Edinburgh

Is the capital city of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Parliament. It is the second largest city in Scotland and the seventh most populous in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh is divided into areas that generally encompass a park (sometimes known as "links"), a main local street (i.e. street of local retail shops), a high street (the historic main street) and residential buildings.

London
London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union. London contains four World Heritage Sites: The Tower of London: Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England; Kew Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The

The Old Town of Edinburgh

The Old Town is the oldest part of the city. Together with the 18th-century New Town, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has preserved its medieval plan and many Reformationera buildings. New Town The New Town is a central area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is often considered to be a masterpiece of city planning, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in stages between 1765 and around 1850, and retains much of the original neo-classical and Georgian period architecture.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs both the gardens at Kew and Wakehurst Place gardens in Sussex; The historic settlement of

Beach The seafront has bars, and

restaurants,

nightclubs

amusement arcades, principally between the piers. Being less than an hour from London by train has made the city a popular destination. Brighton beach has a nudist area Brighton's beach, which is a shingle beach up to the mean low tide mark, has been awarded a blue flag. The Monarch's Way long-distance footpath heads west along the seafront above the beach. Churches and places of worship The 11th century St Nicholas Church is the oldest building in of Westminster, Brighton, commonly known as "The Mother Church". Other notable churches include the

Greenwich. In 1997, Maritime Greenwich was added to the list of World Heritage Sites, for the concentration and quality of buildings of historic and architectural interest. These can be divided into the group of buildings along the riverfront, Greenwich Park and the Georgian and Victorian town centre. In recognition of the suburb's astronomical links, Asteroid 2830 has been named 'Greenwich'; And the site comprising the Palace

Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church.

Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove (formed from the previous towns of Brighton, Hove, Portslade and several other villages) in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain.

large

brick-built

St

Bartholomew's, and St Peter's on an island between the Lewes Road and the London Road. Brighton's Quakers run the Friends' Meeting House in the Lanes. There is an active Unitarian community based in a Grade 2 listed building in New Road, and a Spiritualist church in Norfolk square.

Oxford
Oxford is a city in central southern England, the home of the University of Oxford. The city is the county town of Oxfordshire, and forms a district within the county. It has a population of just under 165,000, of whom 153,900 live within the district boundary. Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as several famous institutions. The University of Oxford The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English speaking world and one of the most famous and prestigious higher education institutions of the world, averaging five applications to every available place, and attracting 40% of its academic staff and 15% of

many shops, several theatres, and an ice rink. The historic buildings make this location a popular target for film and TV crews.

Dublin
Dublin is the capital and most populous city of Ireland. The English name for the city is derived from the Irish name Dubhlinn, meaning "black pool" Landmarks Dublin has

many

landmarks

and

monuments dating back hundreds of years. One of the oldest is Dublin Castle, which was first founded as a major defensive work on the orders of King John of England in 1204, shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, when it was commanded that a castle be built with strong walls and good ditches for the defence of the city, the administration of justice, and the protection of the Kings treasure. Parks Dublin has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city, with 97% of city residents living within 300 metres of a park area.There are many park areas around the city,

undergraduates from overseas The city centre As well as being a major draw for tourists (9.1 million in 2008, similar in 2009), Oxford city centre has

including the Phoenix Park, Herbert Park and St Stephen's Green. The Phoenix Park is 24 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Entertainment Dublin has a vibrant nightlife and is reputedly one of Europe's most youthful cities, with an estimate of 50% of

miles (80 km) north of London. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the city's population was 108,863 (including 22,153 students).
Festivals and events Several fairs and festivals take place in Cambridge, mostly during the British summer. Midsummer Fair dates back to 1211, when it was granted a charter by King John. Today it exists primarily as an annual funfair with the vestige of a market attached and is held over several days around or close to midsummers day. On the first Saturday in June Midsummer Common is also the site for Strawberry Fair, a free music and children's fair, with a series of market stalls. For one week in May, on nearby Jesus Green, the annual Cambridge Beer Festival is held. Started in 1974, it is Britain's second largest beer festival

citizens being younger than 25. There are many pubs across the city centre, with the area around St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street, especially Harcourt Street, Camden Street, Wexford Street and Leeson Street, having the most popular nightclubs and pubs. The best known area for nightlife is Temple Bar, south of the River Liffey. The area has become popular among tourists, including stag and hen parties from Britain.

Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia, athwart the River Cam, about 50

outside London. 90,000 pints of beer and a tonne of cheese were served in 2009.

Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan areas. Manchester is situated in the south-central part of North West England, fringed by the Cheshire Plain to the south and the Pennines to the north and east.

Raphaelites, a collection "of outstanding importance". It also holds a significant selection of old masters including major works by Bellini, Rubens, Canaletto and Claude and particularly strong collections of seventeenth century Italian Baroque painting and English watercolours.] Its design holdings include Europe's pre-eminent collections of ceramics and fine metalwork.[142] The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Edgbaston is one of the finest small art galleries in the world,[143] with a collection of exceptional quality representing Western art from the thirteenth century to the present day.

Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 (2010 estimate),[2] and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a population of 2,284,093 (2001 census). Birmingham's metropolitan area is also the United Kingdom's second most populous with a population of 3,683,000. Museums and galleries Birmingham has two major public art collections. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is best known for its works by the Pre-

Nightlife and festivals

along Broad Street and into Brindleyplace.

Outside the Broad Street area are many stylish and underground venues. The Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory, hmv Institute, Rainbow Pub and Air are large clubs and bars in Digbeth. In the Chinese Quarter are areas such as

the Arcadian and Hurst Street Gay Village, that abound with bars and clubs. Summer Row, The Mailbox, O2 Academy in Bristol Street, St Philips/Colmore Row, St Paul's Square and the Jewellery Quarter all have a vibrant night life. There are a number of late night pubs in the Irish Quarter.[147] Outside the city centre are Moseley and Star City entertainment complex on the former site of Nechells Power Station. Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a St. George's Day party. The Birmingham Tattoo is a long-standing military show held annually at the National Indoor Arena. The Caribbean-style Birmingham International Carnival takes place in odd numbered years. Birmingham Pride takes place in the gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year.