United Kingdom flag

United Kingdom

History

The Laws in Wales Acts joined Wales to England in one legal and parliamentary system.
James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne.
Commissioners agreed the treaty joining England and Scotland.
The Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
The Acts of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Irish Free State left the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland stayed within it.
Europe thumbnailPart ofEuropeMore countries, cities and routes.
CapitalLondon
Population69.3M
Area242,495 km2
CurrencyBritish pound

Short facts

RegionNorthern Europe / British Isles
LanguageEnglish
Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
Drives onLeft

Worth seeing

  • London: World-class museums, royal palaces and a global cultural hub in one city.
  • Scottish Highlands: Dramatic glens, lochs, whisky distilleries and castles in wild scenery.
  • Shakespeare Country: Stratford-upon-Avon, the Globe Theatre and 400 years of living dramatic tradition.

Find a city in United Kingdom

Showing all cities

Southport thumbnailSouthportCityGlasgow thumbnailGlasgowCityLondon thumbnailLondonCity

Planning questions

What is United Kingdom known for?London, Scottish Highlands, Shakespeare Country.
What is the capital?London.
Which language is useful?English.
When is the national day?No official national day.

Upcoming events

Showing all 24 events

Sauna Herbal Cup thumbnailSauna Herbal Cup12–13 October 2026 — Burton upon Trent — United KingdomFrieze London thumbnailFrieze London14–18 October 2026 — London — United KingdomMcm Comic Con London thumbnailMcm Comic Con London23 October 2026 – 25 October 2026 — London — United KingdomButterfield Bermuda Championship thumbnailButterfield Bermuda Championship25 October 2026 – 26 October 2026 — Southampton — United KingdomEFG London Jazz Festival thumbnailEFG London Jazz Festival13 November 2026 – 22 November 2026 — London — United KingdomCeltic Connections thumbnailCeltic Connections14–31 January 2027 — Glasgow — United KingdomUp Helly Aa thumbnailUp Helly Aa26 January 2027 — Lerwick, Shetland — United KingdomSix Nations Championship thumbnailSix Nations Championship5 February 2027 - 13 March 2027 — Multiple cities — United KingdomBAFTA Film Awards thumbnailBAFTA Film Awards21 February 2027 — London — United KingdomBrit Awards thumbnailBrit Awards27 February 2027 — Manchester — United KingdomCheltenham Gold Cup thumbnailCheltenham Gold Cup14 March 2027 — Cheltenham — United KingdomGrand National thumbnailGrand National8 April 2027 – 10 April 2027 — Aintree — United KingdomLondon Marathon thumbnailLondon Marathon27 April 2027 – 25 April 2027 — London — United KingdomEuropean Rugby Champions Cup Final thumbnailEuropean Rugby Champions Cup Final24 May 2027 — Cardiff — United KingdomIsle of Man TT thumbnailIsle of Man TT31 May 2027 – 12 June 2027 — Isle of Man — United KingdomLondon Tech Week thumbnailLondon Tech Week1 June 2027 – 30 June 2027 — London — United KingdomDownload Festival thumbnailDownload Festival9 June 2027 – 13 June 2027 — Donington Park — United KingdomPremiership Rugby Final thumbnailPremiership Rugby Final14 June 2027 — London — United KingdomUnited Kingdom National Day thumbnailUnited Kingdom National DaySecond Saturday in June 2027 — Across United Kingdom — United KingdomIsle of Wight Festival thumbnailIsle of Wight Festival17 June 2027 – 20 June 2027 — Newport — United KingdomRoyal Ascot thumbnailRoyal Ascot17 June 2027–21 June 2027 — Ascot — United KingdomThe Ashes thumbnailThe Ashes18 June 2027 - 2 August 2027 — Nottingham — United KingdomUnited Rugby Championship Final thumbnailUnited Rugby Championship Final20 June 2027–21 June 2027 — London — United KingdomGlastonbury Festival thumbnailGlastonbury Festival23–27 June 2027 — Pilton — United Kingdom

Use London as the first planning anchor for United Kingdom, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.

Food & drink

Fish and chips thumbnailFish and chipsSignature dishTea thumbnailTeaLocal drink

Known for

LondonWorld-class museumsroyal palacesScottish HighlandsDramatic glenslochswhisky distilleriesShakespeare Country
Eurovision Song Contest thumbnailMusic & CultureFestivals, concerts and cultural calendars.