13 Intriguing facts about the UK

There are a lot of things to say about the UK, from the modern institution that we know today, to its very foundations. So naturally there's a lot of history and a few intriguing facts that may just pique your interest, here are a few of note. 

By historical law, placing a stamp bearing the King or Queen’s image upside-down is considered to be treason.

The UK is made up of a series of islands so this makes sense, as there is not a single point in Britain that is more than 75 miles away from a coastline.

England was part of the shortest war in history, they fought Zanzibar in 1896 who surrendered after 38 minutes.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyll-gogerychwyrndrobwlllllandysiliogogogoch. No, this isn't us typing random letters on a keyboard, it's actually a real town in Anglesey, Wales. Coincidentally it's also the longest name of any city in the world.

Queen Elizabeth II holds the record as the longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing the legendary Queen Victoria. Her reign has spanned more than seven decades, witnessing remarkable changes in the world.

Football, rugby, golf, boxing and cricket were all invented in the UK.

London was the first city in the world to have an underground subway system in The London Underground. It's the world's oldest subway system, opening in 1863 and now covers over 250 miles of track, transporting millions of people daily.

The Strait of Dover represents the closest point between England and mainland Europe (France) and it's only around 20 miles. On a clear day, it's possible to see the coast of France from the English coast.

With a wealth of history, the UK has 31 heritage sites under UNESCO protection.

Interestingly, Windsor Castle is the largest royal home in the world.

Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, remains one of the world's greatest unsolved mysteries and one of its oldest monuments, reportedly being built around 3,000 BC. To this date, its main purpose and construction techniques continue to baffle historians and archaeologists.

Britain has given birth to numerous groundbreaking inventions, including the World Wide Web, the telephone, and the steam engine. These innovations have shaped the modern world.

Strangely, no British Monarch is allowed to be inside the House of Commons in Parliament, due to a law that dates back to 1642.

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