Holiday Ideas UK – Ideas for the holiday of a LIFETIME
Thinking of taking a holiday to the UK? We've put together this huge list of holiday ideas in the UK that you're going to love. There’s much more to see than Buckingham palace on the Great British Isles; from the home of Golf to incredible skiing trips, botanical experiences and even a Game of Thrones tour, the UK has some of the best holiday destinations in Europe.
Here we’ve put together some of our favourite holiday ideas in the UK so you can get a good idea of everything it has to offer before you plan your trip – whether it’s a short staycation or the holiday of a lifetime.
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Now for some incredible Holiday ideas in the UK!
Scotland
Scotland has some of the most stunning landscapes and offers a mix of rich history, arts and culture and high energy sports for anyone looking for an escape from everyday life; if you're looking for holiday ideas in the UK, Scotland's a great place to start!
St Andrews – A Golfers Dream Holiday
If you're looking for an incredible golfing holiday, you can’t miss visiting St Andrews. Known as the birthplace of Golf, it’s most famous for its Old Course which is well known as one of the oldest courses in the world and many claim it is the birthplace of the sport. It hosts The Open Championship every five years and has seen many celebrities and pro golfers grace its greens over the years.
If that wasn't enough, you will also find the British Golf Museum, beautiful beaches and Eden Mill Distillery & Brewery as well as many great places to eat and drink. If you’re not a big golf fan, however, don’t worry – Scotland has even more on offer than the home of golf.
If you're keen on St Andrews, you can find out much more information on what to do on your stay at the Visit St Andrews website here.
Scotland’s National Parks – Wonder and Adventures All Year Round
Scotland has two incredible National parks – The Cairngorms and The Trossachs, home to the famous Loch Lomond. If you’re looking for an incredible winter sports holiday, visit Aviemore in the Cairngorms which features beautiful panoramic views of the mountains from the ski resort. If you’re visiting the Northern parts of the Cairngorms you won’t want to miss Loch Ness; just an hours drive from Aviemore, where you can tour the Loch, try to find the infamous Loch Ness monster “Nessie” and take in the sites of Urquhart Castle on a boat tour.
If water sports and hiking are more your thing, you might want to head further south to the Trossachs where it is a little warmer. There you can find plenty of stunning nature walks for everyone from beginners and families to pro hiker trails. There are also boat cruises you can take to tour the lochs as well as many castles to explore in the surrounding areas, making it the perfect place for a Scottish adventure.
Edinburgh – A Historical City with the World's Largest Cultural Festival
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and won’t let you down if you’re looking for a vibrant, cultural and historical city break. It’s made up of an old medieval town clashed with an elegant Georgian “New” town and boasts breath-taking architecture throughout the city. It is also famed for its beautiful castle and Holyrood palace, so if you are keen on historical buildings, Edinburgh is not to be missed.
There's also the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival which is the largest annual cultural festival in the world. It attracts artists and acts of all kinds to the city every August to perform anything and everything from comedy, drama, poetry, magic and much more. Many of the acts are completely free, although popular artists can be booked well in advance, so if you're keen to go, make sure you check the lineup and book anything you're keen on in advance.
You can find out much more information about Edinburgh here.
Scotland’s West Coast – A Truly Magical Untouched Hideaway
If you're looking for peace, serenity and untouched landscapes, you must visit the west coast of Scotland – whether it’s Arasaig, Skye, Ayr or why not Ellenabeich, a car-free island?
The west coast offers beautiful scenery and breath-taking views with pink sunsets on white sandy beaches with blue seas, alongside the contrasting wild mountains of Scotland, it's unlike anywhere else in the world.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a beautiful place with green landscapes, incredible culture and a magical atmosphere that is not to be missed. If you're into famous film and TV locations – these holiday ideas in the UK won't disappoint!
Giants Causeway – A Mythical Walk With Giants
The Giants Causeway is a famous natural wonder of Northern Ireland; legend has it that a Giant built the causeway to reach a Scottish giant that challenged him to a fight. In actuality, the causeway is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption which created over 40,000 basalt columns, mostly in a perfect hexagonal shape – making them look like nothing else you’ve ever seen. If you’re planning a trip to Northern Ireland, the Giants Causeway is not to be missed.
Belfast – Find History that Shaped the World
Belfast is an incredible city rich with history and culture. If you visit Belfast, not only will you have the chance to experience a real Irish pub, with great food and drinks, but you'll also get the opportunity to step into years of history that have helped shape many corners of the world.
