See Tudor buildings on this Best of Great Britain 1 month itinerary
Great Britain is made up of 3 countries rich in history, culture, unforgettable landscapes and interesting foods. And you have one month holiday and you want to spend it holidaying in Great Britain. I know just how you are feeling. Excited. Daunted. Maybe a little stressed at how many amazing places there are to see and how you will fit seeing them all during 4 weeks in Britain? But it doesn’t have to be stressful organising a holiday to Britain as I have done the hard work for you.
In this post I will show you exactly how you can spend 1 month in Great Britain. It is based on my own British travels. I’ll advise on British transport and accommodation available to you plus, I’ve included lots of tips so you can start planning your memorable holiday in Britain for a month.
I’ve divided the post into 2 sections. The first section is devoted to planning your Great Britain itinerary which starts and finishes in London. While the second section is my suggested 4 week Britain itinerary. So let’s get into this 1 month Great Britain itinerary.
FYI – Britain is made up of the countries of England, Scotland and Wales. The UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But this itinerary is only covering a 1 month visit to Britain. If you want to visit the UK, check out my 1 month UK itinerary here.
Who is this Best of Britain 1 Month Itinerary for?
I have put together this 1 month Britain itinerary from places I visited while living in London on a UK working holiday. I originally wrote it for solo travellers to Britain, but I soon realised the itinerary would suit many different travellers wanting to holiday in Britain. Therefore, this 1 month Britain itinerary is for people travelling with friends or in a couple visiting Britain or a family visiting Britain with kids.
Most of the places we visit in Britain are kid friendly places however, as a parent, you would use your discretion to ensure they were before entering. Such as, families travelling with small kids to Britain might find the London Dungeon with kids scary! But I think most of the places in this Britain guide are kid friendly, but levels of interest may differ.
And I have suggested a variety of accommodation for all budgets and tastes. There are hostel beds for solo travellers to Britain and those on a tight budget to family friendly Britain accommodation for families to Britain with kids. One of the best things about British accommodation is the B&B (Bed and Breakfast). You will encounter these throughout Britain and they are great because you not only get a bed for the night, you get a full English Breakfast of a morning. I love staying in B&Bs. And they are easy to find too. I have usually found them by driving into town and looking for the signs but since covid, I usually book in advance via booking sites like Booking.com, because I am finding many people out travelling and sometimes accommodation is full.
1 Month Britain Itinerary At a Glance
Days
1 – 5 – London
6 – London to Brighton via Canterbury, Hastings
7 – Brighton
8 – drive along coast Brighton to Portsmouth to Southampton
9 – to Salisbury and Stonehenge – to Cornwall (evening somewhere in Cornwall
10 – drive coast to around Cornwall – Lands End
11 – Cornwall to Bath
12 – Bath
13 – to Cardiff
14 – Cardiff
15 – to Liverpool
16 – Liverpool
17 – Manchester
18 – drive coast to Glasgow via Blackpool
19 – Glasgow
20 – to Stirling and Scottish Highlands, Inverness
22 – Inverness – Loch Ness and Colluden Battlefield – stay Inverness
23 – Inverness to Edinburgh
24 – Edinburgh
25 – to York
26 – York
27 – to Nottingham
28 – to Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford
29 – Oxford
30 – to London, return car – leave
1 Month Best of Britain Road Trip Highlights
Me at Stonehenge – just one of the amazing things to see in England
The Amazing Experiences included in my suggested itinerary include:
- Discover London and see places on the Monopoly Board.
- Visit Stonehenge, Bath, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and York
- See the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Get your Harry Potter on in Oxford and Edinburgh
- Experience the White Cliffs of Dover
- Visit museums including the National Wallace Museum in Stirling
Prepare for Your 1 Month Great Britain Trip
Is one Month Long Enough in Britain?
If I had the choice I would spend a lot longer than one month in Britain – and I did. I lived in England for 4 years on a working holiday. But one month in Britain is a very good start to begin discovering this amazing group of countries. Now before you read any further, I must warn you that this itinerary of Great Britain is jam-packed with things to see and do every day. Providing you with as many opportunities as possible to experience Great Britain.
