A single sovereign state comprising the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom packs a wealth of history, culture and scenery into a surface area only slightly larger than the state of Minnesota. Our specialists have journeyed extensively around Great Britain and Northern Ireland, gathering ideas for how you can visit and combine the UK’s highlights for your vacation.
One of the most rewarding aspects of a trip to the UK can be exploring its countries’ cultural quirks, their varying landscapes, and the stormy history connecting them. We can recommend experiences such as watching one of the Bard’s plays at the reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe in London, salmon fishing with a ghillie in the Cairngorms, and gaining a resident’s perspective on Belfast’s political divisions on a black cab tour. You might find yourself standing on the basalt columns of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, or heading to England’s languid Cotswolds, where villages of honeysuckle-bedecked cottages resist the hand of time.
Suggested tours for the UK
These tours give you a starting point for what your vacation to the UK could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Suggested activities for the UK
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience the UK.
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Private Loch Ness cruise with a piper ![Loch Ness]()
Private Loch Ness cruise with a piper
Loch NessPrivate Loch Ness cruise with a piper
Explore the legendary Loch Ness aboard a modern cruiser and allow your captain to regale you with stories of its mysterious monster as you glide past romantic castles and learn about its history to the tunes of a traditional piper.
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Kilmartin Glen Neolithic site ![Kilmartin Glen]()
Kilmartin Glen Neolithic site
ObanKilmartin Glen Neolithic site
Explore the prehistoric burial cairns, stone circles and standing stones in Kilmartin Glen south of Oban. The region was inhabited for more than 5,000 years and with 350 sites of interest has the richest concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland.
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Explore the northern Cotswolds ![The Cotswolds]()
Explore the northern Cotswolds
The CotswoldsExplore the northern Cotswolds
Explore the undulating hills, exquisite medieval villages and rich history of the northern Cotswolds on this private, full-day tour. With the help of a local expert, discover the region's timeless charm and handsome architecture before you finish up in a quintessential village pub.
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Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit the UK, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in the UK
What languages are spoken in the UK?
English is spoken throughout the UK, but you’ll also hear Welsh spoken in Wales and Gaelic in Scotland. Road signs in Wales and Scotland are generally bilingual. Regional accents can be difficult to understand but most people are happy to repeat what they said. There are also a few subtle variations from North American English, and certain words or phrasing may be confusing to begin with.
What's the currency of the UK?
The currency used across the UK is the pound sterling (GBP). You’ll find ATMs accepting all major credit and debit cards in all cities and towns, and most payments in stores are now contactless. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own notes, which can be used across the four nations, although smaller retailers in England and Wales may be reluctant to accept them.
What food and drink should I try in the UK?
The food and drinks scene in the UK has improved enormously and a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, organic meats, and handmade cheeses means dining out here is a delight. The southwest of England in particular is known for its excellent local cheeses, Cornwall is known for its pasties, and along the coastline fish and seafood is a staple on the menu.
High or afternoon tea takes the national drink to a new level and combines it with delicate sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and sometimes a flute of Champagne.
Go into any British pub and you’ll find a choice of local beers and ales on offer. Ask staff for recommendations and you’ll discover plenty of regional variations. In the south, you’ll also find local wines, cider, and perry, a pear cider, while Scotland is well known for its whisky.
How much should I tip in the UK?
Tipping culture in the UK isn’t the same as in the US and Canada. It’s normal to tip around 10% for a restaurant meal, but in some cases service charges are added automatically to your total. Drivers, guides, and certain hotel staff will also appreciate a tip, but this is discretionary and not always expected.
What countries are in the UK?
The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Confusingly, the United Kingdom is not the same as Great Britain, which is a geographical term for England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland was created in 1921 when the island of Ireland was partitioned. Six of the island’s 32 counties remained under British rule, while the other 26 became the Republic of Ireland.
Where can I find the latest travel advice for the UK?
For the latest travel advice for the UK, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
What can I experience in the UK?
From sampling whisky at the distillery where it’s made to kayaking to castle ruins, visiting prehistoric forts, and learning about Belfast’s troubled history on a black cab tour, the UK offers a myriad of engaging experiences.
History is writ large across the landscape. Ancient stone circles, royal palaces, stately homes, and medieval villages all await. You can zip around London on a Mini Cooper tour, follow the course of literary legends on an Oxford walking tour, or TV giants on a Game of Thrones tour in Northern Ireland.
If your interests lie more in nature, you could go fly fishing with a local guide in the Scottish Highlands, hike along ancient paths, or explore the rolling hills and rose-clad cottages of the northern Cotswolds. You’ll be spoiled for choice.
Where can I stay in the UK?
