Some countries are famous for certain things. France for the Eiffel Tower, China for the Great Wall, Australia for the Sydney Opera House, the list goes on. However, right on your doorstep, not too far from where you may live, there is a trove of historic monuments and sites scattered all across the country.
On reflection, it might seem that the UK is "not very interesting", with "nothing to do" - a sentiment shared by some I spoke to. On the other hand, it might seem that the only thing the UK has to offer is London, what with the London Eye, Big Ben, London Bridge, the list goes on. However, something that gets underestimated time and time again is green space.
The UK has more green space than you may think. According to Green Space Index | Fields in Trust, there are over 31 square meters of green space per person.
Ok, that may not sound like a lot, after all, it's the equivalent of the size of half the floor area of one floor of a house, but to put that number into perspective, there are nearly 69 million people living in the UK, and total green space works out to over 280,000 professional sized football pitches. So don't worry, there's plenty to go around.
Of course, green space comes with mental health benefits, being able to take a step back from the rush of normal life, and being able to just relax in an open environment, surrounded by nature from every angle. The fresh air is one thing, but then, the scenery is another thing entirely.
Off the beaten track, away from the main cities and towns, up and down the country, and some places where the scenery and landscape have to be seen to be believed. Old monuments atop hills, cliffs by the sea, rolling landscapes with a view for miles, the list of wonders goes on.
I suppose the takeaway from all of this is to go outside, explore, and have some fun while you're at it - who knows what you might see or discover on your travels. There's no need to go abroad, what with it being prohibitively expensive at the moment, to see some of the best views in the world. Explore the countryside, go visit some historical sites, do whatever you want. Just get out there, and have fun.
Some people, however, will never change. One of my friends told me "I would like to visit my house and see my PC there" when asked where they wanted to go in the UK. For obvious reasons, no I am not naming them.
Some things just never change.
(All images are my own - no permission for reuse.)
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