What to do and see in United Kingdom, United Kingdom: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

December 26, 2021 Weston Hennigan

Discover a country filled with epic landscapes, fairy-tales castles and vibrant modern cities bursting with unforgettable experiences to share. Whether it’s gazing at the London skyline from the top of iconic St Paul’s and sipping the finest single malt whisky in a pub in the Scottish Highlands, or tracing footsteps of Banksy in Bristol, discovering musical legends in Liverpool and exploring the history of Cardiff Castle in the stunning heart of Wales, there’s a Britain that’s perfect for you.
Restaurants in United Kingdom

1. The Mary Rose

Main Road Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3PY England +44 (0) 23 9281 2931 [email protected] http://www.maryrose.org
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,617 reviews

The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose is home to the Mary Rose and the thousands of artefacts that were recovered from the Solent. Built between 1509 and 1511, The Mary Rose was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a firm favourite of King Henry VIII. After a long and successful career, she sank accidentally during an engagement with the French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of nautical archaeology. After a 34 year conservation project, the Mary Rose is now fully on display within her purpose-built museum. Please note that The Mary Rose is not included in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 11 Attraction Ticket. We currently offer a 10% discount to holders of a valid 11 Attraction Ticket upon its presentation at either our Visitor Centre at the main dockyard entrance (Victory Gate), or at our museum. Tickets purchased before 1st April 2018 will still be accepted until their expiration date.

Reviewed By 910adrianh - Frome, United Kingdom

Have visited this museum twice now and each time have been amazed at the restoration and historical background to life onboard in Tudor times that it provides and demonstrates. Attended a brilliant talk about the threat of French invasion at the time.

2. Birmingham Back to Backs

50 - 54 Inge St / 55 - 63 Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE England +44 121 666 7671 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birmingham-back-to-backs/
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,664 reviews

Birmingham Back to Backs

Reviewed By lesh244 - Birmingham, United Kingdom

Finally got around to booking (essential) in for the tour and was not disappointed, the rooms are so small that only a few people can be accommodated on each tour! Our guide was well informed and gave a very humourous guided tour During the 90 minute tour there are lots of narrow doorways and steep stairs, both up and down, to negotiate so you do need to be able bodied You are introduced to the ever changing history of the properties and its occupants with fascinating description of their lives and businesses There are lots of objects to see and handle to help you get a fuller picture of life in the back to back housing of the times There is a small museum to view and a visit to the sweet shop on the corner is an absolute must Please make sure to book so as not to be dissapointed when you are turned away, as all tours are fully booked, if you turn up on spec!

3. Victoria Tunnel

55 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ England +44 191 230 4210 [email protected] http://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,894 reviews

Victoria Tunnel

Guided tours of the fully preserved 19th century coal waggonway and WW2 air-raid shelter. Pre-booking is essential and tickets can be booked online through our website or by telephone during office hours. Tours every day, check the website for details. Our extensive Covid-19 precautions have been assessed by Visit Britain and we have been awarded "Good to Go" certification.

Reviewed By 597derekp

15/12/18. Victory Pub Christmas Jolly Boys outing at the Victoria Tunnel. A thoroughly enjoyable and educational history tour of this amazing engineering feat of the 1840s. 2 fantastic volunteer guides. Fascinating facts about the tunnel's original use and later use during World War 2 as an air raid shelter for up to 9,000 people. Highly recommended.

4. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP England +44 20 7403 3761 [email protected] http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39,056 reviews

Tower Bridge

An iconic London landmark and one of Britain's best loved historic sites, Tower Bridge is open to the public 363 days a year. Within the Bridge's iconic structure and magnificent Victorian Engine rooms, the Tower Bridge Exhibition is the best way of exploring the most famous bridge in the world! Come learn about this incredible feat of Victorian engineering, discover how the Bridge is raised and enjoy stunning panoramic views across London from our high-level walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames. Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00 (last admission )

Reviewed By U9398PYmatthewp - Wiltshire, United Kingdom

For 10 quid you get a lot for your money. Super interesting museum and an opportunity to see a different side of Tower Bridge. It’s been done really well and whilst the glass floor is an interesting (and vertiginous) experience its really a side show to learning about the history and complexity of this iconic landmark. Be sure to watch the film in the engine room; fascinating.

5. River Avon

Excellent
52%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 203 reviews

River Avon

This scenic river runs through the center of Bath and offers pleasant walking trails along its banks and boat tours.

Reviewed By JohnD209 - Leavenworth, United States

The River Avon – There are several rivers named Avon in Britain as Avon is a cognate of the Welsh word afon, or river. The Avon River that flows through Bath and Bristol rises just north of Acton Turville in South Gloucestershire and is navigable from Bath to Bristol. It is 121 km long, the 19th longest river in the United Kingdom. The stretch from the Pulteney Bridge in Bath downstream 700 meters to the Bath Locks and the river at Bristol are particularly popular stretches for riverside strolls, although picturesque bridges span the river throughout its length. Visited late Fall 2019.

