The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain includes England, Scotland and Wales.

Much like other countries in Northern Europe, you’ll find the UK is a safe place to travel. Similar to many European and Nordic countries, the UK ranks among the 40 safest nations in the Global Peace Index. You’ll find there’s also a modern healthcare system in place.

While there’s no bad time to explore the UK, we recommend visiting sometime between April and October. In the UK, this spans spring, summer and autumn, and it’s when attractions have their longest opening hours.

Plus, temperatures are at their warmest from April to October – all the better for soaking up the sights. But, like the rest of Northern Europe, it’s worth remembering the weather can be changeable no matter the season.

Summer – June, July and August – is the most popular time of year to visit the UK. Not only because you’ll get the most daylight hours, but also because this is the warmest season.

In the countryside, you’ll see lush woodland and hillsides carpeted in purple heather. Meanwhile, the cities are bustling with visitors from around the world. You’ll also be able to take your pick from countless festivals celebrating the arts, food and more.

If you’d prefer to experience the UK at a quieter time of year, we recommend travelling in spring or autumn. After the chill of winter, April and May bring the joy of blooming flowers and longer days.

Or, visit during the autumn months of September and October, to see the trees turn fiery shades of orange and red. And if it gets chilly, just head for one of the snug pubs or cafés the UK is renowned for.

Read more about what to expect as the seasons change in this blog on the best time to visit the UK.

The amount of time you should spend in the UK depends on what you’d like to see and do during your visit.

If you’d like to experience more than one country within the UK, we recommend allowing at least 7-10 days for your trip. This way, you’ll have time to discover some of the top attractions in England, Scotland and Wales. And you’ll get to stay in more than one place.

Meanwhile, if you prefer exploring at a leisurely pace, you’ll want to give yourself longer, around 2-3 weeks. By spending more days at each stop, you’ll be able to delve deeper into the UK’s history, culture and landscapes.

Travel with Nordic Visitor and you can pick the length of trip that suits you from these UK tour packages. Plus, you could extend your time in the UK by adding extra nights to your itinerary.

The UK might seem small, given that it's just over a third of the size of Texas, and half that of Spain. But when it comes to culture, history and natural beauty, you’ll find that this group of British countries has so much to offer.

Plus, with distinct landscapes and different nations within easy reach of each other, you can experience a lot on one trip. To get you started, here are some of the UK’s must-visit spots:

England
• London
• Bath
• Oxford
• York
• Stonehenge
• Lake District National Park
• Peak District National Park

Scotland
• Edinburgh
• Glen Coe
• Glenfinnan
• Isle of Skye
• Loch Ness
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Wales
• Llandudno
• Prestatyn
• Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

Find out more in this article about the best places to visit in the UK. If you’re interested in exploring Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well, check out these 10 top spots on the Emerald Isle.

With stunning scenery, lively cities and ancient historic sites, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding what to do in the UK. You could immerse yourself in postcard-perfect countryside, soak up local knowledge on guided city tours, and so much more.

Discover our local experts' top recommendations for things to do in the UK:

• • Visit museums and galleries that range from world-renowned attractions to hidden gems
• • Dive into the mysteries of the past as you explore prehistoric forts and Neolithic stone circles
• • Marvel at craggy peaks, glittering lakes and rambling forests in the UK’s national parks
• • Get a glimpse into the UK’s rich heritage when you visit fascinating Roman and Viking sites
• • Sample UK cuisine, whether it’s freshly caught fish and chips or a refined tasting menu
• • Take an invigorating walk by the coast and let the salty sea breeze blow the cobwebs away
• • Punctuate your days touring the UK with the much-loved British tradition of afternoon tea
• • See how kings and queens lived throughout the ages as you tour grand castles and palaces
• • Head into a relaxed pub at the end of the day to share stories over a glass of something local
• • Hunt for TV and movie filming locations from the likes of Harry Potter, Bridgerton and Outlander

The best way for you to discover the UK depends on the kind of travel experience you’re looking for.

For instance, if you want the freedom to go at your own pace, then a self-drive tour of the UK is ideal. And although you’ll be taking the wheel yourself, you can relax knowing we are just a phone call away. If you need assistance during your trip, you can reach us anytime on our 24/7 helpline.

You’ll also have your own dedicated travel consultant to book your accommodation and arrange car hire with a tried-and-tested local partner. Plus, get a road map with recommended attractions and the suggested route for your trip drawn by hand.

This makes a self-drive tour the perfect way to see the UK’s must-see sights with opportunities to stop whenever you like along the way.

If you’d rather not drive, why not explore the UK in a guided group? Touring the UK with a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you and your fellow travellers will discover the UK together. And with a group size of up to just 15 guests, you’ll be able to travel in a comfortable minibus and get more time with your guide.

For the ultimate personalised travel experience, you could opt for a private tour of Scotland with your very own professional guide.

