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A closeup of basalt columns that make up the Giant's Causeway in Northern Irelenad. The Causeway is a site of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. As the lava cooled, contraction occurred in a pattern similar to that of drying mud, with the cracks propagating in a generally hexagonal pattern and downward, leaving pillarlike structures. The unique geological formation is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the town of Bushmills.

Dust from North Africa mingled with other aerosols in the skies over the United Kingdom (left of center) and Ireland (farther west) on 18 April 2003. In this scene, the dust is more prominent to the north over the Atlantic, where it can be seen as a tan swirl west of Norway. West of Ireland, the haze is grayer, and is more likely pollution. In the United Kingdom, a few bright plumes of white could be associated with fires. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Dramatic satellite image of Britain taken 7 January 2010 shows the island completely snow covered during the record-breaking European winter of 2009-10. Image courtesy of NASA.

This intriguing "globular cluster of stars" is actually the "constellation" of city lights surrounding London as recorded February 2003 from the International Space Station. The encircling "London Orbital" highway by-pass, the M25, is easiest to pick out south of the city. Even farther south are the lights of Gatwick airport and just inside the western (left hand) stretch of the Orbital is Heathrow. Image courtesy of NASA.

Many of the timber-framed buildings in York have been restored and converted to restaurants, shops, or boutiques.

Ruins of St. Mary's Abbey in the garden adjoining the Yorkshire Museum in York. The former Benedictine abbey was the richest in northern England; it was destroyed on orders of Henry VIII during the "Dissolution of the Monasteries" in the 16th century.

Ruins in the Museum Gardens adjacent to the Yorkshire Museum in York.

Promenade along the River Ouse in York. Lendal Bridge appears in the background.

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall was one of the most important buildings in medieval York. The majority of the structure was built in 1357; its Great Hall was where merchants gathered to conduct business and socialize, while its Undercroft served as a hospital and almshouse for the poor. The Merchant Adventurers today no longer conduct mercantile activities but are a charitable group. The Hall is the largest timber-framed building in the UK still standing and used for its original purpose.

The ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle in York is referred to as Clifford's Tower.

Much of York's ancient walls still survive; they are punctuated by four main gatehouses (referred to as "bars"). Bootham Bar has some of the oldest surviving stonework - dating to the 11th century A.D. It was built almost exactly on the site of the northwestern gate of Eboracum, the Roman settlement that evolved into York. This view, taken from Exhibition Square, shows York Minster, the city's famous cathedral, in the background.

Substantial portions of York's city walls have been preserved. Although the Romans first constructed walls around the city (which they called Eboracum), most of the current walls date to medieval (12th-14th century) times.

Layers showing the build up of York's defenses through the ages.

A view of the towers on the western front of York Minster. Construction on this Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in northern Europe, began in 1220; it was not completed until 1472.

A closer view of the front facade of York Minster, whose formal title is "The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York."

Time, weather, and pollution have all taken their toll on the carvings decorating the exterior of York Minster. Sections of the cathedral continue to undergo restoration. Replacement stonework is fashioned in a special stoneyard next to the cathedral.

Some of York Minster's decorative roof finials show severe weathering, as well as areas where restoration has taken place.

A view across some of the York Minster roofs.

A close up of one of the York Minster entrances highlighting some of the replacement carvings installed as part of the restoration effort.

A portion of the choir screen in York Minster shows carvings of many of England's early kings.

Statue of Roman Emperor Constantine at the south transept of York Minster (York Cathedral) in North Yorkshire, England. This is near the spot where Constantine was proclaimed Augustus (i.e., co-emperor) in A.D. 306 by his troops. Following a number of civil wars, Constantine became sole emperor by 324. His Edict of Milan in 313 declared tolerance for Christianity in the Roman Empire and proved a turning point for the spread of the Christian Church.

St. William's College, adjacent to York Minster, serves as a convention and meeting center for the cathedral.

The Theatre Royal in York dates dates back to 1744; it sits on the site of the medieval St. Leonard's Hospital. Parts of the old hospital can still be seen in the archways and walls. Under the stage is a well that is believed to date back to the Roman era in York's history.

The Shambles, formerly an open-air meat market in York, is now a popular tourist destination lined with picturesque shops.

Wildflowers growing atop a wall in York.

Street scene in Portsmouth, England.

