A 10 Day UK Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Last Updated on 13th September 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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The United Kingdom (UK) is an island nation made up of four countries. The landscape of the UK varies significantly, from the rolling hills of England to the mountains and peaks in both Wales and Scotland and the sweeping coastline of Northern Ireland. A nation rich with historical intrigue and fascinating cultures, there’s much to explore.

So, you’ve settled on the idea of visiting the United Kingdom for the first time? Great news! Travelling around and exploring its many landscapes couldn’t be easier and it’s one of the best destinations to indulge in history, culture, quaint countryside and bustling cities. Here’s your ultimate 10 day itinerary travelling the UK for first time visitors!

Travel tips for first time visitors to United Kingdom

As with any country you visit for the first time, it’s always helpful to know a few travel tips before having to find out for yourself. When it comes to visiting the UK there are a few things you should keep in mind.

No matter what time of the year it is you’ll likely need a coat or jacket with you, if there’s one thing you should know before you go, the weather is unpredictable! Though rarely extreme, you can often find drizzle (even when the forecast says otherwise) so it’s always best to be prepared for rain or shine.

A few other practical tips, the currency used in the UK is the pound sterling (£), though you will find that some banknotes look different when visiting Scotland, they are still counted as the same currency. Also, card is widely accepted throughout the country (but, some places won’t take American Express).

When it comes to transport, if driving then you should know that in the UK we drive on the left side of the road. In terms of public transport, don’t stand on the left side of escalators as people tend to pass by on the right and you should always purchase your ticket before you get on the train as it will cost you a lot more if you don’t.

A final note, don’t try to see everything in one go. The UK is crammed with sights to see, and locations to visit so you can only expect to see part of it if you have limited time. I would suggest focusing on your interests, similar to this itinerary, which will give you an overall taste of everything, with a specific interest in history and culture. Enjoy!

Please note: We have linked several itineraries within our site in this article, each itinerary will give you more in-depth information, travel tips and options of suggested places where to stay.

10 day UK itinerary

The United Kingdom is an island made up of four historic countries, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

While all destinations make for great places to explore, for the purpose of an introduction and taste of the UK we’ll take you to England and Scotland (which leaves you with plenty more to see when you return!)

Day 1 & 2 London

No matter where you are travelling from, you’ll likely end up starting your UK adventures in the capital city, London. Known as “The Big Smoke” because it hasn’t always had the cleanest of air…

London is a buzzing and bustling metropolis which is vast in size and by far the biggest city in the UK, there is an estimated population of 10 million people (2023).

London is filled with hidden gems and secret spots, as well as brimming with plenty of free things to do, which makes travelling that bit more budget-friendly, as you might already know, London prices aren’t always the kindest!

The first day in London will be your crash course to life in the UK and it’s all about getting up to speed on those ‘must-see iconic’ London attractions. Much of the day will be spent wandering around Westminster, admiring the Houses of Parliament and catching an up-close and personal view of the London Eye.

The second day will be spent delving even further into the capital’s historical and cultural past, exploring the city’s heart, the City of London, as well as visiting several museums and galleries filled with unique treasures to uncover.

Read our 3 Days in London Itinerary here. But, be sure to do the first two days only as you’ll want to save the third day for your last day of the itinerary.

Day 3 & 4 Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is a pocket of chocolate box towns and pretty as a postcard villages are found in abundance alongside lush rolling hills and babbling streams, it’s easily one of the prettiest places to visit in all of England!

A place like no other, the Cotswolds towns and villages feel like they’ve been plucked straight out of a fairytale. For those familiar with the popular film The Holiday, you can see many of its filming locations in the Cotswolds.

Though the house Cameron Diaz stays in sadly doesn’t exist, you can visit similar quaint cottages. To paint the best picture, one cottage is called the Honeysuckle Cottage, which is as cute as it sounds.

When it comes to your time in the Cotswolds I suggest checking out our How to Spend One Day in the Cotswolds Road Trip Itinerary for the first day.

On the second day, enjoy a more leisurely approach by exploring some of the hidden gems and secret spots, enjoying a local craft beer in a cosy pub and strolling around the luscious countryside. For even more inspiration, check out our suggestions for how to spend 3 days in the Cotswolds.

Day 5 Oxford

Most famously known for its prestigious university, which is the oldest university in the UK, Oxford is a charming county town rich with history and stunning architecture.

From leafy green spaces to world-class museums and galleries filled with masterpieces, there’s so much culture to soak up and enjoy.

The best way to experience Oxford is to simply wander around its quaint cobbled streets and absorb it all!

Some of the highlights we’ve mentioned in are itinerary include the Bodleian Library, viewing Oxford from above in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, as well as indulging in the eateries, cosy cafés and checking out the historic pubs. Read our How to Spend One Day in Oxford Itinerary on our sister site here.

Day 6 & 7 York

York is a gorgeous city in northern England brimming with history and not too far from Hadrian’s Wall and the border with Scotland. A treasure trove of timber-framed buildings, hidden alleyways (that are known locally as snickelways) and more ghost stories than you can imagine!

York is probably most famous for its York Minster, a grandiose Gothic Cathedral that’s one of the largest in Europe.

There’s also the Roman Bath Museum and old city walls where you can see the remnants of the city from when it was founded in around 71 AD. Read our How to Spend a Long Weekend in York itinerary here.

Day 8 & 9 Edinburgh

Where to start… Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is often referred to as one of the friendliest cities in the world! A fairytale city rich with medieval and Gothic architecture, history and many different landscapes, it has inspired many an artist, writer, and creative over the centuries and is too easy to fall in love with.

Edinburgh is a fairly small city, where all of the major attractions are grouped close to one another and you never have to walk or take a bus/ taxi too far between destinations.

As such, two days in the capital is a perfect amount of time to experience this gorgeous destination!

That being said, Edinburgh is one of those places you will ache to go back to over and over again, it’s guaranteed. Read our 3 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary here, and adapt it to two days which suit your interests most.

Day 10 London

Head back to where your adventure began and explore the Big Smoke once again! This time using the third day of our 3 Days in London Itinerary.

On your third and final day you’ll live out your Notting Hill dreams through vintage shopping, experiencing quirky city life and wandering down some of the city’s prettiest streets (including the popular London Mews Streets which you may have seen on Instagram!) we’ll also suggest where to find some of the cutest cafés in London.

Getting around

The UK is well served by public transport, with railway lines connecting you to almost every corner of the nation, as well as buses.

All of the places mentioned in this itinerary are possible to reach from each destination via a direct train. An important thing to repeat, always be sure to purchase your ticket in advance before you get on the train.

When it comes to the London Underground or ‘tube’, it’s entirely contactless now, which means you just need to tap your card or phone when going through and on the way out, the final cost of your total journey will be taken from you by midnight that day.

The cost of a journey can depend on which zones you travel through. Find more about London Underground prices on their official website here.

When it comes to driving, the UK is fairly easy to navigate. The only place I would suggest avoiding driving in is London, no one needs stress like that! As mentioned, in the UK we drive on the left hand side of the road, so it may take a little getting used to if you aren’t familiar.

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