You’ll find the Titanic’s birthplace and museum which walks you through the entire history of the ship with many incredible interactive experiences and real artefacts found on the shipwreck itself.
If you're interested in Northern Irish history, you won't want to miss the Ulster Museum which exhibits 9000 years of culture and history from the area.
Game of Thrones Tour
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will be aware of the huge TV & book series “Game of Thrones” which has quickly become one of the most popular shows of our time. Northern Ireland is one of the major film locations for the TV show, and the Game of Thrones tours are not to be missed if you’re a fan.
There are two tours you can take, or both if you’re a super fan, to visit the locations where the Iron Islands are set as well as much of Winterfell.
Murlough National Nature Reserve
If you're a nature lover, you won't want to miss Murlough National Nature Reserve. You can follow a coastal path for 2.5 miles and view the 6000-year-old sand dune system that has resulted in some incredibly high dunes. Not just that, but many butterflies can be found in the reserve as well as some beautiful species of birds including the meadow pipit, skylark, cuckoo, stonechat, linnet and reed bunting.
If you’re a fan of wildlife, you’ll also be keen to know that seals can often be spotted along the shoreline as well as grazing ponies. It’s the perfect walk for families looking to experience the great outdoors.
England
England boasts a rich and varied history, including both historical cities and castles as well as the beautiful English countryside. If you're looking for variety, England has some of the best holiday ideas in the UK.
London – Much More Than Royalty
London is a leading globally renowned city, full of culture, arts, history and much more. It has something for everyone; from the West End shows to Buckingham Palace and the Tate Modern. You can take a tour of the city to view its many historical sites such as Tower Bridge and Big Ben or take a boat trip along the Thames.
It also boasts incredibly shopping opportunities as well as many attractions including the famous Madame Tussauds, London’s Sky Garden, Harry Potter Studio Tours and even the real Platform 9 and ¾!
If you’re hoping for something a little more relaxed in between all the chaos, you can also head to one of the eight royal parks around the city and escape the hustle and bustle.
The Lake District – Wildlife and Hiking Galore
The Lake District is a hikers dream, with England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike at 3,209 ft above sea level) and their deepest lake (Wastwater). There are 214 fells in the Lake District, so if you’re a keen hiker you won’t get bored quickly.
The Lake district boasts an incredible amount of wildlife, including England's only Golden Eagle and is home to the native red squirrel. You will also frequently see Herdwick sheep and fell ponies across the landscape if you venture on any walks.
If you bring along children, make sure you don’t miss out on Beatrix Potter’s house and Beatrix Potter’s world – both wonderful places to take the kids and explore the place where the famous children’s author came up with her tales.
Bath – Quiet and Quintessential English History
Bath is a historical city, filled with many features from nearly all significant points in English history. The architecture is incredible with buildings from many different eras on show – from the Norman Bath Abbey, many Georgian buildings throughout the city and of course their namesake – the Roman baths.
The Roman baths are a must-see attraction while in Bath, where you can see where Romans bathed over 2000 years ago, using water heated by a natural hot spring. There is also the Royal Crescent, noted as one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the United Kingdom, which is not only beautiful but has also been home to many notable residents. You can even explore the inside of No.1 Royal Crescent which is now a museum showing you the home as it might have been during the Georgian era.
Just an hour away from the beautiful city is one of the natural wonders of the world – Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument shrouded in mystery and is not to be missed on any trip to the UK. Consisting of a ring of standing stones, many theories have been suggested for why the stones are there – theories vary from an ancient burial ground, a prehistoric calendar and some even suggest it has an alien connection. Whatever you believe, we think Stonehenge is a must-see on any trip to England.
Find out more at Visit Bath.
Cornwall – The Edge of Britain and Serious Water Sports
Cornwall is a beautiful county that anyone from nature lovers to keen sports people will love to holiday. Cornwall has some of the most beautiful beaches the UK has to offer and, being on the south coast it is a popular destination for water sports such as surfing and paddle boarding.
The beautiful beaches, such as Lizard point, have white sand and deep blue seas which can make you feel as though you’re not in the UK but somewhere far more tropical! When you’re growing bored of soaking up the sun (if that ever happens!) you can also check out Land’s End, the most westerly point in England and part of many end-to-end walks across Britain, usually using John o’Groats in Scotland as the opposing end.