The choice of places to stay in the UK is wide and varied with everything from historic castles, Georgian townhouses, quaint cottages, and romantic manors to choose from. Experience historic grandeur and modern design at The Kensington, a Victorian townhouse in London, or at the Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel in Bath’s genteel Georgian terraces.
Follow in Oscar Wilde’s footsteps at The Old Parsonage in Oxford, or enjoy world-class golf, Michelin-starred fine dining, as well as fishing, shooting and riding at Gleneagles in Scotland. Your specialist will offer advice on where to stay in the UK and help find the right hotel for you.
Where should I go in the UK?
The diversity of the landscapes and attractions around the UK can make it difficult to choose where to go, but the short distances involved make travel easy. Whether you want to see Buckingham Palace and Big Ben in London, take a guided walking tour in Edinburgh, or golf the hallowed greens at St Andrews, it’s all possible.
Outside the cities, you’ll find glorious mountains and scenic walking in the Lake District or Scottish Highlands. You can wander down cobbled lanes past honey-stone colleges and hushed quads in Cambridge, visit Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon, discover the haunting beauty and rich distilling history on the Isle of Skye, or learn about feuds among rival giants at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
How long does it take to fly to the UK from the US?
A direct flight from New York City to the UK takes around seven hours. From Dallas to London, it’s around nine hours, and from Los Angeles to London around ten and a half hours. Flights to other cities will probably require a layover and will consequently take longer.
What's the time zone in the UK?
The time zone in the UK is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from late-March to late-October.
What's the best way of getting around in the UK?
For complete freedom and easy access to remote areas, renting a car is one of the best ways to get around the UK. Cars drive on the left, however, so this can take a little getting used to. You may also want to consider rail or bus travel, and most locations can be reached by the public transportation system. We can also arrange a private driver if you prefer.
What are the essential tips for using the British train system?
The British rail network is extensive and will get you to all major destinations. For the best fares, book your tickets online in advance and avoid peak travel times. If you’re planning to travel exclusively by train, a rail card, which offers discounted travel, might be worth the investment. It’s also worth checking the price of first-class tickets because the carriages are quieter and more comfortable.
You can collect your tickets from machines in the train station, just check which station your train is departing from in bigger cities. Also, check platform displays carefully as trains to different destinations can depart from the same platform just minutes apart. Although most trains have some kind of food service, choices are limited, so it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks and drinks. Finally, leave extra time if you’re making onward connections, delays and cancellations are always a possibility.
Do I need a visa to visit UK, and what do I need to check with my passport?
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for UK. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Do I need vaccinations to visit the UK?
Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for the UK, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Guides to the UK's countries
If you’re looking to travel specifically to one of the countries within the UK, our specialists can plan your trip to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. To help you choose how to spend your time, we’ve grouped together our chosen places to visit, things to experience and recommended routes for each of the three countries.
The UK in pictures
Big Ben, London
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Castle Combe in the Cotswolds
Conwy Castle
Scottish wildlife
Giant's Causeway
Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
Buttermere in the Lake District
Our expert guides to traveling in the UK
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to the UK. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate the UK at its best.
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![Introducing the UK and Ireland]()
Introducing the UK & Ireland
Watch a two-minute video showing the landscapes and cities of the UK and Ireland, filmed by Audley Travel.
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Edinburgh for first-time visitors ![Edinburgh Castle]()
Edinburgh for first-time visitors
Edinburgh for first-time visitors
UK and Ireland specialist Jasmine offers an insider’s guide to the indispensable sights in Edinburgh, including visits to Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and the Palace at Holyrood. She also suggests some ways to see a different side of the city.
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Highlights of the Isle of Skye ![Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye]()
Highlights of the Isle of Skye
Highlights of the Isle of Skye
Defined by dark stone crags, sheer cliffs and rugged glens, the Isle of Skye is an otherworldly destination for hiking, fishing, and whisky tasting. Scotland specialist Emily suggests some things to see and do while visiting the Scottish isle.
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How to experience London like a local ![Portobello, London]()
How to experience London like a local
How to experience London like a local
Take some time to go a little deeper and discover the London that locals love with Audley specialist Andea. Experience vibrant nightlife, historic parks and unusual vantage points to get a new perspective on this dynamic and complex city.
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Historic England: exploring London, Oxford and Bath ![Big Ben and Whitehall, London]()
Historic England: exploring London, Oxford and Bath
Historic England: exploring London, Oxford and Bath
Audley UK and Ireland specialist Elizabeth explains why she’s gripped by England’s history — especially its royal history. She recommends her preferred places of interest for a historic tour of England, from palaces and cathedrals to sites in Oxford and Bath.
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