Places of interest: Life in the UK test study notes

Key facts to remember

• The National Trust (set up by three volunteers in 1895) is a charity that preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside; Scotland has its own charity, the National Trust for Scotland.
• National parks are protected countryside that everyone can visit; there are 15 across England, Wales and Scotland.
• Big Ben – nickname of the great bell in the Houses of Parliament's clock; the clock itself dates from 1859.
• The clock tower was named the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
• The Eden Project in Cornwall is an educational charity whose huge 'biomes' hold plants from around the world.
• Edinburgh Castle has stood on its rock above Scotland's capital since at least the 12th century.
• The Giant's Causeway, on the north coast of County Antrim, has about 40,000 basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 50–60 million years ago.
• Loch Lomond, in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, is the largest stretch of fresh water in mainland Britain.
• The London Eye, on the south bank of the Thames, is about 135 metres tall and was built for the millennium.
• Snowdonia in north Wales is a national park; since 2022 it has officially used its Welsh name, Eryri. It contains Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales.
• Tower of London – originally built by William the Conqueror; visitors can see the Crown Jewels and tour with the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters).
• Lake District – the largest national park in England, whose lakes and mountains draw climbers, walkers and sailors.
• Windermere, the biggest stretch of water in the Lake District, is England's largest natural lake; Wastwater is England's deepest lake.
• The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (now the Principality Stadium) is the home of the Wales rugby union team.