As an international student, the summertime is usually the perfect time to go home and see family and friends. However, some prefer to stay in the UK to travel or work. You may find yourself getting bored as campus becomes extremely quiet and all your friends have gone home. Not to worry, though — the UK has many places to see and explore. This blog will highlight just some of the best places to visit during the summer, with a particular focus on Surrey and the surrounding areas.
The first place to visit is only a short distance from the University campus. Located on the outskirts of Dorking, Surrey Hills National Landscape is the perfect location for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of town life. With spectacular views, a wide range of wildlife, and a number of walking trails to choose from, Surrey Hills has something for everyone.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed, fine dining experience, The Ivy Asia has got you covered. With restaurants all around the country, The Ivy Asia is arguably one of the UK’s most well-known fine dining restaurants. The Guildford branch, like the rest, offers a very welcoming atmosphere with a wide range of culinary options. As you may expect, this experience doesn’t come cheap; however, if you budget well and plan in advance, it will definitely be worth every penny!
Also located nearby is the Greyfriars Vineyard. This stunning English vineyard is home to award-winning sparkling wine. The vineyard offers guided tours and wine tastings, and of course, a wide range of wines to choose from at a fairly affordable price. Greyfriars is the perfect place to visit on a hot Saturday afternoon with a small group of friends. They also host a variety of events throughout the year, which are always worth attending.
If you’ve explored all these options and are still looking for more, London is only 45 minutes away! The capital is known to be one of the best tourist cities in the world, leaving you with endless options to explore. Start with a walk around the City of London, the historic economic hub of the UK. Here, you can find St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern Museum, and the famous Shakespeare’s Globe. If you’re looking to continue exploring more artsy locations, head over to Brick Lane in East London, where you may find several pop-ups and thrift shops. Regent and Oxford Street are also good places for shopping, be it actual or window! While you’re in central London, you can head over to NQ64 in Soho for a full arcade and bar experience. They have a wide range of classic arcade games, including Pac-Man and Mario Kart.
One of London’s less spoken about tourist areas is Covent Garden, home to some of the city’s best theatres, including the Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The area is also home to what is, in my opinion, one of the best Apple Stores in the UK, which features live presentations on some of Apple’s latest products and their features! To top it all off, Covent Garden has a wide range of restaurants to choose from, with notable options including Luciano, Balthazar, and Vyta.
The truth is, being an international student can be tough; you may find yourself isolated and away from everything you know. However, this challenge also creates great opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new environments. The UK is a particularly beautiful place to be in the summer if you soak it all in and make the most of everything around you!
