The United Kingdom should be on the bucket list of every American traveler. Between them, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are packed full of stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, quaint towns, and quirky traditions that will captivate you from the moment you arrive.
Sure, there is no shortage of things to see and do at them. But, if you follow the typical tourist itinerary outlined in most of the major travel guides, you might find yourself stuck in long lines, visiting tacky tourist attractions and missing out on the real essence of British culture.
For this reason, to truly experience the UK like a local, you need to step off the beaten path and embrace a side of these countries only locals get to experience.
In this post, I’ll show you how to travel the UK like a native and avoid those common tourist traps many others fall into.
1. Skip London’s Tourist Traps
For many Americans, London is the first place they arrive in the UK, and while most have a list of the major sites they want to see – including Big Ben, Windsor Castle, the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge – it is a good idea to cast your exploratory net a bit further.
Don’t get me wrong, you should absolutely make time to see these things. However, one of the best ways to experience the UK is to embrace its creative culture. So, consider taking part in hands-on experiences like Pinot & Picasso in Shoreditch, which is an art studio concept that lets you enjoy a painting session while sipping wine.
During these kinds of experiences, you’ll get to connect with locals who can provide you with plenty of advice on where to go for other authentic British experiences.
2. Explore Other Cities
London is incredible, but there is so much more to the city than the tourist-heavy areas of Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden. So, take the opportunity to explore lesser-known areas like Bermondsey, which is known for its food markets and artisan bakeries, or beautiful Richmond, where you can take a scenic walk along the River Thames.
Beyond London and the other must-see cities of Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), and Belfast (Northern Ireland), places like Cornwall, Inverness, Tenby or Newry provide fascinating alternative destinations to visit.
3. Explore the UK’s Natural Beauty
One of the best things about the UK is its stunning countryside, which can be found from the very southern tip of Land’s End in Cornwall all the way up to John O’ Groats in northeast mainland Scotland.
Many tourists tend to flock to the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands (both amazing places, by the way!). But there are equally beautiful but less crowded destinations you can head to, including the Yorkshire Dales, which offer incredible hiking without the same level of foot traffic and the Brecon Beacons in Wales – a place of breathtaking views and hidden waterfalls.
Other places you can head to are the Mull of Kintyre (made famous by that Paul McCartney song), the South West Coast Path in Cornwall or the Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland. (Check out some Vlogs on YouTube. You’ll be blown away!).
4. Go to the Pub
Pub culture is ingrained in the DNA of most people in the United Kingdom, and there are over 46,000 of them. Generally, they are open from around 11 am to about 11 pm, and they are fascinating places to experience genuine British culture.
In the UK, particularly in the smaller towns and regional areas, pubs can be the hubs of the local community. So, visiting one or two of them can give you a fascinating insight into what life in those areas is like.
Many pubs serve food and some offer live entertainment. Check out this Good Beer Guide to find places to go to.
5. Watch Live Sport
British people love their sport, so a good way to travel through the UK is to watch some live action.
Football (aka soccer) is by far and away the most popular sport, so if you happen to be visiting between mid-August and mid-May, you should check out a match. Tickets for Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea can be hard and expensive to get.
For this reason, I recommend watching teams that play in the Championship or Leagues 1 or 2. The tickets are easy to get to ( in most cases, you can just turn up on the day), and the atmosphere is usually electric as they tend to be supported by passionate locals.
If you don’t fancy watching football, consider cricket, rugby league or rugby union instead.
6. Experience Local Events and Festivals
Another great way to truly immerse yourself in British culture is to attend a local event, of which there are many across the four countries every day of the week.
However, instead of fighting through the crowds at big tourist festivals, such as the Notting Hill Carnival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, consider attending smaller local events.
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling is something that needs to be seen to be believed (yes, people chase cheese down a hill!), while the Highland Games in Scotland are very impressive. There are also lots of farmers markets and village fêtes you can attend, not to mention quirky traditions like Morris dancing, which is guaranteed to raise an eyebrow or two!