Top 5 Places to Visit in the UK Outside of London

For such a tiny country, the UK is packed full of beautiful and incredible places to visit. We receive over 31 million visitors each year but the majority of these visitors don’t make it past London. This really isn’t surprising because London is one of the biggest and best cities in the world (I’m not biased, honest) but I’d like to share with you some amazing places outside of London.
Next time you’re in the UK, hop on a train or hire a car and head to some of these beautiful places to see the real Britain. Here are the top 5 places to visit in the UK outside of London:

The Lake District

In North West England lies one of the most beautiful places in the UK, the Lake District. You will find nearly 900 square miles of lakes, mountains and forests that are perfect for long walks and bike rides. This is a popular weekend break destination for city dwellers who want to escape the bustle of city life and get back to nature.
If outdoor activities aren’t your thing then you can spend your days relaxing in one of the many cozy hotels and cafes, have afternoon tea in a village or shop for souvenirs in one of the many boutique stores.
If you’re up for a challenge, the Lake District is also home to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 978 meters.

Cornwall

If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, crystal clear seas and quaint seaside houses then Cornwall is the place for you. Cornwall is a sleepy town during the winter months that comes to life as soon as the sun starts to shine. In the extreme south west of the UK, the area enjoys some of the best weather in the country so is popular for family holidays.

Spend the day on the beach or surfing then feast on fish and chips or freshly caught seafood. If you’re feeling active, take a walk along the South West Coastal Path. This path runs along Britain’s southwest peninsula and you’ll find some of the best views in Cornwall.
While you’re here you can’t leave without trying a Cornish pasty, Cornish ice cream and Cornish cream tea!

Oxford

Oxford is the oldest university city in the UK with some of the most stunning architecture in the whole country.  Oxford is just 50 miles from London so makes a great day trip from the capital city. Take a stroll along the narrow, cobbled streets and admire the gothic buildings, ‘dreaming spires’ and medieval churches.

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia is near my hometown in North Wales so I grew up climbing the mountains and swimming in the lakes. Active types can’t miss the chance to climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1,085 metres. You’ll also find 100 lakes and 37 miles of gorgeous coastline and beaches.
History buffs should visit Conwy, one of Wales’ best-preserved medieval towns. There are also plenty of castles, churches and Stone Age remains to explore.

Photo Credit: Adrian Snood

Manchester

Manchester is unofficially dubbed as ‘The Capital of the North’ or the UK’s second city. It is known for having a great cultural scene and is great for shopping, eating and seeing live music. Some of the UK’s biggest bands and singers have come out of the UK such as The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis, Simply Red and The Smiths.
While in Manchester you can’t miss a walk along Curry Mile, an 800 meter stretch of curry restaurants and Indian stores that come to life after midnight.