With spectacular evidence of millennia of history, the UK is a treasure trove of scenic splendor and architectural delight resulting in unparalleled diversity. From ancient castles to modern stadiums, stately homes to contemporary art galleries, the variety of unique UK conference venues is vast.
From Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age times, the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Plantagenet’s, Tudors, Stuarts, Georgians, Victorians and Edwardians have all left their indelible mark on the country which once ruled an Empire. Each unique civilization impacted the United Kingdom visible today and added to the richness and range of places to stay and things to do.
The pulsating heart of the UK is its capital city. London is a heady mix of the ancient and the ultra-modern, often side by side. One of the world’s greatest cities, London 2012 certainly confirmed the capital as the place to be and its 7.2 million inhabitants would no doubt agree.
Simply bursting with exclusive avant garde or historic venues and sumptuous hotels, London is the destination of choice for tourists and business travellers alike.
Widely acknowledged as England’s second city, Birmingham is another popular location for conferences and events, which is centrally located to allow easy access from all parts of the country, in addition to boasting its own international airport. With in excess of 27,000 beds and an equivalent number of parking spaces available in the city, there is certainly plenty of accommodation to be found.
The Athens of the North Heading further north to the highlands of Scotland, the majestic and elegant city of Edinburgh is famed for its elaborate Old Town with its extinct volcano-top Castle, Grassmarket and Royal Mile. Neo-classical architecture led to Edinburgh being named ‘the Athens of the North.’ A city of festivals Edinburgh is internationally acclaimed for its summer Jazz, Book and Fringe Festivals as well as the International Science Festival in the spring. Surprisingly green, even in the city centre, there is plenty of open space and outside of the city exquisite undulating countryside, breathtaking lochs and lush unspoiled emerald forests await.
City of Learning Back south and to the east lies the beautiful county of Cambridgeshire with the University town of Cambridge at its heart. Cambridge University is the second-oldest university (after Oxford) in the English speaking world and the third oldest in the world, dating back to 1209 and officially founded in 1231 by King Henry III. One of the world’s leading academic institutions, Cambridge graduates have won more Nobel Prizes than any other university in the world with a total of 65.
This enchanting city is gloriously navigable by bicycle and its river is crowded with punters on fine days. Its museums boast world class collections of antiquities and art and its cobbled streets make for a unique and abundant shopping experience.
Further afield, magnificent cathedrals, scenic countryside, busy market towns and meandering waterways offer visitors a true taste of England and lunch at an old authentic village pub, with home cooked cuisine and genuine English ale, will be the cherry on the cake.
This is but a taste of the multitude of venues that the glorious United Kingdom has to offer. We are only a small island but most certainly a jewel of a country and often even the smallest of jewels can be priceless.
AUTHOR BIO: Jules Jones is a freelance travel industry writer who contributes regularly to numerous mainstream press, travel and holiday websites and blogs. She enjoys adventure travel with her husband and four children who each share her wanderlust for the world. Walking holidays are a favorite, the last of which was along the magnificent Hadrian’s Wall where history and scenic splendor entwined to create a true escape from daily life.
