My bucket list of UK places to visit

Last summer I travelled around a fair bit! I went interrailing, but I also went to a few places in the UK as well. I would love to explore more of my bucket list of UK places to visit. Sometimes, I think we take for granted living in the UK, and there are so many beautiful places to explore here. I love travelling by train but it can be a little bit pricey, luckily until I’m 25, I can get 1/3 off with the rail card. However, travelling in your own country is much cheaper than travelling abroad with accommodation, travel, luggage and expenses.

Cover photo by Jean-Luc Benazet on Unsplash

So where do I want to go? This is my bucket list of UK places to visit!

Edinburgh, Scotland

One of the top places on my bucket list is Edinburgh, Scotland. My friends and I all would like to go, so I’m hoping it can be a cute meet-up there. I have been to Scotland once I think, and that was just a quick visit. The Harry Potter fan and book lover in me really wants to explore Edinburgh! I’ve heard that Victoria Street and West Bow are inspirations for Diagon Alley, and I would love to experience them. It would be especially pretty with Christmas lights.

A few other things I want to do in Edinburgh, Scotland:

• Edinburgh Castle
• Walk the Royale Mile
• Princes Street and Gardens
• National Museum of Scotland
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Visit Portobello beach

Brighton

I have been to Brighton twice before, but I couldn’t find the lanes. So I really want to go back with someone who knows where they are going, because it seems like such a cool city. I definitely want to see the North Laines, and I’m sure there are some fun cocktail bars too. I have already been to the Royal Pavilion which was very pretty, but I probably wouldn’t go again.

York

I would love to go to York because it looks so pretty, and also because of Harry Potter! The Shambles are iconic, and J.K Rowling did base Diagon Alley on it so I would love to visit. There are so many Harry Potter-themed shops along the street. I feel like I would definitely need to go with a potterhead. Apart from the HP universe of York, I would love to visit York Minster and Clifford Tower.

Cambridge

One of my friends is currently studying at Cambridge so another friend and I are hoping to visit her sometime next year. It looks so picturesque and feels like it would have a similar vibe to Bath (if that makes any sense?!). I love the scholar feeling of Cambridge too, it seems very Gilmore Girls. I’m unsure if I want to punt, but I would love to see it. There are bound to be beautiful bookshops and cafes to explore as well.

Other things to do in Cambridge:

• Fizbillies
• King’s College chapel
• Wren Library
• Visit the University of Zoology for natural history
• Botanic garden
• Haunted Bookshop
• Scott Polar Research Institute Museum
• Vintage shops on Mill Road
• Market Square

Continue reading: My bucket list of UK places to visit

Norwich

Another city on my UK places to visit bucket list is Norwich. I would love to visit the Norwich Lanes, which sounds maybe similar to Brighton. I just love little, quaint streets with independent shops! I love looking online at all the cafes and shops available, and Norwich have a good selection! Something else I would like to do in Norwich is go to their board game cafe. Board games are my favourite, yet I’ve only been to a board game cafe once which was in Southampton. Norwich also has a COSMO restaurant which makes me happy, as there isn’t one in Cheltenham!

Isle of Skye, Scotland

I really want to go to the Isle of Skye to see the Fairy Pools! It would be really cool to swim in them, so probably best to visit during summer (though in term-time). There is lots of amazing wildlife to see on the Isle of Skye, including seals, the white-tailed eagle (sea eagle), whales, dolphins and otters. It would be a dream to see a wild otter as I have only seen captive ones. Something else I would like to do is visit Coral Beach which is comprised of crushed white coral seaweed. It makes the sea more blue when the sun is out creating a tropical look.

Other things to do on the Isle of Skye:

• Walk to the Old Man of Storr chimney stack
• Visit Fairy Glen
• Explore the main town of the island, Portree

Bristol

I’ve been to Bristol quite a few times, but mainly when I was younger and just to shop really. I want to properly explore the city, it is only 45 minutes on the train. I’ve heard great things about the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, so I would definitely like to go to that in August. Clifton Village sounds right up my street with independent shops and cafes! It would also be fun to explore Bristol’s Old City and St Nicholas Market.

The Cotswolds

It feels a bit silly putting The Cotswolds on my bucket list of UK places to visit because I live so close. Cheltenham is on the edge of The Cotswolds, and I have been to some parts. But I haven’t really explored it, and I would love to go to the villages and towns such as Bourton-on-the-Water.

Other places in The Cotswolds that I want to visit:

• Bibury
• Burford
• Castle Combe
• Cirencester – I went to college here but never explored any of it!
• Stow-on-the-Wold

London

I’ve been to London quite a few times because my sister lives there, and my brother used to. However, there is still so much to explore and there are a few specific things I want to do. I have been wanting to go to the Kew Gardens for a couple of years. Maybe I will find some time to go this year!

Some other things I want to do in London:

• Explore Covent Garden
• Natural History Museum
• Columbia Road Flower Market
• Primrose Hill Food Market
• Cecil Court for old bookshops
• Visit Kings Cross for the Platform 9 & 3/4 photo

What UK places to visit are on your bucket list?

Caroline ♡