Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

United Kingdom

A photograph of United Kingdom
Photograph · Colin · CC BY-SA 4.0

The United Kingdom is 244,376 km² holding 69,281,437 people, and it is four countries rather than one: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast as their capitals. Three of the four run parliaments of their own over devolved matters, and the law splits three ways — England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland. A visitor meets that in small practical things rather than at a border. London alone holds about 9.1 million of the total, which is why so many trips never leave it, and why the ones that do feel like arriving somewhere else.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
English; Welsh is official in Wales
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+44
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Pound sterling (GBP)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
999 or 112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public water suppliers regulate mains drinking water; use cold mains taps

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

100 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 4162 Museums 295 Places of worship 6121 Nature sites 3899 Viewpoints 181 Food and drink 190 Markets and shopping 608 Entertainment 212 Nightlife 6021 Family attractions 34 Art and culture 2218 Activities 5

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 6021

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  2. Fabric
    02 2 hours

    Fabric

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  4. KOKO
    04 2 hours

    KOKO

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  5. 100 Club
    05 2 hours

    100 Club

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  14. The Crown
    14 2 hours

    The Crown

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  15. The Lamb
    15 2 hours

    The Lamb

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  18. Black Lion
    18 2 hours

    Black Lion

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  21. Ten Bells
    21 2 hours

    Ten Bells

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  24. Troxy
    24 2 hours

    Troxy

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  30. Eastbrook
    30 2 hours

    Eastbrook

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  34. The Crown
    34 2 hours

    The Crown

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  35. The Fox
    35 2 hours

    The Fox

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  36. The Mitre
    36 2 hours

    The Mitre

    • High
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  43. King's Head
    43 2 hours

    King's Head

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  45. Malt Shovel
    45 2 hours

    Malt Shovel

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  46. Old Ship
    46 2 hours

    Old Ship

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  48. Royal Oak
    48 2 hours

    Royal Oak

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  52. The Grapes
    52 2 hours

    The Grapes

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  53. The Gun
    53 2 hours

    The Gun

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  56. Argyll Arms
    56 2 hours

    Argyll Arms

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  57. Black Lion
    57 2 hours

    Black Lion

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  59. Scala
    59 2 hours

    Scala

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  67. Lord Nelson
    67 2 hours

    Lord Nelson

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  71. Salutation
    71 2 hours

    Salutation

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  73. Swan Inn
    73 2 hours

    Swan Inn

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  75. The Castle
    75 2 hours

    The Castle

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  77. The Elgin
    77 2 hours

    The Elgin

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  78. The Grapes
    78 2 hours

    The Grapes

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  80. The Hope
    80 2 hours

    The Hope

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  81. The Swan
    81 2 hours

    The Swan

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  85. Brewery Tap
    85 2 hours

    Brewery Tap

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  87. Cutty Sark
    87 2 hours

    Cutty Sark

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  88. Greene Man
    88 2 hours

    Greene Man

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  92. King's Arms
    92 2 hours

    King's Arms

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London
  100. Star Tavern
    100 2 hours

    Star Tavern

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • London

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to United Kingdom be?

Ten to fourteen days can cover four or five days in London, two in Manchester, and two or three each in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Highlands, Lake District, or Welsh national parks need dedicated nights and should not be squeezed into London day trips.

What entry documents are needed for United Kingdom?

UK document rules depend on nationality and trip purpose, and many visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before boarding. Check the linked UK government visa service for both visa and ETA status shortly before travel.

What is the best way to travel around United Kingdom?

Intercity rail is the practical spine between London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with advance fares usually distinct from flexible tickets. Each city runs its own local fare system, so London's contactless cap is not a nationwide travel pass.

When is a practical time to visit United Kingdom?

May to June and September are useful planning windows for this route, but conditions vary between southern England and Scotland. Festival dates in Edinburgh and rural transport in national parks can matter more than the national seasonal label.

What money and payment basics apply in United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom uses pound sterling (GBP). Contactless payment is widespread in major cities, but keep another payment method for rural services or terminals that do not share London's payment arrangements.

What practical safety details should I save for United Kingdom?

Use 999 or 112 for emergencies in the United Kingdom. Type G sockets supply 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe; save rail disruption information as well when the itinerary depends on several city-to-city journeys.