Things to see and do United Kingdom

Built on an ancient extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle is the heart of the Scottish capital. It was built in the 12th century by David I. It quickly served as a political and military stronghold when the King of England, Edward I, tried to seize the vacant throne of Scotland. Between 1296 and 1341, it sometimes moved from one camp to the other and suffered considerable damage. It was largely rebuilt by David II but was re-sieged in 1571 to crush the entrenched followers of Mary Queen of Scots. The hostilities are known as "Lang Siege" (the long siege) and last for two years. In 1650, the castle is again seized by the English when Cromwell's troops invade the country. After the restoration of 1660, it remains under the authority of London which keeps troops there permanently. The Jacobites tried to seize it from their first uprising in 1688, in vain. Their second revolution led by Bonnie Prince Charlie was no more effective, despite their capture of the city in 1745. They were driven out in November of the same year and the colossus remained an English fortress from then on. At the entrance to the castle, two statues recall Scotland's tumultuous past: William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the heroes of independence. Once past the Portcullis Gate, after the ticket office, a sign on the right indicates when the next guided tour will take place. A guide is often already there and will point out this to newcomers. Follow it, it's a good introduction, it's free and quite short. To your right, the guns of Argyle Battery offer superb views of the city. A few steps away, the One O'clock Gun is a 105 mm L118. It entered service in 2001 and continues a tradition that began in 1861. Every day except Sundays, at 1pm, when the sphere of the Nelson Monument is lowered on Calton Hill, a cannon is fired at the castle to announce the time to the sailors of Leith.

The National War Museum is a little further on. It covers 400 years of martial history in a very vivid way thanks to numerous objects, weapons, uniforms, testimonies, images and films. On land, sea and in the air, the Scots have forged an identity as fighters all over the world. The two World Wars are of course widely covered, but also more recent conflicts.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum and the Royal Scots Museum are located higher up, continuing the ascent of Castle Rock. To reach them, you will pass the Governor's House and the barracks of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, two army buildings still in use. Inside both museums, the history of these iconic regiments is told from their creation to the present day.

Continuing towards Crown Square, you will pass successively through several major monuments. Military prisons were used extensively during the Napoleonic Wars and the American War of Independence. The tiny 12th century St Margaret's Chapel is the oldest building in the castle and certainly in Edinburgh. Behind it is Mons Meg, a huge 15th century cannon built in Flanders. If you lean over the ramparts at the same level, you will see a small dog cemetery which is not accessible. This is where the soldiers buried their canine friends from 1840 onwards. Further on, Half-Moon Battery is a vast half-moon esplanade, erected with cannons. Built from 1573, it took the place of David's Tower (1368), which was destroyed during the "Lang Siege".

Crown Square is the heart of the castle and its highest point. The Scottish National Memorial is a superb building paying vibrant tribute to Scotland's fallen soldiers. Across the street from it is the Great Hall with its huge dimensions and magnificent interior, measuring 29m by 12.5m. The star of this great square is the Royal Palace. Built in the 15th century and refurbished in the 17th century, it houses the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI. You can also see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone.

The Stone ofScone is a 152 kg stone that was used for the coronation of Scottish kings before being stolen by the English in 1296. It is then placed under the King Edward's Chair, on which each new English sovereign sits. In December 1950, students from Glasgow decided to steal it from Westminster Abbey and bring it back to Scotland. When they removed it from the throne, they knocked it down and broke it in half. Fearing they would run out of time, they hid the larger piece in a field in Kent and the smaller one in one of their cars, which they left at a friend's house in the Midlands. When authorities discover the theft, they close the Anglo-Scottish border for the first time in 400 years. A little later, the young nationalists returned to Glasgow to collect their loot and have the stone reassembled with a word that no one knows the contents to this day. In April 1951, the police found the Stone of Scone at Arbroath Abbey (Angus) and caught the thieves confessing their actions. They were not prosecuted for fear of political repercussions and the relic was returned to Westminster. In November 1996, the British government decided to return it to its country of origin to satisfy the growing demand, on condition that it be present in London for each coronation.

