The United Kingdom is a wonderful, picturesque destination, with four countries to explore: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales! There’s plenty to do across all four countries with so many countryside walks to explore, rich history and culture, delightful museums and galleries and lots of festivals to immerse yourself in.
Whatever trip you want, the UK can offer all types of activities to get stuck into. Explore the top places to visit in the UK for you to try out and create amazing memories with family and friends!
Go on a hike on Ben Nevis or Snowdon
Head to Scotland or Wales to go on a stunning hike up glorious mountains! Ben Nevis, located within Scotland, is the highest mountain in mainland Britain at 1,345 metres above sea level. Snowdon, located in Wales, is a little smaller but is still at 1,085 metres! Each of these mountains offers various routes to suit different skill levels and the type of hike you want. You can challenge yourself by taking on the more difficult ascents to reach the top for jaw-dropping picturesque views!
If you love hiking up mountains, you could even centre your trip around the National Three Peaks Challenge. This will take you to the three highest mountains in Wales, Scotland and England: Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike!
Explore Northern Ireland and visit the Giant’s Causeway
Northern Ireland has so much to explore from bustling cities to serene countryside, you can have any type of getaway you desire. A great activity to do while in Northern Island is to visit the Giant’s Causeway. This is a geological wonder and is made up of 40,000 basalt stone columns. This unique coastal feature has attracted visitors for centuries and has become Northern Irelan’s one and only UNESCO World Heritage Site!
With a wonderful visitor centre due to the National Trust, you can wander over the shiny stones, sit on the Wishing Chair and admire unique rock formations such as the Camel and Giant’s Boot. See this natural wonder for yourself and decide if volcanic eruptions from over 60 million years ago caused it or if a giant created a pathway.
Visit the UK’s stunning national parks
If you are looking for a nature-filled getaway, you could base your trip on a tour of the many National Parks that are scattered across the UK. Each of the four countries has diverse countryside landscapes for you to explore, from ancient woodland and impressive mountain peaks to bright green hills and scenic lakes. You could head to the Lake District, Snowdonia, Norfolk Broads or take yourself back in time to explore the history of Robin Hood at Sherwood Forest.
Marvel at Stonehenge
For another wonder in the UK to figure out, take a visit to Stonehenge. This famous prehistoric stone circle, located on Salisbury Plain, has millions of visitors a year. With lots of stories behind it, this attraction is another intriguing mystery to marvel at. Figure out if these were a celestial calendar, a site for sacrifice or do they represent a burial ground? Maybe they were built by Merlin the wizard with the help of giants or are they supernatural or put there by aliens? Whichever story you believe, Stonehenge is a must-see attraction while visiting the UK.
Discover history at Worcester Cathedral
Overlooking the River Severn, Worcester Cathedral is a wonderful place to visit to immerse yourself in UK history. This cathedral is one of England’s most gorgeous cathedrals and is close to the city centre, meaning you can incorporate history and culture within a city break! With plenty to see, including King John’s tomb, Prince Arthur’s Chantry, St Wulfstan’s Norman Crypt and medieval cloisters, you can encounter every period of early English architecture from 11th to late 14th Century! What’s even better is Worcester Cathedral host various events throughout the year from amazing music and theatre shows to hidden sculptures not usually available to visitors!
Plus, you can explore the historic and bustling city of Worcester and the enormous, beautiful countryside that surrounds it. Worcestershire is a great place to delve into nature and have a caravan getaway. With plenty of caravan sites available, such as Bredon View, you can have an intimate fun-filled break with family and friends!
Have a beach getaway in Cornwall
If you love the beach, then Cornwall is one of the best places to visit in the UK. For a stunning beach getaway with plenty of activities to try, Cornwall can offer a fun-filled family adventure. You could try surfing the waves as it is one of the best surfing destinations in the world! If you love catching waves, or want to try, Fistral Beach in Newquay is the place to be as it gives opportunities for anyone to give surfing a go. This beach is also perfect for relaxing and taking in the breathtaking scenery too! You can even do a spot of shopping in Newquay which offers plenty of unique boutiques!
Shop until you drop in London
If you want a city break with various shopping opportunities, as well as other activities, then the capital city of England is the place to visit. London has so much to do with a variety of shopping to choose from. You could hit the highstreets, pop into various designer shops or explore the unique boutiques there! In between your shopping adventure, you can unwind and socialise in the different restaurants, cafes and bars. Have a coffee and a slice of cake or treat yourself to tasty cocktails and a meal!
You can even find amazing landmarks during the chaos, such as Buckingham Palace, BT Tower, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard and the London Eye!
Explore Manchester and visit the Christmas markets
Manchester is another fantastic city break with slightly less hustle and bustle than London! Manchester offers plenty to do and mixes city life with scenic nature walks and historic sites. Not only can you go on a shopping spree, but you can try out various cuisines at restaurants and bars or immerse yourself in history and culture at the different museums and art galleries. You could have a family day out and explore the wonders of science at the Museum of Science and Industry or go to the Manchester Library. Manchester is also perfect for music lovers and clubbers! With many music venues giving you the chance to explore new artists and lots of clubs for a night of dancing!
Manchester transforms completely at Christmas too, with unique and interesting Christmas markets popping up all over the city! You can feel festive with handmade gifts to purchase, artwork to take home and not to mention the festive yummy treats and pop-up bars to have a chocolate waffle and mulled wine!
Whatever getaway you are seeking, the UK can offer something for everyone to enjoy! Try some of these top places to visit on your trip to the UK and see the beautiful sights it has to offer!
