United Kingdom Travel Guides

Discover on this page all the incredible places you can visit in the United Kingdom, from popular cities like London, Manchester and Liverpool to small charming towns and pretty villages to fall in love with.

United Kingdom Travel Guides

Learn about what to do and see in the following outstanding UK locations.

• 15 Top Attractions and Secret Places in Edinburgh
• Things to Do in Gretna Green, Scotland
• Best Things to Do in Halifax, England
• Great Things To Do in Harrogate in a Day
• Fantastic Things to Do in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
• Leeds Attractions and Hidden Gems You Must See
• What To Do in Lincoln UK 
• Places to Visit in Nottingham
• Things To Do In Saltaire – A Charming Yorkshire Village
• Best Things to Do in Skipton, Yorkshire
• Top Free Things To Do In York

London travel guides

• 18 Great Tips For Travelling To London For The First Time You Must Know
• 15 Incredible Hidden Gems in London
• 15 Prettiest Instagrammable Cafes in London You Will Love

Quick facts 

• Continent: Europe
• Capital: London
• Language: English
• Population: 68,573,297 as per 2022
• Currency: British pound sterling, GBP
• Hottest month: July (average 18ºC, 64F) 
• Coldest month: January (average 5ºC, 41F)

The best time to visit the United Kingdom

You can visit the United Kingdom anytime, but it really depends on the experience you want to have.

The best time to visit the UK is spring (March to June) and early autumn (September and October) as there are more chances of sunnier and warmer days. At the same time, there’s more daylight so you can make the most of your trip.

Personally, spring is a great time to visit the UK because you can see how all the trees and flowers bloom.

Avoid the winter months if you don’t like rainy and gloomy days. But I must admit is worth visiting the UK in November and December to wander around the lovely Christmas markets.

Top tips for travelling to the United Kingdom

• The weather is very unpredictable at any time of the year, so one of the best things you can do is to pack an umbrella or a raincoat. 
• The road system is different from that of other European countries. British people drive on the left side of the road, so I highly recommend double-checking the road before crossing. I’m guilty of looking at the wrong side most times.  
• In some countries, tipping in a restaurant isn’t a big thing. However, from personal experience, tipping is expected in the UK.
• If you only plan to visit London, you’re missing out a lot. There are many other beautiful cities and villages across the UK. Each of them has something to offer – stunning castles, national parks, street art, etc.
• When visiting the UK, an afternoon tea experience is a must. There’s nothing more British than afternoon tea – tea accompanied by mini sandwiches and cakes. My favourite place for this is Betty’s Tearoom which has several locations in Northern England, including the incredible medieval city of York.
• When you’re on the underground or in a shopping centre, remember to stand on the right side of the escalators. This way, people who are in a rush can make their way faster. 
• Get a converter, as plugs are different than in most European countries.

Traditional British food to try on your trip

Fish and chips. Cod in a thick and crunchy batter served with chunky fries. It’s also served with mushy peas and many locals put vinegar on their fish.

Sunday roast. As its name suggests, it’s a typical dish served on Sundays. The dish consists of roasted meat (mainly chicken, beef or lamb), roast potatoes and it’s accompanied by Yorkshire puddings, stuffing, gravy and mint sauce.

Tikka masala. An influenced Indian dish that is considered a traditional British dish too. Tikka masala is made of marinated chicken chunks in spiced curry sauce.

Shepard’s pie. A hearty dish made of lamb mince, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and topped with cheddar cheese.

Cornish pasty. A traditional dish from Cornwall, a county located in Southwestern England. It consists of shortcrust pastry filled with potatoes, swede and onion and steak. 

Sticky toffee pudding. A delicious moist sponge cake that is made with chopped dates and covered in a toffee sauce. It’s often served with vanilla custard or vanilla ice cream.

Find accommodation in the UK

Read my hotel recommendations

• The Principal York Hotel Review
• 10 Unique Boutique Hotels in Yorkshire You Will Love

Check the latest blogs

If you want more information about these locations, these detailed guides will tell you everything you need to know – from main attractions and hidden gems to accommodation and food.

Frequently Asked Questions about Travelling to the UK

What do I need to know before travelling to the UK?

• The weather can change in minutes. Take an umbrella (informally called brolly) or rain jacket with you all the time, even in the summer months.
• Accents can be difficult, even for native English speakers from countries outside the UK. Geordie, Yorkshire, Scottish, and Scouse are just a few of the many accents you’ll find across the country.
• The UK has plenty of food options! A big misconception is that food is bad in the UK, but I don’t agree with this. Whether you want to try traditional British food like Sunday roast and fish and chips or eat international cuisine, you’ll find a food stall or restaurant that offers them.
• You’ll never go wrong by saying thank you many times. As a Spaniard, I was a bit shocked by this. Spanish people don’t thank you a lot (which isn’t great).
• The UK is much more than London. Despite London being a great city to visit, many lovely cities and small towns have so much to offer. Examples of this are cities like Cambridge and Lincoln and UNESCO World Heritage Site villages like Saltaire in Yorkshire.

What should I avoid in UK?

• Don’t block the escalators.
• Don’t confuse the UK with England and Great Britain. 
• Don’t talk about the weather. You can spend a long time talking about this.
• Don’t travel during peak times (7:30 to 9:30 am and 5:00 to 7:00 pm).

What is considered rude in UK?

There are a few things that are considered rude, and it may be completely different in your culture. For example, jumping a queue, not saying “thank you” or “sorry”, not holding the door open for someone behind you and not keeping your distance.

Is the UK expensive to visit?

Yes and no, there isn’t a straight answer because it depends on the city you visit and where you are travelling from. 

London isn’t the most budget-friendly city in the UK, but it can still be visited on a budget if you don’t mind sleeping in a hostel, cutting down costs on food by eating supermarket meals or street food, and avoiding paid attractions.

When I compare the UK to other European countries, I find it to be more expensive, but having lived in the UK for 6 years, I know that it can be visited on a budget.

If accommodation and flights to London are expensive where you are travelling from, check out other cities.