By Charli
Great Things to Do in the UK
If you’re not planning holidays abroad this summer, it’s well worth exploring some of the beautiful places that the UK has to offer. Although we can’t promise the sunshine and warm temperatures of Spain, we can assure you that there are many adventures to be had on our own shores!
Beautiful Beaches
Visit some of our best beaches! If you’re craving swimming in the sea or getting sand absolutely everywhere, the UK has some stunning offerings to rival Croatia or Greece… Why not take a trip to the Jurassic coast and explore Lulworth Cove or Durdle Door? There’s plenty of opportunities for surfing, paddle boarding, boating, jet skiing, caving and even fossil hunting. Whether you take a trip to Norfolk, Dorset or Suffolk, Whitstable or Blackpool, there are plenty of places to fulfil your dreams of a beach holiday in the UK this year!
Durdle Door, Dorset – Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
Aquatic Activities
Still on the theme of water, the UK also has plenty of other water-based activities to explore, from punting to long boating. Whether you choose a romantic canal boat trip for two, or a livelier trip for 12, you can choose a starting point, set your route and get boating! This is a great way to get to see more of the country whilst enjoying being on the water!
Canal boats in Hertford – Photo by Mike Bird on Pexels
There are also plenty of venues throughout the country where you can indulge in water-sports from whitewater rafting and inland surfing to canoe camping trips.
The Great Outdoors
Get into the great outdoors and discover some of the 15 national parks. From Exmoor, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District or the New Forest, the UK has so many beauty spots to appreciate.
Waterfall in the Lake District – Photo by James Armes on Unsplash
If you want to venture a little further afield and escape for a while, it’s well worth exploring other parts of the UK – visit Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the beautiful Scottish Highlands, or the colourful Portmeirion Village in Wales. Whether you want energetic long hikes, cycling or horse riding, a camping adventure or just to experience nature, there is no chance you’ll run out of things to do and you’ll be in beautiful surroundings to do it all!
Hiking on the Isle of Skye, Scotland – Photo by Reuben Teo on Unsplash
Theme Park Fun
If you’re hoping for an adrenaline rush, how about a road trip around some of the UK’s best theme parks? From Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent or Dreamland in Margate, there is plenty of fun to be had!
Alton Towers by Jonny Gios on Unsplash
Culture-rich Trips
For history, science and culture, Britain does it best. From Durham Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall to the Roman Baths in Bath, the UK is steeped in history. And from Northumberland’s Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, the London Science Museum or one of our many aquariums, there is plenty for science lovers, too.
The Roman Baths, Bath – Photo by Elena Jiang on Unsplash
If music and the arts are more your cup of tea, why not take a trip to the Warner Bros Studio and get lost in the world of Harry Potter? If you enjoyed Wuthering Heights, head to Haworth in West Yorkshire to explore the vicarage that Emily, Charlotte and Anne lived in. Whatever your taste in music, there are plenty of iconic music venues and museums around the UK, from the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, the 100 Club in London, to the oldest record shop in the world, Spillers Records in Cardiff.
Peaks & Points
If it’s a challenge that you’re after, why not try and climb the three peaks – Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland. If you want the views, but not the achy muscles, there are plenty of other peaks and points to explore, such as the Malvern Hills, the Cheviots in Northumberland (England), Scotland’s Conic Hill at Loch Lomond, or the Brecon Beacons (Wales).
British Camp Hill Fort, Colwall, Malvern Hills – Photo by Mitch Houlston on Unsplash
City Breaks
If you’re longing for a city break, there are plenty of brilliant places to discover, each with its unique highlights, from sightseeing and activities, to a wide variety of cafés, restaurants, bars, pubs and entertainment. Maybe you have uni friends from different cities or family that you haven’t visited in a while? You could plan a road trip or skip the traffic and take the train!
See our series on exploring cities on a budget:
The list of things to do in the UK is endless – you could head out on a spa or golf weekend, partake in a sports bootcamp, relax at an English vineyard or go camping in the middle of nowhere. However you choose to spend your holidays this summer, the UK might just have what you are looking for!
