UK Tours & Vacations

July and August are the peak season to visit with long summer days and busy crowds, but April to June and September to October are the best times to visit the UK.

While these months are perfect for visiting popular spots and beyond in Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is an exciting place to visit in summer and winter as well.

Whether interested in visiting the festive English winter villages or golfing along the coastline of Northern Ireland, our guide to the best time to visit the United Kingdom can help you find the right time of year for your trip.

From London to Edinburgh, Scotland to Northern Ireland, the best places to visit in the UK combine beauty, charm, and history. Here are a few of our favorites you should consider for your trip:

• London, England: As one of the most famous cities in the world, London combines over a millennium of history with modern trends featured in art galleries or iconic castles, chic cafes and among lavish palaces and gardens.
• Scottish Highlands, Scotland: The rugged collection of green hills, moody lochs, and surreal rock formations add to the historic drama of the castles and towns.
• Snowdonia, Wales: The stunning countryside offers mountains, parks, and lakes. Find impressive castles, Celtic shrines, and folklore intermingling with modernity along the country trails.
• The Giant’s Causeway, Ireland: Actively follow in the footsteps of giants as columns of rocks skip and spill over the water and touch the cliffside for scenic views, impressive legends, and unforgettable adventures.

Whether eager to tour ancient collections in an iconic museum or take a scenic train through the Scottish countryside, here are a few of our top things to do in the UK:

• Visit incredible cultural heritage sites, including castles and karsts, cathedrals and monuments
• Taste the delicious flavors found in the Scottish and Irish whiskeys during guided tours focused on the subtleties, delicacies, and histories of each sample
• Explore the stunning countryside by foot or bicycle to reach quiet villages or secluded viewpoints
• Enjoy a boat ride across the peaceful and glassy lakes around the United Kingdom
• Take part in scenic train rides around the United Kingdom, including the famous Jacobite Steam Train and the St Ives Bay Line

Whether visiting with family or looking for a romantic escape, there are plenty of things to see during your trip to the UK. Here are a number of our favorites to explore:

• The British Museum, England
• The Tower of London, England
• Stonehenge, England
• Scott Monument, Scotland
• Stirling Castle, Scotland
• Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
• Six Bells Minter’s Memorial, Wales
• Machynlleth Town Clock, Wales
• Londonderry, Northern Ireland
• Cunluce Castle, Northern Ireland

The UK has approximately 4,000 castles, giving you a wide variety of palaces, strongholds, and fortresses to discover as you explore local history.

Here are some of the best castles in the UK to visit on your trip:

• Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
• Stirling Castle, Scotland
• Windsor Castle, England
• Warwick Castle, England
• Penrhyn Castle, Wales
• Conway Castle, Wales
• Donegal Castle, Northern Ireland

Discover the United Kingdom, whether on a scenic train journey or when visiting the major cities, with our best UK itineraries. Here are three of our most popular trips that can be customized with the help of our travel specialists to create your very own tour of the UK:

• Signature Tour of England and Scotland's Comforting Charms is the dream of the UK brought to life with gorgeous villages, delicious food, and timeless glamour spanning 5,000 years.
• Explore and experience the breadth of the UK on The Grand Tour of Great Britain as you travel the Thames River on a cruise and visit family-owned breweries, walk along the Royal Mile, uncover the beauty of the Lake District, and much more.

Wonderful Wales: Unique UK Tour focuses on the endless charm of the countryside as you travel the scenic paths and cobblestone lanes from the Cotswolds to Snowdonia, Bath to Machynlleth.

Explore more information and inspiration in our UK travel guide.