23 Awesome Photos of the United Kingdom

This is a post in my new “Awesome Photos” series. Also check out 22 Awesome Photos of Italy!

I've got a confession to make, guys:

I'm kinda, sorta, maybe just a little bit obsessed with the UK. British accents and Scottish brogues. Old buildings. Fish and chips. Shakespeare and Tolkien and Lewis. Dry humor. The Beatles. Red double-decker buses and phone boxes. Sherlock Holmes. Kilts and bagpipes. And Harry Potter (because we definitely cannot forget Harry Potter).

Yes, there's just something about the United Kingdom that has always been fascinating to me. (And, for those curious, the UK includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.)

Since I started traveling a lot in Europe 2 years ago, I've easily spent the most time in the United Kingdom. Which is saying something, considering it's roughly the size of the state of Oregon.

Below are some of my favorite (and what I deem to be most awesome) photos I've taken throughout the UK:

Stonehenge

Is it possible to visit England without stopping at the mysterious circle of standing stones known as Stonehenge? (The answer, for most people, is no.) It's not really worth a trip of its own in my opinion, but if you're already in the area, it makes for a nice photo.

Victoria Street in Edinburgh

Both the Old Town and New Town of Edinburgh are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. This photo was taken on my favorite street in the Old Town: curving Victoria Street.

London icons

Big Ben and a red phone box — it doesn't really get much more quintessentially “London” than this (unless you also get a double-decker bus in the shot).

The Isle of Skye

The Scottish Highlands are just as brooding and beautiful as you've heard. My favorite part of Scotland, scenery-wise, has to be the Isle of Skye, pictured here.

Bath

The ancient Roman baths in the city of Bath are well worth a visit for the architecture alone (just don't fall in… water that green can't be healthy!).

Changing of the guard

Even though the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is the most well-known in the Queen's realm, this photo was actually taken at Windsor Castle — one of the many royal residences in the UK.

Liverpool

The Beatles fan in me couldn't go to England and NOT visit Liverpool. And you know what? It's a much cooler city than it usually gets credit for.

Scottish Highlands

A typical scene in the Highlands: cloudy skies, green mountains, and some wildflowers (including a purple Scottish thistle!). The landscapes are just one of the many things to love about Scotland.

Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is a series of weirdly-shaped rocks that kind of resemble hexagonally-shaped steps. It's a work made 100% by Mother Nature and is definitely one of the coolest places I've visited in the UK.

The London Eye

I've actually never been on the London Eye — but that doesn't stop me from taking photos of it every time I'm walking along the Thames in London.

Inside St. Giles

Named after the patron saint of Edinburgh, St. Giles Cathedral is unmissable as you walk the Royal Mile. It's worth going inside, too — this is what the ceiling looks like!

Oxford

Oxford and its colleges have served as inspiration for many of my favorite fantasy writers — Tolkien, Rowling, Pullman… And I think this photo perfectly captures the kind of magical atmosphere that you can find there.

Hogmanay

My most memorable New Year's Eve EVER happened in Edinburgh, Scotland — and here's the midnight moment, with fireworks exploding above Edinburgh Castle.

London row houses

These East End homes drew my eye — the symmetry makes for a really striking photo.

South Bank busker

My absolute favorite part of London has to be the South Bank of the Thames. On a sunny summer day (yes, I promise they DO happen!), the South Bank comes alive with locals and tourists and buskers — it's a great place to people-watch.

Chester

Located close to the English border with Wales, the city of Chester is well worth a visit. The city's Roman past is still evident here, and I LOVE the buildings downtown.

Calton Hill

Many people who visit Edinburgh hike up to Arthur's Seat to get great views out over the city. But you know what? You can also get some pretty awesome views from Calton Hill.

Tower Bridge

Many people think this iconic bridge in London is the London Bridge. But it's not! It's actually the Tower Bridge.

Tea and scones

I spied this bike advert in Oxford and fell in love with it. It's not necessarily a fantastic photo, but I think it captures the essence of Oxford quite well.

The Quiraing on the Isle of Skye

I know I've already shared one photo with you from the Isle of Skye, but I think this spot (known as the Quiraing) is definitely deserving of two photos.

Edinburgh Castle

While I'm still of the opinion that Edinburgh Castle is way too expensive to visit, there's no denying that it makes for a pretty sweet photo at night.

Camden Lock

Camden Town is always a favorite stop of mine when I'm in London. The market and funky shops are always fun for a browse. But did you know that Camden is also located along one of London's many lock-filled waterways?

Parliament

Lastly, I'll leave you with another iconic photo subject — Parliament in London. This is a slightly different vantage point, though; can you see the London Eye in the background?

 

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Which photo makes you want to go to the UK the most?