Header Image attribution: "Bath, UK - panoramio (54)" by Tabraiz Feham is licensed under CC BY 3.0This post contains affiliate links. Our Extraordinary Planet may be compensated for any purchases you make.Whether you’re heading to one of the cheapest places to visit in the United or making your way to London, the United Kingdom is a wonderful place to see. Unfortunately, it can be hard to make your dream England vacation come true when you’re keeping a budget. But if you travel with savings in mind, taking a trip to England is possible. One of the best ways to start is by choosing an affordable city to travel to.
The seven best and cheapest places to visit in UK are Bath, London, Brighton, Liverpool, Belfast, Oxford, and Cornwall. There are technically plenty of cheaper places you could go to in England, but these cities are great for balancing fun and saving costs as long as you take the right approach to your travel. Between their spectacular restaurants and attractions, it’s safe to say you won’t be bored while taking a trip to any of these cities.
In this article, I’ll be giving you all the essential information you need about the seven best and cheapest places to visit in UK. I’ll also be explaining the budget-friendly way to travel, including my best tips for saving money at restaurants, finding cheap travel, and even enjoying free entertainment and attractions across the UK. With that, here are the seven best and cheapest places to visit in UK.
Bath
There are a lot of great reasons to consider going across the UK to visit Bath. With its beautiful Georgian architecture, this city knows how to delight your eyes — and it has an incredible (and cheap) local cuisine that will delight your palate, too.
In order to explore this spectacular city, however, you’ll need to know how to spend your money the right way. While Bath is generally considered to be one of the most expensive places in the United Kingdom, it’s possible to explore Bath on a budget with the right approach.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
Lulu Caffe
If you’re looking for a cheap place to grab brunch, there’s no better spot in Bath than Lulu Caffe. This spectacularly delicious cafe is vegan, vegetarian, and celiac friendly — so whether you’re looking for a classic baklava or a decadent vegan cappuccino, Lulu Caffe has something for everyone.
Goulash
There’s no doubt that one of the most popular places to go in Bath for cheap Eastern European cuisine is Goulash. This restaurant serves unforgettable food like steamed buns and beef goulash. And it isn’t just a spectacular meal that this restaurant is serving — Goulash is priced to help customers save money, too.
Limpley Stoke Hotel
When it comes to the best accommodation in Bath, there’s no cheaper place to go for a quality night’s sleep than the Limpley Stoke Hotel. Situated just a 10-minute drive outside of the city, this 3-star hotel offers a delightful lakeside view and comfortable suites to visitors at an affordable cost.
London
While London might seem like one of the most expensive places in the United Kingdom you could possibly visit, it’s actually possible to visit this spectacular city while cutting costs. So if you’re ready to head to London, all you need to remember is to bring an open mind.
Between the excellent public transportation in London and the seemingly infinite selection of restaurants and hotels, you won’t have any trouble sticking to your budget when you take the right approach. You should be sure to check for deals online, too, since plenty of restaurants and hotels in London offer great sales.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
Regency Cafe
If you want to do all of the most iconic London activities, you can’t forget to go to the Regency Cafe while you’re in town. This deliciously cheap restaurant caters to breakfast, lunch, and dinner diners, so after you’ve had a fun day of exploring London, you won’t have any problems appeasing your appetite.
The Corner London City
If you want to find a comfortable place to hit the hay each night without breaking the bank, there’s no better place to go than The Corner London City. This delightfully chic and contemporary hotel offers all of the best classics, including a continental breakfast and consistently low nightly costs.
Explore London’s National Gallery
There are a lot of highlights you just can’t excuse missing when you’re on a London vacation — with one of the most spectacular being the National Gallery. While the works of Renoir and Michelangelo might inspire awe in prints and photographs, you’ll be blown away by seeing these masterpieces in person — and you won’t have to spend a cent to go.
Brighton
You don’t have to head to the Mediterranean sea to have an incredible summer vacation. In fact, one of the best places in the world you can go to play in the sand is right in England! This elegant seaside town quickly charms visitors with its Georgian-style homes and hotels and its spectacular pebbled beaches.
And it isn’t just the beaches you’ll love about Brighton. If you’re looking for something tasty to eat or drink, you’ll be charmed by the variety of eclectic restaurants and seafood eateries. And if you consider yourself to live an alternative lifestyle, you’ll love taking part in the lively alt scenes that call Brighton home.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
Desi Indian Takeaway
If you’re looking for the best place in Brighton to stretch your budget while still enjoying a delicious meal, there’s no better local delight than Desi Indian Takeaway. Whether you’re drawn to the chicken tikka masala or the savory samosas, you’ll be amazed with all of the flavor that these incredible dishes have to offer.
