UK Travel Guide: London, Edinburgh, Cotswolds & Where to Go in 2026

Since 25 February 2026, almost all visa-free visitors to the UK — including citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the EU, and around 50 other countries — must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. It costs £20, is valid for two years and multiple entries, allows stays up to six months per visit, and is digitally linked to your passport. Apply via the official UK ETA app — most applications are approved automatically within minutes, but allow at least three working days in case of review. British and Irish citizens are exempt. The UK is not in the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa does NOT cover travel here. Final entry is still decided by a Border Force officer at arrival.

London is one of the world's great cities and probably the most expensive in Europe — but for a first UK trip, it's still the right base. It has over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, world-leading museums (almost all free), and excellent transit. Plan four full days minimum. Where to stay matters more than which hotel: South Bank or Bloomsbury for first-timers, Shoreditch or King's Cross for repeat visitors. If you have more than a week, base in London for the first half and then move — Edinburgh (3 hours by train) for Scotland's most beautiful city, Bath or York for compact historical depth, or the Cotswolds for countryside. Train travel here is excellent if you book 6–8 weeks ahead; walk-up fares are punishing.

The Isle of Islay, off Scotland's west coast — eight working distilleries on a single island, each with a distinct character. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg cluster on the south coast for the most aggressively peated whiskies; Bowmore and Bunnahabhain are gentler. A long weekend gives you three or four distillery tours. The Speyside region in northeast Scotland is the alternative — more distilleries (over 50), softer whiskies, and the famous Speyside Way walking trail connecting them. Base in Aberlour or Dufftown. Most distillery tours need to be booked 2–4 weeks ahead in peak summer. If you're flying in: Glasgow for Islay (then ferry from Kennacraig or fly to Islay airport), Aberdeen or Inverness for Speyside.

Late May to early September is the safe answer — temperatures 18–24°C, long evenings (sunset past 9pm in June), gardens at their best, festivals everywhere (Edinburgh's in August, Glastonbury in late June, Wimbledon in July). It's also the most expensive and crowded period. April, October, and the Christmas market season in late November–December are the shoulder sweet spots — fewer crowds, lower prices, atmospheric grey light. Winter (January–February) is bleak weather-wise but unbeatable for theatre, museums, and pubs by a fire. Wherever you go, pack for rain in any season — "there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing" is essentially British policy. Booked-in-advance train fares are massively cheaper than walk-up.

Tipping in the UK is appreciated but never aggressive — and far gentler than the US. Restaurants: 10–12.5% is standard; check whether a "service charge" is already on the bill (common in London) — if so, no extra tip needed. Pubs: No tip if you're buying drinks at the bar; 10% if you have table service for food. Taxis and rideshares: Round up to the nearest pound, or 10% for longer journeys. Hotels: A couple of pounds for housekeeping if you choose to; £1–2 for porters. Hairdressers, tour guides: 10% if you were happy. Coffee shops, takeaways, and counter service — no tipping expected. UK staff are paid at least minimum wage by law, so tips are genuine appreciation rather than a substitute salary.