10 Things You Need to Do During a Trip to the UK

An aerial view of London. You can see London Bridge and more.

Things You Need to Do During a Trip to The UK

A visit to the UK is a trip like no other. You’ve got a fantastic combination of history, culture and beautiful places to explore.

Not only that, but the food is great too – despite what you’ve heard in the past.

You can easily fill up several weeks during your visit to the UK, and make several return visits too!

But at the very least, make sure you add these 10 things to do in the UK to your list.

1. Spend Time in London

A visit to the UK must include a visit to London. One of the most interesting and entertaining cities in the world.

Between the museums, palaces and all of the other great sights, you need to be prepared for a lot of walking around!

Then in the evenings, you’ll easily find music and fun. Take in some incredible shows on the West End.

London has a lot going on, and there’s more to see than you might think. So try to spend a few days there to help you see as much as possible.

Make sure you check out 101 things to do in London to help you plan your trip.

2. Escape to the Other Nations

After spending some time in London, make sure you venture out to the other nations!

There are some incredible locations to explore in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland too.

Each one has a different culture and different landscape/ You’ll get to see that there’s much more to life in the UK than London!

You’ll get a warm welcome wherever you go.

Plus, if you have Celtic ancestors, it could be an incredible way to discover more about your history!

3. See Some of the UK’s Best Castles

The UK is full of castles, with each one having a fascinating history. Some of Britain’s best castles range from inhabited castles like Windsor Castle (one of Queen Elizabeth II’s homes), and Edinburgh Castle, which looks incredible against the city’s skyline.

Some of the castles are just ruins, but there are others that offer guided tours and exhibits.

This can help you learn more about their place in British history.

4. Go for a Sunday Roast

The UK has a great food scene. Made up of a lot of international cuisines, as well as some classic British favourites.

You’ll find a lot of familiar chains in different parts of the UK, but one thing you need to do during your visit is to go for a Sunday roast.

It’s a bit like Thanksgiving dinner but on a smaller scale. It’s usually served with some other type of meat over turkey.

It’s a popular thing to do on a Sunday afternoon and gives you a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in a typical British pub.

Looking for other foodie favourites to try during your stay? Give fish and chips a try! It’s particularly tasty when eaten by the sea!

5. Enjoy Top British Past Times

There are some activities which are ‘quintessentially British’. From going for afternoon tea to a spot of bingo.

There are some typical British things you should experience during your stay. Some things are more traditional than others.

It’s worth asking some of the locals for some advice on the types of activities you should take part in during your visit.

Make sure you spend time researching different activities and festivals taking place during your stay.

You never know what festival or town tradition you could be a part of!

6. Go Shopping

The UK is a great place to go shopping. The towns and villages are packed with beautiful boutiques and country stores. Whereas the cities are the place to be if you love fashion and style.

There are the typical stores that you’d find all over such as H&M and Zara. As the original home of brands like Topshop and Miss Selfridge, you can experience some of their biggest stores in places like London and Manchester.

Department stores are also worth a visit during your stay.

So check out John Lewis, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols (Harvey Nicks!) too! If you’re in London, a visit to the world-famous Harrods and Liberty should also be on your list.

7. Climb a Mountain

There are some glorious landscapes in the UK, from the stunning coastlines right up to the mountains.

The good news is that for many of them, you don’t need to be a seasoned climber to give them a go!

Take a look at some of the best mountains to climb in the UK for inspiration.

Even those who aren’t confident in their fitness can give some of the easier routes a try. Including Conic Hill in Scotland and Pen-y-Fan in Wales.

Pick a day with great weather so that you can enjoy the best views!

8. Watch Some British Sports

The UK is a sporting nation. It’s worth soaking up some of the atmosphere at a sports match during your stay.

There’s soccer (which you’ll want to call football) and rugby. They are two of the most popular sports.

In the summer, many Britons love to play or watch cricket, while tennis is popular too. If you visit at the end of June/beginning of July, you could even go and watch Wimbledon.

Now that is an experience the incredible atmosphere the tournament has to offer!

9. Check Out the Street Food Scene

Street food has really taken off in the UK in recent years. Most cities and towns have some areas that offer regular street food evenings or days.

Although most of these still take on the traditional market form.

There are a lot of daytime events to choose from, as well as some great evenings that offer an incredible atmosphere.

Check out some of the best street food markets in England to give you some inspiration on where to go.

Although popular choices include Borough Market in London and Birmingham’s Digbeth Dining Club.

10. Explore the countryside

10. Explore the Countryside

Away from the busy cities, there is a lot of striking countryside to explore in the UK. Long country drives are the perfect way to explore the best of Britain and appreciate what’s out there.

To the east of London, you’ll find the Cotswolds, which is packed with beautiful country villages. They look like something straight out of a movie. Plus, they offer total relaxation and a break from the hustle and bustle.

Further south, you can experience some beautiful beaches in Devon and Cornwall. These beaches rival those in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.

It’s worth hiring a car during your stay so that you can enjoy the freedom to see everything!

Where next?

Where Next?

One of the great things about the UK is how convenient it is to get to everywhere else! It’s just a short hop on a ferry, train or plane to the rest of Europe. This allows you to make the most of your trip across the Atlantic.

Rail services in Europe are fast and efficient, and the Eurail train ticket offers excellent value.

You could do a country a day if you wish! Why not stretch out your travels with a trip to Spain, France and Italy?

10 Things You Need to Do During a Trip to the UK