Best Time to Visit Great Britain
You can visit Britain anytime however, they have very cold winters, particularly in Scotland where you can go skiing and snowboarding in the Highlands. So if you don’t want to be wearing 3 or 4 layers of clothes when outside and then boil inside from the central heating, I suggest visiting during the warmer months. However, the winter months can be magical with chestnuts being roasted by vendors on the streets and the Christmas lights are so bright and welcoming.
The summer months of June, July and August see the most overseas tourists visiting and this is when accommodation is the most expensive. I lived in the UK on a UK Working Holiday Visa so I experienced all the seasons. If I was going to visit as a tourist I would suggest visiting during the shoulder seasons of mid-Spring or mid-Autumn because the weather is warmer, accommodation not as expensive and you can enjoy doing all the touristy things with less people. But any time is a magical time to visit the UK as there is plenty of things to see and do.
READ MORE: The winter months yield snow in Britain, particularly Scotland. You could work a snow season in Scotland. Read my post how you can work and ski UK.
TIP: You will be doing a lot of walking on this one month in Japan itinerary so I highly suggest you have comfortable shoes and clothes for the climate you will be visiting in.
How to Get to Britain
As Great Britain is an island and is surrounded by ocean, the best way to get there is to fly. Major international airport hubs are in London. Another option to arrive in Britain is by boat. A number of ocean liner cruisers and ferries visit British ports. There is also the train link Europe with London through the London Tunnel. But most international visitors to Britain arriving on their first visit arrive at London Heathrow Airport by plane. You can check airfares to London here on through Skyscanner.
How to Travel Around Britain
There are a number of options to travel around Britain during your 1 month holiday in Britain. They include by train, bus, ferry and car. This itinerary is best suited to travelling by car as it gives you the flexibility to go where you want, when you want, and deviate if you want to. If you don’t have a car, you can hire one in Britain. Check out DiscoverCars for pricing and availability beforehand so you don’t miss out.
You can also undertake this 4 week British itinerary by bus or train. There is both an extensive network of buses and trains to get you from one end of Britain to the other. National Express is the national bus network in Britain linking major cities. You could undertake this itinerary by bus, but you will need to tweak it to get your bus connections. Visit the National Express website to start. If you prefer to travel Britain by train, there is an extensive network also. Check out the rail map here to see routes. The train system besides having point to point ticket sales has the BritRail Pass, so if you want to undertake this itinerary by train, you will need to tweak it to suit the timetable.
British Accommodation
There are many styles of accommodation in Britain to suit every budget and need. Accommodation comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes including hostels, hotels, B&Bs, camp sites, boats, apartments and even castles. My biggest tip for booking your accommodation is to book early, particularly during the summer months as many places book out well in advance. Many young and solo travellers stay at hostels and there are a number of small hostel chains such as Wombats, Generator and of course YHA (Youth Hostels Association). They provide all the services you need in a hostel from a bed, bathroom, kitchens to cook in, communal areas, cafes, bars to free wifi. I have listed some hostel contact details under each city but for more options check out HostelWorld to compare and book a hostel bed.
On saying book your accommodation early, I have, on many occasion decided to stop somewhere impromtu and needed to find accommodation. This is also a possibility.
Other affordable accommodation for those preferring a hotel room or apartment is available also. So if you are travelling with a friend, in a couple of need accommodation British accommodation for family, then check out Booking.com.. This is the place I book all my accommodation because of the range available and the ease of the process.
TIP: If you want to stay connected while in Britain, I suggest you get Pocket wifi and a British SIM card. And if you don’t know how to read Japanese, though many signs are in English, having access to Google will come in very handy, trust me on this! And downlowd apps such as Google Maps so you can find your way around – I used this regularly to find my way around the big British cities.
How Much Will One Month in Great Britain Cost?
To work out how much a trip to Japan will cost you, create a spreadsheet as follows. TIP: Pay as much as possible in advance so you know how much spending money you have to take.
Airfare to Great Britain $_____
Accommodation (per night) $_____ x 30 = $_______
Transport around Britain – flights $_______
Day tours $_______
Meals x 3 per day $_______
Entrance Fees $_____
Extras (souvenirs, etc) $______
What to Pack for a Trip in Britain
What to pack for your trip to Britain will depend on the season you are visiting. It is always best to dress in layers so you can take them off if hot, and put them on when cold. I would suggest if you are visiting at the height of winter to ensure you have thermal underwear and a good waterproof jacket. You will be doing plenty of walking on this driving tour of Britain so definitely invest in a good pair of walking shoes.
