After living in the UK for 5 years, there are 7 places I always tell tourists to visit

The Cotswolds are one of my favorite places to visit in the UK. Maria Polansky

I lived in the UK for five years and found there were so many places I preferred over London.

One of my favorite spots is the Cotswolds, home to picturesque cottages and cozy pubs.

I also recommend visitors check out the cafés in Brighton and the architecture in Oxford.

When I visited London for the first time 14 years ago, I quickly came to understand why it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK, let alone the world. I fell in love with the city's inimitable energy, diverse neighborhoods, shops, and eateries.

So when I decided to move from Canada to the UK in 2019, I pictured myself visiting London every weekend.…