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What are you looking for, see things differently, welcome to britain.

Discover inventive new experiences and captivating stories in 2024, brought together with a dose of British flair. From exploring film settings and pioneering cultural spaces to countryside trails and relaxing wellness retreats, it’s all happening on our shores and you’re invited!

Join immersive exhibitions as the National Gallery celebrates a landmark anniversary or get a taste for chocolate as Birmingham’s Cadbury World also marks its 200th birthday. Venture off the beaten track for new coastal adventures, exploring new trails and walking routes, or take in sporting action as the world’s best compete in everything from athletics to the Premier League.

Whether it’s getting a feel for our vibrant cultural cities, embarking on a coastal adventure, or discovering locations made famous by film and TV, it’s time to experience Britain differently.

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Glen Coe, Scotland

Spilling the tea on GB

We’re spilling the tea on the hottest experiences – and it’s not just a good old brew that we’re mad about.

Cardiff, Wales

Key sporting moments in 2024

Grab your tickets, or a spot by a screen, and join the atmosphere of brilliant British sport.

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Day trips from London

Britain packs a punch when it comes to the eclectic range of destinations within close proximity to London.

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Parc national de Sowdonia (Eryri), Pays de Galles

How to see Britain differently

From gastronomic adventures to eco-friendly stays, there’s always more to explore on Britain’s shores.

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Providing you with inspirational activities and experiences, from those in the know.

Your guidance and information about travelling to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Cultural hotspots

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

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From palaces to cobbled alleys and even a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

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World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

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A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

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From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

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Step into a land of castles, world-renowned rugby and a whole host of myths and legends.

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Pushing the boundaries of art and culture, with a heart that beats through its people.

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An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

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Newcastle upon Tyne

Linked by no fewer than seven bridges, it's one vibrant place to visit.

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Newcastle, England

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

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Packed with lively pubs, an eclectic food scene and a myriad of immersive experiences.

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Discover annual events

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Celebrate in Britain

Find out what’s happening across the nations with our round-up of annual events.

Planning a trip? We're here to help

Your trip to england is just around the corner.

Discover the land of Big Ben, Banksy and bangers and mash. From its bustling cities to its blooming beautiful gardens, it doesn’t disappoint.

Discover Great Britain’s northern reaches

Imagine a country where ancient castles guard mysterious lochs and emerald glens, and where the local spirit is as warm as the welcome.

Discover a land of adventure and mythical creatures

Delve into a world of dragons, renowned choirs, championship rugby, and some of the most spellbinding scenery Britain has to offer.

Your trip to Northern Ireland has never looked more magical

Get swept up in a world of ancient myths and modern-day legends, from the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones to the vibrant buzz of Belfast.

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Best U.K. Destinations

Traveling by Train

Driving in the U.K.

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Tipping Etiquette

Top Things to Do

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Outdoor Adventure Destinations

National Parks

Must-Try Food in the U.K.

Guide to the United Kingdom: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to the United Kingdom: The Complete Guide

There’s a lot more to the United Kingdom than the usual list of top 10 London sights. For a start, there are four separate countries—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland   —each offering city and country pleasures, wilderness adventures, scenic villages, landmarks, free museums, and miles of challenging coastal paths. The food is a lot better than you may have heard as well. Use this guide to fill your trip with the best choices for you.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit :  Late spring and early fall are the best times to visit when the days are long, and there’s a good chance of mild, dry weather. Prices are lowest in January and February, but it’s also cold and wet. A lot of attractions are closed, but if you enjoy theater, museums and indoor activities, this is a way to visit on the cheap.

Language:  English. A lot of popular attractions offer tours or audio tours in European languages and Chinese.

Currency:  The pound sterling (£)

Getting Around:  Train service in the U.K. is very well developed and is the best way to get between cities and regions. Though bad weather and industrial action may interrupt services from time to time, the number and frequency of both long-distance, regional and local trains will amaze many North American travelers. Most fares are cheaper for off-peak travel and when bought in advance. The website National Rail Enquiries is a comprehensive online guide to times, prices, and service status across the country.

Long-distance buses (called coaches in the U.K.) are the cheapest way to get around. Since they use the country’s motorway system, they are also the most boring. One company, National Express , runs most of the intercity coaches, and four other large regional companies run networks of local services. Local buses provide short, practical everyday journeys, so the routes are not well coordinated between regions. But if you are interested in taking day trips from specific urban or tourism hubs, you may find buses—such as the Greenline buses between London and Windsor Castle —that serve the purpose. Traveline , a partnership between transport companies, local authorities, and passenger groups, has a website that can help you plan a trip using local resources.

Travel Tip:  Round trip tickets (called return fares) are often a more expensive way to buy bus and rail tickets than pairs of one-way tickets (called singles). Check before you buy.

Things to Do

The United Kingdom packs several thousand years of history and culture onto an island slightly smaller than Michigan. As you might imagine, there’s quite a lot to see and much of it is within easy day trips of major cities or transportation hubs. But a surprising amount is covered by vast wilderness areas. It’s easy to try to pack too much into a visit. Instead, try to focus your trip around a few themes:

• Day Trips from major cities. London in the Southeast and Edinburgh in central Scotland are both hubs of culture, centers for free museums, shopping, theatre, music, and dining out. They are also surrounded by areas rich in historical attractions and natural beauty, so they make excellent bases for day trips and short breaks.
• Spend time in a National Park. National parks protect landscapes, coasts, moors, and mountains. But they also contain working farms, quaint villages, castles and hundreds of ancient monuments. Try hiking the Lakeland Fells ( fells is a Scandinavian word for hills) in England's Lake District or marveling at the mountain views and clear mountain lakes in Snowdonia National Park in Wales (which is also full of castles). Walk through the South Downs’ grass-covered chalk hills. There’s skiing in Cairngorm National Park and pleasant walking and cycling trails in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs . Each national park offers something different.
• Shop in traditional markets. Some, like the permanent outdoor market in Norwich , or the covered markets in Oxford, Birmingham, and Leeds, haven’t changed much in hundreds of years. London has its share of wonderful markets too—from Borough Market for adventurous foodies, to Portobello Road, a vast, heaving antique market that’s a must.
• Catch up with Shakespeare in his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon . The Royal Shakespeare Company stages Bard’s works with surprising irreverence and imagination that’s hard to resist. There’s plenty to see and do, including visits to the Shakespeare family homes and Anne Hathaway’s cottage .
• Visit royal and traditional sites. There’s a good reason why Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle , Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral are so popular with visitors. Try to visit these traditional sights outside of school vacation seasons, though.

What to Eat and Drink

Forget the clichés about awful British food . That’s ancient history. These days you’ll find nearly as many Michelin stars in London as in New York and lots more scattered all over the U.K . Whether you are talking about fine dining or neighborhood bistros, it’s easy to find modern European cuisine with vegetarian and even vegan options in most British cities and tourist destinations.

Outside of the main population centers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the picture is a bit more hit and miss. But there are some traditional British specialties you really should try.

• Sample a full British breakfast at least once. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland add regional touches to the classic eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, and tomatoes breakfast. If you are on a tight budget, this breakfast will set you up for the whole day.
• Indulge in afternoon tea with all the trimmings—scones with jam and cream, crumpets, sandwiches, fresh cream cakes, and endless pots of tea.
• Try different regional ales on tap . They won’t be ice cold, but cellar temperature is still pretty cool.
• Fish and chips can be great —crispy and hot—or dire (greasy and lukewarm). Ask a local where to find the best.
• Eat seafood and shellfish in Scotland; it comes from cold North Atlantic and North Sea waters and is terrific. And if you are in Whitstable, have some oysters.
• It’s easy, and often cheaper, to find good quality ethnic food anywhere in Britain. Indian, Southeast Asian, and Chinese cuisines are widely available.

Where to Stay

Accommodations range from five-star luxury and glamping to international budget chains and vacation rentals, called self-catering in Britain. Some kinds of accommodations are particularly British and worth considering.

Consider a bed and breakfast, which range from fully-serviced guest houses to small inns. In rural areas, you may find rooms to rent in private homes. Or try a caravan; this is what Europeans call camper vans, and some caravan parks rent them like cottages. Bigger trailers in caravan parks are known as "statics." Country house hotels , which range from large comfortable houses to very grand country estates converted to luxury accommodations, are another option. Also, more and more pubs are offering boutique-style hotel rooms as an alternative style of accommodation.

Getting There

Visitors usually fly into the U.K. from North America through London’s main airports—Heathrow and Gatwick, or by charter flights to London Stansted and London City. There are public transportation options from Heathrow and Gatwick to central London.  

