7 Places To Visit in the UK That Are Not London

Disclosure: Advertising and affiliate services, including Amazon Associates, help the cost of running my blog. Clicking ads or making purchases through affiliate links may, at no additional cost to you, earn me a small commission. I appreciate your support.

While I live in Canada now, I was born and raised in the UK. I love visiting my family and friends here, and try to get back as often as I can. The United Kingdom and Great Britain has some some wonderful places to spend some quality time, but a lot of people seem to visit London and then leave. Sure it’s the capital city and it has a lot going on, but there’s so many more places to visit in the UK than London.

York

York is a beautiful old city with a rich Roman and Viking past, but the quaint little streets are what really sets it apart as one of the best places to visit in the UK if you manage to get out of London.

• Distance from London: 215 miles by car
• Nearest airports: Leeds (30 miles) and Manchester (83 miles)
• Easiest way to get there from London: The train from Kings Cross station takes around 1 h 45 m to 2 h 30 m
• Where to stay: Try a local bed & breakfast like The Farthings Guesthouse just outside the city walls. Rooms have either shared bathrooms or en-suite and owners are really friendly. Bonus: start your day with a full English breakfast.
• Famous for: Walking around the old but intact Roman city walls makes for a good afternoon activity. York is also the birthplace of Guy Fawkes from the famed Gunpowder Plot of the 17th Century. A plaque on Stonegate shows where he was born.

Top things to do in York

York is a historic town with so much to do you’ll have no trouble filling your time there. The town is incredibly photogenic so don’t forget you pack your camera. Here are some of my top pics for things to do.

• York Minster – The large cathedral in the center of York. It’s a beauty, and although a ticket isn’t that cheap, you get plenty of bang for your buck because this place is HUGE! Walk the narrow stone staircase to the roof for amazing panoramic views of York.
• The Shambles – An old and very unique shopping street. Rows of haphazardly leaning buildings with overhanging levels and timber frames date back to the 14th Century. Now some of the nicest cafes, restaurants and gift shops are found in this area where you’ll feel like you’re walking around medieval Britain. Take a walking tour that will lead you through the Shambles and to York Minster, and more.
• Learn about some Viking history – Jorvik Viking Centre is a really cool experience. Learn about vikings and their history in York, as was uncovered during an archaeological dig in the 1970s. See real Roman and Viking artifacts and remains.
• Take a ghost walk – With one of the most haunted pubs in England, there are numerous ghostly sightings in the city. So it’s no surprise that there would also be ghost walks like this one. The tours occur almost every evening weaving interesting stories with the history of York on your walk around the city.

Durham

History, lovely local shops, and fabulous sights make this Northern England city one of my top places to visit in the UK. In fact my aunt and uncle have lived here for a long time, and my best friend went to university here so I always enjoyed visiting.

• Distance from London: 270 miles by car
• Nearest airport: Newcastle upon Tyne (24 miles) and Durham-Tees Valley (25 miles)
• Easiest way to get there from London: The train from Kings Cross station takes between 3 h and 3 h 30 m direct. Or fly direct to Newcastle from London (1 hour) and then take the metro and train to Durham (approx. 1 hour).
• Where to stay: I suggest either a Bed & Breakfast or for a unique stay how about a night at Durham Castle?
• Famous for: Durham was the filming location for the first three Harry Potter movies. Durham Cathedral doubled as Hogwarts throughout part of the movies. The cloisters around the interior of the cathedral may look familiar to any Harry Potter fans out there.

Things to do in Durham

Durham is predominantly a university town now. There are a lot of students who live in Durham and attend one of the most prestigious universities in the country. But the historic center of Durham has some great things to offer anyone visiting.

• Durham Cathedral – Aside for being home to Harry Potter, Durham Cathedral is also a beautiful building. It has beautifully ornate stained glass windows and fine stonework. If you do one thing in Durham, make sure it’s visit the cathedral.
• Durham Castle – The castle dates back to the 11th Century and is located right next to Durham Cathedral. But since the castle forms part of the University College you can’t just go wandering in. You can however visit if you book a guided tour in advance.
• Elvet Bridge – This 900 year old bridge crosses the River Wear. Take a walk along it for great views of Durham and the river, and don’t forget to look out for the castle and cathedral. Better still walk across it and take a photo of the bridge with the other buildings in the background.
• Beamish museum – As a child of Northern England, Beamish was the setting for many a school trip for me. The “living” museum has staff dressed in period costumes and you can wander through various time periods from the 1820s to the 1950s. Bonus: you can shop at a traditional bakery or a Victorian sweet shop.

