How many days do you need?
You can see highlights of the UK in a week, but a longer trip lets you see more than just cities. As a rough guide:
- 5 to 7 days: London plus one other base, such as Edinburgh, or Bath and Oxford as day trips.
- 10 days: London, a stretch of England, and Edinburgh with a Scottish excursion.
- 14 days or more: Add Wales, the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands.
Distances look short on a map, but roads can be slow, particularly in the Highlands and Wales.
Best time to go
The UK has mild but unpredictable weather, and rain is possible at any time. Late spring through early fall is the main travel season, with long summer days that are especially noticeable in Scotland. May, June and September are often recommended as a balance of daylight, weather and crowds. Summer brings more visitors and higher prices, while winter is cheaper but days are short and some rural attractions limit hours. For clothing ideas in cooler months, see our packing guide for Europe in fall.
A 7 day route
- London (4 nights): The Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster, a Thames walk and a West End show.
- Day trips (1 to 2 days): Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Windsor or Stonehenge.
- Edinburgh (2 nights), reached by train from London in roughly four to five hours. Check current timetables.
A 10 day route
- London (3 nights)
- Bath and the Cotswolds (2 nights)
- York (1 night)
- Edinburgh (3 nights)
- A day trip to the Scottish Highlands or Stirling
A 14 day route
- London (3 nights)
- Bath and the Cotswolds (2 nights)
- Wales: Cardiff, Snowdonia or the coast (2 to 3 nights)
- Lake District (2 nights)
- Edinburgh (2 nights)
- Highlands or the Isle of Skye (2 nights)
You can reverse this to start in Scotland, and you can substitute Cornwall or the Peak District for some stops.
England highlights
London is the main gateway. Beyond it, popular choices include Bath’s Roman baths and Georgian streets, the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge, historic York, the Cotswolds villages, the Lake District, Stonehenge and the Cornish coast. Liverpool and Manchester suit travelers interested in music, football and modern culture.
Scotland
Edinburgh has the castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat. Glasgow has museums and music. In the Highlands, travelers often head to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye. Distances are long and weather can change fast, so allow extra time. Walkers can find routes such as the West Highland Way in our guide to the best travel destinations for hiking. Midges can be an annoyance in some areas in summer.
Wales
Wales offers castles, the Snowdonia mountains, the Pembrokeshire coast and Cardiff. It is a good addition if you are driving, and public transport is more limited in rural areas.
Rail versus car
- Trains work well between major cities and for London day trips. Advance fares are often cheaper than buying on the day. Rail passes exist, so compare them with point-to-point fares.
- Cars suit the Cotswolds, the Lake District, the Highlands and Wales. Driving is on the left, and many rental cars are manual, so reserve an automatic ahead if you need one. Rural roads can be narrow. Our long drive tips cover staying alert on long stretches.
- Mixing both is common: use trains between cities and rent a car for a rural stretch.
Practical notes
- The UK uses the pound sterling, and card payments are widely accepted.
- Entry rules for visitors can change, so check the official government website before you travel.
- Book popular attractions and accommodation early in summer.
- The UK uses its own plug type, so bring a suitable adapter.
If you want to combine the UK with other countries, see planning a 2 week trip to Europe, where London and Paris are often paired. For more ideas, see the top Europe destinations.