United Kingdom is one of the coveted destinations in Europe. Visiting UK is like visiting a wonderland. It is like travelling in time, because so much history is is found in the British soil. The country has astonishing diversity in landscapes. From the mountains and lakes and moors to the woodlands and fields and the rugged coastline, the country has been inspiring poets and writers since time immemorial. The cities are top notch and the villages are quaint. And in the middle of all these, you will find beautiful medieval cathedrals, crumbling castles, Roman baths and Victorian Museums. The country had something to offer for all.
Day 1: London
Take a flight that arrives early in London on the first day. A trip to UK cannot be completed without spending some time at London. And there is so much to do in London. After having a heart English breakfast, take a tube to Westminster Abbey. It is the place where most of England’s Kings and Queens have been crowned and also buried. Stroll by the House of Parliament and you will be in front of another landmark, the Big Ben. After that, you can walk to Trafalgar Square, the busiest part of London.
In the afternoon, take a tube to Charing Cross Station and from there, walk towards Buckingham Palace. After that, you can head towards the Tower of London, another prime attraction of London.
Day 2: London
In the morning, you can visit the British Museum. The museum is one of the world’s greatest treasure trove. Next visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of architect Christopher Wren. Once you are at the top, you will get a stunning panoramic view of London. Also pay a visit to Tate Modern on the south side of River Thames. It houses the greatest collection of 20th century art in Britain.
Day 3: Windsor Castle
Head towards the north of London to visit Windsor Castle, which the queen prefers as a royal residence even to Buckingham Palace itself. A fast train will take merely half an hour to the royal town of Windsor. Surrounded by the delightful countryside of Royal Berkshire, the place is breathtakingly beautiful. Visit the Windsor castle, Windsor brewery and explore the countryside before returning to London.
Day 4: Brighton
This is an English sea-side town. Situated in the southernmost part of UK, this beach town is replete with piers and arcades and is perfect for a relaxing day. Visit the exotic Royal Pavilion, a palace influenced heavily by Asian art and culture. The Brighton Palace Pier also waits with all the activities and rides for a fun-filled day. Return to London for the night.
Day 5: Stratford-upon-Avon
When in UK, a visit to the birthplace of the Shakespeare seems quite natural. From London’s Paddington Station, you will get train to Stratford-in-Avon. Start your tour of this riverside town by stopping at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and purchasing a global ticket. In the afternoon, visit Shakespeare's Birthplace; Holy Trinity Church, where he is buried; and Hall's Croft, where his daughter, Susanna, lived.
Day 6: Warwick Castle
In the morning, visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Mary Arden’s house. Next, visit the Warwick Castle, England's greatest medieval castle, located only 13km northeast of Stratford. Trains run frequently throughout the day between Stratford and the city of Warwick. The castle closes at 6pm in summer. Return to Stratford for the night.
Day 7: Oxford
From London, Oxford is about one hours train journey, or one and a half hours by bus. Oxford is a beautiful university that has served inspirations for many novels and films. The Harry Potter fans can see the place from where Hogwarts was inspired. And Lord of the Rings fan will be happy to see the place where its creator J.R.R. Tolkien studied. Explore the charming town before returning to London for the night. The 17th century café Turf Tavern is a wonderful place to have your lunch.
Day 8 & 9: Bristol
From Oxford, it’s an hours train ride to Bristol, the lovely port city. Buses are also available from Oxford to Bristol, and it takes about three hours by bus. Bristol is a city full of stories. Situated amidst the hills of South West England, Bristol has a rich history in shipbuilding and trade. You can take a Bristol walking tour that will tell you about the fascinating history of the town as well as the city’s street art. Visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel's Swivel Bridge, Redcliffe caves, Bristol Cathedral, Thornbury Castle, Ashton Court Mansion. You will be surprised to find how the two days will easily pass in Bristol.
Day 10: Return to London
Return to London by taking a train from Bristol. If you have missed any of the attractions in the Day 1 and Day 2, you can cover that today. Or simply relax and enjoy your last day of the tour in London.
Stay At
There are many options for accommodation ranging from B&Bs to upmarket hotels.
When to visit
You can visit UK at any time of the year, but for warmer weather, visit the summer months from May to September. The period before Christmas is also quite good as all the streets and shops are brightly lit and there is festive season all around.
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
