United Kingdom Holidays

While some countries spend a fortune coming up with fancy marketing campaigns, the UK's is right there in the name. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (to give it its full title) may not be great in terms of size, but this diminutive collection of islands anchored off the west coast of Europe most certainly punches above its weight in terms of attractions to enjoy on a luxury holiday. With the benefit of local knowledge, Original Travel is developing a network of superb suggested (and completely tailor-made) UK holiday itineraries around the British Isles, starting with the capital and cultural hub, London. Further afield, narrowing down what's on offer to a list of highlights is mighty difficult, but any visit of more than a few days should consider including the majestic Scottish Highlands, some quintessential English rural scenes, the mysterious Neolithic ruins of Stonehenge and the Georgian elegance of Edinburgh or Bath. Chuck in some Roman ruins, an ancient cathedral or castle or two, a monument to Britain's industrial heritage and one of the many sporting highlights of 'the season' and there's a luxury holiday as diverse as you could wish for to any country, anywhere. Great, indeed.

United Kingdom holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit United Kingdom with Original Travel ?

Who better to help plan your UK getaway than those who call it home? Our consultants have dipped more than just their toes into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and know exactly what it takes to craft the perfect tailor-made holiday. Whether exploring the Churchill War Rooms with the museum director, marvelling at the mysterious Stonehenge, hiking through the Scottish Highlands or playing golf at Celtic Manor, your trip will be nothing short of quintessentially British. What’s more, with Concierges covering each country, we’re here to make your trip to Britain as Great as the name suggests.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to United Kingdom

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

Travel to United Kingdom by Region

England

England may not be a big place, but it certainly punches above its weight in terms of the attractions to enjoy on a luxury holiday. There's heritage and history in spades; spectacular scenery from coastlines to cityscapes and culture galore - both contemporary and traditional - that makes England simultaneously a throwback in time and one of the most progressive countries on the planet. Despite England's diminutive size, visitors will soon realise that the sheer number of things to see and do means the country requires more than one visit to do it justice. That said, we know how to make the most of each and every stay, whether you want fast-track access to that must-see castle, the best viewing point for Changing of the Guard or perhaps to meet a Lord or Lady in their private home - Downton Abbey, anyone? On England holidays you can enjoy the country's pomp, pageantry and world-class museums, and stand in the footsteps of famous writers and poets, all before enjoying a cup of tea and a traditional scone, naturally.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a place of fantasy landscapes - made ever more popular after being the filming sites for much of Game of Thrones. On your Northern Ireland holidays why not dine in a world-class restaurant or find plenty of craic & ceol (fun & music) in one of the local pubs where you will definitely find yourself making new friends. As W.B Yeats said, 'there are no strangers here! Just friends you have not yet met.'

Scotland

Scotland has an abundance of treasures - wild coastlines, rugged landscapes, historic castles and that's just to name a few. Learn the art of bagpiping from the grounds of your private castle or pull on your kilt and enjoy a traditional Scottish reeling dance (ceilidh) complete with a live band. Taste golden malt whisky straight from the distillery barrel or learn to fly-fish in a bubbling, gin-clear stream. At (almost) every turn you can see an ancient croft, secret cave or old clan battlefield which played a fundamental part in shaping Scotland's rich and multi-layered past - historians will love it! On your Scotland holidays make your way through the purple heathered hills and snow dusted mountains as you look out for golden eagles soaring overhead, red stags rutting or minke whales off the windswept headlands. Outdoor adventurers will relish the multitude of sporting activities scattered across the country, such as kayaking, coasteering or clay pigeon shooting, or if you're feeling really competitive why not get involved in a traditional Highland Games?

Wales

The tiny country of Wales packs in an abundance of treasures in an area smaller than Massachusetts. The country is alive with myths and legends, rugged mountain paths and beautiful beaches. Wales is a hiker's paradise where castles are an inescapable part of the landscape. On your Wales holidays you can head out with a local guide to explore a sheep-dotted landscape bordered on three sides by rugged and windswept coastlines. The capital city of Cardiff is located in the south of Wales and plays host to a sea of red jerseys when their national team play rugby - almost a national religion - at the impressive Principality Stadium. Play golf at the prestigious Celtic Manor, host to the 2010 Ryder Cup, or explore the traditional mining towns and valleys which fuelled the industrial revolution. North Wales is mainly covered by Snowdonia National Park and highlights include the beautiful Bodnant Garden, quaint Victorian seaside resort Llandudno and the UNESCO Heritage Sites of Conwy and Caernarfon Castle. Hike up Snowdon or head to Portmadog on the steam train and enjoy the variety of antique and bookshops on offer.

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United Kingdom Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

United Kingdom Testimonials

2 reviews
4.8 / 5
"Our Original Travel trip to London, Edinburgh and Dublin was wonderful. The drivers and guides were courteous, knowledgeable and exceeded our expectations. The highlights of our trip were the guided tour of the British Museum and attending an Arsenal football match."
Pam - South Carolina
Published on 20th March 2024
"Our tour guides and drivers were extremely friendly, knowledgeable and very representative of England and Scotland. We can't thank you enough for all of your help & expertise throughout this process. In addition, during the trip there were wonderful little things (from being told congratulations during check in, to the flower petals on the bed at the Bloomsbury, and the hand written note at Fonab) that made this such a memorable trip and wouldn't have happened without you. "
Craig & Madeline - Leicester
Published on 13th September 2019

Our United Kingdom
specialists

Based in London, England’s eclectic capital, our specialists have their finger firmly on the pulse for new and exclusive experiences in the UK. See modern-day London on an electric black cab tour, or travel back in time to the historic houses of England or Belfast’s Titanic Museum. Our dedicated Concierges (one of whom is a London black cab driver) are here to ensure your trip stays on track, and have been known to make emergency day trips across the globe to resolve out-of-date passport problems. What’s more, our guides have special access to attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral, a privilege most guides lack.

What can you expect on UK holidays?

From John O’Groats in the far north to Lizard Point in the far south and everywhere in between, the UK is jam-packed with things to do and see. Beautiful beaches such as Brighton, Woolacombe Sands and Hunstanton dominate the coastline and the Peak District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor National Parks, to name a few, stand tall across the middle. Then there’s the capital cities of London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast which overflow with culture, history and culinary hubs as well as art, music and theatre.

Beyond the capitals, the UK boasts some beautiful cities that have been recognised for their cultural significance including Liverpool, home to The Beetles and industrial revolution history, and York, famed for its medieval history and Harry Potter architecture. If quintessential rural life is what you’re looking for on a UK holiday, then the Surrey Hills in Surrey, Killin in Loch Tay, and Kinsale in County Cork are just a few of the places to make a pit stop while exploring. Don your wellies and a coat and head out into the Great British wilderness before ending up in a quaint country pub next to a roaring fire with a classic plate of fish and chips arriving any minute.

Best places to go in United Kingdom



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