LWPT Tip: Before I begin my suggested itinerary I just want to recommend you purchase travel insurance. I know travel insurance is an extra cost on any holiday but it is well worth it. Things can happen when you least expect them. You don’t want to be stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills or without any luggage. I recommend World Nomads and SafetyWing for travel insurance but if you don’t purchase a policy through either of them, please ensure you purchase travel insurance from somewhere else. You never know what might happen and you need to be covered.
Best of Britain 1 Month Itinerary
Days 1-5 – London
Get around on the London Underground while in London on this 1 month Britain itinerary
No trip to Great Britain should miss the capital of England, London. And this is where this 1 month Britain itinerary starts and ends. Use day 1 to get use to British time and start exploring this wonderful city of London. You will have it in your mind what you want to see and do in London. I usually start my visit to a new big city with a hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing tour of London. One of these tours takes me to all the places to see and provides a commentary of each place. Then I can decide which places I want to go back and visit longer.
The bus will swing by must-see attractions like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Parliament Square, Big Ben, Harrods in Knightsbridge, Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Kings Cross, Tower Bridge, Oxford Street shops, Madame Tussauds, the Tower of London, London Eye, The Shard and so much more. You can book you hop-on hop-off London sightseeing tour of London here.
- Day 1 in London – get use to British time and get your bearings on a hop-on hop-off bus around London. Followed by an evening in Covent Garden to get a meal and drink.
- Day 2 in London – your second day in London is all about Westminster and Buckingham Palace. Catch the tube or bus to Westminster and discover Westminster Abbey, the Houses of parliament with Big Ben, 10 Downing Street and nearby is Buckingham Palace and The Mall. Then take a walk through Hyde Park.
- Day 3 in London – discover the history of London with a visit to the Tower of London. Take a walk across Tower Bridge to the Southbank Area.
- Day 4 in London – shop till you drop in on Bond or Oxford Streets or at Harrods in Knightsbridge.
- Day 5 is a London day trip to Windsor to visit Windsor Castle. This is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and you can see a lot of memorabilia from her childhood and reign here. Walk the cobbled streets and pick up a royal trinket or two. You can get to Windsor on a tour or catch the train. It is a very pleasant train ride and quite spectacular when Windsor Castle appears.
For more ideas on how to spend your 5 days in London, read my 5 Day London Itinerary here.
Where to Stay in London
As you will be spending 5 nights here in London you may wish to choose accommodation with cooking facilities. This way you could have breakfast each morning. Make lunch to take with you for the day and cook your dinner if you don’t want to go out each night. Cooking your own meals will definitely help you save heaps of money.
If hostels are your choice of accommodation style then you are in luck because London has around 150 of them. I lived in London for 4 years and stayed in many hostels, hotels and B&Bs. Here are some hostels I have stayed in in London and can recommend.
YHA Central London
Astor Hyde Park
Generator London
The Walrus Bar and Hostel
If you are wanting a budget hotel then consider:
Earls Court Garden Hotel which is in Earls Court and is easy to reach from the airport and has lots of transport into central London.
Oxford Hotel
Lord Jim – I have stayed in this one and it was enjoyable. It has different styles of rooms available so if you are looking for family friendly London accommodation, check out Lord Jim.
Mayflower Hotel and Apartments – if travelling Britain with kids you may be interested in an London apartment to have access to cooking facilities, particularly if you are a budget conscious family visiting Britain.
For a bit of luxury consider The Savoy or The Ritz. For more London accommodation options visit Booking.com.
You could consider house sitting for your 5 days in London. Check out Trusted Housesitters for options.
Day 6 – Canterbury, Hastings and Brighton
See the spectacular White Cliffs of Dover on your Britain holiday
Distance London to Brighton via Canterbury and Hastings – about a couple of hundred miles which will be around 3 hours of driving.
