12 of the Best Places to Go in the UK
From England's historic capital city to Scotland's rugged Isle of Skye, find out where you should travel in the United Kingdom.
From England's historic capital city to Scotland's rugged Isle of Skye, find out where you should travel in the United Kingdom.
The entire United Kingdom could fit inside Canada 40 times over, but don't be fooled by its compact geography. Made up of four individual and decidedly distinct countries — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — you could spend years exploring the UK and still barely scratch the surface.
If you’re not sure where to start, keep reading to discover 12 of the best places to visit in the UK. From charming cities bursting with art and culture to quaint villages and rugged nature escapes, there's something for every traveller in this part of the world. The real challenge? Fitting everything into one trip!
Contents
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
England
London
Ten million people, one very famous clock and enough royal history to fill a Netflix drama, no trip to the UK is complete without a visit to Old London Town in the southeast of England. Spend the day admiring the beautiful architecture of Tower Bridge (not to be confused with the somewhat underwhelming concrete structure that is London Bridge), sampling street food at Spitalfields Market and soaking up the sun in one of the city's many green spaces. Yup, you read that right. Contrary to popular belief, the sun does exist in London!
London's also the place to be if you're a history buff or art lover. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace, enjoy some culture at a theatre show in the world-famous West End or channel your inner design critic at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Don't spend too long in the capital though. There's a whole kingdom to explore!
Bath
If you're a fan of Roman history, beautiful architecture and Jane Austen, you'll love visiting Bath. Turns out the Romans were way ahead of their time on the self-care trend, building the now-famous Roman baths to harness the area's natural hot springs almost 2,000 years ago!
Today, a visit to Bath might include soaking up information about Roman times, relaxing in the naturally warm waters of the Thermae Bath Spa or channeling your inner Jane Austen heroine with a walk along the Royal Crescent — one of the most famous examples of Georgian architecture in England. Located about an hour and a half west of London by train, Bath is the perfect day trip for travellers short on time and looking to explore more of England.
Pro tip: Visit Bath around December for some of the UK's most impressive Christmas markets!
Jurassic Coast
You've heard of Jurassic Park, but have you heard of the Jurassic Coast? There may not be any velociraptors here, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site on the south coast of England is the perfect place to explore some of the most dramatic landscapes in the UK. Not to mention, you’ll get to discover over 185 million years of Earth's history carved into the coastline. From fossil hunting on the region's sandy beaches to photo ops at Durdle Door, the Jurassic Coast is a real treat.
Just remember to be sensible while exploring near the cliffs and follow local safety regulations. The Jurassic Coast is incredibly old and actively eroding, so it's important that you admire the cliffs from a distance rather than stand too close to the edges or directly beneath them, where you're at risk of sudden rockfalls and landslides.
Pro tip: If you're making your way to the Jurassic Coast from London, take the opportunity to visit Stonehenge as you drive southwest. This is the perfect way to see some of the UK's most famous rocks all in one trip!
Robin Hood's Bay
Located in North Yorkshire, about two and a half hours from the Yorkshire Dales, you'll find a charming town with a fascinating history. During the 18th century, the narrow winding streets and underground tunnels of Robin Hood's Bay were used to smuggle things like tea, tobacco and spirits in from the Yorkshire Coast to avoid extortionate import taxes.
Nowadays, Robin Hood's Bay is a quaint village on the east coast of England and is one of the most beautiful places to visit for a quiet seaside escape.
Lake District
The Lake District in northern England has been summoning writers and artists for centuries, and it's not hard to see why. This is where William Wordsworth famously wrote about daffodils, Beatrix Potter illustrated books about a certain mischievous rabbit and Taylor Swift came to cry. From the moment you set eyes on those Windermere peaks, you'll understand. There's a romanticism to this part of England that you just can't experience in the major cities.
Whether you're hiking Scafell Pike, visiting the historic houses of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth or simply enjoying fish and chips on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Lake District is one of the prettiest places to visit in the UK. We suggest packing an easel or notebook just in case the scenery inspires your creativity. You certainly wouldn't be the first.
