Best things to do and see in the United Kingdom

You could easily write a bucket list of the best things to do in the United Kingdom. It may be a small country, but it is absolutely packed with great architecture, historical landmarks and modern entertainment. Here is our suggestion of things to add to your United Kingdom itinerary.

Take the Tourist Tour in London (England)

London is obviously top of the list when it comes to the best cities to visit in the United Kingdom, but you need to plan. If time is limited, a hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour takes you past many of the major attractions. The beauty is that you can stop off at any place you want to see more of and just get back on any tour bus that comes along.

Get an Eyeful of London (England)

You can only ever really appreciate the view of London as a whole from high up, and you can do this in three ways: take a ride on the London Eye, go to the observation deck of The Shard, or take a helicopter trip.

Stroll Among the Stones at Stonehenge (England)

The function of the world’s most famous stone circle remains a mystery, but the immense and awesome effort of its construction is completely fascinating. Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain is best seen at sunrise or sunset, and the size and configuration of the prehistoric stones that were somehow transported from Wales, 150 miles away, will leave you wondering why and how.

Get Bemused in Portmeirion (Wales)

Many historical landmarks and great architectural sights fall onto lists of what to visit in the United Kingdom, but one of the quirkiest is Portmeirion in North Wales. Created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, it’s a weirdly exquisite, multi-coloured Italianate village with a fairy-tale quality. Amble or take a guided tour through cute streets and soak up the unique vibes.

Squeal with Delight at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Known as the Paris of the North because of the Eiffel-like tower, Blackpool is a seaside Mecca. In addition to long sandy beaches with piers and the Golden Mile of entertainment, Pleasure Beach is one of the top-rated attractions in the United Kingdom. A fun fair and theme park in one, there’s a wonderful mix of rides and fun activities for all ages.

Explore Edinburgh Castle (Scotland)

As one of the capitals, Edinburgh is one of the top places to visit in the United Kingdom, and its crowning glory is the castle that overlooks the city. Edinburgh Castle and its vast grounds are open to the public, and you can see the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) and the Stone of Destiny. A gunshot is sounded every day from the ramparts at one-o-clock.

Soak Up Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon (England)

Stratford-upon-Avon is home to the greatest ever playwright, and even if you don’t want to see one of his plays at the RSC Theatre, there is more than enough to see and do in the pretty town. Obviously, the link is fully exploited with the birthplace and burial site here, but there’s the River Avon and Canal Basin, half-timbered houses, the Mechanical Art and Design museum, alongside lots of antique shops, boutique stores and some really excellent places to eat or drink.

Go Goggle-eyed at the Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)

Belfast is one of the best cities to visit in the United Kingdom, with attractions like Stormont and the Titanic Exhibition, but it is also an easy trip to the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Antrim Coast is a geological marvel formed over 60 million years ago. You can wander unrestrained over the 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns and look for the special rock formations, like the Giant’s Boot, Wishing Chair and Camel.

Feast on Fish and Chips in Whitby (England)

You can pretty much choose any seaside town in the UK as a great place to eat fish and chips, but they are particularly renowned in Whitby in North Yorkshire. As well as enjoying a fine repast, you can visit the ruins of Whitby Abbey (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula) and the Captain Cook Museum, plus spend some time on the sandy beach.

Walk in The Wilds of Snowdonia National Park (Wales)

A place of unspoilt natural beauty, within the ~1,000 square miles of parkland, you can go to the top of the tallest mountain in England and Wales either by walking or by railway. Visit the breeding centres of the red kite (bird of prey) in the Dovey Valley, go ziplining at Cader Idris and watch a stunning sunset at Llyn Padarn.

Immerse Yourself in Magic and Mysticism in Tintagel (England)

As well as being incredibly and dramatically scenic, the North Cornwall coast is home to Tintagel Castle. Associated with the legend of King Arthur, you can visit the impressive castle ruins, wait on the beach below for Merlin’s Cave to be revealed by a low tide, and visit the Great Halls in the village to see the legend bought to life – including a round table. This location is also great for a hop along the coast to Boscastle to visit The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.

Get Hip to the Beat in Liverpool (England)

To visit one of the top places in the United Kingdom related to music, join the mass of music fans who make a pilgrimage to the home of Merseybeat. Liverpool has spawned many musical stars but nobody as big as The Beatles. Whether you DIY or take a guided tour, a stop will include the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Penny Lane and the (rebuilt) Cavern Club.

Take the Waters in Bath (England)

This city in the West Country is the chance to experience two historical eras centuries apart. The Romans named the city Aqua Sulis and built baths around the natural thermal springs here. You can tour the original baths, but if you want to get into the water, head to the Thermae Bath Spa. Then there is Georgian Bath, now so closely associated with Jane Austen. Attractions include the Royal Crescent and the Pump Rooms.

Seek Out The Iron Throne Locations (Northern Ireland)

Any die-hard fan of the series will be enthralled by the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland. There are more than 20 sites around this tiny but magnificently scenic country. Do your own thing or book a guided tour to see Castle Ward (Winterfell), Dark Hedges (King’s Road), Portstewart Strand (coast of Dorne), Inch Abbey (Robb Stark’s camp) and Ballintoy Harbour (The Iron Islands).

See the Seals at Blakeney Point (England)

Zoos and safari parks (and there are some that could easily make this list on their own) have their place, but there’s something special about seeing animals in their natural habitat. Blakeney Point on the North Norfolk coast is in the National Nature Reserve and is home to a colony of grey seals. After a boat trip to see the seals and seabirds, there are pretty villages to amble around or Holkham Beach for a swim.

Visit the City in God’s Own Country (England)

This epithet belongs to Yorkshire, and the namesake city of York is one of the best places to visit in the United Kingdom for a wide range of attractions. The diverse list includes the architectural sights of York Minster, Clifford Tower and the Bar Walls. For heritage, there’s the Jorvik (Viking) Museum and the National Railway Museum. And, for shopping, it has to be The Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe.

Look Out for the Loch Ness Monster (Scotland)

The legend of Nessie has persisted since the Sixth Century, and this enigmatic tale brings tourists in droves to try and spot her from the banks or from a boat ride on the loch. Read all about Nessie in the exhibition centre. It does help that the surroundings of Loch Ness are stunning.

Party Hard in Brighton (England)

You can’t go wrong if you want to experience a classic seaside town if you choose Brighton. The beach might be pebbly, but it doesn’t put anyone off because there are so many distractions. The Pavilion will grace any Instagram account, the pier makes a lovely walk, and The Lanes will charm with their cool and trendy boutiques, cafés and art galleries. Come sundown, the city dresses for a party, and there are brilliant bars and clubs open till dawn.