Canterbury
Today, pick up your car and hit the road. Take the M2 and onto the A2 towards the East Coast. First stop is the town of Canterbury which is home to Canterbury Cathedral, founded 597AD. This beautiful cathedral is the headquarters of the Church of England. Take a walk around the ancient walls, originally built by the Romans that encircle the city centre. See beautiful old timber-framed houses built on cobbled streets. Step back in time on discover this beautiful old town. Maybe enjoy a meal before jumping in the car for our next stop on this British road trip.
White Cliffs of Dover
Next stop, White Cliffs of Dover which is the English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. These cliffs are composed of soft white limestone which give them their white chalk appearance. The cliffs are about 350 feet high and you can walk along the cliff face if you are feeling energetic and the weather is good. You will be treated to great views if you do! Start your visit at the Dover Visitor Centre where you can park and have access to a cafe, toilets and the walking tracks. Parking costs 5 pound per day or free for National Trust members. Did you take out membership?
Hastings
From Dover head to Hastings. This town is known for the 1066 Battle of Hastings which was fought on a field where the Battle Abbey now stands. If you love history, you will love this place and you will definitely want to visit the ruins of Hastings Castle which was once the home of William the Conqueror. There are also a couple of museums nearby, Hastings Fishermen’s Museum and Shipwreck Museum which document the maritime history of the area.
Onto Brighton. Check into your accommodation for 2 nights as tomorrow you will have a full day discovering Brighton.
Where to Stay in Brighton – book for 2 nights.
Hostel: YHA Brighton, Selina Brighton Backpackers
Budget-Mid Range: Royal Albion Hotel, The Queensberry Hotel
For more accommodation options click here.
Day 7 – Brighton
Take a walk along Brighton Pier
Brighton is a seaside resort, well a British version of a seaside resort on the East Sussex coast of England. Realistically it is only 47 miles south of London and you could visit it doing a day trip from London. I have done it a few times by train from London but if you do, you won’t have the flexibility to visit the White Cliffs of Dover and Hastings.
I love visiting Brighton, particularly walking along the pier and stopping in the arcade to play a couple of games and to buy some Brighton rock – a hard lolly to suck. If the weather is warm, buy an ice cream and sit on the pebbly beach ‘ouch’, and enjoy the water. Or perhaps some fish and chips might be on the cards! As Brighton is rather compact it is easy to walk around. Many of the streets are cobbled so wear good walking shoes to see the old buildings and visit the Royal Pavilion. Enjoy a drink in one of the pubs before heading back to your accommodation for the night.
Day 8 – Portsmouth & Southampton
Me and my new bestie – Nelson
Today, day 8 of your 4 weeks in Great Britain, head along the coastline visiting the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a port city on England’s south coast and home to its naval base. There is a wonderful dockyard area to discover, particularly the interactive National Museum of the Roayl Navy. You will see a number of ships here included a wooden warship HMS Victory, where Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalgar, the Tudor ship Mary Rose and HMS Warrior.
Southampton
Next onto Southampton, another port city on England’s south coast. It is only some 22 miles from Portsmouth, taking about half an hour to drive. And home to another museum, SeaCity Museum, that has an interactive model of the Titanic, which departed from Southampton in 1912. Southampton is also where a lot of ships leave on overseas voyages. It is where I left England from after my working holiday. I decided to sail from Southampton to Sydney taking 42 days. But that’s another post!
Spend the night in Southampton. Click here to check out options of where to stay in Southampton.
Day 9 – Winchester, Salisbury & Stonehenge
Believed to be King Arthur’s Round Table in Winchester Cathedral
Winchester
Leave Southampton this morning and head inland for the short drive to Winchester, 12 miles taking 20 minutes or so. If you are a history buff you will love Winchester. It is known for the medieval Winchester Cathedral housing the 17th-century Morley Library, Winchester Bible and a Norman crypt. But most notably, you can see the medieval round table hanging on the wall that is believed to be that of the round table of King Arthur. And nearby are the ruins of Wolvesey Castle and the Winchester City Mill which is a working 18th-century corn mill. Lots of history to discover this morning in Winchester.
Salisbury and Stonehenge
After lunch head to Salisbury which is about about 24 miles away taking some 45 minutes to drive. In Salisbury you may want to visit the famous Salisbury Cathedral, but as you just visited Winchester Cathedral you may wish to head straight to Stonehenge which is only 10 miles away, or about 25 minutes.
