UK Travel Guide 2027: London, Scotland & Countryside – Plus the New ETA Rules

Hi, I’m Miki. The United Kingdom packs an incredible amount into a small island: a world capital, medieval university towns, Roman baths, Highland lochs, Welsh castles and some of the best countryside walks in Europe. It’s also a country where a little planning goes a long way – trains are fast but pricey if you book late, and since 2026 almost every visitor needs an ETA before boarding.

This UK travel guide is updated for 2027. It covers the four nations, the best places for a perfect day, when to go, how to get around, what things really cost and the entry rules you must know. My detailed one-day itineraries for UK cities are on the way – until then, this page is your starting point.

Why the UK should be on your list

• London – free world-class museums, royal palaces, West End theatre and food from every corner of the world.
• History everywhere – Stonehenge, Roman Bath, the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle and hundreds of stately homes.
• Wild landscapes – the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, Snowdonia (Eryri) and the Jurassic Coast.
• Easy to explore – compact distances, a dense rail network and English spoken everywhere.
• Pubs and festivals – from a Sunday roast by the fire to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

The UK nation by nation

England

London first, then historic cities like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, York and Canterbury, the Cotswolds villages, the Lake District and the beaches of Cornwall and Devon.

Scotland

Edinburgh and Glasgow, then the Highlands, Loch Ness, Glencoe, the Isle of Skye and the whisky distilleries of Speyside and Islay.

Wales

Castles (Conwy, Caernarfon), the mountains of Eryri/Snowdonia, the Pembrokeshire coast and the capital, Cardiff.

Northern Ireland

Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, the Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route.

Best places in the UK for a perfect day

My full one-day itineraries for the UK are coming soon. These are the places I’d build a trip around – each works brilliantly as a single, well-planned day:

• London – Westminster, the South Bank, Covent Garden and a free museum (British Museum, National Gallery or the Natural History Museum). Looking for a base? See my picks of the best Airbnbs in Covent Garden, and if you travel alone, my guide to solo adventures in London.
• Bath – the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey; an easy day trip from London by train.
• Oxford – college quads, the Bodleian Library and punting on the river.
• York – city walls, the Shambles and York Minster.
• Edinburgh – the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and sunset from Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat. For somewhere atmospheric to stay, see these moody Edinburgh Airbnbs.
• The Cotswolds – honey-coloured villages like Bibury and Castle Combe; best with a car or a small-group tour.
• Countryside road trips – there are great countryside drives just beyond London, and Northumberland’s coastal road trip is one of England’s best-kept secrets.

Best time to visit the UK

My short answer: May, June and September. Days are long, the countryside is green, and you avoid the busiest school-holiday weeks. Pack a rain jacket in every season – British weather changes fast.

How many days do you need in the UK?

For a first trip, 7–10 days lets you combine London with Scotland or the English countryside. Three routes I recommend:

5 days: London and a day trip

• Day 1–4: London – Westminster, the Tower, museums, markets and a show.
• Day 5: day trip to Bath, Oxford, Windsor or Stonehenge.

7–10 days: London to Edinburgh

• London (3 days) → York (1 day) → Edinburgh (2–3 days) → Highlands day tour (1–2 days). London–Edinburgh by train takes about four and a half hours.

10–14 days: England’s countryside

• London → Oxford → the Cotswolds → Bath → Cornwall or the Jurassic Coast → back to London; or head north to the Lake District.

Getting to the UK and getting around

Arriving

London has several airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City); Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham also have many European flights. From mainland Europe you can take the Eurostar from Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam to London St Pancras.

Trains

Trains are the easiest way to travel between cities. Book advance tickets for the cheapest fares, and if you’re eligible, a Railcard (e.g. 16–25, 26–30, Two Together, Senior or Family & Friends) cuts most fares by about a third.

In London

Use a contactless bank card or phone on the Tube, buses and most trains – fares are capped per day and per week, so you never pay more than a day ticket. An Oyster card works the same way if you prefer a separate card.

Buses and driving

Coaches (National Express, Megabus) are the cheapest way between cities. To explore the Highlands, Cotswolds or Cornwall, hire a car – remember the UK drives on the left, roads in the countryside are narrow, and London has a congestion charge and ULEZ fees. If you love the outdoors, check out these magical UK campgrounds.

