It's no secret that the UK is going to be hit with an influx of visitors over the summer, owing to the number of people who will be arriving in the country to see (and even take part in) the various sporting events that will be taking place.

However, beautiful as London is, it's obviously not all the UK has to offer! As such, we've created this guide to seeing the UK for the uninitiated.

If you're arriving in the UK a few weeks before all the sporting festivities kick off, then simply take advantage of Europcar car hire at Gatwick and you can have the UK at your fingertips from the moment you step off the plane.

Depending on whether you want to see all of the United Kingdom, or only the areas surrounding London, planning your route is completely up to you from there. Assuming you want to see all sides of the United Kingdom (after all, it's a fairly small country in the scheme of things), we've split this guide into four sections, looking at each country in the UK.

First off, there's Scotland. Arguably the most naturally beautiful country in the UK, many of Scotland's greatest treasures lie in its scenery. Whether it's the beauty of the Highlands, or the picturesque beauty of some of its more Westerly locations, Scotland truly has some sights that can make jaws drop.

If you're only visiting for a short amount of time, a drive to a smaller (yet beautiful) town like Inveraray can provide all the sightseeing a visitor would require. Perhaps a night there twinned with some time spent in the fairly nearby city of Glasgow could provide both a relaxing and cosmopolitan taste of Scottish life?

If the cosmopolitan side of British life interests you most, then England certainly offers plenty. Cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham all offer an experience that'll delight those with a taste for shopping, sightseeing and nightlife, and obviously it's hard to beat London in that respect as well.

However, it's not all like that. Quieter areas like the Lake District and Cotswolds offer a taste of a more traditional English lifestyle, and of course, for those who enjoy a visit to the seaside, towns like Brighton and Blackpool offer all sorts of quintessentially British delights. They're certainly a bit different for those that have never experienced anything like them before!

Wales offers a surprising mix of history and modern attractions. History buffs will be enthralled by the volume of museums on offer throughout the country, as well as its natural sights. Indeed, Snowdonia National Park is a must see for anyone with an interest in the outdoors. If visitors are more interested in something a little more modern, then Cardiff rivals any city in the UK in terms of its nightlife and metropolitan atmosphere.

Finally, there's Northern Ireland. The only country you can't visit by car (you'll need to either get the ferry or plane across because of its location), it's well worth the effort. Belfast provides visitors with a truly unique experience, and spectacular scenery like Giant's Causeway has to be seen to be believed.

All in all, while the majority of visitors to the UK this summer will be interested in the sporting fare taking place in London, they should take the time to see the rest of the country as well. It could be a once in a lifetime experience for many, and it's too good a chance to pass up. 

 
 
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Image via Ed Strayer on Pinterest