10 Days in the UK & Ireland: London, Edinburgh & Dublin

4 days in London exploring royal palaces, world-class museums, historic pubs, and the vibrant South Bank.

3 days in Edinburgh exploring the castle, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, and the city's rich literary and whisky heritage.

3 days in Dublin enjoying the pub culture, Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, and a coastal walk in Howth.

Watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:00 (check schedule — alternate days). Arrive early for a good spot at the gates.

Iconic Gothic architecture along the Thames. Big Ben is currently fully restored. Best photo from Westminster Bridge.

London's oldest food market — pick from artisan cheese, fresh oysters, paella, and gourmet sandwiches. Bustling at lunchtime.

See the Crown Jewels, meet the Beefeaters, and hear tales of Tudor intrigue. Allow 2-3 hours. Book tickets online.

Walk the glass-floored high-level walkway and see the Victorian engine rooms. Sunset views up the Thames.

Covent Garden buzzes with street performers, stylish restaurants, and historic pubs. Try The Lamb & Flag or a pre-theatre dinner.

Free museum housing the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles, and Egyptian mummies. Focus on the highlights wing and the Great Court.

Climb the dome for panoramic London views. The Whispering Gallery and crypt are highlights. Book tickets online.

Free panoramic viewpoint atop the Walkie Talkie building. Book free tickets online weeks in advance. Otherwise try The Garden at 120.

A faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare's original theatre. Take a tour or catch an evening performance (standing yard tickets are £5).

Start with a morning stroll through London's grandest park. Rent a rowboat on the Serpentine or visit the Serpentine Gallery.

Home of the royal family since the 17th century. See Queen Victoria's childhood rooms and the King's State Apartments.

Notting Hill's famous antique market — busiest on Saturdays but charming any day. Grab brunch at a pastel-coloured café nearby.

Free entry to one of London's best museums — see the dinosaur skeletons, the blue whale, and the stunning Hintze Hall.

Visit the legendary department store's ornate food halls — a feast for the eyes even if you don't buy. Try the chocolate counter.

Soho is London's entertainment heart — global cuisine, cocktail bars, and theatres. Try Dishoom for Bombay comfort food.

Take a Thames Clipper from Westminster to Greenwich — the fastest and most scenic river transport. Oyster card accepted.

Visit the fastest clipper of the 19th century, then the free National Maritime Museum — Greenwich's maritime heritage is UNESCO-listed.

Stand on the Prime Meridian line (longitude 0°). Climb the hill for stunning views of Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park.

Covered market with international food stalls, crafts, and antiques. Great for a relaxed group lunch with variety.

Beautiful Victorian covered market (featured in Harry Potter). Historic pubs like The Old Bank of England surround it.

Catch a world-class musical or play in London's theatre district. Book tickets online in advance. Shows start at 19:30.

Arrive early to snap a photo at the Harry Potter Platform 9¾ photo spot (free, but expect a queue). Then board the LNER train.

LNER Azuma train north — ask for a window seat on the right for coastal views past Berwick-upon-Tweed. First Class includes meals.

Drop bags at accommodation then explore the Royal Mile. Try a traditional Scottish pub lunch — haggis, neeps and tatties.

Explore the castle esplanade and exterior. The 1pm Gun is fired daily. Save the interior for tomorrow — today enjoy the views from the forecourt.

Grassmarket has excellent pubs and restaurants below the castle. Try The Last Drop for history or Whiski Rooms for a tasting menu.

Book tickets online. See the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg, and the National War Museum. Allow 3 hours.

Near the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote early Harry Potter novels. Many good lunch spots on George IV Bridge and Victoria Street.

Hike to the summit of an ancient volcano (251m) for the best panoramic view of Edinburgh. Allow 1 hour up, 30 min down. Wear sturdy shoes.

Free museum covering Scottish history from geology to the Industrial Revolution. The rooftop terrace has great castle views.

Edinburgh is famous for its ghost tours through underground vaults and graveyards. Join a guided tour then visit historic pubs like The White Hart.

The King's official residence in Scotland — see the state apartments, ruins of the abbey, and the dramatic history of Mary, Queen of Scots.

UNESCO World Heritage site with the National Monument, Nelson Monument, and the best views of the New Town. Free and always open.

Stockbridge is a charming neighbourhood with independent cafés, boutiques, and the Sunday farmers' market at the nearby Inverleith Park.

A tranquil hidden gem — walk along the Water of Leith path past picturesque stone cottages and the old mill. Great photo spot.

Quick 1-hour flight from Edinburgh to Dublin with Ryanair or Aer Lingus. Book in advance — hand luggage only for speed.

Dublin's most famous cultural quarter — cobbled streets, traditional pubs, and live Irish music. Grab a pub dinner and a pint of Guinness.

Ireland's oldest university (est. 1592). See the Book of Kells — a 9th-century illuminated manuscript — and the Long Room library.

Former seat of British rule in Ireland. Tour the State Apartments, the Viking excavations, and the Record Tower. The grounds are free.

Dublin's oldest working building (est. 1030). See the 12th-century crypt and the mummified cat and rat. Lunch nearby in the Coombe area.

Ireland's largest cathedral (est. 1191). Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver's Travels) was Dean here. Lovely gardens and choir.

Dublin's #1 tourist attraction — a 7-floor experience ending with a free pint in the Gravity Bar with 360° city views. Book ahead.

Live traditional Irish music in pubs like The Temple Bar, The Oliver St. John Gogarty, or The Auld Dubliner. Fiddle, flute, and bodhrán.

Ireland's most famous prison — key site of the 1916 Easter Rising. Guided tour only, book tickets well in advance. Powerful and moving.

One of Europe's largest city parks (1,750 acres). Visit the President's residence (Áras an Uachtaráin), Dublin Zoo, and see the wild fallow deer.

Dublin's premier shopping street — pedestrianised with street musicians, department stores (Brown Thomas), and great cafés like Bewley's.

Contemporary art in the beautiful Royal Hospital Kilmainham (17th-century building). Free entry. Gardens are lovely in summer.

South William Street has Dublin's best restaurants — from modern Irish cuisine to Asian fusion. Try Chapter One or the Winding Stair for local fare.

Take the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) from Connolly Station to Howth — a 30-minute scenic coastal ride. Great views of Dublin Bay.

Pick the moderate Howth Cliff Loop (6 km, ~2 hours) from the harbour — dramatic cliff views over the Irish Sea, Baily Lighthouse, and wild seabirds.

Howth is famous for its seafood — try the chowder and crab claws at The Oar House, or fresh fish and chips from Beshoff's or Leo Burdock's.

Stroll the rhododendron gardens of Howth Castle (seasonal, stunning in late spring). The nearby National Transport Museum has vintage trams.

End the trip at Ireland's oldest pub (est. 1198). The Brazen Head has live music nightly and traditional Irish stew. Perfect send-off.