1530 Things to Do in the United Kingdom Unique Activities & Hidden Gems 2026

Enjoy food as diverse as our people, or explore our cities by paddleboard or street art tour. The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge – the oldest (and, for a long time, the only) universities in England and Wales – have a rivalry going back a long way. Wander around cool, independent shops, cafés and galleries on The Lanes, gawp at the majestic Pavilion and play arcade games on the pier, before pitching up on the pebbly beach for a feast of freshly battered fish and chips. The town of Brighton, just a short journey south of London, is the perfect seaside spot.

In terms of engagement, MyLondon and Surrey Live also saw the biggest month-on-month growth in total minutes spent, up 128% (to 6.5 million minutes) and 63% (to 6.2 million) respectively. Just over half (27) saw month on month growth in total minutes spent, led by Bristol Live up 126.5% to 18.2 million minutes in May. CNN was back on the list, having dropped off in March, and recorded the biggest monthly increase in audience, up 60% to 3.6 million, plus a 6.9% increase year on year. Below is a list of best universities in the United Kingdom ranked based on their research performance in Media Studies. Of the ten sites, the biggest month-on-month growth in minutes spent was at Express sister title the Mirror, up 16% to 236.2 million minutes.

• It acquired US-based women’s media brand Betches in 2023 for an initial cash consideration of $24m.
• This stunning garden inspired by the principles of modern physics is the finest example of the unconventional approach to landscaping.
• If you’re looking to enjoy the English coastline, one of the top things to do in the UK is the Jurassic Coast, which has the best holiday cottages to stay in.
• Seen all over this amazing national park, where you can drive or cycle to your heart’s content, the amazing trees and peaceful villages of this region make it a firm favourite.
• J.K. Rowling is the author of the “Harry Potter” series, which tells the story of a young wizard.

Its parent company Acuris Holdings Ltd previously appeared in 16th place on our last top-50 list with revenue of £390.2m but it no longer reports a UK turnover figure. Mergermarket Ltd appears in the list for the first time in position 36 with turnover of £84.2m in 2023. Delinian, the former Euromoney Institutional Investor which was taken over by a private equity consortium in 2022, dropped seven spots. Sky dropped two, to sixth, and News UK dropped four places to tenth after parent company News Corp broke out previously unavailable information about its UK revenue.

Home to independent shops and theatres, Bath is a pretty, honey-hued city famous for its grand, sweeping crescents and former resident Jane Austen. Once you’re back on dry land, explore the pretty villages of Blakeney, Stiffkey, Cley-next-the-Sea and Wells-next-the-Sea, as well as the wide expanse of Holkham Beach. The north Norfolk coastline is a sweet place to spend away a day or two. Embarking on the Otley Run (especially in costume) is a rite of passage for Leeds’s many uni students, but it’s great fun for anyone else too. Once you're out and feeling refreshed, go and explore the town's slew of cool cafes, shops and artsy hubs. Expect great bands, food, comedy, yoga and meditation, as well as the ritualistic burning of a pagan effigy at the end of the weekend.

February 2025

If you’re into your wine, it’s all Tillingham, Tillingham, Tillingham nowadays. From hikes over sweeping landscapes to world-famous music festivals and legendary landmarks, check out our bucket list of the best things to do in the UK Big World Small Pockets was created to share with you the tips and tricks of travelling better for less… read more

Celebrity magazine Ok (up 14.1% month on month to 2.6 million) and the Oxford Mail entered the top 50 in March, replacing Herald Scotland and Lancashire Live. Reach-owned Examiner Live (Yorkshire Live) dropped 44.3% to 3.9 million, behind fellow Reach title the Daily Record which was down 36.5% to 5.4 million. The Newsquest-owned title saw visitors increase by 183% to 3.4 million compared with the same period last year, up 136.4% month on month. The Oxford Mail re-entered Press Gazette’s top 50 ranking of leading UK news websites in March, leading audience growth both month on month and year on year. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are widely used for news consumption and social interaction—they have become essential tools for journalists and news organisations to reach audiences.