The Royal Pavilion
If you’ve decided to take a trip to Brighton, you can’t forget to tour the Royal Pavilion. This gorgeous location offers beautiful architecture to sightsee and lush gardens to walk amongst. Exploring the exterior is free, but if you’re willing to pay a small budget-friendly fee, you can also see the gorgeous paintings and furnishings inside the pavilion itself.
The Amusement Park On Brighton Pier
Before you leave Brighton, you can’t forget to take a tour of the amusement park on Palace Pier. The budget-friendly park has a few attractions to offer, including several rides and a haunted house. Families consider the park to be one of the highlights of Brighton when taking their children on a fun trip, but the park has plenty of appeal to offer adventurous adults, too.
Liverpool
Liverpool is easily one of the most famous cities in the country. Home of the Beatles and the Liverpool Football Club, the city attracts a variety of visitors for tours and travel each year. No matter what makes you consider a bit of travel to Liverpool, it’s safe to say that you’ll enjoy everything it has to offer.
As you consider where to go, a great way to start is doing a search on the web and visiting a website or two that offers information on the location. Many sites were last updated recently and offer plenty of helpful information, but it is worth checking before you take the tip to heart and go abroad. Many resources and helpful links can also be found on the official website.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
The Art School Restaurant
It’s rare to find such an incredible Michelin-starred restaurant, but this town is home to one of the best. The Art School Restaurant is a luxurious dining location that attracts visitors from across the country. It is known for its contrast-intensive contemporary interior design, incredible champagnes, and stunning selection of gourmet food.
The Famous Beatles Tours
You’re probably familiar with the origin of the Beatles, but did you know that custom tours are offered to allow enthusiastic fans to follow in the footsteps of the band? The Beatles tour takes you across the country as you follow the lives of this legendary band, visiting their childhood homes and visiting famous sites in the band’s history.
Belfast
While Belfast isn’t quite in England, it is a town that you won’t regret visiting. Belfast is the national capital of Northern Ireland, and with that honor comes plenty of unique qualities and history. The town is close by the Irish Sea and the North Atlantic, offering gorgeous views along the rugged coastlines. You don’t have to search far for delicious food or comfortable stays to fit your budget, either, as the town has more than enough to offer.
Belfast isn’t the most popular destination in the United Kingdom, making it an excellent place to travel to if you’re worried about COVID-19. Health conscious visitors should also consider browsing sites on the web for tips and information about the current COVID-19 situation and any health emergency details. The web is generally a great asset for visiting, as you can also use it to search for tips on food and fun tours. One of our favorite tips is to take day tours to Scotland while you’re in the area!
Oxford
This is one of the most popular places to go in the United Kingdom. The town has long been popular with international students due to the presence of the famous Oxford University, but that certainly isn’t the only attraction that this treasure of the country has to offer. Book lovers will adore visiting the Blackwell Bookshop, while many others find themselves awestruck by the gorgeous architecture and academic ambiance.
One of the best ways to enjoy the town is to search through the various tours offered and to find one that suits your interests. You can also head to fascinating sites like the Ultimate Picture Palace on Cowley Road or the Great Hall of Christ Church College to see a few more fascinating sites while you’re in the area. And while this is an expensive place to travel to, a favorite tip of ours is to use the National Express coaches to make your journey a little more budget-friendly.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
The Cherwall Boathouse
World class dining can be found in this internationally renowned town. In fact, all you need to do is make a stop at The Cherwall Boathouse during their open hours. There’s no better way to enjoy some of the best food in the country than pairing it with wine and enjoying the esoteric and gorgeous view from a riverside Victorian boathouse. There’s no doubt that this restaurant serves some of the best food in the country.
Cornwall
There’s no doubt that Cornwall is one of the most beautiful towns in the country. And between its exquisite food and breathtakingly blue coastline, it has no shortage of things for visitors to do. Our best tip is to start your Cornwall vacation by taking a head start and going straight to one of the town’s beautiful beaches. Whether you prefer soft sands and tide pools or a vast rugged expanse, you won’t have any trouble finding the ideal beach among the 300 local to Cornwall.
Another favorite tip of ours is to try the famous food of Cornwall while you’re in the area. Some of the best recommended dishes include saffron cake and clotted cream, but the area also has plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants for you to head along to and try. While you can’t exactly take a day to go to Scotland from this remote area, you’ll quickly find that it’s a beautiful place you won’t soon forget.
