The ultimate UK travel bucket list for 2024

If ticking off a travel bucket list is a major part of your New Year’s resolutions, the Great British Isles offer a myriad of fabulous destinations and unforgettable attractions that are more than a match for the most popular destinations in Europe and beyond.

With staycationing tipped to remain one of the coolest travel trends for 2024 and slow travel the greenest way to enjoy new cultural experiences, there are many good reasons for creating a UK travel bucket list to explore your home turf.

Whether you adore ancient architecture or modern wonders, have a passion for the great outdoors or the arts, we’ve selected some of the best things to do in the UK…

When it comes to cool-cationing, Scotland’s majestic Highlands tick all the right boxes.  Immerse yourself in stunning landscapes: it’s a world of rugged mountains, serene lochs, and picturesque glens, and you’ll wonder what took you so long to land here.

Go monster hunting in Loch Ness; walk up Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis; visit historic Urguhart Castle; marvel at the Falls of Foyers waterfall, or watch dolphins frolicking in the Moray Firth. And if you love high energy pursuits, you’ll be in your element — the Cairngorms National Park is a hotspot for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and off-road driving experiences. It’s quite simply one of the very best travel experiences in the UK.

Where to stay: Ness Walk is the must-stay hotel in Inverness, with bright, contemporary styled guestrooms, fine dining and concierge services for a wealth of sporty and sightseeing activities from fishing to helicopter tours. This gated five-star hotel located in the heart of the city is also your gateway to great fresh-air adventures. From £145 per night.

If you’re enchanted by J K Rowling’s wizarding world, a visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter in London should be high on your UK travel bucket list for 2024.  It’s a spell-binding chance to see the original sets, costumes, and props from the beloved film series, and the highlights of the guided Experience Tour include stepping onto iconic film sets like the Great Hall, Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse, Diagon Alley and Platform 9 ¾ for Hogwarts Express.

You can also see your favourite props; get up close to the characters’ costumes, and enjoy incredible ‘behind-the-scenes’ glimpses of the art department and explanations of the technological wizardry and special & visual effects that bring the stories, creatures and settings to life.

The venue is located just outside Watford and if you travel by train there’s a free shuttle service (with electric buses) from Watford Junction station. And to make a day of it, onsite dining options include the Chocolate Frog Café which serves sweet treats, and the Food Hall — a dining room complete with the floating candles inspired by the iconic Great Hall ceiling.

Where to stay: Just a short drive from the Studio, Sopwell House combines classic Georgian splendour with two luxurious spas.

For those seeking a high octane challenge that puts your stamina to the test, scaling the highest peak in Wales should feature on your travel bucket list for 2024. And when you reach the summit of Eryri, also known as Mount Snowdon, — which is 1,085 m (3,560 ft) —you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views of Eryri National Park.

Take your pick of six main routes to the top, which range from 11km -14.5km round trips, and can take anywhere between 4 to 7 hours, depending on your level of  fitness,  experience and weather conditions. Always research the route before you start, making sure that you have selected the best option for you and have all the necessary clothing and kit.

For safety and fun in numbers, you can also join guided walks with a pro, or treat yourself to an experience such as Snowdon by Night, to explore the mountain by moonlight, with a guided sunrise, sunset or dark skies walk.

Where to stay: Palé Hall Hotel, a Grade 11 listed Victorian country house, is a five-star haven and your gateway to all the great outdoor activities on offer in Eryri National Park. Here, you can feast on fine cuisine and fall into a luxurious bed when you return from the mountain. From £303 per night.

A day out at Henley for the famous boat races where the energy, the cheers, and the shared passion for rowing make the banks of the Thames come alive, is arguably one of the most quintessentially English summer experiences you could add to your travel bucket list. The Henley Royal Regatta is the best-known regatta in the world —a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season.

Visited by more than 300,000 people each year, Henley Royal Regatta boasts over 300 races across six days with crews including Olympic rowers making this an elite sporting competition. The atmosphere is electric and spectators are never very far away from a feast of delicious food and drink laid on by the organisers.

This year’s event takes place on  2-7 July, so book your tickets and prepare to watch the boats sail by while sinking chilled glasses of Pimms.

Where to stay: The Relais Henley is a sophisticated boutique abode on the banks of the river in Henley-on-Thames — and one of the most sought after places to stay during Henley Regatta. From £220 per night.

If you enjoy messing about on the water, set sail on one of the many lakes in the Lake District, such as Windermere or Ullswater, to fully appreciate the stunning landscapes that inspired many literary greats.

One of the top tourist attractions in the UK, The Lake District comprises more than 16 lakes and numerous tarns plus a stretch of coastline, making it a paradise for sailing and enjoying a plethora of watersports from wind surfing to paddle boarding.

You’ll find a wealth of local specialist operators offering boats for hire, along with kayaks, and canoes but if you’re not a seasoned sailor there are also many wonderful cruise options available. Windermere Lake Cruises offers a range of cruises from 45 minutes to three hours on Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. Departing from Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside, the voyages take you through secluded bays with magnificent views of mountain scenery.

Where to stay: One of the finest luxury hotels in The Lake District, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere exudes contemporary chic and is home to Michelin-starred restaurant, SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel. From £235 per night.