Autumn is shaping up to be a brilliant season outside London, and we've just added 45 new experiences across Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool to the tickadoo platform. Whether you're planning a spooky city break, a whisky-fuelled long weekend, or simply looking for fresh things to do closer to home, this roundup covers the highlights worth booking now. Scotland's capital leads the charge with a particularly strong batch of new listings, so we've given it top billing below — but keep reading for what's landed further south too.
Edinburgh's New Whisky Experiences: From Tastings to Three-Course Feasts
Edinburgh's relationship with whisky runs deep, and two new additions let visitors explore it at very different paces. The Scotch Whisky Experience Tours & Tastings, from £24, is the ideal introduction for newcomers. Housed just steps from Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile, it combines a barrel ride through the history of Scotch production with a guided tasting of whiskies from Scotland's key producing regions. It's a compact, family-friendly experience that works well as a first stop before a day of sightseeing.
For something more indulgent, A Taste of Scotland - Scotch Whisky Experience: Guided Tasting & 3-Course Meal, from £95, pairs the same expert-led tasting with a full three-course dinner showcasing Scottish produce — think haggis, venison and fresh seafood. This one's best booked as an evening activity rather than squeezed between attractions; allow a good two to three hours and arrive with an appetite. It's a popular choice for anniversaries and special occasions, so we'd recommend booking a few weeks ahead if you're travelling during festival season or December.
Insider tip: pace yourself
Both experiences involve multiple whisky samples, so if you're planning to combine either with the Royal Mile's other attractions afterwards, consider scheduling them later in the day and walking (rather than driving) back to your hotel. Edinburgh's compact Old Town means most central hotels are within easy walking distance — browse options via our hotels section if you haven't booked accommodation yet.
Ghosts, Graves and Underground Vaults: Edinburgh's Spookier Side
Edinburgh's underground history is famously eerie, and three new tours now let visitors explore it in varying degrees of intensity. The Haunted Vaults Tour, from £19, is a solid entry point, guiding small groups through the atmospheric South Bridge Vaults with tales of the city's darker past. If you'd rather combine the underground element with an above-ground graveyard, the Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour, from £21, adds a walk through one of the city's historic burial grounds, widely associated with grave-robbing history and paranormal reports.
For those who want the full theatrical experience, the Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour, from £21, runs later in the evening with a more intense, jump-scare-driven format led by costumed guides. This one isn't recommended for younger children or the easily rattled, but it's become one of the most talked-about additions to Edinburgh's evening entertainment scene. All three tours depart from meeting points on or near the Royal Mile, an easy walk from Waverley train station and well served by Princes Street buses if you're staying further out.
Best time to visit
Vault tours run year-round, but they're especially atmospheric during the darker autumn and winter months. Evening tours book up fast around Halloween, so if you're planning a trip in late October, secure your slot as early as possible.
Illusions, Views and Royal History: Edinburgh's Family-Friendly Additions
Not every new listing is about whisky or hauntings. The Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Admission Ticket, from £25, remains one of the city's most enduringly popular attractions, offering five floors of optical illusions, interactive exhibits and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views over the castle and the city below. It's a brilliant rainy-day option and works well for groups with children or teenagers.
Down at Leith, meanwhile, the Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets with Audio Guide, from £25, offer a fascinating glimpse into royal history aboard the former floating residence of the Royal Family. The self-guided audio tour takes you through the state apartments, crew quarters and engine room, and typically takes around 90 minutes to two hours. Leith is a short taxi or bus ride from the city centre, so it's worth building into a half-day itinerary alongside lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants nearby.
Save Money on Edinburgh Sightseeing with the Edinburgh Pass
If you're planning to tick off several attractions during your stay, the newly added Edinburgh Pass, from £97, is worth serious consideration. It bundles entry to a wide range of the city's top sights — ideal for visitors wanting a "quintessential tour" of the Scottish capital without booking each attraction separately. For anyone combining castle visits, museum entry and a couple of the tours listed above, the pass can work out significantly better value than paying individually, and it saves time queuing for tickets on the day.
Getting around Edinburgh
Most of these new experiences cluster around the Old Town, Royal Mile and Waverley station, all comfortably walkable. For Leith-based attractions like the Royal Yacht Britannia, Lothian Buses run frequent services from the city centre. If you're flying in, Edinburgh Airport has a direct tram link into town — check flights and flights deals for the latest fares before you book.
What's New in Manchester and Liverpool
While Edinburgh dominates this update, Manchester and Liverpool have also seen a wave of new listings covering everything from live music and comedy to city tours and family attractions. Both cities continue to build reputations as genuine rivals to London for weekend breaks, with strong food, culture and nightlife scenes of their own. We'll be publishing dedicated city guides shortly, but in the meantime, browse the full things to do section to see what's live right now, or head to our blog for city-specific recommendations as they're published.
Of course, if a West End show is still on your list before or after your regional trip, don't forget to check west-end-tickets for the latest availability — or browse individual show pages for detailed information on timings and venues.
Plan Your Visit
With 45 new experiences now live across Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool, there's never been a better time to plan a UK city break. Start by building your itinerary with our trip planning tools, compare hotels via hotels and flights via flights, and check flights deals for the best fares to Scotland and the North West. Frequent travellers should also look at tickadoo+ membership, which unlocks exclusive discounts and early access to new listings like these. For more inspiration, explore our full things to do guide or dive into everything London has to offer via cities/london.
Planning a London trip?
Build your perfect itinerary with shows, hotels, and experiences — all in one place.