Best Foods, Accommodation, and Things to Do
Appleton’s
With welcomingly wide hours and a decadent menu, you can’t visit Cornwall without making a stop in Appleton’s — I’d call it an emergency to leave without doing so! This delicious restaurant has a menu filled with foods like prosecco-battered polenta chips and crab linguine, leaving diners nothing more to desire but dessert.
Other Cheap United Kingdom Highlights
If you’ve read about the United Kingdom online in anticipation of your exciting vacation, you’ve probably gotten sucked into the hype about cities like London and Oxford. That isn’t a bad thing — many cities in the U.K. are arguably must-see destinations — but it’s also worth noting that there are plenty of extremely budget-friendly and beautiful places located all across the United Kingdom.
If you want to see something truly spectacular, one of the best places you can travel to in the United Kingdom is the Minack Theatre. It is advised to purchase your tickets in advance due to the popularity of this location, but it’s safe to say that you won’t regret visiting. Aside from the opportunity to see incredible productions of Shakespeare and local plays, you will also enjoy a crisp and gorgeous sea view for the duration of your stay. The best way to guarantee you can see this incredible place is to go to the Minack Theatre website and book your tickets online.
Another excellent place to go on a budget is Rottingdean. Due to the cost of your food and accommodations, going to Rottingdean won’t be entirely free. Still, it’s safe to say that you won’t regret visiting this little village situated in the cliffs and coasts just outside of Brighton. Aside from the gorgeous pebbled beaches and lush nature found in this comfortable city, you’ll also find yourself enraptured with the history and incredible attractions found nearby. Whether you’re drawn to the Kipling Gardens or a historic meal at Ye Olde Black Horse, Rottingdean is a place you won’t soon forget.
Budget Transportation In The UK
Travel By Train
One of the oldest forms of transport offered in the United Kingdom is train travel. Aside from how reliable this method of transport is, travel by train is also extremely budget friendly and can take you to cities across the United Kingdom. In fact, you can even take a train to another country in Europe!
The best way to start planning your travel by train is to go to the Network Rail website. This website offers free tips and insight into everything you’ll need to know to get around, and offers plenty of links to other helpful websites, too. One of the most important tips to remember: purchase your train tickets in advance whenever possible, and you’ll save a lot of money on fares!
Travel By Bus
One of the cheaper ways to travel in the UK is to ride on one of their common buses. You can generally get on a bus for minimal fare or bus pass costs, even for a fairly long journey or faraway destinations. The main coach bus operators in England are Megabus and National Express. You can also rely on Scottish Citylink, Ulsterbus, and TrawsCymru when in areas like Wales or Scotland. Some cities, like Oxford and London, offer regional bus services. It’s recommended to purchase a bus pass for the duration of your vacation when possible.
Travel By Plane
Traveling by air in England typically isn’t budget-friendly, but it is a convenient way to get around. You should look at the website of the airline you’re considering traveling with to verify that you have everything you need. If you’re concerned about personal health issues or COVID-19, you can also use the airline website and other online resources to determine whether they meet your personal standards for safety restrictions.
Travel By Car
Using a car to travel will be the third cheapest option for traveling across England. While it isn’t quite as budget-friendly as relying on transport like buses or trains, it does offer a high level of versatility that can make your vacation significantly more enjoyable. If you decide to use a car to travel England, you should shop around to look for good deals on car rentals in advance. Last minute rentals are likely to end up being significantly more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visiting England Expensive?
Compared to many other countries and cities in Europe and across the world, England is an expensive place to go to. However, it is possible to reduce the costs of your vacation by figuring out the cheapest way to travel and searching for deals whenever possible. Opting for cities like Edinburgh and Wales can reduce expenses, as will taking a budget approach to transport and what meal you consume each night. You can expect a heavily budgeted vacation to England to cost around $70 per day, while a luxurious trip might cost around $250 per day or more.
How Can I Go To England On A Budget?
You can go to England on a budget! There’s not one ‘right way’ of travel. The cheapest way to visit England is to make an assessment of where you can cut costs. You can travel to a less expensive city, but it’s alright to go to London if you can budget in other areas. You can reduce transport expenses by opting for the bus or train instead of air travel, and you can save money by cooking some nights as well. And while it might be tempting to go to England or other beautiful countries in Europe during the summer, you can save money by waiting for peak travel season to end.
How Much Does An Average Trip To England Cost?
You can expect an average trip to England to cost anywhere from $100 to $170 per day. It largely depends on how you travel and handle your costs. If you focus on using cheap transport options like trains and buses, you can often save money. Likewise, while it might be tempting to visit the best restaurants in London or Edinburgh, you can usually stretch your budget a bit further by enjoying a modest meal most days of the week.
