The new Microsoft Flight Simulator UK update includes castles and football stadiums

Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting a major update today with a focus on the UK and Ireland. World Update III, as Microsoft puts it, includes high-resolution 3G images for cities like London, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford. Over 70 custom landmarks and points of interest have been enhanced, including famous Premier League bridges, palaces, cathedrals and football stadiums.

If you have tried to visit some Premier League clubs in Flight simulator you’ve probably noticed that they’re usually just a giant, generic-looking apartment block. This update aims to improve that experience with detailed views of exactly where the Premier League is played week after week. Likewise, Buckingham Palace, the queen’s residence in London, now looks much better compared to before.

Image: Microsoft

Image: Microsoft

Microsoft is also adding handmade airports to Barra, Liverpool, Land’s End, Manchester-Barton and Out Skerries. Another specific part of this update is the detailed architectural elements for British mansions and Victorian houses. Even the stone structures of the countryside, like castles and churches, will look much better. Some of Scotland’s views look particularly stunning now.

Along with all the improvements to the images, Microsoft is adding three new activities for those exploring the UK and Ireland. There is a new flight in the North Islands and two landing challenges: one in the Shetlands and another in the South East of England.

This new update for the UK and Ireland is available free of charge to all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator today. It is a large download, however, weighing 48 GB on the PC.