For many, the tiny island of the United Kingdom conjures images of imposing palaces, iconic landmarks and Brits sipping politely at their tea. Whether you want to visit the residencies of the British royal family, or the numerous museums, there is plenty of appeal for tourists here. In fact, it is estimated that 41.7 million tourists visited the UK in 2018. With so many things to see and do, it would be foolish to think you could see the best the UK has to offer in a single trip. There is so much more to the UK than many tourists imagine and there a few things you should take into consideration. Here are three mistakes to avoid if you want to make your trip to the United Kingdom a success:
1. Thinking the UK is just London
There’s no denying that you could spend your whole trip in the capital and still not see everything the city has to offer, but there is SO much more to the UK. London is just a tiny fraction of land in the South East. One of the best things about the UK is that within this compact island there are many different landscapes. The Lake District is a tranquil place with winding roads and unspoilt nature where you can enjoy views of calm waters and snow- capped mountains beyond. Head to the Cotswolds and wander through the quaint villages, where the houses have thatched roofs and floral gardens.
Britain’s beaches are also not be missed. The UK coastline stretches for over seven and a half thousand miles. From the dramatic scenes of the white cliffs of Dover to the sandy bays of the Welsh coast, Britain’s beaches are certainly beautiful.
2. Not packing for the weather
The weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable. Although the mercury tends to reach its peak around the high twenties, this occurs on just a few days each year. For any trip to the UK it is highly recommended that you pack a waterproof (and windproof) jacket, particularly if you are planning to visit coastal or mountainous regions. Layers are key as weather conditions and temperatures can be changeable throughout the day.
3. Expecting afternoon tea to be an everyday occurrence
Eating tiny finger sandwiches and miniature cakes whilst sipping tea from a delicate cup is actually somewhat of a luxury experience. Brits tend to go for afternoon tea on a special occasion; it’s the sort of thing you might do for a baby shower or your mum’s birthday. In any case, afternoon tea is not cheap. Prices start from around £15 per person but can rise to over £100 in London’s finest hotels. It’s certainly something you should include in your UK trip, but perhaps just once. You will, however, find people enjoying a simple mug of tea (or coffee) with biscuits throughout the day, no matter where you are in the UK.
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