HMS Warrior, a museum ship docked in Portsmouth Harbor, England. Completed in 1861, she was the first armor-plated, iron-hulled warship built for the British Royal Navy. In its day, Warrior was the largest, fastest, most heavily armed and armored warship in the world. She was powered by sail or steam-driven propeller, or both.

HMS Warrior docked in Portsmouth Harbor, England. The city's iconic Spinnaker Tower, opened in 2005, appears at the left. The tower's height is 170 m (560 ft); it has three viewing decks at 100-, 105-, and 110-meter levels.

One of the innovations on HMS Warrior was the employment of newly developed breech loading, rifled guns such as the Armstrong 110 pounder 7 inch (177 mm) gun. The gun was mounted on a pivot to allow a wide range of fire and metal tracks in the deck facilitated the movement of the gun carriage.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy in the historic dockyards area of Portsmouth Harbor, England.

A view of the starboard side of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship from the Battle of Trafalgar, in drydock at the historic dockyards area of Portsmouth Harbor, England. She is the world's oldest naval ship still in commission and carries 104 guns.

Entrance gangway to HMS Victory, berthed at the historic dockyard in Portsmouth, England.

Gundeck on HMS Victory - Britain's most famous battleship - berthed at the historic dockyard in Portsmouth, England.

View from HMS Victory onto Portsmouth Harbor. The ship in drydock is the M33, a World War I monitor (gunboat) dating to 1915.

The simple curving lines of the Mary Rose Museum contrast with the ornate carvings on the stern of HMS Victory in the historic dockyard area in Portsmouth, England. The Mary Rose was a 16th-century warship that sank abruptly in 1545 during an engagement with the French. She was salvaged in 1982 along with thousands of artifacts and today serves as the centerpiece of the eponymous nautical museum and maritime archeological center.

The surprisingly spacious dining quarters aboard HMS Victory were reserved for the officers.

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK, was built between 1705 and 1724. Designed in the fleeting English Baroque style, it is one of the largest houses in England and the only non-royal country house in England that is officially called a palace. The English Parliament built it as a national gift to John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough, for leading the English to victory over the French and Bavarians at the Battle of Blenheim in Germany during the War of the Spanish Succession. The palace is the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

A walk through the Secret Garden on the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

A hidden pool in the Secret Garden at Blenheim Palace.

A variety of low-growing plants highlight a rock garden in the Secret Garden at Blenheim Palace.

Pink rhododendrons in the Secret Garden on the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

One of the belvederes gracing the west end of Blenheim Palace as seen through some of the trees on the grounds of the estate.

Wisteria-bedecked cottage in the town of Burford, the Cotswold hills district, England.

Shops in the town of Burford, the Cotswolds district, England.

Relaxing outside a restaurant in the town of Burford, the Cotswold hills district, England.

Closely packed houses in the town of Burford, the Cotswold hills district, England.

A sunny afternoon in Bournton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds district, England.

An inviting cottage in the town of Bournton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds district, England.

Typical Cotswolds hills cottage and dry stone walls.

A sturdy Cotswolds house built of locally quarried, distinctive honey-colored limestone.

The Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world. Constructed in 1844, the glasshouse resembles the upturned hull of a ship because architects borrowed techniques from the ship-building industry in constructing it. The Palm House focuses on the earth’s tropical regions with a hot and humid environment allowing tropical plants to thrive and grow. Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Inside the Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England.

Spiral stairs in Kew Garden's Temperate House or Palm House, the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world. A walkway at a height of 9 m (30 ft) in the 19 m- (62 ft-) high nave allows visitors to look down upon the crowns of the palms. Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

View from a raised walkway down onto a fish pond in the Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England.

White rhododendron blossoms at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England.

Rhododendron blossoms and buds at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England.

Red rhododendron blossoms at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England.

Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London gets its name from the nearby Tower of London. Officially opened in 1894, it has become an iconic symbol of the city.

Tower Bridge in London received its name from the nearby Tower of London.

View from out the back of one of London's famous double-decker buses crossing Tower Bridge.

Passing under Tower Bridge as seen through the observation window of a cruise ship.