Cornwall is also home to The Eden Project, an attraction which hosts thousands of plants. The unique design of the ‘biomes’ attract many tourists and house a number of different plants from around the world, matching their unique conditions inside. It’s a unique and interesting day out that can be enjoyed by the entire family – it can feel like you’ve travelled the world after you’ve visited!
Find out more at Visit Cornwall.
Wales
Wales is home to some beautiful landscapes like no other in the UK as well as fantastic cities and unusual tourist attractions.
Snowdonia – Unique Views Above and Below Ground
Snowdonia is a national park where you’ll find beautiful mountains, such as Mount Snowdown, as well as historical sites such as the medieval Harlech Castle. Unusual sports and incredible caves make up these next holiday ideas in the UK.
Snowdonia is an incredible place to visit if you enjoy the great outdoors; why not try your hand at white water rafting or canyoning while you’re there?
If you are interested in doing something a little more unusual, there is plenty on offer below ground in the caves found in Snowdonia too. King Arthurs Labyrinth offers an underground boating experience where you can find many interesting tales and look on at the incredible network of caves below. If you enjoy the caves and you’re bringing kids along on your trip, you have to check out Zip World’s “Bounce Below”. It's a unique playground made of an extraordinary bouncy material for you to explore and play in a cavern the size of a cathedral! And luckily – you can even take part if you’re a big kid too.
Find out more at Visit Snowdonia.
Cardiff – Shopping, Castles & Fine Art
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is full of history and is a great place for a city break in the UK. Not only does it have an array of fantastic places to sample the local fare and shop til you drop, but it also boasts some great attractions.
If you’re keen to learn about Welsh history, you can’t miss St Fagans National Museum of History which highlights 500 years of history through interactive exhibits that the whole family can enjoy. If you’re aching for more, there’s plenty of castles to explore nearby such as Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch – and there’s even National History Cardiff Museum which exhibits some of Europe's finest art collections, as well as Wales's natural history exhibits from the dinosaurs to present day.
Find out more at Visit Cardiff.
Pembrokeshire Coast – Caving, Coasteering & Dolphin Watch
The Pembrokeshire coast is a great place to visit if you’re keen to try new things and explore a side of nature you may have never seen before. Along the coast, you can enjoy the stunning views and even spot dolphins and whales occasionally. You can even get up close and personal with the porpoises with a boat trip to deeper waters. There’s also plenty of nature reserves and an entire RSPB protected island just off the coast which means you’re bound to see some interesting wildlife on any walks.
If you enjoy activities like caving, you’ll enjoy the unusual ‘coasteering’ that Pembrokeshire coast offers which involves climbing along craggy rocks and swimming into sea caves. The rocks around the coastline are quite unusual, and if take a walk into Preseli Hills you'll note rocks similar to those seen at Stonehenge because it’s believed they originated from here. On a clear day you can even see as far as Wicklow Mountains in Ireland!
Find out more about Pembrokeshire Coast here.
Llandudno – Award-winning Family Adventures
Llandudno was a hugely popular seaside resort with the Victorians & Edwardians, known as the ‘Queen of the Welsh Resorts’ and offers some incredible attractions for tourists looking to explore Wales even today.
The award-winning pier is the longest pier in Wales and is a listed building which holds it’s Victorian charm to this day. Along the pier you can enjoy more than just the view as the pier is home to bars, cafes, amusement arcades, rides and even a few shops.
Venture a little way outside of Llandudno and you’ll come across some more wondrous attractions, such as the smallest house in Britain in the small walled village of Conwy or even the incredible Mountain Zoo at Colwyn Bay which is home to wildlife from across the globe.
Before you leave, don't forget to visit the ancient Great Orme Bronze age copper mines where you can see evidence of mining through the ages, unlike what you might experience anywhere else. These ancient mines have been mined in the Bronze age 4000 years ago and were reopened by the Romans later. They are thought to be the largest prehistoric mines discovered in the world – and are still being uncovered today.
Find out more about Llandudno here.
Do you have any other holiday ideas in the UK?
This article couldn't possibly cover all the holiday ideas across the UK – or it would turn into a book! But if you think there are some great sights and attractions that should be added we would love to hear – simply contact us here and let us know.
Do you have a holiday home in the UK?
If you have a holiday home in the UK, or you know someone else who does, we’d love to help you gain more bookings and get bigger profits. Click Book Stay are a holiday let agency with over 11 years experience helping holiday home owners make the most of their property. To find out more, you can check out or share our packages here.