Cornwall

The beautiful county of Cornwall is one of the most popular places to visit in the UK for many Brits. Cornwall (and neighboring county Devon) were always where we headed to for our summer holidays when I was a kid. The main reasons: they are far enough from home that you feel like you’re going on holiday, and the weather is better in the South of England. My parents still visit Cornwall every year (sometimes twice), so I’ve also been a number of times.

• Distance from London: 275 miles by car
• Nearest airport: Newquay and Exeter (both rather small airports)
• Easiest way to get there from London: There are trains to some of the popular places in Cornwall like St. Ives and Truro. They take about 5-6 hours. But when visiting Cornwall the best option is to have a car. It gives you the freedom to explore this charming county of seaside towns and rugged landscapes. Another option is a coach tour.
• Where to stay: Book a hotel if only staying in one of the bigger towns in Cornwall for a couple of days, or a Bed & Breakfast. But if you are staying longer like most people who venture to Cornwall, then your best bet is a holiday home. Self catering cottages and apartments can be found most places with weekly rates.
• Famous for: Cornwall is most famous for Lands End, the Southernmost point of the United Kingdom. Also a number of popular British foods: Cornish pasties (like a meat and vegetable pastry pocket), Cornish ice cream and clotted cream.

Things to do in Cornwall

Cornwall is not full of big cities. Cornwall is all about getting outdoors, seeing gardens and historic properties, beaches and walking countryside trails. There are some old abandoned tin mines which make for some good photo opportunities too.

Go surfing – That’s right, England has surfing. Newquay in the North of Cornwall is popular with younger people and has a really good surfing community. There are lovely beaches around Newquay. Book a surfing lesson in Newquay through Viator.

The Eden Project – A large environmental attraction where you can visit a rain-forest and the Mediterranean in one day. The park has two large indoor biomes which have tropical plants like pineapples, cacao or coffee, and Mediterranean plants like grapes, olives and chili peppers. There are also outdoor gardens, sculptures and zip lines.

Visit a beautiful garden (or five) – There are a number of beautiful botanical gardens in Cornwall. Try visiting Trebah or the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Spend hours walking around some of the most gorgeous gardens in the UK. Insider tip: Tickets to Trebah are valid for 7 days, go as much as you want during that time.

Fish and chips in a seaside town – Did you even visit England if you didn’t have fish & chips? But they’re even more English when you’re eating them out of the paper sat on a bench or a sea wall in a British seaside town like St. Ives or Porthleven. This used to be the highlight of a UK holiday for me, even more fun when it was raining and we had to eat them in the car with the rain bouncing on the roof.

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

The Lake District

My home in the UK, this is the area I’m from (more specifically the city of Carlisle). And it is beautiful. The Lake District is more of a region, a National Park within the Northern county of Cumbria. As the name suggests, this national park is filled with bodies of water and has some of the most amazing scenery you can imagine. I’m so lucky to have grown up here and love going back to visit.

• Distance from London: 270 miles by car
• Nearest airport: Carlisle-Lake District airport and Manchester
• Easiest way to get there from London: You can take a train to Oxenholme Lake District and it’s about 2 h 45 m to 3 h 30 m. Pick a base and take buses around or walk where you want to go. But like Cornwall, you might find having a car is the best way to get around.
• Where to stay: Stay at a lakeside hotel like the The Waterhead Hotel in Ambleside, or a stately manor like Storrs Hall. But there are also lots of Bed & Breakfasts around and Ambleside even has a good Hostel to keep things a little more budget.
• Famous for: English poet William Wordsworth, author of Daffodils lived in the Lake District. Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit also lived there and her former house Hill Top is a tourist attraction also. Visit The World of Beatrix Potter for a fun day out with the kids. Oh yeah, and there’s a couple of lakes that are pretty!

Things to do in the Lake District

Bring your hiking boots for this one, you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors. And don’t forget your camera either (or your watercolors if you’re an artist). The Lake District is best visited if you have a car to get you around, or you have time to use the bus system which will get you to a lot of major towns in the Lake District.

