1. 🧙♂️ You Can Step Into the World of Harry Potter All Across the UK
- The UK is packed with real-life filming locations from the Harry Potter films. You can walk through the Great Hall at Christ Church College in Oxford, which inspired Hogwarts’ dining hall, or visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, where the Hogwarts Express steamed across the highlands. Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station is a popular selfie spot, complete with a trolley disappearing into the wall. Other spots include Leadenhall Market in London (Diagon Alley) and Durham Cathedral, which stood in for Hogwarts corridors. For the ultimate fan experience, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour near London lets you walk through actual sets and props used in the films.
2. 🏰 Windsor Castle Is the Oldest and Largest Occupied Castle in the World
- Located just outside London, Windsor Castle has been continuously inhabited for over 900 years and is still an active royal residence. It was originally built by William the Conqueror and remains one of the official homes of the monarch. Visitors can explore the grand State Apartments, see the Changing of the Guard, and visit St George’s Chapel, where royal weddings and funerals are held. It is history, tradition, and living royalty all in one place.
3. 🏰 Edinburgh Castle Sits on an Extinct Volcano
- Perched high above the city, Edinburgh Castle was built on the remains of a long-extinct volcano known as Castle Rock. Formed around 350 million years ago, the rock’s steep cliffs made it a perfect natural defense. Today, the castle is one of Scotland’s most visited landmarks, offering sweeping views and centuries of royal history, all from the top of a volcano.
4. 🦄 Scotland Has a “National Animal” That Isn’t Real
- Scotland’s official national animal is the unicorn, a mythical creature chosen for its association with purity, strength, and independence. It has appeared in royal Scottish heraldry since the 12th century and is still featured on the United Kingdom’s royal coat of arms. In Scottish versions, the unicorn is shown chained, symbolizing how even the wildest creature can be tamed by the crown
5. 🏏 The Longest Cricket Match Ever Played in the UK Lasted 14 Days
- In 1919, a match between Durham and Yorkshire school teams in Scarborough went on for a record 14 consecutive days. Interrupted by rain and wartime railway delays, the game became legendary for its length, stubborn batting, and eventual draw. Though not a first-class match, it remains a curious chapter in British cricket history it is a reminder of the sport’s patient (sometimes too patient) nature.
6. 🧭 Greenwich Is the Home of Time
- The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London is where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was established, setting the global standard for timekeeping. It marks zero degrees longitude, known as the Prime Meridian, dividing the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Visitors can stand with one foot in each half of the world, and literally be on the line where time begins.
7. 🧅 There’s a Town That Hosts a World Championship for Onion Eating
- In Newent, Gloucestershire, the World Onion Eating Championship takes place each year at the town’s onion fair. Contestants compete to eat a raw onion as fast as possible with no water or condiments allowed. The record is under a minute, and the audience gets teary-eyed just watching. It’s one of the UK's most bizarre and eye-watering traditions.