But the U.K. has quite a few more airports receiving international passengers with either direct or connecting flights from North American airports. Depending upon your ultimate destination, you could save money on ground transportation by flying into Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, East Midlands or Bristol Airport. Find out more about alternative U.K. destination airports.

Travelers from continental Europe can cross the English Channel by ferry, drive through the Channel Tunnel, or travel by Eurostar passenger train. There are also good connections—by air or boat, from Dublin or Belfast.

Money-Saving Tips

• Don't rent cars in cities. Wait until you've left London or other big cities. You'll save on parking fees and congestion charges (it costs 11.50 pounds a day to take a car into central London). Public transportation—buses, trolleys, and subways—are available in most major cities as are city bicycles, parked everywhere and easy to use with a credit card.
• Consider self-catering. That's what Europeans call vacation rentals. There's plenty of choices, ranging from short let apartments in cities, cottages, and village houses to rent. If you can't find what you want online, the local tourist authorities will have plenty of information.
• Take advantage of what's free. Almost all of Britain's essential museums are free to visit.   Historical attractions have reduced admissions for senior citizens and students.

The Commonwealth. " United Kingdom ."

Museums Association. " Frequently Asked Questions ."

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Plan Your UK Trip

Your Trip to Birmingham, England: The Complete Guide

10 Great Reasons to Visit the United Kingdom

The Pembrokeshire Coast: A Complete Guide

Your Trip to Edinburgh: The Complete Guide

10 Little Known Roman Ruins in England, Scotland and Wales

Stay Cheaper By Staying Close to - Not in - London

Top 20 Most Popular UK Cities for International Visitors

The 16 Most Beautiful Natural Features in the UK

12 "Must-See" Places in England, Scotland and Wales

The Top 20 Things to Do in the UK

Use an Alternative UK International Airport to Save a Bundle

Your Trip to London: The Complete Guide

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to England: The Complete Guide

A Guide to Airports in England

Introducing United Kingdom

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Ski Resorts

• Nevis Range
• Aldeburgh beaches, Suffolk
• Ballycastle beaches
• Bangor beaches
• Beaches in Camber Sands, Sussex
• Beaches in Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Beaches in St Davids
• Beaches in the Scilly Isles, Cornwall
• Blackpool beaches, Lancashire
• Bournemouth beaches, Dorset
• Brancaster Staithe beaches, Norfolk
• Brighton beaches, Sussex
• Clevedon beaches, Somerset
• Cley-Next-the-Sea beaches, Norfolk
• Croyde beaches, Devon
• Eastbourne beaches, Sussex
• Essex beaches
• Gower Peninsula beaches
• Holkham Bay beaches, Norfolk
• Isle of Colonsay beaches
• Llandudno beaches
• Luskentyre beaches
• Lyme Regis beaches, Dorset
• Newcastle beaches
• Padstow beaches, Cornwall
• Penzance beaches, Cornwall
• Poole beaches, Dorset
• Portrush beaches
• Ramsgate beaches, Kent
• Sandown and Shanklin beaches, Isle of Wight
• Sandwood Bay beaches
• Scarborough beaches, Yorkshire
• Seacliff beaches
• Sidmouth beaches, Devon
• Southwold beaches, Suffolk
• St Ives beaches, Cornwall
• Torquay beaches, Devon
• Ventnor beaches, Isle of Wight
• Walberswick beaches, Suffolk
• West Wittering beaches, Sussex
• Weymouth beaches, Dorset
• Whitby beaches, Yorkshire
• Whitstable beaches, Kent
• Winterton-on-Sea beaches, Norfolk
• Woolacombe beaches, Devon
• Yarmouth beaches, Isle of Wight

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United kingdom travel guide.

Few places cram in as much scenery, history and culture as the United Kingdom. It’s a busy, eccentric and unique destination; a land of daft humour, tea-and-cake clichés and a thousand and one different personalities; a land where thrusting cities like London, Glasgow and Manchester share map space with the peaks of Snowdonia and the colossal slopes of the Highlands.

Four component nations make up the UK, and the end result is as many-layered as that fact would suggest. Its arts scene continues to be one of the most creative and successful in the world, its passions still run high on everything from politics to sport and its overall character is as modern as it is multicultural. Even the food’s good these days.

London remains the natural focal point. Its skyline, mixing medieval turrets with soaring steel, is a good marker for the place as a whole. From its markets to its museums, its pubs to its palaces, it’s a bona fide world city packed with diversity. But you don’t have to look far to find other great urban centres – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all home to richly engaging cities full of heritage, music and nightlife. Some, like Bath and Edinburgh, offer postcard-perfect medieval skylines. Others, like Belfast and Liverpool, are handsome in places but just as notable for their indelible personalities.

As a country, of course, the UK’s urban centres are just one part of its allure. Britain is often extremely beautiful. Seaside towns, national parks and honey-stoned villages still fill the guidebooks, and the scenic pull of areas like the Cornish coast, Giant’s Causeway and the Lake District is as strong as it’s ever been. Once you factor in the endless cultural associations that Britain throws up – from Henry VIII to Hogwarts, The Beatles to Braveheart, male voice choirs to Monty Python – it stands as a country very much its own.

242,514 sq km (93,635 sq miles).

65,111,143 (UN estimate 2016).

266.4 per sq km.

Constitutional monarchy.

HM King Charles III since 2022.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since 2022.

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

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No one enjoys knocking England more than the English, but – modesty and self-deprecation aside – it’s a great place to visit or explore, and whether you’re a resident or tourist the country retains a boundless capacity to surprise, charm and excite. England has always had a history and heritage to be proud of, and a glorious regional diversity – from coast to hills, festivals to foodstuff – with few parallels. But for all the glories of the past, in recent times it’s had an injection of life that makes it as thrilling a destination as any in Europe.

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The Great British Road Trip

Get ready to explore Britain on this unique self-drive road trip. Choose the car of your liking before you hit the road: from the Cotswolds and its picturesque villages over the Beatle's favorite hang-out in Liverpool to Scotland's capital Edinburgh: this trip includes many highlights to be explored

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Magical 7-Day Family Adventure in Scotland and England : From Harry Potter to Loch Ness!

Searching for an unforgettable family adventure? Scotland is the perfect destination! With a perfect balance of nature, adventure, and Scottish culture. This 7-day trip offers a delightful mix of activities that everyone in the family will enjoy. Get ready to create life long lasting memories!

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Refreshing English Countryside Break

Outside of London, England is known with a countryside full of history, picturesque villages, patchwork hills, and winding country roads. Explore the countryside with its castles, parks, and historical cities such as Oxford.

As more and more people choose to holiday at home, it’s worth recalling just how much England has changed in the last two decades for locals and visitors alike. Who could have predicted city breaks and shopping sprees in Leeds and Bristol, or the all-conquering march of music and arts festivals, or that camping would become cool? Accommodation and food in particular, the two essentials on any trip, were once a lottery, with many English hotels and restaurants seemingly intent on removing hospitality from the hospitality industry. Not any more. In boutique B&Bs, designer hotels and yurt-festooned campsites, there’s an embarrassment of rich beds for the night, while an ever-expanding choice of real English food and drink – locally sourced and championed in cafés, restaurants and pubs, at food festivals and farmers’ markets – challenges every lazy stereotype.

The English also do heritage amazingly well. There are first-class museums all over the country (many of them free), while what’s left of England’s green and pleasant land is protected with great passion and skill. Indeed, ask an English person to define their country in terms of what’s worth seeing and you’re most likely to have your attention drawn to the golden rural past . The classic images are found in every brochure – the village green, the duckpond, the country lane and the farmyard. And it’s true that it’s impossible to overstate the bucolic attractions of the various English regions, from Cornwall to the Lake District, or the delights they provide – from walkers’ trails and prehistoric stone circles to traditional pubs and obscure festivals. But despite celebrating their rural heritage, the modern-day English have an ambivalent attitude towards “the countryside”. Farming today forms only a tiny proportion of the national income and there’s a real dislocation between the population of the burgeoning towns and suburbs and the small, struggling rural communities.

So perhaps the heart of England is found in its towns and cities instead? Many, it’s true, have a restless energy and a talent for reinvention. So for every person who wants to stand outside the gates of Buckingham Palace or visit the Houses of Parliament, there’s another who makes a beeline for the latest show at Tate Modern, the cityscape of downtown Manchester or the revitalized Newcastle waterfront. Yet this flowering of urban civic pride is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s been steady since the Industrial Revolution, and industry – and the Empire it inspired – has provided a framework for much of what you’ll see as you travel around. Virtually every English town bears a mark of former wealth and power, whether it be a magnificent Gothic cathedral financed from a monarch’s treasury, a parish church funded by the tycoons of the medieval wool trade, or a triumphalist civic building raised on the back of the slave and sugar trades. In the south of England you’ll find old dockyards from which the navy patrolled the oceans, while in the north there are mills that employed entire town populations. England’s museums and galleries – several of them ranking among the world’s finest – are full of treasures trawled from its imperial conquests. And in their grandiose stuccoed terraces and wide esplanades, the old seaside resorts bear testimony to the heyday of English holiday towns, at one time as fashionable as any European spa.

