Hot Top Insider Tips

Dine in for Two

A little secret you won't know unless you've spent extended time in the UK. If you're self catering, keep an eye out for Marks & Spencer's Dine in for Two. You can bag a main, side and starter or dessert all for £12. Woolworths this is not, premium dinners include 21-day matured Sirloin steaks, smoked sea bass and Scottish salmon fillets. Your dessert will also be decadent. All this for $24. This UK top eats blog can give you ore inspiration for the classic dining experiences

UK shopping is always cheaper than NZ

The UK’s largest designer outlet complex is McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. Just a 45-minute drive out of Manchester (and it’s the one M56 motorway all the way) this outdoor shopping complex is home to 145 designer boutiques, from Burberry to YSL, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and 140 more. It's huge so allocate at least half a day.

When in Edinburgh walk to Stockbridge

When in Edinburgh, get off the tourist circuit and head to Stockbridge. A pretty wee village just a ten minute walk from Princes Street, if you fancy saying "cheerio the nou" (Scottish for goodbye apparently) to the tourists, this is where you'll find more locals.

Eat a bag of fried chips outside the smallest house

Go inside Great Britain’s smallest house in the quaint fishing village of Conwy, North Wales. It’s just 6 foot wide and only a fraction higher. Located in the picture-perfect seaside town of Conwy, complete with its own castle and shops selling traditional sticks of seaside rock, there's nowhere better to sit and eat scraps (a term used in England which refers to left over chip batter). 

Holidaying with kids

The UK's two biggest and best theme parks are Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, both owned by Merlin Entertainments. Alton Towers is convenient if you're 'up north' and Thorpe Park is your south option. Both are huge, and akin in size and serious G-force as any of the Gold Coast's premier theme parks. 

While in London make sure you go to to the Warner Bros. Studio – The Making of Harry Potter Tour. It is incredible, even if you are not huge Harry Potter fans.

Tickets sell out well in advance so be sure to pre-book. Buying a London Pass gives you a discount to Warner Bros. Studio Tour and it’s a great value way to explore more of London.

Free stuff in the capital 

London needn’t break the bank. If you’re holidaying in the UK, take advantage of the capital’s abundant supply of culture, art, galleries and museums. The best bit, all the world-class exhibits are free. Thank goodness for UK tax payers. Here are six of our favourite free museums and galleries.

A little known dime in the UK's north-west

Families love the award-winning Crocky Trail. An outdoor adventure playground in the muddy outdoors, scramble through trees, crooked bridges and swing over the fast flowing Crocky stream. Wear old clothes because if you trip, fall or slip, you're only going one way - into the mud. Location deets here.

Have a super cheap picnic

Take advantage of a competitive UK 'meal deal'. Pop into any major supermarket (Tesco, Sainsburys), Boots or Marks & Spencer and pick up a sandwich/wrap, drink and snack for three quid. Roughly $6. A nice cheap option for a picnic. 

Venture into Game of Thrones in misty Northern Ireland

With its craggy coastline and perpetual grey sky, Northern Ireland makes the perfect location for Game of Thrones. Head to County Antrim for the 820-acre walled demesne of Castle Ward, AKA Winterfell.

Find a a shamrock in your Guinness froth

At the The Dirty Onion (3 Hill Street, Belfast). As a former warehouse for Jameson Whiskey, this pre-1720 abode is one of the oldest buildings in the city and now plays host to some of the best live Irish bands in the city. There is also plenty of Guinness – complete with a shamrock in your froth

To see the best of Britain alongside continental highlights, these UK Europe Tours offer a seamless way to travel. Otherwise visit us in store or online to get your journey started.