Daily Express

Police say 57 people and 20 organisations ‘remain as suspects’ over the deadly blaze but any trials are unlikely to start for three years Paul Spence set up the Hull-based charity after an attack left him with a brain haemorrhage. Simon Pope is calling on Network Rail to improve the Pewsey crossing where his mother died in 2025. High service charges and fire safety issues leave many in Stratford's East Village unable to sell up.

US-based newsbrands led month-on-month audience growth in the UK in November, according to the latest data from Ipsos iris. Forbes saw the biggest increase month on month in December, up by more than half (52.1% to 12 million minutes), followed by GB News (up 50.9% to 62.4 million) and Hello! Ok saw the biggest year-on-year drop in time spent among Press Gazette’s top 50 list, down 63% to a total 5.5 million minutes.

The scenery is totally breathtaking, but the Scottish Highlands and islands are steeped in history, mystery, folklore and legend too. But from the gay clubs of Canal Street to the ever-popular Parklife weekender in summer, this northern powerhouse still has a varied and vibrant clubbing scene that attracts partygoers from all over the country. https://www.americasquarterly.org/blog/weekly-roundup-from-across-the-americas-34/ Yeah, Happy Mondays might be a more common sight on daytime telly than on stage.

Visit Pride and Prejudice filming locations in England

From the Beatles’ Childhood Homes in Liverpool, to Abbey Road and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust street in London, discover the UK’s most iconic musical landmarks. Britain has a diverse foodie scene, with plenty of unique and delicious dishes to be experienced. From great sandy beaches to old fishing villages, plus an abundance of nature and history, the North York Moors coast offer everything you could want from a holiday.

August 2025

With 79 universities in this ranking, variation in studio facilities, industry placement networks, production equipment access and graduate employer connections is very significant. For how these universities compare across all subjects, see the Unifresher best universities overall ranking and our best universities for employability. Swansea University tops our 2027 media and communication ranking with 201 points, achieving 95% academic support and 86% teaching quality. Recommendations are based on your answers and general provider characteristics. Previously she worked at the Telegraph as a data journalist and freelanced for various titles.

December 2025

Healthline Media followed this decrease with an 18% decline month on month to an audience of 4.4 million. The biggest month-on-month audience decline was Bristol Live for the second month in a row, down 21% to 2.8 million people. Some 21 of the biggest newsbrands in the UK saw audience growth month on month, while 28 newsbrands saw a year-on-year increase – down from 33 in October. CNN (up 26% to 3.3 million people), Screenrant (up 25% to 2.8 million) and Forbes (up 17% to 4.9 million) were three of only four sites to see double-digit boosts month on month. News network CNN, entertainment website Screenrant and business-focused publisher Forbes all saw the biggest month-on-month increases in their monthly audience.

This stunning Victorian covered market with a decorative roof is a sight to see. You can choose the morning or afternoon time slot for the tour. One of the most iconic tourist attractions in London, the London Eye offers you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s landmarks. Check out iconic buildings like Trinity College, King’s College, Corpus Christi College, and the Senate House. They’re perfect for days when food stops along the trail are limited or unpredictable. One standout was Layside, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking beautiful farmland.

Liverpool

The two exceptions were Channel 4 (which like the BBC includes non-news content), which was up 14% month on month to 764.8 million minutes, and The New York Times, up 10% to 468.9 million. Eight of the top-ten newsbrands by total minutes spent with their content saw a drop compared to March. They include Reach’s site for the UK capital, MyLondon, which re-entered the ranking in 38th place with an audience of 4.4 million (up 75% month on month and 61% year on year). After entering Press Gazette’s top-50 audience ranking for the first time in March, Substack has dropped back out (it would be in 51st place). Mail Online fell from second place behind the BBC to fifth (21.2 million, flat month on month and down 6% year on year).

