The United Kingdom may be a small island, but it is one of the most exciting and beautiful countries in the world. There is something here for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are into the arts, adventure, sport, or relaxation – Great Britain is absolutely packed with potential for any traveller.
Photo by Anna Urlapova from Pexels
Whether you live in the UK or you are coming from abroad, there is so much to see and do. You can go hiking in the rugged mountains of Scotland and Wales or visit the beautiful cities and soak up the history and culture.
The biggest problem is that there is just way too much to fit into your average two week summer holiday. To really make the most of the UK, it’s not enough to spend a few days in London. Each county and region of the United Kingdom is completely different, with its own dialects, cultures, cuisines, and ways of life. For the best vacation possible you should take some time to travel around Britain and explore all the possibilities it presents.
The classic way to travel around a country is the traditional road trip. Jumping into a car with your friends and hitting the open road. But there are many other unique ways to explore a travel destination that don’t require you to be cooped up in a tiny vehicle for weeks on end.
To give you some inspiration for your UK adventure, here are five unique ways to explore this stunning part of the world.
Hiking
One of the best ways to explore a country and really immerse yourself in its culture is to walk across it. There are numerous hiking trails and national footpaths crisscrossing the length of the country, allowing the more adventurous to take in the scenery on foot. There is the Hadrian’s Wall Path, which traverses the England-Scotland border, from East to West, visiting multiple small towns and villages along the way. There is also the Coast to Coast path from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. This route offers a completely diverse experience featuring mountains, forests, moorland, coastline, farms, and urban areas.
Walking, especially with a heavy load on your pack, requires you to slow down and really take in the sights and sounds around you. You will be subject to the whims of the weather and will no doubt get lost along the way, but this just adds to the excitement. You can stay in hotels and hostels en route, or you can become one with nature and sleep in a tent under the stars. You’ll meet local people and experience a quiet way of life that is absent from the larger cities. Although it will be tough at times, it will be an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life
Cycling
If hiking is a little slow for you, there is always the option to travel by bike. A cycling journey across the UK will still allow you to take in the culture and explore lesser known areas of the country, but with the added benefit that you are moving faster and can see a little more in a shorter space of time.
You don’t have to worry about riding alongside traffic on busy dual carriageways, as there are plenty of back roads and cycle paths you can use. In fact the UK boasts the National Cycle Network, consisting of multiple signed paths indicating safe and scenic bicycle routes around the country. You can just grab a map and plan your own route, but there are numerous well-travelled ways if you need some inspiration. A common bicycle journey in the UK is Land’s End to John o’Groats, a roughly 1000-mile route between the southernmost point and northernmost points of the country
Motorbiking
If you like the idea of travelling on two wheels but are still craving a little more speed, then why not hire a motorbike and cruise around the UK? You can really see as much as you like when you’re travelling at 70 miles per hour, and you have the added bonus of avoiding the worst of the traffic too. There are plenty of companies, such as Magellan Motorcycle Tours, that offer bike rental and guided trips around different areas of the country.
Public Transport
A more environmentally friendly way to travel around the UK is to make use of public transport. Great Britain has an excellent network of buses and trains that can get you anywhere you need to go. There are passes available that give users unlimited access to UK-wide public transport for a certain period of time, so you can hit all the stops on your itinerary for a fixed price. Although you will have to stick to the bus and train schedules, you can still enjoy complete freedom to roam around the country at your leisure without having to worry about your carbon footprint.
Hitchhiking
One of the more unusual methods of travelling is hitchhiking. All you need to do is pack a bag, stand by the side of the road and stick your thumb out, waiting for the first car to stop and take you to your chosen destination. Theoretically, you could travel the entirety of the country like this, relying on the kindness of strangers to get around. You don’t have to own a car or pay for public transport, although it is good etiquette to offer a little petrol money to a driver that has taken you a long way.
However, hitchhiking is not as established in the UK as it is in other countries. This means you will have to be patient if you want to see success. It helps to travel in a pair, not only to increase your chances, but also to protect you from unsavoury characters.
In conclusion, there are so many methods of travel by which to explore a new country. You should not feel restricted to enjoying a traditional beach holiday or city break, as there are a myriad of exciting adventure opportunities out there.
