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
Edinburgh is currently the top place I want to visit on my bucket list! 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, but I would be more than happy with any time of year.
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.
Hay-On-Wye
As a massive book lover, I would love to visit Hay-On-Wye and explore the town of books! As well as this, there is a local market which I’m sure would have some fabulous treasures. Wales is a beautiful country so I would also want to go on some scenic walks at the Brecon Beacons or River Wye.
York β
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.



I visited York in March 2024 and had a lovely time with my family! I really liked it so would very much like to visit again.
Cambridge
Cambridge 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 has 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. I have the option of taking the bus, or driving since I have recently passed my driving test!
Other places in The Cotswolds that I want to visit:
- Bibury
- Burford
- Castle Combe
- Cirencester β (September 2024)
- 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 β‘
You’ve got 3 that are also on my list – Skye, Norwich and York. I’d aso like to go to Southwold and Leeds
Ooh yes, I would like to go to Southwold too!
I hope to return to live in the UK (my home) again some time in the future as I have spent too long away from it. Reading through your post has me so enthusiastic to visit all the wonders and beauty that Britain has to offer. I love this list; I’ll be saving it for some trip ideas!
Aw, thank you Molly!
Thereβs so many interesting places to visit in the UK. I wish to travel to Hampshire if I travel to the UK again.
Yes, Hampshire is beautiful!
A few of these places you’ve listed are places I would love to visit in the UK! The Cotswolds is at the top of my list! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Me too π x
I’d love to visit the Cotswolds – it looks so beautiful there! I’ve been to quite a few of these places but it’s so nice that there are so many interesting places to visit without needing to travel too far!
Definitely π
Ooh I love all these places. Although Brighton is still on my to visit list, and Cambridge was very brief and not helped because it rained for the day and a half we were there. Oh, and we didn’t make it to Skye because there was no space on the ferry over, so we did Bute instead.
I’ve never been to the UK but have always loved the country. I would love to visit Scotland, Cambridge, and London the most! I hope you get to cross some of these places off this year!
Very cool, love these places and some of them are on my list to visit them. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Great post! I love UK staycations. I went to York last year and loved it, hope you get to go, it’s beautiful! I lived just outside of London up until last August so I spent most of my life in London! Norwich / Norfolk is a lovely area as well. We’ve been to the Norfolk Broads a few times so try and get there if you’re in that neck of the woods!
Ooh, that sounds lovely x
I havenβt been on a good far away trip in ages. I would love to explore those places in Scotland too!
I haven’t been to the UK with the exception of Heathrow Airport. I would love to visit London, Brighton, Bath, and Scotland!
I would love to spend some time in the Cotswolds, looks so beautiful, and always nice to get out from the hustle and bustle of London, as much as I love it here, I also adore peace and quiet haha!
Definitely!
Yes please to all of these! One day I can return to the UK and see some of these sights.