Bath in itself is like taking a step through time. But it is the Romans that have had the longest-lasting impact on the well-loved city, and for its namesake, it’s no surprise!
For the Romans, the ‘Aquae Sulis’ was a sanctuary of rest and relaxation. Founded around the hot springs, the baths were fit for the goddess Sulis Minerva and are considered to be the largest outside of Rome. Now, you can’t take a dip in these waters, but you can certainly enjoy a sip from the sulphuric source!
3. Get lost in the mystery
Nothing beats a good mystery, and the UK just happens to be the home of some of the most prolific crime and thriller authors ever. From the legendary Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie’s Poirot, we all like to get lost in a good mystery.
Then, there’s the Escape Room – an avenue into a different world, era, and moment in time, where you get to solve puzzles, riddles and clues.
If you want to unlock secrets of the Cold War, thwart a corrupt Police Office in 1970s London or take down a Nazi plot, Basingstoke’s Exciting Escapes is worth checking out.
4. Discover ancient woodland
Deep in the Devon countryside you will find the awe-inspiring landscape of Dartmoor. Not only can you stumble upon archaeological wonders left from the stone age, you can traipse through ancient woodland and sit in the middle of a stone circle. From the Tolkien-esque Wistman’s Woods to black Tor Copse, there is much to discover!
Rich in rare wildlife and home to some of the finest bluebell woods you will only find in Britain, Dartmoor will take your breath away. From ambling through woodland to climbing sheer tors and kayaking down idyllic streams through to rapids, there is a lot to enjoy.
5. Climb Mount Snowdon
Not only is Mount Snowdon the tallest mountain in England and Wales, but you can bizarrely stumble upon a collection of seashells on your trek. Millions of years ago, you would have found what is now one of the UK’s tallest mountains at the bottom of a prehistoric ocean. Not that strange when you consider what happened to the dinosaurs!
Today you can climb to the top of the summit via a variety of paths suitable for the novice walker to the hardcare trekker! With the added bonus of finding a rare fossil, it’s not one to be missed.
6. Castles, battlements and medieval banquets
The UK is full of well preserved castles that would make King Henry VIII roll in his grave. If you want to reconnect with the past, there’s no better way than taking a stroll through history itself.
Edinburgh Castle is one of those special places. Not only is it home to St Margaret’s Chapel which was built in honour of the former queen herself but it is home to 112 parks that are bursting with more trees per head than any other city in Britain. You can also visit The Elephant café where J.K. Rowling penned the legendary tale of the boy wizard himself.
7. Experience Stonehenge
Nothing compares to the unforgettable atmosphere of Stonehenge. Steeped in mystery, wonder and a whole heap of fascinating Neolithic history, you won’t find anywhere else like it in the world!
With its prehistoric origins, Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site that has mesmerised scientists and archaeologists for hundreds of years. From admiring the solstice to getting up close and personal to some of civilization’s earliest finds, there is a lot to discover for yourself too.
So there you have it. From the ancient landscapes to standing on the Bard’s world-renowned stage, there is a lot to discover and experience in the UK that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Where will your next adventure take you?
