60-Second Geography

Great Britain

• Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland, and Wales, each with its own unique cultural identity and traditions. The Channel Islands, the only British territory to be occupied by the Nazis, are also a part of Britain, but not the UK.
• Great Britain’s history dates back to 6500 BC, and throughout the centuries has played a vital role in the development of parliamentary democracy and the advancement of literature and science.
• Including the famous Stonehenge and Avebury Stones, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Neolithic Orkney, Durham Castle and Cathedral, the City of Bath, Canterbury Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall, there are 25 cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Great Britain, each offering a glimpse into a wondrous past.
• Throughout Great Britain, there is great variance in dialects – the cities of Liverpool and Manchester which are just 34 miles apart have very distinct, instantly recognizable accents. In Wales 20% of people speak Welsh, while in Scotland, Gaelic is spoken by 60,000 people.
• Major Themes of Each Country: England is Britain’s largest country, home to some of the most iconic world structures, such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace but also film locations like Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle and Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle. Scotland is everything you imagine—whiskey, golf and picturesque landscapes. Wales is full of visual splendor, from pristine beaches to ancient woodland and has more castles per square mile than any other country in the world.
• See & Do: England—Discover what all England has to offer, from beautiful landscapes and World Heritage sites to quaint village pubs and local delicacies. Visit Canterbury Cathedral in the South East or the Roman, Viking and Medieval city of York in the North. Traverse the quaint fishing ports of Cornwall in the south west or see what inspired Wordsworth for yourself in the Lake District.
• See & Do: Scotland—Scotland is also draped in history and culture. Visit the beautiful Edinburgh Castle or visit the rugged Orkney Islands with its superb Neolithic sights. Sample some of world’s best whiskies at small local distilleries such as Lochnager in the Highlands or join in the celebrations at Hogmanay or Royal Edinburgh Tattoo.
• See & Do: Wales—Wales has a landscape just waiting to be explored. Travel along single track lanes in Snowdonia National Park and travel to the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Listen to the dulcet tones of a Welsh male voice choir and visit the spectacular Conwy and Caernarfon Castles.
• British Cuisine: Besides the variety of activities, landmarks and landscapes you can experience, the delicious regional food and drink found in each of these countries is quite distinct, as well. In the South West of England, a pasty is often preferable to a sandwich and you can visit Rich Stein’s famous Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. In the Cotswolds, attend a session of ‘The Pudding Club’ and sample traditional puds such as jam roly poly and spotted dick. In Scotland, dine on the Royal Yacht Britannia or visit local producers of whiskey and smoked salmon. On the other hand, Wales’ lush pastures and grazing land produce many delicious meats and cheeses. Whatever your palette craves, Great Britain is sure to satisfy your appetite.
• It’s impossible to account for what all Great Britain has to offer; the opportunities are endless. Plan your next trip with Back Roads Touring and find out for yourself what makes these popular destinations so special!

Experience Great Britain with Back Roads Touring!

A ROYAL TASTE OF SCOTLAND WITH CAROLYN ROBB, FORMER ROYAL CHEF: Taste the delights of Scottish cuisine with Carolyn Robb, the former executive chef to TRH Prince Charles and Princess Diana for eleven years. Meet with local producers for an insight into life in the Highlands where the economy depends on their royal visitors, enjoy a private dinner on board the Royal Yacht Britannia and help Carolyn to prepare a special ‘royal’ dinner – a fitting end to this culinary tour.