Great Britain: tourist preferences hit parade Automatic translate

Great Britain is a unique tourist destination that can satisfy every taste!

Where else in the world can you watch an excellent English Premier League match in one day and wander around an old-fashioned English village? In Britain, there is entertainment for everyone: Edinburgh Castle - for connoisseurs of historical heritage, dinner in a cozy pub - for gastronomic tourists, a trip to the Hogwarts School of Magic at the Warner Bros film studio - for Harry Potter fans.

In the UK, there is a harmonious fusion of modern culture and a rich historical past, which gives an unforgettable experience to guests of the country.

VisitBritain National Travel Agency conducted a survey of tourists to find out what they are most interested in in the UK. The survey involved 10,000 potential tourists from 19 countries. Respondents were offered a list of 18 exclusive British attractions and ways of spending time. As a result of the survey, an indisputable three leaders appeared: Buckingham Palace, a bird’s-eye view of London and Edinburgh Castle.

The study showed that more and more foreign tourists want to travel around provincial Britain. On the eve of the New Year, traditional cultural monuments fade into the background, and the interest of tourists is shifting towards more entertaining events. Travelers are increasingly attracted by the opportunity to view London from a bird’s eye view from the Shard, the tallest building in the European Union, to go to Newcastle for evening entertainment, or to visit the location of the film about Harry Potter.

As for the most popular places in Britain, Buckingham Palace ranks first among the vast majority of tourists from Russia, America and China. The panorama of London, opening from the cabin of the Ferris wheel or from the Shard site, is in second place among travelers from South Korea, which is the developing tourist market in Britain. Americans, Canadians, Australians and Italians ranked second in their list of preferences for visiting Edinburgh Castle. Architectural historical monuments arouse interest all year round among tourists from China, Russia, the USA and Canada.

Regarding the tasting of fish with french fries (fish and chips) (an unofficial national dish of the British) - opinions were divided. This is the last thing that could interest South Americans, Chinese, and Poles, but it is highly desirable for North Americans, Canadians, and Australians.

The holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and the promotion of Great Britain as a country with amazingly beautiful landscapes changed the attitude of guests of the capital to the countryside. The survey respondents praised the country’s natural wealth, noting Lake District, the Highlands of Scotland and the Snowdonia National Park in Wales. As a result of the study of the tourism market at the end of the Olympic Games, it turned out that tourists are interested not only in London, but also in other areas of the country - 75% of the survey participants noted many interesting places outside the capital.

According to the results of the Rating of National Brands of the country in 2013, Britain for the first time entered the top 20 countries with rich natural potential.

The influence of the film industry and sporting events on the choice of tourists is becoming more and more obvious. Tourists were especially inspired by the fascinating scenery of Scotland after watching Skyfall, the twenty-third film of Bond. The desire to visit Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and take a walk among its lush gardens arises precisely from travelers from those countries where the British television show Downton Abbey (Downton Abbey) is broadcast. Another tourist attraction directly related to the cinema is a tour of the places of shooting films about Harry Potter. This tour is in the top ten of the desired activities among survey participants from France, Japan, Mexico and South Korea.

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The nature of the Scottish Highlands tops the list of British attractions among the French and ranks second among respondents from Argentina, Germany and Poland. The Russians put this item in third place on their list of preferences.

Argentines, as big lovers of active pastime and all kinds of parties, express a desire to hang out in Newcastle in the evening more than tourists from other countries. British cuisine usually does not cause delight among the French, but dinner in the "cozy Welsh pub" was in first place in the list of their preferences.

A survey of tourists from Sweden showed results that are opposite to most. Sights that are of particular interest to a huge number of tourists around the world seem to be completely not interested in the Swedes - for example, visiting Buckingham Palace. In the first place they put dinner in a cozy Welsh pub, then - shopping on Oxford Street and a visit to the musical in the London West End.

It is not surprising that 22% of male respondents dream of going to a football match (while Buckingham Palace is still the number one attraction), and 21% of women want to shop at Oxford Street (again, Buckingham Palace is in the lead).

Tourists who have never been to the UK want to see the capital first, while more experienced travelers from France and Germany are more interested in traveling to different parts of the country.

Durham Castle

In the north-east of England is the small city of Durham. Like many similar places, it attracts with its medieval charm and a special English spirit. But the flows of tourists more often rush to the castle of the same name, sheltered on a cliffside above the river Weir.

Durham Castle

Durham Castle was built in the XI century by the Normans after the conquest of English lands by William I. Like other citadels, it was designed to protect the land from Scottish highlanders. A typical building of those times, Durham Castle was a model of a bizarre merger of the Norman style with the Gothic style, which gave it a certain spirituality and grandeur. He successfully fit into the surrounding landscape, using his advantages for his protection.

At first, Durham Castle belonged to the Anglican bishops, who had a strong influence on the rulers of England and practically held power in their hands. Under their leadership, the premises of the citadel were expanded and rebuilt, as, for example, a grand hall of impressive size, nicknamed the Bolshoi, was built.

Later, the Benedictine monastery joined the castle complex, as well as the Durham Cathedral of Christ, the Virgin Mary and St. Coubert. Decorated with graceful towers, lancet vaults and arcbutans, the temple was also able to hold defenses. In the XII century, the relics of the famous chronicler of England - the Venerable Misfortune - rested there. When the reformers came to power, the cathedral was looted, and the monks were expelled.

In 1837, the territory of the castle was given to Durham University as a hostel. During the summer holidays, the castle functions as a hotel and conference room. Because of these features, tourists can visit the castle complex only as part of excursions.

Guests can visit the kitchen of the 15th century, the Tudor-era chapel with carved choirs, and the Norman Gothic-style chapel. In the cathedral, a collection of unique relics attracts attention: seals from the time of William II, 8th-century English embroidery and an ancient sarcophagus covered with runes and inscriptions.

As Walter Scott accurately put it about Durham Castle: "Half of the temple of God, half of the fortress."