• See a lake (or two) – Unsurprisingly the Lake District has plenty of water. It rains a fair amount, but then that’s just England for you anyway. But all that rain means that there are lots of beautiful lakes and green fields. Take a boat ride on lake Windermere, experience the incredible views around Buttermere.
• Walk the fells – Get your hiking boots on and take to some of the paths up to the high ridges of the Lake District that will leave you with unparalleled views of everything the National Park has to offer. There aren’t too many places to visit in the UK that will have you outdoors as much as the Lake District. You’ll probably meet plenty of sheep along the way too.
• Castlerigg Stone Circle – Just outside of Keswick, this is like a miniature Stonehenge. This one is in the middle of a field so you can walk right up to it. Parking is limited on the road, but I’ve never had an issue as most people only stay a few minutes. Sunset at the stone circle is a magical time, but arrive ahead of time as it’s popular with photographers.
• Whinlatter forestry park – Whinlatter has walking and biking trails (including bike hire), play areas, Segway trails and so much more. It is popular with kids as well as adults. The park is free to explore, although some additional costs may apply for rentals, activities and parking.

Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland and one of the major cities in the UK, Edinburgh is constantly talked about as one of the most beautiful cities in Great Britain. But even though it’s a capital city, it is nowhere near as busy and crazy as London is. That doesn’t mean there’s any less to see and do, and it’s a gateway to many incredible places in Scotland.

• Distance from London: 403 miles by car
• Nearest airport: Edinburgh and Glasgow
• Easiest way to get there from London: You can take the train from London Kings Cross station which will get you there direct in 4 h 30 to 5 h 30. Or try a short 1 hour flight from London directly into Edinburgh.
• Where to stay: Edinburgh does have some nice Bed & Breakfasts but being a major city also has a lot of hotels, both national and international chains. Being around the Royal Mile where Edinburgh Castle is is a more expensive area to stay.
• Famous for: We’re not done with Harry Potter yet, since Edinburgh is where J.K. Rowling first wrote the Harry Potter books. The city also has a pivotal history in the United Kingdom as the home to Scottish Kings and Queens.

Things to do in Edinburgh

There’s too much to do if you’re only spending a couple of nights. Take my advice, however long you planned to stay in Edinburgh, at least add one more day. Be prepared for some walking, a few hills and a whole lot of culture. And if you pass a local pub, go in for a cold pint and to listen to some folk bands that often play live music.

• Edinburgh Castle – You can’t miss the castle atop the hill at the end of the street known as the Royal Mile. With buildings dating back to the early 12th Century it has great views of the city, a bloody past, and really cool cannons. What’s not to like? It’s not cheap with adult tickets around 20 GBP but I would suggest you buy in advance for a reduced price.
• Do a Harry Potter walking tour – There are a number of tours in Edinburgh focusing on The Chosen One himself, including at least one that’s free. But all of them will take you around some of the city’s most famous sites including those which inspired J.K. Rowling.
• Try some Scotch Whisky – A wee dram o’ whisky’ll warm you up night or day. You’re on vacation, no-one’s judging. There’s no shortage of bars and old pubs in Edinburgh to sample all the Scotch you can. In fact, head to The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile, take a tour and learn more about the time honored drink with a few tastings.
• Visit the Scottish Highlands – Not content with everything Edinburgh has to offer? Take a day trip to the Scottish Highlands, one of the most unique places to visit in the UK. We did an amazing day tour to Loch Ness. We had stops along the way, time to explore Urquhart Castle and a boat ride over Loch Ness (no monster sightings though).

Belfast

The capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is maybe not as simple to get to, but it’s worth the trip. The city has a varied history and an industrial past, but over recent years it’s really become a popular weekend getaway, and one of the best places to visit in the UK. Just because its not connected to the rest of the island doesn’t mean it should be forgotten.

• Distance from London: 470 miles (as the crow flies)
• Nearest airport: Belfast and Dublin
• Easiest way to get there from London: The only way to get there from London…fly. Flights from London to Belfast take approximately an hour to 1 h 30 m. Belfast is a small place, so it doesn’t take long to get to the city from the airport.
• Where to stay: As with most cities there are a number of hotels of varying prices. The Ramada by Wyndham Belfast is very nice, and budget friendly. Likewise there are a number of Bed & Breakfast options.
• Famous for: The Troubles. You’ve likely heard about the fighting, conflict and the riots of Belfast that took up most of the latter part of the 20th Century. Belfast is also famous for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic where it was built.

