7 Things You Absolutely Must Do On Your Trip To The UK In 2025
Don’t be fooled by the rather small size of the United Kingdom. This land offers some fantastic and unique experiences to travelers. The country is extremely diverse, so you won’t be bored for even a second.
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From the urban streets of London to the cold ruins of medieval castles, the UK is a place that has something to offer to everyone. You may even want to plan your trip in a way to fit as many of these versatile experiences into your schedule as you can.
#1 Enjoy a tropical retreat right there
It turns out that you can indeed go to a tropical retreat when touring the UK, and you don’t have to go far to do it.
The Isles of Scilly, located just off Cornwall and named the best vacation spot in the UK by The Telegraph, are pieces of tropical paradise located far away from where tropical islands should be.
A visit to these islands will give you a new respect for the Brits’ skills in gardening. The place is beautiful and offers a chance to relax and admire nature. You will also see some plants that you won’t be able to see in any other part of the country.
Where to stay
Tregarthen’s Hotel
St Mary’s is the largest island in the Isles of Scilly archipelago and Tregarthen’s Hotel is just a short walk from Hugh Town. It has absolutely incredible views of the surrounding islands and the rooms are cosy and welcoming. This is the perfect retreat on the Isles of Scilly.
#2 Walk the streets of London with a guide
London is a unique city in many ways and any trip to the UK must include at least one tour of its many sights.
However, due to its long and rich history, there are too many attractions here to explore in a single visit. Therefore, taking a walking tour of London is another great activity. This way you’ll be able to get to know the layout of the area and even discover a new side to this eclectic city. Some tours are even free with optional gratuity at the end.
You will be able to see all the important historical monuments, architectural masterpieces, sites associated with the Royal Family, etc.
If you are looking for something more “adventurous” you can visit the many haunted sites, which can be found all over London, or you can follow the bloody steps of Jack the Ripper, or explore the streets of magical London discovering the places connected to the Harry Potter universe with one of London’s most popular walking tours.
Don’t forget themed tours that will take you to places associated with legendary musicians, actors, and other celebrities who all left their mark on this magnificent city.
✅ Book a guided tour of The Tower of London here. This is one of London’s most famous and popular sites and a must-see on your visit here.
Where to stay
If you want to make your trip to London truly spectacular then book a room at one of the best hotels in London with a view. These hotels aren’t the cheapest in London but they really are worth it!
For something a little better for budget try:
Z Covent Garden
London isn’t the cheapest place to stay, and the centre is even more expensive, but for a first-time visit you’re going to want to be amongst all the action. Z Covent Garden is the perfect mix of budget (for London!) and quality, so you won’t have to compromise too much here.
For more great accommodation ideas check out the best places to stay in London.
#3 Hunt for shells on top of a mountain
Hiking down the many trails of Snowdonia National Park is not only a chance to admire some scenic views. It’s also a unique opportunity to go shell hunting at the literal top of the highest mountain in the UK.
Mount Snowdon (and the entire range around it) used to be the bottom of the ocean millennia ago. Today, a sharp-eyed hiker can still find pieces of prehistoric fossils. That kind of souvenir will make for a truly amazing conversation piece.
✅ Top tip: If you don’t know the area, book a hike with an experienced guide. The weather here can change quickly and the mountain can be dangerous if you don’t have local knowledge.
Where to stay
Bryn Eglwys House
This hotel has some of the most incredible views of Snowdon in the famous village of Beddgelert. Rooms are modern and comfortable, and the house itself is full of charm and character, set in beautiful surroundings. Breakfast is included, so you can fill up before heading up the walking paths to the summit of Snowdon, just a few km away.
#4 Crawl the pubs
Pub crawling is a traditional English type of entertainment, so be sure to include a night of it in your plans. The activity is simple, you just go from one pub or bar to the next, get a drink, have a bit of fun, and move on.
The challenge of it is staying sober enough to get home. Therefore, it’s always best for a traveler to set out on this adventure with trusted friends.