Pro tip: Stop by the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop for a taste of their famous gingerbread. The chewy, cake-like gingerbread has a history going all the way back to 1854 and the small shop (along with the staff dressed up in period clothing!) will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
Wales
Cardiff
Cardiff is one of the smallest UK capital cities based on population and is sometimes referred to as the City of Castles due to Cardiff Castle, St Fagans Castle and Castell Coch all being located nearby.
Football (soccer) fans may want to try and catch a game at Principality Stadium — be warned, the Cardiff City FC supporters are a passionate bunch — while those looking for something a little more low-key might like to go for a wander along Cardiff Bay to explore local shops and cafés.
Brecon Beacons National Park
Wales is one of the best regions in the UK for nature lovers, and Brecon Beacons National Park — or Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in Welsh — has rolling hills, cascading waterfalls and fresh air on tap. It's also one of only five International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, meaning the stargazing here is literally out of this world!
From morning hikes and afternoon bike rides to nights spent camping under a canopy of stars, Brecon Beacons National Park has you covered from dawn ’til dusk and beyond.
Pro tip: Pack layers and waterproof clothing. This applies to the UK in general, but particularly when planning an outdoor adventure amongst the Welsh elements, which can be notoriously moody!
Scotland
Edinburgh
Built on top of an extinct volcano and split into the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, Edinburgh doesn't do subtlety. It's a city of dramatic contrasts everywhere you look. Soaring Gothic spires meet orderly Georgian sandstone, lively bagpipes echo through the narrow alleys and the city's iconic medieval castle towers over it all from its strategic perch on Castle Rock.
Explore Edinburgh Castle, take in the panoramic views from the top of Arthur's Seat or sample a wee dram of authentic Scottish whiskey — this city favours those who wander. After you've hit up all of the main tourist attractions, spend the afternoon getting lost as you wander the historic cobbled streets. There's no better way to immerse yourself in the magic of Edinburgh!
Pro tip: Edinburgh plays host to two major events around August of each year: the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If you're planning to attend either of these events or visit the city around the same time, it's a good idea to book early.
Inverness
Scotland's national animal is the unicorn (no really, it is!), so it shouldn't come as a surprise that mythology runs deep here. About 230m deep, that is, to the bottom of Loch Ness! It's impossible to talk about Inverness without mentioning the world-famous loch and its elusive monster, and no trip is complete without a bit of Nessie-spotting. Whether she's out there or not, Inverness is the perfect place to let your imagination run wild. Because if a magical creature is going to be discovered anywhere, it's definitely going to be in the Scottish Highlands.
Isle of Skye
If you have a few days to explore Scotland, the Isle of Skye is well worth a visit. Famous for fairy pools, dramatic vistas and otherworldly landscapes, the Isle of Skye has doubled for fantasy lands in many films and plenty of artists have found inspiration in the island's rugged beauty.
Discover natural landmarks like the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and Kilt Rock, as well as the myths and legends that go along with them, before making your way to the colourful seaside town of Portree. Don't forget your camera!
Pro tip: As you journey north through the Scottish Highlands towards the Isle of Skye, we'd recommend making stops to explore Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Eilean Donan Castle. Near Fort William, don't miss your chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express) cross over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Yup, the iconic viaduct from the films.
Northern Ireland
Belfast
There's plenty of good craic (that's Irish for “fun”) to be found in Belfast — from trendy bars and restaurants in the Cathedral Quarter to art and culture in the Ulster Museum and delicious local street food in St George's Market. Belfast also has a rich maritime history and is famously the birthplace of the RMS Titanic. Visit the Titanic Belfast museum to discover the fated ship's story, from conception and construction to its tragic maiden voyage.
Giant's Causeway
Last, but certainly not least, is one of the most Instagrammable landmarks in the UK: the Giant's Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is comprised of roughly 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns (or stepping stones) jutting out unevenly over the ocean. Legend has it that the famous Irish giant, Finn MaCool, built the causeway so he could cross the Irish Sea and battle his rival over in Scotland.
Whether the landmark was built by feuding giants or carefully cooling lava from thousands of years ago, most people will agree that the Giant's Causeway is one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Located about an hour and a half from Belfast, it's an easy day trip for those visiting Northern Ireland.
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