Are you planning a UK trip and not sure where to start? Here’s the thing: the United Kingdom packs more variety into one island nation than most people realize. You’ve got weekend escapes, day trips that’ll surprise you, and cities where you could spend years and still find new corners to explore. Whether you’re traveling solo, planning a romantic getaway, or rallying the crew for a girls’ trip, there’s something here.
Real talk: if you’re someone who’s spent more time hopping around Australia, Bali, or New Zealand than exploring what’s practically in your backyard, consider this your wake-up call. The UK delivers seriously. Once you know where to look, the best spots will absolutely exceed expectations. Let me point you in the right direction.
1. The Lake District
For outdoor types, the Lake District sits at the top of most UK travel lists, and look, it’s earned that spot. Rolling green peaks spilling down to calm water, views that genuinely stop you in your tracks… there’s a reason crowds flock here. If you’re after something more intense, clip into a Via Ferrata route or push up Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain. I’ve done the Lake District circuit a couple of times now and left happy every single visit.
Want the full Lake District deep-dive? I’ve got you covered:
- Here’s my Lake Windermere weekend with WMGT, all the details you need.
- Spent three days on a Lake District micro-adventure, read the full breakdown here.
- Scafell Pike on your radar? This guide walks you through exactly what to expect.
2. Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands rank among Scotland’s most visited regions, and if you’re planning a UK road trip, they’re basically non-negotiable. I just wrapped three weeks driving through Scotland, and honestly? Some of the most incredible scenery I’ve seen in eight years of nonstop travel. Scotland’s drives legitimately compete with Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, and the whole tier-one lineup. (Find all my Scotland road trip breakdowns right here.)
Picture massive hikes, beaches with sand so white it looks tropical, endless open country, crumbling castles, layers of history, and air so clean it resets your lungs.
Loch Ness gets all the press thanks, Nessie, but it’s far from the only loch worth your time. One of my favorite Scotland discoveries? The sheer number of perfect loch-side spots to pitch a tent or pull over for lunch.
Read: best Popular tourist places in Australia
3. Brighton
Brighton might be the most entertaining city on this list. Alternative culture thrives here, the nightlife hits different, and the whole vibe just works. While you’re there, wander the Lanes for some retail therapy and grab proper fish and chips on the pier.
Quick detour worth making: the Seven Sisters cliffs sit close enough that if you’re driving through or want to knock out two spots in one trip, you should absolutely swing by. It’s one of the UK’s most photographed stretches of coastline for good reason.
Brighton is a seaside resort situated on the South Coast of England. It’s in the county of East Sussex, and about 1 hour from London by train, 3 hours from Bristol, 2.5 hours from Bournemouth, or 4.5 hours from Leeds.
Where you crash in Brighton really comes down to what kind of trip you’re building. Chasing a cozy coastal B&B vibe for the weekend? Need a no-frills hostel bed to keep costs down? Or maybe you’re after a high-end hotel right on the water? The good news—Brighton covers all of it.
Read: Best Amusement Parks in the U.S.
4. South Downs
The South Downs holds official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status, and yeah, it earns the title. You’re looking at mile after mile of green ridges, gentle slopes, and views that remind you why getting outside matters. Whether you’re tackling trails, walking llamas (yes, really), foraging for wild ingredients, or paddling calm water, boredom isn’t in the equation here. The South Downs sit high on my personal list of UK places that deserve more attention.
Looking for South Downs National Park on a map, or just trying to figure out where exactly “the South Downs” are? Here’s the deal: this protected area spreads across three counties, Hampshire, East Sussex, and West Sussex. It’s one of fifteen national parks scattered throughout the UK.
Read : Top Cheap Weekend Getaways in the U.S.
5. Windsor
Windsor, home to Queen Elizabeth’s main residence, ranks among the UK’s prettiest towns. Lucky for me, it’s a short drive from where my family lives.
Last visit? Took my dad for a summer day out, and we crushed it. Kicked things off on a steam train with brunch and prosecco, then spent hours wandering the historic center and soaking up the sun along the Thames. Pure perfection.
While you’re in town, hit the Fudge Kitchen on High Street for their handmade stuff; it’s ridiculous. Also, carve out time for a proper long walk through Windsor Great Park. If you’re committing to a full day, grab theater tickets for the evening and call it complete.
read : Most Small Towns in America That Are Perfect for a Short Trip
6. Swansea
Swansea sits near the top of my Wales favorites list. Swansea Bay, The Mumbles, the whole Gower Peninsula sweep all of it works. If you want a coastal town that delivers serious natural scenery without the tourist-trap vibe, this is your spot. Swansea, I’ll be back before you know it.
7. Peak District
The Peak District deserves a spot on your UK weekend shortlist, especially if you’re rallying the crew. Rent a cottage, throw walking boots and workout gear in a bag, pile into the car, and prepare for two days you’ll actually remember. You can hike until your legs give out, rent bikes and cruise wide-open terrain, and snap photos worth posting. Here’s a bonus: England’s original national park also protects three dark sky reserves, so bring a blanket and watch the stars with your people.
If you’re wired for the outdoors, the Peak District National Park has to land on your England must-see list.
The best things to do in the Peak District: 1-Cycle the Monsal Trail. 2- Take on one of the many walks and hikes in the Peak District. 3- Go rock climbing in the Peak District. 4- Summit Kinder Scout, the highest peak in the Peak District. 5- Enjoy a wander through some of the cute towns and villages in the Peak District. 6- Take the cable car to The Heights of Abraham. 7- Try extreme quad biking in the Peak District. 8- Visit the Nine Ladies stone circle.
Where are your favourite places to visit in the Peak District National Park? – Leave a Comment.