Today you can also join specialized tours and make new friends while at it. London and Edinburgh are just two examples of great cities in the UK for a proper pub crawl. London in particular has a large selection of LGBT+ nightlife options so you can catch a drag show at one of the local favorites.
✅ Book a London bar crawl tour here
✅ Book an Edinburgh bar crawl tour here
Where to stay
There are a huge range of great party cities in England, but most people want to combine the nightlife of London with some once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences.
Check out where to stay in London or the best London hotels with a view to get the most out of your time here.
#5 Visit one of London’s many theatres
The Royal National Theatre is a fantastic publicly funded theatre and has been staging some of London’s most captivating and thought-provoking productions for the past 40 years.
The National compromises of three theatres with the Olivier Theatre being the largest and most prominent. It has been run by some of the theatre’s most charismatic and inspirational figures over the years including Trevor Nunn and even Lawrence Olivier himself.
Many acclaimed productions have come from the National including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Warhorse, and One Man Two Governors.
Other theaters in London to add to your list include the Theatre Royal Drury Lane which was first opened in 1660 and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London’s only outdoor theatre. Lastly, the London Palladium is the city’s largest theatre and seats a staggering 2,286 people.
Where to stay
Why not splash out and book one of the hotels in London with a rooftop pool for some real luxury?
Hazlitt’s
For something a little unique head to Hazlitt’s. In London’s Theatreland, in the heart of the West End, this 4-star boutique hotel offers beautiful rooms with antique furniture, indulgent decor, and elegant paneled walls.
#6 Go seal-watching at Blakeney Point
Seal watching is a popular tourist attraction for people visiting Blakeney Point. It’s one of the few places in the UK where you can see them up close and at the same time learn about the history of the area as it is the oldest nature reserve in Norfolk.
The best time to see the seals are at low tide when they come out of their caves and bask in the sun or come up for air. There are a number of different spots from which you can watch them, from the beach to the headland and even from a ferry. The latter is the recommended way of getting close to the seals without causing any disturbance to their natural habitat.
In addition, Blakeney is also famous for its salt marsh, lifeboat house which was built in 1898, and birdlife. A walk anywhere on the reserve will provide you with the chance to explore some peculiar coastal birds.
In the summer, look for waders, ducks, and geese on the marshes, as well as terns fishing from the sea. Spring and autumn are great times to look for rare migrants.
Where to stay
Blakeney Manor Hotel
A well-priced hotel situated close to Blakeney Point. This beautiful building will make you feel as though you’re stepping out of a Victorian period drama, and the rooms are modern and comfortable. You can enjoy a full English breakfast here before heading out on your adventures.
#7 Explore Roman baths in Bath
From London, take a day trip to Stonehenge and the Roman Baths in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year because of its majestic Georgian architecture, ancient spas, enticing cream teas, and Jane Austen.
A ticket for the Roman Bath includes an audio guide to accompany you as you awe at the exquisite ruins of Sulis Minerva Temple, where Roman worshipers congregated, and as you marvel at the steaming Great Bath.
This wonder is where people bathed about 2,000 years ago and it is erected in Britain’s only hot spring that still has natural hot water flowing through it.
At the end of the tour, you can get a chance to taste the spring waters from the Pump Room, though most say that the waters taste weird because of its 43 different minerals, it’s definitely worth a try.
You won’t be able to dip in the original waters of the bath because of the contaminated lead pipes, but the Thermae Bath Spa is right next door where you can enjoy bathing in the same waters as the Romans and Celts did.
Where to stay
Stay somewhere grand – Bath was after all the go-to place for London’s elite in the Victorian era. The Kennard will make you feel like royalty with its chandeliers and beautifully furnished rooms.
Conclusion: Things You Must Do In The UK
What would you most like to do in the UK? Check out some more ideas for top things to do in England at winter, the best 10 days in England itinerary, and read up on must-pack items for a trip to the UK.
Author Biography
Auston runs the blog Two Bad Tourists and is also a freelance writer. His work has been featured in many publications including Attitude Magazine, Edge Media Network, The Houston Chronicle, and ManAboutWorld Magazine.
