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8 Amazing Travel Experiences in the UK Few Tourists Know About

Posted on September 10, 2024September 10, 2024 by Fiona Mai

After spending a year exploring the UK, I’ve come across some hidden gems that most tourists completely miss.

Sure, the famous spots are great, but there’s so much more to this incredible country than what you’ll find in the guidebooks. And honestly, that’s the best part! I’m excited to share 8 of my most unforgettable travel experiences—ones that took me beyond the usual tourist trail and blew me away.

So, whether you’re still planning your trip or your UK tourist visa is already in hand, let’s dive in: Here are 8 Amazing Travel Experiences in the UK Few Tourists Know About

1. Volunteer at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in Ulverston

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre
Photo Credit: Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre

Where is the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre?

Located in Ulverston – a serene market town in Cumbria, England – the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre is housed in a beautiful Gothic building called Conishead Priory, which dates back to the 12th century. Surrounding the centre are lush green woodlands, several horse farms and a cobblestone beach within walking distance.

The Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre welcomes anyone to visit and offers a variety of courses ranging from short meditation workshops lasting for several hours to week-long meditation festivals. You can also come here to relax at its World Peace coffee shop, admire the building’s architecture, or take a relaxing stroll in the forest and along the shoreline.

The calm cobblestone beach at Manjushri KMC Ulverston
Buddha Statue at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre
The horse farm near the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre

Volunteer at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre

One of my most amazing travel experiences in the UK was volunteering at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre for one week. All I had to do was apply online via their website and then board the train here. During the volunteer, each person works for 30 hours per week, which is equivalent to around 5 hours per day, and then has free time on the weekend.

Work types vary from housekeeping to outdoor work, so you never get bored. Rooms and board are included, and their vegetarian and vegan meals were some of the freshest and tastiest I’d ever had. I also got the chance to make friends with people all over the world who came there to visit or volunteer. With a peaceful Buddhist ambiance there, everyone I met at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre was really nice!

You can read more in my previous post about volunteering at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre here.

2. Join a Homeless Tour in London

Unseen Tours | Homeless Tours London
Unseen Tours – An Amazing Experience in the UK

While there are undoubtedly many popular things to do in London, I had the chance to join a less popular yet very meaningful activity: A London tour led by a homeless guide.

If you’re in London and want to do something off the beaten path, I’d highly recommend this tour. It’s a good way to empower homeless people to make a living by sharing their knowledge and skills.

Organized by Unseen Tours, these tours take visitors to different London neighborhoods that their homeless guides know from the inside out. I took the Brick Lane tour with Pete and learned a lot about this multicultural and historic area, from the fantastic street art to Jack the Ripper’s thrilling tales. They also run tours in Covent Garden, London Bridge, Soho, and Kings Cross as well.

3. Attend the International Hanse Day festival in Kingston upon Hull

Organized annually in Kingston upon Hull – an up-and-coming port city in Yorkshire, the International Hanse Day celebrates the city’s maritime history and connection to the Hanseatic League.

During the festival, Hull High Street is transformed into a medieval village with actors and actresses playing their roles as traders, bakers, candle stick makers, fishing net weavers, potters, and so on.

Attending this vibrant International Hanse Day in 2017 was one of my most amazing travel experiences in the UK. There were so many things to see and do here, from enjoying great food, dancing to folk music, and attending storytelling shows, to watching in awe as these talented actors and actresses really lived up to their characters.

4. Visit Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and learn about Robin Hood’s legend

Robin Hood statue in Sherwood Forest Nottingham - Amazing travel experiences in the UK
Robin Hood statue in Sherwood Forest Nottingham

I’ve long been a fan of Robin Hood – a heroic outlaw in English folklore who robbed the rich and provided for the poor. Robin Hood once dwelt in Sherwood Forest with his sweetheart Maid Marion and the gang. Visiting Sherwood Forest in Nottingham was therefore an unforgettable travel experience for me in the UK.