Standing 96 m tall, Big Ben is the 13.5-tonne bell atop the Elizabeth Tower, the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Originally named "The Great Bell", the origin of its current name remains unclear. Although never officially christened, it is nicknamed Big Ben by Londoners, "although we can't quite work out why". Many theories exist; one favorite is that it was christened "Victoria" during a ceremony in honor of the queen of the same name. However, the inauguration speech was so long that one of the audience members exclaimed, "Just call her Big Ben and get it over with! The other theory is that the name refers to Benjamin Hall, the civil engineer in charge of casting the bell, who was nicknamed Big Ben because of his size. Following the fire of 1835, which destroyed part of the parliament building, architect Charles Barry decided to incorporate the famous bell into the design, which rang for the first time on May 31, 1859 after being moved sixty meters. The imposing bell of the Palace of Westminster punctuates London's days with its famous chimes. Completed in 1859, the clock tower is a national symbol and a source of pride and admiration both day and night. It is one of London's most photographed landmarks. Since 2003, Big Ben has been leaning dramatically, tilting a little more each year. In 2012, it began to show with the naked eye. You can see the tilt by standing in Parliament Square and looking east towards the River Thames. As yet, no decision has been taken to stop the tilt. However, in June 2012, following a proposal by the Conservative Party, it was agreed that the tower should be renamed Elizabeth Tower, in honor of the Queen, who has sat on the throne for 60 years. There is a miniature reproduction of Big Ben next to Victoria Station, Little Ben, between Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Between August 2017 and November 2022, Big Ben stopped ringing due to renovation work. The challenge was enormous: 5 years and £80 million invested to renovate this absolute landmark of the UK capital. Now, like a sleeping creature now awake, the tower and its bell stand once more in all their splendor.

History: the roof of the British Isles is nothing but grace and gigantism, above Fort William and the Highlands. Absolutely unmissable during a stay in Scotland, it is on the to-do list of many visitors, from simple tourists to experienced hikers. Its summit is 1,344 m high and was that of an ancient volcano in its most glorious hours, 350 million years ago. Affectionately known as "the Ben", its first known ascent dates back to 1771 and preceded a long tradition that attracts nearly 100,000 people every year. From 1883 to 1907, Ben Nevis was even the site of an observatory where meteorologists worked daily. Only a few ruins remain today, but it is to his presence that we owe the creation of the trail still massively favoured today. The Pony Track (or Ben Path and Tourist Route) was to allow ponies to bring food and equipment to the station to supply its residents. Today, it is the fastest and easiest route used by walkers from all over the world.

Ascent: The Pony Track starts in the Glen Nevis and can be reached at three points: at Achintee (at the Ben Nevis Inn), at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre or at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. The first 570 metres of altitude is reached by following a route that climbs along big stone steps to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, a beautiful little mountain loch whose name means "the lake halfway". Don't be too confident though, you have more than half of it left, and it's not the easiest... There is no shame in stopping here, it is a breathtaking place and its setting is magical. A lot of people set their destination here, especially when the Ben has his head in the clouds and the view is no better from higher up. Sometimes it is also almost impossible to go further in winter, when snow and ice have taken over the mastodon. Some also continue northeast, at the foot of the north face and along Allt a' Mhuilinn Creek, for a very long loop back to Fort William. If you have decided to continue to the top, the path follows many zigzags and becomes more rocky and difficult to discern on the ground. Be careful as you reach your goal, cliffs drop steeply on each side and up to 700 m to the north, as you approach and along the huge 40 hectare final plateau. A multitude of cairns help you find your way and the spectacle on arrival is as dramatic as it is vivid for the one who becomes, for a moment, the tallest person in Britain and Ireland. To the north, the Great Glen stretches majestically with Loch Ness in its nest, to the west, Loch Eil unveils the tip of the Spoon of Skye, and to the south the panorama is infinite... The Glen Nevis, the Mamores peak and the Steall Falls waterfall announce a mountain range all bigger than the others, from Glen Coe to Ben Lomond, and Loch Linnhe opens splendid perspectives on Mull and even the distant Paps of Jura.

Distance and time: It takes about 17 km to climb up and down, and between 6 and 9 hours of walking in total. The ideal is to leave in the morning (early is even better) to make sure you take your time. Beware, night falls quickly in autumn.

Race and record: Every year, on the first Saturday of September, the Ben Nevis Race is a race against time on the Pony Track. The record has been held by Kenny Stuart since 1984, who made the round trip in 1h25 .

