Visiting the UK for the Second Time? The Best Places to Explore Beyond London: A Complete Guide
Having already visited London's world-famous tourist spots on your first trip to the UK, your next trip will be the ideal time to explore the varied landscapes, historic cities, quaint villages, and beautiful coastlines of the nation. Although there is no doubt that London is one of the best capitals in the world, the country has so many other things to offer. Whether it is the culture of Scotland, the picturesque landscape of England, the awe-inspiring beauty of Wales, or the coastline of Northern Ireland, you will find an amazing experience in each area.
Be it history, nature, architecture, shopping, or eating out, your travel plan outside the capital will enable you to experience the real flavor of Britain. In case you are visiting Scotland, you can take advantage of a Glasgow Taxi service to travel easily and comfortably from the airport or train station to the nearest destination point.
Why Explore Beyond London?
Although most tourists visit London during their holiday in the country, those who go beyond London end up finding the real magic of England. Every city is unique in terms of culture, history, buildings, and food. Touring beyond London will provide one with less congested routes, cheaper accommodation, and beautiful natural views.
The United Kingdom has a range of tourist attractions for people of all age groups such as historical castles and universities, natural parks, and picturesque drives along the coast among others.
Edinburgh – Scotland's Historic Capital
There are very few cities in Europe that rival the beauty of Edinburgh, and you must visit this city on your trip.
Some of the notable places that you can visit there are:
Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Mile
Arthur’s Seat
Palace of Holyroodhouse
National Museum of Scotland
Princes Street Gardens
Old Town of Edinburgh is very historic and the New Town will give you an opportunity to experience its beautiful Georgian buildings and great dining options.
If you are visiting Edinburgh in August, then don’t miss out on the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Scottish Highlands – Nature at Its Finest
If you have an inclination towards beautiful natural scenery, then you must not miss out on the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Highlands are known for their magnificent mountain ranges, serene lochs, old castles, and scenic roads.
Some of the most popular sites are:
Glencoe
Loch Ness
Fort William
Ben Nevis
Isle of Skye
Cairngorms National Park
Glasgow – Scotland's Cultural Powerhouse
Whereas Edinburgh may get most of the publicity, Glasgow provides a totally new experience. This city is noted for its cultural vibrancy, grandiose Victorian architecture, world-class museums, and warm ambiance. Those visitors who are in search of quality transport services for any purpose – be it business travels, weddings, flights, or simply luxury tours – can use the facilities provided by Glasgow Chauffeur Hire.
The following are some of the top sites to visit:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Riverside Museum
Glasgow Cathedral
George Square
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
The University of Glasgow
In addition to that, Glasgow is a place with excellent music clubs, shopping areas, and top-notch restaurants serving both Scottish and international food.
The Lake District – England's Most Beautiful National Park
Situated in northwest England, Lake District is one of the most picturesque tourist attractions of Britain. Lake District is the right place for tourists looking for peaceful surroundings and outdoor activities.
Tourist Activities Include:
Taking a boat tour around Lake Windermere
Walking on picturesque hiking trails
Visiting the picturesque villages
Country house visit
Cycling
It was the inspiration behind many poems by great poets like William Wordsworth.
Bath – A City Rich in History
Bath is noted for its rich Roman history and the beauty of its Georgian architecture. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its peaceful ambiance and historical appeal.
Sites worth visiting are:
Roman Baths
Bath Abbey
Royal Crescent
Pulteney Bridge
Thermae Bath Spa
The city's easily walkable streets provide great opportunities for shopping and cafe hopping.
York – England's Medieval Treasure
York is amongst the most historical places in England. It is a place full of magic owing to its medieval fortifications, cobblestone streets, and ancient structures. Popular tourist attractions in York include:
York Minster
The Shambles
Clifford’s Tower
York City Walls
National Railway Museum
Anyone interested in history would enjoy learning about Viking history and ancient architecture of the city.
The Cotswolds – Quintessential English Countryside
The Cotswolds, if you have conjured images of green undulating landscapes, honey-coloured stone cottages, and quaint villages, will certainly live up to your expectations.
Some of the picturesque villages include:
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bibury
Stow-on-the-Wold
Chipping Campden
Broadway
This is an ideal destination for slow travel, country walks, and leisure weekends.
Snowdonia National Park – Wales' Outdoor Paradise
Thrill seekers must give some thought to visiting North Wales. Snowdonia National Park provides amazing mountainous scenery along with outdoor recreation for people at any fitness level.
Among the things that visitors may do are:
Hike up Mount Snowdon
Enjoy scenic train rides
Go zip lining
Bike on mountains
Engage in water sports
Visit historical castles
Belfast and the Causeway Coast
Northern Ireland is gaining more popularity due to its interesting history and magnificent coastline.
Some of the major places of interest are:
Titanic Belfast
Giant’s Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Dark Hedges
Dunluce Castle
The coastal views are among the most beautiful in Europe.
Practical Tips for Your Second UK Visit
The following is a list of travel tips that could make your trip easier:
Take trains to get from one city to another conveniently.
Make reservations for hotels beforehand when traveling in the peak season.
Pack comfortable walking shoes because there are lots of attractions which are better visited by walking.
Bring clothes which will keep you dry since British weather changes unexpectedly.
Buy tickets in advance from the websites of the attractions so you can save time from standing in line.
Visit different local restaurants and taste local specialties.
If you want to go to remote places then you should rent a car.
Final Thoughts
The second time around in the UK provides you with the chance to explore a new side of this country. Even though London is definitely one of the most amazing places to go to, there are still numerous other attractions to be found outside of the capital city.
If you decide on visiting any of the historic cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, historic villages of the Cotswolds, Lake District, mountain ranges like Snowdonia, or even Northern Ireland, you will get to have the vacation of your dreams. The best thing about the UK is that its greatest attractions are not found in London but rather outside of it.
