The United Kingdom has a vast choice of leisure activities, from exploring the stunning countryside to discovering its history, finding a bargain in the many shopping havens, and enjoying the festivals and street events. The country has much to offer, with leisure activities catering to all tastes, budgets, and backgrounds.
Nature and landscapes in the UK
The United Kingdom is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Indeed, the country boasts ten national parks, including the Exmoor Cliffs, the Lake District, the Peak District, the Brecon Beacons in Wales, the Snowdonia Mountains in Wales, and Loch Lomond in Scotland. The national parks are perfect for hikers or anybody wishing to escape bustling city life for peace and quiet. Most national parks follow similar regulations, including no BBQs and campfires, no wild camping (outside designated campsites), and no litter.
The UK also has a lot of canals, which were built during the Industrial Revolution. Many companies offer canal trips across the country through rivers and canals as a perfect way to take in the countryside. The UK generally has a wealth of impressive flora and fauna, rivers, hills, mountains, and valleys. Scotland is particularly famous for its stunning nature with its many Lochs, the Highlands, and Scottish islands such as the Isle of Skye with its many picturesque villages.
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Established in 1951, the Peak District was the first National Park in the UK. There are no sharp mountains in the UK, and it covers five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester.
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With over 2000 canals miles of navigable canals, canal trips are an excellent choice for vacations. When you are not on board, you can spend quality time with family or friends while spotting wildlife and doing activities such as cycling, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply walking in nature. There are many hire boat companies to choose from, offering modern canal boats with central heating, hot water, and WiFi.
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From the Isle of Skye, you can do a speed boat ride to see whales, dolphins, and the white-tailed sea eagle, weather permitting, of course. Did you know there are more sheep than people on the Isle of Skye?
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Snowdonia Mountains and National Park
Exploring history in the UK
The United Kingdom has a rich and long-standing historical heritage, which can be discovered at numerous monuments, palaces, museums, and castles. These are some of the most famous historical moments of interest: The history of the monarchy, the British Empire, the individual histories of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Industrial Revolution, and the British inventions.
London, Wales, Manchester, and Liverpool offer a diverse range of art, science, and history museums. London is a beacon of culture and history, with many of the monarchies' palaces situated in the capital (Buckingham, Kensington, Windsor Palace) and many churches and cultural hotspots. Here are some of the most famous museums in the UK:
- The British Museum;
- Tate Modern;
- Science and Industry Museum;
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum;
- National History Museum.
Good to know:
You will be happy to know that entrance to most museums in the UK is free of charge.
With around 4000 castles, the United Kingdom also has long been rumoured to have haunted castles that have given rise to many legends: the Glamis Castle in Scotland, the Chillingham in the Northumberland, and the Thornbury Castle, located in Gloucestershire.
Culture in the United Kingdom
The UK is a world-famous literary hub home to literary giants such as Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Chaucer, the Bronte Sisters, and Virginia Woolf. This literary culture still beats in the country's veins, and you can see many affordable theatre shows and academic talks or attend book clubs. The most famous theatre is the Globe, in London, where Shakespeare would show his plays. Nowadays, besides being a theatre and a cultural landmark, the Globe is also an education centre, hosting guided tours, online events, workshops, and courses.
As well as literature, the UK has always been at the forefront of music. Some of the most famous musicians in the world have come from the country. Also, many music genres started in the UK (such as Britpop, Garage, Punk and Madchester). Music events and gigs are available throughout the country at very affordable prices and often are entirely free of charge in pubs and bars or street events. Festivals are also prevalent and famous in the UK, with total attendance being 37.1 million in 2022. London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Sheffield are particular centres of the UK music scene.
Good to know:
The most popular festivals in the UK are Glastonbury, Reading, and Wireless Festival.
Tip:
If you are in London, check out Expat.com's article on ideas about things to do in London.
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Theme parks in the United Kingdom
There are many theme parks in the United Kingdom. Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Drayton Manor with milder rides for younger kids, Gulliver's World with resorts to stay at, Blackpool Pleasure Beach (offers different activities and events depending on the time of year), and LEGOLAND (ideal for summer family staycations) are some of the most popular, attracting all types of crowds, from families and children to single adults and groups of friends from all walks of life.
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If you love theme parks, some offer annual passes, meaning you can visit them as often as you want.
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Beaches in the United Kingdom
Although most expats do not come to the UK for its beaches, the country has some very beautiful beaches that are pleasant in summer, weather permitting, of course. Cornwall is particularly popular and experiences some of the warmest weather in England. Beaches like St Ives and Newquay are considered the surfing centres of the UK. The Welsh coast enjoys the largest number of sunny days per year and is home to many beautiful beaches, such as Rhossili and Tenby. The UK has many islands, and while most are too cold for a beach break, some surprisingly warmer options exist. The Isle of Scilly, with several stunning beaches, enjoys a microclimate and reaches temperatures akin to more southern parts of the world. Jersey and the Channel Islands also enjoy mild weather in the summer and have many beaches to choose from.
Good to know:
A trip to the seaside usually involves having fish & chips, crabbing, visiting arcades, and enjoying a Mr Whippy ice cream.
Shopping in the United Kingdom
If you are a shopaholic, most UK cities have plenty of options, including designer boutiques, high street shops, and vintage dens. The British are notorious shoppers, so expect a vast amount of good quality shops on every high street. The UK also has a lot of large shopping malls and leisure destinations, including Westfield London (the biggest mall in the country), The Trafford Centre in Manchester, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Liverpool One, Bullring & Grand Central in Birmingham, and the Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow. Selfridges, Marks and Spencer, and John Lewis are the most popular department stores. The market in the UK is very competitive, and there are generally sales or deals all year round to buy clothes, accessories, cosmetic products, and other trendy materials at a lower price.
Good to know:
Birmingham has the biggest Primark store in the country and Europe.
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Gastronomy in the United Kingdom
Since the 1980s, the UK's food scene has gone through a metamorphosis. Many new restaurants, independent bistros, and cafes have opened up throughout the country and sell good quality modern and traditional food. The UK's eclectic identity also means that various international cuisines, including Indian, East Asian, and Jamaican food, can be enjoyed throughout the country. There are now 188 UK restaurants with at least one Michelin Star.
The UK has also recently returned to locally sourced, traditional food, which has given popularity to markets and food stalls. In previous decades, many independent shops closed down in the wake of supermarkets opening across the country. In recent years, the UK has seen locally sourced, fresh food, especially street food event pop-ups nationwide. Every city will have many events throughout the year; the cities with the most market events are London, Manchester, and Leeds. Towns and villages also enjoy regular markets.
The UK is arguably most famous for its beer, with many different choices available. Similarly to the food culture, the UK has been growing its traditional beer sources, such as independent ale breweries which are now present in many bars, pubs, and beer shops.
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Even though France is known for its cheese, the UK is close behind, with over 700 types of cheese produced.
The British drinking culture
Gin is very famous in Britain and boasts around 200 brands. The factory workers during the Industrial Revolution would drink the spirit. With time, gin became a very old-fashioned drink. However, it is now enjoying a popularity surge with many bars and shops specialising in it. Manchester and London are gin hubs that offer various gins and cocktails. For its part, Scotland is the home of whisky, with many distilleries dotted throughout the country. Some of the most renowned whisky areas are often located on the Scottish islands, such as Jura, Islay, and Skye.
Good to know:
Ye Old Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, claims to be England's oldest pub dating back to 793AD.
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