The UK is an amazing travel destination with something on offer to please everyone, regardless of what type of trip you have in mind. If you are a history buff, you will be sure to fall head over heels in love with all the region’s famous historical landmarks. For those that are into the outdoors, there are a number of different national parks and Areas Of Outstanding Beauty that you can explore. City lovers will also be blown away by world-famous cities like London and Birmingham.
With so much to see and do in the United Kingdom, you need to be sure that you take steps to maximise your time in this fabulous country. While the UK is nowhere near as large as Australia, driving times can be long so be sure to plan your travel in advance. There are also countless domestic flight routes that you can take to save time.
It’s also important to remember that the UK uses Great British Pounds (GBP) and not the Euro as most other countries in the region do. It’s wise to keep an eye on an online money converter to ensure that you are getting the best rate when you exchange your dollars. With your travel planning in place and money in your pocket, you will soon be on your way to the UK travel adventure of a lifetime.
Let’s take a look at some simple tips and tricks that will help you get the very most from your first trip to the United Kingdom.
Choose the perfect base
First of all, you need to consider what your ideal UK accommodation looks like, as well as where in the country you’d like to stay. Although staying central by seeking accommodation in London can be very expensive, it is often worth the high price tag, as you can maintain easy access to all of the city’s many tourist attractions.
If you only have the budget to stay in London for a select period of time, we highly recommend ensuring that your itinerary for those particular days is fully fleshed out to ensure that you can make the most of your time in this vibrant city. After all, there’s far more to see and do in the UK than what London offers alone. You may find that heading out into the country can come with its own attractions. Who’d want to miss out on the experience of seeing Stonehenge?
Travel at the right time
It’s important to note that the time of year you can travel can have a huge impact on what your trip is likely to look like. For instance, travelling to the UK at the end of the year will see you entering the midst of their winter season, meaning that you’ll have to make sure to pack plenty of cold weather clothing.
Similarly, travelling during peak seasons can potentially mar some of the most iconic tourist attractions for you, simply because you’ll have to contend with large crowds. While not everybody has a huge amount of flexibility regarding when they travel, if you do have some wiggle room, this is definitely a good time to use it.
Travelling during bank holidays and school holidays should be avoided if at all possible. Not only will it be much more expensive but the crowds may also result in you paying high prices for a lacklustre experience. For a more relaxed UK experience, aim to travel just before or after the major holidays and avoid bank holidays if possible.
Be selective with the sights
As the United Kingdom is home to some truly bucket list-worthy destinations, it’s only natural for travellers to want to pack in as many experiences into their trip as possible. This rings especially true for Australian travellers, who’ve had to come from the other side of the world in order to enjoy their time in the UK.
Even so, when visiting the UK, you’ll come to find that less is indeed more. For instance, you could spend a very busy week, or even two, just exploring London or Edinburgh alone. Similarly, you could spend a week or two just driving the south coast or exploring the highlands in the north.
To ensure you get the most out of your trip, it’s best to be selective with what you want to see and visit a few things well rather than ending up on a whistle-stop tour of the country. After all, missing anything is nothing but an excuse to make a second trip some time in the near future!
Book things in advance
Visiting the United Kingdom, there will undoubtedly be certain things that you just won’t want to miss out on. Some of the major attractions can sell out fast, so if you are planning on heading to some of these spots, make sure that you reserve your space well in advance.
Alongside this, many tourists also want to catch a show in the West End or visit any of London’s other many world-renowned theatre spaces. If this is on your list, make sure that you reserve your tickets to these shows in advance as well. Not only will arranging your trip in advance lead to less disappointment, but it will also help to save you money, as there are often deals to be had for those who book ahead.
Pack for the weather
As most people will already know, the weather in the United Kingdom is not the most reliable. Depending on what time of year you are planning to visit, you will need to pack differently. However, regardless of when you are visiting, even if it is the height of summer, make sure that you pack a good waterproof jacket and pants. London is notorious for experiencing surprise rainfall at literally any time.
Make sure your UK trip is one to remember for the right reasons
Heading off on your first UK trip can certainly be daunting. However, with a plan in place and the right preparations made, you can ensure that you have an incredible debut trip to the UK.