great britain travel guide

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Great Britain

The clue's in the name. Great Britain packs so much greatness into its pint-sized shores: crumbling castles, soaring cathedrals, quaint villages, timeless landscapes and history galore.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Windsor Castle

Windsor & Eton

The world’s largest and oldest continuously occupied fortress, Windsor Castle is a majestic vision of battlements and towers. Used for state occasions, it…

Westminster Abbey

The West End

A splendid mixture of architectural styles, Westminster Abbey is considered the finest example of Early English Gothic. It's not merely a beautiful place…

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle has played a pivotal role in Scottish history, both as a royal residence – King Malcolm Canmore (r 1058–93) and Queen Margaret first made…

Tate Modern

One of London's most amazing attractions, Tate Modern is an outstanding modern- and contemporary-art gallery housed in the creatively revamped Bankside…

Roman Baths

Welcome to one of Northern Europe's most significant Roman sites. Today more than a million visitors a year come to see its historic finds, atmospheric…

Canterbury Cathedral

A rich repository of more than 1400 years of Christian history, Canterbury Cathedral is the Church of England’s mother ship, and a truly extraordinary…

Natural History Museum

Kensington & Hyde Park

With its thunderous, animatronic dinosaur, riveting displays about planet earth, outstanding Darwin Centre and architecture straight from a Gothic fairy…

St Paul's Cathedral

Sir Christopher Wren’s 300-year-old architectural masterpiece is a London icon. Towering over diminutive Ludgate Hill in a superb position that's been a…

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Art and Culture

Mar 10, 2023 • 13 min read

It's time to get your tickets for a summer of music, costumes, artists, theatrics, fairground rides and DJs at Great Britain's best 2023 festivals.

Jul 28, 2022 • 6 min read

May 16, 2022 • 6 min read

May 12, 2022 • 10 min read

Feb 9, 2022 • 7 min read

Mar 16, 2021 • 6 min read

Dec 8, 2020 • 6 min read

Nov 30, 2020 • 5 min read

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Jul 19, 2020 • 4 min read

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Great Britain and beyond

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VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Now is the perfect time to discover another side of Britain. Tuck into food as diverse as our people, or discover our cities by paddleboard or street art tour. Dance ‘til dusk at any one of our intimate underground venues and huge concerts, or bring the past to life in our castles and historic buildings. Whether you’d like to celebrate 75 years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, get lost in our quirky museums and art galleries, or tuck into an afternoon tea with a difference, let your journey of discovering Britain start right here.

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Experience the North York Moors sustainably

Thanks to The North York Moors National Park's status as a protected area, valuable land has been preserved. Experience the beauty of nature, sustainably.

Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, England

Road trip in the North York Moors (Route 2): Hills, moors and a steam train

With great hikes, nature, good food and cosy accommodation, this tour of the North York Moors offers everything you could want from a holiday in Northern England.

VisitBritain

North Yorkshire, Nordengland

And…action! The gorgeous scenery of North York Moors

A breathtaking coastline, old fishing villages, stately country residences and a historic steam railway – it’s no surprise that North York Moors is a popular filming location.

Whitby Harbour, England

Road trip along the coast of the North York Moors (Route 1)

From great sandy beaches to old fishing villages, plus an abundance of nature and history, the North York Moors coast offer everything you could want from a holiday.

VisitBritain/Ceri Oakes

Whitby in Yorkshire, England

Britain's festive Christmas experiences

Get well and truly stuck into the festive season with these Christmas experiences in Britain that are set to up the jolly antics.

Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Ltd

Christmas markets in Britain

Follow twinkling lights and dive into a festive atmosphere filled with holiday cheer at Britain’s Christmas Markets.

VisitManchester

Halloween and Bonfire Night in Britain

It’s spooky season in Britain, from monster hunting to firework displays, Halloween and Bonfire Night are unmissable autumn celebrations.

Day trips from London

Britain packs a punch when it comes to the eclectic range of destinations within close proximity to London.

