Best Places To Visit In The UK In 2024

The United Kingdom, one of the world’s most powerful country, receives a large number of tourists throughout the year. The country is a cultural and historical destination known for its Scottish scenery, the British royal family, the Beatles, and several castles and forts.

You can attend a performance on the streets of London or simply take a train to academic cities such as Oxford to learn about their history and traditions. There are literally hundreds of places to visit in the United Kingdom, but a handful stand out. Continue reading to learn more about the ten must-see destinations in the United Kingdom!

1.  London Eye

When most people think of London, they immediately think of this massive Ferris wheel. Located on the River Thames, this renowned wheel provides a panoramic view of London and its vistas, making it a popular tourist destination in the United Kingdom for young couples.

The wheel is about 140 metres tall, with 32 capsules around its circumference that allow passengers to reach the summit. The location serves as an observation deck, and the trip is considered highly romantic, making it one of the greatest places to visit in the UK for couples.

2. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s four royal parks and one of the top five locations to visit in the United Kingdom. Located near Kensington Palace, the area was used as a hunting park in the late 1600s. Today, it is one of the country’s most important parks, contributing significantly to the city’s cultural life.

It has become a hub for reclaiming free expression, as well as a venue for music events with a diverse range of performers such as Queen and Pink Floyd. The park is easily accessible by the famed London tube and important roads. Picnics here in fall make it one of the best spots to visit in the United Kingdom in October.

3. Dorset

With its quaint towns and picturesque coasts, it’s no surprise that more than half of Dorset is classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty. What could surprise you more is that Dorset will host two of the UK’s most promising independent music festivals next year.

End of the Road (August 31–September 3) is a diverse examination of anything from post-punk and experimental folk to dance DJs. Then there’s We Out Here (August 10-14), an underground electronic and contemporary jazz event produced by BBC Radio DJ Gilles Peterson that will relocate to the southwest from Cambridgeshire.

A great day. Wake up in the charming town of Poole and stroll along one of the lovely local beaches before taking the ferry to Brownsea Island, where you may see uncommon species such as spoonbills, avocets, and black-tailed godwits. Finish with a feast of fresh, sustainable seafood at Rockfish Poole.

4. London

We don’t need to remind you there are 12,347 reasons to visit the capital. 2023 looks fun, especially if you want to unwind. Printworks will close for a final season, The Beams will host more large shows, and Fabric will host Exodus, its first festival. For something more tame, the Young V&A and National Portrait Gallery are reopening following massive renovations.

A wonderful day Grab lunch at Borough Market, then wander along the Southbank to watch skateboarders and see free art at Tate Modern. Drink cocktails at Hacha and listen to live music at Earth in Hackney at night.

5. Loch Ness and Scottish Highlands

This freshwater lake (loch in Gaelic) is one of the most beautiful spots to visit in the UK and is home to a monster known as Nessie. This lake, which spans 30 kilometers, is fairly deep and has a big volume of water. The Scottish Highlands are also historically noteworthy.

The area is sparsely populated and surrounded by lovely green mountains. Many people visit the region’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, for hiking, trekking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the United Kingdom.

6. Trafford Centre

This is one of Manchester’s most well-known shopping destinations. Peel owns the location, which has a number of outlets and is a refuge for shopaholics, making it one of the most bizarre places to visit in the UK.

However, the area is vibrant with restaurants, cafes, and stores, and it is only a train journey away, making it one of the greatest places to visit by train in the UK. Aside from that, Oxford Street is a prominent shopping center that is one of the greatest places to come in the United Kingdom during the Christmas season.

7. Windsor Castle

Yes, here is where the British royal family lives, notably Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Phillip, making it one of the most important sites to visit in the UK for families. The castle in Berkshire represents a lengthy history of British monarchs and is a work of art.

The building was originally built in the 11th century and has been renovated several times since then. The castle was built in the Gothic style and has housed many prominent political figures of the twenty-first century, including President Obama.

8. Giant’s Causeway

This natural phenomena, composed entirely of basalt columns, is one of the most fascinating destinations to visit in the United Kingdom. The location, which is on the coasts of Northern Ireland, has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

It’s interesting to note that while the majority of these columns are hexagonal, others have five, eight, seven, or four sides. It is one of the cheapest locations to visit in the UK because there is no fee to enter the site.

9. Birmingham

The UK’s most neglected food destination has been Birmingham for years. According to the Good Food Guide 2022, Carters of Moseley, The Wilderness, and Grace & Savour at Hampton Manor are among the 20 UK’s most popular restaurants. Birmingham was awarded Britain’s ‘most fascinating culinary destination’ for offering ‘a mix of distinctive and frequently great restaurants across the price range’ by the same book.

Contemporary British-Indian Opheem and affordable fine-dining Harborne Kitchen are the city’s greatest eateries. Orelle is a chic French restaurant on the 24th floor of the city’s new 103 Colmore Row building.

10. Old Town, Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a historic city rich in culture and stories from the past, making it one of the greatest destinations to visit in the United Kingdom during the winter. The city is filled with buildings, forts, and passageways that date back hundreds of years.

You may visit Edinburgh Castle, which is perched on an extinct volcano and houses the crown jewels. Aside from that, the Royal Mile, which is lined with bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries, is one of the best places to visit in the UK during the winter.