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To begin to get to grips with England, London is the place to start. Nowhere else in the country can match the scope and innovation of the metropolis, a colossal, frenetic city that’s going through a convulsion of improvements as it gears up to host the 2012 Olympics. It’s here that you’ll find England’s best spread of nightlife, cultural events, museums, galleries, pubs and restaurants. However, each of the other large cities – Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool – makes its own claim for historic and cultural diversity, and you certainly won’t have a representative view of England’s cities if you venture no further than the capital. For the most part it’s in these regional centres that the most exciting architectural and social developments are taking place, though for many visitors they rank a long way behind ancient cities like Lincoln, Canterbury, York, Salisbury, Durham and Winchester – to name a few of those with the most celebrated of England’s cathedrals – or the university cities of Cambridge and Oxford, arguably the two most beautiful seats of learning in the world. Most beguiling of all, though, are the long-established villages of England, hundreds of which amount to nothing more than a pub, a shop, a gaggle of cottages and a farmhouse offering bed and breakfast. Devon, Cornwall, the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire Dales harbour some especially picturesque specimens, but every county can boast a decent showing of photogenic hamlets.

Evidence of England’s pedigree is scattered between its settlements as well. Wherever you’re based, you’re never more than a few miles from a majestic country house or ruined castle or monastery, and in many parts of the country you’ll come across the sites of civilizations that thrived here before England existed as a nation. In the southwest there are remnants of a Celtic culture that elsewhere was all but eradicated by the Romans, and from the south coast to the northern border you can find traces of prehistoric settlers, the most famous being the megalithic circles of Stonehenge and Avebury.

Then of course there’s the English countryside, an extraordinarily diverse terrain from which Constable, Turner, Wordsworth, Emily Brontë and a host of other native luminaries took inspiration. Most dramatic and best known are the moors and uplands – Exmoor, Dartmoor, the North York Moors and the Lake District – each of which has its over-visited spots, though a brisk walk will usually take you out of the throng. Quieter areas are tucked away in every corner of England, from the flat wetlands of the eastern Fens to the chalk downland of Sussex, the latter now protected as England’s newest national park. It’s a similar story on the coast, where the finest sands and most rugged cliffs have long been discovered, and sizeable resorts have grown to exploit many of the choicest locations. But again, if it’s peace you’re after, you can find it by heading for the exposed strands of Northumberland, the pebbly flat horizons of East Anglia or the crumbling headlands of Dorset.

Book tickets and tours to Stonehenge

Book tickets and tours in York

Book tickets and tours in London

Book Birmingham haunted places and ghost stories – city game

Book tickets and tours in Liverpool

Book a tour in Canterbury

Book tickets and tours in Salisbury

Book tickets and tours in Winchester

Book tickets and tours to Cambridge

Book tickets and tours to Oxford

Book tickets and tours in Bath

Discover more places in England

• Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire Travel Guide
• London Travel Guide
• The Northwest Travel Guide
• Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and around Travel Guide
• The West Midlands and the Peak District Travel Guide
• Yorkshire Travel Guide
• Devon and Cornwall Travel Guide
• The Northeast Travel Guide
• The Southeast Travel Guide

• As part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“the UK”), England is a parliamentary democracy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Its traditional industries – fishing, farming, mining, engineering, shipbuilding – are all in decline and business today is dominated by banking and finance, the media and technology, steel production, oil and gas, and tourism.

• Bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, England is the largest country in Great Britain, occupying an area of 50,085 sq miles (129,720 sq km). The terrain is diverse, from plains to peaks, cliffs to beaches, though the superlatives are all modest on a world scale – the largest lake, Windermere, is 10 miles (16km) long, the highest mountain, Scafell, just 3205ft (978m) above sea level.

• The population of nearly 52 million is dense for a country of its size, but settlement is concentrated in the southeast around London, and in the large industrial cities of the Midlands and the North.

• This is one of the world’s most multiethnic countries, made up largely of people of Anglo-Saxon, Scots, Welsh and Irish descent, but with sizeable communities from the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, China, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

However long you spend in England, you’ll never figure out its inhabitants. The famous English reserve, sarcasm and sense of humour, the belief that a cup of tea is a universal panacea, the all-consuming obsession with weather – all form a nigh-on impenetrable barrier to the English soul. So we’ve come up with a list of unique places and experiences that might help lift the lid on the national character. At the end, you may be no closer to knowing what the English are really like – but you’ll have seen another side to the country than just Big Ben and Beefeaters.

A day at the seaside Blackpool. The quintessential coastal trip is to England’s loudest, brashest and best resort, where the sun never sets on the rollercoasters, karaoke bars and candy-floss kiosks. Fake breasts and party wig optional.

A nice snack Melton Mowbray. France gives protected status to its champagne, Italy to its succulent ham from Parma, and England? Step forward the humble but heroic pork pie.

The Olimpick Games Chipping Campden. Never mind London 2012, what you really need from a world-class sports meet is rustic wrestling, shin-kicking contests and dancing around in Tudor dress.

Cerne Abbas Giant Dorchester. Flummoxed by the English love of Carry On films and tabloid double-entendres? A visit to see a large naked man carved into a Dorset hillside is in order.

On the pier Southwold. Arcade games on the traditional seaside pier get a makeover in Southwold’s brilliantly inventive Under the Pier Show of handmade slots and simulators.

Full steam ahead Haworth. Time was, every right-thinking English boy a) had a thing for Jenny Agutter in The Railway Children and b) wanted to work on a steam railway. Here’s where they get to indulge both passions.

Snowshill Manor The Cotswolds. Eyes glazing over at the fancy plates and Old Masters at stately home Number 32? Charles Paget Wade collected the stuff we really want to see, from beetles to boneshaker bikes.

Travel advice for England

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to England

• Eating and drinking in England
• Sports and Outdoor activities in England
• Travel Tips England for planning and on the go
• Getting around England: Transportation Tips
• How to get to England
• Shopping tips for England
• Best time to visit England

The Rough Guides to England and related travel guides

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 16.05.2021

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Your ultimate guide to the United Kingdom

• Getting there

Roast dinners with fluffy Yorkshire puddings, cozy pubs whose stories are as tall as the tales its regulars tell over their pints, princes, princesses and some of the most iconic monuments in the world… everyone should visit the tiny island with a big history at least once in their lives. Welcome to our UK travel guide.

While it may be hard to see beyond the many attractions of cities such as London , Edinburgh and Cambridge, go further afield and the British countryside will charm you with its thatched cottages and surprisingly wild scenery. Think misty moors, breathtaking highlands and beautiful beaches.

So where to start when planning your “Great British Adventure”?

Here are our picks of the best things to see and do in the UK.

Best Season to Visit the UK

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How to enjoy the best of the UK in winter

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If you’re looking for an outdoor holiday, June to August is the best season to visit the UK for reliable weather. However, this is when the local schools are on their holidays and therefore prices are at a premium.

The spring months of April and May often have mild temperatures and the countryside looks particularly pretty at this time of year, when daffodils and violets fill the hedgerows. Autumn is also a good time for an outdoor holiday and the weather in September is generally still warm, although you’ll definitely need a coat for the evenings.

Some landscapes, such as the haunting Pennine moors that inspired Charlotte Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, are at their most atmospheric in winter, and many hotels will have sales during the quieter months. Discover the best of the UK in winter with our handy guide.

How to get there

For the first time it is possible to fly directly to the UK thanks to Qantas’ new flight from Perth to London. You can fly to all major UK airports from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide with a single stop.

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Places to Visit in the UK

Though the UK may be small, it is mighty when it comes to must-visit destinations.

London , Oxford and Edinburgh will never go out of style and for good reason. They are some of the best places to visit in the UK. However, there are a host of secret travel gems that you won’t want to miss out on, including the picture postcard town of Rye and tiny island of Sark, where horse drawn carriage and bicycles are the only forms of transport.

Scotland was voted the world’s most beautiful country in 2017… Find out why here. The glassy lakes and grassy mountains of the Lake District  have wowed everyone from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter and anyone with an interest in nature, culture or food shouldn’t miss out on this particularly idyllic corner of England. It’s one of the best places to visit in the UK in May, when the spring flowers are out and the fields are at their most lush.

A relative new-comer in the guidebooks is Glasgow. Scotland’s second city has long been associated with poverty and crime but it is now in the midst of a cultural renaissance led by its world-famous School of Art. Check it out for an alternative city break.