VisitBritain/Simon Anderson/Royal Pavilion

Britain’s best eats

Britain has a diverse foodie scene, with plenty unique and delicious dishes to be experienced. Find the best places and restaurants to eat in the UK here.

Getty Images/Collection Mix:

Top filming locations: Britain on screen

Great Britain sets the scene to embark on a star-studded adventure. Seek out the stories from the latest releases and pose for that picture-perfect moment.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

LGBTQIA+ guide to Liverpool

Liverpool is a creative hotspot with plenty of LGBTQIA+ events and venues to explore. Check out the city's annual gay pride, plus bars, shops and nightclubs.

Bryan Fowler

LGBTQIA+ guide to Newcastle

Newcastle is home to a booming LGBTQIA+ scene and is packed with bars, pubs and late-night clubs! Discover the latest LGBTQIA+ events taking place here.

Rich Kenworthy

Newcastle, England

LGBTQIA+ guide to Glasgow

Modern and sophisticated with a down-to-earth attitude, Glasgow has a large LGBTQIA+ community and plenty to do.

acawleyphoto

LGBTQIA+ guide to Manchester

Manchester claims world-famous football teams, a rich cultural heritage and one of the liveliest LGBTQIA+ communities in the UK.

VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

LGBTQIA+ guide to Bristol

Home to stylish hotels, famous street art, lively bars, and the largest free Pride event in the UK, Bristol is a dream destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers.

Bristol Pride

LGBTQIA+ guide to Cardiff

Discover Cardiff's top LGBTQIA+ events, clubs, bars and more. From Wales' annual Pride Cymru parade to Pulse Nightclub where you can celebrate with live DJs.

Discover the Beatles and beyond in Liverpool

Love Me Do in Liverpool, the birthplace of the Beatles, as you follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four.

Oh Me Oh My

Enjoy Britain’s best music festivals

The summer signals festival season in Britain, so grab your wellies and get ready to party with one of the many music festivals taking place around the country.

Spectacular Scottish festivals

From the Edinburgh International Festival to Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, tune in to Scotland’s best festivals.

The music lover’s guide to London

Discover the spots that inspired the songs from The Clash and the Sex Pistols, to Queen and David Bowie.

VisitBritain/Chris Orange

Music venues you can’t miss

From the Beatles’ Childhood Homes in Liverpool, to Abbey Road and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust street in London, discover the UK’s most iconic musical landmarks.

Period drama filming locations

From loyal royal fans of The Crown, to loving the scandal of Regency high society in Bridgerton, discover the places that bring it all to life.

VisitBritain/Andrew Welsher

James Bond filming locations

From the Scottish glens, to international art - spy Britain's favourite agent.

visitlondon.com/Antoine Buchet

Visit Bridgerton filming locations

Live out your Regency fantasies and immerse yourself in the record-breaking series.

VisitBritain/Historic Royal Palaces

Visit Harry Potter filming locations

Follow in the magical footsteps of Harry Potter around these great British filming locations.

Visit CountyDurham

Visit Peaky Blinders filming locations

Explore the filming locations of Steven Knight's hit crime drama, Peaky Blinders.

The Black Country Living Museum

Free things to do in London

Whether you're looking for museums, markets or amazing views, we'll prove you really can get something for nothing.

visitlondon.com

Britain’s best breweries and vineyards

Britain’s drink scene is as diverse as its people, and we love a good knees-up.

VisitBritain/Stuart Harper

Hands on food

The diverse landscapes of Britain offer everything from coastal foraging to the free-range pork used in its sausage-making classes.

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

The cream of the crop of Britain’s fine dining food scene

Britain has a diverse fine dining scene with sensational, seasonal, and local produce. Discover our handpicked restaurants that shouldn't be missed.

Top distilleries in Britain

Whet your whistle with Scottish whisky, raise a glass to English gin making - but did you know Wales is also leaving its mark?

Eat local - foodie map of Britain

Whether you're hopping from London to Cardiff or taking a road trip in the Scottish Highlands, we have something delicious just for you.

