Just 29 things to do in the UK before you die? Yes I know! I could probably write 100 things to do in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but as you know, I like to tease you with just a flavour of what the world has in store for travellers. Check out the list of things to do in the UK before you die and at the end, I’d love to hear about the ones you think should be on the list.

1. Just 29 things to do in the UK before you die? Yes I know! I could probably write 100 things to do in
each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but as you know, I like to tease you with just a
flavour of what the world has in store for travellers. Check out the list of things to do in the UK before
you die and at the end, I’d love to hear about the ones you think should be on the list. Happy reading!
1. VISIT LONDON
I am firmly of the belief that everyone, no matter where you live, should visit their country’s capital.
The fact that London is one of the greatest cities in the world makes it very easy to make seeing it one
of the things to do in the UK before you die. Tour the amazing historical sights, enjoy the view from
either the London Eye or the Shard, visit the museums, enjoy Theatreland or a spot of shopping, dine in
a 3-Michelin Star restaurant and dance the night away in one of the world class nightclubs with top
DJs.
2. HAVE A CREAM TEA IN DEVON
You will find a traditional cream tea in many places, particularly in the southern and western counties
of England, but their spiritual home is in Devon. Why? Because Devon is where they make the best

2. clotted cream, and real cream teas serve this and not just whipped up double cream.
3. VISIT BLENHEIM PALACE
As well as being the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough, a World Heritage Site and one of
the best examples of a country house in England, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is the birthplace of
Sir Winston Churchill. In the millennium poll, Churchill was voted the “Greatest Ever Briton,” so a
kind of pilgrimage to his home is one of the most patriotic things to do in the UK before you die. Even
without the Churchill connection, the house and gardens are a grand day out.
4. HUNT THE LOCH NESS MONSTER
This is absolutely one of the things to do in the UK before you die. It may be a myth, but who knows?
And how bad will you feel if they discover Nessie on the day you are on your death bed and you have
to lie there knowing you could have been the one to find her if only you had made that trip to Loch
Ness? Anyway, Loch Ness is beautiful, so it wouldn’t be a wasted trip.

3. 5. GO PUNTING IN CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge is a beautiful city graced by the magnificent architecture of the university colleges.
Exploring the exterior and interior of places like Kings College Chapel and Trinity College is
wonderful, but viewing them and others from the leisurely punt along the River Cam brings a whole
new perspective. Punting is a charming way to spend a sunny summer day – pack a picnic and enjoy.
6. SEE THE DREAMING SPIRES IN OXFORD
If you’ve been punting in Cambridge, then naturally it follows that Oxford is one of the places to see in
the UK before you die. Like Cambridge, Oxford is blessed by splendid University buildings which
spawn the name “the City of Dreaming Spires.” One of the best ways to see Oxford if your time is
limited is on an open top bus tour.
7. SHOP IN THE TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER

4. Who doesn’t love to shop? One of the best shopping centres in the UK and the second largest, the
Trafford Centre is also in one of the UK’s greatest cities – Manchester. The centre is pretty amazing all
round. It is very stylish and has a mass of different shops for all tastes. Incredibly, 10% of the entire
population lives within 45 minutes' drive of the centre, so you can imagine it gets very busy. The
Trafford Centre is also home to the largest food court in Europe and the busiest cinema in the UK.
8. WALK AROUND A STONE CIRCLE
Although appearing elsewhere in continental Europe, stone circles are a much bigger feature in the
British Isles. The most famous of the Megolithic circles is Stonehenge. It is incredible, but access is
very restricted due to the damage sustained by being open to the public. A very suitable alternative is
the Avebury Stone Circle. Although the stones themselves are not of the same immense proportion as
Stonehenge, Avebury is the largest stone circle in Europe.
9. SEE A PLAY AT THE GLOBE THEATRE

5. So Shakespeare might not be your thing, but seeing his work performed on the stage at the Globe
Theatre, which is a true construction of the original Elizabethan playhouse, is one of the must-do
experiences in the UK. It is magical to enjoy the setting and the play and imagine what it must have
been like to have been an audience member back in Elizabethan times. And, you have to stand, just like
back in Shakespeare’s day, and the theatre is open to the elements.
10. VISIT PORTMEIRION IN WALES
One of the last things you expect to see in North Wales is an Italianate village, and that’s
whyPortmeirion is one of the places to visit in the UK before you die. This little place tucked away in
Gwynedd features crenulated castle towers, coloured stuccos, brightly coloured friezes, geometric
parapets, and formal gardens to create the impression that you really are in a small Italian village on the
fringes of the Mediterranean.
11. WALK HADRIAN’S WALL

