The United Kingdom may be small, but it packs an incredible amount of adventure into its 48 million hectares of land.
From glitzy cities to the picturesque countryside and everything in between, this lush country has something for everyone.
Its famed scenery won’t disappoint either – from the rugged English Lake District to the sandy beaches of southern Cornwall and the rolling hills of northern Scotland. With so much to see, where can you begin? Here are our top tips on how to explore this beautiful country like a local:
Make the most of your time in London
London is crammed full of amazing things to do. What’s more, you don’t have to travel far to do most of them.
If you have time in between your adventures, you could visit the Tower of London, the British Museum, Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and many more.
Even more impressive is how easy it is to visit all of these places with just a day’s notice.
Having the Summer and Winter Offseason Offices Pass is a must if you want to visit London in the off-season or on a weekend.
You’ll be able to visit the British Museum without queuing for hours or visit the Tower of London on a Sunday afternoon.
If you want to spend more time exploring, get the Explorer Pass for unlimited travel on the London Underground, buses, boats, and taxis.
You can even get full travel and hotel insurance with World Nomads by booking your trip with them!
Take a day trip to Edinburgh
If you’re visiting London, make the short journey south to Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland may not be as large as London, but it’s packed full of culture.
From the National Museum to the Royal Palaces to the Scott Monument, there’s plenty to do here.
For a taste of Scottish culture, you could also visit the famous whisky distilleries of Speyside. This is where you’ll find the Glenfarclas and Balvenie distilleries, so you’ll get a taste of Scottish heritage at the same time.
You could spend a day exploring one of Scotland’s most beautiful cities before taking the ferry across to the gorgeous island of Skye for the night.
Visit Cambridge for university life and tea
If you’ve got the time, why not make the 2-hour journey from central London to the bustling city of Cambridge?
The university city is home to some of the best colleges in the UK. You’ll find Jesus College, where King Edward III studied and where Byron and Shelley also studied.
If you want to spend a night in the city, you could stay at the iconic Cambridge University Hostel where you’d be right in the middle of everything.
For a taste of the city’s university life, take a stroll down King’s Parade. Here, you’ll find a cafe culture with a storied past and a host of independent bookshops.
Discover the Lake District and North York Moors
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking hundreds of miles through stunning landscapes, the Lake District is for you. This mountainous region is packed full of picturesque lakes, cliffs, and mountains.
If you’re visiting in the winter, you can take the iconic Hadrian’s Wall Path. This path circumnavigates the whole of the Lake District and takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the UK.
If you want a taste of the Lake District without walking hundreds of miles, you could visit the bustling city of Liverpool.
The city has lots of things to see, from the famous Beatles’ tour to some amazing art museums.
The North York Moors is a stunning area of moorland in North Yorkshire. You’ll find these stunning moors in the middle of the county and they’re home to some of the wildest scenery in the UK.
You could also explore the city of York before heading to the North York Moors. York is one of England’s most historic cities and is packed full of amazing things to see.
Go on a road trip to Wales
If you have time, why not take a trip to Wales? This former British colony is a former kingdom that has been home to the Welsh people for thousands of years.
If you’re short on time, you could visit the busy city of Cardiff, where you’ll find the National Museum.
This museum is packed full of ancient treasures and has some of the best exhibitions in the country. After you’ve visited the city, why not head to the beautiful Wye Valley to take in the breathtaking scenery?
This valley is full of small towns and beautiful scenery. You could spend a few days here before heading back to London.
Don’t rush through Scotland: spend at least one night there
If you’ve only got one day for your trip to Scotland, don’t rush through the country. Yes, you’ll miss out on a few incredible sights, but you’ll also get to see some of the most breathtaking places in the whole country.
You could start in the capital, Edinburgh. Here, you’ll find the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – a spectacular modern-day Highland show.
You could also visit the Scott Monument in the middle of Edinburgh – this is a must-see sight. After you’ve seen these sights, head to the northernmost tip of the country for some incredible coastal scenery.
Make sure you spend the night here: you’ll get the best view of the stunning coastline.
Explore the rest of England
If you only have time for a few places in England, you could start in London where you’ll find the British Museum and Tate Modern Museums.
After you’ve spent a day exploring these, head to the beautiful city of Bath. Here, you can relax in the historic Georgian architecture in the Bath Abbey before heading to the Roman Baths for a dip in the famous Roman baths.
You could also spend a few days exploring the rest of Britain’s most historic cities including Norwich, York, Lincoln, Exeter, and Bristol.
Do you know where Ireland is?
Believe it or not, you could visit Ireland in as little as two weeks. The island just off the coast of England is a former British colony, so you’d need to apply for a visa to enter the country.
You could spend some time exploring the city of Dublin, or you could head to the smaller island of Inis Oírr.
This is a former monastic island off the coast of County Mayo, where you’d get a taste of Irish culture
Explore Northern Ireland – it’s less crowded!
If you’re planning your trip, you’ll want to note that Scotland is often compared to Ireland, but Northern Ireland is often overlooked.
This island, which is separated from the mainland by the Belfast Lough, is an important part of the UK.
It’s made up of a collection of counties that have their own unique culture, and it’s important to note that it’s not just Protestants who live there.
The most famous city in Northern Ireland is Belfast, which is full of culture, history, and architecture.
There are lots of sights to visit in Belfast, and it’s a great place to explore the rest of Northern Ireland.
Wrap up
The United Kingdom is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s packed full of history, culture, and above all else, stunning natural beauty.
The only problem is that it’s also full of people and you’ll need a lot of patience to get around. If you can, it’s worth taking a few days to get the most out of your trip.
