Resorts in the United Kingdom

Tourism plays a significant part in the economic life of England.

Many English people travel abroad, which takes money out of the country. However, many other people come to England as tourists, and this is economically beneficial. There is significant economic benefit from American tourists, as well as other tourists from European countries.

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London

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. London is also the most populous city in the European Union.

Oxford: now a busy commercial town, which also has a famous university.
Cambridge: a famous university town.
Bristol: Brunel's Clifton suspension bridge is a famous landmark, and the ship, the SS Great Britain is another of Brunel's famous constructions, which is now in dry dock in Bristol.

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Bath

A spa, famous for its Regency architecture and crescents, and also for its Roman baths.
Salisbury: Salisbury cathedral is well known, and has the tallest spire in the country. Nearby is the pre-historic site of Stonehenge, which is administered by English Heritage.
Portsmouth: Portsmouth is a naval dockyard, and has some famous ships on display, including the Mary Rose, and HMS Victory.
Brighton: Brighton is a seaside resort, with piers, and has also the Brighton Pavilion.
Haworth, where the Bronte Sisters lived, is very popular with Japanese tourists, as Wuthering Heights has a cult following in Japan.
York: Famous for York Minster.
Canterbury: Famous for its cathedral.

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Dover

Dover is also famous for its white cliffs, which are made of chalk. The cliffs gave Britain its nickname of Albion, meaning "white". The town's name derives from the Brythonic Dubras ("the waters").

Its closeness to continental Europe – it is only 34 kilometres (21 miles) from the French port of Calais – makes Dover one of the United Kingdom's busiest cross-Channel ports, with 18 million passengers passing through each year. Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais and Dunkerque

A major port with access to the continent. Also well known for its white cliffs, and to a lesser extent for its castle.
Other places in England are also of historical interest, but may not feature so significantly for foreign tourists. Many foreign tourists also visit Scotland and Wales – see tourism in Scotland and tourism in Wales.

Liverpool: A major port, with two cathedrals, an orchestra and art galleries.
Manchester: A major city, with an orchestra and art galleries, and many Victorian buildings. Also well known for the Manchester Ship Canal.
Birmingham: A major city, with an orchestra, major exhibition venues (NEC, ICC) and art galleries. Of historical interest for its significant role in the industrial revolution. Also the childhood home and inspiration of Tolkien
Ironbridge: The cradle of the industrial revolution.
Hadrian's Wall: The Roman wall built by order of the Emperor Hadrian.
Hereford: A cathedral city, famous for the chained library in the cathedral, and the Mappa Mundi.

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Scotland

Edinburgh

is the capital city, and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The Old and New Towns of the city constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edinburgh is the largest tourist destination in Scotland, and the second largest in the United Kingdom after London. The cities' major tourist attractions include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth and the Royal Mile. It has several universities including the well established the University of Edinburgh founded in 1583.

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Glasgow

is the largest city in the country, and the second largest tourist destination in Scotland after Edinburgh. It's attractions include the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Kelvingrove Museum. In addition to this many tourists come to Glasgow for its renowned Victorian and Gothic Architecture as well as its shopping. The city has several well-established universities.

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Stirling

is a historic town in Central Scotland, some 30 miles to the north-west of Edinburgh and is generally known as the "Gateway to the Highlands", due to its geographical position between upland and lowland Scotland. Amongst its attractions are castle and the National Wallace Monument, as well as a newly established university.

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Aberdeen

has a well established university.

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St. Andrews

is a small, but busy town in North-East Fife. The town's economy is centred around the Golf industry, with St Andrews being regarded as the home of the modern game. The well established University of St Andrews (the oldest in Scotland has colleges located throughout the town.

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Dundee

The city is surrounded by the Sidlaw Hills to the north, which are popular with hillwalkers. Due to its location, Dundee is in close proximity to some of the Scotland's most spectacular scenery including Perth (20 miles) and the southern Highlands towards the west, St Andrews (14 miles) and north-east Fife heading south and Angus lying north and east of the city, including the beautiful Angus Glens. Two of the world's most popular links golf courses, St Andrews and Carnoustie, are located close to the city. Glamis Castle is located 12 miles north of Dundee.

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Perth

The Royal Burgh of Perth (Peairt in Scottish Gaelic) is a large burgh in central Scotland. Sitting on the banks of the River Tay

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Inverness

This city is the administrative centre for the Highlands.