How Much Does An Average Trip To Northern Ireland Cost?
Even if you’re able to find good deals on tickets or air travel for your journey, a trip to Northern Ireland will take a decent budget. It’s generally recommended that you try to set aside a budget of $120 to $140 per day you’ll spend in Northern Ireland if you want to fully enjoy the area. If you manage to find budget deals on transport or put some restrictions on your spending, you may be able to save money and stay in one of the area’s cities for cheaper.
How Many Days Are Enough For England?
Considering the costs of international travel and flights, you should plan to spend at least a week in England. This will give you a chance to fully enjoy the city of your choice. If you’re going to London for a week, for example, you could take around six or seven-day trips to attractions of your choice, dine out at a variety of restaurants, and even take a bus out for a day to somewhere interesting nearby! It’s better to take a longer vacation if you can, but spending at least a week in each city you travel to in England will let you fully enjoy your destinations.
How Much Spending Money Will I Need For A Week UK?
Ultimately, how much spending money you’ll need for a vacation depends on your preferences — but there are some rules of thumb you can use to decide how much spending money to bring. In general, it’s recommended for travelers to bring 75 dollars per person per day on a vacation for spending money, including dining out.
If you want to have a luxurious vacation, you should bring well above 75 dollars per person per day. But if you intend to travel for free or for as little cost as possible, you can generally do with as little as 25 dollars per day, as long as you take the right approach.
How Can I Spend My 1 Week In UK?
If you’re only visiting the United Kingdom for a week, it’s better to focus on experiencing everything that one city has to offer instead of trying to go across the United Kingdom. If you try to travel to Wales, Scotland, and England all in the course of a week, you’ll spend more time looking out the windows of trains and buses than you will get to enjoy the cities you travel to.
So if you’re visiting England for a week, the best way to travel is to just enjoy the city you chose thoroughly. If you’re in London, for example, you can take day trips to incredible places like Buckingham Palace and the National Gallery, all while getting to eat and drink local cuisine and stay at a wonderful hotel.
While you won’t exactly get to see northern Ireland and the entirety of England in the span of a week, you will forge unforgettable memories by approaching your vacation in this way.
What Are The Best Ways To Save Money In The United Kingdom?
Here are a few essential guidelines you can follow to save money while traveling through London or the broader United Kingdom:
Pack your bags smartly. You should pack lightly to avoid baggage fees, but make sure to bring medicine, basic clothing items, and compact essentials.
Take advantage of free attractions. You don’t have to always pay just to have fun. Most of the best tourist attractions in the United Kingdom are completely free to see. Whether you’re drawn to Bath Abbey or the Kensington Gardens, you won’t be missing out when you travel for free.
Bring some snacks. You should bring something dense that won’t expire, like protein bars, nuts, or jerky.
Travel to your destination during its off-season. It’s no surprise that traveling across the world during a holiday season is expensive, but if you book during an unpopular time, you’ll find that flights and hotels are surprisingly cheap.
Shop locally and cook for yourself. You don’t have to go to restaurants to eat the local cuisine. In fact, most grocers carry everything you need to eat like a local.
Use a credit card with travel benefits. While you should avoid splurging during your vacation, using a credit card with travel benefits for your essential purchases will let you enjoy a few extra luxuries.
Book your travel early. Whether you’re taking trains, buses, or even flights, you should book your trip online as early as possible to avoid surcharges or last-minute fees.
How Can I Stay Safe From COVID-19 While Visiting The UK?
While a summer vacation or impromptu flights to the United Kingdom are exciting ideas, it’s not unusual to be intimidated by the journey if you’re worried about COVID-19. As long as you take the right steps, though, avoiding the COVID-19 virus on your United Kingdom tour or trip is simple.
To start, you should make sure to check the current guidelines on COVID-19 online. There are many resources available online that explain what vaccinations you’ll need and whether you should wear a mask or self-test. And, in the worst-case scenario, you can trust that the NHS will provide all the care you need to recover in an emergency.
The 7 Cheapest Places To Visit In UK
Whether you’re drawn to the excitement of Edinburgh or London, there’s plenty of spectacular places to see in the United Kingdom. As anyone who’s looked at the cost of international travel knows, however, it’s important to save money on your trip.
Luckily, as long as you stick to the cheaper options for travel and accommodation, visiting spectacular cities like London and Oxford on a budget is completely possible. I hope that my guide to the seven cheapest places to visit in UK helped you find an incredible destination for your next trip!
