Rehearse your United Kingdom trip before you go

Entry rules by passport

Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.

Traps travellers fall into

In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.

• A touting curry house on Brick Lane LondonBrick Lane touts' discounts rarely add up; choose curry by reputation
• A 'discount' ticket booth on Leicester Square LondonBuy day-of tickets at the theatre or the official TKTS booth; unofficial booths can be pricier
• A 'cashmere bargain' shop on the Royal Mile EdinburghCheck origin and fibre labels; buy tartan and cashmere from specialists
• A long Tube escalator LondonOn London escalators, stand on the right and leave the left for walkers
• Seated in the pub LondonIn British pubs, order and pay at the bar, giving your table number

Month by month

• JanuaryJanuary in London is about 8°C by day and 2°C at night; Scotland can see snow. Sunset just after 4 p.m.
• FebruaryFebruary in London is about 9°C and cold, with sunset around 5 p.m.
• MarchMarch reaches about 11°C and is still chilly. Easter falls on 26–29 March.
• AprilApril reaches about 14°C: spring flowers, much longer days (sunset near 8 p.m.) and frequent showers.
• MayMay reaches about 18°C with sunset near 9 p.m.; bank holidays on 3 and 31 May.
• JuneJune reaches about 21°C; sunset is 9:30 p.m., and Scotland stays light past 10 p.m.
• JulyJuly reaches about 23°C with summer-holiday crowds; some years bring heatwaves over 30°C.
• AugustAugust reaches about 23°C. It's Edinburgh's festival month, with rooms gone early and expensive; bank holiday on 30 August.
• SeptemberSeptember reaches about 20°C as the summer crowds ease.
• OctoberOctober reaches about 15°C with more rain and shorter days; the clocks go back at the end of the month (sunset before 5 p.m.).
• NovemberNovember–December: London around 10°C and often wet. Sunset around 4 p.m., in Scotland about 3:30.
• DecemberDecember in London is about 8°C with sunset near 3:50 p.m. On Christmas Day no trains, Tube or buses run.

Sample routes

• ClassicClassic: London and EdinburghFrom London's free museums and musicals, north by train to the castle city.London → Edinburgh
• DetourDetour: Bath and the stone villagesA night in Roman Bath, then walks between Cotswold villages.London → Bath → The Cotswolds
• Off the pathOff the path: north via York to the HighlandsWalled York, Edinburgh, then on to Loch Ness and whisky country.London → York → Edinburgh → The Highlands (Inverness)

Hidden gems

• Sky Garden LondonA greenhouse garden atop a skyscraper: free, but you must book.
• Arthur's Seat EdinburghAn extinct volcano beside the city, an hour's climb to the top.
• The city walls YorkWalls from Roman times; walk the circuit along the top.
• The Bath Skyline walk BathA trail over the hills ringing the city, the honey-coloured town beyond fields and woods.
• Antiques in Stow-on-the-Wold The CotswoldsA hilltop market town of antiques shops and a church door framed by yew trees.
• A whisky distillery tour The Highlands (Inverness)A nearby distillery, from mash tun to cask, with tastings.
• V&A Museum LondonA museum of design, with Japanese kimono and one of the world's first museum cafés.
• Dean Village EdinburghTen minutes from the centre, an old mill village by the river.

13 more to find in the game.

Before you go

• Install a travel eSIMEssential for maps and rail apps
• Learn how service charges work12.5% is often already on the bill
• Pack a waterproof and warm layersRain, cold and short days