There is no end to the sightseeing opportunities when visiting the UK – so where do you begin? We’ve put together a list of the top touring itineraries to help you get the very most of your trip.
The Best of the West Country
England’s south-western corner is affectionately known as the ‘West Country’ and is famous for its coast and its warm weather – as well as local delicacies such as cider, fudge and Cream Teas.
Start your trip at Land’s End – at the far tip of Cornwall, perhaps visiting the beautiful artsy town of St Ives on your way North. The Cornish coast is awe-inspiring and the countryside is majestic, dotted with abandoned tin mines. Another Cornish must-see is the rugged beauty of Bodmin Moor, where Daphne DuMaurier set her famous smuggling novel, Jamaica Inn. You can visit the Inn itself and even stay the night – if you’re brave enough!
Continue your tour through Devon, taking in the wonderful coastal towns along the way, many of which offer a traditional English seaside experience, as well as a more modern take on British beach holidays. Dartmouth and Lynton and Lynmouth are all great options, the latter of which has a fabulous cliff railway offering stunning coastal views.
While in Devon, you might want to try the famous Cream Tea. Both Cornwall and Devon lay claim to having invented the tea comprising scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam. To this day, they will argue over whether the jam or the cream should come first.
Somerset is the next port of call on your itinerary, but you can include Dorset if you have time – it is, afterall, another stunning county with wonderful cliff-top walks and fabulous towns such as Weymouth and Lyme Regis. In Somerset you must visit the iconic Georgian town of Bath to take in some of the most jaw-dropping period architecture in Britain. Then move onto the vibrant dockside city of Bristol, with world-class culture and an incredible music and arts scene.
London and the Home Counties
No trip to the UK would be complete without visiting London – one of the most culturally significant, historically important and cutting edge cities in the world. Take in the South Bank for an exciting walk alongside the Thames; visit the East End where old and new rub alongside each other creating an exciting atmosphere; and walk through the Square Mile, which positively drips with a sense of history and importance.
Once you’ve had enough of the Big Smoke, it’s time to take in some of its surrounding locations, such as royal Windsor, the home of the Queen’s favourite residence, Windsor Castle. Staying in Windsor is a great option as it’s well located for tours around Berkshire. Oxfordshire, Greater London and Surrey.
Windsor is surrounded in beautiful parkland and countryside, not to mention the Thames meandering it’s way through the town and towards the higher ground at Oxford. A visit to Oxford is another must for anyone wishing to experience the very best of British history. The University of Oxford is still very much the centre of everything that takes place in this great city and you can’t move for atmospheric, beautifully maintained buildings, bright young things and traditional English pubs with roaring fires. In the summer, there is riverside dining and punting at Cherwell and Thameside walks at Iffley and Binsey.
To top off your London and Home Counties itinerary, why not take in the countryside of South Oxfordshire and the cobbled streets of Henley-on-Thames for a taste of a quintessential market town in action. This buzzy, high-brow little place hosts the annual Royal Regatta, where world-class rowers battle it out to race down the Thames while onlookers sip champagne under weeping willows.
Northern highlights
To enjoy the very best of Northern England and Scotland you’ll need to cover some serious ground. Fast trains run throughout this region and it’s easy to hop from Manchester or Liverpool to Glasgow or Edinburgh within a day.
Despite being relatively closely located, Manchester and Liverpool are very different cities. Liverpool is extremely quirky and, in a similar way to Bristol, has its routes around the docks and attracts a creative itinerant crowd. Music rusn through Liverpool’s veins and you can still visit the Cavern Club and listen to live bands playing all day every day in the pubs and clubs around the centre.
Manchester is far more urban and polished. While being a very well-turned out city, it also has incredible independent businesses, cafes, restaurants, shops and studios. Make sure you take in the canal area and the Northern Quarter, with its vibrant bar scene and quirky shopping.
As you move North, either by road or by rail, you’ll notice the landscape changing. Scotland is stunningly beautiful. The highlands are the gem in Britain’s crown and to miss the opportunity to visit this region would be a crime. Even if you’re not into walking, just drive around and you’ll see what we mean.
Edinburgh is the obvious location to stay over when visiting Scotland, with its historic castle and the wondrous Arthur’s Seat looming over the greystone townhouses that make up the city centre. It might rain, but hey, who cares!
A Celtic Tour
Visitors to Wales will usually head straight to the mountains and Snowdonia offers some dramatic and eye-popping scenery for anyone looking for walking, climbing or even Skiing opportunities.
As well as the mountains, Wales has some adorable coastal towns, such as Tenby, St David’s and Mumbles. All of these can be incorporated into your itinerary as each is so very different from the next. Around Mumbles is the beautiful Gower Peninsula, which boasts some of the UK’s best and most secluded beaches. If you are lucky enough to be in South or West Wales on a warm sunny day – head to the beach, as it won’t be crowded!
Cardiff and Swansea are both major cities on the Southern Coasts of Wales, each offering plenty for visitors. Cardiff has a thriving nightlife scene and is a popular destination for shopping and big ticket concerts. Swansea is a smaller city with a recently rejuvenated waterfront area, complete with the incredible National Waterfront Museum, which celebrates the role the water has played in South Wales over the years.