11. Dunluce Castle

Dunluce, a medieval castle in Northern Ireland, has an old-timey, rough vibe that contrasts with comparable forts and palaces in cities such as London. The castle’s location atop a cliff, with precipitous falls on both sides, may have influenced its initial inhabitants to choose this location to build a castle.

The location dates back to the Middle Ages and was developed around the late 1600s. It is the ideal town for a weekend getaway throughout the winter, making it one of the top locations to visit in the UK in November.

12. Big Ben

The Big Ben is a must-see attraction in the UK throughout the summer. It is the name of a clock tower near Westminster Abbey in central London. Augustus Pugin designed the tower, which is around 100 metres tall.

The location has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and thousands of tourists flock there each year to take photos in front of it. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the United Kingdom, and artists from all over the world use it to represent the country.

13. Loch Ness and Scottish Highlands

This freshwater lake (loch in Gaelic) is one of the most beautiful spots to visit in the UK and is home to a monster known as Nessie. This lake, which spans 30 kilometers, is fairly deep and has a big volume of water. The Scottish Highlands are also historically noteworthy.

The area is sparsely populated and surrounded by lovely green mountains. Many people visit the region’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, for hiking, trekking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the United Kingdom.

14. Cheshire

Part Bond villain’s lair, part Teletubbyland, the £21.5 million First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank Observatory documents the intriguing history of radio astronomy in the UK and is well worth the trip, even if you don’t see anything else in Cheshire.

But, wouldn’t that be a waste? With nearby Macclesfield’s beautiful cinema-turned-food hall the Picturedrome and craft-beer haven Fiveclouds turning this small industrial town into a destination in its own right, plus the perennial charms of Chester, in all its Roman and Medieval splendor, you’d be a fool not to spend a full weekend in a region that most people know for its Real Housewives.

15. Stonehenge

Stonehenge, a Neolithic landmark, is a delight for history fans and one of the greatest locations to visit with children in the UK. The site is near Amesbury, England, and is thought to date back to 3000 BC. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage location since 1986 and is thought to have served as a burial ground or an astronomy location of some kind.

The beauty of the location stems from the mystery surrounding it, as no one knows exactly what the stones represent or what their function was. However, the site is surrounded by other Neolithic burial grounds and monuments, making it one of the most important destinations to visit in the United Kingdom.

16. Eastbourne

Eastbourne may conjure memories of OAPs on coach trips, stones in jelly shoes, and Rothesay International tennis fans, but it is becoming a creative hub.

The Towner Eastbourne, a stunning gallery with a Lothar Götz mural, will host the 2023 Turner Prize (September 28) to celebrate the venue’s century. While in town, visit the South Downs National Park during the Eastbourne Walking Festival (September 16–25), immediately before the Turner launch.

17. Cardigan Castle

West Wales is shamefully underrated, and charming Cardigan may be its best. Old-fashioned Welsh market town with a brilliant creative spirit, gorgeous site with rich history and many ways to tell it. Cardigan, home of the Eisteddfod (brilliantly chronicled at the rebuilt Cardigan Castle),

has beautiful cafés, friendly pubs, and other independent businesses, like cinema Mwldan and gin distillery-cum-bar Bar 45. Welsh ideas are honored and talk is currency in the magnificent Guildhall Market, now scattered over three sites while the main structure is refurbished. Nearby beaches are also lovely.

18. Manchester

Manchester in one word? Absolutely ‘fun’. The year 2023 will be one of the most entertaining to visit. The Manchester Museum will reopen in February after a £15 million renovation, and in June, the new Factory International will hold Yayoi Kusama’s largest immersive show,

‘You, Me and the Balloons’. Danny Boyle will direct a theatrical production of The Matrix later this year. New green spaces like Mayfield Park and the Castlefield Viaduct show that Manchester takes its culture and environment seriously.

19. Scarborough

A torrent of acidic water cascading down Scarborough’s dramatic cliffs into the sea was observed around 1626. Doctors said the water’s chemicals treated diseases. This boosted Scarborough’s popularity and made it Britain’s first coastal resort. It’s thriving again today.

Scarborough Fair will return in 2023 (dates TBD). Craft beer aficionados are flocking to micropubs like The Stumble Inn, Quayside Bar, The Frigate, and Craft Bar, with Valley Bar in trendy South Cliff being the location to start a night out.

20. Glasgow

Glasgow, a hub of electronic dance music and Scotland’s green energy superpower, is home to a groundbreaking system at the SWG3 nightclub complex that converts visitors’ body heat into venue power. The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park and Glasgow’s first-class vegan culinary scene, led by Mono, Sylvan, and The Glad Café, are further reasons to visit in 2023.

Great Western Road in the West End, dubbed Time Out’s coolest street in the UK this year, has superb eating, boutique shopping, great pubs, and basement gigs in one short length.

21. Liverpool

Since Liverpool was declared the European Capital of Culture 15 years ago, several clubs, restaurants, and arts spaces have developed in the city. With Liverpool hosting Eurovision in 2023, the residents may be going all out.

Liverpool Council wants to build a Eurovision Village on Pier Head while businesses prepare to welcome Scouses. Liverpool’s culture and Ukraine’s, which won last year, will be celebrated. Ukrainian street art and a Sonia art trail are expected.