Places of Interest
This final section of Chapter 4 covers the UK's national parks, the charities that preserve them, and some of the country's most famous landmarks.
National Parks and Countryside
The UK has an extensive network of public footpaths, with plenty of opportunity for mountain biking, mountaineering and hill walking. There are 15 national parks across England, Wales and Scotland — protected countryside open to everyone, where people also live, work and manage the land. The UK also has many museums, from small community collections to major national institutions, and countless landmarks in towns, cities and the countryside, most open to the public (usually for a charge).
Famous UK Landmarks
Big Ben
The nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Houses of Parliament, London (often used for the clock itself). The tower is over 150 years old and was renamed "Elizabeth Tower" for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The Eden Project
Located in Cornwall, its giant greenhouse "biomes" house plants from around the world; it's also a charity running environmental and social projects internationally.
Edinburgh Castle
A dominant feature of the Edinburgh skyline, dating back to the early Middle Ages, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
The Giant's Causeway
On the north-east coast of Northern Ireland — volcanic lava columns formed roughly 50 million years ago, surrounded by local legend.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Covers 720 square miles in the west of Scotland; Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in mainland Britain.
London Eye
A 443-foot (135m) Ferris wheel on the south bank of the Thames, built for the millennium celebrations and now a fixture of New Year's Eve.
Snowdonia
A national park in North Wales covering 823 square miles, home to Snowdon — the highest mountain in Wales.
The Tower of London
Built by William the Conqueror after 1066; the Crown Jewels are kept there, and tours are led by the Yeoman Warders ("Beefeaters").
The Lake District
England's largest national park (912 square miles), famous for its lakes and mountains. Windermere is its largest lake; Wastwater was voted Britain's favourite view in 2007.
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- The UK's national parks and who looks after them
- What the National Trust does
- Some of the famous places of interest to visit in the UK