35 Top Things to Do in the United Kingdom

Arthur's Seat

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route + 1 more

Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park with a 45-minute climb to city-wide views.

Tip: Go up via the Radical Road side; windy at the top.

Calton Hill

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route + 1 more

City hill with monuments and the classic view down Princes Street.

Tip: Short climb from the east end of Princes Street at sunset.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route + 1 more

Clifftop fortress holding the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.

Tip: Book a timed ticket online; the One O'Clock Gun fires daily except Sunday.

Royal Mile

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route + 1 more

Old Town spine of closes and wynds running from the castle to Holyrood.

Tip: Duck into Advocate's Close for a skyline view.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Edinburgh · On our Edinburgh & the Cairngorms route

The city's New Year festival; the 31 December street party on Princes Street ends with fireworks over the castle.

Tip: Street party entry is by ticket only; buy early and arrive well before 11pm.

National Museum of Scotland

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Free museum from Dolly the sheep to Lewis chessmen, with a rooftop terrace.

Tip: Go to the roof terrace for castle views.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

The monarch's official Scottish residence and ruined abbey.

Tip: Closed when royals are in residence; check dates.

St Giles' Cathedral

Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Medieval High Kirk with the ornate Thistle Chapel.

Tip: Free entry; small fee to take photos.

Ben Nevis Mountain Path

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

The main route up Britain's highest peak, 7–9 hours round trip.

Tip: Start from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre; carry layers and a map.

Glenfinnan Monument

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Tower where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, on Loch Shiel.

Tip: Visitor centre explains the 1745 rising.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Curved 21-arch railway viaduct above Loch Shiel.

Tip: Walk the viewpoint trail from the visitor centre 30 min before the train passes.

Jacobite Steam Train

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Steam train on the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig over Glenfinnan.

Tip: Runs Apr–Oct; book months ahead. ScotRail runs the same line year-round.

Neptune's Staircase

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Eight-lock flight on the Caledonian Canal with views of Ben Nevis.

Tip: Walk the towpath; free.

Nevis Range Mountain Gondola

Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Gondola up Aonach Mòr for Ben Nevis and loch views.

Tip: Weather can close it; check before driving out.

Bath Abbey

Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Gothic abbey with fan vaulting and angels climbing ladders on the west front.

Tip: Book a tower tour for rooftop views.

Pulteney Bridge

Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Robert Adam's 1774 bridge lined with shops, above a curved weir.

Tip: Best view is from Parade Gardens.

Roman Baths

Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Well-preserved Roman bathing complex fed by hot springs, under the 18th-century Pump Room.

Tip: Summer evening openings are calmer and lit by torchlight.

Royal Crescent

Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Sweeping arc of 30 Georgian townhouses facing Royal Victoria Park.

Tip: No. 1 Royal Crescent shows a restored 1770s interior.

Thermae Bath Spa

Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Modern spa with a rooftop pool fed by the city's natural thermal water.

Tip: Weekday mornings are quietest; expect queues on weekends.

Arlington Row

The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Row of 17th-century weavers' cottages beside a water meadow in Bibury.

Tip: Visit before 9am to beat tour coaches.

Broadway Tower

The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Folly tower on a hilltop above Broadway with views across up to 16 counties.

Tip: Walk up from Broadway village on the Cotswold Way, about 1 hour.

Chipping Campden

The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Wool town with a curving high street and a 1627 Market Hall; start of the Cotswold Way.

Tip: Walk 1 mile up to Dover's Hill for the view.

Stow-on-the-Wold

The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Hilltop market town with antique shops and a church door framed by two yew trees.

Sudeley Castle

The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Castle and gardens where Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's last queen, is buried.

Tip: Check opening dates; it closes in winter.

Clava Cairns

Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

4,000-year-old burial cairns and standing stones in a grove.

Tip: Free; 10 minutes from Culloden.

Culloden Battlefield

Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Site of the 1746 Jacobite defeat with a moving visitor centre.

Tip: Walk the field after the immersion theatre.

Jacobite Cruises

Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Loch Ness boat trips from the Caledonian Canal, some stopping at Urquhart Castle.

Tip: Pick a cruise that includes castle entry.

Urquhart Castle

Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route

Ruined castle on a headland over Loch Ness.

Tip: Pre-book; arrive at opening to beat coaches.

British Museum

London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures. Free entry.

Tip: Go at opening and head straight to Room 4 before groups arrive.

Tate Modern

London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Modern art in a former power station on the South Bank, with a free viewing level over the Thames.

Tip: Walk over the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's to arrive.

Tower of London

London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Norman fortress on the Thames holding the Crown Jewels, led by Yeoman Warder tours.

Tip: See the Jewel House first; the queue builds by late morning.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route

Design, fashion and decorative arts across 145 galleries, with a courtyard café in the original tea rooms.

CairnGorm Mountain

Aviemore & the Cairngorms · On our Edinburgh & the Cairngorms route

Ski area on the northern slopes of Cairn Gorm, served by Britain's highest funicular railway.

Tip: Check the snow report and road status the night before; lifts depend on wind as much as snow.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

Aviemore & the Cairngorms · On our Edinburgh & the Cairngorms route

Base for Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd; guided hill trips walk out to the herd on the Cairngorm slopes.

Tip: Book the hill trip in advance and dress for wind and snow on the hillside.

Strathspey Railway

Aviemore & the Cairngorms · On our Edinburgh & the Cairngorms route

Heritage steam line from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, with seasonal Christmas services.

Tip: Festive trains run on set December dates only; check the timetable and book ahead.