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Brighton: The coastal gem you need to get to know

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A potter around Stoke: the UK’s cup and saucer capital

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Things To See and Do in the UK

6 unique and unexpected things you can do in London

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The UK’s history is as colourful as the crown jewels which means there are more things to see than you can fit into a lifetime of trips, let alone a single holiday.

Does visiting the famous races at Cheltenham sound tempting, or discovering Newcastle’s music scene? Having a ballroom dancing lesson in Blackpool is one of the top things to do in the UK for couples, while a weekend in eye-wateringly picturesque Bath is unmissable.

Whatever type of traveller you are, you won’t be short of memorable things to do in the UK.

Best UK Festivals

The UK has a host of festivals and traditions which are celebrated throughout the year. Some, such as Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, date back to pagan times. Others, such as Glastonbury Music Festival, are newer but no less magical.

Burns Night is a very traditional celebration of Scottish culture, while Wales’ Hay Festival is the most famous literary and arts event in the world. Edinburgh Fringe Festival is newer, yet no less iconic. Read our run down right here…

London’s Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity in the UK which sees the streets around Ladbroke Grove filled with crowds dressed in colourful festival gear and thumping sound systems, while Guy Fawkes Night (celebrated to remember the foiling of a plot to blow up the houses of Parliament in 1605) is particularly impressive in Lewes.

Tours & Deals

With four countries to choose from, it can be hard to know where to pick as the focus of your trip. Luckily there are a host of UK tours to choose from.

Guided walking tours are offered in every city and they often reveal secrets that you would otherwise miss, such as Charles Dickens’ favourite pub or the remains of a Roman baths. They are normally paid for by donation, making them some of the best cheap things to do in the UK.

Of course, the UK is an island and a fantastic way to get a sense of this is with a small-ship cruise. The Hebridean Princess is essentially a charming country house with space for just 50 guests and it goes to some of Scotland’s most beautiful and remote islands.

A self-guided rail tour can be very rewarding. Try catching the Caledonian sleeper from London to Edinburgh or the Night Riviera from London to Cornwall. You’ll wake up to the sound of the seagulls and views of the pastel-painted village of St.Ives, which overlooks a crescent moon of white sand.

Visit a chocolate factory

The birthplace of the famous Cadbury brand, the UK is a nation of chocaholics. Families will go wild for the decadent experiences on offer at Cadbury World, while you can watch chocolates being finished by hand at the Thornton’s in Derbyshire, which has to be one of the best chocolate factory visits in the UK.

Discover some of the London’s most iconic chocolate houses as well as exploring hidden side streets on The London Chocolate Tour, which focuses on Mayfair, the epicentre of British luxury. The UK’s craft chocolate scene is booming and there are a host of regional chocolatiers to discover. Cocoa Cabana in Manchester offers chocolate-focused afternoon teas, so you can combine two Great British traditions in one.

Discover the UK beaches

A trip to the seaside is as much of a summer institution as Wimbledon, but you’ll get a very different flavour of it depending on where you go.

For old-school kitsch, Brighton’s long pebble beach is hard to beat. Expect donkey rides, sticks of sugary rock and coconut shies on Brighton Pier. Very different, Cornwall’s Scilly Isles look like they’ve sprung fully formed from the pages of an Enid Brighton novel with their rock pools, shell beaches, sandy coves and thatched villages.

For something even more remote, head to the north coast of Iona in Scotland. It’s milk-white sand and azure waves wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean – although the water temperature may be rather different! Also worth checking out are Littlehampton Beach, Hamilton Beach and Norfolk’s many dramatic beaches.

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Choosing Where To Stay

The UK is famed for its hospitality and there are countless types of accommodation on offer. From Grand Dame hotels to design havens, hostels and snug B&Bs you’re never too far from somewhere stylish to rest your head.

Where to stay in London

One of the great world cities, London pulses with an energy that you won’t find anywhere else on earth. As the great diarist Samuel Pepys once said: ‘If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.’ However, if you’re tired IN London you’re in luck as there are any number of hotels to suit every budget.

Many of the luxury legends can be found in Mayfair and St.James’s: The Ritz, The Stafford, The Connaught  and The Goring to name just a few.

In recent years, there has been a real trend for luxury boutique options that embrace the historic buildings they call home, for example The Rookery in Clerkenwell and The Goring

In South London you’ll find a smattering of good value Victorian boozers with a handful of very stylish rooms, including The Tulse Hill Hotel, The Orange and The Half Moon. Dictionary Hostel in Shoreditch is an ex-wood veneer factory and has its own brand of industrial cool, while Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel has a buzzing bar and complimentary shuttle service into The City.

The British countryside is peppered with castles and aristocratic piles that reflect thousands of years under the feudal system. If those walls could talk they would tell the story of royal betrayals, dukes drowning in vats of malmsey and eccentric families riddled with scandal. Some are worth visiting for day trips (especially Highclere Castle, the setting for TV drama Downton Abbey), while others have now opened as luxurious hotels with beautiful grounds.

Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire was once home to Henry VIII and guests dine in Anne Boleyn’s old bedroom. Inverlochy Castle was a favourite with Queen Victoria, who claimed to have ‘never seen a lovelier spot’, while the Castle of Mey Caithness is still visited every summer by the Prince of Wales. Guests can stay in a charming cottage on the estate. Find a full list of right royal castle stays here.

There are also a host of stately house hotels to choose from. Lime Wood manages to be fashionably cool and frightfully comfortable, with a cutting-edge spa and prestigious restaurant over seen by celebrity chef Angela Hartnett.

A neighbourhood guide on where to stay in London

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What To Eat in the UK

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Forty years ago the UK’s food scene was famously bleak, known for over boiled vegetables and tasteless meat. Many of the ancient skills, such as cheese making, were lost during the rationing of the World Wars and most chefs were having a love affair with their freezers.

However, an influx of immigrants and an increased interest in provenance mean that it is now one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. Get a flavour of what they eat in the UK with our tasty guide.

Foodie Destinations

Indian’s typically settled in the north and an entirely new type of cooking developed to suit the milder palates of the English, including legendary dish chicken tikka masala. Find our list of Birmingham’s best curry houses here. Italians headed for the Welsh Valleys and you’ll still find authentic cafes and gelataria in the midst of classic mining villages.

There has been a real interest in reviving ancient traditions in farming counties such as Dorset and Yorkshire, while the Scottish island of Mull is a shining example of how sourcing ingredients locally can create a food scene that is drawing gourmands from all over the world.

The gateway to the West Country, Bristol is home to a fantastic community of experimental young chefs who are reimagining the area’s culinary traditions – and it’s the capital of the UK’s cider scene! Traditionally associated with pie and chips, gastro-pubs such as The Pointer at Brill are engaging with their local larder to produce fine-dining food in a laid back pub setting. Their beef dripping butter is worth the journey alone…

Cheap eats in London

Sure London is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, but thanks to the foodie revolution you can now enjoy delicious food without eating into your holiday budget too much. London is full of delicious cheap eats if you know where to look.

That British classic of fish and chips tastes best from a neighbourhood chippy rather than a fancy gastro-pub. The battered cod from Poppie’s Fish and Chips on Brick Lane is some of the best fish to eat in the UK.

Food markets have been a massive trend for several decades and they are only growing in number. Although the cooking may be restaurant quality (chefs often trial new concepts at markets before opening their restaurants), the stall holders have no overheads so you are only paying for their delicious food. Borough is one of the oldest and most famous, Mercato Metropolitano consists entirely of specialist Italian producers, while Brixton Market showcases the best of Caribbean food and drink.

The Great British greasy spoon provides an insight into the England of yesteryear. Get your fry up on in The Electric Café in West Norwood, a family-run caf that has been there since the ‘30s and has the retro interiors to prove it. Other legends include E Pellicci and Regency Cafe.

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• United Kingdom

London Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 5, 2024

London is one of the most popular cities in the world. It’s home to charming pubs, world-class (and often free) museums, tons of history, some of the best theater performances in the world, a diverse population, incredible food, and a wild nightlife.

I know it’s cliche to say there’s something for everyone but, in this sprawling metropolis, there really is!

I’ve been visiting London since 2008 and, with every subsequent visit, the city has grown on me. The more I go, the more awesome stuff I see, the more I fall in love with it. There’s always something new to do here and there’s an energetic vibe to the city.

Unfortunately, it’s also an expensive destination. A visit here can eat a hole in any budget if you aren’t careful.

Luckily, there are tons of free and cheap things to do in London . While budget travelers need to be frugal here, you can still visit London on a budget and have an amazing time.