Tip: don't take this climb lightly. The altitude is not that of the Alps, but 1344 m starting at 0, it counts and that's still almost 4.5 times the Eiffel Tower! Don't forget to be well equipped with equipment and food, a map (OS Landranger 41 or OS Explorer 392), a compass and enough time. Be sure of your physical abilities and, above all, check the weather forecast (www.mwis.org.uk and www.bennevisweather.co.uk). If it is sunny down below, it can be very cold up there and the weather changes quickly. Keep in mind that the summit is always snow-covered and conditions can suddenly change and you can be thrown into clouds and storms with no visibility at all. Finally, if in summer and in good weather, the Pony Track looks a bit like a motorway and it is difficult to get lost, be aware that in winter, it is very often impossible to go beyond Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe without mountaineering equipment and experience. The trail is invisible, covered with snow and ice, and it takes excellent orienteering skills to navigate up to the top, especially in rain, cloud, wind and snow. The more adventurous and experienced climbers also sometimes pass through the North Face, which is much less crowded and above all much more demanding in effort and challenge. Whichever day, season and route you choose, drop by the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre to get some advice and, if you can, let your hosts know your route. Many of the accommodations also have a book for this purpose. There is no charge and we will know where to meet you if you have any problems. It is also possible to hire the services of a guide if you wish to be accompanied

North of Trafalgar Square, the museum, located in a large neoclassical building, houses one of the most beautiful collections of paintings in the world by Western European masters. Divided into four wings, the collections, more than 2,000 works, are chronologically classified: from the 13th to the 15th century, from the 16th to the 18th century and the 20th century.
Among the artists present, we can mention the Italian masters: Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio; the Spaniards: El Greco, Velázquez, Goya; the English: Hogarth, Gainsborough, Turner; the French: Le Lorrain, Poussin, Watteau... Even if we advise you to take your time in one of the most beautiful museums in Europe, you may have to go to the essential for want of time. Here is a quick memo of the essentials so you don't miss a thing!

The Husbands Arnolfini by Jan Van Eyck. 1434. Room 56. This painting depicts a rich merchant and his wife, in a bourgeois interior meticulously detailed. While the issue of the wife's pregnancy has caused much ink to flow in the art history community, the curators at the National Gallery tend to dismiss this idea. It is a very beautiful rendering of the play of light and the miniaturization of details (reflections in the mirror).

The Baptism of Christ of Piero della Francesca. Around 1450. Room 66. This panel was the central element of a polyptych. It is one of the artist's first works.

Venus and Mars of Botticelli. Around 1485. Room 58. Mars, the god of war, was one of the lovers of Venus, the goddess of Love. The painting shows Mars asleep and unarmed beside Venus awake and alert, symbol of the Love that overcomes all. This work was probably intended to decorate a room.

The Virgin at the Rock of Leonardo da Vinci. Between 1491 and 1508. Room E. The work is commissioned by the brotherhood of the Milanese Immaculate Conception. If the painting does not seem to refer directly to the Immaculate Conception, it is typically in the style of subjects that Leonardo painted such as St. John the Baptist, themes that were then very popular.

The Burial of Michelangelo. 1501. Room 8. This unfinished painting shows the Christ carried to be placed in his tomb. The painting was a priori intended for the church of San Agostino in Rome and was never delivered. We recognize Michelangelo's style, which is similar to other works of the same period.

The Emmaus Supper of the Caravaggio. 1601. Room 32. On their way to Emmaus, two disciples of Jesus Christ met the risen Messiah without recognizing him. Christ is shown here during supper, when he breaks bread and the disciples realize who he is. Le Caravage innovates in the treatment of the subject, and the intensity of the characters is remarkable, accentuated by their gestures and expressions.

The Rokeby Venus of Velasquez. 1647-1651. Room 30. This is the only example we have of a female nude painted by Velázquez. Venus, goddess of Love, was considered as the personification of feminine beauty. She is shown here with her son Cupid. The work is surely a commission for the Marquis de Carpio, Prime Minister of Spain.

For the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, don't miss Les Baigneurs à la grenouillère by Monet, Les Tournesols by Van Gogh, Le Dernier Voyage du Téméraire by Turner and La Charette de hoin by Constable.

