Great Britain
The island that holds England, Scotland and Wales, with London, Edinburgh and Cardiff as their capitals.
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Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles and in Europe, lying off the northwest coast of the continent in the North Atlantic. It covers about 209,331 km2 (80,823 sq mi). Politically, the name covers England, Scotland and Wales together, plus nearby islands such as the Isle of Wight and the Hebrides. Northern Ireland is outside it, so Great Britain and the United Kingdom are not the same thing.
London is the capital of England and of the UK, and the seat of the UK government. Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, home to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch's Scottish residence. Cardiff is Wales's capital. The east and south are mostly low, rolling country, while hills and mountains fill the west and north, including the Scottish Highlands. Hadrian's Wall, which marks the northern limit of the Roman conquest in England, is one of the island's major historic sites. The climate is mild for its latitude, with a narrow gap between summer and winter temperatures.
Great Britain in five
- Choose the nation by trip typeEngland fits cities, heritage and countryside in one trip, Scotland fits Highlands, islands and long scenic days, and Wales fits a compact mix of coast and mountains. Each has its own country guide.England guide
- Use the two rail spines northVisitBritain says you can reach Scotland from London by train within four hours. The West Coast route heads for Birmingham, the north-west and Glasgow; the East Coast route for York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.Trains and buses in Britain
- Sort your UK ETA before flying into BritainIf you are visa-exempt, you need an ETA before you fly, and the same one covers all three nations. It costs £20 and allows stays up to 6 months. Each traveler, including children, needs one.UK ETA explained
- Compare the Caledonian Sleeper with a day trainCaledonian Sleeper runs from London Euston to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. It replaces a hotel night with travel; a daytime train keeps the scenery and lets you stop.Caledonian Sleeper
- Count nations, not attractionsA week suits one nation well, or two if they are neighbors such as England and Wales. Adding Scotland means choosing between long travel days and skipping regions, so add days per nation, not stops per day.
Things to do in Great Britain
See all attractions in Great Britain
Need to know
- Airport
- London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow are main gateways
- Getting there
- Fly into any nation; trains link England, Scotland and Wales
- Getting around
- Trains between cities; a car for the Highlands, Wales and parks
- Best base
- London, Edinburgh or Cardiff, by nation
- Time needed
- A week per nation; add days for each extra one
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, short days
- FebruaryCold
- MarchCool
- AprilMild, showers
- MayLong days
- JuneWarm
- JulyWarmest, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberMild, calmer
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberDamp, dark
- DecemberCold, festive
Right now in Great Britain
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Great Britain
10:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°5°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed11°5°14%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu10°6°2%Thursday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri10°6°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat9°6°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun9°6°14%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 09:05 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cardiff, Walesby train from the English westThe simplest first step into Wales from Bath, Bristol or London.Read the guide
- Edinburgh, Scotlandby train from York or NewcastleThe East Coast route reaches Scotland's capital without a car.Read the guide
- Eryri, Walesby car or rail from north-west EnglandMountains and slate towns for a Liverpool or Chester based trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Great Britain
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Rules for Great Britain, checked
- A UK ETA costs £20, lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows stays of up to 6 months. British and Irish citizens do not need one.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Only some Scottish council areas charge a visitor levy, which your accommodation adds to the bill as a percentage or a fixed charge.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- To hire a car you need a valid driving license, an international driving permit if required, and a credit card in the main driver's name.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Great Britain
Entry, money and the four nations
Read the guideEnglandLondon, Bath, York, the Cotswolds and the Lakes
Read the guideScotlandEdinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands and Skye
Read the guideWalesCardiff, Eryri and the Pembrokeshire coast
Read the guideLondonThe main gateway and the start of both rail spines
Read the guideEdinburghScotland's capital, on the East Coast route
Read the guideCardiffWales' capital and the gateway to the south
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one before flying to Britain
Read the guideTrains and buses in BritainRail tickets and routes between the nations
Read the guideVisa checkerYour passport's entry rule for the UK
Read the guideGreat Britain FAQ
Is Great Britain the same as the United Kingdom?
No. Great Britain is the island of England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland, and one UK ETA covers entry to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Do I need a visa or ETA to visit Great Britain?
It depends on your passport. Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada need an ETA (£20) rather than a visa; British and Irish passport holders do not. Check your passport on gov.uk before booking.
Should I visit England, Scotland or Wales first?
Start with England for a first trip built around cities and heritage, Scotland if landscapes and long scenic travel matter most, and Wales for a shorter, compact trip. Pick by trip type, not by size.
How many days do I need for Great Britain?
Plan about a week per nation for an unhurried trip. If you have only one week, choose one nation or two neighboring ones; trying all three means long travel days and few stops.
Can I travel between England, Scotland and Wales by train?
Yes. VisitBritain reports more than 2,500 stations across the three nations, and London to Scotland by train within four hours. For the Highlands and rural Wales, add a car or buses.