This London travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your time in this cosmopolitan capital!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on London

Top 5 Things to See and Do in London

1. Visit Big Ben and the House of Parliament

Although you can’t go up the tower, you can view this Gothic structure from the street and hear its chimes four times an hour. Big Ben is actually the name of the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster which can be found inside Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, but is often used to refer to the clock and the tower as well. To learn about the UK government, take a tour of Parliament, founded in 1801, while you’re here (get there early or reserve tickets online) . Guided tours cost 29 GBP while self-guided multimedia tours are 22.50 GBP. The best view of the tower is from the opposite side of the river on the South Bank, near the London Eye.

2. See the Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Built in 1070, the Tower of London has expanded many times over the years. It was built as a double-leaf bascule bridge in the middle (both sides lift up) to maintain river access to the Pool of London docks while easing congestion on each side of the river. You can visit inside the tower and walk along the glass walkways. Weapons, armor, and coins were made here until 1810 and today you can view the famous crown jewels, walk the battlements, wander recreated medieval palace rooms, see the iconic Yeoman Warders (known as the Beefeaters as they were allowed to eat as much beef as they wanted from King Henry VII’s table), and spot the legendary black ravens that live in the tower. Skip-the-line tickets are 29.90 GBP.

3. Admire Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is only open to the public for 10 weeks during the summer, but you can join the crowds and watch the changing of the guard at 11am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday throughout the year (get there in good time to find a good place to stand). Admission to the palace isn’t cheap, with tickets costing 30 GBP online (33 GBP on the day), while exclusive guided tours are 90 GBP. Check the Royal Collection Trust website for details on other events happening throughout the year.

4. See Westminster Abbey

A working royal church, the Gothic Westminster Abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in 960 CE. More than 3,300 people are buried here including 17 monarchs and numerous royal funerals have been held here over the centuries. It’s the traditional coronation site for British monarchs and has been the setting for every coronation since 1066, as well as for many other royal occasions, including 16 weddings. Other famous British figures buried here include Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Aphra Behn, and Charles Dickens. Tickets cost 27 GBP , but you can visit for free if you go during a service. Just make sure to dress (and act) appropriately as it is a place of worship.

5. Hang out in Trafalgar Square

Stroll around and admire the fountains and the famous monuments, such as the four bronze lion statues and Nelson’s Column (which honors Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805). It is bordered on all sides by a number of museums, galleries, cultural spaces and historic buildings so there’s plenty to do as well. Trafalgar Square is also known to be a center of national democracy and protest so peaceful rallies and demonstrations are frequently held (usually at weekends). Even if there aren’t any official events, lots of people still hang out here so it makes for a good place to people-watch.

Other Things to See and Do in London

1. take a free walking tour.

London has tons of different walking tours on offer. From free tours to specialty tours to paid tours to literary tours to quirky tea tours, London has it all. Free London Walking Tours and New Europe Walking Tours are two of my favorite companies to go with when it comes to free tours. They’re the best way to see the sights and learn about the city on a budget. Just remember to tip at the end!

If you’re looking for more in-depth and specific tours, check out Take Walks. They offer affordable tours that go into a lot of detail. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, Get Your Guide runs an awesome Harry Potter tour around the city for 15 GBP.

2. Go museum hopping

London has more museums than you could see in a single visit, and many of them are free. You can spend days visiting world-class museums like the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum, and many others — all without spending a penny. One of my favorites is the Natural History Museum, a beautiful Romanesque building that contains over 80 million items, including specimens collected by Charles Darwin. It also has an expansive collection of fossils, making it a fun and educational stop. The Victoria and Albert Museum (named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) is another favorite of mine. It’s home to over 2,000 works of art covering over 3,000 years of human history.

3. Grab some food in Borough Market

Established in 1756, London’s Borough Market has something for every foodie. It’s home to some of the best British and international produce and dishes. Come here hungry and leave satisfied. It’s great for people-watching too. The market is open daily but the crowds are terrible on Saturdays so be sure to get there early.

4. Enjoy some theater

London is known for its famous theater scene. Attend a show while you’re here and see some of the incredible performances that make London famous. Tickets can be pretty cheap, and something is playing every night (check out TKTS for discounted tickets to shows in the West End). Otherwise, catch a Shakespeare show at The Globe in South London — tickets range from 5-62 GBP depending on the show and seat you choose.

5. Stroll along Brick Lane

Known for vintage clothing, cheap eats, and art, this East London street is a local favorite. Sunday is the best day to come, as this is when the outdoor street market takes place, though the restaurants and shops lining the street are open daily. Brick Lane has some of the best (and cheapest) food in London, especially when it comes to curry, as this is the hub of London’s Bangladeshi community. This street is also a great place to bring a camera, as its walls are basically a gallery for London’s best street artists, including Banksy, D*Face, and Ben Eine.

6. Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is a 152-meter (500-foot tall) Ferris wheel. While a little cheesy, it’s nevertheless one of the most popular attractions in London. It’s across the street from Parliament and provides excellent views of London and the city’s most iconic buildings, especially on a clear day. Tickets are 32.50 GBP , but if you want to play tourist and take in the view, it might be worth it. The ride lasts 30 minutes and tickets start at 32.50 GBP.

7. Visit the London Dungeon

The London Dungeon calls itself “the world’s most chillingly famous horror attraction.” It covers 2,000 years of London’s gruesome history and is a morbid but interesting museum. Although you can learn about popular torture methods in England, this place has turned into more of an “amusement park” type attraction. But if you like things like escape rooms and scary boat rides, it’s enjoyable. Tickets cost 29 GBP when you book online (32 GBP in person).

8. See St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s is a striking English Baroque cathedral with a world-famous dome. Architect Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, the iconic building dates from the 17th century. Inside, you can visit the crypt to see the resting places of famous figures including The Duke of Wellington, Christopher Wren, and Admiral Nelson, or just enjoy the cathedral’s glittering mosaics and elaborate stone carvings. If you don’t mind climbing some stairs, a highlight is to climb to the Stone Gallery or Golden Gallery for panoramic views over surrounding London. Admission costs from 18 GBP when you buy online , which is cheaper than the London Eye and offers similarly breathtaking views.

9. Explore Covent Garden

Covent Garden, a popular West End neighborhood, is a fun place to hang out for an afternoon. It’s home to lots of quirky stalls, busking musicians, an artsy market, and a selection of unusual pubs and coffee shops. Covent Garden is also within walking distance of all the big musical theater shows, so it’s a great place to spend a few hours before catching a performance. Make sure to visit Covent Garden Market, which has been open since the 1830s. It’s a good place to grab a bite to eat or shop at some of the artisan craft stalls. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 8am-6pm, with an outdoor farmer’s market on Saturdays between April and December.

10. Visit Shakespeare’s Globe

An integral part of England’s history, Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, the venue for which the famous playwright wrote his plays. It’s a must-see for lovers of Shakespeare, with performances embracing near-perfect replicas of Elizabethan staging practices. You can even sit in front where the groundlings did, for shouting and heckling! The theater is open-roofed, so bundle up in the winter. Tickets cost 5-62 GBP depending on the production and the seat (you can stand just as they did in Elizabethan times). You can also take a guided tour for 17 GBP to learn more about the history of the theater (more specialized ones such as the Ghosts and Ghouls tour or the Pride tour cost 20 GBP).

11. Explore Camden Market

A long-time counter-culture haven, Camden Market is home to over 1,000 independent shops, stalls, cafes, restaurants, bars, buskers, and everything in between. It’s enormously popular and busiest on the weekends (it sees over 250,000 visitors each week). Camden Market is actually a series of six separate markets, so you can literally wander the labyrinth of alleyways for hours and not see it all.

12. See the Royal Observatory

Since its founding in the late 17th century, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich has played an important role in astronomy and navigation. The observatory is divided into two sections, with one half focusing on time while the other half is devoted to astronomy. In the Meridian Courtyard, you can stand on either side of the Prime Meridian, which separates the Earth’s eastern and western hemispheres. The Peter Harrison Planetarium is also housed here, where you can see a show for 10 GBP. The Royal Observatory itself costs 16 GBP .

13. Walk around the Strand

In the 12th century, rich noblemen built elegant homes and gardens along the shore (the strand) of the Thames, making it one of the most prestigious places to live (a fact that remains true to this day). Walk down this thoroughfare and be treated to a grand display of wealth and beauty. It was dubbed “the finest street in Europe” by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century. The Strand, which runs from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar, is home to numerous shops, pubs, landmark buildings, and classic hotels.

14. Drink beer at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

This historic pub has been around since the great fire of 1666 (and there has been a pub at this location since 1538). It’s surprisingly large inside, and in the winter, fireplaces keep pub-goers warm. The wood paneling, atmospheric lack of natural lighting, and vaulted cellars make stepping inside feel like stepping back in time. Famous literary figures like Charles Dickens, R.L. Stevenson, Mark Twain, Oliver Goldsmith, and others used to frequent (and write about) this particular pub.