Things to do in Belfast

The city is not very large and is quite walkable. Most of the sites you will want to see are close together, although to get to Belfast Castle and the Botanic Gardens you might need a taxi.

Titanic Belfast – The amazingly informative and exceptionally laid out museum about the infamous ship is a great place to spend a few hours. The museum’s architecture is an homage to the ship itself. Learn about the city that built Titanic, the story of the ship building (and sinking) and see artifacts from the doomed vessel. It’s a sad but brilliant museum. Remember to book in advance as it can get busy.

Game of Thrones sites – That’s right. GoT was partly filmed in Northern Ireland. A number of tours will take you to some of the sights. If you’re a huge fan this is the place for you. Book your Game of Thrones tour here. If you’re not a fan (guilty) then you’re partner’s going to owe you big time if you go on this tour so figure out if you want a fancy dinner or a trip to the Titanic museum!

Botanic Gardens – The gardens are lovely. Well worth a visit, but you’ll end up spending half a day at least between travel time and exploring so make sure to plan your time. There are outdoor and indoor gardens including greenhouses to enjoy. If it does rain, head to the Ulster Museum at the entrance to the Gardens.

Troubles tour – Want to know more about the conflicts that shaped a nation? Take a tour of Belfast with a local guide who will tell you all about The Troubles. There are walking tours and there are black taxi tours, each visiting places central to the riots that Belfast had to deal with less than 30 years ago.

Lincoln

Another one of my favorite places to visit in the UK is the city of Lincoln. Its cobbled streets and picturesque views are only part of its charm. The city has a lot of history, and is surprisingly busy around December. Make sure to stop by one of their amazing cafes for delicious baked goods and a cup of tea.

• Distance from London: 143 miles by car
• Nearest airport: Leeds and Manchester
• Easiest way to get there from London: Take a train for 2-3 hours from London, but there are no direct trains so you will need to change along the way.
• Where to stay: The city has a number of little Bed & Breakfasts as well as some smaller hotels in the city. When I’ve been there in the past I’ve stayed a little further away in Blythe, just off the A1 road. That way I usually travel into Lincoln and can also visit other nearby places.
• Famous for: Lincoln is home to a Magna Carta within their Castle. The city and the area is famous for its sausages. And they have probably the biggest Christmas market in England during December.

Things to do in Lincoln

Lincoln is another lovely historic town with a lovely cathedral. Beware there are a few hills, especially to the castle at the peak of the city. Time your visit with a trip to the Christmas market for the ultimate weekend. Read more about my latest trip to Lincoln here.

• See the Magna Carta – This historic 800 year old document is on display in Lincoln Castle, and is one of only four surviving originals. You can’t take pictures but you can see it up close (behind glass) in a subsection of the castle. A piece of history you won’t find anywhere else.
• Shop for antiques – Lincoln is home to some good antique shops. Find old coins, jewelry or trinkets in these small, dimly lit stores that are overflowing with interesting goods. I’ve managed to find a number of vintage glass bottles now used as lamps and old cameras here.
• Eat lots of cheese and sausages – You can’t go to Lincoln and not have one or the other. My favorite cheese place was The Mouse House. Try the mature cheddar with cranberries. You won’t regret it. Despite being all about meat and cheese there are a number of great vegetarian and vegan friendly places in Lincoln now too.

Top Places to Visit in the UK

Everyone who goes to the UK will likely go to London. It’s a beautiful, amazing city, don’t get me wrong. I love London, and can spend so much time there. Read this post on 50 fun things to do in the city (including 25 that are FREE). But London isn’t the only place in the UK. There are lots that deserve just as much attention as London.

Hopefully this post has shown you what else the United Kingdom has to offer, and inspired you to hop on a train (the most British way to travel) and try somewhere new. The UK might be small but it packs a lot of punch and has some fantastic places to visit. There are big cities, small towns, countryside retreats and beautiful views. Enjoy your visit, wherever you go.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Where are your favorite places to visit in the UK? Tell me some you’ve been to.