Stonehenge is an iconic symbol of Britain with a history spanning some 4,500 years with different meanings to people. After parking in the car park visit the information centre to learn about Stonehenge before walking under the main road to the field where the sacred stone circle making up Stonehenge reside. You will need an entrance ticket to Stonehenge which you can purchase here. Budget to spend a couple of hours here, then if getting late you could look for accommodation in Salisbury or begin the trek to Cornwall and stop in one of the many towns for the night.
READ MORE: How to Visit Stonehenge.
Days 10-11 Cornwall
Plymouth Harbour – where The Mayflower left from
I’ve left these couple of days in Cornwall open so you can drive along the coast and explore. There are so many historical and beautiful towns on the water to discover with many of them historical such as Plymouth, where The Mayflower left and took the first settlers to America. Then there is Looe, Falmouth, Marazion with its famous St Michael’s Mount and Penzance meaning holy headland which is the most westerly major Cornwall town and a thriving hub on the Land’s End peninsula. Each town has a fascinating history, striking architecture, many ancient sites and great views over the English Channel.
Take your time exploring this area of England, and for somewhere to stay, there is plenty of accommodation available. I’m not recommending any one place in Cornwall as there are so many beautiful places to stay and you may not know where you will be with so much to see. So click on the link for Booking.com and search for accommodation in the town you find yourself in.
Days 12-13 Bath
Spend time learning about Bath’s ancient baths
Today, on day 12 of this 1 month Great Britain itinerary leave Cornwall and head to Bath taking around 2-3 hours depending on what part of Cornwall you are leaving from.
You might be itching to see the Roman baths, but start your day on the Bath Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus which will take you to all the places of note. Before deciding which ones you wish to spend more time at. Then spend the rest of the day discovering the Roman era natural hot spring water baths, built in 60AD that are still operating today. Then see Bath’s honey-coloured Georgian architecture with the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic Circus. End the day with a good meal in one of Bath’s pubs. Then maybe have a nightcap before heading back to your accommodation.
Where to Stay in Bath – book for 2 nights
Hostel: YHA Bath Hostel, Bath Backpackers
Hotel: St Christophers Inn, The Z Hotel Bath
For more accommodation options in Bath click here.
Day 13 – To Cardiff
yep – another castle – Cardiff Castle
Distance Bath to Cardiff – 1 hour 5 mins, 54 miles afternoon Cardiff
After breakfast, jump in your car, cross the massive Severn Bridge into Wales, heading for the capital of Cardiff. On arriving in Cardiff, find a place to park and get to know this beautiful and compact city. Maybe take Cardiff’s Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus. The head back to visit the medieval Cardiff Castle located in the city centre before enjoying a meal along the ultramodern Cardiff Bay Waterfront. Why not also visit the Millennium Stadium, known as Principality Stadium since 2016 and is home of Welsh rugby.
Where to Stay in Cardiff for the night.
There are a number of hostels close to the city centre – Bunkhouse (0.3km) and The Riverhouse (0.7km) for those of you looking for a bed in a dorm room. For a budget hotel try the Ibis Budget Hotel Cardiff City or the Holiday Inn. Happy to splurge for your time in Cardiff check into The Parkgate Hotel or the St David’s Cardiff an IHG Hotel. For more accommodation options in Cardiff click here.
Days 15-16 – Liverpool
See the Fab 4 in Liverpool
Distance Cardiff to Liverpool is some 200 miles taking around 3-4 hours along the M6. You could stop in Birmingham on the way if you wanted to or just head straight to Liverpool. Liverpool is a maritime city where the River Mersey meets the Irish Sea. So if you were going to Ireland, this could be a jumping off point with regular ferry sailings from here to Ireland. I loved visiting the waterfront with its iconic mercantile buildings as the ‘Three Graces’ – Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building.
Beatlemania
Aside from this, Liverpool is famously known as the hometown of The Beatles. And there are plenty of Beatlemania related places to visit. Visit The Beatles Story and Museum while taking the Liverpool and Beatles Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour. Perhaps include a visit to the world-famous ‘Cavern Club’ on Mathew Street. Then take walk around the Albert Docks along the Mersey river and discover historic architecture and local Liverpudlian lifestyle. Maybe even get a photo with the fab four statue!