15. See the Churchill War Rooms

Located beneath the Treasury Building in the Whitehall area of Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms include the government’s command center during World War II and a museum about the life of Winston Churchill. The centerpiece of the whole place is an interactive table that enables visitors to access digitized material from the Churchill archives. If you are like me and a huge history nerd, this is one of the best attractions in the city. I highly, highly encourage you to visit. It’s worth the price! Admission is 29 GBP.

16. Relax in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens for some reprieve. Both parks, which are (conveniently for the visitor) right next to each other, are designated as Royal Parks of London. Hyde Park is the most famous park in London. Originally the private hunting grounds of Henry VII, it opened to the public in 1637 and is a great place to stroll, picnic, or catch one of the many events that are hosted here throughout the year. Kensington Gardens are home to the Serpentine Galleries as well as Kensington Palace. The park and the gardens cover almost 250 acres!

17. Take a Jack the Ripper tour

Jack the Ripper is one of London’s most infamous killers — and his true identity was never figured out. Every night, there are tons of people in the East End learning about Jack the Ripper on a ridiculous number of similar tours. The tour guides you through dark alleyways, stopping at historic locations connected with the infamous serial killer. Tickets cost 15 GBP .

For more information on other cities in England, check out these guides:

• Bath Travel Guide
• Brighton Travel Guide
• Bristol Travel Guide
• Cambridge Travel Guide
• Liverpool Travel Guide
• Manchester Travel Guide
• Oxford Travel Guide

London Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 4-8 beds costs 16-25 GBP per night while a bed in a dorm with 10-18 beds costs 13-16 GBP. A private room with a shared bathroom costs 50-90 GBP per night. If you want to stay closer to the center of the city expect to double these prices and expect prices to be at least 10 GBP higher in peak season. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels offer free breakfast and self-catering facilities.

Budget hotel prices – A budget hotel room costs 70-100 GBP per night. Prices are higher in the center and in peak season. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and a coffee/tea maker.

There are lots of Airbnb options in London. A private room costs 45-60 GBP per night (80-100 GBP in the center), while an entire home/apartment starts around 90-150 GBP per night (more in high season).

Food – While British cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds due to immigration (and colonialism), it’s still very much a meat and potatoes country. Fish and chips remain a popular staple for both lunch and dinner while roasted and stewed meats, sausages, meat pies, and the quintessential Yorkshire pudding are all common options as well. Curry (and other Indian dishes, such as tikka masala), are super popular too.

You can eat cheap in London if you stick to street eats and food vendors (plus many of the hostels have free breakfast). You can find fish and chips or a kebab for about 7 GBP each. Indian food can be purchased for between 8-10 GBP for lunch entrees. You can buy pizza for 8-12 GBP or burritos and sandwiches for 5-9 GBP. Fast food (think McDonald’s) is around 13 GBP for a combo meal.

For a mid-range meal of traditional British cuisine at a pub or restaurant, expect to pay 14-16 GBP. A pint of beer can cost up to 6-8 GBP while a glass of wine costs around 7-10 GBP.

You can find tons of high-end dining in London, but be prepared to spend a lot. Expect to pay at least 30-35 GBP for a three-course menu with a drink in a mid-range restaurant and upwards of 70 GBP in a higher-range establishment.

If you plan on cooking for yourself, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 50-60 GBP. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, veggies, and some meat. The best places to buy cheap groceries are Lidl and Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are more mid-range, while Marks & Spencer and Waitrose are higher-end.

A great way to save money is to get the Taste Card. This diner’s club card offers 50% discounts on tons of restaurants as well as two-for-one specials. It can really pay off, especially on any nice meals you want to have. You can only live on fish and chips for so long!

Backpacking London Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking London, expect to spend about 60 GBP per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, taking public transit, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, and sticking to free activities like parks, free walking tours, and museums. If you plan on drinking, add another 10 GBP to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of 150 GBP per day covers staying in a private Airbnb room, eating out for most of your meals, having a drink or two, taking public transit and the occasional taxi, and doing some paid activities such as Tower Bridge or Westminster Abbey.

On a “luxury” budget of about 300 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever activities and tours you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. the sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in GBP.

London Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But thanks to its free museums, cheap pubs, and numerous hostels, there are a lot of ways to cut your costs and save money here. Here are my top tips for saving money in London:

• Visit all the free museums – Most of the museums in London are free, including the Museum of London, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum. The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are also free and are two of my favorites.
• Buy an Oyster Card – This prepaid transit card saves you about 50% on each tube, bus and tram ride. If you plan on using the tube a lot, get this card! You can get a refund for the balance left on the card at the end of your trip. If you aren’t charged international transaction fees and have a contactless credit or debit card, you can also use this for travel and the system automatically caps your travel so you never pay more than you would have if you had bought a travel card. Just make sure to tap in and out and the beginning and end of each ride to make sure you’re charged the right fare.
• People watch at the markets – Sunday is market day in London, with Camden Market, the Portobello Market, the Flower Market, being some of the more popular options. People watch, snap some photos, and enjoy local London life without spending a dime.
• Watch the changing of the guards – Both the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (4 times a week) and the changing of the horse guards (daily) at Whitehall take place at 11am (10am at Whitehall on Sundays). Take in true British flare with these interesting and free ceremonies.
• Just walk and explore – London is a huge city and beautiful, historic buildings abound. I once walked for four hours and barely made a dent in the route I was going to take (hence the need to get the Oyster Card.) However, once you get out of the tourist area around the Thames, you get to see London the way the locals do. You can pick up free maps of showing walking routes around the capital from any of London’s tourist information shops.
• Snag last-minute theater tickets – You can get last-minute tickets to the theater from the official booth in Leicester Square. Availability varies every day, so be sure to get there early. And if you don’t want to shell out a lot of money to see The Lion King or Les Misérables , check out smaller shows and comedy nights at theaters like Leicester Square Theater, where prices start at about 17 GBP.
• Skip the cabs – Taxis are incredibly expensive in London and can destroy your budget. I stayed out past when the tube closed one night and the taxi to my hotel was 31 GBP! If you start taking taxis everywhere, you’ll end up spending hundreds of dollars per day, so keep this in mind.
• Master the night bus – In London, the tube closes around 12:30am (the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines do run all night on Friday and Saturday nights). To avoid taking expensive taxis, make sure you get a map of the night bus routes so you can get back to your hotel/hostel on the cheap. These buses go all over the city and into the suburbs.
• Take a free walking tour – London, like most big cities in Europe, has a wide array of free walking tours given throughout the city. For a historical view of the city, try New Europe , and for off-the-beaten-path tours, try Free Tours by Foot .
• Get the Taste Card – This diner’s club card offers 50% discounts on thousands of restaurants as well as two-for-one specials. It can really pay off, especially on any nice meals you want to have.
• Get the London Pass – If you get the London Pass, you can enjoy access to over 80 London attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. A one-day pass is 89 GBP, a two-day pass is 115 GBP, and a three-day pass is 135 GBP. You can get all the way up to a ten-day pass for 199 GBP although they often have deals on giving discounts to this. This pass makes for good savings if you’re planning on doing a ton of sightseeing! Other passes available include the London City Pass from Turbopass which includes an option to add transport costs, and the London Sightseeing Pass.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in London

While the city may be expensive, its popularity means there are lots of hostels here. I’ve stayed at dozens of hostels over the years. Here are some of my favorites:

• Astor Hyde Park
• St. Christopher’s
• Clink261 Hostel
• Generator London
• Onefam Notting Hill

For more hostel suggestions be sure to check out my list of the best hostels in London.

How to Get Around London

Public transportation – London has excellent public transportation and is the cheapest way to get around. A one-way fare on the tube in Zone 1 costs 6.30 GBP, but getting a Visitor Oyster Card reduces tariffs to 2.50 GBP per ride. No matter how many trips you take per day, your Oyster Card caps your travel at 7.70 GBP for travel in Zones 1 and 2. This is applicable across all public transit, including buses and trams, saving you a ton of money.

The Visitor Oyster Card costs 5 GBP, and then you choose how much credit to add to your card. Remember that you can get back any remaining balance at the end of your trip.

The bus system in London also uses the Oyster Card and costs 1.65 GBP per ride. However, a day of unlimited bus- and tram-only travel costs a maximum of 4.95 GBP. Buses do not accept cash; you must use either an Oyster card, a Travelcard, or your own contactless payment card.

The tram system in London works the same way as the bus system, with rides costing the same.

