You don’t always need to travel far to get a great break, the UK is full of beautiful and historical places to explore. From the electric capital of London to the serene ambience of the Lake District, Great Britain is not short of unique and exciting destinations. Read on and discover what hidden treasures lie right on your doorstep!

 

London

From West End theatres to museums, galleries, street art and famous historic attractions – London has it all, the city never sleeps, and you will always find something to suit your interests. Although it can be pricey and visiting some attractions will require purchasing tickets, planning and booking in advance is sure to save you some cash. Travelling on the tube is certainly the quickest and cheapest way to travel the city and with most tube lines departing every three minutes, you’ll be on your way in no time.

Take a walk along the Thames, following the South Bank from the Houses of Parliament, passing icons like the London Eye, Big Ben, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe before ending up at the landmark that is Tower Bridge. If you wish to learn more about the famous landmarks in London, there are plenty of free walking tours or you can jump on a red sightseeing bus – at least you’ll be able to rest your feet and you can hop on and off as many times as you like!

You could indulge in a shopping spree at Harrods in Knightsbridge or stay active with some rowing in Battersea Park in this diverse capital. Classic London attractions such as the London Dungeon, the Tower of London and Madame Tussauds are also great fun. Make a royal appearance at Buckingham Palace – you might even spot one of the family on the balcony! Be sure to end your trip with a London night out, there are endless nightclubs, restaurants and bars all around London with hotspots including Mayfair, Shoreditch, Peckham and the city centre.

 

The Cotswolds

The quintessentially British villages that run through five counties – Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire – are popular short-break destinations for families, couples, groups of friends and solo travellers. With rolling green hills, small villages and so much history to explore, you will certainly not be short of things to do. Visit Blenheim Palace for picturesque views and to wonder at the collections of art, tapestry and antiques, or you could spend the day at Sudeley Castle and Gardens, where you will find exhibitions and rare-breed pheasants.

If you prefer more action, be sure to check out Cheltenham Racecourse where you can witness some of the best jumping action in the world, and then wind down at one of the many peaceful spas the Cotswolds area has to offer. Finally, if you fancy getting in touch with your wild side you can visit the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens in Burford, where you’ll find over 260 different animal species in over 120 acres of beautiful land.

 

Lake District

As you can imagine, the Lake District is filled with a fair few lakes that are all worth a visit. Discover the stunning beauty of northern England with a short break exploring all of what it has to offer. One of the most popular lakes is Windermere, which is also the largest lake in England and is surrounded by mountain peaks and villages. You can purchase a 24-hour ticket to gain access to a full day of lake cruises during which you can relax and enjoy magnificent views of the scenery. Take a hiking trip through the mountains and discover your own hidden treasures, spend some time paddleboarding on the Ullswater lake, or experience the famous Ullswater Steamers.
Even if you just wish to take in the majestic surroundings and relax during your trip, the Lake District is full of amazing hotels, many of which have tranquil in-house spas and serve delicious food.

 

Edinburgh

Scotland’s exciting and interesting capital is certainly a doorstep discovery that you must visit at least once. Spend an afternoon strolling through the Old Town of Edinburgh where you’ll find cobbled streets, local boutiques and lovely restaurants. Don’t forget to look out for the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby: a legendary Skye Terrier with a touching backstory.

Be sure to visit the most famous castle in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, which sits on top of an extinct volcano – this iconic landmark just oozes history. Listen out for the one o’clock cannon that is fired every day (except Sunday) from Edinburgh Castle itself. If you find yourself wanting to chill out for an afternoon, the Meadows – a sprawling public park – is definitely the place to do it. Get lost in the National Museum where you can explore the natural history section and see the iconic World Cultures galleries.

End your trip with a walk along the Royal Mile, which stretches all the way from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. This is the best way to see some of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and get a real taste of the historic city. If you’re lucky enough to get some time to visit in the summer months, make sure to plan your trip around Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where you’ll find hundreds of shows and exhibitions dotted all around the city.

 

Bristol & Bath

From beautiful views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge to cool Banksy street art, Bristol is a city filled with much to do. Bike tours around Bristol are a great and fun way to see the city and the major landmarks it has to offer. Take in the historic harbour, ancient city walls and see what unique items you can pick up at St Nicholas Market. If street art tickles your fancy, join a walking tour of Banksy’s amazing street art – you may even spot some fresh artwork too! Make a day of it and visit the SS Great Britain – a museum ship and once the longest passenger ship in the world.

Tucked away behind the city of Bath lies the remains of one of the most beautiful religious spas from the ancient world. Bath has been a popular destination for well-being since Roman times, housing Great Britain’s only natural, warm thermal spa – Thermae Bath Spa. Here you can experience naturally warm and mineral-rich waters just as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago! You can swim in the open-air rooftop pool or treat yourself to spa treatments such as: traditional massages, Watsu treatments and hot stone therapy. Whether you decide to spend your break in Bristol or Bath – or both – you’re bound to have a well-rounded trip.

Great Britain has masses of rich history, picturesque scenery and exciting things to do, so get searching for your next doorstep discovery now on dealchecker.co.uk!