The Houses of Parliament building in Westminster, London, UK, is home to the famous clock tower that houses “Big Ben.” The nickname Big Ben is today often applied to the tower, the clock, and the bell, but originally it applied solely to the largest bell inside the tower. The bell was named for Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the latter stages of the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament after the 1834 fire. The chimes of four other bells in the tower combine to play the Westminster Quarters tune. On New Year’s Eve 1923, BBC Radio first broadcast Big Ben's chimes to the UK, and in 1932 the chimes were broadcast internationally as part of King George V’s Christmas address. The structure was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The clock itself is the world's largest four-faced chiming clock.

The Houses of Parliament building in Westminster, London, UK, is home to the famous clock tower that houses “Big Ben.” The nickname Big Ben is today often applied to the tower, the clock, and the bell, but originally it applied solely to the largest bell inside the tower. The bell was named for Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the latter stages of the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament after the 1834 fire. The chimes of four other bells in the tower combine to play the Westminster Quarters tune. On New Year’s Eve 1923, BBC Radio first broadcast Big Ben's chimes to the UK, and in 1932 the chimes were broadcast internationally as part of King George V’s Christmas address. The structure was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The clock itself is the world's largest four-faced chiming clock.

Big Ben as seen through the gates of the Palace of Westminster, London.

The statue of Winston Churchill on the grounds of the Houses of Parliament building (Westminster Palace) in London.

The statue of Boudica, Queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe, near Westminster Pier and the Houses of Parliament Clock Tower. Boudica led a fearsome - but ultimately unsuccessful - Celtic revolt against the Romans in A.D. 60 or 61.

A view of London at dusk.

The first Westminster Abbey in London was built in the 1040s by King Edward (later St. Edward the Confessor) who enlarged an existing small Benedictine monastery established at the site in A.D. 960 in honor of St. Peter the Apostle. In order to distinguish it from St. Paul’s Cathedral (the east minster) also in London, it became known as “west minster.” In the mid-13th century, King Henry III built much of the present-day building. The first coronation ceremony was for William the Conqueror in 1066 and Westminster Abbey has been the setting for every British coronation since then as well as other royal occasions, including 16 weddings. The Abbey also contains the tombs of kings and queens and St. Edward the Confessor. Statesmen, warriors, scientists, poets and musicians are also buried or memorialized within the church. Westminster Abbey (the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster) is not a cathedral or a parish church, but a "Royal Peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the Sovereign and not to any archbishop or bishop.

Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church for Roman Catholic community in England and Wales. Opened in 1903, it is renowned for its highly distinctive Byzantine architecture.

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe (135 m). The Eye carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned egg-shaped passenger capsules, each of which can hold 25 persons.

The London Eye Millennium Wheel located on the south bank of the Thames River is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world and offers the best view of London.

A capsule from the London Eye, the city's famous observation wheel.

The London Eye at dusk.

Looking up at the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. This Anglican place of worship rests on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the city. The present building - designed by Sir Christopher Wren - dates to the 17th century and is generally considered to be the fifth St. Paul's erected on the site.

A vista of London from the Golden Gallery, the highest point of the outer dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Some 85 m (280 ft) above the city, this view requires a climb of 530 steps. The large structure on the right is the cathedral's west end clock tower.

A look down into Paternoster Square from the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The area is the location of the London Stock Exchange, as well as various investment banks.

View through a circular cut opening (glass covered) down onto the crossing under the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Royal Albert Hall in London, England as seen from the Albert Memorial looking across Kensington Gore.

The Royal Albert Hall in London, England as seen from Prince Consort Road.

A view of the Albert Memorial as seen from Kensington Gore.

The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, London is situated directly to the north of the Royal Albert Hall. It was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. Built over a period of 10 years, it opened in 1872.

A closer view of the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, London.

Butler's Wharf along the River Thames, London.

The Charing Cross Railroad Station in London. The Hungerford Bridge that leads to the station is flanked by two cable-stayed pedestrian bridges that share the railroad bridge's foundation piers and which are officially named the Golden Jubilee Bridges.

Whitehall Court as seen from the River Thames, London. Although one contiguous building, it consists of two separate constructions. The left portion of the building is The Royal Horseguards hotel, while the remainder is residential.

The 11 m (36 ft)-high blown glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly in the rotunda at the main entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The courtyard of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The courtyard of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

A cast of Trajan's Column (cut in half, upper part seen in foreground) as displayed at the Cast Court in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The acquisition by museums of plaster casts of important monuments and works of art was especially popular in the mid-to-late 19th century, since few people could afford to travel to the Continent to view the originals. The V&A's collection is regarded as one of the finest remaining in the world.

