The Top 5 Reasons Why Britain Is Great

2012 is definitely the year of the Brits. We’ve had parties upon parties, and if you haven’t had a chance to be a part of the big events like that big sports related one, then you should make the time to come visit. Why should you visit now that all the events are over, I hear you ask. I can tell you why, in fact I have five reasons why Britain is great, hence the name Great Britain.

5. The History

The amount of historical sites, stories and interest is immense in Britain, and as such the sites and attractions related to this history is equally large. Hampton Court is the oldest Tudor palace with 500 years of royal history, focusing on Henry VIII and his sixth wives, one of whom is alleged to be haunting Hampton Court to this day.

Catherine Howard, who Henry VIII had executed for treason after she committed adultery in 1542, is reputed to be one of Hampton Court’s three main ghosts. There’s also Dame Sybil Penn, who nursed Elizabeth I back to health when she was suffering from Small Pox, and who then succumbed to the illness herself, and Skeletor, a ghostly figure caught on camera in 2003. Speculations of this sighting are still being debated, and it created a global phenomenon.

4. The Castles

Hampton court is technically a palace, so it doesn’t count towards this point, but also linked to Britain’s history are its many castles. I’m sure you’ve heard of some of them, such as Edinburgh Castle, York Castle, Warwick Castle, Trim Castle, Dover Castle, Conwy Castle, even the Tower Of London is officially a castle. If you haven’t heard of all of these, then I think it’s high time you arranged a castle road trip!

3. The Countryside And The Cities

The English countryside is a sight to behold, which is why the Brits are so proud of it. Rolling hills, dales, moorland, blossoming meadows, we’ve got it all, and in close proximity to each other. To get a true feel for the English countryside, consider hopping on a train and travelling through it all.  In between the countryside, there are also some great cities, such as Liverpool, London, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Oxford. All of which are thriving cities with historical and contemporary architecture and sights combined into one great city. Shopping for souvenirs won’t be a problem.

2. The People

The Brits are renowned for their sense of humour, so come along and join in the fun. You’ll meet friendly and welcoming people, and you are bound to make some friends for life.

1. Not A Dull Moment

In Great Britain, there’s never a dull moment. Between the castles, countryside, cities and people, don’t forget to take a look at attractions such as the Harry Potter Studio Tours, Madame Tussauds, London’s theatre scene, York and London dungeons, Alton Towers, and much more. You’ll need a vacation after this vacation, I’m sure.

So, there you have it, the top five reasons why you should visit Great Britain.

Not enough reasons, you say? Well, to find out more take a look at the Visit Britain Shop for great offers on attractions and travel, as well as some inspiration on what to do and where to go.

This article was written by Sarah Oxley on behalf of Visit Britain Shop. Sarah is a born and bred Brit from the up north area of Yorkshire, who is a bit of a history nerd.

Photo 1+2+3: wikipedia, Photo 4: canada, Photo 5: colintrex