40 'Must Do' Destinations & Events
There are certain places, events, and activities in life you just don't want to miss, and many of these can be done in London or not too far afield. Most of us either living in the UK or visiting will only be doing so for a relatively limited time, so it's important that every experience is grasped, every option considered. How many of our 'must do's' have you done?
1. Spend a summer evening enjoying a performance of a play by the greatest ever playwright (Shakespeare, in case you weren't sure!) in a unique setting - Shakespeare's Globe. The reconstructed Tudor theatre on the banks of the Thames has a magical atmosphere, matched only by the excellent Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park - where the Pimms is sold by the jug and a picnic meal is almost obligatory.
2. Experience central Europe's most picturesque capital - Prague. True Bohemian rhapsody at affordable prices.
3. Join the queues at a leading British sports event - such as Wimbledon - and watch the national hopes deflate once again as Henman crashes out. Great tradition and atmosphere though, matched only by Lords during an Ashes Test.
4. Visit one of England's most historic cities - York. An important Roman, Viking, and medieval city, York boasts an impressive cathedral, castle, city walls, medieval streets, and Viking archaeology. Also makes a great place for exploring Yorkshire and the moors.
5. Get some culture at one of the world's greatest treasure houses, the British Museum. Stocked to the rafters with Egyptian mummies, Roman statues, Celtic treasure, and art and artifacts from around the world. Entry is free.
6. Enjoy the best views in London atop the London Eye - spectacular.
7. Venice is a unique, magical city - despite the crowds. Walk the winding alleyways, float down the canals, enjoy the drowned splendour of this once-powerful island empire.
8. London has more pubs than any other city in the world, and many are historic gems. There are few better places to enjoy a Sunday roast and a few pints.
9. Horse-racing is a popular British sporting pastime, particularly as it is a spectator sport rather than one that requires actual exertion. The Grand National at Aintree, the Epsom Races, and Ascot are key events on the racing calendar, and a great excuse to dress up, drink champagne, and make a day of it.
10. Spain is one of Europe's most beguiling countries, and its coastal resorts are overrun with package holiday tourists for half of the year. The real treasures are inland though - beautiful cities such as Granada, Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona. Don't miss out on a Spanish experience.
11. Markets have been an important part of community life in London and the UK for centuries. Visit a weekend market and enjoy the sights, sounds, and bargains - some of London's best include Camden (street fashion, crafts), Greenwich (arts and crafts), Portobello and Camden Passage (antiques and collectibles), and Columbia Road (flowers and plants).
12. Paris is France's compelling capital city, and has a reputation for romance, history, and style. Just 3 hours by Eurostar or an hour by plane, there's no excuse for not visiting this fascinating city.
13. Britain's historical and architectural legacy is hard to beat, and palaces and castles dot the landscape. Many - such as Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, and Blenheim Palace - are within reach of London, and provide a fascinating visual reminder of royal and aristocratic life.
14. London theatre is rightly recognized as the world's strongest, with leading casts, great drama, and popular musicals filling up to fifty theatres every night. Shows such as the Lion King, Les Miserables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mamma Mia are the hot tickets, so book ahead.
15. A bit further afield, Egypt has celebrated seven millennia of history and culture. A trip to the fascinating and friendly countries of the middle east - Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey in particular - is easy and affordable from the UK. Pyramids and the Nile, Luxor and the Red Sea resorts - Egypt is several lands and peoples in one.
16. London's history, hidden corners, scandals, murders, ghosts, pubs, and architecture are brought to life on guided walks. Every day, expert guides transport you back in time and to new places for a fiver - a unique London experience.
17. The South Kensington Museums are some of the best in the world. The V&A, Natural History, and Science Museums are all well worth a visit, and best of all entrance is free.
18. Rome is the Eternal City - a treasure house of Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance art and architecture. Also recognized as a great place to shop, eat, and just watch the world go by, Rome should be on every travellers' itineraries.
19. Antipodeans in the UK have a unique opportunity to pay homage to the sacrifice of the soldiers who served and died in the first and second world wars. The bulk died in northern France between 1914-1918 fighting the Germans, and the landscape there is dotted with melancholy memorials and cemeteries. Further afield, ANZAC tours to the site of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign have become very popular, and Kiwi cemeteries in Italy and Crete commemorate the dead of World War Two.
20. The rolling green fields and quaint villages of the British countryside are justly celebrated, and one of the best ways to enjoy the Country is by staying in a rural cottage. Cottage holidays are becoming more and more popular, and heritage organisations such as the National Trust have a portfolio of historic cottages for hire.
