Exchange England Travel
Do you want to go on an exchange program in England? This information is for you. The United Kingdom is more than a place full of red double-decker buses where you can learn English; it’s a country with a vast history, told by hundreds of monuments and other historical sites. In this article, we will tell you about the five things you must do in the United Kingdom.
1. Visit Big Ben
Visiting London and not seeing Big Ben is like going to New York and not seeing the Statue of Liberty. Broadly speaking, Big Ben refers to the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, which houses one of the largest mechanical clocks in the world; strictly speaking, the name refers to the main bell of the clock, which weighs nearly 14 tons. The construction of this tower began in October 1834, and one of the reasons for its fame is its reliability, as it has rarely stopped working, even during the bombings of London in World War II.
2. Visit Stonehenge
Stonehenge at night
Stonehenge is a compound word from “stone” and “henge,” meaning “stone” and “monument with a circular edge” respectively. It is the most famous megalith in the world, built in 3100 BC, and lies about 130 kilometers from London, on the Salisbury Plain. To this day, it is still unknown who, how, and why this monument was built, especially considering the technology of the time. What is known is that Stonehenge is aligned in such a way that it marks the sunrise and sunset on the summer and winter solstices. If you go on an exchange in England, you definitely have to visit this magical place.
3. Take the “Harry Potter London Tour”
Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not, you will enjoy this tour designed for both “wizards” and “muggles.” Indeed, those who have seen the movies will be able to visit, among other places, the Ministry of Magic, the building that appears at the beginning of “The Half-Blood Prince,” The Leaky Cauldron, and the same route taken by the Death Eaters when they go to kidnap Ollivander in this Harry Potter installment. And those who have no idea about the above will also have a great time, as they will get to see interesting London sites like the Sherlock Holmes Pub, Whitehall, City Hall and London Bridge, the Palace Theatre, and St Martin-in-the-Fields Church.
4. Stroll through The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
England is not the only country in the United Kingdom with beautiful places to visit. At the northern tip of the island of Ireland, in County Antrim, lies The Giant’s Causeway, a landscape characterized by thousands of basalt columns formed by the cooling of lava. The name of this place comes from a legend in which the giants Finn and Staffa threw stones at each other from Ireland and Scotland, respectively, until a pathway was formed across Staffa. However, Finn’s wife disguised him as a baby, making Staffa think that, judging by the size of the child, Finn must be a titan. This frightened Staffa, who fled in terror, stepping on the rocks and leaving them sunken as they are today.
5. Make a Stop at Conwy Castle
Finally, in Wales is Conwy Castle which, like Stonehenge and The Giant’s Causeway, has been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This castle was built in 1283 by Edward I, and it is worth noting that, at the time, no one had invested so much money in the construction of a castle. However, that investment literally stands the test of time, as it is one of the most well-preserved castles that exist today.
These are just a few of the many things you can do in your free time if you go on an exchange program in England. If you need more information, please contact us.
