There are so many guides out there that explain what you should do and what should be on your checklist when you visit the UK that we’ve lost count. However, something we haven’t seen much of is the other side of the coin. In other words, what you SHOULDN’T do if you are planning a trip to the UK.
Bearing this in mind, we will now take a look at some of the things you should avoid if you plan to get the most from your UK getaway.
DON’T Think That London Is The Be-All And End-All
Without a doubt, London is definitely one of the most interesting cities in the world. Of course, if you have never visited the UK before, we would absolutely recommend that you spend at least a few days exploring London. It’s got everything that a tourist could wish for.
Although London is an incredible city there is so much more to see and do across the rest of the UK. If you have the time, you should take advantage of the relatively short distances and explore outside the city.
For example, let’s focus on Wales. Well, we are Welsh so we are just a little biased. There’s still the big city element with the capital city of Cardiff but Wales has some of the most beautiful and rugged countryside and beaches in the world.
Cardiff is relatively easy to get to, it’s only a 2-hour train ride from Paddington Station. All this would be missed if you just focused on London.
Apart from Wales, there are so many other areas of the UK to discover. From Cornwall and Devon in the southwest to the highlands of Scotland in the north.
DON’T Turn To “Easy” Public Transport
Another classic tourist mistake comes with getting around and public trasport. Again, if we pick London as an example, one of the most common tourist faux pas comes with the Oyster card. They are easy to get and can make travel on the public transport system easy.
However, it can also mean that you miss some of the city’s hidden gems. You might be able to whistle through everything on your checklist, which may be what you want. But on other occasions, you may want to get lost off-the-beaten-track – and this is where following your nose and ultimately doing most of your travelling on foot will help you discover some fascinating yet less touristy places.
DON’T Plan For Great Weather
In other words, always have a Plan B.
We were almost tempted not to include this point for the simple reason that the British weather is always spoken about (for the wrong reasons). Unfortunately, it is true. We do get a lot of rain any time of the year. So make sure your itinerary has a fallback option in case the heavens open and your day is a washout. Although, don’t worry too much about the weather. Wo do have sunshine, well sometimes!
DON’T Think That It’s Like The Rest Of Europe
Expecting a late 10 pm dining experience as you get through the rest of the continent? Unfortunately, you’ll probably be disappointed, especially outside of the main cities.
The UK operates at a slightly different pace than much of Europe and dining can be slightly earlier. Well, everyone eats much earlier than they do in Spain. The peak dining hours are usually around 8 pm so if you are thinking of following the continental approach of a dinner and a late drink. You might be met with the ‘last orders’ sign.
Similarly, most shops close at about 6 pm. However, unlike many parts of Europe, they do not close in the afternoon for a long lunch. Also, most shops are open from 11 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
These are just a few of the ‘don’ts‘ of visiting the UK but make sure you do have a good time and get to explore outside of London. The UK is a fascinating country with a rich history. Hopefully, you’ll get to experience it for yourself shortly.