21. The Greek Islands are a must for lovers of sand and sea mixed in with traditional island life and a rich history. Don't miss out on the island experience.
22. Oktoberfest has become something of an Antipodean ritual, and the Germans definitely know how to celebrate beer! Either during Oktoberfest itself or at any time during the year, a visit to the German beer halls in Munich are a unique 'OE' experience.
23. Take part in a traditional British event, whether it be the Highland Games of the Scottish clans, cheese-rolling in an English village, morris-dancing, swan-upping, or Guy burning.
24. Put your tourist's hat on and mingle with some famous (wax) people at Madame Tussauds or sample some spookiness at the London Dungeon.
25. London's parks are fantastic green lungs for the city, and a picnic in the park is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery. Try Greenwich for river views and the Royal Observatory, Regent's Park for roses, squirrels, the lake, and the Open Air Theatre, Hyde Park for wide open spaces and Speaker's Corner, and St. Jame's Park for birdlife and Buckingham Palace.
26. Oxford and Cambridge are the UK's famous university towns, characterized by their 'dreaming spires' and students on bicycles. Amazing medieval college architecture, boating on the rivers, student night life - and both towns are just an hour from London.
27. The Running of the Bulls at the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona has been a festival highlight for centuries. Now the locals are pretty much outnumbered by Antipodeans, but this remains one of Europe's premier events.
28. London's architectural treasures include two mighty churches - St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Both are amazing buildings that have played key roles in Britain's history - the coronation of kings and queens, funerals for leading citizens (Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, and - most recently - the Queen Mother), and places of celebration and worship.
29. Bath is a Roman city that is now famed for its elegant Georgian streets, medieval Abbey, and the 2000-year old Roman bathing complex. Just 90 minutes from London, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site such is its historical and architectural importance, and it also makes a great base to explore the Cotswalds and Stonehenge.
30. Football is a national institution, and there are few bigger sporting occasions than a big Premiership match. London has a number of leading teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and West Ham to name but four - while Liverpool and Manchester United have huge world-wide followings.
31. Music Festivals are an integral part of the British Summer, with Reading and Glastonbury being two of the better-known events. Leading acts, camping in the mud, and lots of other shows and stalls make these festivals a unique weekend away.
32. Europe has some of the best mountain slopes and resorts in the world, so it's not surprising that Skiing In Europe is such a popular past-time. The Swiss, Italian, Austrian, and French alpine regions in particular are key skiing destinations.
33. Scotland has some great destinations - Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and the Highlands - but Edinburgh is its showpiece capital. There's plenty to see and do in this quintessential Scottish city - including the hill-top castle, Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat, and the Old Town. At New Year's, the Hogmanay Festival features Europe's biggest street celebrations.
34. Canal boating is a great way to see the British countryside - drifting slowly along one of hundreds of canals, enjoying the scenery, stopping at riverside pubs, and sleeping on board. The inland reaches of the Thames and the Norfolk Broads are two particularly popular boating spots.
35. The British seaside is simply unique - tacky amusement arcades, stony beaches, the smell of greasy chips hanging in the air, and (with luck) a pier as well. Brighton and Blackpool are two classic examples of seaside resorts, while Cornwall boasts a surfing resort at Newquay.
36. Get off the beaten track and see something different - go inside Wellington's Arch, visit Richmond's Ham House or Hampstead's Kenwood House, or just wander around a new part of the city.
37. Cruising on the Thames is a great way to see London from a different perspective, whether you're just catching a regular service from Westminster to Greenwich or going on a longer cruise. There are plenty of riverside pubs along the Thames to enjoy.
38. Enjoy London's wide and varied restaurant scene, where the multi-cultural community is reflected in a number of different cuisines. Indian restaurants are particularly popular - you simply can't leave the UK without having a decent curry - but London has in recent years gained a reputation for fine food and greater affordability.
39. Dublin and Ireland are just an hour from London, and the Emerald Isle is renowned for its beauty and hospitality. Don't just do the St. Patrick's Day trek, explore this fascinating isle in all of its different guises.
40. Amsterdam is a popular destination for a number of reasons - drugs and sex, art and history - and is a city that will constantly surprise and intrigue. There's no city quite like it.
We could of course add so many more destinations and events to our list, but hopefully the 40 above will give you plenty of inspiration to make the most of your Big 'OE'.
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