EXPLORE THE UNITED KINGDOM
Choose a place. Build a brilliant day.
Start with a nation, region or town. Its map brings together things to do, walking routes, road trips and nearby accommodation.
Choose my destination ↓
START WITH THE PLACE
Which part of the UK?
Choose a nation to browse its local map, routes and places to stay.
England
Cities, villages, national parks and coast.
Explore the map & guides →
Scotland
City stays, Highland landscapes and island journeys.
Explore the map & guides →
Wales
Mountain walks, castles and coastal breaks.
Explore the map & guides →
Northern Ireland
Belfast, the Causeway Coast and the Mourne Mountains.
Explore the map & guides →A FEW PLACES TO START
Choose your landscape.
Lake District
Lakeside walks, fell routes and scenic drives.
Explore the map & guides →
Cotswolds
Village walks and countryside road trips.
Explore the map & guides →
Peak District
Gritstone ridges, valleys and stone villages.
Explore the map & guides →
Yorkshire
Dales, moorland and coastal journeys.
Explore the map & guides →
North Wales
Eryri routes, waterfall drives and the coast.
Explore the map & guides →
London
City guides and walks through less familiar streets.
Explore the map & guides →First visit to the UK? Open the practical planning guide
Entry requirements, transport, trip length and common questions. Use the official sources when rules or services can change.
Original practical guide checked 27 August 2026. Recheck official information before travelling.
Before you book
Six things to know first.
The short version, with official links where the answer depends on your circumstances.
Entry permission
What you need depends on your nationality and circumstances. Use the official checker for a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Check on GOV.UK ↗Money
The currency is pound sterling (£). Cards and contactless payments are widely used, but a little cash can still be useful for small stops.
Official visitor information ↗Plug and power
Britain uses the three-pin Type G plug and a 220/240V, 50Hz supply. Bring the right adaptor for your devices.
Check the essentials ↗Driving
Traffic drives on the left. Check whether your licence is valid in Great Britain before hiring a car, and read the current road rules.
Check your licence ↗Weather
Conditions can change quickly, especially on coasts and hills. Pack layers and waterproofs, then check a local forecast before each route.
Check the Met Office ↗Emergency help
Call 999 or 112 for an emergency. Save accommodation details offline and tell someone your route before remote walks.
More useful information ↗How long have you got?
Give the trip a realistic shape.
These are sensible starting shapes, not rigid schedules. Adjust them for your arrival point, mobility, interests and pace.
ONE BASE
Choose a city and make one excellent day trip.
London with a riverside walk; Edinburgh with the coast; Cardiff with waterfall country; or Belfast with the Causeway Coast. Avoid spending half the break changing hotels.
TWO BASES
Pair one city with one landscape.
London plus Bath or the Cotswolds; York plus Northumberland; Edinburgh plus the Highlands; or Cardiff plus North Wales if the longer transfer is part of the adventure.
A PROPER JOURNEY
Connect two nations or build one superb road trip.
Link London, northern England and Scotland by rail; combine England and Wales; or give a Scottish, Welsh or English road trip enough days for weather changes and unplanned stops.
Getting around
Train, car—or the useful middle ground?
The best answer changes by region. Many first trips work brilliantly with trains between bases and a local tour, bus or short car hire for the harder-to-reach day.
Best for cities and main routes
Rail is a strong choice for London, Bath, York, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff. Compare times and fares before fixing hotel nights.
Open National Rail ↗Best for coast, countryside and hidden stops
A car gives freedom in the Highlands, Wales, Cornwall, the national parks and rural counties. Build shorter driving days than the map first suggests.
Browse our road trips →Best for many first-time visitors
Use rail for the long jump, then stay locally and hire only when it adds something. It reduces tiring city driving while keeping the scenic freedom.
Compare transport options ↗Quick answers
First UK trip questions.
What is the difference between Britain and the United Kingdom?
Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On this site, our UK guides cover all four nations.
Do I need a visa or ETA to visit the UK?
It depends on your nationality and circumstances. Do not rely on a general travel article for this answer: use the official GOV.UK checker before booking.
How many days should I allow for a first UK trip?
Seven to ten days is a useful first-trip range for one city and one or two regions. With three or four days, use one base. With two weeks, connect two nations or give a single road trip room to breathe.
Can I visit the UK without hiring a car?
Yes. Major cities and many popular towns are well connected by rail and coach. A mixed trip—train between bases, then local buses, tours or a short car hire—often works better than driving everywhere.
Which side of the road do people drive on?
Traffic drives on the left. Check your licence through GOV.UK, read the current Highway Code and confirm the hire company’s requirements before paying.
What currency and plug does the UK use?
The currency is pound sterling (£). Britain uses a three-pin Type G plug and a 220/240V, 50Hz electricity supply.
How do I avoid planning too much?
Choose one or two bases, allow real travel time, leave one flexible half-day and use the Days Out Now planner to see how much time remains once your chosen stops are ordered.
Where should I start finding real routes and days out?
Open the UK day-out finder, browse our mapped walks or choose a complete road trip.