While there were so many things to do in Sherwood Forest, such as cycling, horse riding, trekking, and swimming, I chose to just take a stroll along the serene forest trails and watch those magnificent oak trees shedding their leaves. The forest was so magically charming that I almost got lost in its beauty!

If you’re interested in exploring Sherwood Forest and learning more about Robin Hood’s life, you can read more here in my previous post Visit Nottingham in December.

5. Experience cheese tasting in Wensleydale

During my fantastic Yorkshire Dales tour, one of the beautiful stops was the charming market town of Hawes, where I got to visit the Wensleydale Creamery. This artisan cheesemaker has been handcrafting cheese products using traditional recipes and raw ingredients from local farms since 1897. With their heritage and originality, you don’t have to be a cheese lover like me to appreciate the way cheese is produced here.

At Wensleydale Creamery’s award-winning Cheese Experience and Visitor Centre, I had the chance to taste a variety of the area’s iconic Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese ranging from the classic blue cheese, smoked cheese, and goat cheese to more modern flavors such as the fruity and savory ones. They all tasted SO GOOD – creamy, crumbly, and original – that I ended up buying home a bunch!

6. Take a day trip from Cardiff to Brecon Beacons in Wales

Our Spectacular Day Trip to Brecon Beacons from Cardiff | Amazing Travel Experiences in the UK
Our Spectacular Day Trip to Brecon Beacons from Cardiff
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales | Amazing travel experiences in the UK
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales | Amazing travel experiences in the UK
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales

One of the 3 national parks in Wales, Brecon Beacons is located just an hour by bus from the capital Cardiff. During my visit to Wales, I took a one-day visit to Brecon Beacons and had a great time exploring the breathtaking nature this area had to offer.

Although Wales does not often appear on the bucket list of first-time visitors, not to mention Brecon Beacons, it was for me one of the best travel experiences in the UK. Find more details about our amazing day trip to Brecon Beacons from Cardiff here!

7. Attend debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords

Attend debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords | Amazing travel experiences in the UK
One of the Public Gallery at the House of Commons where I attended a debate

You might not know this, but foreign visitors are also welcome to watch debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These are where MPs and Peers question the government and debate current issues and legislation. For a foreigner like me, attending these live debates was so cool as I got to know more about the UK’s politics.

There’s no need to make reservations beforehand. You just need to show up at the Cromwell Green entrance and queue before being admitted the the public galleries and then guided to the guests’ sitting area. Visit the Parliament website for more information.

8. Take a half day trip from Edinburgh to South Queensferry

Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Edinburgh sadly did not suit my taste. Therefore, I was surprisingly delighted to find a beautiful seaside town not too far from Edinburgh for a quick escape from the bustling Scottish capital: South Queensferry.

South Queensferry Forth Bridge
South Queensferry Forth Bridge

Things that made my spontaneous visit to South Queensferry one of my best travel experiences in the UK:

  • The locals were SO friendly. Almost everyone I met went out of their way to show me the town.
  • The Forth Bridge – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – was a stunning piece of architecture to behold.
  • Taking a stroll around town felt super relaxing! There were pretty houses with fine gardens everywhere.
  • Albeit its proximity to Edinburgh, South Queensferry was nowhere near as noisy, touristy, and crowded as the capital city. It’s truly a haven of peace and can easily be an ideal half day trip from Edinburgh.

Summary: 8 Amazing Travel Experiences in the UK

Have you had the same travel experiences in the UK? Or are there any others that you would like to suggest? Let me know by commenting below! 🙂

Pin this for future reference:

Amazing travel experiences in the UK
Amazing travel experiences in the UK

19 thoughts on “8 Amazing Travel Experiences in the UK Few Tourists Know About”

  1. Lisa says:
    September 24, 2022 at 8:34 am

    This is a great list! I’d definitely be up for some cheese tasting. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

    Reply
  2. Katy says:
    September 24, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    As a Brit, I love reading things I’ve never heard about! Visiting Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and learn about Robin Hood’s legend is definitely on my list

    Reply
  3. Terri says:
    September 24, 2022 at 9:08 pm

    I want to do all theee adventures. I love doing quirky things when I travel to a new country. Great roundup.

