United Kingdom Car Hire

Guide to the UK

Countries in the UK

Although the UK has ‘kingdom’ in its name, it technically consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They each exercise a certain degree of sovereignty. Each of these is unique and deserves at least a few days of sightseeing.

UK languages

English will be enough to get you around, but a few words of Welsh, Irish and Scottish could win you the favour of the locals outside England!

Weather

Since the UK is surrounded by water on all sides, it receives rainfall throughout the year. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. Visit during either spring (March-May) or autumn (September).

Things to Do in the UK

London calling!

Begin your British vacation in London, the capital of the UK. The city boasts a number of fascinating buildings, from Westminster Abbey – the site where numerous royals (and other famous historical figures) are buried – to the Tower of London, a 900-year-old fortress that was once used to imprison criminals. The British Museum houses thousands of well-known artefacts from across the world – yes, including the Rosetta Stone and the Lewis Chessmen!

Castles in Wales

Tempting as it may be, don’t restrict yourself to London! Head on to Wales next. The pristine Celtic rainforests at the Snowdonia National Park are a treat for nature lovers, while the castle at Harlech allows for some impressive seaside photography. And talking of castles – Caernarfon Castle, built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales, really gives you a feel for the epic sights here.

Nature in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, you’ll want to check out The Giant’s Causeway, a rock formation that looks like a stretch of huge paving stones! Amazingly, it was formed by volcanic processes, not busy artisans. The Cushendon Caves are another natural wonder to marvel at. If you have the feeling you’ve seen these ancient gouges in the rock before, that’s because they were part of the Game of Thrones set!

Scottish history

Finally, head up to Scotland, where the mysterious depths of the Loch Ness and the proud walls of Edinburgh Castle keep centuries-old oral traditions alive. Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art, on the other hand, brings present-day artists into the spotlight.

Eating Out in the UK

Some traditional British dishes you must try while in the UK are: fish and chips (the ultimate English comfort food; pair it with a pint of beer for the full experience), bangers and mash (a fancy way of saying sausages and mashed potato), a full English breakfast (coupled with a cuppa tea, of course!), Sunday roast, and savoury pies like shepherd’s pie or steak and kidney pie. If you’re gastronomically adventurous, try black pudding.

UK Transport

Flying to the UK

The UK is well-connected by air to most countries across the world. We’d suggest you fly into the island state and then travel around by train or road, as that will let you enjoy the countryside.

Driving in the UK

If you drive, be sure to stick to the left side of the road! If you’ve only got a couple of days or a week to explore the UK, we suggest opting to hire a car for maximum comfort, convenience and flexibility. Booking in advance with Enjoy Travel ensures that you have access to the best weekend deals. You also have the option of doing a one-way car hire, which means that you can pick up your vehicle in one city and drop it off in another, saving you the hassle of driving it back.