8. Edinburgh
Edinburgh tops my New Year’s Eve bucket list, but honestly? Scotland’s capital delivers any month you show up. The city layers centuries of history into every cobblestone, think that famous castle perched on volcanic rock, genuinely creepy underground vaults, and a bar scene that runs until sunrise. It’s an easy UK weekend win.
Edinburgh’s not just one of Scotland’s top stops, it’s legitimately in the conversation for best UK city, period. If you’re mapping out your Edinburgh itinerary or just trying to figure out what’s worth your time there, you’ve landed in the right spot.
Scotland’s capital sits comfortably among the world’s most compelling cities to explore. It’s a heavyweight in the European capital scene and an absolute non-negotiable if Scotland’s anywhere on your route.
The best things to do in Edinburgh: 1- Hike Arthur’s Seat. 2- Visit Edinburgh Castle. 3- Explore the Old Town. 4- Walk the Royal Mile. 5- Have a picnic lunch on the Meadows. 6- Watch the sunset on Calton Hill. 7- Head to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 8- Climb the Scott Monument for views across the city.
9. Cornwall
Cornwall anchors England’s southwest tip and consistently pulls the biggest domestic travel crowds in the country. Summer turns the place into a full-on scene tourists everywhere, walking cliff-edge coastal trails, claiming patches of sand, living that oceanfront life. It’s tailor-made for a UK road trip or van conversion summer run, and if you’ve been thinking about trying surfing, this is where you do it.
I’m based in Newquay right now (they call it the adventure capital for a reason), and I’ll say this flat: you haven’t really seen the UK until you’ve spent time in Cornwall. Non-negotiable addition to any UK travel list.
Cornwall’s weather shifts more than you’d expect. Microclimates pop up across different zones. The Roseland Peninsula, for instance, runs warm enough to support palm trees, agave, and subtropical blooms you wouldn’t associate with England.
Broadly speaking, July peaks as the warmest month (around 16°C average), while February bottoms out as the coldest. August gives you the longest daylight stretches and ocean temps hovering near 17°C. Winter surfing? You’ll need serious neoprene thickness, or you’ll regret it.
June and September hit a sweet spot where crowds thin out, but sunshine still shows up reliably, so you get that proper English beach experience without fighting for sand space.
10. Devon
Devon’s another chunk of England I’m genuinely into, loved it enough to spend my 26th birthday there (full weekend breakdown linked). It pulls serious visitor numbers, but the region’s massive enough that dodging crowds stays completely doable. My personal favorites? Dartmoor, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple. Still haven’t made it to Exmoor’s Dark Sky reserve, but camping beneath that kind of star density is calling my name.
Look, Cornwall gets all the press, but Devon? Devon’s the move. You’ve got two separate coastlines, the only English county that can say that, plus moors, valleys, and enough outdoor action to keep you busy all season.
I spent this past summer rolling around Devon in my van with Ollie (the dog), and here’s the deal: the southwest in summer is legitimately gorgeous. Some of these beaches could pass for the Caribbean if you squint. No exaggeration.
The North Coast around Woolacombe and Ilfracombe is wild and dramatic. The English Riviera, that’s the Torbay area on the south side, is calmer, warmer, totally different vibe. Both coasts are worth your time. And honestly? After bouncing between Devon and Cornwall all summer, I’ll say it: England’s beaches in July and August hold their own against anything you’d fly to Europe for.
The best things to do and see in Devon, England: 1- Hike part of (or all of!) the South West Coastal Path. 2-Enjoy the green space and fresh air in the AONBs. 3- Try an extreme outdoor adventure. 4- Make your own cider. 5- Rent bikes and explore Devon’s countryside. 6- Explore the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. 7- Enjoy cream tea the Devonshire way! 8- Learn to surf in Croyde Bay.
11. The Orkney Islands
The Orkneys are absolutely loaded with wildlife if you’re into nature. This is one of the best stops you can make in the UK. Puffins Check. Seals lounging on rocks. Whales are cruising offshore. You’ve got a shot at those, too. And if the timing’s right, you might even catch the Northern Lights doing their thing across the sky.
I’m always looking for ways to leverage this audience I’ve built and actually do something meaningful with it. So when GSMA reached out about their #CaseForChange campaign, basically spotlighting how mobile carriers worldwide are backing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, I jumped at it.
Two reasons: one, it forced me to try content formats I don’t usually mess with, and two, it gave me a chance to tell a story that actually matters.
So I packed up. A couple of weeks back, I flew north to the Orkneys—that cluster of islands off Scotland’s northeast coast with nothing but camera gear and a plan to dig into what’s really happening up there.
Have you been to the Orkney Islands in Scotland? What were your favourite spots? I’d love to know!?
12. Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s easily one of my top UK counties. You want the Yorkshire Three Peaks? Done. You want to bar-hop through Leeds until 2 a.m.? Also done. It’s the rare spot where you can knock out a proper hiking challenge and still catch live music the same weekend.
I’ve only scratched the surface here; there’s a ton left to see, but what I’ve done so far has been fantastic. If you’re plotting UK trips, put Yorkshire on the list.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks is no joke. You’re tackling Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, the three tallest in the county, back-to-back on a loop, and you’ve got 12 hours to finish the whole thing.
So naturally, we decided to do it the night before. Zero training. Barely any prep. Just vibes and a vague sense of confidence.
Somehow, we made it. And yeah, if you’re reasonably fit and feeling impulsive, you can pull off the Three Peaks without serious prep; we’re living proof. That said, don’t be like us. Train if you’ve got the time. Twelve straight hours of walking will humble you fast.
Here’s the kicker: I didn’t even know about the time limit until we’d already finished. Turns out we clocked in at just over 11 hours started at 8:10 a.m., and rolled back in at 7:15 p.m. Not bad for winging it.