Close up of the base of the cast of Trajan's Column as displayed at the Cast Court in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Cast of an elaborate Moorish entranceway at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

A storage area for casts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The tip of the distinctive 30 St Mary Axe Building (40 stories; commonly referred to as The Gherkin) as seen from the courtyard of The Tower of London fortress.

The uniquely shaped London City Hall (on the left) is home to the Greater London Authority, which consists of the Mayor of London and a 25-member London Assembly.

The Royal Exchange in London. This - the third exchange building on the site - dates to 1844. The Royal Exchange no longer acts as a center of commerce, but is now a luxurious shopping center.

The impressive facades along Queen's Gate Terrace in London.

An element from The Blues and Royals, in their distinctive blue rain capes, passing along a damp London street. The Blues and Royals are part of the Household Cavalry Regiment performing ceremonial duties on state and royal occasions as well as an armored reconnaissance unit taking part in active military operations around the world. As one of the senior regiments of the British Army, the lineage of The Blues and Royals includes The Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) dating back to the Restoration Period of 1660-1661.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence and administrative headquarters for the monarch of the United Kingdom. The original building, the center of the palace, was a large townhouse known as Buckingham House built for the first Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It passed to royal possession when King George III purchased the house in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. In the 19th century, the structure was enlarged to become a palace. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to make the palace her residence in July 1837 and in June 1838 she was the first British sovereign to leave from Buckingham Palace for a coronation. Over the years, Buckingham Palace expanded further to its current 775 rooms that include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Buckingham Palace measures 108 m long (354 ft) across the front, 120 m deep (393 ft) (including the central quadrangle), and 24 m (78ft) high and is a focal point for the British people during national rejoicing and mourning.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence and administrative headquarters for the monarch of the United Kingdom. The original building, the center of the palace, was a large townhouse known as Buckingham House built for the first Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It passed to royal possession when King George III purchased the house in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. In the 19th century, the structure was enlarged to become a palace. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to make the palace her residence in July 1837 and in June 1838 she was the first British sovereign to leave from Buckingham Palace for a coronation. Over the years, Buckingham Palace expanded further to its current 775 rooms that include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. Buckingham Palace measures 108 m long (354 ft) across the front, 120 m deep (393 ft) (including the central quadrangle), and 24 m (78ft) high and is a focal point for the British people during national rejoicing and mourning.

The new glass Pavilion exhibition space of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) opened in 2004 behind Lowther Lodge, the society's main building. Beneath the Pavilion and to the foreground is the Foyle Reading Room and the RGS library, which are covered by a sunken lawn, but which receive illumination through the bush-shaded skylights.

A rear entrance to Lowther Lodge, the main building of the Royal Geographical Society in London.

Horns, trumpets, bells - London, England.

The Queen's House, Greenwich viewed from Observatory Hill. Shown are the original house (1635) and the wings linked by colonnades (1807). Beyond the House is the Old Royal Naval College, completed in 1712.

The exquisitely carved ceiling of the Chapel at the Queen Mary Court of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

The balcony in the Chapel at the Queen Mary Court of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

A view towards the back of the Chapel at the Queen Mary Court of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, showing part of the balcony and organ.

A section of the Painted Hall and its famous trompe l'oeil decorations at the King William Court of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

One of the buildings making up the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.

On 22 October 1884, the International Meridian Conference meeting in Washington, DC adopted Greenwich, England as the initial longitudinal meridian for longitude (0 degree longitude), and defined a universal day as beginning for the world at the moment of mean midnight at the initial meridian and counting from zero up to twenty-four hours. In the 19th century, 72% of the world’s commerce depended on sea charts, which already used Greenwich as the prime meridian. This conference standardized these charts along with railway schedules, and the clocks of the world. Today people visiting Greenwich, England can actually walk on a physical representation of the line dividing the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth at the Royal Observatory that defines the Prime Meridian.

Swaledale, a valley in Yorkshire, northern England.

Although no longer in general use, the red phone booth was once a staple of the British communications system. This one was found on a back street in Harrogate, England.

Much of the exterior of Eastwell Manor in Ashford, Kent, is draped with ivy.

Old Bridge at Warwick Castle, Warwick, England, dates to the 11th century.

