London is a thriving city when it comes to culture: one of the reasons why people love living there is that there’s always something going on. Because of this, it can be easy to neglect the cultural events happening in other places around the UK. Art, music, literature, theatre, science, history; whatever your interest, there is a huge number of places you can explore.
So if you’re planning a staycation in the UK and you want to combine it with some cultural connection, read on for a burst of inspiration!
Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh is famously home to the Fringe Festival, the go-to place for upcoming and established names in comedy. If you can get up to Edinburgh in August, you can catch some smaller comedians you haven’t heard of yet.
However, did you know Edinburgh has a famous art festival in August every year too? Known for showcasing groundbreaking art, the Edinburgh Arts Festival had 55 exhibitions and events running across the city.
Writers, musicians, artists, and photographers are showcased at EAF, and you can buy a pass that allows you access to all events, rather than paying individually for each one.
Chichester Film Festival
Dozens of film festivals take place every year in the UK, but the Chichester Film Festival is excellent. With notable guests (in 2024 they hosted guests including Ralph Fiennes, Kathleen Turner, and John Lithgow), this is the place to go for premieres, open-air screenings, and viewings of classic movies with live musical accompaniment.
The Chichester Film Festival has been running for 30 years now, and it has a rich history behind it. Definitely worth a visit to Chichester in August! Details for the 2025 event are yet to be announced but expected sometime after May. Keep an eye on the website for the latest news.
Shakespeare in the Abbey
Bath is a beautiful city and absolutely worth a visit in its own right, but did you know you can catch a live performance of a Shakespearean play each year at Bath Abbey? For the 2025 season, you can watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Talk about an atmospheric setting.
You can catch Shakespeare performances in various places around the country, including:
- The Globe, London – of course, this is a must-visit
- In outdoor and National Trust venues like Fyne Court, Somerset
- In cathedrals, like Norwich Cathedral
Bristol Forwards Festival
Located in Bristol, Forwards Festival is a celebration of international music, but it goes beyond music: it’s designed to focus outward, bringing people together and considering how we can make long-term positive change.
Bristol is home to a number of other festivals you need to visit, including the famous Balloon Fiesta in the summer.
MOMA Machynlleth
It’s easy to think of London as the hub of modern art in Britain, but there are some stunning modern art museums across the UK. For example, MOMA Machynlleth (located in the historic market town of Machynlleth in mid-Wales) has seven galleries showcasing incredible modern art, talks, exhibits, and a concert hall in a converted chapel.
Entry to the gallery is free, and you have a good excuse to explore Machynlleth, which is beautiful with a rich history to explore.
Science Museums
There are some incredible science museums in the UK. The Discovery Museum in Newcastle is an excellent day out for families combining science exhibits with interesting local history.
You can also check out Techniquest in Cardiff, which is packed with hands-on exhibits that kids (and grown-ups) will find fascinating, and We The Curious in Bristol, a recently refurbished science museum complete with a planetarium.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
Did you know you can visit the actual home of the Brontë sisters? Located in West Yorkshire, the building is now home to a museum celebrating the life and work of the authors, and it includes the most comprehensive collection of their manuscripts, letters, poetry, and early editions of their novels. An absolute must-visit for fans of their work, and West Yorkshire is stunning.
Featured image: Canva