Enjoy an evening in one of the pubs and discover a ‘Scouse stew’ with a pint before heading to your accommodation for the night.
Where to Stay in Liverpool:
Hostel: YHA Liverpool Albert Docks, Liverpool Central YHA
Budget-mid-range Hotel: Easy Hotel Liverpool, Tune Hotel Liverpool
For more accommodation options in Liverpool click here.
Day 17 – Manchester
Manchester United Stadium
From Liverpool it is an hours drive (35 miles) to Manchester. Manchester is an interesting city to spend the morning. It was at the centre of the industrial revolution and Manchester was put on the world map for its cotton and textiles trade. It is the city that has produced many successful bands – the Hollies in the 1960s and in the 1980s and 1990s, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Simply Red, Inspiral Carpets, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and of course, Oasis. And don’t forget it is home to two football clubs – Manchester United and Manchester City. If seeing a game of football is one of your goals, you may need to rearrange the day you visit Manchester on this itinerary. Pretty easy to do as many of the large cities visited on this itinerary, particularly around Northern England, are relatively close to each other.
Click here to find a place to stay in Manchester.
Days 18-19 – to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is such an underrated Scottish city, yet it is the biggest in Scotland. Known for being bleak with plenty of housing commission dwellers Glasgow has come into its own with many vibrant pubs and coffee shops to enjoy. It is also used as a filming location for many TV shows including Taggart and Outlander. Highlights to see in Glasgow include:
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Riverside Museum
- St Vincent Place
- Glasgow University to name a few.
Day 20-21 – Glasgow to Scottish Highlands (Stirling & Fort William)
Wallace Monument
Today sees you hit the 3 week mark in this 4 week Great Britain itinerary – isn’t it going too fast! But we are now headed to one of my favourite places on earth – the Scottish Highlands. The first time I visited the Scottish Highlands I stood in the Cairngorm Mountains and thought, ‘I could easily move abroad and live here’. Maybe its because my surname is McCullum that I feel this way! But I could easily move to Scotland, rent or buy a stone farmhouse and live in the Scottish Highlands. In the meantime……
After breakfast, head to Stirling, only half an hour or so drive away and one of the must visit places in the Scottish Highlands. Stirling is one of my favourite Scottish towns, it’s got a beautifully preserved Old Town with many historic buildings. And it has cobbled streets so ensure you have good flat walking shoes so you can walk around the ramparts of Stirling Castle. A must see is a visit to the famous Wallace Monument standing on the summit of Abbey Craig. This honours the legendary Braveheart freedom fighter, William Wallace. You know, the one made famous in that movie with Mel Gibson as William Wallace.
Can I suggest while in Stirling, introduce yourself to whisky. There are many whisky distilleries in Scotland all making fine single malt whisky and Stirling Distillery is just one of them. And lucky for you, in the shadow of Stirling Castle, you will find Stirling Distillery. Discover how whisky is made and maybe have a taste or two!
I hope you are under the limit to drive up through the picturesque highlands to Inverness, which is a good 3 hours of driving away. Lucky there are a number of stops including Glencoe, one of Scotlands ski towns to stop at. But keep going to Fort William on the shores of Loch Linne. Often talked about in the ‘Outlander’ Netflix series, roam around Fort William and see what you recognise. Fort William is known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak and if you are visiting during the winter months you may wish to include some skiing or snowboarding into your stay here on the Nevis Range Mountain Resort. If not, visit the West Highland Museum focusing on life in the area and keep your whisky tasting pallet up with a trip to the Ben Nevis Distillery. Spend the night here in Fort William.
If you are a working holiday in the UK and you love skiing and snowboarding, why not get a job in the Scottish ski fields. Scotland has a good snow season from November to March and need staff to ensure the season goes off without a hitch. If you would like to work and ski Scotland, read how to do it here.
Where to stay in Fort William
Hostel: Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, Fort William Backpackers
Budget-Mid Range Hotel: Muthu Fort William Hotel, Nevis Bank Inn
For more accommodation options in Fort William click here.