On April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare was born in this house on Stratford-on-Avon, England, UK. Considered one of the world’s greatest dramatists, he wrote 37 plays and over 150 sonnets. In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway and the young couple lived in this house with their children and his parents. In 1601, Shakespeare’s father died and being the eldest surviving son, he inherited the house. By this time, Shakespeare and his family were living in New Place, which he purchased in 1597, and lived there until his death in the house in 1616.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage, near Stratford-on-Avon, England, is a spacious 12-room house where Anne - Shakespeare's wife - was brought up.

The main entrance to the Windsor & Eton Central Railway Station, opposite Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

Windsor Castle in Berkshire County is the largest inhabited castle in the world; dating to the 11th century, it is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. In 1992, a fire destroyed part of the castle; restoration required five years. The castle is one of Britain's most popular attractions, but not all areas are open to the public.

The Round Tower at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

Part of the Quadrangle of the Upper Ward at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

Gardens and pond at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary in Salisbury, consecrated in 1258, is an Anglican cathedral built in the Early English Gothic style. It has the tallest church spire in the UK, which required serious buttressing and contains no bell. The cathedral holds the oldest working clock in the world (built 1386) and one of the original surviving copies of the Magna Carta.

Laburnum trees in bloom around Chester Cathedral, England. The cathedral dates back to 1093 and has a free standing bell tower added in the 20th century. The church has been altered many times as attested to by examples of Norman, Early English Gothic, and Perpendicular Gothic styles of architecture. There may have been a Christian basilica on the site during the Roman era.

The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of approximately 150 islands, are located some 45 km (28 mi) southwest of the westernmost point of England (Land's End). The islands are an erosional remnant of an ancient granite intrusion and are notable because they have been inhabited for over 4,000 years. Currently, about 2,000 people live on only five of the islands. Historical and geological evidence indicates that many of the islands were larger and/or connected in the recent past. Even today, it is possible to walk between certain islands during low tides. Image courtesy of NASA.

The White Cliffs of Dover is a region of English coastline facing the Straight of Dover and France. The cliffs, comprised of chalk and stretching for 13 km (8 mi), were immortalized in a World War II song “The White Cliffs of Dover.”

The Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall is part of the Battle of Britain Memorial in Folkstone. The memorial is dedicated to the men who won the Battle of Britain, 10 July to 31 October 1940. The wall contains the names of all those aircrew known to have flown at least one sortie with an accredited squadron or unit of the Royal Air Force during the Battle.

The entrance to the new St. Michael's Coventry Cathedral, England.

Tower, spire, and part of the outer wall of the old St. Michael's Coventry Cathedral, England. Built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, the church was bombed and almost obliterated during the Blitz in 1940. Today it stands next to the new cathedral and serves as a place of reflection and reconciliation.

Dry stone walls line a road in the Lake District in northwest England. The lakes and mountains of this picturesque area were attracting tourists by the end of the 18th century and by 1951 the government formed the Lake District National Park to protect the area from becoming over developed. Its most famous inhabitant was the poet William Wordsworth.

The Choir of Bristol Cathedral (the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity). The church was founded in 1140 as Saint Augustine's Abbey, and rebuilt in 1542 in the Romanesque style; it was added on to again in the 19th century.

Bath Abbey (the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul) is built in a cruciform pattern. Founded in the 7th century, it was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries.

Bath Abbey stands nearby the Roman Baths in Bath, England.

Plaque affixed to Bath Abbey commemorating the site of the coronation of Edgar, the first king of all England, in A.D. 973.

Close up of the Gothic exterior of Bath Abbey, Bath, England.

Fan vaulting over the nave at Bath Abbey, Bath, England.

View across the Pulteney Bridge, which spans the River Avon in Bath, county Sommerset, England. The bridge is lined by shops on both sides.

Looking down onto the River Avon from the Pulteney Bridge in Bath, county Sommerset, England.

A view of Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon in Bath, England. The bridge was modeled after the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy.

A topiary lion stands guard in Parade Garden in Bath, England.

A street scene in Bath, Somerset county, England.

St. Michael's Church in Bath, England.

Hanging flower baskets in Bath, county Sommerset, England.

A model of the baths and associated temple at Aquae Sulis showing the many buildings that made up the complex.

A model of the baths and associated temple at Aquae Sulis (viewed from the opposite side) showing the many buildings that made up the complex.

