From the most northerly point of Cumbria to the deep depths of Lizard Point in Cornwall there is something for everyone to enjoy in Great Britain.  Whether you are looking for the chaos of the city or a relaxing country break there is everything for you to enjoy.

Whether your holiday is an annual ritual or whether you feel you just need to get away, Great Britain is now number three and Ireland number four in the list of the Top Ten Holiday Destinations for 2012. Surrounding them are the usual suspects that you’d expect, such as Spain, Italy, Turkey etc. but for Great Britain to be at number three and Ireland at number four shows that the new thing to do is holiday at home. You may not get the exotic weather that you get abroad but you really can have just as much fun closer to home.

Thrill Seekers:

Look to the theme parks with the likes of Alton Towers, birthplace of Oblivion: the world’s first vertical drop rollercoaster. Blackpool Pleasure Beach intimidates the horizon with The Big One: Built in 1994, standing 213 feet high it was once the tallest and steepest rollercoaster in the world. Drayton Manor’s Shockwave is Europe’s only standing rollercoaster and Thorpe Park is home to Stealth: Britain’s fastest rollercoaster with a height of 205 feet it reaches speeds of 80mph in less than two seconds; for a mellower thrill seek out Birmingham’s Cadbury World.

History:

If it’s history you’re after then London could be your place, housing four world heritage sites:  the Tower of London; The settlement of Greenwich; the site of Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St Margret’s Church and finally the Royal Botanic Gardens. In other areas, Stonehenge in Wiltshire is one of Britain’s most important historic landmarks, built between 3000BC and 1600BC. Tower Bridge Exhibition in London shows how the 1894 construction was originally powered as well as films and exhibits to show its journey through time.

Nature:

For countryside and nature, Great Britain is home to 15 National Parks:  North York Moors, Brecon Beacons, Peak District, Broads, Dartmoor, Lake District, South Downs, Loch Lomond, New Forest, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire Coast, Cairngorms, Snowdonia, Exmoor, and Yorkshire Dales. These are a mixture of mountains, moorland, wetlands, meadows and woods and are protected areas of countryside that anyone can visit and learn from.

Ireland:

Irish pubs are famous throughout the world for being a top laugh, friendly and having great beer. You can guarantee a party all night at any local Irish pub. For those other than party animals are the amazing views and landscapes such as the Giant’s Causeway (the home of the Giant Finn McCool nearly 2,000 years ago).

There’s not really much more you could want from a holiday other than the weather but if you pick the right time you may be lucky!

This guest blog post was written by Emily Cowan for www.travelsolutionsireland.com, who are well known for tailor made tours of Ireland.