A visit to Tate Britain is a must if you want to discover the great British artists. This museum boasts an ever-expanding collection of British and international art, now numbering over 70,000 works. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your visit. It is one of the four main sites of the Tate.Originally called the National Gallery of British Art, it had only one site and housed a small collection of British art. The project was initiated by Sir Henry Tate, sugar magnate and art lover, who decided to donate his works to the British nation. Due to lack of space, the National Gallery was unable to accommodate this art collection, and so the project was born to create a museum open to the public, including Henry Tate's gift as well as other works by British artists from various collections. In 1892, the site of a former prison, Millbank Penitentiary, was chosen as the location for the new National Gallery of British Art, under the direction of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Architect Sidney R. J. Smith took charge of refurbishing the building, opting for a neo-Byzantine style of architecture, recognizable by its arcades and central dome. In 1897, the Tate opened its doors to the public, displaying 245 works in eight rooms by British artists from the Renaissance to the present day. The result is the most important collection of British art, spanning 500 years of creativity and featuring the work of the most famous artists, including William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, Francis Bacon, William Blake, Frederic Leighton, John Constable, Antony Gormley, Henri Moore, David Hockney... In 1932, the gallery officially adopted the name Tate Gallery. These collections were later enriched by the National Collection of Modern Art, mixing ancient and modern art until the decision was taken to split the collections in two. Renamed "Tate Britain" in March 2000 to coincide with the launch of the Tate Modern, it is also known for its many Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is also home to the largest collection of works by Joseph William Mallord Turner, Britain's best-known painter (over 300 oils, watercolors and drawings). Tate Britain also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions and organizes the Turner Prize, the prestigious and often controversial competition for modern art.

This vast museum traces the history of London over 2,000 years. Highly interactive, it allows you to discover all the major stages in the city's construction, its evolution, its history and its customs. Following a chronological trail, with a succession of picturesque anecdotes, you can follow the course of history. From the arrival of the Romans to the Black Death of the ^14th century, which killed some 50 million people throughout Europe, including almost half of London's population; from the second plague in 1665 to the Great Fire of 1666, which can be seen in an animated reconstruction. At the turn of a room, a bay window offers an exceptional view of part of the Roman fortifications that once surrounded the City (London Wall). Then it's time for the Victorian era, as a whole district is recreated, with its stores, cobbled streets and you, the onlooker! A splendid 1930s car, surrounded by period dresses, pulls you into modernity, and you're projected into the Swinging London of the 1960s. Plenty to discover! This museum is one of our favorites for its modern, playful scenography.

An annex of the museum, Museum of London Docklands, can be visited in East London, on West India Quay. Here, we retrace the city's great port history, through the renovation of 200-year-old warehouses and docks. A fascinating visit that plunges us into the heart of several centuries of trade, migration and commerce.

London Dungeon reproduces the perilous past of the London capital and revives frightening characters. The attraction covers several themes and features, among others, the famous barbershop of Sweeny Todd, the streets of Whitechapel with the meeting of Jack the Ripper and the London fire. The tour includes two thrill rides: the boat ride to Traitors Gate in the dark and the Drop Ride, a fall into the void. The Dungeon includes real actors, special effects and two rides.

A resolutely modern museum that presents new design and architectural innovations every year. Since November 2016, the museum has moved to Kensington, in the museum district. In the abundant permanent exhibition entitled "Designer, Maker, User", you can discover models, plans and videos that testify to the ingenuity of today's designers and the spectacular evolution of shapes and materials. More than 1,000 pieces are presented. We really like the different screens of this exhibition which allow the youngest (and not only) to try their hand at the art of design and to understand its stakes. The section on London transport is also particularly successful. Or the showcase on the evolution of our computers, from the first MacBook to today. And finally, our favorite is this amusing wall covered with objects characteristic of our time, present at the entrance of the permanent exhibition: the panels of the Tube, the famous blue bag from Ikea, our Stan Smith... Have fun recognizing the objects that populate your daily life, and exhibitions also aim to showcase the work of young designers who participate in the Designer of the Year competition. Temporary exhibitions are always sharp and original. And the various themes: the couturier Azzedine Alaïa, the houses of the future, Stanley Kubrick, Ferrari, life in March... Don't miss out on a visit to the museum's shop, filled with design and cool objects.