A view of the reconstructed Great Bath of Aquae Sulis in Bath, with Bath Abbey in the background.

The Great Bath at Aquae Sulis (today Bath) England. Although the water from the hot spring is colorless, it acquires its distinctive green hue from algal growth caused by the heat of the water and from sunlight.

The superstructure of the Roman baths at Aquae Sulis - everything from the base of the columns upward - was reconstructed during Victorian times.

The spring at the Roman Baths at Aquae Sulis (today Bath) England.

The King's Bath at Bath, England.

Hot water (46 degrees C or 115 degrees F) continues to flow into the Great Bath at Aquae Sulis through the original Roman channels.

This arched overflow was part of the impressive Roman engineering arrangements at Aquae Sulis that continue to keep hot water flowing through the bath complex today.

Carved blocks from the pediment of the Temple of Sulis Minerva (the patron deity of the baths at Aquae Sulis).

Foundational remains of some of the buildings at Aquae Sulis. The screen shows what the area looked like in Roman times.

Flowers vying for attention in a window box outside the Roman Baths in Bath, England.

A photo of the English countryside near Avebury, in the English county of Wiltshire. The small town is the site of a Neolithic henge that is larger and older than Stonehenge, 32 km (20 mi) to the south.

Vaults of clouds climb above the fields by Overton Hill in Wiltshire, England. Numerous tumuli (burial mounds) dot the hill, which has been the focus of human activities for over 5,000 years.

Stonehenge as seen from the north barrow, Wiltshire County, England. The stone circle was built about 2500 B.C. by a non-writing culture and is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones with several hundred burial mounds. Among its many suggested functions are that it may have served as: an astronomical observatory, a religious site, a domain of the dead, or a place of healing. The site has also been connected to Arthurian legend.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone circle monument, cemetery, and archaeological site located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. In 1986, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Another view of the megaliths that compose Stonehenge.

Built in the English Palladian style between 1737 and 1749, the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, England houses the Radcliffe Science Library.

Chancel vault of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England. Uniquely, the church also serves as the chapel for Christ Church, the largest college at the University of Oxford. The church held the distinction of being the smallest cathedral in England for hundreds of years, but in the 20th century a few smaller churches were raised to cathedral status. The house of worship exhibits both Norman and Perpendicular styles.

The Iron Bridge that spans the Severn River near the town of Ironbridge, England is the world’s first iron bridge. Constructed in 1779 at the dawn of the industrial age in Britain, the bridge opened in 1781 and remained in use for over 150 years until it closed to vehicular traffic in 1934 and was designated an Ancient Monument. Designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard, the cast iron single-span bridge, measuring 30 m (98 ft), with five main semicircular ribs proved invaluable to the development of industry and commerce in the area. In 1986, the Iron Bridge became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A remaining section of Hadrian's Wall, England. The wall was a fortification built by the Romans to mark their northern frontier, to prevent raids by Pictish tribes, and to collect customs. Begun in A.D. 122 and largely completed in six years, it was constructed of turf and stone with 80 small fortlets, one for each Roman mile. Eventually 14 to 17 full size forts were added.

A low remnant of Hadrian's Wall. The defensive fortification was built by the Romans over six years beginning in A.D. 122 and then strengthened in subsequent decades. Named after the emperor who ordered its construction, the barrier secured the northwest section of the empire from barbarians. The 117.5-km (73-mi) wall stretches across England from Wallsend in the east to Solway Firth in the west and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

A view from the top of a section of Hadrian's Wall. The defensive fortification was built by the Romans over six years beginning in A.D. 122 and then strengthened in subsequent decades. Named after the emperor who ordered its construction, the barrier secured the northwest section of the empire from barbarians. The 117.5-km (73-mi) wall stretches across England from Wallsend in the east to Solway Firth in the west and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Eilean Donan Castle, near Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland was built in 1220 on a small island in Loch Duich as a defense against Danish invaders.

Celtic cross outside of St. Moluag's Church - Teampull Mholuaidh in Scots Gaelic - in the town of Eoropie on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of northern Scotland.

The Standing Stones of Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, date to between 2900 and 2600 B.C. Standing stone circles are found throughout the British Isles.

A street scene in Edinburgh. Scotland's capital offers a harmonious blend of historic and modern architecture.

