Is there anywhere better in Western Europe to visit than the United Kingdom? If culture, history, and beautiful landscapes are what you are looking for then the answer is a firm no. Nowhere else in the world is quite like the United Kingdom. In case you are unaware there is more to the United Kingdom than England; there is also Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. All of these countries have contributed just as much to the United Kingdom’s development as England.
In this post, you will learn eight essential tips you need to use when planning your trip to the United Kingdom:
Researching Weather
Despite the United Kingdom’s immense natural beauty anyone that has ever been there before will be able to confidently tell you that the weather isn’t great. In a single day, you can have snow, sleet, rain, and sunshine. The weather varies massively from county to county, so the weather in Bradford, Yorkshire might not be the same as the weather in London. It should be noted that if good weather is what you are after then you should avoid going to Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or any of the northern parts of the United Kingdom. The weather’s much better in the south. You can find out what the weather forecast is going to be like for the next two weeks quite easily online.
Booking Hotel
Once you have decided on a location (and made sure the weather’s going to be nice at the time you are visiting) then you can go ahead and book a hotel; you can book your tickets online. Ideally, the hotel you book should serve breakfast and dinner so you don’t have to worry about finding cafés and restaurants to eat in. An alternative to booking a hotel is staying in an Airbnb room. Airbnbs are very popular in the United Kingdom right now. More often than not they are much cheaper than hotels. Airbnb rooms are better for people going to rural, remote areas. Booking your hotel or Airbnb tickets online and in advance will help you to guarantee you get a place and save you money.
Arranging Transportation
How do you intend on getting around the United Kingdom? While public transport there is fantastic it should be noted that it can get overcrowded. No matter where you are going the bus will be crowded with old people and the train with commuters and travellers. Most experts agree that the best way to get around the United Kingdom is not by public transport but instead by private hire vehicle. Renting a car will give you the opportunity to travel wherever you want and give you more freedom. When you hire a car you don’t have to worry about timetables, late buses or trains and schedules. If you decide you want to go somewhere then you can get up and go with no delay.
Daily Activities
What are you going to do on each day of your trip to the United Kingdom? A lot of people who’re going away on vacation only think about activities after they arrive. Such an attitude is not conducive to a happy break. If you don’t know what you are doing then on the morning of each day of your trip you will wake up frantically and have to try and figure out what the rest of the day holds. Another downside to leaving everything until the last minute is that you might not be able to get access to activity venues due to overbookings.
Local Cuisine
Britain’s cuisine isn’t exactly famous. In fact, most people think that it is boring and uninspired. When compared to continental European cuisines it’s not hard to see why. However, while France led the world in cooking the United Kingdom led it in technology and innovation. Such a hardworking union as the United Kingdom no doubt requires its people to be fed. As such British food tends to be warm, hearty, and filling. When you are out exploring the United Kingdom be sure to stop in at local cafés and restaurants so that you can check out authentic British cuisine. If you get a chance, try shepherd’s pie.
Outdoor Pursuits
Those who live in the United Kingdom tend to be very enthusiastic about hiking and outdoor adventures. The average British person enjoys all kinds of sports from kayaking to rock climbing. On your trip there why not get involved in outdoor pursuits and activities yourself? The good thing about Britain is that while there is not a lot of countryside anymore, the countryside there is can be roamed freely (as long as you stick to footpaths!) Up in Scotland, they do have a right to roam law, however, so you can go anywhere there. It is only in England that you are legally required to stick to footpaths.
Historical Attractions
The United Kingdom has a rich and ancient history, from the Romans to the medieval dynasties. If you are interested in visiting and have a love for history why not use your trip to the United Kingdom as an opportunity to check out historical attractions? You can also go to museums if you want to. Many British museums are completely free. You do not have to pay to get into the vast majority of them although you do have to book your tickets in advance. Not booking in advance could result in you being turned away.
Budgeting Carefully
The sad thing about the United Kingdom is that it is a very expensive place to live, work and travel in. If you are going there on vacation then you no doubt already know this. Make sure that you come up with a realistic budget so that each day’s activities are exciting and not restricted. Calculate travel costs, fuel, and daily living expenses like food. While the United Kingdom is an expensive place to travel there are ways you can cut back and save money.
A trip to the United Kingdom is a great way to explore one of the world’s most interesting and culturally relevant countries. Make sure that you meticulously plan your trip there so you get the most out of it.
