12 Places To Visit in the UK That Are Not London

While Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Eye are all fascinating attractions, there is so much more to the United Kingdom than just London. From ancient cities in Scotland and picturesque towns in Wales to York’s medieval streets, the United Kingdom has an enormous variety of beautiful places to explore.

As such, you’d be doing yourself an injustice by only visiting London. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 12 places to visit in the UK that aren’t London. We’ve picked places with a vast variety of things to do, a rich history, and unique attractions. In other words, you don’t want to miss these places in the UK.

Liverpool, England

If you love the big city atmosphere but want to experience somewhere other than London, visit Liverpool. Liverpool may be smaller than London, but it still has many things to do. Put on the map by the Beatles, Liverpool is a maritime city in northwest England. Sat on the River Mersey, it’s home to exciting architecture, music streets, two famous football teams, and museums.

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Liverpool has the second-highest number of listed buildings, museums, and parks in the UK. Popular attractions in the city include the World Museum, the Maritime Museum, Albert Docks, the Liver Building, and Anfield Stadium. At night, head to Matthew Street and listen to live music in the Cavern, home of the Beatles.

Cardiff, Wales

Despite being the 11th largest city in the United Kingdom, Cardiff is Wales’s capital and largest city. Cardiff was famous for its coal production and exportation, but the city is better known for its modern architecture and rich history. When you’re not strolling through one of the many shopping centers or walking along Cardiff Bay, you’ll likely find yourself exploring one of the many castles.

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Cardiff is commonly referred to as the city with the most castles. The most iconic of these is Cardiff Castle, which is almost 2,000 years old. Other points of interest in the city include the National Museum Cardiff, St. Fagans National Museum of History, and Wales Millenium Centre.

Chester, England

Located in northwest England on the English and Welsh border, Chester is a historic city with an impressive history. Founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D., the city is encompassed by a vast Roman wall built from red sandstone.

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That’s not it either, as the city is also home to a Roman amphitheater, which some people believe was once as big as the Colosseum in Rome. Furthermore, the Old City has a shopping district called the Rows, distinguished by 2-level arcades built below beautiful Tudor-style half-timber buildings. During your visit, explore the city’s architecture, walk through the amphitheater, and visit Chester Market.

York, England

Another walled city in England with a rich history is York, a medieval city best known for its medieval streets and buildings. Often dubbed the best-preserved medieval street in Europe, the main attraction in York is the Shambles. The winding, narrow streets of the Shambles feature traditional medieval buildings dating back to the 14th century.

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Harry Potter fans might be happy to hear that this street-inspired Diagon Alley. As such, you’ll find a quirky Harry Potter shop along the street. Other historic points of interest in the city include York Minster, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, the Monk Bar Gate, and York Castle. Don’t miss the JORVIK Viking Centre, National Railway Museum York, and York City walls, either.

Portree, Scotland

Outdoor enthusiasts love the small town of Portree on the Isle of Skye because it offers scenic coastal views, hiking opportunities, and easy access to its most popular attractions. Famed for its vibrant houses, Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye. However, it still has a small-town feel and a peaceful atmosphere.

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The town is home to several attractions, including Portree Harbour, the Isle of Skye Distillers shop, and Skyeworks Gallery. However, the main attractions can be found just outside the town. From the harbor, tourists can take boat trips to Raasay. On these boat trips, they can spot whales, sea eagles, and seals. Meanwhile, the Old Man of Storr Hill is just a 12-minute drive away.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, offers convenient train line connections to London, so there’s no excuse not to visit. This compact, hilly city is arguably the most beautiful in the United Kingdom. It has a breathtaking medieval Old Town over 1,000 years old and a stunning Georgian New Town with neoclassical buildings and picturesque parks.

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Better still, the city has plenty of open green space where you can relax and unwind, as well as a castle that sits proudly above the city. For the best views, head to Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. Popular attractions in the city include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Victoria Street, Royal Mile, and the Scott Monument. For a spooky experience, book a ghost or dungeon tour.

Llangollen, Wales

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Llangollen is one of the most idyllic small towns in Wales. Located in north-east Wales along the River Dee, this charming town is home to just over 3,600 people and is surrounded by small hills and forests. Aside from its apparent beauty, the town is best known for its annual colorful Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

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The town also hosts a fantastic food festival every October. Other than that, a visit to Llangollen is all about enjoying nature, learning about the myths and legends of Wales, eating in small family-owned cafes, and taking life at a slower pace. In Llangollen, it’s also possible to ride a steam train and walk along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Glasgow, Scotland

Scotland’s second-largest city, Glasgow, isn’t as famous as Edinburgh, but it still has much to offer. This fun and friendly city has plenty of museums, galleries, shopping streets, and Victorian architecture to discover. History buffs and art enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, while sports lovers will find the Scottish Football Museum fascinating.

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On the other hand, shopping enthusiasts can shop until they drop at the Forge Shopping Centre, and partygoers can party the night away at Sauchiehall Street. Some other popular attractions in Glasgow include the Glasgow Necropolis, Riverside Museum, and Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

St Ives, England

St Ives is a seaside town in Cornwall, England, famous for its long white sand beach, turquoise waters, and surfing. Porthmeor is a popular surfing destination, offering consistent surfing throughout the year. Meanwhile, St Ives Harbour provides scenic views of the town.

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In the town, tourists are treated to lively shopping streets, charming traditional cafes serving English breakfasts and Afternoon Tea, art galleries, and museums. Art lovers should visit the Tate St Ives Gallery, where they can see modern exhibitions by British Artists. The nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are well worth checking out, too. Boat trips to Seal Island are also popular in St Ives.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

If you visit Northern Ireland, it would be rude not to spend some time exploring the capital. Often referred to as the gateway to Northern Ireland, Belfast is perfectly positioned for visiting iconic attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede. However, the city has a lot to offer, too.

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For example, in Belfast, you’ll find the Titanic Belfast Museum, St George’s Market, Belfast Castle, and Belfast City Hall. Belfast is also a fun place to enjoy a night out, as it has a thriving University scene. As a result, parties, live music events, and festivals often happen in the city.

Portstewart, Northern Ireland

Across the water in Northern Ireland is a small seaside town in County Londonderry called Portstewart. Arguably most famous for its golf course, this picturesque town is much-loved for its promenade, beautiful beach, and traditional pubs. You’ll likely spend your time in Portstewart walking along Portstewart Strand, visiting Mussenden Temple, playing golf, and strolling along the promenade.

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If you enjoy walking, one of the best ways to see the town is to follow the coastal path. Northern Ireland has a long coastal path that runs through Portstewart. Portstewart is also an excellent base for visiting other parts of Northern Ireland. Portrush, Londonderry, the Giant’s Causeway, and Belfast are easily reached from the town.

Bath, England

Commonly referred to as the “Queen of English Cities,” Bath has attracted travelers for centuries with the promise of impressive Roman Baths, delightful hot springs, and fascinating architecture. While you’ll spend a lot of your time in Bath soaking in the warm waters, there are over 10,000 years of history to learn about, so make sure you leave plenty of time to explore the city, too.

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You’ll find iconic landmarks like Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and No. 1 Royal Crescent along the elegant Georgian streets. You’ll also find an array of cozy tearooms, luxury spas, and historic Roman Baths. It’s probably also worth noting that Stonehenge is less than an hour away from Bath.