Nordic Visitor’s travel experts are your eyes and ears on the ground. When you explore with us, you’ll get a dedicated travel consultant who’ll handle the details of your booking. This means you can relax and look forward to your trip while they organise your accommodation, local transport and excursions.

Not only that, but they have plenty of insider knowledge to share with you. Let your travel consultant know what your interests are and they’ll be happy to advise you on the experiences you won't want to miss.

For some insider information on your UK trip, read these travel tips from a local expert.

When you take a trip to the UK with Nordic Visitor, your travel package includes:

• Accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Local transport as detailed in your itinerary
• Activities included in your tour package (with the chance to add optional excursions)
• Personalised itinerary and printed guide with information about local attractions and practical travel tips
• Access to our 24/7 helpline for on-trip support when you need it

Depending on the travel style you choose, your Nordic Visitor tour package will also come with:

• Self-drive tours
• • Car rental with a trusted supplier
• • Unlimited mileage
• • CDW insurance
• • Authorisation for 2 drivers

• Small group tours
• • A professional, English-speaking driver-guide
• • Transportation in a comfortable minibus
• • Some meals, as mentioned in your itinerary
• • Entrance fees to attractions specified in the itinerary

Yes, Nordic Visitor offers optional cancellation insurance which protects your payment. If you need to cancel your trip before you arrive, you won’t lose any money you’ve already paid us. Depending on the terms and conditions, you’ll be given a partial refund along with travel credit you can use with us in the future.

What’s more, with our cancellation insurance we’ll rebook your entire tour once if you need to change dates, without additional fees. Learn more about this risk-free, flexible booking policy in our Book with Confidence terms.

If you don’t have cancellation insurance with us, check out our normal booking terms. And we always recommend taking out personal travel insurance to cover you on your trip.

At Nordic Visitor, we’ll save you time and effort by planning your getaway for you.

When you arrange a trip yourself, you have to carry out all the research and book each part of your tour separately. And if you need to change your itinerary, you’ll need to do the legwork yourself.

Plus, as we're a UK-based travel agency, England, Scotland and Wales are on our doorstep. In other words, when you book with us you can be sure you’re getting an authentic travel experience organised by local experts.

Our travel consultants have designed your itinerary to ensure you take the most convenient and scenic route between stops. They’ll also book you into high-quality accommodation, and share their insider tips with you. You can rely on them to feature the top sights and hidden gems that you wouldn’t otherwise know about.

So why not book with Nordic Visitor and let us take care of everything on your behalf? This way you can relax and look forward to your adventure. What’s more, during your trip you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline. So you can contact us at any time if something unexpected crops up.

Whether or not you need a visa to visit the UK depends on the length of your stay and your nationality. For example, if you’re a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or an EU or EEA country, among others, you won’t require a visa. But it’s essential that you bring your valid passport for entry into the UK.

You can check if you need a visa on the UK government website.

We understand that where you stay is important, after all, it’ll be your home away from home during your trip. This is why our travel experts use their local connections to ensure you stay at excellent places throughout your tour.

In the UK, this includes a mix of gorgeous historical properties and contemporary retreats. Expect a warm welcome and a location that’s right in the heart of things. Not to mention a tasty breakfast each morning.

We carefully select each hotel, guesthouse and B&B for its high standard of comfort and cleanliness. Plus, on self-drive tours, you’ll have access to parking. This will either be on-site or at a convenient location close to where you’ll be staying.

Exactly where you’ll be staying on your trip depends on the level of accommodation you pick and availability.

Of course! With Nordic Visitor’s UK self-drive tours, you can begin your trip anytime from April to October.

For guided small group trips in the UK, select the departure that works best for you from a list of start dates between August and September. If you want to travel at a specific time of year, book early in case your preferred departure is filled.

You can check each tour’s availability calendar online to see what dates are bookable.

Flights aren’t included in these UK tour packages. This gives you the flexibility to choose where you’d like to fly from, along with the flight times and prices that work best for you. If you have any questions about your journey to the UK, don’t hesitate to ask your local travel expert for advice.

Before booking your tour package, we highly recommend checking what flights are available. But please wait until after your trip is confirmed to make your travel arrangements.

Once you’ve received an email confirmation from your dedicated consultant, you can go ahead and purchase your preferred flights.

No matter when you decide to visit, you can expect the weather in the UK to be changeable. So while the driest weather is between April and October, it’s worth being prepared for both rain and shine. Not to mention the fact that the temperature can vary a lot, depending on the season and where you are in the UK.

For instance, at the height of summer in London, you might experience temperatures over 30°C (86°F). Meanwhile, at the same time of year in the Scottish Highlands, the average temperature is around 15-17°C (59-63°F).

If you plan to spend time outdoors, pack these essential items and you’ll be covered from spring through to autumn:

• Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm, insulated jacket
• Fleece or woollen jumper
• Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• Light base layer tops
• Lightweight trousers or shorts
• Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
• Rucksack
• Reusable water bottle
• UK plug adapter

You might also want to bring a couple of smart outfits for dining out in the evening.