Day 22 – to Inverness – Loch Ness and Colluden Battlefield
Urquart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness – Keep a look out for the Loch Ness Monster
After breakfast head north and deeper into the dramatic Scottish Highlands to Loch Ness. You’ve got a number of options here to spot ‘Nessie’, the Loch Ness Monster. You can walk to the 1000 year old Urquhart Castle on the banks of the loch to explore it and to look for Nessie. Or you could take a Loch Ness Cruise in search of Nessie.
After a wonderful morning head to Inverness via Colluden Battlefield which is only 8 miles or so outside of Inverness. The Colluden Battlefield is the site of last battle of the Jacobite Rising – where the Scots were fighting the English for their freedom. Alas they lost with a great loss of life. You may have seen this in the Outlander series. Here, at the Colluden Battlefield Visitor Centre you discover all about this battle and what led up to it. The places almost comes alive through wonderful interactive exhibitions and artefacts. Then walk outside into the field and along the battle lines of the clans. Then onto Inverness for the evening and enjoy dinner in one of its quaint pubs before retiring for the evening.
Where to Stay in Inverness
Hostel: Inverness Youth Hostel, Hillview House Hotel Inverness
Budget-Mid Range Hotel: Colluden House Hotel, The Royal Highland Hotel
For more places to stay in Inverness click here.
Day 23 – to Edinburgh
Glenroy in the Scottish Highlands
Many use Inverness as a base to explore Loch Ness and Colluden. However, Inverness is known as the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands and has a number of places to see. Start with the Old Town where you will find Inverness Cathedral and the Old High Church. As I have said before, I like to do the hop-on hop-off bus tours, and Inverness has one. This will take up your morning, then you hop in the car and head to Edinburgh via the A9 covering 200 or so miles during the 3 hour drive.
On the way to Edinburgh you could stop at Aviemore, often referred to as Aussiemore due to the number of Australians who get jobs here during the Scottish ski season. Aviemore is at the base of the Cairngorm Mountains which have a great ski season plus plenty of hikes in the warmer months. There are other towns to stop in along the way including Perth before arriving in Edinburgh early evening. Maybe grab dinner in a pub in Edinburgh.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh – book for 2 nights
Hostel: Castle Rock Hostel, Kick Ass Greyfriars Hostel
Budget-Mid Range Hotel: The Scotsman Hotel, Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Day 24 – Edinburgh
Overlooking Edinburgh through a gun turret at Edinburgh Castle
Wake up in Edinburgh and get your walking shoes on because you will be doing a lot of walking today. But first, ride aboard the Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus. it will take you to all the places in Edinburgh of note and interest. Then head to Edinburgh Castle. You can’t miss it sitting high on a crag overlooking the city. Take a tour and see where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James and also the spikes where William Wallace’s head was displayed after his death. Then walk the Royal Mile and visit a few shops on the way down to Holyrood Palace. Holyrood Palace is the home of the British monarch when in Edinburgh. These things will mostly take you all day, depending on your interest. Other things to do in Scotland include:
- Take a walking tour of the city, such as a Potter-themed tour and see if some parts look strangely familiar to those penned in the first Harry Potter novel.
- See St Giles Cathedral.
- Hike up Arthur’s Seat for great views of the city.
- Visit Princes Street Gardens.
- Explore the Museum of Scotland or the National and Portrait Galleries.
- Enjoy more whisky at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
- Shop along George Street.
Finish your day in one of the quirky bars, cosy traditional pubs or craft beer house in the Old Town for a meal – with or without haggis – and a dram of whiskey before retiring to your accommodation.
Where to stay in Edinburgh: For accommodation options in Edinburgh for your 2 night stay click here.
Day 25 – Edinburgh to York
Today you must say goodbye to Scotland and make your way back into the north of England. I suggest taking the A1 which hugs the coastline for some great scenery and cute towns. A couple of hours drive will see you at the first stop of Alnwick Castle in Alnwick which is the residence of The 12th Duke of Northumberland. It was built following the Norman conquest in 1096 but you will most likely recognise it as being the place a number of movies and TV shows are filmed. Including Downton Abbey, Black Adder and two Harry Potter films (The Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets).
Continue into Yorkshire, and to the county’s capital, York. This is a charming walled city with winding cobbled streets that is overlooked by the largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe – York Minster. As you will be arriving late in the day check into your accommodation before heading out for dinner.