Wander in the Maritime Mercantile City in Liverpool

Media and communication graduate salaries range from £17,000 to £30,000 (standard graduate outcomes) within six months based on 2027 data. If your goal is print, broadcast or digital journalism specifically, look for programmes with NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) accreditation, as this is the industry-standard qualification for editorial employment. Many programmes blend these disciplines under the broad "media and communication" label — check specific modules carefully before applying. Communication covers interpersonal, organisational and mass communication, with stronger links to PR, marketing communications, corporate communication and research methodology. Journalism focuses on news production, reporting, editing, investigative writing and broadcast journalism, often with strong practical and professional accreditation components.

• Olivia Newton-John, born in England, became famous worldwide for her roles in movies like Grease.
• Students benefit from industry-standard facilities and strong links with creative employers.
• It tells you what they did and where they went in a chronological biography and also lists relevant locations so that you can follow in their footsteps for research or purely for pleasure.
• Healthline Media followed this decrease with an 18% decline month on month to an audience of 4.4 million.
• And top of this list have to be the counties Devon and Cornwall, with their wealth of amazing coastline, coves and cafes!

For centuries travellers have made this epic journey through Britain’s heartlands – and now it’s your turn to tackle The Explorer’s Road. With peaceful gardens tucked away in bustling cities and a countryside full of enchanting green spaces, nourish your soul in nature across all corners of Britain. Britain’s coast holds centuries of stories which our maritime destinations bring to life. Head east along the coast to the Kent towns of Deal, Margate and Whitstable for more piers, vintage fairground rides and incredibly fresh seafood. If you like being active and adventurous – think boating, biking and hiking – this countryside is your playground.

Of the ten biggest news websites in the UK, eight saw month-on-month growth from December to January while half grew year on year. Express.co.uk was up by 32% year on year and 8% month on month to reach 17.1 million people in January, making it the ninth biggest news website in the country. Six Reach-owned regionals were among the ten brands with the biggest month-on-month audience growth in February, led by Chronicle Live in Newcastle (up 26.9% to 4 million) and Leeds Live (up 24.8% to 4.8 million).

The Guardian US earned nearly $2m in reader revenue over three days after its editor wrote an open letter pitching the title as a journalistic counterweight to the Trump campaign. It generates income by listing estate agents on its website and charging for advertising. In 2012, the company acquired financial journalist Martin Lewis’ consumer finance site, Moneysavingexpert.com. The UK accounts do not, however, show consolidated earnings for the global business as the FT says it generates a large proportion of its revenue overseas.

• They’re perfect for days when food stops along the trail are limited or unpredictable.
• I’ve found how to fly on a private jet — without the jet-set price
• The Oxford Mail (3.7 million minutes) also saw the highest month-on-month growth of total minutes spent in August at 27.5% to 3.7 million.
• Whatever the time of year, you have to remember this is the UK after all, a region in which the heavens can open at any point!

On a weekend, you’re likely to find a healthy mix of fashion darlings, seasoned locals and tourists rummaging for treasures. Highlights include the beautiful cliffs at Beer, the historic seaside town of Lyme Regis, the sweeping shingle ridge of Chesil Beach, Old Harry Rocks and West Bay’s golden sands. Running from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, the rocks record 185 million years of the Earth’s history – and they look pretty good, too. Once you’ve wandered around the historic site, head to Thermae Bath Spa for your own chance to wallow in Bath’s warming waters.

British monarchs and leaders have shaped the course of world history for centuries. The nation that gave the world Shakespeare, Newton, and the Industrial Revolution continues to produce cultural icons, scientific innovators, and sporting legends who shape global popular culture. The United Kingdom, despite its relatively small size, has had an outsized influence on world history, culture, and science. In November 2002, the British public voted to find the Greatest Briton of all time. Although the BBC's original ranked list has been removed from their web server and what remains is only an alphabetical list of the Top 100, several other sources have preserved the original ranked list.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush). Film actors are the largest category with 32 individuals, followed by 26 novelists and 21 television actors. The entertainment industry features figures like Academy Award-winner Peter Finch, contemporary actors Guy Pearce and Kiefer Sutherland, and singer-actress Olivia Newton-John. The Premier League is the most-watched football league in the world, British music acts consistently top global charts, and British actors have defined some of cinema's most iconic roles. One of the more controversial figures to be included on the list was the occultist Aleister Crowley.