6 places to go this winter in the UK
Skiing and snowboarding in Scotland
The northern part of this wonderful country is famous for its ski resorts – every year tens of thousands of tourists go there to rest and master the active sports. Among the popular destinations are Nevis Range, Glencoe, and Glenshee. The season opens just in January. All resorts are located high in the mountains, so there’s sure to be plenty of snow. You can ski at any level of training: from beginners to professionals. All tourists should recharge their phones – it’ll be hard to resist the temptation of taking panoramic pictures. In Glencoe, for example, many films have been shot, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
York in the footsteps of the Vikings
Ideally located in the center of Great Britain and only two hours from London by train, York is an ideal city to visit at any time of year. Its Gothic cathedral, cobbled streets and ancient city walls make it look very harmonious on chilly winter days. Warming up with mulled wine and a bite to eat in one of the many cozy pubs and restaurants is also a pleasure. A trip to York can be timed to coincide with Europe’s largest Viking Festival, which will be held there on February 12-18.
Follow the Giant’s Causeway to Northern Ireland.
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the icons of Northern Ireland and a truly unique natural phenomenon. Connected basalt hexagonal columns up to 12 meters high occupy a large area of the Atlantic coastline and create a completely unusual landscape that resembles a sidewalk and even a bee honeycomb.
Geologists estimate that the columns are about 60 million years old. As in the case of Stonehenge, the history of the appearance and purpose of this place is shrouded in myths and legends. According to one popular version, the Giant’s Path was built by the Celtic mythological hero Finn MacCumulus. Looking at the mysterious road, going straight into the sea abyss, even a skeptic unwittingly begins to believe in wizards and giants. Since waters of the Atlantic Ocean in Ireland never warm up to tropical temperatures, a trip to the Giant’s Causeway is not necessary until the spring, and can be done now.
To Bath – bathe in thermal springs
The temperature of Roman baths in Bath is always between 35-45 degrees Celsius. The opportunity to take a dip in the warm healing springs in the cold season looks as tempting as ever. There are several spa complexes with indoor and outdoor pools with a beautiful view of the city and its famous St. Peter and Paul’s Abbey. By the way, Bath itself is listed as a World Heritage Site. After a walk through the old streets you can visit the house-museum of Jane Austen. Recall that it is in Bath where the action of her two novels – “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion” takes place.
In Wells, England’s smallest town.
The county of Somerset is home to England’s smallest settlement with city status. The jewel of Wells (not to be confused with Wales, a country in the west of Great Britain) is St. Andrew’s Church. The 1180 monument is the first cathedral built in the English Gothic style, with lancet arches and a high nave. The temple was erected according to a single architectural design in the shape of a Latin cross. In comparison, Salisbury Cathedral was built 30 years later. Most of the buildings in Wells are also old stone houses. This town is gorgeous at any time of year, and winter is no exception.
Shrewsbury in the footsteps of the Tudors
Looking at the town of Shrewsbury gives you an idea of what London might have looked like without the ravages of the Great Fire and World War II. Surrounded by the River Severn, the Shropshire town (and home of Charles Darwin) is mostly made up of Jacobean and Tudor architecture. Shrewsbury also has an authentic medieval castle and elegant riverside parks. All this makes this compact town a great place to spend a winter weekend.
