The United Kingdom is a magnificent location, and each of the four countries that make up our island nation contributes something unique. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are all beautiful places to visit, with fantastic museums and galleries aplenty, as well as restaurants, cafes, pubs, and clubs. When you combine that with world-class natural beauty, you get one of the world’s best travel locations.
Whether you’re visiting the UK for the first time or have lived here your entire life and want to see something different, UK travel is all about variety. It’s about diving into a wide range of activities, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a die-hard hobbyist, or just want to try something new – everything from abseiling and mountain biking to hiking and pony trekking, seal spotting, bird watching, and more.
With that being said, here’s a guide you can use for visiting the UK.
1. Climb UK’s Highest Peak
Get some walking boots and bring them to Ben Nevis, the most gigantic mountain in mainland Britain at 1,345 metres above sea level. The Mountain Track, which is used by most walkers, and Carn Mor Dearg Arête, a more difficult ascent for experienced scramblers and hill walkers that can take more than ten hours to complete, are the two main routes up. Consider going on the National Three Peaks Challenge if you enjoy heights. Climb Snowden, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis, the highest mountains in Wales, England, and Scotland, on your own or as part of an organized event.
2. Find the Mysterious Monster at Loch Ness
Nessie, the famous monster said to dwell in the depths of Loch Ness, was first spotted in the sixth century, but – hoaxes aside – we’ve yet to get a clear shot of her. Take a boat ride–fast or slow and leisurely–across the glassy stretch of water near Inverness to lend your eyes to the search. If your monster hunt is unsuccessful, you’ll still have plenty to look at: Loch Ness is a Scottish beauty.
3. View the Rainbow in Portree, Isle of Skye
The UK has a reputation for being grey and gloomy due to its heavy rainfall, but you’d never know it in the picturesque coastal town of Portree on the Scottish Isle of Skye. The former fishing village, now the island’s capital, is painted in a variety of pretty pastel colours. After you’ve explored Portee, venture further afield. Syke, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, is home to friendly villages, unusual rock formations, and miles of dramatic coastline.
4. View London From Above
There is so much to see and do in London that it can be overwhelming, so keep some perspective. Climb Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath or settle in to watch the sunset from the top of Primrose Hill, which offers panoramic views of the city. View Buckingham Palace, the BT Tower, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and other landmarks from the Shard or a pod on the London Eye. From the Sky Garden’s 38th-floor greenhouse, watch the River Thames wiggle through the city. Alternatively, elevate your pre-dinner drinks at one of London’s best rooftop bars.
5. Watch Man City Football Match at Etihad Stadium
For football fans, this one is for you. This is a perfect idea if you’ve brought your retro man city shirt , it’s time that you actually put it into good use! The famous stadium can fit 55,097 people inside and provides car parking, just make sure that book early.
6. Go For a Curry in Birmingham’s Balti Triangle
Melton Mowbray has pork pies. Wensleydale has cheese. And Birmingham has the balti. This take on curry, invented by Birmingham’s Pakistani community in the 1970s, ranks alongside Peaky Blinders, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, and the Industrial Revolution as one of the city’s most iconic exports. Spice connoisseurs from all over the world travel to the UK curry capital to sample its baltis, thalis, and dosas. The famous ‘Balti Triangle’ – southeast of the city centre near Balsall Heath – has a high concentration of curry houses serving delectable dishes from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
7. Visit the Homes of The Beatles’ Childhood
Get a ticket to ride around the city where The Beatles lived. The Fab Four met and began performing in Liverpool. Learn about their incredible musical career at The Beatles Story before visiting Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road, John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes now managed by the National Trust. Finish your visit with a night out at the reconstructed Cavern Club, which is located near where The Beatles first began to play in the early 1960s.
8. Go Clubbing in Madchester
Factory Records and the Hacienda may no longer exist. Yes, Happy Mondays may be more common on daytime television than on stage. However, from the gay clubs of Canal Street to the ever-popular Parklife weekender in the summer, this northern powerhouse retains a diverse and vibrant clubbing scene that draws partygoers from all over the country.
The Warehouse Project, a clubbing series held each autumn and winter in the massive Mayfield Depot, just around the corner from Piccadilly station, is the place to be.
9. Get to the End of the Line
Travel along the West Highland Line to the end of the tracks by boarding a train in Glasgow. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful railway routes, traversing the wild landscapes of west Scotland. The train quickly departs from the city, passing through craggy mountains, steep gorges, lochs, and moors.
Keep an eye out for the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was used in the filming of ‘Harry Potter,’ Ben Nevis, and some of the line’s smallest, most remote stations, including Corrour, the UK’s highest-altitude station. Your journey comes to an end as the train approaches the port town of Mallaig.
10. Notting Hill Carnival is a weekend-long party
Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street party, is an annual celebration of London’s Caribbean community, culture, and traditions. Every August bank holiday weekend, it transforms the streets of west London into one massive, packed, pulsating party. The Carnival, which takes place over two days (Sunday is family day), includes a colorful parade, fantastic live music, thumping sound systems, soca floats, steel bands, and an abundance of delectable Caribbean food.