British food festivals you don’t want to miss

With more than a hundred food festivals across the country, Britain’s food scene is booming. Here are the top UK food festivals you don't want to miss!

VisitBritain/Anastasia Ustenikova

Discover Britain’s best exhibitions and theatre shows

Discover Britain’s unmissable exhibition and theatre shows that wrap you in multi-sensory world.

Tate Liverpool

Find Britain’s quirkiest traditions and events

Bonkers yet brilliant: that sums up our style. Where else can you chase cheeses down-hill, or race in boats made from Yorkshire puddings?

VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Britain’s unmissable stores

From flagships to firsts, British heritage labels to boutique bizarres, and emporiums to bespoke - Britain’s shopping experiences are unmissable.

VisitBritain/Bethany Opler

Experience Britain’s top heritage cities

From medieval Edinburgh to Georgian Bath, Britain’s cities are full of chocked with cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa

Explore Britain’s most spectacular castles

Explore the UK's famous royal castles in VisitBritain's castle guide. Beyond tours and exhibitions, there are lots of ways to get hands-on with history.

VisitBritain/Yin Sun Photography

Highland Games

Taking place across the region, the Highland Games combine jaw-dropping landscapes with awe-inspiring displays of sport, strength and Scottish tradition.

VisitBritain/Peter Beavis

Iconic shopping locations

Iconic department stores, shopping centres and an eclectic mix of high-streets all make Britain’s shopping great.

London, England

London’s markets

Celebrate diversity in flavours, local finds and vintage gems across London's bustling markets.

Sean Pollock

Out-of-town shopping

While city centres are great for history, culture and shopping – it’s out of town shopping centres which can zip you away from the city’s bustle.

Royal and historic walking routes

Retrace the steps of British Royalty across the capital. Wander past iconic palaces and through its leafy Royal Parks.

Visit Britain/George Johnson

Royal events and ceremonies

Discover celebrations fit for a king and queen: from the Household Cavalry and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to spotting Royals among a clutch of huge hats at the races at Royal Ascot.

VisitBritain/Philipp Pley

The King’s royal residences

Learn about royal life firsthand and visit the UK's grand palaces, historic castles and beautiful country retreats. These royal buildings are awe-inspiring.

VisitBritain/Tom Weightman

Top royal attractions

Britain is bursting to the battlements with places full of royal importance, all waiting to be discovered by you.

@pumpkin_the_pompom

LGBTQIA+ events

Pride parades, film festivals and bear parties: the UK’s LGBTQIA+ calendar is jam-packed with fun and flamboyant events.

LGBTQIA+ guide to Birmingham

Explore our guide to LGBTQIA+ Birmingham for a rundown of the best events and venues in the city. From pride stores to nightclubs and bars, learn more here.

West Midlands Growth Company

LGBTQIA+ guide to Brighton

This seaside city is known for its open attitude, vivacious clubbing scene and two-day Pride extravaganza.

VisitBritain/Andrés Balcazar

LGBTQIA+ guide to Edinburgh

Home to the largest gay scene in Scotland, Edinburgh’s vibrant ‘Pink Triangle’ is the place to visit for low-key pubs, lively clubs, and day-time hangouts.

Pride Edinburgh

Featured things to do

VisitScotland

Britain in bloom

From flower shows to cycling trails, here’s the pick of outdoor experiences as Britain springs into life.

Festival season

From the biggest names in music to literary icons, Britain’s packed festival calendar welcomes all.

Haunted at Halloween

From ghostly hotel stays to playful poltergeists and haunting experiences, Britain gets spooky for Halloween.

Christmas Markets

Check out the markets making their return for the festive season in towns and cities across Britain.

Explore things to do by interest

Adventure and sport

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Art and culture

Food and drink

The Royal Crescent, Bath

Great Britain on screen

VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

History and heritage

Tristan Fewings

Music and festivals

VisitBritain/Ida Eriksson

Outdoors and nature

Relaxation and wellbeing

VisitBritain/Getty Images/Oscar Wong

Sustainability