    Reply
  4. Natalie says:
    September 24, 2022 at 9:12 pm

    I love unique experiences like these! Next time I’m in the UK, I’ll definitely be trying a few of these, so thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  5. ANUKRATI DOSI says:
    September 25, 2022 at 12:54 am

    Cheese tasting would be something I would love to experience.

    Reply
  6. Rachel - Rays of Adventure says:
    September 25, 2022 at 4:06 am

    Great post! I live in the UK, and travelled here a lot during Covid when travelling abroad was restricted, but I still haven’t tried a lot of these experiences! The Homeless Tour in London sounds like a great idea, I’ll definitely do that when I’m next in London.

    Reply
  7. Lauren says:
    September 25, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    These look fantastic. I was thinking about what to do on our return to the UK. We have done all the ‘big’ tourist things this list will come in very handy.

    Reply
  8. JJ Jordan says:
    September 25, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    These are great! I’ll take that homeless tour next time I’m in London, what a great way to help the homeless community!

    Reply
  9. Linda (LD Holland) says:
    September 25, 2022 at 10:34 pm

    I love the variety in the travel experiences you have shared for the UK. I know that hubby would want to visit the Sherwood Forest and pretend he is Robin Hood. We do love food experiences so local cheese would be a great experience.

    Reply
  10. Jazmin Marie says:
    September 25, 2022 at 10:57 pm

    Such cool experiences! I didn’t know about any of them. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Bea says:
    September 26, 2022 at 12:26 am

    Best blog post I have read today! I especially love the London tour lead by a formerly homeless person. I didn’t know this was a thing and as someone who volunteers every year at Christmas with the homeless I am super keen to support the cause and go on a tour (and share it on social!). Thank you for bringing it to my attention!

    Reply
  12. jetlaggedroamer says:
    September 26, 2022 at 2:03 am

    Such a great list of experiences! I am all about cheese and day trips. Pinning this guide so I know what to do when I get there.

    Reply
  13. Anja | Anja On Adventure says:
    September 27, 2022 at 2:36 am

    This post is amazing! I love how it actually shows that UK is so much more than just London and a few other places and that there are other cool and interesting things to do! I would love to be a cheese tester 🙂

    Reply
  14. iamsophiasanchez says:
    October 26, 2022 at 10:39 pm

    Wow, I’ve never heard about the homeless tour in London! It sounds really interesting. And watching the debates at the House of Commons and the House of Lords is something that I would like to experience! Definitely gonna save this post on my next travel to the UK! 🙂

    Reply
  15. Sarah says:
    October 26, 2022 at 11:29 pm

    What an amazing list. I’m originally from the UK and wasn’t aware of half these activities. I’d love to volunteer in Ulverston, sounds fascinating.

    Reply
  16. simplyjolayne says:
    October 26, 2022 at 11:37 pm

    Love the ideas for off the beaten path exploring in the United Kingdom.

    Reply
  17. Karen says:
    October 27, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    Wow, your ideas are so unique and interesting! You sound like someone I would want to hang out with. Except I can’t understand why you don’t like Edinburgh. Thank you for the great article.

    Reply
  18. Ildiko says:
    October 28, 2022 at 7:57 am

    Wow, all 8 of these are very unique and are not experiences that I have seen posted before. I know I would love to wander through Sherwood Forest. I would also love to do the cheese tour and tasting. Great recommendations!

    Reply
  19. Goya Galeotta says:
    November 6, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    I live in the UK and haven’t tried some of these yet – what an absolute little gem!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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Welcome to Fiona's blog!

A 30-ish Vietnamese travel blogger who has been to 21 countries so far, Fiona was lucky enough to call herself a past resident of Helsinki, Berlin, Brisbane, Hanoi, and Kingston upon Hull. Even more fortunate right now to be back to where she comes from: Saigon, Vietnam. Read more about her journeys here.

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