Saint Giles Cathedral, The High Kirk of Edinburgh, Scotland. This view of the west front shows the Tower and the Crown. The latter is believed to date from the 15th century.

Heraldic flags flank the Preston Aisle inside Saint Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

A view of the North Transept inside Edinburgh's Saint Giles Cathedral and the great North Window completed by Douglas Strachan, Scotland's most prolific stained glass artist of the 20th century. This window portrays nautical themes: Christ walking on water in the lower section and, in the upper section, Christ calming a tempest; it is one of the most dynamic artworks in the church exhibiting swirling shapes in the glass pieces, and a predominance of blues, greens, and purples in the color composition.

The elaborately carved marble pulpit inside Saint Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

A view of the entranceway to Edinburgh Castle. The doorway is flanked by bronze statues of two of Scotland's greatest heroes, Robert the Bruce on the left and William Wallace (a.k.a. Braveheart) on the right. They were added in 1929 on the 600th anniversary of Bruce's death.

A section of the Scottish National War Memorial building located in Edinburgh Castle.

Saint Margaret's Chapel - built circa 1130 - is the oldest building in Edinburgh Castle and in all of Scotland's capital city. It was built by King David I as a private chapel for the royal family and dedicated to his mother, Margaret.

One of two splendid fireplaces inside the Royal Palace in Edinburgh Castle.

The other fine fireplace inside the Royal Palace in Edinburgh Castle.

A view of Edinburgh as seen from its castle.

Looking out onto the city of Edinburgh from the walls of its castle. The oldest parts of the castle date to the 12th century.

A view of Edinburgh from its castle. The Firth of Forth, the estuary of Scotland's Forth River, may be seen in the background.

The entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland. The castle derives its name from the Celtic words "haly" and "ruid" (Holy Cross), it is the official residence of the monarch of the UK in Scotland.

Castle Stalker is a much-photographed, four-story tower house or keep set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich in Scotland. The island castle is one of the best-preserved medieval tower houses to survive in western Scotland.

A closer view of Castle Stalker, the four-story tower house or keep set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich in Scotland. The island castle is one of the best-preserved medieval tower houses to survive in western Scotland.

A view from the battlements of Castle Stalker onto Loch Laich in Scotland. The island castle is one of the best-preserved medieval tower houses to survive in western Scotland.

Llangollen, Wales, in the Dee Valley, is the site of the annual International Eisteddfod, a music festival in which singers and dancers from around the world participate.

Built on the site of a 6th century monastery, St. Davids Church served as a religious and intellectual center on the western Welsh coast. Visited by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the church remains a pilgrimage site. The adjacent, ornate bishop’s residence served as a center of the church's authority for the region.

Heraldic banners decorate the walls of Caernarfon Castle, Wales, constructed by King Edward I following the conquest of Gwynedd. Begun in 1283, it reached it current state in 1323, but was never entirely completed.

Inside Caernarfon Castle, Wales. The tradition of investing the heir to the throne of Britain with the title Prince of Wales was begun in 1301 when King Edward I invested Prince Edward with the title. Prince Charles was the last heir to be invested there in 1969.

Located on the border between Wales and England along the Wye River, this abbey served as a monastery from the 12th century until the dissolution decree in the 16th century.

Located on the border between Wales and England along the Wye River, this abbey served as a monastery from the 12th century until the dissolution decree in the 16th century.

The former Leeds General Post Office building covers the northwest portion of Leeds City Square.

A view of City Square in Leeds. The statue is of The Black Prince, Edward of Woodstock. On the left is the Old Post Office; the round building in the background is called No 1 City Square.

At the front entrance to Leeds Town Hall; in the background is Oxford Place Centre.

Oxford Place Centre is situated next to Leeds Town Hall. The Centre comprises Oxford Place Methodist Church and Oxford Place Community Care.

Flower display in front of Leeds Town Hall; the Leeds Art Gallery is in the background.

The Leeds Art Gallery, located next to Leeds Town Hall, houses primarily modern art, but also contains artwork of the 19th century and earlier.

Leeds Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is the Roman Catholic cathedral for the Diocese of Leeds.

Leeds General Infirmary, also known as the LGI, is a large teaching hospital based in the center of Leeds.

The Bargate is a medieval gatehouse in the city center of Southampton, England. Constructed in Norman times as part of the Southampton town walls, it was the main gateway to the city. Southampton is the largest city in southeast England with a population of 275,000 and also a major port.

