Inspirational UK: Cultural and sporting events- and how to go alternative

One of the best things about moving to the UK is having so many of the world’s most iconic cultural events right there on the doorstep. 

From legendary music and cultural festivals to high profile sporting occasions and globally famous theatres, art galleries and museums - the UK has it all. 

There’s a high chance you’ve heard of many of the country’s most famous events already. Who doesn’t know about Glastonbury, The FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon tennis, the Edinburgh Festival or Last Night at The Proms?

But to understand the full extent of the UK’s cultural heritage, you need to live there. 

For every high-profile mega-event there’s a myriad of quirky alternative options that are just as exciting and far more accessible.

Spending a day at the All England Club in July couldn’t be more British. Strawberries and cream, Pimm’s, all-white kit, grass court tennis and celebrity spotting are the order of the day. Even the queue to get in is iconic – but turn up the night before and be ready to camp if you want to buy a ticket on the day. Also check out the public ballot, open to anyone living in the UK

Can’t get a Wimbledon ticket or don’t fancy the queue? Try out the Hurlingham Classic in Fulham in June. It’s just as posh, with grass courts and Pimm’s but less crowded and easier to book. Eastbourne, on the south coast, also features some of the biggest names in tennis preparing for Wimbledon. Top tip: it’s free to watch qualifying matches on the first weekend and you can often spot stars on the practice courts, too.  

 Possibly the most iconic musical festival in the world, set on a farm in Somerset in June with crowds of 200,000 and an incredible array of music, nightlife and culture on offer. Some of the greatest bands in history have played the Pyramid Stage. The ticket sale is notoriously frantic and the festival sells out in minutes – but it should definitely be on your wish list. 

It's not only popular music on offer in the UK. If opera is more your thing, try Glyndebourne in East Sussex or the Grange Festival in Hampshire.

For classical music, the eight-week annual BBC Proms festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London is a must, culminating in the legendary Last Night of the Proms, which is so popular that tickets are only sold by ballot.

Prefer your festival a little less crowded and more down to earth? There are dozens to choose from in the UK. At Green Man, which takes place in beautiful countryside in Glanusk Park, Wales, you can expect an eclectic mix of music, poetry, literature, film, comedy and theatre. Tunes in the Dunes in Perranporth, Cornwall, is worth checking out, too. It takes place right on the beach! 

For opera buffs, Opera Holland Park, a temporary canopied theatre in London each summer, is a great alternative to Glyndebourne.

And Proms in the Park which features fireworks, live music, and a good old sing-along in Hyde Park is a great way to watch the Last Night of the Proms in a more informal setting. Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast host similar events.

Football fans from all over the world travel to watch the Premier League in England, but it’s a whole lot easier when you live there!

Getting tickets for giants such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal is not always easy, and often requires a club membership. But keep an eye out for special offers for cup games. Many clubs organise stadium tours to get a taste of the experience, too!

Another highlight is The FA Cup Final at the legendary Wembley Stadium in May - the tournament has been around since 1871.  

Women’s football is growing fast in the UK, and it’s easier and cheaper to get a ticket to watch the big teams play. You can cheer on the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United in smaller venues and see some of the greatest players in the world.

The Women’s FA Cup Final – which also takes place at Wembley – is getting bigger all the time. So, catch it while you can…