Bicycle – London’s public bike-sharing program is Santander Cycles. With 750 docking stations and 11,500 bikes, they’re available all over the city. Renting a bike costs 1.65 GBP for up to half an hour and 1.65 GBP for each additional 30 minutes, though you can always dock a bike and take out another one to restart the free timer.

Keep in mind, however, that London isn’t a super bike-friendly city, especially if you’re used to biking with cars driving on the other side of the road!

Taxis – Taxis are readily available, with prices starting at 3.80 GBP and going up around 3 GBP per mile (the tariff is more expensive at night). Given how expensive they are, I wouldn’t take one unless absolutely necessary.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in London but it still costs an arm and a leg if you use it a lot. Stick to public transportation.

Car rental – Cars can be rented for 20-30 GBP per day for a multi-day rental. However, traffic is terrible in the city so I wouldn’t rent a car here unless you are heading out on some day trips. Remember that driving is on the left and that most cars have manual transmissions. There’s also a 15 GBP daily Congestion Charge for driving in the center (7am-6pm Mon-Fri and noon-6pm Sat/Sun/public holidays) and parking is expensive too. Drivers need to be 21 to rent a car as well.

When to Go to London

London doesn’t get too cold, but it’s notoriously foggy and rainy. Summer is peak tourism season, and temperatures are the warmest during this time — but rarely are they ever above 30°C (86°F ). London is bursting at the seams during the summer, but the city has a fun, lively atmosphere. People make the most of the warm weather and there are constantly tons of events and festivals happening.

Spring (late March-June) and autumn (September-October) are also fantastic times to visit, as temperatures are mild and the city isn’t as packed.

Winter lasts from December to February, and tourism crowds thin out dramatically during this time. Temperatures can dip below 5°C (41°F), and prices are slightly lower as well. Expect grey weather and be sure to dress warmly.

Since it is frequently rainy here, pack a light rain jacket or an umbrella no matter when you visit.

How to Stay Safe in London

London is a safe city and the risk of violent crime here is low. Scams and pick-pocketing can occur around high-traffic areas, especially around tourist attractions like London Tower and on crowded public transit. Pick-pockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep your valuables secure and out of reach at all times just to be safe.

Solo travelers, including solo female travelers, should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Although there are no super seedy neighborhoods in London, avoid wandering around late at night alone — especially if you’ve had a pint or two. As an extra precaution, only bring the money you need when you go to the bar. Leave the rest of your cards and cash in your accommodation.

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you do experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

Thanks to a few high-profile terrorist attacks and riots across Europe (including London), I frequently get emails inquiring whether or not Europe is safe to visit. The short answer: yes! I wrote a whole post about why Europe is safe to visit.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

London Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Fat Tire Tours – For bike tours, use this company! They have fun, interactive tours led by expert local guides. You’ll get to see all the main sights without breaking the bank!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of England.

London Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling England and continue planning your trip:

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Where to Stay in London: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 8 Best Hostels in London

How to Spend a Week in London

The 9 Best Walking Tour Companies in London

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Liverpool Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary & map)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: June 4, 2023

Our Liverpool Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit, things to do, accommodation options, tips and more from one of England’s most popular cities. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to the city.

Plan your visit to Liverpool

Liverpool is of course synonymous with one of the greatest bands of all time – the Beatles. But there is so much more to this northern city which contributes to its position as one of the top 5 visited cities in the UK.

In the 19th century a major port and migration hub developed in Liverpool due largely to the Industrial Revolution and colonisation of North America. In fact the Albert Docks (as part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City) were until recently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Recent regeneration projects have revitalised Liverpool and for those with an interest in music, the arts, culture, architecture, sport Liverpool is the perfect destination.

Transport links to Liverpool are excellent, there are many accommodation options to suit a variety of travel styles plus numerous tours, museums, art galleries, sports venues and more to visit.

Ready to plan your trip to Liverpool? This Liverpool travel guide includes everything you need to know to help you to make the most of your visit to the city.

What you will find in this complete Liverpool Travel Guide

Map of Liverpool

Attractions and things to do in liverpool, where to stay in liverpool – accommodation options, how to travel to liverpool from london, tours to liverpool from london, liverpool tours and tickets, liverpool travel guide tips to make the most of your visit, uk & london travel planning group.

Discover what Liverpool has to offer visitors in my guide to the city. For Beatles fans, you will find my itinerary includes everything you need to know including where to stay, which tours to book and the locations of places important to the Beatles.

Plan a few days to explore Liverpool and to make the most of your visit to this northern city.

THINGS TO DO IN LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL ITINERARY FOR BEATLES FANS (& THE BEATLES IN LONDON)

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Liverpool offers a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and needs. If you are wondering where to stay in Liverpool you will find the perfect hotel below.

GUIDE TO THE BEST AREAS &

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN LIVERPOOL

You can find my selection of special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.

Option 1 – By car

Liverpool is located 220 miles from London a journey of approximately 4 hours by car. Click here for driving instructions . If you are planning to drive to Liverpool do check that your accommodation has parking included.

Option 2 – By train

I recommend this option as it is the quickest and easiest route to Liverpool. There are hourly train service from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street. Journey time is a little over 2 hours. For train bookings, timetables and fares click here .

For more information about travelling by train in the UK read my complete guide here.

Option 3 – By bus

This is the cheapest way to get to Liverpool from London with coaches leaving from London’s Victoria Coach Station throughout the day. The journey time is around 6 hours.

Click here for more information for National Express coaches to Liverpool .

• Read – How to take a day trip from London to Liverpool

If you prefer an organised tour from London there are a number of options available from a fully escorted tour to a self-guided option with all tickets included.

• Full-Day Beatles and Liverpool Tour from London

Roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour! An absolute must for fans of the Fab Four, this fun Beatles Tour includes entry to The Beatles Story Exhibition and a whistle-stop vintage bus ride around the sites that meant most to John, George, Paul and Ringo.

• Self-Guided Day Trip to Rock & Roll Liverpool

Take the train from London to Liverpool and explore the city at your own pace on a self-guided 13-hour day trip. Your Liverpool pass includes entry to the award-winning Beatles Story, and a 2-hour Magical Mystery Tour of the Fab Four’s landmarks.

Below is a selection of the best experiences, tickets and tours you can book in Liverpool.

• The Beatles Story Ticket (Skip the line)

The award-winning Beatles Story is the world’s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles.

• City and Beatles Open Top Bus Tour

Hop on board the bus and journey through the history of the Beatles and the city of Liverpool. Stop at Penny Lane and the Strawberry Field where you can take photos and learn from your guide.

• Liverpool Football Club: Museum and Stadium Tour

Go behind the scenes inside one of the world’s most iconic and historic stadiums! The ticket includes entry to the Club’s interactive museum, The Liverpool FC Story, Trophy Exhibition Room and all six European cups.

• A Taste of Liverpool Food Walking Tour

A guided walking tour offering a relaxed unique and memorable food tasting experience through Liverpool City.

• Discover Liverpool’s North Docks

From the hidden indoor market to the artisan micro-brewery explore the North Docks of Liverpool on this 1 hour tour.

⭐️ CLICK HERE FOR MORE TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN LIVERPOOL

• Avoid visiting the city on match day (for either of the football teams – Liverpool or Everton) If you are a football fan and wish to visit one of the stadiums (or even a match) you can find more information here.
• Book tours in advance – the most popular Beatles tours are often booked months ahead.
• The main train station in Liverpool Lime Street. The city is very walkable with many of the main attractions are within walking distance of the station.
• Don’t miss a visit to the Cavern Club – an absolute must for any Beatles fan. You are given a free ticket to the club if you take the Magical Mystery Beatles Tour bus . I recommend staying at the Hard Days Night Hotel if you plan an evening at the Club as it is just around the corner!
• For best views of Liverpool’s Waterfront take the Mersey Ferry. The trip takes 50 minutes and you will learn all about the city’s history during the journey.
• Looking for more travel inspiration in the North West of England? Check out my top 10 things to do in the region .
• Why not include Liverpool in a road trip/ rail trip around the UK? Other cities to consider visiting in the north include Manchester, Chester, Newcastle, York and Durham. Find more in my guide to the best cities in England to visit.
• If you enjoy art don’t miss Tate Liverpool which is located at the Albert Docks Waterfront. Other attractions at the Waterfront include the international slavery museum.

Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has loads of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.

Why not join my UK and London travel planning group on Facebook for more tips, inspiration and help from other travellers planning future travel to London and the UK.

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Essential travel information & guidance for tourists visiting or planning a holiday or short break to Wales.

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Welcome to wales, a country like no other.

Find out key facts and figures about Wales - the country and its history, getting there, climate, culture and other useful information.