6. One of the best walking trails in the UK is the one which follows Hadrian’s Wall. The wall was the
most heavily fortified wall in the Roman Empire and marked the border of Roman England with
Scotland – a border which differs today. A significant portion – particularly the mid-section – still
stands today and can by followed on foot or along the National Cycle Route (number 72).
12. SPEND A DAY ON THE BEACH IN CORNWALL
There are fabulous beaches all around the UK, but I have a soft spot for Cornwall because I spent
lovely childhood camping holidays there. Everyone has a favourite beach and for me it is Kynance
Cove on the south coast, close to the southerly most point of mainland Britain, the Lizard Point.
13. TRAMP THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

7. The hexagonal basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway make one of the best attractions in the UK.
Whether you choose to believe you are following in the footsteps of the mythical giant Finn MacCool
or that the columns are a freak of geology, the Causeway is a definite must see. The coast is
breathtaking and the walk along the cliffs completely exhilarating.
14. TAKE THE FERRY ACROSS THE MERSEY
The Mersey Ferry is a terrific way to explore Liverpool’s exciting waterfront. As well as navigating
one of the most iconic British waterways and seeing the famous Liver Birds – the city’s symbol –
ferries operate between 3 terminals, allowing you to stop off to visit some of Liverpool’s best
attractions, including Spaceport, the U-Boat Story and of course, The Beatles story.
15. HAVE AFTERNOON TEA AT BETTY’S

8. Betty’s Tea Room is a British institution. The charming café has anchored the afternoon tea scene in
the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate since 1919. As you know, drinking tea is a national pastime, so
tea at Betty’s is definitely one of the things to do in the UK before you die. As well as your choice of
selected teas, you get to pick from a delectable array of baked goods, pastries and sweet treats to
accompany your cuppa.
16. SEE THE STONE OF SCONE IN EDINBURGH CASTLE

9. You don’t really need a reason to visit Edinburgh Castle as it is easily one of the best attractions of the
UK in its own right, but for anyone with an interest in the unification of the UK, and the linked history
of Scotland and England, the Stone of Scone has a fascinating history. And, with a Scottish
Referendum on Independence looming, there could yet be further twists in the tale in the lump of rock
that is said to have been used as pillow by Jacob, as told in the book of Genesis. I’ll let you find out the
rest of the story for yourself and won’t spoil it for you. There is a replica of the stone at Scone Abbey,
which was one of its original ancestral homes.
17. HAVE A NIGHT ON THE TOWN IN NEWCASTLE
The nightlife in Newcastle is legendary! You need a stomach for plenty of alcohol, hard dancing and
few clothes. They breed them hardy in the North East, and in the depths of winter you’ll find the lads
spilling out of the football terraces of St. James’s Park shirtless and the girls wearing skirts that just one
inch shorter could only be classed as a belt. Coats and sweaters just don’t make it out of the wardrobe –
unless you’re a sissy. The cocktails and dancing will keep you warm.

10. 18. SPOT THE FRENCH COASTLINE
Dover Castle is magnificent and occupies a position that makes it one of the first lines of defence for
England. It is also a brilliant place from which to look across the 22 miles of English Channel to the
French coastline, which is visible on a clear day (you can see the lights at night). Dover is also the
location of another of the iconic sights of the UK – the famous white cliffs. These, however, are best
seen from the sea.
19. MAKE LIKE A ROMAN IN BATH
I’d love to be able to say that you can take a dip in the original Roman thermal baths in Bath but I
can’t. I can offer you the next best thing: A tour around the Roman baths and then a visit to the
Thermae Bath Spa. The spa has the only thermal waters pool in the UK, fed from the same springs that
the Romans and generations of Brits used for centuries. The spa may not be an authentic experience but
if you visit the Roman baths, at least you can close your eyes and imagine. And, when you do open

