Country guide

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is 244,376 km² holding 69,281,437 people, and it is four countries rather than one: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast as their capitals. Three of the four run parliaments of their own over devolved matters, and the law splits three ways — England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland. A visitor meets that in small practical things rather than at a border. London alone holds about 9.1 million of the total, which is why so many trips never leave it, and why the ones that do feel like arriving somewhere else.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

London
Photograph · Ilya Grigorik · CC BY-SA 3.0

London 18,188 places
Edinburgh
Photograph · 瑞丽江的河水 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Edinburgh 2,282 places
Glasgow
Photograph · 瑞丽江的河水 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Glasgow 1,929 places
Manchester
Photograph · Daniel Nisbet from Manchester, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Manchester 2,121 places

Practical information

Language spoken: English; Welsh is official in Wales; National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code: +44; International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP); Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number: 999 or 112; Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type: Type G · 230 V; Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water: Safe from the mains; Public water suppliers regulate mains drinking water; use cold mains taps

Planning a visit

January: seasonal closure recorded
February: seasonal closure recorded
March: seasonal closure recorded
April: seasonal closure recorded
May: seasonal closure recorded
June: seasonal closure recorded
July: seasonal closure recorded
August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
September: seasonal closure recorded
October: seasonal closure recorded
November: seasonal closure recorded
December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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Common questions

How long should a first trip to United Kingdom be?

Ten to fourteen days can cover four or five days in London, two in Manchester, and two or three each in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Highlands, Lake District, or Welsh national parks need dedicated nights and should not be squeezed into London day trips.

What entry documents are needed for United Kingdom?

UK document rules depend on nationality and trip purpose, and many visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before boarding. Check the linked UK government visa service for both visa and ETA status shortly before travel.

What is the best way to travel around United Kingdom?

Intercity rail is the practical spine between London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with advance fares usually distinct from flexible tickets. Each city runs its own local fare system, so London's contactless cap is not a nationwide travel pass.

When is a practical time to visit United Kingdom?

May to June and September are useful planning windows for this route, but conditions vary between southern England and Scotland. Festival dates in Edinburgh and rural transport in national parks can matter more than the national seasonal label.

What money and payment basics apply in United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom uses pound sterling (GBP). Contactless payment is widespread in major cities, but keep another payment method for rural services or terminals that do not share London's payment arrangements.

What practical safety details should I save for United Kingdom?

Use 999 or 112 for emergencies in the United Kingdom. Type G sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe; save rail disruption information as well when the itinerary depends on several city-to-city journeys.

🇬🇧United Kingdom

Cities

Practical information

Planning a visit

Top things to see

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Odeon Leicester Square

BFI Southbank

Empire Leicester Square

Olympic Studios

Dominion Cinema

Odeon West End

Electric Cinema, Notting Hill

Ritzy Picturehouse

Chessington World of Adventures

Everyman Muswell Hill

Edinburgh Filmhouse

Glasgow Film Theatre

Phoenix Cinema

Prince Charles Cinema

Rio Cinema

Curzon Mayfair Cinema

David Lean Cinema

Odeon Cinema, Barnet

Odeon Holloway

Odeon Richmond

Regent Street Cinema

Screen On The Green

The Heart of Gaming

ArtHouse Crouch End

Castle Cinema

Everyman Cinema

The Garden Cinema

Ciné Lumière

Grosvenor Cinema

Vue Manchester

Vue Islington

ActOne Cinema

Barbican Cinemas 2 & 3

Cineworld Cinema Feltham

Cineworld Cinema Glasgow Silverburn

Cineworld Cinema & IMAX Enfield

Cineworld Cinema South Ruislip

Cineworld Cinema Wembley

Close-Up Film Centre

Crouch End Picturehouse

Curzon Aldgate

Curzon Richmond

East Dulwich Picturehouse

Electric Cinema Shoreditch

Everyman King's Cross

Hackney Picturehouse

HMVCurzon Cinema

Lexi Cinema

Odeon Braehead

Odeon Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird

Odeon Lee Valley

Odeon Orpington

Odeon Putney

Odeon Uxbridge

Odeon Wimbledon

PeckhamPlex

Science Museum IMAX Cinema

Vue Finchley Road

Vue Leith

Vue Purley Way

Vue Romford

Vue Westfield Stratford City

Whirled Cinema

Cineworld Cinema Glasgow IMAX @ GSC

Clapham Picturehouse

Curzon Bloomsbury

Curzon Soho

Everyman Belsize Park

Everyman Crystal Palace

Genesis Cinema

Greenwich Picturehouse

Odeon North Greenwich

Odeon Panton Street

Odeon South Woodford

United Kingdom