6. Royal Yacht Britannia

Ocean Drive Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ Scotland +44 131 555 5566 [email protected] http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22,167 reviews

Royal Yacht Britannia

Step aboard The Queen's former floating palace and experience this iconic 5 star attraction for yourself. Rated Scotland's Best Attraction for 12 years running and in TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for the last 5 years, Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world. Sailing a million miles on a thousand official visits, during 40 years in service, the Royal Yacht played host to glittering state banquets and official receptions, but was also home to the Royal Family and crew of 220 Royal Yachtsmen. Explore Britannia's highly accessible 5 decks with highlights including the elegant Royal Apartments, Crew's Quarters, Engine Room and stunning Royal Deck Tea Room. Highly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Open year round .Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh city centre (local buses every 10 minutes - 11, 22, 34 and 35 to Ocean Terminal).

Reviewed By JCBH_1 - McLean, United States

The (now retired) Royal Yacht Britannia is a national treasure, frozen in time for all of us to enjoy. Wonderful "whisper" audio sets tied to numbered highlights so you can't miss a thing. Britannia is crowded, but for great reason: It's fantastic. You visit everything from the Bridge to the (impeccable) Engine Room, including the impressive State Dining Room and Salon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's staterooms - staff quarters and even the ship's infirmary and laundry rooms. The Royal Rolls Royce is on board, and the Queen's motor launch (alongside the Britannia - you'll see it last) is very impressive. Furnishings are original. It's amazing. Very nice shoreside ticket facility, gift shop, etc. There is also a tea room - which is apparently very popular. Britannia is a national treasure - terrific to be able to experience it.

7. St Fagans National Museum of History

Cardiff CF5 6XB Wales +44 29 2057 3500 [email protected] http://www.museum.wales/stfagans
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,194 reviews

St Fagans National Museum of History

A walk around Wales – from Celtic times to the present day. St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open–air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction.

Reviewed By caelchamberlain2 - Bridgend, United Kingdom

Absolute gem of welsh cultural history, amazing indoor displays and great outdoor exhibits to walk round , free entry so you can’t go wrong , the castle and gardens are amazing and dogs are permitted throughout the area

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN England +44 20 7747 2885 [email protected] http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39,791 reviews

National Gallery

The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge.

Reviewed By Noraatc - Sudbury, United States

It always happens to me: National Gallery takes much more time than I originally plan. I started with the Renaissance painters, spent plenty of time enjoying my all time favorites, Leonardo’s “Virgin of the Rocks”, Botticelli’s “Venus and Mars” and his portraits. Moved on to amazing El Greco, phenomenal “Rokeby Venus” by Diego Velázquez, Van Eyck and Vermeer, several Rembrandt’s portraits, which I had seen on display recently in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh... the list is very, very long, so I do not want to bore you with it... Around 2 pm the swarms of noisy school children have become unbearable, so I decided to take a break for lunch in the lovely National Gallery Cafe. After much needed lunch, I went to the Impressionists, the reason why I got stuck in the National Gallery for so long. What a stunning collection! The best Cezanne, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, whom I adore... phenomenal Renoir’s portraits, beautiful Claude Monet’s landscapes, famous Manet’s paintings “The Music in the Tuileries” and “Execution of Maximilian”... I stopped paying attention to noisy school kids and completely drowned in the beauty of the paintings forgetting about everything around me. Forgot about time as well... it was already 6pm, the Gallery was closing. Will be back and hopefully soon.

Kelvingrove Art Galleries Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG Scotland +44 141 276 9599 [email protected] http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove/Pages/default.aspx
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15,301 reviews

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Free Entry. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Mu​seum is Scotland's most visited free attraction.​ With 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects, the collections are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally-significant.

Reviewed By mkoperabuff

Great museum fabulous art deco MacIntosh exhibits, natural history, social and Scottish history, furniture, decorations and marvelous paintings of Scottish, French, Dutch, English and other masterpieces, e.g. Rossetti, Turner, Monet, Cezanne. Beautiful high Victorian opulent building, organ concert, nice cafe and shops and free, please shop or leave a donation well worth it. Great for children too especially the natural history exhibits.

10. Fitzwilliam Museum

Trumpington Street Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB England +44 1223 332900 [email protected] http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,499 reviews

Fitzwilliam Museum

Museum houses vast collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, including exhibits of English and European pottery and glass, furniture, clocks, Chinese jades, and ceramics from Japan and Korea.

Reviewed By Sebulus-Palmer - March, United Kingdom

I've been going to 'The Fitz' since I was a kid. My first favourite area, back as a nipper, was the arms and armour area. Then I moved on to the contemporary art galleries, in my teens (around secondary/sixth-form age I used to love to go and sketch there; learning from the masters in an inspiring environment!). More recently my wife and I have been getting more into the medieval, renaissance and suchlike, and enjoying such a temporary exhibitions as appeal to us, and these can be very varied: from medieval illuminated manuscripts to early gold coins, or Dutch paintings of Vermeer's era, etc. There's a nice cafe and shop area as well. And they even put on talks, concerts, and all sorts. We've moved further from Cambridge recently, making trips to The Fitz less frequent, and I/we miss it. It's like having a London style museum out in the 'the sticks'. Highly recommended.

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