Entry rules for the UK in 2027

The UK is not in the EU or Schengen and has its own border rules:

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): visitors who don’t need a visa – including EU, US, Canadian and Australian citizens – must have an approved ETA before travelling. It costs £20, is valid for two years (or until your passport expires) and covers stays of up to six months. Since 25 February 2026, airlines can refuse boarding without one.
• How to apply: use the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK – a decision usually arrives within a day, but allow up to three working days.
• Passports: most EU visitors now need a passport – national ID cards are generally no longer accepted for entry.
• Irish citizens don’t need an ETA.

Money and daily budget

The UK uses the pound sterling (£). Contactless card payments work almost everywhere, even for small amounts, so you’ll rarely need cash. Prices include VAT. In restaurants a 10–12.5% service charge is often added to the bill – if it isn’t, leaving around 10% for good service is normal.

London is the most expensive place in the country; the north of England, Wales and Northern Ireland are noticeably cheaper. Since 24 July 2026, Edinburgh adds a 5% visitor levy to accommodation for the first five nights of a stay – the UK’s first city-wide tourist tax.

How I’d save money in the UK

• Visit the free national museums and galleries – London alone has dozens.
• Book long-distance trains 8–12 weeks ahead and travel off-peak.
• Eat your main meal at lunchtime – many pubs and restaurants have cheaper lunch menus.
• Use supermarket meal deals (sandwich, snack and drink) for quick lunches on the go.
• Consider a city pass only if you’ll visit several paid attractions in a short time.
• Stay outside the city centre near a good rail or Tube connection.

Where to stay in the UK

Accommodation is the biggest cost of a UK trip, especially in London and Edinburgh. A few rules that save money and time:

• London: stay near a Tube station rather than in the very centre – areas like South Kensington, Bloomsbury, the South Bank or Shoreditch are well connected. For a central treat, see these Covent Garden Airbnbs.
• Edinburgh: the Old Town and New Town are walkable; book early for August and remember the 5% visitor levy. These unique Edinburgh stays are great for a special night.
• Countryside: B&Bs, village pubs with rooms and self-catering cottages give you the most authentic experience – many require a minimum stay in summer.
• On a budget: hostels, university rooms in summer and campsites – see these campgrounds across the UK.

Practical information

• Language: English everywhere; Welsh and Scottish Gaelic appear on signs in Wales and parts of Scotland.
• Emergency number: 999 (112 also works).
• Plugs: Type G, 230 V – bring a UK adapter.
• Time zone: GMT in winter, British Summer Time (UTC+1) from late March to late October.
• Tap water: safe to drink everywhere; ask for free tap water in restaurants.
• Healthcare: visitors may be charged for NHS treatment – travel insurance is essential.
• Mobile data: EU roaming rules no longer cover the UK, so some EU providers charge extra – check your plan or buy a local eSIM.
• Safety: the UK is a safe destination; watch for pickpockets in busy London areas and on public transport.

What to eat and drink in the UK

• Full English (or Scottish) breakfast – eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, mushrooms, toast; haggis and tattie scones in Scotland.
• Fish and chips – best by the sea, with salt and vinegar.
• Sunday roast – roast beef or lamb with Yorkshire puddings in a cosy pub.
• Afternoon tea – scones with clotted cream and jam (the Cornwall vs Devon order debate is serious).
• Curry – Britain’s favourite takeaway; try Brick Lane in London or Birmingham’s Balti Triangle.
• Drinks – real ales in pubs, Scotch whisky in Scotland, cider in the West Country.

Top experiences in the UK

• Watching the Changing of the Guard and walking from Westminster to Tower Bridge along the Thames.
• Seeing a show in London’s West End.
• Standing among the stones at Stonehenge.
• Hiking up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh for the city view.
• Driving through Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
• Walking the hexagonal columns of the Giant’s Causeway.
• Taking a boat across Windermere in the Lake District, then hiking up to a viewpoint above the lake.
• Exploring the walled streets of York and the medieval Shambles early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive.
• Following the Jurassic Coast path to Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch above a turquoise bay.

If you only have time for one big experience outside London, I’d choose Scotland: the train journey north, Edinburgh’s skyline and a day in the Highlands give you a completely different side of the UK.

My honest local tips

• Apply for your ETA before you buy flights – it’s quick, but don’t leave it to the airport.
• Book trains in advance – walk-up fares on long routes can cost several times more.
• Most big museums are free in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff – perfect for rainy days.
• Stand on the right on London Underground escalators.
• Bring an adapter – the UK uses three-pin Type G plugs.
• Pack layers and a rain jacket – even in summer.

Beyond the UK

The Eurostar makes it easy to combine London with Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. For more ideas on the continent, see my Europe travel guide with country-by-country plans.

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UK travel FAQ