When planning a short holiday to the UK, the task may be daunting. In an area with so much history and beautiful sights combined with top-notch cultural amenities, how does one narrow down their options to just four days? While visiting the capital would normally be the way to go, a visit to London requires additional time to get everything done. Instead, what would be best suited for a four-day getaway is a trip to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It combines the medieval flair of a castle, a renowned festival atmosphere, famous tourist attractions, and beautiful scenic hilltop views all within four days’ worth of sightseeing.
However, before booking your travel tickets to Scotland, you should take care of how to get to Edinburgh after your plane lands at the airport. If you land at any of the London airports, including landing directly in Edinburgh, the type of transport you choose will determine whether or not you arrive there successfully. This is especially important if you are flying from anywhere south of Scotland where the Cabs In Hemel service will be of great use to you. The close proximity of Hemel Hempstead to the motorways of M1 and M25 makes it easy for you to head northwards with ease. Now that this matter is out of the way, let us discuss why Edinburgh is the ultimate place to spend four days in the UK.
A lot of people tend to go to London, but the big problem with London is that because it is such a huge place, it does not allow for a brief visit. For example, it would take four whole days to just tour around the British Museum and the Tower of London while leaving out many different parts of the city. Edinburgh, on the other hand, is a fairy tale kind of city, where the Old Town and New Town have both been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Edinburgh Castle towers from its volcanic site, and there is Arthur’s Seat – a volcanic site that offers beautiful views.
Visit Edinburgh Castle on your first morning in the city, but do arrive early as it opens at 9:30 AM, so that you get there just before all the crowds come in and have the privilege of viewing the Crown Jewels of Scotland, as well as the Stone of Destiny, which was used to crown ancient kings. Walk the streets of the Royal Mile from the castle all the way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In the afternoons, go exploring the closes (alleys), see St. Giles’ Cathedral whose spire is in the shape of a thistle, and taste a dram of Scotch whiskey at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
You will start your second day with a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which serves as the King’s official residence in Scotland. You will tour the royal apartments and see the remains of the Holyrood Abbey. Next, you should put on some sturdy walking shoes because you will be climbing up Arthur’s Seat, which rises to a height of 251 meters. You will have a panoramic view of Edinburgh and its surroundings from the top, including the Firth of Forth. The climb usually takes one hour and can be quite strenuous, but the experience is worth it. After dark, you will embark on a ghost walk of Edinburgh, which is often referred to as one of the most haunted cities in Europe.
Perhaps one of the most attractive things about traveling to Edinburgh for four days is its proximity to the Highlands region. One can make arrangements for a small group day tour that leaves from Edinburgh’s city center. Such a tour would take one to places like Loch Lomond, the Trossachs National Park, and even Stirling Castle and the Kelpies. Tours usually take between eight to nine hours and return late in the afternoon. The traveler will be treated to beautiful lochs, mountain tops covered in heather, and possibly even some Scottish Highland cattle. It offers one a true taste of “Braveheart” without having to move around accommodations. Travelers who had a convenient land transfer such as Airport Taxi Hemel Hempstead would enjoy it thoroughly.
Also read: Uncovering the Real Story of England’s Roughest Town
During your last day in Edinburgh, slow down and discover its lesser-known attractions. Visit Dean Village, which is an idyllic former milling village only 10 minutes’ walk downhill from the center of Edinburgh. With its cobblestoned streets and stone cottages overlooking Water of Leith, Dean Village seems light-years away from busy streets of Edinburgh. Later that day, you can visit Calton Hill, where among other sights you will find unfinished National Monument (also known as “Edinburgh’s Disgrace”) and Dugald Stewart Monument. While offering a similar view to that of Arthur’s Seat, it does not need such great efforts to get there. Your last day can end up with some shopping on either Princes Street or Victoria Street, famous for its colorful boutiques and supposed source of inspiration for Diagon Alley.
Although Edinburgh is our first choice, there are many more great places worth considering for a four-day holiday:
Bath & The Cotswolds: Combine Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and the golden honey-toned villages. This destination suits honeymooners or those who want to relax and rejuvenate themselves.
Belfast & The Giant’s Causeway: This capital of Northern Ireland provides attractions such as the Titanic Quarter, political murals, and scenic day-trip tours to the Giant’s Causeway’s basalt rock formations.
The Lake District: For lovers of walks and nature, this destination is ideal. Accommodate yourself at Windermere or Keswick and experience England’s most scenic national park.
But none of these destinations can provide the same mix of historic urban environment and accessible nature that Edinburgh provides in such close proximity.
No other place in the UK can match up to Edinburgh in terms of beauty, charm, and culture, making it the ideal destination for a 4-day holiday in the UK. The city is small, dramatic, full of culture, and the only place where visitors get the opportunity to experience a historic capital as well as the rugged landscape of Scotland within a few hours’ travel time. Once visitors start climbing the Royal Mile, their days will be spent exploring until they see that unforgettable sunset from Calton Hill. What needs to be done in advance is to make arrangements for transportation by land—either to get to the airport or to the train station in London.
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