The Top Only-in-Britain Activities for 2014

USPA NEWS - A new study has revealed the top 'only-in-Britain' activities overseas visitors most want to experience. With Buckingham Palace topping the list for many countries, cosy pubs in Wales a draw for others, nights out in Newcastle ranking highly, and the chance to spot wildlife in the Scottish Highlands

A visit to Buckingham Palace
Nowhere but in Britain can you take a look around Her Majesty The Queen's home, and a trip to Buckingham Palace is a must-do on any summer trip to the capital. The palace is open daily from 2 August to 28 September this year, and you can book your tickets now. If those dates don't coincide with your visit, don't forget there are other royal palaces to visit. Windsor Castle is open daily year round, and under an hour's journey by train from London; and The Queen's Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is at one end of the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh, with stunning gardens to stroll in.

London from above
Take your pick from seeing London from Western Europe's tallest building, The Shard, or choose the giant ferris wheel that is the London Eye. Either way, the views will take your breath away, as you spot the historic landmarks you recognise from films and TV, like the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, and the more modern (and peculiarly named) additions like The Gherkin, the Cheese-Grater and the Walkie Talkie. Tickets to both attractions can be bought from the VisitBritain shop.

Visiting Edinburgh Castle
Scotland's capital is a stunner of a city, thanks to it beautiful architecture and stately gardens ““ but it wouldn't be Edinburgh without its Castle. The imposing attraction has many a story to tell, a must-visit at any time of year. If you're lucky enough to be visiting the city during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, you're in for a treat: the Castle is the backdrop for almost a thousand pipers, drummers, singers and dancers, celebrating all things Scottish. 2014 is the year of Homecoming in Scotland, so the Tattoo will be extra special (1-23 August).

Spot wildlife in the Scottish Highlands
Scotland is home to some beautiful animals, and others like to dip in on their way around the world, like majestic ospreys, who visit the Highlands and the Borders before going to Africa. A highlight wildlife spectacle has to be watching the annual deer 'rut', as stags battle for dominance and the chance to mate. The largest herds are found in the Highlands and Islands, and Scottish National Heritage and the Forestry Commission organise trips so you can see nature in action.

Take the mountain train up Snowdon
Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa, as it's known in the native Welsh, is the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 metres. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is a spectacular way to arrive at the 'rooftop' of Wales, where you'll be greeted with breathtaking views and the highest visitor centre in Britain. Snowdonia is also a great place to immerse yourself in Welsh culture ““ the area is bilingual, with 62% of the Park's population calling Welsh their mother tongue.

Go walking in Yorkshire's moors and hills
The northern English region of Yorkshire is beautiful ““ it's inspired painters like David Hockney, and authors like the Brontë sisters. Explore Haworth and Brontë Country by steam train, and go for a walk in the wild moors. Yorkshire will host the Grand départ of the Tour de France next July. Enjoy exploring the Arts of Yorkshire and get ready to admire art, craft, film and sculptures in fantastic locations.

Fish and chips at the seaside
The archetypal British dish is still a winner ““ and there's nothing like having it made with freshly caught fish on a trip to the seaside. Try it at famous chef Rick Stein's restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall (on the south westernmost tip of England), where you can eat in or takeaway, or sat on a lobster creel up in Scotland at The Fish & Chip Van on Fisherman's Pier in Tobermory Harbour, on the Isle of Mull.

Traditional afternoon tea and cakes
You've seen the Downton ladies do it ““ now visit Britain and take afternoon tea for yourself. There are plenty of places to indulge in an afternoon tea, but if you want to head to the winners of the 'Oscars of the Tea World', take the Tea Guild's advice. Davenports Tea Room in Chesire, northern England, won the top prize for its Alice in Wonderland themed tea room and scones, made to a closely guarded recipe from the 1930s. The Goring in London, a hotel with a Royal Warrant, won the best Afternoon Tea in London ““ but it's not a new craze for them, the hotel's been serving its quintessentially English Afternoon Tea since the day the hotel opened in 1910.

Watch a musical in London's West End
A night out to London's West End is guaranteed to be one to remember, and with hundreds of musicals on offer, the only question is how many can you fit into your trip. New for 2013 was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, which has had rave reviews, while Andrew Lloyd Webber ““ the master musical storyteller ““ is back with a new show, Stephen Ward The Musical, based on the Profumo Affair.

(Source: VisitBritain)