11. your eyes, you get some views from the rooftop pool of the beautiful city.
20. SMILE AT THE ROYAL PAVILION
There have been many acts of folly committed by the British aristocracy over the centuries. Rakish,
profligate, less sense than a pair of shoes, the way they have thrown money around has been
bewildering. One such result is the Brighton Pavilion. Commissioned by the Prince Regent, who was as
mad as a box of frogs and dressed to excess, the Pavilion occupies an exalted position as one of the
best attractions of the UK – partly because you would never imagine such a concept in a simple seaside
town.
21. HIKE IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
One of the most beautiful places in the UK to visit before you die is the Lake District. If ever you need
a reason to holiday in the UK, this is it. The Lake District is the UK’s largest national park and also
home to the highest mountain in England – Scafell Pike. Nature’s great English playground is a
favourite for walkers, hikers, orienteerers and water sports lovers. Of course, you can drive there, park
up and simply enjoy the glorious views.

12. 22. TAKE THE ART TRAIL IN GLASGOW
Glasgow has a very strong tradition in art and architecture. The city’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and
Museum has one of the premier collections in the UK spread throughout 22 themed galleries
containing more than 8,000 objects. The museum building itself is a fine example of Glasgow’s
architecture and a walking tour of the city is a great way to explore it. Stop off during your visit for
refreshments in the Willow Tea Rooms, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of Glasgow’s
most famous artistic sons.
23. VISIT CAERNARVON CASTLE
Wales has some magnificent castles and Caernarvon is probably the finest and most impressive. Built
in 1283 on the site of an original Norman motte and bailey by Edward I during the English occupation
of Wales, the castle is sited strategically at the water’s edge on the Menai Strait, commanding not only

13. excellent views inland and across the water but also the ability to control trade and commerce.
24. SEE THE BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
Although very attractive for kids, paying a visit to the Blackpool Illuminations is one of the things to
do in the UK before you die. For 8-10 weeks every autumn (usually from September 1st to 9-12th
November), the promenade is aglow with thousands of LED lights in all sorts of shapes and images. A
trip to Blackpool also affords you the opportunity to enjoy the thrills and fun of the rides of the
Pleasure Beach and the famous Tower.
25. STAY ON A SCOTTISH ISLAND
It is impossible to pin down which is the best Scottish island to choose for a stay. They are all gorgeous
and have their own individual charms. Scottish islands have the rugged, untamed beauty and romance
of the mountains and glens of the highlands with the added bonus of some stunning beaches. There are
interesting attractions like stone circles and traditional whisky distillers, fascinating festivals and rituals

14. and the outdoor pursuits are in wonderful surroundings.
26. PAY YOUR RESPECTS AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
It is fitting that the newest monument to the fallen of the UK armed forces is a living memorial.
Absolutely one of the places to visit in the UK before you die, the National Arboretum is a very classy,
very beautiful, very elegant and very moving tribute to those who have lost their lives in the service of
their country. The walls engraved with names and various memorial statues are encircled by as-yet
young trees and the serenity of the place is undeniable.
27. TAKE A BOAT TRIP AROUND CARDIFF BAY
A couple of hours on a boat that leaves from Mermaid Quay and takes you along the Welsh Coast into
the Bristol Channel and back again, is a great way to see Cardiff. Then, once back on land, it’s a short
distance into the city centre to enjoy the delights of the Welsh capital. These include Cardiff Castle, the
Doctor Who Experience, the National Museum, and St. David’s Shopping Centre. A trip to Cardiff
should be rounded off with a game of rugby at the Millennium Stadium.
28. TOUR THE TITANIC EXHIBITION IN BELFAST

15. One of the newest attractions of the UK is the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast, fittingly located in the city
where the doomed liner was built and actually on and near the slipways where construction took place.
The visitor experience takes you through the entire story from conception, the sinking and the finding
of the wreck on the seabed.
29. SEE THE PANDAS AT EDINBURGH ZOO
Who can resist these adorable creatures? There are only two giant pandas in the UK and they have a
home in Edinburgh Zoo. They are such a popular attraction that although free to see, you have to have
a ticketed viewing slot. The big question is, clearly there is a big case of some panda loving going on –
but, will they breed soon?
I’ve reached the end of my list of things to do in the UK before you die and hope you all enjoyed it!

16. Reference: AWS
Ibrahim Sen
CEO of http://SearchGym.co.uk