United Kingdom Guide

History of the UK

Beginning in the 5th century, the Germanic-speaking Saxons invaded Britain in a series of invasions that lasted until the 15th century. Anglo-Saxon kingdoms arose, and through wars with British states, they eventually expanded to include much of modern-day England.

London’s history dates back to the Roman era, and it can be seen all over the city. The Treaty of Union and Acts of Union marked the beginning of the United Kingdom’s history in the early eighteenth century. The constitutional unification of the kingdoms of England and Scotland into a single unitary state called Great Britain gave birth to the United Kingdom as a federal state in 1707.

What is the UK famous for?

There are many famous UK landmarks known the world over, they include: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are just a few of the must see iconic landmarks. The Royal Family is much admired and state occasions bring foreign tourists from all corners of the globe. The United Kingdom is a mix of leafy suburbs and traditional quaint villages to upbeat cities such as London in the south and Manchester which in the north west and tourists enjoy the warm welcome they receive with their area guides in hand.

The Lake District and The Peak District in particular, are firm favourites with locals and tourists. William Shakespeare and his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon is where lovers of the written word flock to see his home. Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, Thomas Hardy, the list is endless. Poets and artists have fared well from the UK and why wouldn’t they, they have been inspired by beautiful venues the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. Online area guides will help you to follow us in the UK for the best visit ever.

What can you do in the UK?

There are beautiful parks and gardens, coastal walking trails and cycle paths, beaches and national parks one can explore. Add to the mix, stately homes, art galleries, museums, and historical buildings and landmarks and the UK is a treat for all.

What is there to do in the evening? There is a whole host of entertainment on offer, from theatre, opera, ballet, cinema, live music events, comedy stores and dance events. Piano bars, jazz bars and upmarket cocktail bars. Whatever your preferred genre of music, you will find it. Fine dining or restaurants that offer international menus, music events, festivals and fetes are in plentiful supply during the summer months in particular. Popular tourist attractions and area guides will help you choose which to visit.

UK universities

The United Kingdom is a magnet for foreign students to study at University. Worldwide it’s commonly known that the British education system is one to be admired and respected. Therefore, we see many foreign students attending university in the UK and we see their parents investing in property whether that’s in London, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff or Manchester in the north west. University area guide will help you decide on a location to send your child.

Student property investments in UK

Student property is always a superb investment with many buyers keeping their student apartments long after their offspring have finished their studies. A good income can be made and they enjoy the seeing their investment grow. On average we will see a yield of 6% capital appreciation. Many buyers are from the Middle East and generally, their children will attend a university in London. The London market is buoyant and these buyers can afford to spend a lot more on a swanky London property for sale. It’s a place for their children to stay in whilst at university and owning a property in the capital of the UK is prestigious with many benefits. Follow us to find the best universities for your child.

Why is the UK so popular?

The UK offers prestigious postcodes in the south and the north west in areas such as London, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff and Birmingham and area guides will help you. Then we have the beautiful locations of Cornwall and Yorkshire as well as investment areas suitable for balancing a working and living lifestyle. The English countryside once seen can never be forgotten, quaint villages with thatched roof cottages offer chocolate box style homes on the fringes of a city. You could be forgiven into thinking you are miles away from anyone of the modern cites, pretty suburbs are a lure for city workers who want to escape the rat race at weekends.

Why do foreigners come to the UK to visit? The UK is rich in history, has amazing architecture, the British Monarchy and Buckingham Palace, nature reserves and parks, cathedrals, stately homes, castles and lively cities. London is culturally diverse with around 40% of its population being of foreign descent. If you are an overseas visitor to the UK, read through this area guide for guidance.

Transport in the UK

Excellent transportation links makes getting around the UK easy. Fast speed trains means getting from the north west of England to London can be achieved in around 2 hours. Commuting isn’t ideal for everyone, but if you have to do it, the network or motorways and good roads make it bearable. Airports in all the major cities fly internationally. There are five major airports that surround London. London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton and London Stansted. Don’t worry area guides will show you the way.

The UK has 40 commercial airports dotted throughout the land and as one would expect, many ports. There are some 120 commercial ports in the UK with ports in London and Liverpool in the north west being the major ones. Dover is a ferry port with Felixstowe being a container port and many smaller ports.

How do you reach the UK?

The short-haul flights from Europe to the UK allows visiting in under 2.5 hours. Mid and long haul flights allow global tourists to visit the UK day in day out. Area guides from the airport will point you in the right direction.