The nave of Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, England. Construction began in 1079 and the church was consecrated in 1093; additions to the structure took place in subsequent centuries. Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest in Europe and has the greatest overall length (169 m) of any Gothic cathedral.

The High Altar of Winchester Cathedral features an ornate 15th-century stone screen.

A view of the massive ceiling vault of the 1,400-year-old Canterbury Cathedral, mother church of the worldwide Anglican community, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

One of the many impressive stained glass windows in the 1,400-year-old Canterbury Cathedral.

Stone marking the spot where Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by knights of King Henry II for opposing the king. Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162-1170. He was canonized as a saint after his death.

Plaque in Canterbury Cathedral memorializing the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in the Cathedral on 29 December 1170.

Information on Scalloway, which was the capital of Shetland until 1708.

A view of Scalloway, its harbor, and its castle remains (in the middle distance).

A village in Shetland near Scalloway.

A bay near Scalloway, Shetland.

Shetland ponies, small but strong equines that are native to the islands.

A view of the coastline of Shetland.

The suburbs of Lerwick, the capital of Shetland. Easily the largest settlement in Shetland - the town is a busy fishing and ferry port; it also services vessels for the offshore oil industry.

Homes in the suburbs of Lerwick, the capital of Shetland.

Information on the Jarlshof settlement in Shetland. The site was occupied for 4,000 years by many peoples including Picts and Norsemen.

Information on a Pict wheel house at Jarlshof in Shetland.

Walls of a Pict wheel house at Jarlshof in Shetland.

Information on Norse settlement at Jarlshof, Shetland, which began about 850 and continued for several centuries.

Information on a medieval farm house at Jarlshof, Shetland that was repeatedly rebuilt.

This medieval farm house at Jarlshof, Shetland dates to about A.D. 1300 and is based on the earlier Norse longhouse.

Typical treeless landscape of the Shetlands.

Shetland landscape.

A cove along the Shetland coast.

The sod roof on this Shetland house mirrors its grassy setting.

Fireworks shoot off from the castle and diamonds are projected onto the castle walls as multinational musicians and performers play "Diamonds are Forever" in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on 2 August 2012. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers, and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and 2012 year marked the first time since 1950 that a US Navy band had performed in the show. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Grieco.

Overlooking the city of Edinburgh, Scotland on the eve of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2016. Photo courtesy of the US Army/ Spc. Joseph Agacinski.

The opening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo held at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, 25 August 2017. In 2017, performers from 50 countries took part in the Tattoo, including the US Navy Band. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro.

The 1st Battalion Scots Guard Pipes and Drums, along with the Royal Highland Fusilers, 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland perform during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo held at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, 25 August 2017. In 2017, performers from 50 countries took part in the Tattoo, including the US Navy Band. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro.

The highland cow (Scots: heilan coo) is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle that originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland. The cows, bred mainly for their meat, have long horns and a two-layer-thick coat (the longest among cattle species) consisting of an undercoat and an oily outer coat that protects against the harsh highland weather.

This statue in Edinburgh is a tribute to Greyfriar’s Bobby, a Skye terrier who was a constant companion to his owner John Gray. When Gray passed away 1858 and was buried in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, Bobby never left his master’s grave until his death 14 years later. This statue honoring his loyalty is near the Kirkyard where Bobby’s grave is also, not far from his master even in death. This story of canine loyalty lives on in books and movies.

The plaque on the base of the Greyfriar’s Bobby statue in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s Christmas is a winter festival held in the center of Scotland’s capital city from late November to early January each year. The event features a European holiday market, theatre shows, and a fair that includes a variety of theme-park rides. Visitors enjoy the refreshments, especially sausages, pretzels, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.

The Giant's Causeway (Irish: Clochán an Aifir) is a site of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. As the lava cooled, contraction occurred in a pattern similar to that of drying mud, with the cracks propagating in a generally hexagonal pattern and downward, leaving pillarlike structures. The unique geological formation is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the town of Bushmills.

A closeup of basalt columns that make up the Giant's Causeway in Northern Irelenad. The Causeway is a site of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. As the lava cooled, contraction occurred in a pattern similar to that of drying mud, with the cracks propagating in a generally hexagonal pattern and downward, leaving pillarlike structures. The unique geological formation is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the town of Bushmills.