© Hawlfraint y Goron / Crown Copyright

Getting to and around Wales

Travelling to wales from overseas.

Wales has great international connections. It’s easy to get here from overseas.

• Trains and railways
• Transport and travel

Travelling around Wales

How to get around Wales by public transport, driving, cycling or walking.

Local information for your trip around Wales

A list of local websites to help plan your trip around Wales.

Getting to Wales from Ireland 

Find out the essential information needed to help you travel from Ireland to Wales.

• Annual holidays

Your guide to getting to Wales from across the UK

You can travel to Wales easily by road, rail or air. We’re linked to every corner of the UK.

Search for places to stay, things to do, and things to see in Wales

• Accommodation

Attractions

History, heritage and traditions

Poetry in motion - discover the language of wales.

Learn about the origins of the Welsh language and how it's still thriving today.

• National symbols

Mad for museums in Wales

Wales has over 90 accredited museums, ranging from industrial heritage, to textiles and fine art.

• Historic buildings

Epic ways to celebrate St David’s Day

The first day of March is celebrated in Wales with parties and parades. Here's how to join the fun.

• St David's Day
• Myths and legends

Find your roots and trace your family tree

Discover sources of information and genealogy tours to help you trace your Welsh family history.

Visit our UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Wales

Find out how to make the most of your visit to each of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Wales.

• UNESCO Heritage
• Amazing places

Safety advice for exploring our National Parks

Planning on visiting one of our National Parks? Find out how to stay safe.

• Eryri National Park
• Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
• Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

RNLI's guide to beach safety

The RNLI's top tips for staying safe on the Welsh coast during the summer months.

Award-winning Wales

Wales is often named in top lists of places to visit and has won a number of destination awards.

Visiting Wales safely

Information on safety advice for outdoor activities and staying safe in accommodation.

Visit Wales Newsletter

This is Wales. A country with a warm heart, a rich history and an exciting future. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear our latest stories, holiday or short break ideas and more about interesting events taking place in Wales.

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

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Solar eclipse 2024: A traveller’s guide to the best places to be when the light goes out

O n 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America , providing an astronomical experience in many alluring locations.

Only a tiny proportion of humanity has ever witnessed a total eclipse – but tens of millions of people will be able to experience one as the “path of totality” sweeps from the Pacific to the Atlantic during the course of that magical Monday.

Here’s what you need to know about why you should see it and where to be.

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

The greatest show on earth comes courtesy of the lifeless moon. Normally the orbiting lunar lump merely provides earth with tides, moonlight and somewhere to aim space rockets. But roughly once a year the natural satellite aligns with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, blots out the hub of the solar system to create a total eclipse.

“Even though the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it’s also about 400 times closer to earth than the sun is,” says Nasa. “This means that from earth, the moon and the sun appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.”

A narrow band marking the “path of totality” carves an arc of darkness across the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere on that line at the predicted time, and you have clear skies, then the experience will become a lifelong memory.

The closer you are to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse will last. The astronomer Dr John Mason, who has guided dozens of eclipse trips (and will be doing so again in 2024), says: “People down in southwest Texas will get about four minutes 20 seconds, and that reduces to about three minutes 20 seconds up in the northeast. That’s a pretty good, long total eclipse.”

What’s so good about seeing an eclipse?

In the days leading up to the eclipse, locations in the path of totality acquire something of a carnival atmosphere as astronomical tourists converge in excited anticipation.

On the day, the cosmological performance begins with a warm-up lasting more than an hour, during which the moon steadily nibbles away at the surface of the sun.

Suddenly, you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air chills.

To testify to the heavenly fit between our two most familiar heavenly bodies, faint diamonds known as Baily’s beads peek out from behind the moon. They actually comprise light from the sun slipping through lunar valleys.

A sight to behold – so long as you can see the moon blotting out the sun and appreciate the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy.

Eclipses are entirely predictable: we know the stripes that the next few dozen will paint upon the surface of the Earth. But the weather is not. Cloud cover, which blighted the Cornwall eclipse in 1999, downgrades a cosmological marvel to an eerie daytime gloom.

Almost as predictable as the eclipse is that traffic towards the path of totality will be heavy on the morning of 8 April 2024.

Accommodation rates are astronomical: even humdrum motel rooms in Niagara, central in the path of totality, are selling for C$600 (£350) for the night of 7-8 April 2024.

Where will the great American eclipse 2024 be visible?

The path of totality makes landfall from the Pacific at Mazatlan on Mexico’s Pacific Coast and sweeps northeastwards to reach the US-Mexican border at Piedras Negras.

In the US, three big Texan cities – San Antonio, Austin and Dallas – are on the extremes of the path of totality; many citizens are likely to drive to locations near the centre of the line.

Arkansas will be an attractive place to see the eclipse , with both Texarkana (on the border with Texas) and Little Rock within the path of totality.

In the Midwest, Indianapolis and Cleveland share the distinction of being fairly central in the path of totality. In upstate New York, Buffalo and nearby Niagara Falls (shared with Canada) could be extremely attractive – though prone in early April to cloudy skies.

In Canada , Montreal is just touched by the path of totality. The line then reverts to the US, passing across northern Maine – which promises to be a superb with clear skies. Then back to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland all in the line of darkness.

Will I be able to see a partial eclipse from the UK?

Yes. The eclipse ends with the sunset in the eastern Atlantic, about 600 miles off the coast of Cornwall , before it reaches the UK and Ireland . But on the island of Ireland and western parts of Great Britain, a partial eclipse may be visible with the sun low in the sky.

If skies are clear and you have an open view to the west, it will start at around 7.55pm in Cardiff, Liverpool , Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

BBC Weather presenter Simon King said: “With the partial solar eclipse occurring late in the day UK time, the Sun will be low to the horizon and will actually set before the spectacle is over.”

Can I combine an exciting city with a partial eclipse?

Boston, New York and Chicago are among the big cities that will see a sizeable chunk of the sun blotted out. Viewer as far apart as Alaska and the far north of Colombia and the Caribbean will, if skies are clear and they use the correct eye protection, see a partial eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total eclipse.

Eclipse guru Dr Mason sums up the difference between a 99 per cent partial eclipse and a total eclipse as far apart as “a peck on the cheek and a night of passion”.

“There will be people who will look at the map and say, ‘I live in Cincinnati or I live in Columbus [Ohio] and I’m just outside the zone of totality. But I’m going to get a 99 per cent-plus eclipse, so maybe I won’t bother to travel’.

“What they don’t realise is there an enormous difference between 99 per cent and 100 per cent. And there’s a range of phenomena that they won’t see if they put up with 99 per cent.”

You must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers when viewing a partial eclipse or during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse.

Where should I be for the total experience?

There are no guarantees of clear skies: all you can do is play the odds based on the record of cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years.

Dr Mason says the average expected cloud cover amounts increase from around 40-45 per cent on the Mexico/Texas border to over 80 per cent in Maine, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Three particularly tempting locations:

• Southern Texas , close to San Antonio or Austin. Besides clear skies being more likely than not, access is easy with direct flights to Austin. Importantly there is much to explore in the region before and after the eclipse, from Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande to Space Center Houston – an excellent place to continue the cosmological theme.
• Northern Arkansas , a picturesque part of the state, with the added attraction of Memphis just a couple of hours away.
• Niagara Falls : the dramatic border between the US and Canada could be an eclipse washout due to clouds. But the natural surroundings are impeccable – and there is plenty of accommodation, which will avoid the risk of being caught in severe traffic congestion on the freeways from Toronto and locations in New York State.

However, the most recent forecasts for cloud cover suggest that the Midwest around Indianapolis and the northeastern state of Maine could have the best prospects.

When are the next total solar eclipses?

Summer 2026 – Wednesday 12 August, to be precise – should bring a spectacular eclipse visible in northern Spain at the height of the European holiday season. The path of totality begins in the Arctic and crosses Greenland and Iceland before arriving in the northern half of Spain. The stripe of darkness will traverse the great cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia in mainland Spain before arriving in Palma de Mallorca.

The following summer (2 August 2027), the southern tip of mainland Spain is in the path of totality for an eclipse that will sweep across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula : going east from the Strait of Gibraltar, it will encompass Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the northeasternmost corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Just under 12 months later, on 22 July 2028, Outback Australia will be the place to be. A total eclipse will make landfall in northern Western Australia, sweep across the Northern Territory and part of southwest Queensland – then clean across New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the path of totality.

Winter cloud cover could disrupt the experience in Australia’s largest city – and is very likely in the southern portion of New Zealand’s South Island where the eclipse reaches a finale.

Australia also features in the cosmological plans on 25 November 2030. This is early summer in the southern hemisphere, and likely to be good conditions for viewing in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the path of totality) as well as South Australia.

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