Why should you buy a property in the UK?

London is the economic hub of the UK and property here is in high demand from London city workers and foreign business men and women. However, some of the leading names in business are moving north as costs in London spike. Operating costs are more affordable and they can usually rent larger premises, this is good news for the north of the UK and the locals who have better job prospects.

Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff and Manchester in the north west are wonderful cities in their own rights. Lively and with plenty to do, living in these cities is also more affordable away from the capital, you will see this in most capitals around the world. Young professionals are opting to live and work in the city centre preferring the vibe of a city location.

What the professional investor sees for your future investment:

The UK is in a great position worldwide in terms of the importance of its economy.
The UK economy grew by 1% in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The UK is the world’s 6^th largest economy in the world.
UK GDP is worth 1.96 trillion British Pounds.
The UK boasts 40 million tourists who visit every year.
The UK shipped 401.9 billion USD worth of goods around the globe in 2020.
Foreign Multinationals established in the UK account for 68.4% of total exports from the UK to the rest of the world.

UK property – stability on property prices

The UK has recently seen a rise of 8.6% in the property market making it a safe investment.
Visa-free access.
Residency in a highly desirable country which offers a high standard of living.
You have the right to work in the UK if: you are a British citizen, or are a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen.
Anyone has the opportunity to establish a business in the UK as long as it has a UK address.

Where to buy your property in the UK?

What are you buying a property in the UK for? Is it a holiday home, an investment property, a student rental, or a place to live? Below are the more popular areas that foreign investors buy-in. Spot Blue can help you purchase a UK home.

London – London is the United Kingdom’s capital, and it is a multicultural metropolis that thrives all year. Owing to the contrast between the spectacular historical sights and the diverse cultural scene, it is a fascinating and exciting city to visit. Unbeatable shopping in London, as well as endless vistas, beautiful parks, friendly locals, and a vibrant nightlife! If you are new to London invest in area guides it will make it easier to navigate your way around.

Birmingham – Birmingham is a leading European business destination with a regional economy of more than £90 billion, the UK’s youngest population, and a booming and ever-growing demand for city centre property. Birmingham is not only the largest city outside of London in the United Kingdom, but it also has one of the country’s most important financial centres.

Manchester – Manchester is a city in north west England that is constantly growing; Manchester has never been more exciting to invest in. It is the United Kingdom’s second-largest economy, and it is rapidly expanding, with multibillion-pound investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and transportation flooding in both domestically and globally.

Cardiff – Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Cardiff, home to three universities and a growing international student population, was chosen due to a shortage of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) that provided convenient access to both Cardiff University and the city’s key shopping streets and leisure hotspots. It’s a bustling city and only a short drive to the beautiful mountains and lakes Wales is famous for.

Berkshire – Berkshire is a county in England’s south. It is located to the west of London, in the valleys of the middle Thames. Berkshire has quickly establishing itself as one of the best places to live in the UK, with property in high demand. It is inside the commuting belt since it is less than an hour from London.

Yorkshire – Yorkshire is the largest historical county in England, located between the Pennine Mountains and the North Sea coast in north-central England. Coastal pathways, moorlands, fells, and plains cover 11,903 km2. Yorkshire is divided into three ridings, which all meet in York, the ancient city. You must pick up area guides fro this city to really appreciate all it has to offer.

Cornwall – Cornwall is the jewel in England’s crown, with more than five million visitors per year. The majority of visitors come from the United Kingdom, and Newquay is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world. This peninsula, located on the UK’s southwestern tip, has a rugged and stunningly beautiful coastline. Beach lovers flock to Cornwall and Land’s End because of the hundreds of golden sandy beaches. Cornwall is a wonderful place to live.

Facts about UK:
The population of the UK is 67.3 million.
The official title of the UK is United Kingdom of Great Britain.
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom.
In the UK, the second-largest city is Birmingham.
English is the official language of the UK.
The UK’s highest mountain is Ben Nevis 1.345 m in Scotland.
The UK has 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The UK is unique as it’s made of 4 nations, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In the UK its traditions are a full English breakfast and a roast Sunday dinner as well as drinking tea.
In the UK, locals have lunch between 12 and 1.30 pm and dinner from 6.30 to 8pm.
40 million tourists go to the UK every year.
The UK is the world’s 10th most popular tourist destination.
The UK hosts major sporting events yearly.
The UK in an important producer of textiles and chemical products.
The UK’s top exports are mechanical machinery and cars.

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