This is without a doubt the capital's most important visit. Located right next to the famous historic Harland and Wolff shipbuilding site, this attraction traces the history of the Titanic in the city where it was born. The building alone is worth a visit with its light-catching, undulating aluminum facade, reminiscent of Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, Lyon's Musée des Confluences or the Fondation Vuitton in Paris. Its seductive angular shape evokes the bow of a ship. The museum is almost as emblematic as the Titanic whose history it recounts (4,200^m3 of concrete were poured in 24 hours to ensure its foundations!) For the record, the Titanic Belfast can accommodate 3,547 visitors at a time, the same capacity as the original Titanic and its facades measure 27 meters, the same height as the Titanic from keel to deck! James Cameron himself called it "phenomenal". If you only know the Titanic from James Cameron's movie, this visit is a must to go beyond the clichés, to get away from the romanticism and dig into the concrete reality of this mythical ship. Throughout the nine galleries spread over six floors, the past of the colossus, its construction site, its workers, its challenges and its tragic sinking are all on display. The launch of the museum was chosen for March 2012, the year corresponding to the centenary of the tragedy, which took place in 1912. Since then, it has become an unmissable event for all visitors, but also for the locals, who have thus reclaimed their past and their heritage. A visit here allows for a fun and exciting tour: 3D videos, documentaries, life-size models, rare objects found after the shipwreck, reconstruction of the cabins according to the different classes, etc. An experience that brings the Titanic back to life and will fascinate both history lovers and the simply curious. The museum is truly designed to provide an immersive and interactive experience for the spectators who take the place of the workers, passengers and crew of the famous liner. When the tour discusses the cranes of the shipyard and the height at which the men worked, we suddenly go up to the^4th floor where we overlook the rest of the museum and where the sounds of the shipyard accompany us. When the doors of the elevator open we discover this sentence: "Let's go to work"! The museum sometimes takes on the air of an amusement park with, among other things, the Shipyard Ride, a train that takes us, in the middle of the visit, with the workers to the shipyard. The Titanic is not only a love story, and it is the strength of this museum to remind us of this. The Titanic is above all the story of thousands of workers, of an entire city that gave everything to build it and that staked everything on its construction. The emotions are strong because we understand that all this work, all this genius, all these efforts ended at the bottom of the water. We understand the broken hope and pride of Belfast. The room of the sinking is particularly moving with the distress messages sent by the Titanic and reproduced hour by hour on the walls of the room. The silence reigns. In the last part of the exhibition, we take place in a huge amphitheater and we dive into the ocean in search of the wreck of the Titanic which is revealed little by little under the water. Fascinating!

It is one of London's most popular attractions, attracting no fewer than three million visitors every year. To return to the origins of the site, we need to understand who Madame Tussauds is. This Frenchwoman from Toulouse, whose real name was Marie Grosholtz, moved to London after the Revolution with something unusual in her luggage: wax casts of guillotined aristocrats. Since then, you don't have to go through the guillotine to feature in the museum - fortunately, you just have to be famous! Madame Tussauds museums are now to be found all over the world. Classified by theme, the rooms reveal all the personalities, contemporary or otherwise, of cinema, culture, sport, fashion, social networks and political leaders. These include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, the Beatles, David Beckham and Beyoncé. For a complete immersion experience, you'll meet the kingdom's most glamorous couple, William and Kate, as well as the entire royal family! The Spirit of London tour takes you aboard a cab to discover London's history. The tour continues with the Marvel superheroes section, featuring a ten-minute 4D film, specially created by Marvel for Madame Tussauds. The tour continues with an immersion in scenes from the original Star Wars films. A visit that will appeal to young and old alike.

Go ^City® offers two types of pass to visit London's best sites at lower cost. The All-Inclusive Pass (day pass) gives you access to over 90 activities and visits. The most cost-effective way to see as much of the city as possible! For greater flexibility, the Explorer Pass (activity-based package) gives you 60 days to enjoy as many activities as you like. The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The Shard and many more are all included in a single pass on the Go ^City® mobile app.

Kew Palace, Kensington Palace, The Banqueting House, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, six royal institutions that have witnessed the history of England and its famous royal family for hundreds of years. Historic Royal Palaces is an independent association dedicated to preserving and promoting these six historic sites. There are even opportunities for visits in French for those who do not have a good command of Shakespeare's language. Their objective: to make this rich history known to as many people as possible.