Where to Stay in York – book for 2 nights
Hostel: Safestay York, YHA York
Budget-Mid Range Hotel: Ibis York Centre, Doubletree by Hilton
For more accommodation options in York click here.
Day 26 – York
York Minster dominates the skyline of the city of York
Spend the whole day today exploring York. York is a walled city in northeast England that was founded by the ancient Romans. Its huge 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, has medieval stained glass and two functioning bell towers. The City Walls form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse. The Monk Bar gate houses an exhibition tracing the life of 15th-century Plantagenet King Richard III. The best things to see and do in York include:
- Go on the York Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour
- Walk the walls around York
- Visit York Minster to discover its centuries of history and get the best views over the city
- See York Castle Museum
- Discover the viking history at the JORVIK Viking Centre
Day 27 – To Nottingham
Me and my friend Robin Hood
Distance from York to Nottingham is a leisurely 88 miles which will take about 1.5 hours along the M1. You will be there by mid-morning and able to enjoy Nottingham for the rest of the day. This area is known for being where Robin Hood spent a lot of time robbing the rich and giving to the not so rich. You could visit Sherwood Forest not to far away or the hilltop Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery. However, Nottingham is also known for once being the lace capital of the world. You can discover all about lace, and maybe buy some, in the Lace Market area.
Where to stay in Nottingham
Hostels: Igloo Hybrid, Midtown Lodge
Budget-Mid Range Hotels: Park Plaza Nottingham, Doubletree by Hilton
For more accommodation options in Nottingham click here.
Day 28 – To Stratford-upon-Avon & Oxford
Anne Hathaway Cottage
From Nottingham head to Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare – William Shakespeare that is. It is only 83 miles away so will take around 1.5 hours to reach. Stratford-upon-Avon is a medieval market town which William Shakespeare lived in the 16th century. Shakespeare is best known for his sonnets and plays such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Hamlet’. Things to see and do while here include:
- Visit Swan Theatre on the banks of the River Avo
- See Anne Hathaways Cottage and Gardens (Shakespeare’s wife)
- Walk along the river and through the town with its shopping areas and quirky cafes.
- Maybe take a canal boat tour.
After most of the day in Stratford-upon-Avon jump in the car and head to Blenheim Palace in the town of Woodstock. Blenheim Palace is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and is the only country house in England to hold the title of palace. Sir Winston Churchill, one of the UK most prominent Prime Ministers was born here. Take a walk through the palace and the grounds. It is then only a 20 minute drive to city of Oxford – the next stop on this itinerary through Great Britain.
Where to Stay in Oxford – book for 2 nights
Hostel: Central Backpackers
Budget-Mid Range Hotels: Holiday Inn Oxford, Leonardo Royal Hotel
For more accommodation options in Oxford click here.
Day 29 – Oxford
Oxford University – scenes from Harry Potter movies filmed here
After breakfast take the Oxford Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus to see all the sights of the city before going back to some of the notable spots. If you are a Harry Potter lover, get your fix with a walking tour around the incredible Oxford Colleges and see where some of the scenes of the movies were made. End your day in one of the vibrant pubs enjoying a good English feed and a pint, possibly with a bunch of students!
Day 30 – Drive to London, return car and leave
Leave Oxford behind for the journey back to London. Return your rental car and leave the UK and Ireland for home.
And So Ends this 1 Month Great Britain itinerary
All good things must come to end, including this holiday of a lifetime in Great Britain for a month. On this last day of your 4 weeks in Britain, depending on where you are going to next, you possibly could have extra time in London or head to Heathrow Airport for your journey home. I hope you have had the best time in Britain on your 1 month Britain itinerary. This itinerary was designed to see the best ‘bits’ of Britain, but I do hope it is only the first of many visits to Great Britain for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my 1 month itinerary for Great Britain in the comments following.
Wow, what a comprehensive Britain itinerary! We had a trip planned but COVID got in the way. We definitely need to make new plans!
This is super comprehensive. I just visited Brighton in winter for the first time. One thing we really enjoyed was visiting South Downs National Park. The walks along the cliffs were wonderful.
Wow! What an amazing itinerary! I think you’ve hit all the best places to visit in Britain. Packed with great tips from your experience, this Britain itinerary is going to be so useful for planning a trip over there, even if it’s shorter than 1 month.